Milk Sample Collection Cartridge with Capillary Wedge Slide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting subclinical mastitis in cows, such as flow-cytometry and manual milk differential smear, are impractical for field use due to their expense, complexity, and variability, and pose challenges in sample collection and tracking.
Innovation Solution
A sample collection and transfer device with a base housing and cover housing that includes a cartridge holding interface, allowing for efficient collection and transfer of milk samples into a self-preparing wet smear cartridge, which can be easily analyzed using imaging instruments, and features that ensure proper orientation and sealing to prevent sample mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flow-cytometry is used to detect milk leukocyte differential, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable wedge-shaped microscope slides with pre-applied stains and self-preparing wet smear mechanisms. These single-use slides eliminate the need for expensive, sophisticated flow-cytometry instruments while maintaining diagnostic capability through simplified, discardable sampling devices that perform the differential count function at minimal cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical flow-cytometry systems with a passive capillary-based wedge slide system. The wedge-shaped chamber uses capillary action to automatically draw milk samples through stained regions, eliminating the need for expensive optical sensors, fluidics systems, and electronic processing equipment while achieving comparable diagnostic information.
2Measurement precision
If manual milk differential smear is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge-shaped microscope slide is designed to automatically perform the wet smear preparation function. When milk is applied to the wedge, capillary action automatically draws the sample through the stained chamber, creating the differential smear without requiring manual manipulation by trained technologists. The device serves itself by using the sample's own properties to drive the analysis process.
Solution Approach 2:
The wedge slides are pre-stained with meta-chromatic stains and pre-configured with the wedge geometry that creates capillary flow paths. This preliminary preparation of the slide structure and staining eliminates the need for operators to perform complex staining and smear preparation procedures during sample analysis, significantly reducing operational difficulty and time requirements.
3Loss of information
If samples are collected in separate containers and pipetted, then sample tracking is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the sample collection chamber, transfer mechanism, and analysis slide into a single integrated cartridge assembly. The cartridge contains pre-formed wells that receive milk directly from the cow quadrant and includes built-in capillary channels that automatically transfer samples to the wedge-shaped analysis chamber. This merging eliminates the need for separate collection containers and manual pipetting steps while maintaining sample origin tracking through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge serves as an intermediary device between the cow udder and the microscope slide. It includes pre-formed sample wells that receive milk directly at the collection site and capillary-driven transfer channels that automatically move samples to the analysis chamber. This intermediary cartridge eliminates the need for operators to manually handle multiple containers and perform pipetting operations, significantly improving productivity while maintaining sample tracking capability.
4Reliability
If samples are stored in separate containers, then sample integrity is improved, but device complexity increases for tracking and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the sample storage function directly into the analysis slide cartridge. The wedge-shaped microscope slide contains integrated sample wells and capillary transfer channels that maintain sample integrity through controlled capillary flow while eliminating the need for separate storage containers. The sample remains in a controlled environment from collection through analysis, with the integrated cartridge design simplifying tracking and storage requirements.
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
Facilitates convenient, efficient, and accurate collection and analysis of milk samples from cow quadrants, reducing variability and improving the ability to diagnose subclinical mastitis in a field setting while ensuring sample integrity and tracking.
Implementation Method 1
The wedge-shaped chamber uses capillary action to fill the chamber with the sample as a 'self-preparing wet smear' with a meta-chromatic stain.
Data Source
AI summary
A collection device includes a base housing member having at least one chamber. A cover housing member has at least one aperture therein, and the cover housing member is configured to cover the base housing member such that the at least one aperture is positioned in fluid communication with the at least one chamber. The cover housing member includes a cartridge holding interface configured to releasably engage with a cartridge that is configured to cover and receive a fluid from the at least one chamber via the at least one aperture.