Tube Segment Sampler with Dual Piercing Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for sampling fluid from sealed tube segments, such as blood or blood products, are inconvenient and pose occupational hazards, requiring manual stripping or suction which can be difficult and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A tube segment sampler with two piercing members, one connected to a sample receiver and the other allowing environmental fluid to enter, facilitating fluid withdrawal while maintaining the piercing members within the tube segment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual stripping with pliers is used to withdraw fluid, then fluid can be removed from the tube segment, but the method is inconvenient and poses occupational hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cannula as an intermediary tool between the operator and the tube segment. The cannula pierces the tube segment wall and connects to a syringe, allowing fluid withdrawal without direct manual manipulation of the tube contents. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for dangerous pliers stripping while providing a controlled, safe interface for fluid extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical stripping action (using pliers to compress and push fluid) with a suction-based system. The syringe creates negative pressure to draw fluid through the cannula, substituting a controlled mechanical suction process for the hazardous manual stripping method. This substitution maintains fluid withdrawal capability while eliminating occupational hazards.
2Productivity
If suction is applied through a single cannula, then fluid can be withdrawn, but the tube volume must be reduced or liquid displaced by environmental fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single-cannula suction approach into two separate cannulas: one dedicated to fluid withdrawal and another dedicated to air entry. This segmentation allows simultaneous independent functions - the first cannula efficiently withdraws fluid while the second cannula provides a dedicated air replacement pathway, eliminating the need to displace liquid and simplifying the overall sampling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The second cannula acts as an intermediary pathway for environmental fluid (air) to enter the tube segment. This intermediary air entry route prevents the need to compress or displace the remaining liquid, allowing efficient fluid withdrawal through the first cannula without the complications of volume reduction or liquid displacement that would otherwise be required.
3Device complexity
If a single piercing member is used, then the device is simple, but fluid cannot be withdrawn efficiently without displacing liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single piercing member function into two separate piercing members, each with a specific role. The first piercing member handles fluid withdrawal while the second handles air entry. This segmentation, while increasing the number of components, actually simplifies the operational complexity by providing dedicated pathways for each function, thereby improving fluid withdrawal efficiency without requiring complex coordination or liquid displacement maneuvers.
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
Enables efficient and safe sampling of fluid from tube segments by allowing air to enter, reducing the need for manual stripping and minimizing occupational hazards, improving the ease and efficiency of fluid withdrawal.
Implementation Method 1
a first tube piercing member having a first piercing part for piercing the tube segment at a first location
Implementation Method 2
the second tube piercing member is adapted to allow environmental fluid (such as air) from the environment to enter the tube segment as fluid is withdrawn
Data Source
AI summary
A tube segment sampler system (10) for withdrawing a fluid sample from a tube segment (100), the sampler (10) having a first tube piercing member (28) for piercing the tube segment at a first location and a second tube piercing member (28) for piercing the tube segment at a second location so as to allow air to be drawn into the tube segment (100) through one of the openings made by one of the piercing members (28) while fluid is withdrawn through the other of the openings.