Integrated Lateral Flow Cassette for One-Step Swab Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional lateral flow test kits are complex, requiring multiple components and steps, leading to potential errors, contamination risks, and waste, and are not easily portable or user-friendly for self-testing.
Innovation Solution
A lateral flow test kit design where the vial of liquid is integrated within the cassette, reducing components and steps, allowing for simpler use and minimizing contamination risks, with a swab that pierces the vial seal to transfer the sample directly to the test strip, enabling one-handed operation and reduced waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional lateral flow test kits use multiple separate components (vial, extraction tube, cassette), then the test can be performed with adequate liquid storage and transfer capability, but the device complexity increases and requires multiple manual steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vial and extraction tube into a single integrated component. The vial is designed with an integrated seal that directly interfaces with the cassette, eliminating the need for separate extraction tubes and reducing the number of manual transfer steps. This merging of components directly reduces device complexity while maintaining liquid storage and transfer functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The vial is designed to serve multiple functions: it stores the liquid medium, acts as the extraction container, provides the seal interface with the cassette, and eliminates the need for separate extraction tube. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed in the test kit, addressing the complexity issue.
2Reliability
If traditional kits require multiple manual steps (removing seal, transferring liquid), then liquid can be transferred between components, but the risk of contamination and user error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is pre-positioned on the vial in a predetermined location that aligns with the cassette interface. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for users to manually locate and remove seals or align components, reducing user error and contamination risk while maintaining reliable liquid transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated seal design allows the vial to automatically interface with the cassette without requiring manual intervention for seal removal or alignment. The system self-aligns and self-activates, reducing the number of manual steps and minimizing opportunities for user error or contamination.
3Quantity of substance
If the vial is designed as a narrow deep cone or cylinder for efficient liquid storage, then liquid can be stored effectively, but the vial cannot be manufactured by conventional methods and requires complex injection moulding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the vial from a narrow deep cone/cylinder to a short wide shape with specific dimensional ratios (width greater than depth). This parameter change maintains adequate liquid storage capacity while enabling the vial to be manufactured by simpler conventional methods rather than complex injection moulding, addressing the manufacturing ease issue.
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 integrated design simplifies the testing process, reduces errors, minimizes contamination, and decreases waste, while being more user-friendly and adaptable to various environments.
Implementation Method 1
a sample in a liquid medium is applied to a test strip to carry out a chromatographic assay
Implementation Method 2
a sample in a liquid medium is applied to a test strip to carry out a chromatographic assay
Data Source
AI summary
A lateral flow test kit includes a cassette and a swab. The cassette comprises a vial of liquid closed by seal; a test strip; a passage leading from the exterior of the cassette to the vial; and a conduit communicating between the vial and the test strip. The swab can be inserted along the passage to cause a tip of the swab to enter the vial and release liquid from the vial. The liquid flows past a head of the swab to extract a sample and deliver it through the conduit 34 to the test strip. The passage may comprise an obstruction, which requires the user to push the swab past it with a force sufficient to penetrate the seal. The obstruction may also prevent removal of the used swab from the cassette. A distal end of the passage may be curved to deflect the tip of the swab towards the seal at a more favourable angle.