Hydrogel-Forming Stopper for Semen Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preserving diluted animal semen in storage straws result in significant loss of spermatozoa due to their inability to prevent the product of interest from penetrating the stopper, leading to inefficiencies in conservation.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a gas-permeable and liquid-tight stopper with an impregnated reagent, such as multivalent cations, that forms a hydrogel upon contact with alginate in the semen, creating a matrix that prevents spermatozoa from entering the stopper, thereby minimizing product loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional stopper is used in the storage straw, then the straw can be sealed and preserved, but spermatozoa penetrate the stopper and are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper is designed with heterogeneous structure: one end contains absorbent material for liquid absorption, while the other end contains reagent (multivalent cations) for chemical reaction with alginate. This local differentiation allows the stopper to simultaneously achieve liquid tightness and spermatozoa retention through the hydrogel barrier formation.
Solution Approach 2:
Alginate in the semen sample acts as an intermediary substance that reacts with multivalent cations in the stopper to form a hydrogel barrier. This intermediary mechanism converts the potential harm of liquid penetration into a beneficial protective barrier that retains spermatozoa while allowing controlled liquid absorption.
2Reliability
If the stopper absorbs liquid-based substance, then liquid tightness is achieved, but spermatozoa are retained in the stopper
Solution Approach 1:
The physical and chemical parameters of the stopper are optimized: the absorbent material provides capillary action for liquid absorption, while the reagent concentration and type (multivalent cations) are selected to form hydrogel with alginate at controlled rates. This parameter control ensures liquid tightness without excessive spermatozoa retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper combines multiple materials with complementary properties: absorbent material (for liquid absorption and positioning), reagent (multivalent cations for hydrogel formation), and support structure. This composite construction enables simultaneous achievement of liquid tightness and spermatozoa retention prevention.
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
The system effectively limits the loss of spermatozoa by forming a crosslinked alginate matrix that prevents their penetration into the stopper, maintaining a high concentration of the biological material within the storage straw.
Implementation Method 1
said reagent and said liquid dilution medium being configured so that on contact of said substance with the first end of the impregnated element, a hydrogel is formed
Implementation Method 2
a hydrogel is formed
Implementation Method 3
a gas-permeable and liquid-tight stopper
Implementation Method 4
which stops the product of interest from penetrating the stopper
Data Source
Figure 1~5
AI summary
The system comprises a straw and a liquid dilution medium. The straw comprises a tube (11) extending between a first end and a second end and comprises a gas-permeable, liquid-tight plug, said plug being arranged in the tube (11) in the vicinity of the first end of same and extending between a first end turned towards the first end of the tube (11) and a second end turned towards the second end of the tube (11). Said plug comprises an element (14) impregnated with a reagent (22) at least in the vicinity of a first end turned towards the second end of the tube (11). The liquid medium is provided to produce, by mixing, in predefined conditions, the liquid substance (21). The reagent (22) and the medium(27) are configured such that, when the substance (21) comes into contact with the first end of the impregnated element (14), it forms a hydrogel.