Biological Specimen Container with Partition Tower
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing specimen containers face interference from undesirable materials like mucous during biological specimen collection and processing, which can hinder subsequent analysis.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a longitudinal tower that partitions the interior into two chambers, allowing for fluid communication between them, along with an insert and cap configuration that facilitates specimen collection and access without contaminating the sample, and includes features like a notch for alignment and a cap with engageable members for secure sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-chamber container is used for specimen collection, then the device complexity is low, but undesirable materials like mucous interfere with subsequent processing
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two separate chambers: a first chamber for receiving the biological specimen and a second chamber for receiving undesirable materials like mucous. This segmentation prevents contamination of the specimen by isolating harmful materials in a separate compartment, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple structure and contamination prevention.
2Ease of operation
If the brush is left in the vial for transfer, then the ease of operation is improved, but undesirable materials adhere to the brush and contaminate the specimen
Solution Approach 1:
By providing separate chambers for specimen and undesirable material, the brush can be placed in the second chamber where it deposits mucous and other contaminants without affecting the specimen in the first chamber. This maintains ease of operation while preventing contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The undesirable materials (mucous, etc.) are extracted from the specimen collection process by providing a dedicated second chamber where these materials can be deposited separately. This removes the harmful factor from the specimen pathway while maintaining the brush-in-vial convenience.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a partition is introduced to separate chambers, then the purity of the specimen is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A simple partition wall divides the container into two chambers, providing effective separation of specimen and contaminants with minimal structural complexity. The partition is a straightforward vertical wall that creates functional separation without requiring complex mechanisms or multiple components.
Data Source
AI summary
A container for collecting a biological specimen is provided that includes a peripheral wall extending from a base. The container further includes a longitudinal tower disposed within the container. The tower forms a partition within the container to form at least a first chamber and a second chamber therein, wherein the first and second chambers are in fluid communication with one another. In addition, the container includes an insert disposed within the container opposite the base, the insert comprising at least a first opening and a second opening. The second opening provides access to the second chamber and is further configured to engage a specimen collecting device to leave a portion of the specimen collecting device within the second chamber. The first opening provides access to the first chamber and is further configured to receive a syringe therein for accessing the biological specimen. Associated systems and methods are also provided.