Planar Sample Carrier with Absorbent Membrane for Dried Blood Spot Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for collecting and transporting blood samples are invasive, require qualified professionals, and involve handling hazardous materials, especially for quantitative and semiquantitative analyses, which can be cumbersome and risky for patients.
Innovation Solution
A kit with a planar sample carrier featuring an absorbent membrane layer for drying blood components, equipped with an optically readable code, allowing for easy handling and identification, and a preassembled box system that minimizes laboratory worker handling and ensures sample integrity during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If venous blood is taken for concentration measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to invasive procedure requiring qualified professionals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable capillary blood sampling devices that can be used by patients themselves without requiring professional venous puncture equipment or expertise. The disposable nature eliminates contamination risks while maintaining sufficient precision for concentration measurements through standardized absorbent membrane areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the sampling parameter from venous blood to capillary blood, and from liquid handling to dried blood spot analysis. This parameter change enables patients to perform self-sampling while still obtaining sufficient analytical precision for concentration determinations through controlled absorption on standardized membrane areas.
2Measurement precision
If liquid blood sample is transported, then measurement precision is maintained, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to hazardous material classification requiring safety measures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of blood from liquid to dried state. By allowing capillary blood to dry on the absorbent membrane, the sample transitions from a liquid hazardous material requiring special transport safety measures to a stable dried blood spot that can be mailed without special precautions, while preserving analyte integrity for concentration measurements.
3Measurement precision
If manual handling by laboratory workers is increased for sample identification, then measurement precision is improved through verification, but device complexity worsens due to additional handling steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual verification and mechanical handling steps with optical code reading systems. Barcodes or other optically readable codes on the sample carrier enable automated identification and tracking, reducing manual handling complexity while improving sample identification accuracy through systematic verification.
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
Facilitates safe, easy, and efficient collection and transport of blood samples by eliminating the need for liquid handling and reducing laboratory worker handling, while ensuring sample identification and minimizing the risk of mix-ups through the use of an optically readable code and a preassembled box system.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent membrane layer which is suitable for absorbing liquid blood components such that said blood components are able to dry in the membrane layer
Data Source
AI summary
A kit or set including a planar sample carrier having an absorbent membrane layer suitable for absorbing liquid blood components is provided, and wherein at least a portion of the blood components is able to dry in the membrane layer, wherein the sample carrier is additionally provided on an outer side with an optically readable code, additionally including a closable cuboidal box having a bottom surface that has a rectangular base surface and that additionally has a first opening, additionally including a planar receiving element having a base surface that corresponds to the base surface of the bottom surface, wherein the receiving element has a second opening and a holder that together are designed such that, on mounting the sample carrier in the holder and subsequently inserting the receiving element into the box on the bottom surface of the box, the optical code is visible through the first opening in the bottom surface and also through the second opening in the receiving element.