Sealed Air Sampler Adapter for Contamination-Free Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air microbial sampling units require handling in clean rooms to prevent contamination, which is costly and space-consuming, and there is a need for a device that allows standalone or in-line sampling without risking contamination of the sampling unit or sample source.

Innovation Solution

An air sampler adapter that provides airtight containment and transportation of air sampling units, featuring detachable locking mechanisms to maintain sterility during handling in non-sterile environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional air microbial sampling units are handled in clean rooms to prevent contamination, then the reliability of sampling is improved, but the cost and space requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling reliabilityVSAvoidcost and space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate sterile and non-sterile zones. The sampling unit is contained within a sterile housing that can be sealed off from the non-sterile environment, allowing the sampling operation to be segmented from the contamination risk area. This enables reliable sampling without requiring the entire handling environment to be a clean room.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A sterile barrier or seal acts as an intermediary between the sterile sampling unit and the non-sterile external environment. This intermediary allows the sampling unit to remain protected while enabling controlled interaction with the outside world, eliminating the need for expensive clean room facilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If sampling units are transported in unclean environments, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransportation convenienceVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sampling unit is enclosed in a sealed housing with flexible seals or gaskets that maintain sterility during transport. These flexible barriers protect the sterile interior while allowing the exterior to be handled in non-sterile environments, enabling convenient transportation without contamination risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device is pre-assembled and sealed in a sterile state before leaving the manufacturing environment. Locking mechanisms are pre-configured to maintain the sealed state during transport, preventing contamination before it can occur during handling or transportation in unclean environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Ease of operation

If detachable locking mechanisms are used for airtight containment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling unit exchangeVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanisms are designed as simple, single-use or limited-use components that are easy to operate but not necessarily durable long-term. This allows for simple, quick sampling unit exchange without requiring complex, maintenance-intensive locking systems, balancing ease of operation with acceptable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

Enables sampling in non-sterile environments, reducing the need for clean rooms and allowing cost-effective, space-efficient sampling with reduced risk of contamination.

Implementation Method 1

a first locking mechanism adapted to be switched between an open position during sampling and an airtight closed position, and a second end portion comprising an air outlet and a second locking mechanism adapted to be switched between an open position during sampling and an airtight closed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirtight sealing:

Implementation Method 2

a pump adapted to suck air from the chamber and an air sampler adapter according to the first aspect

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir movement:

Data Source

PatentUS20250334489A1Air sampler adapter

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 PLAIR SA

AI summary

An air sampler adapter (10) adapted to air-tightly contain an air sampling unit (11) remotely sampling air of a zone of interest via a pipe (21), comprising a main portion comprising a housing (15) and a base portion (16) comprising fixing means (161), wherein the fixing means (161) is configured to fix the air sampling unit (11) within said housing (15), a first end portion (17) comprising a sampled air inlet (14) and a first locking mechanism (12) adapted to be switched between an open position during sampling and an airtight closed position, and a second end portion (18) comprising an air outlet (141) and a second locking mechanism (13) adapted to be switched between an open position during sampling and an airtight closed position wherein the air sampler adapter is detachable from the pipe (21) connecting it to the zone of interest and in that the first and second locking mechanisms (12, 13) are adapted to be locked in airtight closed position for clean transportation when detached.