Translucent Biological Fluid Collector for Dye-Free Proteomics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biological fluid collecting devices, particularly sweat collecting devices, face issues such as dye interference with protein content, material incompatibility leading to inaccurate proteomic analysis, high cost due to single-use nature, and complexity in assembly and use, which hinder reliable proteomic analysis.
Innovation Solution
A biological fluid collecting device with a translucent, hydrophilic, and monolithic structure made of methacrylate-based resin, featuring a spiral duct with upstanding walls and a lateral outlet, allowing visual detection of fluid without dyes and facilitating protein collection for proteomic analysis, and enabling reusability through 3D printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a dye is added to the collection surface to visualize collected sweat, then the volume of collected sweat can be assessed, but the dye interferes with protein content and makes reliable proteomic analysis difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a translucent upper surface that changes its optical properties based on fluid presence. When the duct is empty, light passes through clearly making the duct visible. When filled with biological fluid, the translucent surface maintains visibility without requiring dyes, as the fluid itself provides the necessary visual feedback through light transmission properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the dye component entirely from the system. Instead of adding a dye to visualize fluid collection, the design relies on the natural optical properties of the translucent upper surface and the contrast created by the upstanding walls when the duct is filled, eliminating the harmful dye interference with proteins.
2Ease of manufacture
If the device is made of hydrophobic plastic material such as polystyrene, polyethylene or polypropylene, then the device is easy to manufacture, but it interacts with hydrophobic proteins and peptides in sweat causing potential and unpredictable loss of peptides
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from hydrophobic plastic to hydrophilic material. This fundamental material parameter change allows the device to be compatible with biological fluids for proteomic analyses, preventing the interaction that causes peptide loss while maintaining ease of manufacture through 3D printing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydrophilic material that can be 3D printed, representing a composite approach that combines manufacturing feasibility with biological compatibility. This material choice enables both easy manufacture and reliable peptide collection without the harmful interactions of traditional hydrophobic plastics.
3Reliability
If the device is made as a single-use device, then contamination risk is limited, but the cost becomes relatively expensive for substantially continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables recovery and reuse of the collection device. The hydrophilic material and monolithic structure allow for easy cleaning and sterilization, making the device suitable for multiple uses. This eliminates the need to discard the device after single use, significantly reducing costs for continuous monitoring while maintaining contamination prevention through proper sterilization protocols.
4Ease of manufacture
If the duct has a simple structure, then the device is easy to manufacture, but the filling status cannot be visualized without adding a dye
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the translucent upper surface to create visual contrast for duct filling status. When the duct is empty, the translucent surface allows clear visibility of the duct structure. When filled with biological fluid, the optical properties change, providing visual feedback about filling status without requiring additional dyes or complex structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The translucent upper surface serves dual purposes: it structures the duct while simultaneously providing the visualization function. The upstanding walls of the duct create optical contrast against the translucent background, allowing the duct structure itself to indicate filling status without external assistance from dyes or separate visualization components.
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 device enhances proteomic analysis compatibility by reducing dye interference, improves protein detection by 10-30%, and allows cost-effective, reusable collection with simplified assembly and use.
Implementation Method 1
A portion of the upper surface covering the duct is at least substantially translucent, translucent meaning that the upper surface lets light pass through
Implementation Method 2
many sweat collecting devices are made of plastic material such as polystyrene, polyethylene or polypropylene, which are strongly hydrophobic and which may interact with hydrophobic proteins and peptides present in the sweat to be collected
Data Source
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AI summary
Biological fluid collecting device comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface being configured to face a user's skin during fluid collection, wherein the lower surface includes a fluid inlet, wherein the device further includes a fluid outlet, wherein the fluid inlet is fluidly connected to the fluid outlet via a duct, wherein a portion of the upper surface covering the duct is at least substantially translucent.