Liquid Specimen Testing Capsule with Openable Lid Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing apparatus for testing liquid specimens, such as urine, is prone to errors and is costly due to the frequent misplacement of containers, which leads to increased demand and waste.
Innovation Solution
A container system with a lid and test capsule design where the response chart is housed within the test capsule, allowing the liquid specimen to enter and contact the chart, while the opener mechanism remains fixed, enabling bulk distribution of containers and lids, reducing the risk of loss and minimizing spillage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the response chart is integrated into the container as disclosed in WO 2011/157981 A1, then the testing function is complete, but the container becomes expensive and prone to loss when distributed in bulk to patients
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into separate components: a reusable container with lid, and a disposable test capsule containing the response chart. This segmentation allows the expensive test capsule to be retained by the medical practice while only inexpensive containers are distributed to patients, eliminating the loss problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The response chart is extracted from the container and placed inside the test capsule. This extraction allows the container to be a simple, inexpensive item that can be freely distributed, while the valuable testing components remain in the reusable container system.
2Ease of operation
If the container is designed to be opened by patients, then ease of use is improved, but errors occur due to incorrect timing of reading the response portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patient performs the opening action themselves by pulling the tab, which is simple and intuitive. The system guides them through the process without requiring professional intervention, maintaining ease of use while ensuring proper procedure through the designed mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lid is designed with an openable portion for liquid entry, then the testing function is enabled, but spillage risk increases during the opening process
Solution Approach 1:
The tab is pre-positioned and pre-formed on the lid, ready to be pulled. The openable portion is pre-configured in the lid structure. When the patient pulls the tab, the opening action is initiated in a controlled manner, allowing the liquid to flow along the predetermined path into the capsule without spilling.
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
This design reduces costs by allowing medical practices to retain the test capsule, minimizing container loss, and ensuring efficient specimen testing with reduced error potential.
Implementation Method 1
the lid has an openable portion which when opened permits a liquid specimen in the container to enter the test capsule
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus (2) for testing a liquid specimen, which apparatus (2) comprises: (i) a container (4) for the liquid specimen; (ii) a lid (6) for closing the container (4) after the liquid specimen has been provided in the container (4); (iii) first securing means (8) by which the lid (6) is secured to the container (4); (iv) a test capsule (10) for securing to the lid (6) when the lid (6) is on the container (4); (v) second securing means (12) by which the test capsule (10) is secured to the lid (6); and (vi) a response chart (14) which is operable in response to contact with the liquid specimen, and the apparatus (2) being such that: (vii) the lid has an openable portion (18) which when opened permits a liquid specimen in the container (4) to enter the test capsule (10); (viii) the test capsule (10) has opener means (20) for opening the openable portion on the lid (6) when the test capsule (10) is secured to the lid (6); and (ix) the response chart (14) is inside the test capsule (10) and is contacted by the liquid specimen when the liquid specimen enters the test capsule (10).