Peristaltic Pump Blood Extraction Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current blood sampling methods are prone to hemolysis, incorrect volume measurement, and occupational hazards due to operator skill dependence, and lack efficiency and hygiene in handling and disposal of needles.

Innovation Solution

A peristaltic pump system with a sampling device that includes a needle holder, sample holder tube support, and flexible tube, equipped with sensors for precise volume measurement and easy needle ejection, minimizing operator error and enhancing safety and hygiene.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual blood extraction with syringe is used, then blood can be extracted quickly, but operator skill dependence causes hemolysis and incorrect volume measurement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood extraction speedVSAvoidsample quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service operation where the automated pump performs blood extraction without requiring operator skill for manual syringe manipulation. The pump automatically controls blood flow rate and volume, eliminating the need for operator intervention while maintaining sample quality and preventing hemolysis through programmable extraction parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical syringe system is replaced with an automated peristaltic pump system that uses controlled mechanical compression of tubing to move blood. This substitution eliminates the variability introduced by manual operation while maintaining the mechanical extraction function, providing consistent and reliable blood collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple tube formats are used for different analyses, then various analytical techniques can be performed, but handling and disposal becomes complex and hazardous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalytical technique compatibilityVSAvoidhandling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs universal sample collection tubes with standardized formats that can be used across different analytical techniques. The automated pump system can program different extraction volumes and rates for various tube types, providing versatility for multiple analyses while maintaining uniform handling procedures that reduce complexity and occupational hazards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters such as extraction volume, flow rate, and duration based on the specific analytical requirement and tube format being used. This allows the same physical system to adapt to different analytical techniques by modifying software-controlled parameters rather than requiring different physical devices for each technique.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If large volume syringes are used to obtain sufficient blood samples, then enough blood can be collected for multiple tests, but the extraction becomes more expensive and requires precise metering

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetotal blood volume collectedVSAvoidvolume metering complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through sensors that monitor blood extraction in real-time, tracking the volume collected and providing information to the control system. This allows the automated pump to precisely control and meter the total volume extracted, ensuring sufficient blood is collected for multiple tests while preventing over-extraction and eliminating the need for manual volume estimation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary programming of the extraction parameters before blood collection begins. The operator specifies the required total volume and number of tubes in advance, and the system automatically calculates and executes the extraction plan, pre-determining the volume to be allocated to each tube and eliminating the need for complex manual metering during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 ensures accurate blood extraction without hemolysis, allows for flexible container use, reduces occupational risks, and automates the extraction process, improving efficiency and safety while reducing operator dependency.

Implementation Method 1

a pump for extracting blood from a patient, wherein the pump is a peristaltic pump having a rotor, comprising at least one moving pumping surface and a fixed pumping surface, suitable for lodging therebetween a flexible tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPeristalsis: Peristalsis

Data Source

PatentEP3318191B1System for collecting blood samples from a patient, and corresponding sample collection device and pumps for extracting blood from a patient
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 CLINICLAB SL
  • EP3318191B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3318191B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3318191B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

A system for taking blood samples from a patient, characterized in that it comprises: [i] a peristaltic pump having a rotor (31), comprising a moving pumping surface (33) and a fixed pumping surface (35), suitable for lodging therebetween a flexible tube (25), where the pump additionally comprises a head member (37) suitable for the attachment of a sample holder tube support member (29), and [ii] a blood sampling device comprising [a] a needle holder having a tubular portion (15) suitable for supporting a hypodermic needle (1) having a connection base (5), the needle holder comprising a conduit with an inlet and an outlet, where the inlet comprises the tubular portion (15), [b] a sample holder tube support member (29) and [c] a flexible tube (25) having a first end in fluid communication with the needle holder and a second end in fluid communication with the support member (29).