Separable Swab Body for Sample Integrity and Traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swabs for collecting and storing biological and chemical samples face challenges in ensuring sample traceability and integrity over long periods, particularly in forensic applications, where repeated analysis is necessary, due to limitations in sample preservation and handling processes that risk contamination and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A swab device with a separable support body, comprising a first and second sub-body that can be rotated or bent to separate into distinct collecting portions, allowing for the collection, analysis, and storage of samples in a way that ensures traceability and minimizes contamination risk, with the ability to maintain sample integrity for extended periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the collecting portion is treated with liquids or substances to extract the largest possible quantity of biological and/or chemical sample, then the extraction efficiency is improved, but the sample integrity and traceability are compromised since the sample can no longer remain intact for future use
Solution Approach 1:
The support body is divided into a first sub-body and a second sub-body that can be separated from each other. The first sub-body contains a first collecting portion while the second sub-body contains a second collecting portion. This segmentation allows the sample to be divided into two distinct portions: one for immediate analysis and another for future use, thereby resolving the contradiction between extraction efficiency and sample integrity preservation.
2Ease of operation
If manual scraping is performed on the fibre to remove a part for analysis, then the sample can be separated for analysis, but the risk of contamination and human error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support body is segmented into separable first and second sub-bodies with distinct collecting portions. This pre-segmented structure eliminates the need for manual scraping operations, as the sample portions are already physically separated before use. This resolves the contradiction by providing easy sample separation through a simple separation action while eliminating the contamination risks associated with manual handling and scraping.
3Ease of operation
If the stem is broken at predetermined breakage points to facilitate controlled breakage, then the collecting portion can be separated for storage, but the ability to preserve sample integrity for long-term traceability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support body is divided into separable first and second sub-bodies, each containing collecting portions. This segmentation allows the collecting portions to be separated from the stem and from each other while maintaining their integrity. The separable design enables controlled separation for storage while preserving sample integrity for long-term traceability, resolving the contradiction between ease of separation and sample preservation.
4Device complexity
If a single collecting portion is used, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to perform repeated analyses on the same sample is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The support body is segmented into a first sub-body with a first collecting portion and a second sub-body with a second collecting portion. This segmentation enables the device to support repeated analyses by providing distinct sample portions that can be independently accessed and analyzed at different times, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and repeated analysis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with multiple collecting portions that can serve different functions: one for immediate analysis and another for future analyses. This multi-functionality allows a single device to accommodate multiple analytical operations over time, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and versatility for repeated analysis.
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 enables efficient and reliable collection, transfer, and storage of biological and chemical samples, ensuring high traceability and safety while reducing handling risks and costs, allowing for both immediate and future analyses from the same sample, thus addressing the limitations of prior art in forensic and judicial contexts.
Implementation Method 1
configured to be separable by rotating the first sub-body relative to the second sub-body around a rotation pin
Implementation Method 2
configured to be separable at least partially by bending at least a part of the first sub-body or of the second sub-body
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (1) for collecting, transferring and storing samples of biological and/or chemical material. The device (1) comprises a support body (2) extending along a main longitudinal direction between a first and a second end (2a, 2b) opposite each other and a collecting portion (4) engaged with one of said ends (2a, 2b) of the support body (2) and suitable for collecting an amount of a sample of biological and/or chemical material. The support body (2) is defined by at least a first sub-body (7) and a second sub-body (8) extending longitudinally and configured to be selectively engaged and separated with and from each other. The support body (2) is configured to operate between an assembled condition, wherein the first and the second sub-body (7, 8) are engaged with each other, and a separated condition, wherein the first and the second sub-body (7, 8) are separated and bear, respectively, a first and a second sub-collecting portion (4a, 4b) of the collecting portion (4).