Separable Biological Sample Collection Device with Movable Operating Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for collecting, transferring, and conserving biological samples are cumbersome and prone to contamination, especially when used for buccal or lingual samples, as they require manipulation of the entire device, including the support and collecting element, which increases the risk of sample contamination and makes traceability difficult.
Innovation Solution
A device with a separable design featuring a support body with a lateral opening for chemically-treated paper and a movable operating portion that allows the collecting element to be easily coupled and decoupled from the conserving element, enabling independent handling of the collecting and conserving portions to reduce contamination risk and facilitate sample transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single integrated device is used for collecting and conserving biological samples, then traceability is guaranteed, but the device becomes unwieldy and prone to contamination during manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a support body housing the conserving element (chemically-treated paper), and a separate collecting element (swab or applicator). This segmentation allows the operator to manipulate only the collecting element during sample collection, reducing the risk of contaminating the conserving element while maintaining traceability through the housing structure.
2Ease of operation
If the entire device is manipulated during sample collection, then the collecting element can be positioned, but the risk of contaminating the conserving element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collecting element is extracted as a separate, manipulable component from the support body housing. The operator can insert, position, and remove the collecting element without touching or manipulating the support body containing the chemically-treated paper, thereby preventing contamination of the conserving element during the collection process.
3Ease of operation
If a separable design is used, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collecting element is designed to be inserted into and nested within the support body housing when not in use. This nesting arrangement simplifies storage and transport while maintaining the separable design benefits during operation, reducing the perceived complexity by providing a clear insertion/removal interface.
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 device simplifies the collection, transfer, and conservation of biological samples, reduces contamination risk, and ensures traceability by allowing separate handling of the collecting and conserving elements, making it easier to use and more economical.
Implementation Method 1
transfer the sample of biological material collected on the paper
Implementation Method 2
chemically-treated papers to enable absorption and conservation of the samples of biological material
Data Source
AI summary
A device for collecting, transferring and/or conserving samples of biological material, comprising at least: a support body having at least a housing seating for a conserving element for samples, the housing seating being configured for enabling removably housing the conserving element for samples of biological material, the support body being configured for maintaining at least a conserving portion of the conserving element accessible for depositing a sample when the conserving element is housed in the housing seating; an operating portion, movable between a first closed position in which it is arranged in proximity of said housing seating and at least an open position in which it is arranged in a distanced position from the housing seating; and engaging portion configured for selectively and removably engaging a sampling element for samples, in particular an element for buccal sampling, to the support body and/or to the operating portion.