Vent Plug Integrating Blood Sampling and Air Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current blood sampling techniques are device-intensive, time-consuming, and costly due to the use of multiple devices for obtaining and testing blood samples, which has not been adequately addressed by existing vascular access systems and methods.
Innovation Solution
A vent plug with a hydrophobic and air-permeable membrane that combines blood venting and sampling functions, allowing for the collection and dispensing of blood samples in a single device, reducing the number of steps and devices required, by using a lumen with a distal opening to retain blood until internal pressure increases, enabling efficient blood extraction and expulsion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple devices (needles, vacuum tubes, syringes) are used for blood sampling, then blood collection capability is ensured, but device complexity and procedure time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple blood sampling functions (venting, collection, and dispensing) into a single integrated vent plug device. The vent plug includes a body with a lumen, a hydrophobic membrane for air venting, and a fluid chamber for blood collection, eliminating the need for separate needles, vacuum tubes, and syringes.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent plug is designed as a multi-functional device that can vent air from the extravascular system, collect blood samples, and dispense the collected blood. This universal device replaces multiple specialized tools with one versatile component that performs all necessary blood sampling operations.
2Reliability
If multiple devices are used for blood sampling, then adequate blood collection is achieved, but procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent plug integrates air venting, blood collection, and blood dispensing functions into one device, allowing all operations to be performed sequentially without removing or replacing components. This reduces the time required for blood sampling procedures while maintaining adequate blood collection capability.
3Reliability
If multiple devices are used for blood sampling, then sampling function is complete, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent plug serves as a universal device for complete blood sampling operations including air venting, blood collection, and dispensing. This eliminates the need for multiple expensive specialized devices (needles, vacuum tubes, syringes) and reduces overall procedure cost while maintaining sampling completeness.
4Device complexity
If a single integrated device is used for venting and sampling, then device complexity is reduced, but functionality must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The vent plug is segmented into distinct functional zones: a hydrophobic membrane region for air venting, a lumen for fluid transport, and a fluid chamber for blood collection and storage. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently while maintaining overall device integration and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the vent plug have specialized properties: the membrane is hydrophobic to allow air passage while blocking liquid, the lumen is sized to retain blood via surface tension, and the fluid chamber provides controlled dispensing. This local differentiation ensures reliable performance of each function within the integrated device.
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 vent plug reduces the complexity and cost of blood sampling procedures by integrating venting and sampling into a single device, decreasing the time and number of devices needed, while ensuring efficient blood collection and dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
A membrane is disposed across the lumen and the membrane is hydrophobic and air permeable
Implementation Method 2
A distal lumen opening is shaped and sized to retain blood within the lumen until the internal pressure of the lumen increases
Data Source
AI summary
A vent plug is disclosed that includes a body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen extending through the distal and proximal ends. A membrane is disposed across the lumen, the membrane being hydrophobic and air permeable. A fluid chamber is formed within the lumen distal the membrane. A distal lumen opening being shaped and sized to retain blood within the lumen until the internal pressure of the lumen increases in response the a finger pressing against a proximal lumen opening.