Sampling Device with Separating Medium for Continuous Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sampling methods for determining analytes in living beings, such as humans, face challenges including poor sensor calibration due to external influences, risk of intervention, coagulation of blood samples, and difficulties with long microdialysis probes that become unwieldy and prone to clogging, leading to inaccurate readings and increased risk to the patient.
Innovation Solution
A sampling device with an analyte receiving chamber surrounded by a separating medium that allows analytes to pass from a sample chamber into the receiving chamber, reducing mechanical stress and minimizing contact with the body, combined with a sampling system that includes pumps for transporting the analyte-laden transport medium to a sensor, enabling precise and continuous monitoring without replacing sampling accesses for up to 8 days.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a sensor is arranged inside a patient's bloodstream, then continuous monitoring of analytes is achieved, but sensor calibration becomes poor due to external influences and requires time-consuming intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sampling access as an intermediary device between the bloodstream and the sensor. Instead of placing the sensor directly in the bloodstream, the sampling access collects blood samples and transports them to the sensor, which can be positioned externally. This mediator allows continuous monitoring while enabling proper calibration using calibration media introduced through the same access without direct sensor exposure to bodily fluids.
2Speed
If blood samples are rapidly aspirated through a cannula, then sampling speed is improved, but high shear forces cause damage artifacts and coagulation
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling access serves as a protected intermediary channel that allows blood to be drawn from the bloodstream while minimizing mechanical stress. The device includes a sampling chamber and transport medium system that gently transfers blood samples without subjecting them to high shear forces, thereby maintaining sample integrity and preventing coagulation even during rapid sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a transport medium that changes the physical parameters of blood sample handling. By using a specialized transport medium with controlled viscosity and flow characteristics, the system maintains sample integrity during rapid aspiration, preventing the high shear forces that would otherwise cause damage artifacts and coagulation.
3Ease of operation
If microdialysis probes are made long to reach deep vessels, then sampling access is improved, but probes become unwieldy and prone to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling device is segmented into distinct functional components: a sampling access for vascular insertion, a sampling chamber for blood collection, a transport medium system for analyte transfer, and a sensor for measurement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the sampling access being long for deep vessel access while the sensor and processing components remain compact and manageable externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling access acts as a long intermediary element that reaches deep vessels, while the actual sensing and processing functions are performed by a separate, manageable sensor system positioned externally. This separates the function of vascular access (which requires length) from the function of analyte detection (which benefits from compactness and ease of maintenance).
4Measurement precision
If sampling accesses are replaced frequently to maintain accuracy, then measurement reliability is improved, but patient stress increases and intervention risk rises
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling access is designed to remain in place for extended periods (up to 8 days) performing partial sampling functions, rather than requiring complete replacement. The device includes mechanisms to maintain sampling capability over time without needing to be removed and reinserted, thereby reducing patient stress and intervention risk while maintaining measurement reliability through regular analyte transfer to the external sensor.
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 solution enhances the reproducibility and safety of sampling by reducing clogging and air bubble accumulation, allowing for continuous monitoring with minimal patient stress and maintaining accurate analyte readings, while being cost-effective and versatile for various clinical applications.
Implementation Method 1
a separating medium surrounding the inner recess for allowing the analyte to pass from the sample chamber into the analyte receiving chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a sampling device, to a sampling system, and to a sampling method, in particular an analysis method for application to a living being.