Rigid Hydrophilic Sample Carrier for Dried Biological Specimens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dried blood spot (DBS) cards face issues such as variability in drug concentration due to hematocrit, sensitivity to light and humidity, carryover contamination during sample extraction, and inefficiencies in handling and analysis, which affect the repeatability and accuracy of drug concentration measurements in biological fluids.
Innovation Solution
A rigid hydrophilic object made of non-absorbent inert material with pores is used as a biological sample carrier, allowing biological fluid samples to be absorbed and stored within the pores, and integrated into a sample preparative extraction device with sorbents for efficient extraction and analysis, minimizing interactions with interfering elements and reducing handling difficulties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional absorbent DBS cards are used, then samples can be collected and stored, but drug concentration varies due to hematocrit and samples are sensitive to light and humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a porous rigid hydrophilic object with controlled pore structure to absorb and retain biological fluid samples. The porous material provides capillary action for sample uptake while maintaining sample stability, resolving the contradiction between sample absorption capability and resistance to environmental degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite material construction combining rigid hydrophilic outer material with porous structure, creating a material that simultaneously provides mechanical stability, hydrophilic sample uptake, and protection against light and humidity exposure.
2Productivity
If DBS cards are punched to remove sample regions, then samples can be extracted, but carryover contamination occurs and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sample region from the card structure by punching out circular sample-containing portions, which are then retained in the extraction device well. This separation allows the sample to be isolated from the original card matrix, reducing carryover contamination while maintaining extraction efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid hydrophilic object acts as an intermediary between the sample and the extraction solvent. It controls sample release and solvent interaction, preventing direct contact between the sample matrix and potential contamination sources, thereby reducing carryover.
3Productivity
If DBS cards are punched repeatedly, then samples can be processed, but repetitive strain injury occurs and workflow efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple operations into a single integrated device: the card holder, punch mechanism, and extraction well are combined into one unit. This allows the operator to perform punching and extraction in a single motion, improving throughput while reducing repetitive strain through ergonomic design.
4Measurement precision
If traditional extraction methods are used, then samples can be reconstituted, but interfering elements in the sample matrix adversely affect analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating specific sorbent materials with tailored properties into the extraction device. Different regions of the device have different functional properties: the rigid hydrophilic object for sample retention, the sorbent for selective interference removal, and the outlet for purified eluate collection. This localized functional differentiation enables precise interference removal while preserving analyte integrity.
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 solution provides a stable and efficient method for storing and extracting biological samples, reducing contamination and variability, and enhancing the accuracy of drug concentration measurements by maintaining sample integrity and facilitating single-step extraction processes.
Implementation Method 1
A biological fluid sample applied to the surface of the rigid hydrophilic object is absorbed into the pores
Implementation Method 2
The sorbent includes a material that selectively removes at least one constituent of the biological fluid sample
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a biological sample carrier based on a rigid hydrophilic object fabricated from a non-absorbing inert porous material. A biological fluid sample applied to the surface of the object is absorbed into the pores and constituents of the biological fluid sample remain in the pores after drying. Unlike a disc punched from a conventional dried blood spot (DBS) card, the object is easily handled. In contrast to DBS cards containing glass fiber structures that interact with basic analytes and other DBS card having adsorbing fibers that tend to separate blood constituents as the sample spreads through the fibers, the biological sample carrier is substantially inert to drug analytes.