Urine Collection Device with Floating Bead Valve
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for collecting urine samples often contaminate the first pass urine with midstream urine, making it difficult to analyze for specific substances like those present in Chlamydia infections, which require undiluted first pass urine for accurate testing.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a funnel with a closable exit and a collecting vessel containing a spherical bead that floats and blocks the inlet when the vessel is filled, ensuring only first pass urine is collected and stored separately from midstream urine, with an optional filter to remove cellular matter and a detachable container for storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a midstream urine collection device is used to isolate midstream urine, then midstream urine can be collected without contamination, but the first pass urine becomes diluted and mixed with midstream urine making it unsuitable for testing substances like Chlamydia
Solution Approach 1:
The collection device is divided into two separate collection chambers: a first collection chamber for receiving and storing first pass urine, and a second collection chamber for collecting midstream urine. This segmentation allows each urine type to be collected separately without mixing, resolving the contradiction between obtaining pure midstream urine and maintaining concentrated first pass urine for diagnostic testing.
2Reliability
If a valve mechanism is used to divert urine flow from first container to second container, then midstream urine can be isolated, but the device complexity increases and requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a float mechanism that automatically controls urine flow division without requiring external intervention or complex valve actuation systems. As urine fills the second collection chamber, the float rises automatically and blocks the opening between chambers, diverting subsequent urine to the first collection chamber. This self-regulating mechanism achieves reliable urine isolation while minimizing device complexity.
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 isolates and stores first pass urine without contamination, allowing for accurate analysis of substances present in undiluted form, such as those indicative of Chlamydia infections, while maintaining low manufacturing costs and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
the spherical bead is freely moveable within the container and is configured to float in urine such that, in use, it blocks the inlet into the collecting vessel on the filling of the collecting vessel with urine
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A device for collecting a sample of the first pass portion of urine voided by a donor isolated from the midstream portion of the urine comprises a first part (1) comprising an opening at its upper end (4)adapted to receive urine voided by a donor, a urine collection body (3) downstream of the upper end and a closable exit (6) located downstream of the urine collection body and at the lower end (5) of the first part, the exit providing a circular orifice (7), a second part (2) located downstream of the exit of the first part and comprising a collecting vessel(10) which is in communication with the exit of the first part, wherein the circular orifice provided by the exit of the first part defines an inlet into the collecting vessel and has a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the collecting vessel at the upper end thereof, and wherein the collecting vesselcontains a moveable closure member (13) for blocking the inlet into the collecting vesselwhich moveable closure member is capable of floating in urine and is adapted such that, in use, it blocks the inlet into the collecting vessel on the filling of the collecting vessel with urine so as to cause further voided urine to be collected in the urine collection body of the first part. By use of the device, a sample of first pass urine, undiluted by midstream urine, may be collected for medical analysis.