Vaginal Secretion Test Rod With Protruding Pads to Prevent Cross-Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vaginal secretion testing devices require complex operations by professionals and cannot be easily used at home, and existing test strips face issues like sample contamination and interference between test pads.
Innovation Solution
A disposable device with a smooth, curved rod body featuring a protruding test area that directly contacts vaginal secretion for one-step sampling and testing, using a flexible absorbent material with chemical reagents for color change analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional test strips with multiple test pads are used, then multiple parameters can be tested simultaneously, but liquid flow causes cross-contamination between test pads and reverse flow from test pad to absorbent pad
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the testing system into separate functional modules: a sample receiving area, a reaction area with test pads, and an absorbent pad positioned upstream. This segmentation prevents liquid flow from causing cross-contamination between test pads while maintaining the ability to test multiple parameters simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorbent pad is inverted to the upstream side (opposite of conventional design) to prevent reverse flow from the test pad back to the absorbent pad. This inversion stops the harmful backward flow that causes contamination and ensures unidirectional liquid movement through the testing device.
2Reliability
If conventional vaginal secretion testing devices are used, then sampling can be performed, but the operation is complex and requires professional experience
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges sampling and testing functions into a single integrated unit. The smooth rod body with curved surface allows direct insertion into the vagina for sampling, while the test pads are pre-loaded on the same body, enabling users to complete both sampling and testing in one simple operation without requiring professional skill.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed for self-service use by ordinary consumers. The smooth rod body with curved surface enables easy self-insertion, and the pre-configured test pads automatically react with the collected sample, allowing users to perform vaginal secretion testing at home without professional assistance.
3Ease of operation
If the operator opens the testing device for sampling, then samples can be collected, but the samples may be contaminated by the operator or other reagents
Solution Approach 1:
The smooth rod body acts as an intermediary between the external environment and the internal test pads. It can be inserted into the vagina to collect samples without the operator directly contacting the sample or opening the sealed testing device, thereby preventing contamination while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing device is pre-prepared with test pads and reagents sealed inside before use. The smooth rod body is inserted to collect samples, and the testing is initiated only after sample collection, preventing premature exposure to contaminants and maintaining sample integrity throughout the process.
4Ease of manufacture
If a straight rod body is used for testing, then manufacturing is simpler, but it may damage vaginal tissues during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The rod body is designed with a curved surface instead of a straight shape. This curvature allows the device to follow the natural anatomy of the vagina during insertion, reducing the risk of tissue damage while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard molding processes.
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 simple, convenient, and safe at-home testing of vaginal microenvironment properties with reduced contamination risk and improved accuracy by minimizing sample mixing and contact.
Implementation Method 1
The test area is arranged with an absorbent material, or a chemical reagent is treated on the test area, so that the absorbent material absorbs the vaginal secretion and the chemical reagent reacts with the vaginal secretion to produce a color change
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a disposable device for testing an analyte in a vaginal secretion, and the device includes: a smooth rod body configured to enter the vagina, where a test area is arranged on the smooth rod body, and the test area protrudes from a surface of the smooth rod body, such that when the smooth rod body enters the vagina, the protruding test area is capable to contact or receive a vaginal secretion to test a property of the vaginal secretion.