Liquid Specimen Testing Apparatus with Segmented Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handling and testing of liquid specimens, such as urine, pose clinical infection risks and are unpleasant, requiring a solution to minimize exposure and safely dispose of the specimens during testing.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a collection container, a test container with response portions, and transfer means that allows the liquid specimen to be transferred from the collection container to the test container by gravity or suction, enabling reaction with the response portions for testing, and then returning the specimen to the collection container for safe disposal, allowing separation of the containers for handling and reading the results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the liquid specimen is transferred to the test container for testing, then the testing can be performed with response portions, but the liquid specimen is exposed and creates clinical infection risks
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into separate containers: a collection container for holding the liquid specimen and a test container for performing the test. This segmentation allows the specimen to be isolated in the collection container during transfer, minimizing exposure and infection risk while still enabling testing in the separate test container.
Solution Approach 2:
A transfer mechanism acts as an intermediary between the collection container and test container. This intermediary system enables controlled transfer of the liquid specimen through sealed connections, preventing direct exposure and maintaining containment during the transfer process, thus reducing clinical infection risks.
2Ease of operation
If the liquid specimen is transferred to the test container, then testing can be conducted, but the liquid specimen becomes unpleasant to handle and dispose of
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the testing function into a dedicated test container and keeping the main specimen in the collection container, the unpleasant liquid specimen remains contained and isolated. This segmentation allows testing to proceed conveniently while the specimen itself remains in a sealed, manageable container throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
Only the necessary amount of liquid specimen is extracted from the collection container to the test container for testing. The majority of the unpleasant liquid specimen remains in the collection container, which can be safely sealed and disposed of without direct handling, thereby reducing unpleasantness.
3Measurement precision
If excess liquid specimen remains in the test container after testing, then the test results may be inaccurate, but transferring it back requires additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer mechanism is designed to be dynamic and reversible, allowing liquid specimen to be transferred bidirectionally between containers. This dynamic system can easily transfer excess liquid back from the test container to the collection container, ensuring accurate test results while managing the complexity through a flexible, adaptable mechanism.
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 apparatus reduces clinical infection risks and unpleasantness by allowing specimen testing without direct exposure, ensuring safe disposal and accurate results by controlling the amount of liquid specimen on the response portions, thus minimizing inaccuracies.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid specimen is transferred from the collection container to the test container by gravity
Implementation Method 2
the liquid specimen is transferred from the collection container to the test container by suction
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus (2) for testing a liquid specimen (4), which apparatus (2) comprises: (i) a collection container (6) for collecting the liquid specimen (4); (ii) a test container (8) for testing the liquid specimen (4); (iii) response portions (10) which are in the test container (8) and which are for responding to contact with the liquid specimen (4) to give at least one test result; and (iv) transfer means (12) which enables the collection container (6) to be connected to the test container (8) for transferring at least some of the liquid specimen (4) from the collection container (6) to the test container (8) such that the transferred liquid specimen (4) is able to contact the response portions (10) in the test container (8) and enable the response portions (10) to react to the liquid specimen (4) for the testing and characterised in that: (V) the apparatus (2) is such that the liquid specimen (4) is transferred from the collection container (6) to the test container (8); (vi) the apparatus (2) is such that the container (8), whereby the liquid specimen (4) that has been transferred to the test container (8) and that has been used by the response portions (10) in the test container (8) is able to be tested with or without the collection container (6) being present.