Sample Collection Flask with Magnetic Ball Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for analyzing solid samples, particularly in medical and veterinary contexts, face challenges such as sample degradation, contamination, and lack of traceability due to multiple handling steps and complex preparation processes, which compromise sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing infections on orthopedic materials.
Innovation Solution
A device with a flask containing a pre-analytical medium and balls that are held in place until mechanical agitation, ensuring the balls grind the sample without escaping, and a means to maintain sterility and reconstitute multi-component media, minimizing human intervention and ensuring traceability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional grinding devices (mortars, ball mills, blade mills) are used to process solid samples, then the sample can be ground and extracted, but multiple handling steps and transfers are required, leading to sample degradation, contamination, and loss of traceability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (collection, storage, grinding, and extraction) into a single integrated device. The sampling flask contains both the grinding balls and pre-analytical medium, eliminating the need to transfer samples between multiple devices and reducing contamination risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling flask serves multiple purposes: it acts as a collection container, storage vessel, grinding chamber, and extraction vessel. This multi-functional design reduces the number of handling steps while maintaining sample integrity throughout the entire process.
2Ease of operation
If grinding balls are placed directly in the flask, then grinding can be performed, but the balls may escape during handling or transport before agitation
Solution Approach 1:
The grinding balls are pre-contained in a retention mechanism (such as a cage or holder) within the flask before use. This preliminary containment ensures the balls remain in place during handling and transport, and only become free when the flask is mechanically agitated for grinding.
3Reliability
If multi-component pre-analytical media are used to maintain sterility and stability, then sample quality is improved, but the media components may separate or degrade before use
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-analytical medium is divided into multiple separate components that are individually stored within the flask. Each component maintains its stability separately, and they are combined only when needed for grinding, preventing premature degradation or separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-component media are pre-prepared and stored in their respective stable states within the flask. The components are designed to be combined and activated only during the grinding process, ensuring they maintain their integrity until use.
4Productivity
If solid samples are analyzed without grinding, then handling steps are reduced, but the analytes cannot be effectively extracted into liquid phase for downstream analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The grinding and extraction processes are merged into a single step within the sampling flask. The mechanical agitation simultaneously grinds the solid sample and extracts analytes into the pre-analytical medium, eliminating separate transfer and extraction steps while maintaining extraction efficiency.
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 device enhances the reliability and specificity of solid sample analysis by reducing contamination and degradation, allowing for more efficient and accurate analysis of solid samples, especially in orthopedic infection diagnostics.
Implementation Method 1
when the flask is mechanically agitated, the impact of the balls causes the grinding of the solid sample
Implementation Method 2
the impact of the balls causes the grinding of the solid sample and the mixing thereof with the pre-analytical medium
Implementation Method 3
the balls are made of paramagnetic material and the means for holding in place comprises a removable magnet
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for the collection, pre-analytic treatment, transport and grinding of solid samples, comprising a flask (1) having an opening (11) closed by a removable stopper (2), for receiving a solid sample. Said flask contains a pre-analytic medium (4), a plurality of balls (3) consisting of a solid material, and a means for holding the balls in place, that is designed to lose its effect when the flask is mechanically shaken or closed by the stopper, in such a way that, when the flask is mechanically shaken, the impact of the balls causes the grinding of the solid sample and the mixing thereof with the pre-analytic medium.