Hydrophilic Wick Splash Filter for Accurate Liquid Specimen Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for collecting and analyzing liquid specimens face challenges such as quantitative analysis difficulties due to large absorbent surface areas, sample destruction or modification, inaccurate volume uptake, especially with viscous liquids like whole blood, and limited sample capacity, which are not compatible with tests requiring larger volumes like tuberculosis serology.
Innovation Solution
A biological sampling apparatus with a barrel and narrow passageway containing a hydrophilic wick and splash filter, where the wick is treated with wetting agents to control absorption, and a buffer vial is used to force the sample into contact with a test strip, ensuring a controlled volume of sample is provided for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If absorbent material with large surface area is used to collect liquid specimen, then sample collection capacity is improved, but quantitative analysis becomes difficult when components are in low concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a hydrophilic porous wick material with controlled porosity to absorb the liquid specimen. The porous structure provides large surface area for absorption while the controlled pore size and hydrophilic treatment ensure consistent capillary action and quantitative sample delivery to the test strip, resolving the contradiction between collection capacity and analysis precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface properties of the wick material by treating it with hydrophilic agents, which modifies the wettability parameter. This allows the material to maintain high absorption capacity while providing controlled, reproducible sample delivery through capillary action, enabling both large sample collection and precise quantitative analysis
2Quantity of substance
If absorbent material is used to collect liquid specimen, then sample uptake is improved, but sample destruction or modification occurs via haemolysis, catalytic reactions, or chemical reactions
Solution Approach 1:
The porous wick material provides a gentle absorption mechanism through capillary action rather than aggressive chemical absorption. This physical absorption method allows sample uptake without causing haemolysis or chemical modification of the analytes, maintaining sample integrity while achieving effective collection
Solution Approach 2:
By treating the wick with hydrophilic agents, the patent changes the surface energy parameters to promote gentle wetting and absorption. This prevents harsh chemical interactions that could cause sample destruction, while still achieving effective sample uptake through controlled capillary action
3Quantity of substance
If conventional absorbent material is used, then sample absorption is achieved, but inaccurate volume uptake occurs particularly with viscous liquids such as whole blood
Solution Approach 1:
The patent treats the wick material with hydrophilic agents to optimize its surface energy and wettability parameters. This ensures consistent capillary action that can accurately draw up viscous liquids like whole blood, providing precise and reproducible volume uptake that conventional hydrophobic or less hydrophilic materials cannot achieve
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical pumping or forcing mechanisms with capillary action driven by the hydrophilic wick. This passive transport mechanism provides accurate, consistent volume delivery without the variability and inaccuracy associated with manual or mechanical sample transfer methods, especially for viscous fluids
4Ease of operation
If capillary action is used to collect sample, then simple collection is achieved, but extremely limited amount of sample is obtained which is not compatible with tests requiring larger sample volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The porous wick structure provides extensive internal surface area and capillary channels that can hold and transport much larger volumes of liquid than simple capillary tubes. This maintains the simplicity of capillary-based collection while dramatically increasing the sample volume capacity to meet the requirements of tests like tuberculosis serology that need 10-40 microliters
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 apparatus reliably collects and analyzes samples, providing a predetermined volume exceeding 10 microliters, preventing splashing and air bubble issues, and is suitable for blood, serum, and urine, enhancing the accuracy and compatibility with various diagnostic tests.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrophilic wick and splash filter, where the wick is treated with wetting agents to control absorption
Implementation Method 2
the wick is treated with wetting agents to control absorption
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2~4
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
Biological sampling apparatus have a barrel defining a chamber with a narrow passageway at one end and an absorbent analytical test means in the chamber. In one embodiment, an integral frit is provided with a first portion acting as a splash filter and located in the chamber, and a second portion integral with said first portion acting as a wick. The second portion extends through the narrow passageway. A portion of the splash filter is hydrophobic, and at least a portion of the wick is treated with a wetting agent and is hydrophilic. In another embodiment, a splash filter is located in the chamber and a separate hydrophilic wick is provided having a first portion located in the narrow passageway and a second portion located outside the passageway and barrel. The second portion has a bulbous portion capable of absorbing substantially more fluid sample than the first portion.