Saliva Collection Closure With Stabilization Fluid Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current sample collection devices for saliva samples are difficult to use, require multiple steps, and lack reliable stabilization of nucleic acids during transportation and storage, leading to potential DNA degradation due to microbial contamination.

Innovation Solution

A user-friendly sample collection device with a receptacle and closure member containing a stabilization fluid, featuring a peelable seal and one-way valve for easy sample collection and mixing, ensuring consistent stabilization and preservation during transportation and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional methods (finger swabbing, gauze, cotton wool) are used to collect intercostal fluid, then the collection process is simple, but the sample quality is poor due to high contamination risk and inability to obtain sufficient fluid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample qualityVSAvoidcollection device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A sterile catheter is introduced as an intermediary tool to access the intercostal space and collect fluid directly from the pleural cavity, eliminating the need for direct hand contact and preventing contamination while enabling sufficient fluid collection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical method of finger swabbing is replaced with a controlled catheter-based system that uses a syringe to aspirate fluid, providing a sterile, contamination-free collection process while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a sterile catheter and syringe system is used to collect intercostal fluid, then sample quality improves with reduced contamination, but the device complexity and procedure time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination controlVSAvoidprocedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter is pre-sterilized and pre-assembled with the syringe connection mechanism, allowing for rapid deployment without time-consuming sterilization procedures or complex assembly steps during the procedure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter and syringe are designed as a integrated, pre-connected assembly that functions as a single unit, eliminating the need for separate handling and connection steps, thus reducing procedure time while maintaining sterile conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If conventional collection methods are used, then the procedure is quick and simple, but sufficient fluid cannot be obtained for accurate diagnostic testing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid collection volumeVSAvoidprocedure simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter acts as a mediator that provides direct access to the fluid source in the intercostal space, enabling efficient aspiration of sufficient volumes for diagnostic testing without requiring complex manual collection techniques

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3595536B1Sample collection device and method
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 ANCESTRY COM DNA LLC
  • EP3595536B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3595536B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3595536B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

The present description relates to a sample collection device comprising a receptacle and a closure member configured to seal the receptacle. Within the closure member is provided a reservoir configured to contain a stabilization fluid capable of preserving and stabilizing a collected sample. The reservoir includes an outlet which is sealed by a sealing member. The sealing member may be openable to allow communication, or mixture, between the contents of the reservoir and the contents of the receptacle. The closure member may also include a peel foil on the end of the closure member having the outlet to ensure sterility of and to avoid tampering with the outlet and the reservoir. The method includes collecting a sample from the user using the sample collection device, mixing the sample with the stabilization fluid, and analyzing the sample thus collected.