Rigid Specimen Slide for Automated Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional specimen collection cards made of paper or cardboard are flimsy, prone to damage, and cause sample cross-contamination when stacked, making them unsuitable for automated handling and processing.
Innovation Solution
The development of specimen collection slides with rigid non-fibrous or plastic layers that sandwich a filtration media layer, providing structural stability, preventing cross-contamination, and enabling automated handling and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional paper or cardboard collection cards are used, then they are easy to manufacture and inexpensive, but they are flimsy, easily damaged, and cause sample cross-contamination when stacked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure consisting of a rigid support layer (plastic or non-fibrous material) combined with a filtration media layer. This composite design provides the structural stability and rigidity needed to prevent damage and cross-contamination while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through layer-by-layer assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection card is divided into distinct functional layers: a rigid support layer providing structural integrity and a filtration media layer for sample collection. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally while being manufactured separately and assembled together.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If paper or cardboard frames encase the filter paper media, then they provide basic structure, but the frame thickness is insufficient to prevent contact between stacked cards causing cross-contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent increases the thickness parameter of the support layer from conventional paper/cardboard thickness to a rigid plastic or non-fibrous material thickness that is sufficient to prevent contact between filtration media of stacked cards. This parameter change ensures adequate spacing (e.g., 0.5-2 mm gap) to eliminate cross-contamination risk.
3Extent of automation
If conventional paper and cardboard collection cards are used, then they are simple in structure, but they lack dimensional stability and rigidity for automated handling and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from flexible paper/cardboard to rigid plastic or non-fibrous material, providing the dimensional stability and rigidity required for automated handling. The rigid structure maintains its shape during automated processing operations without requiring additional protective measures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional flexible paper cards to three-dimensional rigid structured cards with defined thickness and stiffness properties. This dimensional change enables the cards to withstand automated handling forces and maintain proper orientation during processing.
4Productivity
If conventional collection cards are used, then they require individual hand-picking to prevent damage, but this leads to slower processing times and more costly analyses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical properties of the collection card by using rigid materials with higher stiffness and strength parameters. This allows automated systems to handle multiple cards simultaneously without individual manipulation, dramatically increasing processing speed while maintaining ease of operation through simple automated loading mechanisms.
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 durable, mechanically stable specimen collection slides that prevent cross-contamination and facilitate efficient automated handling and processing, reducing processing times and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a filtration media layer for retaining a sample residing between the first and second layers
Implementation Method 2
a first layer of a first non-fibrous material having a first central opening; a second layer of a second non-fibrous material having a second central opening attached to the first layer
Data Source
AI summary
Specimen collection slides, methods of fabricating and methods of utilizing such specimen collection slides whereby each specimen collection slide includes a top rigid layer with an opening, a bottom rigid layer with an opening substantially the same size as the top layer opening, a middle rigid section having an opening larger than the openings in both the top and bottom layers, and a filtration media residing within the opening in the middle section. The top, bottom and middle are secured together to provide the resultant slide with thickness and rigidity that lends the slide to be utilized in automated handling processes and instruments. The middle section of the slide encases the filtration media and sandwiches it between the top and bottom layers so that the filtration media is protected from damage. Each slide may have its own unique identifier.