Pipette Aspiration Device with Ring-Mounted Bulb for IVF
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipettes used in micro-manipulation techniques, such as IVF and ICSI, are inconvenient to use due to the need for maintaining a suitable suction force and angle, leading to operator strain and difficulty in controlling the aspiration of sample media.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a ring member and an aspirating bulb with a compressible chamber, allowing for controlled suction force creation by compressing the bulb with a digit, facilitating easier and more precise aspiration of sample media into a pipette.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a rigid or semi-rigid bulb is held in the operator's hand, then suction force can be applied to the pipette, but the operator experiences strain and difficulty maintaining proper angle and suction force
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the suction force generation function (bulb) from the positioning function (ring member), allowing independent optimization of each. The bulb can be compressed without requiring the operator to hold it at a specific angle, eliminating strain while maintaining suction force application capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring member acts as an intermediary between the operator's digit and the bulb, providing a stable mounting structure that eliminates the need for the operator to directly hold the bulb at an inconvenient angle, thereby reducing strain while maintaining force application.
2Force
If a rigid handle design with stylet wire is used, then suction force can be created, but the operator must use digits to insure proper positioning and suction force application
Solution Approach 1:
The stylet wire and rigid handle components are removed from the design. The bulb is directly mounted on the ring member, eliminating the intermediate stylet mechanism and simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining suction force generation capability.
3Measurement precision
If small diameter pipettes are used for aspirating very small cells and volumes, then micro-manipulation precision is improved, but control of aspiration amount becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bulb's compressibility provides a dynamic, adjustable suction force that can be precisely controlled by the operator. This allows fine-tuning of the aspiration amount to match the small volumes required by micro-diameter pipettes, improving control precision.
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 device provides improved control over aspiration volume and velocity, reducing operator strain and enabling more efficient micro-manipulation procedures like IVF and ICSI by allowing for controlled suction force application and precise sample media aspiration.
Implementation Method 1
The aspirating bulb is oriented along the ring member such that the chamber is compressible by a digit on the same hand of the operator as the digit receivable in the ring member or on the hand that grasps the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
A device for aspirating sample media into a pipette for use in a micro-manipulation procedure includes a ring member having an opening sized for receiving a digit of an operator, and an aspirating bulb engaged with the ring member. The aspirating bulb has an open end sized for receiving an end of the pipette, and includes a compressible chamber capable of creating a suction force suitable for aspirating the sample media into the pipette. The aspirating bulb is oriented along the ring member such that the chamber is compressible by a digit on the same hand of the operator as the digit receivable in the ring member.