Fluid Sampling Plunger With One-Way Valves for Clean Samples
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Solution Overview
Problem
Acquiring bodily fluids from a patient is challenging due to the presence of impurities and contaminants in initial fluid samples, and obtaining consistent fluid volumes is difficult, leading to inefficiencies and increased discomfort for the patient.
Innovation Solution
A fluid sampling apparatus with a primary fluid chamber and a plunger mechanism that allows for controlled fluid intake, featuring one-way valves and interchangeable vessel connections to separate and collect uncontaminated samples efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a needle pierces the body to obtain fluid samples, then fluid can be sampled from the patient, but impurities and contaminants (skin cells, dirt) are introduced into the sample
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling system is divided into separate functional chambers: a first chamber for receiving contaminated initial samples and a second chamber for collecting sterile samples suitable for testing. The plunger mechanism segments the fluid flow path, allowing initial contaminated fluid to be disposed of while subsequent sterile samples are collected in a separate vessel, thereby resolving the contradiction between obtaining fluid samples and avoiding contamination.
2Quantity of substance
If fluid samples are drawn to obtain sufficient volume for testing, then adequate sample volume is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and increases patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is pre-configured with a plunger mechanism and one-way valves that enable controlled, rapid fluid transfer. The plunger can be quickly actuated to transfer the required sample volume from the first chamber to the second chamber, eliminating the need for prolonged sampling procedures and reducing patient discomfort time while ensuring adequate sample volume for testing.
3Productivity
If a needle is inserted to sample fluid, then fluid can be obtained, but the needle and sampling process increase discomfort for the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the needle from the sampling apparatus design. Instead of using a needle to directly sample fluid into a vessel, the system uses a plunger mechanism that draws fluid through a catheter already in place, eliminating the needle insertion step and associated patient discomfort while maintaining fluid acquisition efficiency through the plunger-driven transfer mechanism.
4Productivity
If initial fluid samples are collected, then fluid can be obtained for analysis, but the samples contain impurities that make them unsuitable for testing
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the sampling process into two distinct phases: first, collecting initial samples in a first chamber (which may contain contaminants), and second, transferring sterile samples to a second chamber for testing. The plunger mechanism and one-way valves ensure that only sterile fluid reaches the second chamber, thereby resolving the contradiction between collecting fluid samples and ensuring their suitability for reliable testing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the separation of initial contaminated samples and collection of consistent volumes, reducing waste and patient discomfort by ensuring sterile samples are obtained without dismantling the apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid inlet port includes a first one-way valve and wherein the fluid inlet port and the first one-way valve are configured to provide for fluid communication between a coupled fluid inlet tube and the primary fluid chamber
Implementation Method 2
the plunger comprises a plunger channel therethrough including a second one-way valve, the plunger channel and second one-way valve are configured to provide for fluid communication between the primary fluid chamber at a first end of the plunger and a second end of the plunger
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid sampling apparatus comprising: a primary fluid chamber configured to receive a fluid therein, the primary fluid chamber defined by a barrel and a plunger. Movement of the plunger through the barrel varies the volume of the primary fluid chamber. A first end of the barrel comprises a fluid inlet port which is couplable to a fluid inlet tube. The fluid inlet port includes a first one-way valve. The plunger comprises a plunger channel therethrough including a second one-way valve. The plunger channel and second one-way valve are configured to provide for fluid communication between the primary fluid chamber and a second end of the plunger. The second end of the plunger is configured to engage with a sample vessel for receiving a fluid from the plunger channel.