Nested Specimen Container for Analyzer Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing specimen containers for control samples are either too large, leading to specimen damage and inefficient stirring, or too small, causing compatibility issues with automatic analyzers, and lack sufficient depth for suction tube insertion without colliding with the bottom.
Innovation Solution
A specimen container with a cylindrical shape and a sealing member positioned between the upper end and bottom, allowing for reduced specimen movement during stirring while maintaining a height similar to standard containers, ensuring compatibility with automatic analyzers and preventing suction tube collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a normal specimen container is used for control samples, then the container volume is large enough for standard operations, but the specimen moves excessively during stirring causing damage and insufficient mixing uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention places a small-volume inner container (holding the control sample) inside a larger outer container (the standard specimen container). This nested structure allows the sample to be contained in a small volume to reduce movement during stirring, while the outer container maintains standard dimensions for compatibility with automated analyzers and bar code labeling.
2Quantity of substance
If the specimen container is downsized to match the small control sample volume, then specimen movement is reduced, but the container becomes incompatible with automatic analyzers and bar code labeling
Solution Approach 1:
The small inner container holding the control sample is nested within a larger outer container that has standard specimen container dimensions. This allows the overall container to be compatible with automatic analyzers and bar code labeling systems, while the inner container maintains appropriate volume for the small sample quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer container serves multiple functions: it provides the standard external dimensions required for compatibility with automatic analyzers, accommodates bar code labels for identification, and houses the inner container. This multi-functional design enables a single container structure to satisfy multiple requirements that would otherwise require different container types.
3Quantity of substance
If a push-up bottom design is used to reduce sample volume, then specimen damage is reduced, but the suction tube may collide with the bottom during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The inner container with its push-up bottom design is nested within the outer container. The inner container's bottom is positioned such that when the suction tube is inserted through the outer container, it reaches the sample without colliding with the push-up bottom structure, as the inner container is offset from the outer container's bottom surface.
4Quantity of substance
If the container height is reduced to match small sample volume, then specimen movement is minimized, but the bar code label area becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The inner container holding the small sample volume is nested within the outer container that maintains standard height. This allows the outer container to provide sufficient surface area for bar code label placement, while the inner container ensures minimal specimen movement during stirring operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A specimen container includes a specimen storing portion for storing a specimen, wherein the specimen storing portion is provided with an opening on an upper end, a sealing member for sealing the opening, wherein the sealing member is enabled to be passed through by a suction tube for sucking a specimen stored in the specimen storing portion, and a cylindrical portion having a predetermined height to allow insertion of the suction tube, wherein the cylindrical portion is arranged in series with the specimen storing portion on a side provided with the opening.