Nasal Specimen Collection System With Integrated Irrigation And Separation Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
The nasopharyngeal swab method for COVID-19 and other respiratory tract infections is invasive, painful, and has low patient acceptance due to procedural discomfort and infection risks for healthcare workers, necessitating a more comfortable and effective alternative for nasal specimen collection.
Innovation Solution
A nasal specimen collection system with a device featuring an irrigation path and a collection path, where a fluid is directed into the nasal cavity to dislodge a sample, which is then recaptured into a self-contained collection chamber, reducing the need for handling infectious fluids and minimizing infection risks for healthcare professionals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If nasopharyngeal swab method is used, then viral sample collection effectiveness is improved, but patient comfort and acceptance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the irrigation function and collection function into distinct paths - an irrigation path for delivering fluid to dislodge samples and a separate collection path for retrieving the fluid-sample mixture, allowing each function to be optimized independently
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses fluid irrigation (hydraulics) to deliver saline or other irrigation fluid through the irrigation path to dislodge viral samples from the nasopharyngeal cavity, replacing the mechanical swabbing action with a gentler fluid-based method that reduces patient discomfort
2Measurement precision
If nasopharyngeal swab procedure is performed, then specimen collection is achieved, but infection risk to healthcare workers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-administration of the nasal specimen collection procedure, allowing patients to perform the irrigation and collection themselves without direct contact with healthcare workers, thereby eliminating the infection risk while maintaining specimen collection effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The irrigation fluid acts as an intermediary medium to transfer the viral sample from the nasopharyngeal cavity to the collection chamber, replacing direct mechanical contact with a fluid-mediated process that reduces transmission risk
3Ease of operation
If fluid irrigation is used to dislodge sample, then patient comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges the irrigation chamber, irrigation path, collection path, and collection chamber into a single integrated apparatus, allowing fluid delivery and sample collection to occur through one device rather than requiring separate instruments and procedures
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
The system provides a less invasive and more acceptable method for nasal specimen collection, achieving sufficient pathological sampling comparable to nasopharyngeal swabs while reducing the risk of infection for healthcare workers.
Implementation Method 1
The irrigation path is configured to direct a fluid from an irrigation chamber into the nasal cavity in order to dislodge a sample from the nasal cavity
Implementation Method 2
When the fluid flows back out of the nasal cavity, the collection path is configured to direct at least a portion of the fluid and the sample dislodged from the nasal cavity into a collection chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for collecting a nasal specimen includes a device body with a nozzle at a distal end of the device body. The nozzle is configured to interface with a nasal cavity. The apparatus further includes an irrigation path and a collection path within the device body. The collection path may be separate from the irrigation path. The irrigation path is configured to direct a fluid from an irrigation chamber into the nasal cavity in order to dislodge a sample from the nasal cavity. When the fluid flows back out of the nasal cavity, the collection path is configured to direct at least a portion of the fluid and the sample dislodged from the nasal cavity into a collection chamber.