Biological Sample Collection Card with Protective Facing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for handling and storing biological samples, such as blood, face issues including container breakage, sample instability, transportation challenges, and inefficiencies in sample collection and analysis, particularly for small animals like mice and rats, leading to variability in results.
Innovation Solution
A storage device with a collection medium and protective facing that allows for precise positioning and binding of biological samples, enabling efficient handling, transportation, and analysis, including the use of a card assembly with alignment holes and perforations for easy separation and automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual pipetting and deposition of blood onto paper is used, then blood samples can be collected, but labor intensive work and skill requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collection device enables self-service by allowing blood to be deposited onto the paper matrix through simple contact or pressing action, eliminating the need for manual pipetting skills and reducing labor intensity while maintaining sample collection effectiveness
2Manufacturing precision
If manual dispensing of spots onto cards is used, then blood samples can be deposited, but accurate positioning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The paper matrix serves as an intermediary with pre-defined binding sites that guide and standardize blood spot placement, ensuring accurate positioning without requiring manual precision or complex alignment procedures by the operator
3Quantity of substance
If multiple serial blood samples are collected from small animals, then sufficient sample quantity is needed, but limited fluid availability restricts collection
Solution Approach 1:
The paper matrix is segmented into multiple independent binding sites that can each accept small volumes of blood, allowing serial sampling from limited animal blood supplies while maintaining adequate total collection capacity across multiple time points
4Stability of the object's composition
If dried blood spot samples are mailed to transport carriers, then sample stability improves, but carrier acceptance varies
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses disposable paper-based matrices that are inexpensive and designed for single use, making them acceptable to transport carriers as biohazard risks are minimized while maintaining sample stability through the dried blood spot format
5Measurement precision
If specialized instrumentation is used to identify blood spot location, then misplaced spots can be detected, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The paper matrix provides self-positioning through pre-defined binding sites that naturally guide blood to correct locations, eliminating the need for complex instrumentation to identify or locate blood spots while ensuring proper positioning for subsequent analysis
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
This solution reduces space and labeling requirements, enhances sample stability, and facilitates automated processing, improving the accuracy and reliability of biological sample analysis by allowing for efficient collection and storage of multiple samples on a single card.
Implementation Method 1
a collection medium having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a predetermined size and shape, the top surface comprising a position marker and at least one binding site operable to bind a biological sample
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for the collection of biological samples. In at least one exemplary embodiment, a device comprises a collection medium having top and bottom surfaces and a predetermined size and shape, the top surface comprising a position marker and at least one binding site operable to bind a biological sample, a protective facing substantially impermeable to the biological sample, the protective facing coupled to the top surface of the collection medium and having a size and shape substantially similar to the predetermined size and shape of the collection medium. The protective facing being sized and shaped to define a first void positioned to allow for the transfer of the biological sample through the protective facing and onto the at least one binding site of the collection medium, and a second void positioned to expose the position marker for alignment of the collection medium.