Specimen Test Unit Membrane Piercing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing specimen test devices face difficulties in easily releasing reagent solution from a scored break-off section, which can be accidental and complex to fill, leading to inefficiencies in sample analysis.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained specimen test unit with a swab-tip, removable housing, dropper, piercing closure member, and rotatable base closure member that allows controlled release of reagent solution by piercing a membrane, simplifying the process and separating the reagent storage container for easier filling and swapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a scored break-off section is used to release reagent solution, then the reagent can be released from storage, but the breaking process is difficult to achieve and requires more than one attempt
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is pre-positioned to seal the reagent storage container during sample collection. The piercing element is pre-configured to penetrate the membrane at the appropriate time, ensuring reliable and consistent reagent release without requiring difficult breaking actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane sealing mechanism is extracted from the complex break-off section design. By using a separate pierceable membrane instead of a scored housing section, the reagent release mechanism becomes simpler and more reliable, eliminating the difficulty of achieving the break-off.
2Ease of operation
If bending is used to make the break-off section, then the reagent solution can flow to the swab, but the bending may occur by chance or accident before the required time
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is pre-installed in the reagent storage container to seal the reagent until needed. The piercing element is pre-positioned but inactive, ready to puncture the membrane only when the user intentionally activates it by inserting the swab shaft, preventing premature activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane acts as an intermediary barrier between the reagent storage container and the swab shaft. It requires a specific intentional action (piercing) to breach, preventing accidental activation while allowing controlled release when needed.
3Device complexity
If the storage compartment is made part and parcel with the housing, then the structure is integrated, but the filling of the storage compartment adds to the overall complexity of producing a finished product
Solution Approach 1:
The reagent storage container is segmented as a separate removable component from the main device housing. This allows the storage container to be independently filled with reagent before assembly, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining an integrated final product structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The reagent storage container is pre-filled with reagent solution before being assembled into the final device. This preliminary filling action separates the complex filling operation from the main assembly process, making manufacturing easier while maintaining structural integration.
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
Facilitates easy and controlled release of reagent solution for sample analysis, reducing complexity and improving usability by allowing precise timing of reagent delivery and independent reagent selection.
Implementation Method 1
The piercing is achieved by rotating the base closure member relative to the piercing closure member to cause a piercing tip to move toward the membrane mounted in the interior of the base closure member
Implementation Method 2
rotating the base closure member relative to the piercing closure member
Implementation Method 3
the storage container is squeezed to force the reacted solution out through the dropper to a surface for inspection
Data Source
AI summary
A self-contained specimen testing unit consisting of a swab-tip with attached, hollow swab-stick, an outer, elongated, removable tube housing cover that surrounds and protects the swab-tip and swab-stick, a dropper removably secured to the end of the tube cover, a dropper cap, a piercing closure member, a rotatable base closure member coupled to the piercing closure element, a membrane member mounted in the base closure member, and reagent-solution storage container screwed onto the end of the rotatable base closure member and sealed by the membrane member thereof. A method of using the unit is also disclosed whereby the piercing unit pierces the membrane when reagent solution is to be delivered to the swab-tip.