Removable Sampling Mask Cartridge with Automatic Door Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sampling masks are prone to cross-contamination from the surrounding environment and handling processes, requiring multiple personnel and increasing the risk of contamination for both the subject and handlers during the sampling process.
Innovation Solution
A sampling face mask with a removable cartridge that automatically closes and includes a chamber for housing exhaled substances, featuring clamping blocks to keep the door open during use and a driving mechanism to close the chamber after sampling, minimizing exposure to the environment and reducing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sampling mask uses an open chamber design for easy access and handling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of cross-contamination from the surrounding environment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling mask is divided into a reusable mask body and a removable cartridge containing the chamber. This segmentation allows the chamber to be sealed for contamination prevention while the mask body remains accessible for handling and adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The door is pre-configured to be held in the open position by clamping blocks during the sampling process, allowing easy access. After sampling, the clamping blocks automatically release and the door closes the chamber to prevent contamination.
2Productivity
If the chamber remains open during sampling for easy substance collection, then the productivity is improved, but the reliability of preventing contamination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The door is designed to be dynamic, transitioning between open and closed states based on the sampling phase. During sampling, clamping blocks hold the door open for efficient substance collection. After sampling, the door automatically closes to maintain contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the exhaled substances themselves to trigger the closing action. When sampling is complete, the substances naturally close the door through their own weight or pressure, eliminating the need for additional actuators or energy input.
3Ease of operation
If multiple personnel are used for handling the sampling device, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of cross-contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chamber containing the exhaled substances is extracted into a separate, sealable cartridge that can be closed and secured after sampling. This allows the sampling process to be performed by multiple personnel with easy access, while the final containment is isolated to prevent contamination during handling and analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a sampling face mask. The sampling mask includes a mask body having a front side, a bottom, and one or more clamping blocks disposed on the bottom; a removable cartridge comprising a cartridge body having a chamber for housing the substances exhaled from the nose of the subject, and a door disposed above the chamber for opening or closing the chamber, and a driving means for driving the door to move laterally or vertically with respective to the cartridge body; wherein, the one or more clamping blocks can hold the door in place thereby keeping the door from closing; and when the one or more clamping blocks does not hold the door in place, the door is driven close via the driving means thereby closing the chamber and allowing the removable cartridge to be separated from the mask body.