Tray Insert Capillary Drainage for Urine Strip Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Urine analysis apparatuses face issues with ineffective removal of excess urine sample, leading to splattering and contamination, which compromises testing sensitivity and risks damaging components, and poses biohazardous handling challenges.
Innovation Solution
A tray insert with an elongated channel and hollow enclosure designed to collect excess urine, featuring slots for capillary action and a suction mechanism to remove accumulated liquid, along with a polymer bead system for disinfection and pH indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual blotting of urine strip is used to remove excess urine, then the operation is simple, but the excess urine removal is ineffective leading to accumulation and splattering
Solution Approach 1:
The tray insert automatically removes excess urine through capillary action via the slots in the elongated channel, without requiring manual blotting intervention. The structure enables self-drainage where the urine sample flows through the slots into the hollow enclosure by capillary forces, eliminating the need for user blotting while ensuring effective removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongated channel with slots acts as an intermediary structure between the sample tray surface and the hollow enclosure. It facilitates controlled urine flow through the slots, mediating the transition from excess urine on the tray surface to collection in the hollow enclosure, thereby preventing direct splattering while enabling effective removal.
2Device complexity
If urine sample is not properly removed, then the testing process is simplified, but contamination and splattering occur compromising testing sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The tray insert autonomously manages urine removal through its slot-based capillary drainage system, eliminating the need for manual blotting steps in the testing process. This self-service mechanism maintains testing simplicity while ensuring proper urine removal to preserve testing sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow enclosure, which could potentially hold harmful contaminated urine, is converted into a beneficial containment feature. By directing excess urine into this enclosed space through the slots, the design transforms the potential harm of urine accumulation into a controlled containment solution that protects the testing environment while maintaining process simplicity.
3Device complexity
If urine accumulates in the sample tray, then no additional removal mechanism is needed, but liquid sensitive optical and electronic components are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The tray insert provides self-service urine removal through capillary action in the slots, automatically preventing urine accumulation without requiring additional active removal mechanisms. This passive self-drainage system protects liquid-sensitive components while adding minimal structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongated channel with slots serves as an intermediary drainage pathway between the sample tray surface and the hollow enclosure. It mediates urine flow away from the tray surface before urine can reach and damage liquid-sensitive optical and electronic components, providing passive protection without complex mechanisms.
4Device complexity
If manual blotting is performed, then the structure remains simple, but sample contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray insert eliminates manual blotting operations by providing self-service urine removal through capillary action in the slots. This removes the contamination risk associated with manual handling while maintaining structural simplicity of the tray design.
Solution Approach 2:
The slots in the elongated channel act as an intermediary controlled pathway for urine flow. Instead of requiring manual blotting that risks contamination, the slots provide a controlled capillary-driven flow path that directs urine safely into the hollow enclosure without user contact, thereby preventing sample contamination.
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
Effectively manages excess urine, preventing contamination and ensuring accurate testing by removing excess liquid and providing a safe disposal mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
The elongated channel in the first surface includes a plurality of slots, wherein the slots comprise an opening on each end and the opening enters the hollow enclosure
Data Source
AI summary
A tray insert for use with an apparatus configured to analyze a sample is disclosed. The tray insert includes a first surface comprising an elongated channel adapted to receive a reagent strip for sample analysis. Further, the insert includes a second surface, wherein the second surface is in a direction opposite to the first surface. Additionally, the insert includes a hollow enclosure between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the elongated channel on the first surface comprises a plurality of slots and wherein the slots comprise an opening on each end, wherein the opening enters the hollow enclosure.