Nasal Secretion Collector With Sealed Funnel for Self-Sampling

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for collecting nasal secretions require expert operators, are costly, and pose risks of infection and contamination during high-volume sampling, especially in emergencies.

Innovation Solution

A collector device with a funnel-shaped body and symmetric walls designed for self-administered nasal washes, allowing for the collection of nasal secretions mixed with liquid, featuring hydraulically sealed interfaces and outlets for safe, reliable sampling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If expert operators perform nasal swabbing, then sample collection reliability is improved, but operator safety deteriorates and operational cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample collection reliabilityVSAvoidoperator infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables patients to perform self-collecting of nasal secretions without expert operator involvement. The patient inserts the device themselves, activates the sampling mechanism, and collects the sample autonomously, eliminating the need for trained operators while maintaining sample quality through standardized design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed as a single-use disposable unit that is discarded after one sampling operation. This eliminates cross-contamination risks, reduces the need for sterilization protocols, and allows mass production at low cost, making widespread deployment feasible without compromising safety or reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If expert operators perform nasal swabbing, then sample collection reliability is improved, but operational cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample collection reliabilityVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables patients to perform self-collecting of nasal secretions without expert operator involvement. The patient inserts the device themselves, activates the sampling mechanism, and collects the sample autonomously, eliminating the need for trained operators while maintaining sample quality through standardized design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed as a single-use disposable unit that is discarded after one sampling operation. This eliminates cross-contamination risks, reduces the need for sterilization protocols, and allows mass production at low cost, making widespread deployment feasible without compromising safety or reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If high-volume sampling is performed during emergencies, then detection coverage is improved, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling throughputVSAvoidsample contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed as a single-use disposable unit that is discarded after one sampling operation. This eliminates cross-contamination risks, reduces the need for sterilization protocols, and allows mass production at low cost, making widespread deployment feasible without compromising safety or reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The device divides the sampling system into separate disposable components (sampling tip, collection chamber, actuation mechanism) that are pre-packaged and individually used. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple samples without cross-contamination, enabling high-volume sampling while maintaining sample integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12465333B2Collector for liquids

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 MEZZOLI GIORGIO

AI summary

A collector (1) for liquids provided with a first funnel-shaped body (10) delimited at the top by an annular edge (12) and provided at the bottom with an outlet (11) for liquids and with coupling means (100) for removable collection members (102) of the liquids from the outlet (11); a first front wall (120) and a second rear wall (122) carried in a hydraulically sealed manner by the annular edge (12) between two sides (124) of the first body (10) and mutually facing one another; the second wall (122) being delimited at the top by a concave curved segment (1220) shaped for shape coupling, in use, with an anatomic facial portion arranged between a user's top lip and nose.