Suction Transfer Apparatus for Sealed Liquid Specimen Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handling and testing of liquid specimens, such as urine, pose clinical infection risks and are unpleasant, requiring a solution to minimize exposure and risk.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a collection container, a test container with response portions, and transfer means that uses suction to transfer the liquid specimen from the collection container to the test container, allowing for testing without direct exposure and ensuring the specimen remains contained for safe disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the liquid specimen is manually handled and transferred for testing, then the testing can be performed, but clinical infection risks and unpleasantness increase due to direct exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sealed transfer system as an intermediary between the collection container and test container. This system includes a sealed conduit or membrane that allows liquid specimen transfer while maintaining isolation between the specimen and the user, eliminating direct hand handling and reducing infection risk
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful aspect (direct specimen handling) from the testing process by separating the transfer function into a sealed, automated suction mechanism. The user never directly contacts the specimen, as the suction mechanism performs the transfer operation in isolation
2Ease of operation
If the liquid specimen is transferred using manual pouring or pouring, then the transfer can be completed, but exposure to unpleasant or infectious liquid increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pneumatic suction to transfer the liquid specimen. A vacuum source creates negative pressure that draws the liquid through a sealed conduit from the collection container to the test container, eliminating the need for manual pouring and preventing user exposure to the liquid
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed conduit acts as an intermediary channel that enables liquid transfer while maintaining physical barriers. The suction mechanism operates through this sealed pathway, ensuring the user remains isolated from the liquid specimen throughout the transfer process
3Ease of operation
If the collection container remains connected to the test container during testing, then transfer is simplified, but liquid specimen may escape and cause infection risk or unpleasantness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the system into separable components: a collection container, a sealed transfer mechanism, and a test container. After transfer, the connection can be broken, allowing the test container to be sealed and isolated from the collection container, preventing specimen escape and enabling safe disposal
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 apparatus enables safe and efficient testing of liquid specimens by minimizing exposure to infection risks and unpleasantness, allowing for sealed transfer and disposal, while maintaining the specimen within the test container for accurate results.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid specimen is transferred from the collection container to the test container by suction
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus (2) for testing a liquid specimen (4), which apparatus (2) comprises: (i) a collection container (6) for collecting the liquid 2 specimen (4); (») a test container (8) for testing the liquid specimen (4); (Hi) response portions (10) which are in the test container (8) and which are for responding to contact with the liquid specimen (4) to give at least one test result; and (iv) transfer means (12) which enables the collection container (6) to be connected to the test container (8) for transferring the liquid specimen (4) from the collection container (6) to the test container (8) such that the liquid specimen (4) is able to contact the response portions (10) in the test container (8) and enable the response portions (10) to react to the liquid specimen (4) for the testing and characterised in that: (V) the apparatus (2) is such that liquid specimen (4) is transferred from the collection container (6) to the test container (8) by suction; and (vi) the apparatus (2) is such that the liquid specimen (4) that is transferred to the test container (8) remains in the test container (8).