Hydrophobic Filter Unit for Self-Sampling Vaginal Secretions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for collecting cervical cells for HPV screening are invasive, costly, and embarrassing for women, and existing self-sampling pads lack efficient absorption and detachment of cells, viruses, and DNA from vaginal secretions.
Innovation Solution
A sample collection apparatus with a filter unit featuring an adsorbent layer of hydrophobic fibers with specific fineness and compression resilience, combined with a water permeable layer and support layer, allows efficient absorption and detachment of cells, viruses, and DNA in a cell preserving solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional brush or spatula is used to collect cervical cells, then the collection can be performed by a skilled doctor, but the instrument can hurt the vaginal wall or uterine cervix causing secondary infection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables women to perform cervical cell collection themselves using a self-sampling pad, eliminating the need for a doctor to insert instruments into the vagina. The pad is worn in the vaginal area to collect secretions containing cervical cells, thus avoiding direct instrument contact with the vaginal wall and cervix while maintaining collection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The self-sampling pad acts as an intermediary device that collects cervical cells indirectly through vaginal secretions rather than directly contacting the cervix with a brush or spatula. This intermediary approach maintains collection effectiveness while eliminating mechanical injury to sensitive tissues
2Ease of operation
If a self-sampling pad is used for collection, then the user burden is reduced, but the absorption and detachment efficiency of cells, viruses, and DNA is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The filter unit employs a porous structure with specific pore size distribution to efficiently trap cells, viruses, and DNA from vaginal secretions while allowing the secretions to pass through. The porous material provides high surface area for absorption and effective filtration
Solution Approach 2:
The self-sampling pad uses composite materials combining hydrophilic and hydrophobic components, where the hydrophilic portion attracts and retains biological samples while the hydrophobic portion repels excess fluid. This composite structure enhances both absorption efficiency and sample preservation
3Reliability
If the filter unit structure is complex to ensure efficient absorption and detachment, then the reliability improves, but the production cost increases and separation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The self-sampling pad is divided into functionally independent segments: a filter unit for capturing cells and DNA, an absorption unit for retaining secretions, and a release unit for easy separation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying manufacturing and assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The filter unit is designed as a separable component that can be easily extracted from the absorption unit after sampling. This extraction design allows the filter unit to be removed and placed in a collection tube without complex manipulation, reducing production complexity while maintaining reliable sample transfer
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
Improves the reliability of cervical disease screening by facilitating easy and efficient self-collection and processing of vaginal secretions, reducing production costs and user burden.
Implementation Method 1
a filter unit collecting vaginal secretions containing cervical cells, wherein the filter unit comprises at least one adsorbent layer formed of a material having a fineness (y) and a compression resilience (x)
Implementation Method 2
the material may exhibit hydrophobicity when the fineness is less than or equal to 5.1 denier
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a sample collection apparatus. The sample collection apparatus includes a self-sampling pad and a cell fixing container, wherein the sample collection pad includes a filter unit, the structure and material of which are such that cells, viruses and DNAs contained in vaginal secretions can be efficiently absorbed and attached to the filter unit and can be efficiently detached from the filter unit in a cell preserving solution after the filter unit is removed and put into the cell preserving solution. Thus, the filter unit includes at least one adsorbent layer which is formed of a hydrophobic material having low fineness and high resilience.