Automated Urine Specimen Collection System with Speed Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current urine specimen collection methods are unhygienic and require patients to manually handle containers during urination, compromising hygiene and accuracy, and existing solutions do not efficiently measure urination speed while collecting the required urine sample for laboratory tests.
Innovation Solution
A urine collection system that uses a contemporary pissoir or water closet to collect urine into a measuring container, employing a load cell to calculate urination speed and automatically transfer the required urine to a specimen container using a control unit, pump, and valve system, while incorporating disinfectant materials for hygiene and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If patient manually handles container during urination, then urine specimen can be collected, but hygiene is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic urine specimen collection without requiring patient manual handling. The collection container is positioned to receive urine automatically, and the specimen transfer is performed automatically after collection, eliminating the need for patient involvement in handling containers during urination and thereby maintaining hygiene.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary automated mechanism between the patient and the specimen collection process. The collection container and automated transfer system act as intermediaries that handle the urine collection and transfer without direct patient contact, resolving the contradiction between maintaining hygiene and ensuring ease of operation.
2Reliability
If automated transfer system is implemented, then hygiene is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system is segmented into distinct functional modules: collection container, weighing mechanism for urination speed measurement, and automated transfer mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, managing complexity through modularity while maintaining hygiene benefits.
3Measurement precision
If urination speed measurement is implemented, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but measurement precision is compromised in existing solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges urination speed measurement and urine specimen collection into a single integrated process. The collection container serves dual purposes: collecting urine for specimen analysis and enabling urination speed measurement through weighing mechanisms. This combination achieves both diagnostic accuracy through precise measurement and maintains specimen collection efficiency.
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 system ensures hygienic urine specimen collection, accurately measures urination speed, and extends the system's service life by automating the transfer and cleaning processes, maintaining hygiene and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The weight of the collection container (2) is measured by a load cell (6) momentarily
Implementation Method 2
by the activation of the pump (12) by the control unit (5), the transfer of the urine collected into the collection container (2) to the general drain (11) is performed
Implementation Method 3
by the opening of the valve (3) located under the collection container (2), urine remaining into the collection container (2) is transferred into the specimen container (8)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an urine specimen collection system in which the urine sample to be taken for the laboratory tests, can be collected without interrupting the patient while urinating. Present invention will transfer certain amount of urine into the specimen container by collecting the urine of the patient collected during the urination speed test. Thus, the specimen acquired from the urination speed test can be used in the laboratory tests. System will transfer the urine of the patient into a specimen container automatically by steps applied during the regular urination process and immediately after this process. System then will perform the cleaning of the urinated reservoir.