Saliva Collection Receptacle with Solid Deactivating Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current COVID-19 testing systems face challenges in collecting and stabilizing saliva samples for viral RNA detection, particularly due to the lack of reliable and safe at-home collection methods and the risk of sample degradation during storage and transport.
Innovation Solution
A receptacle containing a solid coronavirus deactivating composition, made from materials like polypropylene with a high melting point, that allows for safe self-collection and stable storage of saliva samples, preventing viral RNA degradation through the use of chaotropes like guanidinium thiocyanate, which inhibits nucleases and ensures sample integrity during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If saliva samples are collected at home for COVID-19 testing, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of sample stability is worsened due to lack of controlled storage conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle is pre-filled with a solid coronavirus deactivating composition before the user collects the sample. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the user adds saliva, the stabilizing agents are already in place to immediately protect the viral RNA, eliminating the need for controlled storage conditions during collection and transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The solid coronavirus deactivating composition acts as an intermediary substance between the saliva sample and the external environment. It mediates the interaction by deactivating coronaviruses and stabilizing nucleic acids, thereby protecting the sample from degradation during transport without requiring controlled temperature or humidity conditions.
2Reliability
If a liquid coronavirus deactivating composition is used in the receptacle, then effectiveness in deactivating virus is improved, but loss of substance is worsened due to evaporation and degradation during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The coronavirus deactivating composition is transformed from liquid phase to solid phase. This phase transition eliminates evaporation losses and physical degradation that occur with liquid compositions during transport, while the solid form maintains the chemical effectiveness of the deactivating agents when contacted by the saliva sample.
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 receptacle enables reliable and safe at-home saliva collection, maintaining RNA stability for extended periods, even at elevated temperatures, and allows for accurate detection of viral RNA, facilitating efficient pandemic management by ensuring sample integrity during transport and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
the use of chaotropes like guanidinium thiocyanate, which inhibits nucleases and ensures sample integrity during transport
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to a receptable for body fluids wherein inside the receptable an coronavirus deactivating composition is present in solid form, use of said receptable for the collection of saliva, a kit for collecting saliva samples comprising said receptable, the use of said kit for collecting saliva, especially saliva comprising viral RNA and a method for the detection of RNA or DNA.