Specimen Collection Cassette with Ventilation for Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current specimen collection devices face challenges in maintaining the chain of custody, efficiently drying, and preserving biological specimens, especially when collected from uncooperative individuals, as they often require separate handling and storage of absorbents and identifying information, leading to potential misidentification and degradation issues.
Innovation Solution
A specimen collection device with ventilation means and a cassette system that securely attaches the specimen collection assembly, allowing for unobstructed access for automated analysis, while incorporating a handle cover and sliding cover to facilitate drying and preserve the specimen, and includes a method for applying preservative additives to prevent degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a handle is attached to the specimen collection assembly for manipulation during collection, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to the extra bulk and size of the handle that complicates storage and analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional modules: a handle cover for manipulation, a specimen collection assembly for sample collection, and a cassette for storage and analysis. These modules can be detached from each other, allowing the handle to be removed after collection to reduce bulk for storage, while still providing ease of operation during the collection phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle cover is designed to be detachable and reconfigurable. It can be attached during collection to provide grip and control, then detached or reconfigured for storage and analysis phases, transforming the device from a fixed complex structure to a dynamic, adaptable configuration that meets different operational needs.
2Ease of operation
If the specimen collection absorbent is separated from identifying information for analysis, then access for automated analysis is improved, but reliability decreases due to potential misidentification and chain of custody issues
Solution Approach 1:
The cassette serves as an intermediary component that maintains the connection between the specimen collection absorbent and identifying information. It provides a secure interface that allows the absorbent to be accessed for analysis while keeping the identification data linked through registration tracks and secure attachment mechanisms, preventing misidentification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates multiple copies or representations of identification information across different components (handle cover, cassette, collection assembly). This redundancy ensures that even if components are separated, the identifying information remains available and linked through registration mechanisms, maintaining chain of custody reliability.
3Reliability
If ventilation means are added to dry the collected specimen, then preservation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cassette is designed to serve multiple functions: it stores the specimen collection assembly, provides ventilation for drying through its structure, maintains chain of custody through registration tracks, and facilitates automated analysis through unobstructed access. By combining these functions into a single component, device complexity is minimized while achieving specimen preservation through ventilation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation structure in the cassette passively enables drying of the specimen through air circulation without requiring active mechanical components or additional energy input. The design allows natural convection and diffusion to perform the drying function, eliminating the need for complex active ventilation systems.
4Ease of operation
If the collection absorbent is kept wet for extended periods, then ease of operation during collection is improved, but preservation deteriorates due to specimen degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The cassette is designed with built-in ventilation capabilities that are activated immediately upon insertion of the collection assembly. This preliminary action of providing ventilation as soon as the specimen is collected begins the drying process early, preventing extended wet conditions that would lead to degradation, while not interfering with the collection process itself.
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 ensures secure and efficient specimen collection, drying, and preservation, maintaining chain of custody, and enabling accurate automated analysis by integrating ventilation for evaporation and using a cassette system that aligns with the specimen collection assembly for unobstructed access, thus enhancing forensic analysis.
Implementation Method 1
ventilation means for efficiently drying a collected specimen
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a specimen collection device comprising ventilation means for drying a collected specimen. The device further comprises a cassette into which the specimen collected is secured to maintain evidentiary chain of custody requirements while providing unobstructed access to a collected specimen for automated analysis. Methods of using the device are also provided.