Rigid Plastic Supports for Biological Sample Preservation and Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing supports for conserving biological samples made of absorbent materials like paper are bendable, lack rigidity, and require complex cleaning methods that increase costs and processing times, leading to potential contamination and manipulation issues.
Innovation Solution
A support comprising a rigid body with distinct absorbent matrix portions for sample conservation and cleaning, integrated with a plastic frame that ensures stability and efficient cleaning without contamination, using a moulding process to combine the components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a paper-based absorbent matrix is used for sample conservation, then the support is flexible and easy to manufacture, but it lacks rigidity and causes bending during manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a paper-based absorbent matrix with a plastic frame to create a composite support structure. The plastic frame provides the necessary rigidity and structural stability, while the paper matrix retains its absorbent properties for sample conservation. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The support is divided into distinct functional portions: a first portion for sample conservation and a second portion for cleaning, integrated within a plastic frame structure. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while the overall structure gains rigidity from the frame.
2Reliability
If a separate cleaning support is used to clean the sample-taking device, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cleaning function into the same support structure that contains the sample conservation portion. The second portion of the absorbent matrix serves as a cleaning zone integrated within the same plastic frame, eliminating the need for separate cleaning supports and simplifying the overall process while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure is designed to perform multiple functions: the first portion conserves biological samples, the second portion cleans the sample-taking device, and both are integrated within a single rigid plastic frame structure. This multi-functionality reduces process complexity while maintaining reliability.
3Extent of automation
If manual cleaning procedures are used, then flexibility is maintained, but automation becomes difficult and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support is designed with a rigid plastic frame that provides structural stability suitable for automated handling and manipulation. The defined geometry and stable structure enable precise positioning and automated sample-taking operations, facilitating automation while reducing processing time compared to manual procedures.
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, efficient, and cost-effective support for biological samples that minimizes bending and contamination risks, enabling easy automation and rapid cleaning, thus simplifying the sample-taking process.
Implementation Method 1
The absorbent matrix can consist of a cellulose-based material, such as, for example, paper, particularly absorbent paper or filter paper, which can be specifically treated, in particular chemically, to enable the absorption and conservation of the collected samples of biological material.
Implementation Method 2
cleaning is performed by punching once, in a 'blank' mode, a 'virgin' cleaning support devoid of contaminants, in particular an absorbent matrix, so that the contact between the head of the punch and the second support allows the removal of biological residues and/or impurities present on the punch itself.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A support (1) for conserving a sample of biological material comprising at least a substantially rigid body (6) made of moulded plastic material, comprising at least a first through opening (13) and at least a first portion (3) of an absorbent matrix (2) suitable for conserving a sample of biological material, fixed within the first through opening (13). The first portion of the absorbent matrix (3) has at least a first part (28, 29) without support from the body (6) and suspended inside the first through opening (13), the first part (28, 29) being directly accessible to contact.