Wicking Configuration for Liquid Specimen Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Handling and testing of liquid specimens, such as urine, pose clinical infection risks and can result in over-soaking and obscuration of test results due to excess liquid, affecting accuracy and visibility.

Innovation Solution

A testing apparatus with a test chamber and response portions that utilize a wicking configuration, including wicking apertures and formations, allowing the liquid specimen to contact the response portions through capillary or osmotic action without direct immersion, thereby avoiding excess liquid and enabling hygienic testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the response portions are immersed in the liquid specimen, then the liquid specimen can contact the response portions effectively, but excess liquid specimen will over-soak the response portions and obscure viewing, adversely affecting test accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetest accuracyVSAvoidexcess liquid specimen

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A wicking member is introduced as an intermediary between the liquid specimen and the response portions. The wicking member selectively absorbs and transports the liquid specimen to the response portions through capillary action, preventing direct immersion and excess liquid contact while ensuring adequate reagent activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The wicking member utilizes porous material properties to enable selective liquid absorption and transport. The porous structure allows the liquid specimen to move through the wicking member via capillary action, controlling the amount of liquid that reaches the response portions and preventing over-soaking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Ease of operation

If the liquid specimen is handled directly during testing, then the testing process can be performed, but clinical infection risks increase and the liquid specimen may obscure viewing through the viewing window

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting processVSAvoidclinical infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The testing apparatus is segmented into distinct functional zones: a specimen receiving area, a wicking member, a test chamber containing response portions, and a viewing area. This segmentation allows the liquid specimen to be contained and transported through controlled pathways, minimizing direct handling and exposure risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wicking member and test chamber act as intermediaries that facilitate the testing process without requiring direct contact between the operator and the liquid specimen. The liquid specimen is transported and processed within the sealed test chamber, reducing infection risks while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If the response portions are in direct contact with excess liquid specimen, then the liquid specimen can reach the response portions, but the response portions may be adversely affected and test result accuracy reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid specimen deliveryVSAvoidtest result accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The wicking member serves as a controlled intermediary that regulates liquid specimen delivery to the response portions. It provides sufficient liquid to activate the reagents while preventing excess liquid contact that would cause over-soaking and compromise measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The wicking member controls the parameters of liquid delivery, including the amount, rate, and distribution of liquid specimen reaching the response portions. By adjusting the wicking properties of the material, optimal liquid contact is achieved without over-soaking, maintaining test accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 apparatus allows for safe and accurate testing of liquid specimens by preventing clinical infections and maintaining the integrity of test results through controlled wicking action, reducing over-soaking and obscuration, and ensuring optimal performance of response portions.

Implementation Method 1

a wicking configuration which enables the liquid specimen to contact the response portions only by a wicking action

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

The wicking action may be a capillary action or an osmotic action

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOsmotic action: Osmosis

Data Source

PatentUS20240198329A1Apparatus for testing a liquid specimen by wicking the liquid specimen to response portions

Publication Date: 2024.06.20 CLINICAL DESIGN TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED

AI summary

Apparatus (2) for testing a liquid specimen (4), which apparatus (2) comprises: (i) a test chamber (6); (ii) a plurality of response portions (8) which are in the test chamber (6) and which are for responding to contact with the liquid specimen (4) to give at least one test result; and (iii) a wicking configuration (10) which enables the liquid specimen (4) to contact the response portions (8) only by a wicking action.