Syringe Filter for Biological Particulate Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing fluids for the presence of particulates such as bacteria, viruses, or other biological entities are not efficient or effective, particularly in identifying and isolating these particles for further analysis.
Innovation Solution
The development of an apparatus comprising a tube and a plunger with a filter, where fluid is collected and then pushed through the filter using the plunger, allowing for the subsequent testing of the filter for trapped particulates using a particulate-presence-testing-facilitation solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a filter is used to trap particulates from fluid, then particulate isolation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is integrated within the syringe barrel, nested inside the existing injection device structure. This allows the filtration function to be added without requiring a separate standalone device, thereby improving particulate detection accuracy while minimizing increases in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration function is merged with the syringe assembly by positioning the filter between the plunger and the needle hub. This combines multiple functions (fluid delivery and particulate trapping) into a single integrated device, achieving effective particulate isolation without significantly increasing device complexity.
2Productivity
If fluid is pushed through a filter using a plunger, then particulate collection efficiency is improved, but operation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The syringe plunger is designed to automatically push fluid through the filter when the user depresses it, eliminating the need for separate manual filtration operations. The device performs the filtration function itself through the existing plunger mechanism, improving particulate collection efficiency while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is pre-positioned in the fluid path between the plunger and needle hub before use. This preliminary arrangement ensures that all fluid injected through the needle automatically passes through the filter, improving particulate collection efficiency without requiring additional user actions or complex operational steps.
3Speed
If the filter is disposed at the distal end of the tube, then fluid flow through the filter is improved, but particulate retrieval difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
A retrieval tool or mechanism is introduced as an intermediary to access the filter at the distal end of the syringe barrel. This mediator enables easy retrieval of trapped particulates for testing without requiring the filter to be repositioned, thus maintaining efficient fluid flow while simplifying particulate retrieval operations.
4Reliability
If multiple testing protocols are applied sequentially, then detection reliability is improved, but testing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is pre-prepared and integrated into the syringe before fluid injection, allowing rapid initiation of testing protocols. This preliminary arrangement eliminates setup time and enables sequential testing protocols to begin immediately, improving detection reliability while minimizing time loss through efficient workflow transition.
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 method allows for efficient collection and isolation of particulates from fluids, enabling effective testing for their presence and facilitating further analysis such as culturing or antigen detection.
Implementation Method 1
pushing the fluid through a filter, allowing for the subsequent testing of the filter for trapped particulates
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for testing for presence of a biological particulate containing an antigen, the method including collecting, in a tube of an apparatus, biological fluid that potentially contains the biological particulate. Using a plunger of the apparatus, the biological fluid is pushed through a filter that is configured to not allow passage of at least some of the biological particulate. Subsequently, while the filter is inside the tube, the presence of the biological particulate is tested for by ascertaining if any of the biological particulate was trapped by the filter. Ascertaining includes applying to the filter a releasing agent solution configured to release an antigen from the biological particulate into the releasing agent solution, and, thereafter, testing the releasing agent solution for the presence of the released antigen. Other embodiments are also described.