Specimen Preprocessing Nozzle Filtration Without Sensitivity Loss

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Rapid test methods for pathogen detection suffer from false positive and false negative reactions due to non-specific substances and specimen properties, and existing filtration solutions either clog filters or reduce sensitivity.

Innovation Solution

A test preprocessing container nozzle with a filter having a porosity of 70% to 95% and a pore diameter of 25 μm to 600 μm, integrated with a nozzle body, to filter specimens without clogging and maintain sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a filter is used to filter specimen sample, then false positive and false negative reactions are prevented, but the filter pores become clogged by impurities in the specimen sample

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidfiltration continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is divided into multiple layers with different pore diameters (first filter layer with larger pores, second filter layer with smaller pores). This segmentation allows the system to handle impurities of various sizes without clogging, as each layer captures specific size ranges of particles while maintaining flow continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the filter have different pore diameters tailored to specific filtration needs. The first filter layer has larger pores for initial coarse filtration, while the second filter layer has smaller pores for fine filtration. This local differentiation optimizes both filtration effectiveness and resistance to clogging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If several filters with different pore diameters are layered to avoid clogging, then filtration continuity is improved, but the thickness of the entire filter increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration continuityVSAvoidfilter thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is segmented into exactly two functional layers rather than multiple thin layers. This segmentation achieves effective filtration continuity while minimizing total thickness, as each layer is optimized for its specific pore size requirement without adding excessive cumulative thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a commonly-used cellulose filter is used, then filtration is achieved, but the filter absorbs specimen sample leading to increase in amount of loss of specimen sample

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration functionVSAvoidspecimen sample loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The filter material parameters are changed from conventional cellulose to a material with controlled porosity (30-80%) and specific pore diameter ranges. This parameter change reduces the filter's absorption capacity while maintaining its filtration function, thereby minimizing specimen sample loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The filter employs a composite structure combining different materials with specific pore characteristics in two layers. This composite approach balances filtration effectiveness with minimal absorption of the specimen sample, reducing overall sample loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If the filtration area is increased to improve filtration, then filtration effectiveness is enhanced, but the amount of buffer solution is limited so that the filtration area cannot be increased indefinitely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidbuffer solution volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of increasing filtration area, the invention optimizes the pore diameter parameters of the filter layers. By adjusting pore sizes to match the size distribution of impurities in the specimen, effective filtration is achieved with minimal buffer solution volume, as the filtration efficiency depends on pore matching rather than surface area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 nozzle system effectively filters specimens, preventing false reactions while ensuring sufficient specimen delivery for accurate detection without sensitivity loss.

Implementation Method 1

The filter is disposed inside the nozzle body and configured to filter the fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The filter has a porosity of 70 percent (%) to 95%

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Data Source

PatentUS20260042091A1Test preprocessing container nozzle, test kit, and specimen processing method

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 CANON KK

AI summary

A test preprocessing container nozzle includes a nozzle body and a filter, the nozzle body being configured to include a connected part and a nozzle part provided to the connected part, the connected part being connected to a test preprocessing container containing a specimen collected from a patient and a specimen processing liquid, which is a processing liquid for the specimen, the nozzle part having a communicating hole to deliver a fluid contained in the test preprocessing container, the filter being disposed in the nozzle body and configured to filter the fluid wherein the filter has a porosity of 70 percent (%) to 95%.