Liquid Storage Container With Water Absorptive Septum

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Solution Overview

Problem

In pre-treatment equipment for biological specimens, water from the probe's outer surface accumulates on the septum and enters the liquid storage container, causing dilution and deterioration of reagents, which lowers analytical precision and reproducibility.

Innovation Solution

A liquid storage container with a septum encapsulated by a water absorptive member, such as filter paper or a polymer absorber, is designed to absorb water from the probe's outer surface, preventing it from entering the container. The absorptive member is positioned above the septum and is shaped to allow the probe to pass through, ensuring effective absorption of water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the probe penetrates the septum repeatedly to collect liquid, then the liquid collection function is achieved, but water accumulates on the septum surface and enters the container causing reagent dilution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid collection frequencyVSAvoidreagent integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A water absorptive member is introduced as an intermediary component between the probe and the reagent container. This member absorbs water from the probe surface before it can reach the reagent, allowing frequent probe penetrations without compromising reagent integrity. The water absorptive member acts as a buffer that mediates the harmful interaction between probe moisture and reagent.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful water component is extracted from the probe surface by the water absorptive member before it can enter the reagent container. This separation removes the detrimental element (water) from the system while allowing the beneficial function (liquid collection) to continue uninterrupted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the septum is made elastic for probe penetration, then the probe can be inserted and removed easily, but water can enter through gaps between the septum and probe

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobe penetration easeVSAvoidwater intrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The water absorptive member serves as a mediator that intercepts water before it can exploit the gaps created by probe penetration. It converts the harmful effect of gap formation into a manageable condition by absorbing water in the vicinity of these gaps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The water absorptive member performs preliminary anti-action by absorbing water before it can enter the container through gaps. This preventive measure counteracts the harmful effect before it manifests, allowing the elastic septum to maintain its penetration functionality without suffering from water intrusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Device complexity

If no water absorption mechanism is provided, then the device structure remains simple, but water accumulation causes reagent deterioration and lowers analytical precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer structure simplicityVSAvoidanalytical precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A water absorptive member is introduced as a simple intermediary component that provides water absorption functionality without significantly complicating the overall device structure. This member is positioned above the septum and passively absorbs water, maintaining analytical precision while adding minimal structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The water absorptive member utilizes porous or hygroscopic materials that naturally absorb water through capillary action or adsorption. This material-based solution provides effective water absorption with simple structure, avoiding the need for complex mechanical or electronic water removal systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 solution prevents water accumulation on the septum, thereby preventing water from entering the container and maintaining the integrity of the reagents, thus enhancing analytical precision and reproducibility by avoiding dilution and deterioration.

Implementation Method 1

a water absorptive member having water absorptivity, which is provided directly above the septum and absorbs water on an upper surface of the septum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3338890A3Liquid storage container and pre-treatment equipment using the liquid storage container

Publication Date: 2018.08.22 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

A liquid storage container (2) includes : a container main body (4) having an opening on a top end surface and having a space (4a) for storing liquid therein; a septum (6) which encapsulates the opening on the top end surface of the container main body (4) and is made of an elastic material that is penetrable by a probe (127) to be inserted into the container main body (4) ; and a water absorptive member (8) having water absorptivity, which is provided directly above the septum (6) and absorbs water on an upper surface of the septum (6).