Specimen Transfer Device Waste Evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated specimen preparation systems for cytological specimens often fail to completely evacuate waste fluid, leading to errors in pressure monitoring and cell transfer issues during the preparation process.
Innovation Solution
An automated specimen preparation system with a specimen transfer device featuring a central bore, a pressure monitoring port with a reduced diameter to prevent liquid entry, and a waste fluid evacuation port positioned to efficiently evacuate waste liquid, utilizing a vacuum source and optional positive pressure to ensure effective waste removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vacuum source is used to evacuate waste fluid during specimen preparation, then waste fluid removal is improved, but fluid may enter the pressure monitoring port causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure monitoring port is segmented into two distinct sections: a larger diameter first section that interfaces with the central bore for waste fluid evacuation, and a smaller diameter second section that connects to the pressure sensor. This segmentation creates a flow restriction that allows vacuum to effectively remove waste fluid through the first section while preventing fluid from reaching the sensitive pressure monitoring area in the second section, thus maintaining both evacuation effectiveness and measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The reduced diameter second section of the pressure monitoring port acts as an intermediary element between the waste fluid flow path and the pressure sensor. This intermediary structure allows the system to tolerate the presence of waste fluid in the central bore and first section while protecting the pressure sensor from fluid contamination, enabling both waste evacuation and accurate pressure monitoring to occur simultaneously
2Device complexity
If waste fluid is not completely evacuated, then the system structure remains simple, but fluid buildup causes pressure monitoring errors and cell transfer issues
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure monitoring port is designed with a reduced diameter second section that inherently restricts fluid flow toward the pressure sensor before fluid can cause problems. This preliminary structural design prevents fluid buildup and contamination issues before they affect specimen preparation quality, eliminating the need for additional complex evacuation mechanisms while ensuring reliable operation
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 system ensures complete evacuation of waste fluid, preventing fluid buildup and improving the accuracy of pressure monitoring and cell transfer quality, thereby enhancing the efficiency and reliability of specimen preparation.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum source fluidly coupled to the fluid waste evacuation port
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a vacuum source and optional positive pressure to ensure effective waste removal
Implementation Method 3
The reduced diameter portion may be configured for preventing liquid from entering the pressure monitoring port from the central bore
Implementation Method 4
The reduced diameter portion may have a diameter between 0.04 and 0.08 inches
Data Source
AI summary
An automated specimen preparation system for preparing a specimen from a sample in a sample container is provided. The automated specimen preparation system comprises a specimen transfer device configured for holding a specimen collector thereon and for being positioned within the sample container. The specimen transfer device comprises a central bore having an open distal end and a closed proximal end, a pressure monitoring port fluidly coupled to the central bore at the proximal end of the central bore, and a fluid waste evacuation port fluidly coupled to the proximal end of the central bore. The pressure monitoring port comprises a reduced diameter portion coupled directly to the central bore. The automated specimen preparation system further comprises a vacuum source fluidly coupled to the fluid waste evacuation port, and a pressure monitoring device fluidly coupled to the pressure monitoring port.