Rotatable Base Specimen Cup for Tamper-Resistant Sample Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drug testing systems lack the capability to securely retain a body-fluid sample in a tamper-resistant and contaminant-free environment, which is essential for re-testing and confirming drug test results.
Innovation Solution
A specimen cup system with a rotatable base and dual-chamber design that allows for fluid communication between chambers during testing while maintaining a seal to prevent contamination, ensuring the sample remains secure and uncontaminated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a specimen cup is designed to allow testing of a portion of the sample, then the testing function is improved, but the security and contaminant-free retention of the remaining sample deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The specimen cup is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber for sample collection and a second chamber for testing. This segmentation allows the sample to be divided into a test portion and a retained portion, enabling both testing functionality and secure retention of the remaining sample in tamper-evident conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow post with radial opening is nested within the receptacle structure. The radial opening can be positioned to align with either the first opening (for secure retention) or the second opening (for testing), allowing the system to switch between retention mode and testing mode while maintaining sample security
2Adaptability or versatility
If a specimen cup allows fluid communication between chambers for testing, then the testing capability is improved, but the risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls fluid communication between chambers through the rotatable base mechanism. The hollow post can be rotated to align the radial opening with different openings in the receptacle, dynamically switching between sealed retention mode and controlled fluid communication mode for testing, thereby managing contamination risk
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow post with radial opening acts as an intermediary mechanism between the two chambers. It provides controlled fluid transfer when needed for testing while maintaining seals to prevent unauthorized access or contamination, serving as a mediator that enables testing capability without compromising sample integrity
3Adaptability or versatility
If a specimen cup is designed with multiple openings and movable parts for testing, then the testing functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow post with radial opening serves multiple functions: it acts as a seal to prevent contamination, provides a controlled fluid passage when aligned with the second opening, and enables rotation to switch between retention and testing modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby managing complexity
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 effectively collects, tests, and securely retains a body-fluid sample, ensuring its integrity for potential re-testing by preventing contamination and tampering.
Implementation Method 1
The hollow post forms a fluid tight seal with the receptacle about the radial opening
Data Source
AI summary
A specimen cup system for sample testing includes a cup defining sealable first and second regions. A receptacle is formed at a bottom of the first region and extends vertically therein. The receptacle has a first opening defined at the bottom of the first region, a second opening in a radial wall of the receptacle for fluid communication with the first region, and a third opening in the radial wall of the receptacle for fluid communication with the second region. A base having a hollow post is inserted in the first opening of the receptacle. The hollow post has a radial opening formed therein that, when aligned with the second opening, defines a pre-test condition. The hollow post forms a fluid tight seal with the receptacle about the radial opening. The base is coupled to the bottom of the cup in a rotatable fashion such that the hollow post can be rotated to align the radial opening thereof with the third opening in the receptacle to define a test condition. At this point, the base is locked to the cup to prevent further relative rotation therebetween.