Removable Stopper Seals Sample Vessel Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biological sample collection systems face challenges in ease of use for untrained individuals and the need for controlled environments, as they often require precise measurements and specialized equipment, making it difficult to preserve samples effectively for later processing.
Innovation Solution
A biological sample collection system comprising a sample collection vessel with a pre-loaded preservation reagent, a removable stopper, and a sealing cap, along with a funnel to facilitate easy sample deposition and create a fluid-tight seal, allowing unskilled users to collect and preserve samples without specialized training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If commercial kits provide preservation reagents for self-collection, then sample preservation capability is improved, but user operation complexity increases due to required technical training and precise measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The preservation reagent is pre-loaded into the collection device before use, eliminating the need for users to measure and add reagents themselves. This preliminary preparation resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable sample preservation while significantly simplifying user operation to merely deposit the sample into the pre-prepared device.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be self-contained with integrated reagents and collection components, allowing the system to perform preservation functions autonomously without requiring user expertise in handling chemical reagents. The self-service design maintains preservation reliability while reducing operational complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If specialized equipment and controlled laboratory conditions are used for sample collection, then sample processing quality is improved, but accessibility and ease of use deteriorates for field personnel and patients
Solution Approach 1:
The collection system is segmented into a portable field collection component and a separate laboratory processing component. The field component contains pre-loaded reagents and collection mechanisms that maintain sample integrity without requiring controlled laboratory conditions during collection. This segmentation allows high-quality sample collection in the field while enabling subsequent processing in the lab.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-loaded preservation device acts as an intermediary between field collection conditions and laboratory processing requirements. It bridges the gap by maintaining sample integrity during transport from uncontrolled field environments to controlled laboratory settings, enabling both accessibility and processing quality.
3Reliability
If immediate processing of biological samples is required, then sample integrity is improved, but field personnel capability deteriorates due to lack of specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The collection device performs preservation functions autonomously immediately upon sample deposition, without requiring field personnel to operate complex processing equipment. The self-service mechanism maintains sample integrity through automated reagent activation while keeping the required field personnel capability minimal.
Solution Approach 2:
All necessary preservation reagents and processing components are pre-loaded into the device before field use. This preliminary preparation enables immediate sample processing and preservation upon collection, maintaining sample integrity while eliminating the need for field personnel to have access to specialized processing equipment.
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 enables untrained users to effectively collect and preserve biological samples by simplifying the process, reducing user error, and maintaining sample integrity for later processing, even in non-controlled environments.
Implementation Method 1
a removable stopper disposed through the funnel and in the opening of the sample collection vessel and creating a fluid-tight seal
Implementation Method 2
The sealing cap includes a seal configured to seal the opening and a complementary connection member configured to associate with the connection member of the sample collection vessel such that, when the complementary connection member associates with the connection member, the seal engages and seals the opening
Implementation Method 3
a sample collection chamber in fluid communication with the opening, the sample collection chamber having a sample preservation reagent disposed therein
Data Source
AI summary
A biological sample collection system includes a sample collection vessel having an opening disposed at a top portion thereof and a sample collection chamber having sample preservation reagent disposed therein and which is in fluid communication with the opening. The system additionally includes a funnel configured to selectively couple to the opening such that the funnel opening and the opening of the sample collection vessel are in fluid communication when the funnel coupled to the opening. The system also includes a removable stopper having a plug that is configured to seal the opening and/or the funnel opening. In some embodiments, a biological sample collection system includes a sample collection chamber having an opening disposed at a top portion thereof, a sample preservation reagent disposed with in the sample collection chamber, a funnel configured to selectively couple to the opening and including a ramp, and a removable stopper having a plug configured to seal the opening and a tapered ridge configured to selectively engage the ramp.