Specimen Cup Lid Collar for Upright Tube Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current specimen collection and transfer devices lack apparatus for safely transferring liquid specimens from a cup to a vial, leading to potential spillage and contamination during transport and analysis.
Innovation Solution
A specimen collection and transfer apparatus comprising a specimen cup with a lid and a transfer assembly that includes a tube and a second cup, where the tube is supported upright by a collar on the lid, allowing for secure transfer of the specimen from the cup to an evacuated vial, with a seal to prevent leakage and a needle for piercing vial seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a specimen cup is used for collecting and transporting liquid specimens, then the specimen can be collected and stored, but the specimen is vulnerable to spillage and contamination during transfer to analysis containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the specimen cup, lid with collar, and transfer assembly into a single integrated system. The lid integrates a collar structure that directly supports the transfer tube, merging the storage and transfer functions into one unified apparatus that prevents spillage during transfer operations
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer tube serves as an intermediary element between the specimen cup and the analysis vial. This tube, supported by the collar, provides a controlled pathway for specimen transfer that eliminates direct handling and prevents contamination while maintaining reliability
2Ease of operation
If no transfer apparatus is provided with the specimen cup, then the device complexity is reduced, but the specimen transfer process becomes unsafe and prone to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer apparatus is segmented into distinct functional components: a lid with an integrated collar structure, a transfer tube, and a transfer cup. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity and ease of assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The lid serves multiple functions: it seals the specimen cup, provides structural support through the collar, and integrates the transfer tube mounting. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, maintaining device simplicity while ensuring transfer safety
3Reliability
If the tube is not supported upright, then the device complexity is reduced, but the specimen transfer may cause spillage and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The collar structure extends vertically from the lid to provide upright support for the transfer tube. This vertical dimension addition ensures the tube maintains its upright position during transfer, preventing spillage while adding minimal structural 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 apparatus effectively prevents spillage and contamination by maintaining the tube upright and providing a secure transfer mechanism, ensuring efficient and safe handling of specimens from collection to analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The first end of the tube configured for insertion into an evacuated vial for transferring a liquid specimen from the specimen cup to the vial
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for collecting, storing and transferring a liquid specimen includes a first cup for collecting a liquid specimen and a lid attachable to the first cup for closing an opening in the first cup. The lid defines a protruding collar, the lid and the collar define an aperture extending through the lid and a length of the collar. The apparatus further includes a transfer assembly including a tube having first and second ends, the first end defining a point, the second end configured for insertion through the aperture in the collar for transferring a liquid specimen from the first cup through the tube. The first end of the tube extends through a bottom of a second cup and into the second cup. The first end of the tube configured for insertion into an evacuated vial for transferring a liquid specimen from the first cup to the vial.