Segmented Filter Paper for Heavy Metal Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting heavy metals and pathogens in biological samples, such as dried blood spots, face challenges due to background contamination in filter papers and uncertainty in blood volume, leading to imprecise estimates and safety concerns during transportation.

Innovation Solution

Development of systems and devices that include treated sample pads free of contaminants, desiccants, and sealed containers for collecting and transporting biological samples, allowing for precise detection of heavy metals and pathogens, and enabling the collection and analysis of urine samples for improved diagnostic information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If standard filter paper is used for collecting dried blood spots, then the collection process is simple and cost-effective, but background contamination interferes with trace level heavy metals analysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of sample collectionVSAvoidprecision of heavy metals quantification

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The filter paper is segmented into two distinct parts: a standard filter paper portion for blood absorption and a separate metal-free substrate portion for heavy metals analysis. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its function while preventing cross-contamination, resolving the contradiction between ease of collection and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The metal-free substrate is extracted as a separate component from the standard filter paper. This extracted metal-free portion is specifically designed for heavy metals analysis, eliminating background contamination while maintaining the simplicity of using standard filter paper for the collection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If venipuncture is used for blood collection, then accurate heavy metals quantification is achieved, but the process is costly, invasive, and requires trained personnel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of heavy metals quantificationVSAvoidinvasiveness and operational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A metal-free substrate acts as an intermediary between the blood sample and the heavy metals analysis. This intermediary component enables accurate quantification by eliminating background contamination, while allowing the use of simple fingerstick collection methods instead of invasive venipuncture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate parameters are specifically changed to be metal-free, creating a controlled environment that enables accurate trace level heavy metals detection. This parameter change allows minimally invasive collection methods to achieve accuracy previously only possible with venipuncture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If standard DBS collection methods are used, then the process is simple, but the volume of blood in each sample is unknown leading to measurement error

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of collection processVSAvoidprecision of heavy metals concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a standardized template or guide on the metal-free substrate that copies the ideal blood drop size and placement. This template system allows simple collection while ensuring consistent, measurable blood volumes, eliminating the need for complex volume estimation methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Ease of operation

If air-dried filter paper cards are used for transport, then transportation is convenient, but safety concerns arise regarding pathogen transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of transportationVSAvoidpathogen transmission risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible, impermeable membrane or film is used to seal the blood sample on the filter paper. This thin film barrier prevents pathogen transmission during transportation while maintaining the convenience of air-dried card format and allowing standard mailing procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 provides accurate and safe collection, transportation, and detection of toxicants, pathogens, and biomarkers, reducing measurement errors and ensuring sample integrity, thereby enhancing public health surveillance and clinical testing capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

desiccants, and sealed containers for collecting and transporting biological samples

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11203014B2Methods for collecting biological samples for quantifying heavy metals

Publication Date: 2021.12.21 NORTHWESTERN UNIV

AI summary

Disclosed are devices, kits, compositions, and methods for collecting, transporting, and detecting toxicants, pathogens, and biomarkers in a biological sample. The devices, kits, compositions and methods may be utilized to collect and transport dried blood samples from a skin prick and detect toxicants, pathogens, and biomarkers in the dried blood samples.