Disposable Safety Pipet with Integral Stem Preventing Reverse Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional glass Pasteur pipettes are prone to breakage, contamination, and infection risks, and do not prevent reverse fluid flow, which can lead to cell contamination and loss of valuable fluids or cells.
Innovation Solution
A disposable safety pipet with an integral elongated stem and tubular body made from nontoxic polyethylene, featuring a tapered end to prevent reverse fluid flow and shatterproof design, suitable for use with vacuum hoses, and capable of being sterilized and used in liquid nitrogen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If glass Pasteur pipettes are used, then measurement precision and traditional reliability are maintained, but breakage risk and contamination potential increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable plastic pipettes that are discarded after single use, eliminating the need for cleaning and sterilization processes. This disposable approach prevents cross-contamination between uses and eliminates breakage risks associated with reusable glass pipettes, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses plastic materials (such as polyethylene or polypropylene) instead of traditional glass construction. This material substitution provides shatterproof durability while maintaining chemical inertness and measurement functionality, thereby improving reliability without introducing breakage or contamination hazards.
2Measurement precision
If traditional glass pipettes are used, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but reverse fluid flow can occur causing cell contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a flexible membrane at the tip of the pipette that dynamically responds to pressure changes. This membrane acts as a one-way valve mechanism that prevents reverse fluid flow while allowing forward flow during normal operation, thus eliminating contamination risk without compromising measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane serves as an intermediary element between the pipette interior and exterior environments. It mediates fluid flow by allowing controlled passage in the forward direction while blocking reverse flow, thereby preventing contamination while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Strength
If glass pipettes are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but special disposal procedures and protective equipment are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable plastic pipettes that can be safely discarded in regular biohazard waste containers without requiring special sharp container protocols. This eliminates the complexity of disposal procedures and removes the need for additional protective equipment during disposal, while the plastic material maintains sufficient structural integrity for its intended use.
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 eliminates the hazards of broken glass, reduces contamination risks, allows for safe disposal, and provides repeatable drop sizes, reducing cell and protein loss due to binding, while being adaptable to various container shapes and sizes.
Implementation Method 1
The primary use of said invention is to be an aspirating pipet attached to a vacuum hose
Implementation Method 2
The elongated stem 1 ensures that the fluid flows from the stem 1 to the body 5; thus preventing any reverse flow resulting in contamination
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable safety pasteur pipet having an integral elongated stem 1 and tubular body 5 with a end 10 and produced from a polymer such as nontoxic polyethylene. The elongated stem 1 ensures that the fluid flows from the stem 1 to the body 5; thus preventing any reverse flow resulting in contamination. The polymer composition of the pipet precludes the fragileness of glass pipets; as well as injuries associated with shattering glass. The primary use of said invention is to be an aspirating pipet attached to a vacuum hose. The current invention would be substantially in similar dimensions to traditional glass Pasteur pipets.