Fluid Collection Assembly With Sample Port for Low-Velocity Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional urinary catheters are uncomfortable, painful, and can lead to complications, and obtaining samples from them is challenging due to high fluid velocities and difficulty in pooling bodily fluids without suction force.
Innovation Solution
A fluid collection assembly with a sump and sample port configuration that allows bodily fluids to flow into a reservoir at lower velocities, enabling easier sample collection by switching to a closed state to prevent fluid loss during sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional urinary catheters are used for fluid collection, then fluid can be collected continuously, but sample collection becomes difficult due to high fluid velocities and inability to pool fluids without suction
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter system is segmented into distinct functional zones: a collection region with a reservoir for fluid accumulation, a transition region, and a delivery region. This segmentation allows fluids to be collected and pooled in the reservoir at lower velocities before being delivered, enabling easier sample collection without requiring continuous suction force throughout the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary fluid collection and pooling in the reservoir before sample extraction is needed. By accumulating fluids in advance in a contained reservoir with controlled access, the system prepares the fluid in a state suitable for sampling (lower velocity, pooled) before the actual sample collection action occurs.
2Reliability
If urinary catheters are used to address incontinence and mobility issues, then fluid collection is achieved, but patient comfort decreases and complications such as infections increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the sampling function from the main fluid delivery pathway by providing a separate sample port that branches off to a sample reservoir. This allows sample collection without disrupting the primary catheter function and enables sampling without introducing external contamination sources, thereby reducing infection risk while maintaining collection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A valve mechanism acts as an intermediary between the main fluid pathway and the sample port. This intermediary controls fluid flow direction, allowing samples to be extracted when needed while preventing unauthorized access or contamination, thus maintaining both collection reliability and patient safety.
3Ease of operation
If a sample port is added to enable easier sampling, then sample accessibility improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sample port is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as both a sampling access point and a controlled fluid transfer pathway. The integrated valve mechanism provides universal control over fluid direction, managing both sample extraction and prevention of fluid loss through the same component, thereby improving sample accessibility without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
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
Facilitates comfortable and efficient collection of bodily fluids, reducing the risk of complications and improving sample accessibility without the need for continuous suction force.
Implementation Method 1
at least one wicking material disposed in the fluid impermeable barrier
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid collection assemblies (100, 200, 300a, 300b, 400a, 400b, 500, 600) including a sample port (112, 212, 312, 412a, 412b, 512), systems (146a) including the same, and methods of using the same are disclosed herein. An example fluid collection assembly (100) includes a fluid impermeable barrier (102) including a first end region (104), a second end region (106) opposite the first end region, and a sump (108) that forms at least a portion of the first end region. The fluid impermeable barrier also defines at least one opening (114) between the first end region and the second end region and a fluid reservoir that is defined by at least a portion of the sump. The fluid collection assembly also includes at least one wicking material (138) disposed in the chamber (116) and a sample port (112) extending from the sump. The sample port is configured to be connected to a fluid collector (144a). The sample port is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir (110) such that a sample of the bodily fluids received by the fluid collection assembly may be obtained.