Quick Release Driving Tool for Automated Tissue Sampling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for obtaining tissue samples from live animals or plants are painful and can cause damage, and manual capping of sample containers is time-consuming and prone to errors, leading to potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A quick release driving tool with a primary and secondary driver mechanism that allows for efficient tissue piercing and automatic container sealing, featuring a biasing system for rapid retreat of the primary driver and automatic coupling/decoupling of drivers to ensure precise sample collection and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual capping of sample containers is performed, then the capping operation can be completed, but it is time-consuming and prone to errors leading to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic capping where the sampling device itself caps the container without requiring a separate manual operation. The container is carried by the sampling device and is automatically capped as part of the sampling sequence, making the system self-servicing for the capping function.
Solution Approach 2:
The capping function is merged with the sampling operation. The container carrying member carries both the sample container and the capping mechanism, integrating multiple functions (sampling, container transport, and capping) into a single coordinated system rather than separate operations.
2Force
If the primary driver remains coupled to the secondary driver after driving, then the driving force is maintained, but the primary driver cannot retreat quickly to avoid animal damage
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling between primary and secondary drivers is dynamic rather than static. The system transitions from a coupled state during the driving stroke to a decoupled state during retreat, allowing the mechanical properties of the system to change dynamically based on the operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving system is segmented into separate primary and secondary drivers that can be selectively coupled and decoupled. This segmentation allows independent control of the driving phase (coupled) and retreat phase (decoupled), enabling quick release to prevent animal damage.
3Productivity
If automatic processing of multiple samples is performed, then productivity is improved, but cross contamination of sample materials occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The container is extracted from the main sampling device body and carried by a dedicated container carrying member. This extraction allows the container to be physically separated and isolated during transport and capping operations, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining automated processing efficiency.
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 tool reduces animal distress, minimizes sample loss and contamination, and automates the capping process, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of tissue sampling.
Implementation Method 1
compressing the biasing member between the primary driver and the secondary driver
Implementation Method 2
a biasing member acting to bias the primary driver from the extended position
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a quick release apparatus configurable to drive a driven member. The driven member comprises a primary driver which provides or carries a driven member, and that is able to drive the driven member in a first direction to an operative position. The driven member further comprises an actuable secondary driver. The primary and secondary drivers are configurable between a first mode, wherein the secondary driver is able to drive the primary driver in the first direction, and in a second mode which allows the primary driver to be moved away from the operative position independent of the position of the secondary driver under the influence of a bias.