Specimen Delivery Apparatus Bulb Actuation and Destructible Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Point-of-care medical diagnostic systems require skilled practitioners and laboratory equipment for sample preparation, which increases costs and time for diagnosis, especially when dealing with contagious diseases that need rapid detection and analysis.
Innovation Solution
A specimen delivery apparatus with a housing that has a backplane with fluid communication ports, a midplane cavity for sample holding, and actuators that move fluid within the apparatus, including a destructible seal to control fluid communication, allowing for sample preparation and transport without external equipment or skilled personnel, utilizing a blister pack for reagents and a bulb actuation mechanism for fluid handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If skilled practitioners and laboratory equipment are used for sample preparation, then sample preparation accuracy and reliability are improved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs sample preparation automatically without requiring skilled practitioners. The automated module includes a bulb actuator that automatically draws sample through the destructible seal into the reaction chamber, and a heating element that automatically thermally lyses the sample. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual manipulation by trained personnel while maintaining reliable sample preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations by practitioners are replaced with automated mechanical and thermal systems. The bulb actuator replaces manual syringe or pipette operations, the destructible seal replaces manual valve operations, and the heating element replaces manual thermal processing. This substitution reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for complex control interfaces while maintaining preparation reliability.
2Reliability
If skilled practitioners and laboratory equipment are used for sample preparation, then sample preparation quality is improved, but time for diagnosis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sample preparation actions automatically and in advance of analysis. The bulb is pre-loaded and positioned to immediately draw sample upon activation, the destructible seal is pre-positioned for immediate breach, and the heating element is ready to immediately begin thermal lysis. This eliminates the sequential time delays associated with manual preparation steps while ensuring quality through consistent automated execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system maintains continuous useful action throughout sample preparation. The bulb continuously draws sample through the transport tube as the destructible seal continuously breaches and opens the fluid path, while the heating element continuously applies thermal energy for lysis. This continuous automated process eliminates idle time between manual operations while maintaining preparation quality through uninterrupted processing.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex laboratory equipment is used, then sample preparation precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The complex sample preparation functions are extracted from the main diagnostic device and integrated into a separate automated module. The bulb actuator, destructible seal mechanism, and heating element are contained within this module, which can be independently manufactured and quality-tested. This extraction allows precision to be achieved through specialized component design while keeping the overall device simple and easy to operate through a single activation action.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple sample preparation functions are merged into a single integrated automated module. The bulb actuator for sample drawing, the destructible seal for fluid path control, and the heating element for thermal lysis are combined in one unit that operates automatically upon single activation. This merging maintains precision through integrated design while dramatically improving ease of operation by eliminating multiple manual steps and complex controls.
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 reduces the need for skilled practitioners and laboratory equipment by abstracting complex functions, enabling efficient and cost-effective sample preparation and transport within the point-of-care system, facilitating rapid diagnosis and reducing treatment lead time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
A first bulb is disposed to move fluid within the housing when the housing is in a closed state and the first bulb is actuated
Implementation Method 2
A destructible seal prevents fluid communication through the fluid communication port while the seal is intact
Implementation Method 3
Actuation of the first bulb communicates fluid through the fluid communication port when the destructible seal is not intact
Implementation Method 4
A fluid transport path includes features to roil fluid propelled through the fluid transport path
Data Source
AI summary
A specimen delivery apparatus includes a housing having a backplane. The backplane includes at least one fluid communication port. The housing has an open state and a closed state. A midplane has a cavity for holding a sample. The midplane is sealed within the housing when the housing is in the closed state. A first actuator is disposed to move fluid within the housing when the housing is in a closed state and the first bulb is actuated. Various embodiments provide for caching of the fluid as well as staging to permit further preparation of the specimen prior to delivery. Various features roil the fluid to assist in extraction, mixing, and transport of the sample with the fluid. A destructible seal prevents fluid communication through the fluid communication port while the seal is intact. Communication of fluid through the fluid communication port is enabled only when the destructible seal is not intact.