Syringe Fluid Diversion Mechanism for Contamination-Free Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bodily-fluid sampling methods suffer from contamination by dermally-residing microbes and other external contaminants during the procurement process, leading to inaccurate microbial test results and unnecessary treatments.
Innovation Solution
A syringe-based device with a housing, pre-sample reservoir, and actuator mechanism that allows selective diversion of a first volume of bodily fluid to a pre-sample reservoir, isolating it from a second volume destined for diagnostic testing, thereby reducing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single reservoir is used to collect bodily fluid, then the sampling process is simple, but the sample becomes contaminated with external microbes
Solution Approach 1:
The single reservoir is divided into two separate reservoirs: a first reservoir that receives the initial contaminated bodily fluid, and a second reservoir that receives the cleaned sample for testing. This segmentation allows the contaminated fluid to be isolated from the diagnostic sample, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful contaminated fluid is extracted and removed from the sampling system by directing it to a separate first reservoir, while only the clean sample intended for testing is transferred to the second reservoir. This extraction eliminates the harmful factor while preserving the essential diagnostic function.
2Quantity of substance
If all bodily fluid is collected for testing, then no sample is wasted, but contaminated fluid reduces test accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The collected bodily fluid is segmented into two portions: contaminated fluid directed to the first reservoir and clean sample directed to the second reservoir. This ensures that only the appropriate portion of the sample is used for diagnostic testing, maintaining both adequate sample volume and high test accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality requirements are applied to different portions of the sample. The first reservoir accepts fluid with lower quality (contaminated), while the second reservoir receives fluid with higher quality (clean), allowing each portion to be treated according to its specific requirements.
3Device complexity
If manual handling of samples is used, then equipment is simple, but contamination from personnel occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism (the divided reservoir system with automated fluid direction) between the personnel and the sample. This intermediary allows fluid to be automatically directed to appropriate reservoirs without requiring personnel to manually handle or transfer the sample, thereby preventing contamination while adding minimal complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A bodily-fluid transfer device includes a housing, a pre-sample reservoir, and an actuator. The housing defines an inner volume between a substantially open proximal end portion and a distal end portion that includes a port couplable to a lumen-defining device. The pre-sample reservoir is fluidically couplable to the port to receive a first volume of bodily fluid. The actuator is at least partially disposed in the inner volume and has a proximal end portion that includes an engagement portion and a distal end portion that includes a sealing member. The engagement portion is configured to allow a user to selectively move the actuator between a first configuration such that bodily fluid can flow from the port to the pre-sample reservoir, and a second configuration such that bodily fluid can flow from the port to a sample reservoir defined at least in part by the sealing member and the housing.