Body Fluid Separator Piston Control for Pressure-Balanced Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing body fluid component separating devices struggle to maintain pressure balance during the descent of the piston, leading to uncontrolled pressure changes in the upper and lower spaces, and lack the ability to set the piston position arbitrarily based on the desired capacity of the target fluid.
Innovation Solution
A body fluid component separating device with a manipulator system that includes a shaft, male and female engagement elements, and a handle to adjust and fix the piston position, maintaining pressure balance between the upper and lower spaces, and allowing for arbitrary capacity settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the piston is allowed to move downward freely during body fluid separation, then the separation process can proceed, but the pressure balance between upper and lower spaces cannot be maintained, causing uncontrolled pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a manipulator system with male and female engagement elements that can adjust the piston position to specific volumes, maintaining pressure balance by controlling the relationship between upper and lower space volumes during the separation process
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulator acts as an intermediary mechanism between the piston and the operator, providing precise control over piston movement and position while maintaining pressure equilibrium through its engagement elements
2Manufacturing precision
If the piston position is fixed at arbitrary locations, then the target body fluid capacity can be precisely controlled, but the device complexity increases due to the manipulator mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulator is divided into distinct functional components including a shaft, male engagement elements, and female engagement elements, allowing for modular construction and precise positioning capabilities while managing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement elements use complementary male and female coupling mechanisms that replicate precise positional relationships, enabling accurate piston positioning through standardized interfacing components
3Device complexity
If the piston is moved by external force without pressure balance control, then the device structure can be simpler, but the pressure changes in upper and lower spaces become uncontrolled
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulator system provides feedback control by monitoring the positions of male and female engagement elements and adjusting piston movement accordingly to maintain pressure balance between upper and lower spaces during separation
Data Source
AI summary
A body fluid component separating device according to an embodiment may comprise: a housing; a piston which divides the housing into a first space and a second space and connects the first space and the second space via fluid-connection; and a manipulator which is coupled to the piston to be operable and is configured to maintain a pressure balance between the first space and the second space, adjust movement of the piston between a first location at which the first space has a first volume and a second location at which the first space has a second volume that is different from the first volume, and fix the piston on an arbitrary location between the first location and the second location.