Integrated Syringe Assembly for Biological Sample Pre-treatment and Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional devices are unable to perform integrated collection, pre-treatment, and injection of biological samples, leading to clogging in microchannels due to unresolved bubbles and wastes, which can cause errors in analytical processes.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a first syringe with protrusions and a second syringe with a filter membrane and vent holes, allowing for integrated collection, pre-treatment, and injection while removing bubbles and wastes, featuring a communication channel and gas permeable membrane to prevent clogging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional devices are used for sample collection and transfer, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot perform integrated collection, pre-treatment, and injection, leading to clogging in microchannels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrated collection, pre-treatment, and injection capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (collection, pre-treatment, and injection) into a single integrated device. The syringe assembly includes a collection syringe for sample collection, a treatment syringe for pre-treatment, and an injection mechanism all unified in one device structure, eliminating the need for separate devices for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The syringe assembly is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform collection, pre-treatment, and injection operations. The device includes a treatment syringe with vent holes and filter membranes that can handle various pre-treatment operations, making it universally applicable for different sample preparation needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional devices transfer liquid specimen, then the transfer process is simple, but bubbles and wastes are not fully removed, causing clogging in microchannels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebubble and waste removal efficiencyVSAvoidclogging in microchannels

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment syringe includes a filter membrane with porous structure that can trap and remove bubbles and waste particles from the liquid specimen. The porous filter membrane allows liquid to pass through while blocking larger contaminants, ensuring clean sample injection into the microfluidic device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The vent holes in the treatment syringe allow bubbles and gases to be extracted and removed from the liquid specimen during the pre-treatment process. This extraction mechanism separates harmful gas phases from the liquid sample before injection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If separate injection device is used after sample collection, then the collection process is simple, but the overall process efficiency is reduced and clogging occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess integration efficiencyVSAvoidtime for separate operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges collection, pre-treatment, and injection functions into a single syringe assembly that operates as one integrated unit. This eliminates the need for separate devices and multiple transfer steps, significantly improving process efficiency and reducing operational time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The treatment syringe performs pre-treatment operations (filtration, degassing) on the sample while it is still in the collection syringe, before injection into the microfluidic device. This preliminary action ensures the sample is properly prepared in advance, preventing clogging issues during injection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables rapid and efficient collection, pre-treatment, and injection of biological samples, preventing clogging in microchannels and reducing errors during analytical processes by effectively removing bubbles and wastes.

Implementation Method 1

a gas permeable membrane connected to a bottom surface of the second piston

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas permeable membrane: Semipermeable Membrane

Implementation Method 2

The second tube may further comprise a filter membrane which is permeable to liquid but impermeable to gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFilter membrane: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS7837943B2Device and method for pre-treating and injecting liquid specimen

Publication Date: 2010.11.23 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A device for pre-treating and injecting a liquid specimen includes a first syringe including an open top first tube including a first hole in the bottom and protrusions, a second syringe including an open top second tube including a second hole in the bottom and an inner diameter greater than an outer diameter of the first tube, a second piston movable along an inner wall of the second tube and including a third hole and a communication channel providing fluid communication between the first hole and the third hole, and a joint portion attachable to and detachable from a top of the second tube and including an opening corresponding to a transverse cross-section of the first tube and grooves corresponding to the shape of the protrusions such that the first tube passes through the joint portion when the protrusions are matched with the grooves.