Specimen Container with Swirl Flow Mixing for Dilution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood analysis methods face challenges in accurately preparing diluted blood samples from small quantities, especially in non-invasive, home, or bedside settings, due to the risk of sample loss and difficulty in mixing small volumes of blood with diluting solutions.
Innovation Solution
A container assembly for specimen preparation that includes a capillary tube for collecting and holding biological samples and a container with a swirl flow generating member on its inner wall, which creates a swirling flow to mix the sample with a diluting solution, ensuring efficient dilution and accurate analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a smaller quantity of blood is collected for non-invasive testing, then the ease of operation and patient comfort are improved, but the risk of sample loss increases and the reliability of sample preparation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a capillary tube for sample collection, a container for dilution, and a swirl flow generating member for mixing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, ensuring reliable sample preparation even with small blood volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary tube automatically draws blood through capillary action without requiring manual suction or complex pumping mechanisms. The swirl flow generating member automatically creates mixing when the diluting solution is added, eliminating the need for external mixing devices. This self-service mechanism ensures reliable sample preparation with minimal user intervention.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional blood collection methods are used, then the quantity of blood sample is sufficient, but the difficulty of operation and patient discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes capillary action (a hydraulic principle) where the capillary tube automatically draws blood through its narrow bore due to surface tension and adhesion forces. This eliminates the need for needles, syringes, or manual suction, making blood collection painless and easy while obtaining sufficient sample volume for analysis.
3Device complexity
If manual mixing of blood and diluting solution is performed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and mixing accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The swirl flow generating member creates rotational flow patterns when the diluting solution is added to the container. This mechanical swirling action thoroughly mixes the blood and diluting solution, ensuring homogeneous dilution with precise concentration control, while keeping the device structure simple and easy to manufacture.
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
This solution allows for precise dilution of small biological samples to a desired concentration, enhancing the accuracy of analysis and facilitating easy, non-invasive blood tests, particularly suitable for individuals who find conventional blood collection difficult, such as infants, the elderly, or sickly persons.
Implementation Method 1
a capillary tube having openings formed at both ends thereof
Implementation Method 2
a swirl flow generating member formed on an inner wall of the container for sample dilution... When a diluting solution is injected, a swirl flow of the solution is generated inside the container
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3~4c
AI summary
Provided is a means for collecting a trace of a biological sample to be used for a biological sample analysis, and for preparing a diluted solution of the sample. A container for specimen preparation includes: a biological sample collecting device; and a container for sample dilution. The biological sample collecting device includes: a capillary tube having openings formed at both ends thereof; and a support member for supporting the capillary tube. The container for sample dilution includes: an opening; and a swirl flow generating member formed on an inner wall of the container for sample dilution. The capillary tube of the biological sample collecting device is arranged inside the container for sample dilution by the support member.