Biological Sample Container With Desiccant Chamber

Solution Overview

Problem

Current containers for biological samples are prone to DNA contamination and sample mix-ups during transfer, and traditional drying or preservation methods can introduce contamination risks or lead to sample degradation.

Innovation Solution

A container with a vessel and cap configuration that includes a desiccant chamber with a semi-permeable barrier, allowing air and moisture circulation while preventing direct contact between the sample and desiccant, thereby reducing contamination and degradation risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If traditional drying or preservation methods are used (exposing sample to outside airflow or contact with desiccant), then drying or preservation effect is improved, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying effectVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into two separate chambers: a sample chamber and a desiccant chamber. This segmentation allows the desiccant to function independently without direct contact with the sample, enabling effective drying while preventing contamination through physical separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A permeable barrier is introduced as an intermediary between the sample chamber and desiccant chamber. This barrier allows moisture to pass through for drying purposes while blocking direct contact between the desiccant and the sample, thus mediating the drying process without contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transfer steps between containers are performed, then processing flexibility is improved, but contamination risk and sample mix-up increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing flexibilityVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The container is designed to serve multiple functions: it can collect biological samples, dry them using the integrated desiccant chamber, store them safely, and facilitate automated processing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple transfer steps between different containers, reducing contamination risk and sample mix-up while maintaining processing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The collection container, drying system, and storage container are merged into a single integrated unit. The desiccant chamber is combined with the sample chamber through the permeable barrier, creating a unified system that performs multiple operations without requiring sample transfer to separate containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If desiccant is placed in the same container as the biological sample, then drying effect is improved, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying effectVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into two separate chambers: a sample chamber and a desiccant chamber. This segmentation allows the desiccant to function independently without direct contact with the sample, enabling effective drying while preventing contamination through physical separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A permeable barrier is introduced as an intermediary between the sample chamber and desiccant chamber. This barrier allows moisture to pass through for drying purposes while blocking direct contact between the desiccant and the sample, thus mediating the drying process without contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 container effectively prevents contamination and degradation by allowing controlled air and moisture circulation, maintaining sample integrity during storage and processing, and facilitating automated processing without exposing the sample to external contaminants.

Implementation Method 1

The second end of the cap is provided with a semi-permeable barrier configured to allow air and moisture circulation between the vessel and the desiccant chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

The desiccant chamber is configured to house a desiccant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9103749B2Biological sample collection apparatus

Publication Date: 2015.08.11 GENTUERI INC

AI summary

A testing container is described having a vessel with a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending between the first end and the second end. The first end forms an opening into the vessel. The sidewall has one or more protrusions extending inwardly therefrom. The one or more protrusions form a gap having a width in a range between 2-4 mm, and the one or more protrusions have sufficient strength to withstand lateral pressure of a swab positioned in the gap relative to the one or more protrusions and to remove a head of the swab.