Integrated Sterile Swab and Liquid Medium Device for Cleanroom Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for biocontamination control in cleanrooms and isolators are complicated to handle, prone to contamination, and may produce false-positive results due to the separate handling of swabs and nutrient media.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a closed ampoule containing a liquid medium and a swab, both housed in a single, easily openable and re-closable unit, allowing for simultaneous handling and use of the swab and nutrient medium without separate handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate handling of swabs and nutrient media is used, then device complexity is reduced, but contamination risk increases and handling becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the swab and nutrient medium into a single integrated device. The swab is placed inside a housing that contains a reservoir with nutrient medium, eliminating the need for separate handling of swabs and media. This merging reduces contamination risk while maintaining manageable device complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The device serves multiple functions within a single unit: it contains the swab for sampling, stores the nutrient medium for cultivation, and provides a sealed environment to prevent contamination. This multi-functionality addresses the contamination risk without requiring multiple separate components.
2Ease of operation
If separate handling of swabs and nutrient media is required, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the swab, housing, and nutrient medium reservoir into a single device, the patent dramatically improves ease of operation. Users simply need to open the housing and use the swab, eliminating the need to separately handle multiple components. The manufacturing complexity is managed through modular assembly of the housing and reservoir components.
3Productivity
If separate handling procedures are used, then device design is simplified, but productivity decreases due to additional handling steps
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of swab and nutrient medium into one device eliminates multiple handling steps, directly improving sampling efficiency and productivity. The streamlined design allows users to perform sampling and initiate cultivation in a single action, reducing time and effort required for each sampling operation.
4Reliability
If separate handling of swabs and nutrient media is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but risk of false-positive results increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the swab and nutrient medium in a sealed, integrated device, the patent eliminates the risk of contamination during transfer between separate containers. This ensures result accuracy while the manufacturing process remains straightforward through modular assembly of pre-sterilized components.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a device for providing and handling a sterile liquid medium, including a closed ampoule containing the medium and one swab composed of a rod and a swab head, the ampoule and the swab are arranged opposite each other in a housing for storage and handling. The housing is openable in the region of the swab to release the swab head for use and closable after use of the swab head, and the ampoule is openable in the closed housing so that the medium reaches and surrounds the swab head inside the housing. The disclosure also provides a method for providing a liquid culture medium, in particular a liquid nutrient medium for cultivation of microorganisms, preferably pathogens, bacteria, fungi and yeasts, and/or viruses, preferably for use in cleanrooms or isolators. The disclosure lastly relates to the use of a corresponding device in cleanrooms or isolators.