Two-Compartment Urine Diagnostic Device with Valve-Controlled Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current urine diagnostic devices are hygienically unsound for medical staff, require manual handling of open urine cups, and have a short time constraint for diagnostic stick immersion and inspection, making them cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A two-compartment device with an upper compartment for urine collection and a lower diagnostic compartment, where a valve-controlled opening allows urine to flow to the diagnostic strip only during the diagnostic stage, extending the immersion time and enabling hygienic handling by preventing manual immersion of sticks into open cups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual handling of diagnostic sticks in open urine cups is used, then diagnostic procedure can be performed, but hygienic conditions deteriorate and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated diagnostic device that acts as an intermediary between the urine sample and the diagnostic stick. The device automatically immerses the diagnostic stick into the urine cup, performs the diagnostic test, and retrieves the stick without requiring manual handling by medical staff. This intermediary automation resolves the contradiction by maintaining hygienic conditions while preserving operational functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnostic device is designed to perform the entire diagnostic procedure autonomously without human intervention in the critical immersion and retrieval steps. The system self-manages the diagnostic process including automatic stick insertion, timing control, and result detection, thereby eliminating the hygienic risks associated with manual handling while maintaining ease of use through simple sample placement.
2Loss of time
If diagnostic stick immersion time is extended, then inspection time is improved, but the short immersion period constraint makes this difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The automated diagnostic device incorporates timing control and feedback mechanisms that precisely manage the immersion duration. The system automatically determines the optimal immersion time based on pre-programmed parameters, ensures consistent contact between the diagnostic stick and urine sample, and triggers automatic retrieval after the predetermined period. This feedback-controlled timing resolves the contradiction by extending the effective inspection window while maintaining scientifically optimal immersion durations.
3Reliability
If automated operation is implemented, then operational safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated diagnostic device is segmented into distinct functional modules: a sample holder for the urine cup, an automated arm or mechanism for stick insertion and retrieval, a timing control system, and a result detection system. Each module performs a specific function independently, which simplifies the overall design and maintenance while achieving safe automated operation. This modular segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing complexity across separate components rather than requiring a monolithic complex system.
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 provides a safer, more hygienic, and efficient urine diagnostic process by allowing controlled urine flow to the diagnostic strip, extending the inspection time and enabling automated operation, thus improving operational conditions for both patients and medical staff.
Implementation Method 1
an opening at the bottom wall between said upper compartment and said lower compartment, wherein said opening is kept blocked by a suitable valve until just before said diagnostic stage; and a mechanism for releasing said blockage of said opening, thereby to allow flow of the body liquid to said lower compartment
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a combined two-compartment device for diagnosing body liquids, which comprises: (a) an upper compartment for collecting and storing the body liquid; (b) a lower diagnostic compartment for diagnosing the body liquid at a diagnostic stage, said diagnostic compartment comprises a diagnostic strip; (c) an opening at the bottom wall between said upper compartment and said lower compartment, wherein said opening is kept blocked by a suitable valve until just before said diagnostic stage; and (d) a mechanism for releasing said blockage of said opening, thereby to allow flow of the body liquid to said lower compartment, and thereby to come into contact with said diagnostic strip and to affect the diagnostic strip accordingly.