Specimen Collection Device with Radial Barriers for High-Velocity Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices fail to effectively collect specimens from rapidly flowing fluids, such as high-velocity blood flows near the heart, due to the challenge of reducing fluid velocity for specimen retention.
Innovation Solution
A device with radially extending barriers shaped as directional receptacles that reduce fluid velocity by creating local vortices, allowing specimens to be retained during specific phases of the heartbeat cycle, and featuring concentric or non-concentric rings with varying thickness and angles to enhance specimen collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If specimens are collected directly from rapidly flowing liquid, then collection is simple, but specimen retention is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the collection surface into multiple segments with radially extending barriers that create individual retention zones. Each barrier segment intercepts flow at different radial positions, collectively reducing overall flow velocity while maintaining collection simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The radially extending barriers act as intermediary structures between the high-velocity fluid flow and the collection surface. These barriers intermediate the flow reduction function, allowing specimens to be retained without requiring complex flow control mechanisms.
2Reliability
If flow velocity is reduced for specimen retention, then specimen retention improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barriers are configured with specific radial extensions and spacing patterns that create localized flow reduction zones exactly where specimen retention is needed. This local optimization achieves effective retention without requiring complex global flow control structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from considering only longitudinal flow reduction to utilizing the radial dimension. By extending barriers radially from the collection surface, the device creates three-dimensional flow modulation that reduces velocity effectively without adding complex longitudinal structures.
3Reliability
If radially extending barriers are added to reduce flow velocity, then specimen retention improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radially extending barriers serve multiple functions simultaneously: they reduce flow velocity, create retention zones, and provide structural support for the collection surface. This multi-functionality achieves improved retention without proportionally increasing complexity.
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 significantly improves specimen retention by reducing fluid velocity and creating local vortices, allowing specimens to be collected and preserved for extended periods, even in high-velocity blood flows.
Implementation Method 1
the barriers are shaped as directional receptacles having an opening directed to a distal end of the device body... creating local vortices
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 3D~4B
AI summary
A first aspect provides a device for collecting a specimen in a fluid having a substantially directional flow relative to the device and substantially parallel to the device. The device comprises an elongated body and a plurality of substantially continuous barriers, radially extending relative to the longitudinal axis from a surface of the body and provided along the length of the body. With the barriers provided concentrically along the length of the body, like substantially perpendicularly to the length of the device body, the velocity of the flow of the liquid in which the specimen are to be collected is significantly reduced. Such reduction of flow velocity improves the odds of a specimen being retained by the device for collection. The barriers may form a directional receptacle.