Specimen Preservation Implement With Mediated Inhibitor Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preserving nucleic acids in specimens, such as those derived from skin surface lipids, face challenges in preventing degradation during storage and transportation, especially when using preservation solutions, which can be messy and require invasive collection techniques, and low-temperature storage is costly and impractical.

Innovation Solution

A specimen-preserving implement with a medium-containing section, a liquid degradation inhibitor, and a desiccant-containing section, where the inhibitor transfers to the medium without direct contact, and the desiccant absorbs humidity to inhibit nucleic acid degradation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a preservation solution is used to store specimens, then nucleic acid degradation is inhibited, but the preservation solution may spill or scatter around and requires invasive collection techniques

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenucleic acid preservationVSAvoidspecimen collection convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a porous barrier membrane as an intermediary between the preservation solution and the specimen collection site. This membrane allows the preservation solution to be delivered to the specimen without direct contact, preventing spillage and scattering while maintaining the preservation effect. The membrane acts as a mediator that transfers the preservation function without the harmful effects of direct liquid contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If low-temperature storage is used to prevent nucleic acid degradation, then preservation effectiveness is improved, but equipment cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenucleic acid preservationVSAvoidstorage equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable preservation solution-impregnated porous barrier membrane instead of expensive, complex low-temperature storage equipment. The membrane is designed as a single-use component that provides preservation functionality without requiring sophisticated infrastructure. This approach replaces high-cost mechanical refrigeration systems with a simple, affordable chemical preservation method embedded in the membrane structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If preservation solution is applied directly to the specimen, then degradation inhibition is achieved, but the solution contacts the body which may cause harm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenucleic acid preservationVSAvoidbody contact with preservation solution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The porous barrier membrane serves as a protective intermediary that separates the preservation solution from the body. The membrane is positioned between the solution reservoir and the skin or tissue surface, allowing the preservation solution to be delivered to the specimen while preventing direct contact with the body. This intermediary structure eliminates the harmful effects of body contact while maintaining preservation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes a thin porous barrier membrane as a flexible barrier that can be applied directly to the body surface. This thin film structure provides the necessary separation between the preservation solution and the body, preventing harmful contact while allowing the solution to reach the specimen. The membrane's flexibility enables easy application and conforms to body contours.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 implement effectively prevents nucleic acid degradation, allowing for stable storage and transportation of specimens like sebum, enabling convenient and non-invasive collection and analysis of nucleic acids without the need for costly low-temperature equipment.

Implementation Method 1

an agent holder (4) capable of being impregnated with the degradation inhibitor (3)... The degradation inhibitor (3) transfers to the medium (2) by placing the medium (2) in the medium-containing section (12) in a state in which the agent holder (4) is impregnated with the degradation inhibitor (3)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

a containing section (6) of a desiccant... the desiccant is enabled to absorb humidity released from the degradation inhibitor (3) without directly contacting the agent holder (4)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS12420283B2Specimen-preserving implement

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 KAO CORP

AI summary

A specimen-preserving implement including, a medium-containing section capable of accommodating a medium holding a specimen, a degradation inhibitor in liquid form that inhibits degradation of a sample to be tested contained in the specimen, an agent holder capable of being impregnated with the degradation inhibitor, and a containing section of a desiccant. The degradation inhibitor transfers to the medium by placing the medium in the medium-containing section in a state in which the agent holder is impregnated with the degradation inhibitor, and the desiccant is enabled to absorb humidity released from the degradation inhibitor without directly contacting the agent holder in a state in which the medium is accommodated in the medium-containing section.