JPH11248622A - Urinalysis device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a urinalysis device capable of highly accurate performing an urinalysis in a short time. SOLUTION: This urinalysis device is equipped with a specimen container 1 to contain urine, a light emitting part 2 to irradiate the urine in the specimen container 1 with light, a light detecting part 3 to receive transmitted light which has been permeated in the urine when the light emitting part 2 is irradiating the light and a control and measurement part 4 to measure absorbance of the transmitted light. A tip part of an optical fiber 23 in the light emitting part 2 and the light detecting part 3 are movably placed in the specimen container 1, and a distance control part 5 to control a distance between the optical fiber 23 and the light detecting part 3 is provided. In this case, the distance control part 5 control and optical path length so that it falls within the range of 1-10 cm when a measured wave length is within the range of 700-1,200 nm, and controls the optical path length so that it falls within the range of 1-5 mm when the measured wave length is within the range of 1,200-2,500 nm.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a urine test apparatus for testing urine components by an optical method such as an absorption spectrophotometer without using a test paper or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An optical urine test method is disclosed in
As described in JP-A-3-94158 and JP-A-2-27262, a method of optically measuring the color reaction between a reagent applied on a test paper and a test urine (mainly colorimetric measurement by reflected light measurement) By the law) is common. However,
In the above method, consumables such as reagents and test papers are required, and potential errors are likely to occur due to the indirect method through the mediation reaction. There is a demand for a method for performing a urine test without using a urine.

As described above, a method for realizing a urine test without using a reagent or a test paper is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-14560.
A method using the principle of a saccharimeter as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-105, and a method using Raman spectroscopy as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-171015 are known.

[0004]

However, in the measurement method using a saccharimeter, since visible light is used, it is hard to be affected by water which is transparent. In the case of a method of directly measuring urine using infrared light, absorption of water, which is a main component of urine, greatly affects the test. In particular, water absorption at wavelengths around 1400 nm and around 1900 nm is large, and accurate measurement results cannot be obtained unless measurement is performed in consideration of the optical path length that indicates the distance that light passes through urine.

In the field of spectroscopy, a probe is configured by combining an optical fiber for transmitting light from a light source and an optical fiber for transmitting light via scattering, reflection, or transmission of an object to be measured to a light receiving portion. Those that measure the absorbance characteristics of the object to be measured are commercially available. This spectrometer is equipped with a white light source, detector, etc. outside the probe, and transmits light through an optical fiber in order to enable measurement over a wide range of wavelengths and to provide mediocrity. However, the equipment itself becomes large and disadvantageous in terms of cost.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its first object to perform a highly accurate urine test in a short time, and to reduce the size and simplification of a urine test apparatus. It has two purposes.

[0007]

For example, in the near-infrared absorption spectrophotometry, when testing blood, urine, etc., the absorption of water contained in the sample is greatly affected, and the optical path length of the sample is measured. It is an important factor in the parameters. The absorbance characteristics of water in the near infrared region are as shown in FIG.
It hardly absorbs light around the wavelength of 1200 nm. for that reason,
At a wavelength of 1200 nm or less, it is preferable to increase the optical path length in order to emphasize and measure the absorption by the substance contained in the sample. For example, when most of the water is water, as in urine, there is almost no absorption of water, so that enough transmitted light for measurement can be obtained even at about 1 to 10 cm.
~ 10 cm is preferred. In addition, there is a peak of the absorbance at a wavelength of about 1400 cm, and the absorbance extremely increases from a wavelength longer than 1400 cm. That is, in the measurement at a wavelength of 1200 nm or more, unless the optical path length of the sample is extremely short, light cannot pass through the sample and measurement cannot be performed. Therefore, in order to measure urine in a wavelength band of 1200 nm or more, the optical path length in mm is preferable. From the results of the experiment, in the same wavelength range, a sufficient amount of transmitted light for measurement is obtained with an optical path length of 1 to 5 mm. Especially for the wavelength range of 2000 nm or more, 1
mm is preferable. As described above, in the inspection device using near-infrared light, by measuring the absorbance at the optimum optical path length according to the measurement wavelength, versatility is impaired, but the inspection can be performed in a short time and with high accuracy. Become.

In order to achieve the first object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inspection container for storing urine,
A light-emitting unit that irradiates urine in the test container with different light of two or more wavelengths, a light-receiving unit that receives transmitted light transmitted through the urine when the light-emitting unit is irradiated, and a measuring unit that measures the absorbance of the transmitted light. A control means for controlling an optical path length indicating a distance that penetrates urine in a test container until light emitted from the light emitting unit reaches the light receiving unit in accordance with a measurement wavelength. Claim 2
In the invention described in claim 1, in the invention described in claim 1, the control means performs control to set the optical path length to 1 to 10 cm when the measurement wavelength is 700 to 1200 nm, and sets the optical path length to 1 cm when the measurement wavelength is 1200 to 2500 nm. And control to make it 5mm
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, at least one of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit is movably disposed in the test container, and the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first or second aspect, a relative position between the inspection container and the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit is set. Variably provided, the test container is formed in a shape in which an optical path length changes according to a change in a relative position between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, and a relative position between the test container, the light emitting unit, and the light receiving unit. The position is controlled by the control means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a light emitting unit for irradiating light, a light receiving unit for receiving light emitted by the light emitting unit, and an absorbance of the transmitted light are provided. A light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit are provided in a housing to be immersed in urine, and between the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit of the housing, immersion in urine. A configuration is provided in which a concave portion sometimes filled with urine is provided. In the invention according to the sixth aspect, in the invention according to the fifth aspect, a plurality of sets of the light emitting section and the light receiving section are provided, and The light emitting unit may be configured to generate light of different wavelengths. In the invention according to claim 7, in the invention according to claim 5, a plurality of sets of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are provided, and the light emission of each set is provided. The distance between the unit and the light receiving unit is different.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when urine is placed in a test container and light is emitted from the light emitting portion to the urine in the test container,
The optical path length is controlled by the control means to an optimum optical path length according to the measured wavelength. In other words, the absorbance can be measured at the optimum optical path length according to the measurement wavelength without the user having to be aware of the conditions of the optical path length. According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the absorbance of water is extremely low at a measurement wavelength of 700 to 1200 nm, the optical path length is 1 to 10 cm, so that the absorbance of urine components other than water can be emphasized and measured. When the measurement wavelength is 1200-2500 nm, where the absorbance of water is greatly increased, the optical path length is 1
Since it is about 5 mm, the absorbance of urine components other than water can be measured by reducing the absorption of water. According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the optical path length is controlled by changing the distance between the light emitting section and the light receiving section, the optical path length can be set extremely easily and accurately to the optimum optical path length according to the measurement wavelength. be able to. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the optical path length is controlled by changing the relative positions of the test container containing urine, the light emitting unit, and the light receiving unit, the optical path length can be adjusted extremely simply and accurately according to the measurement wavelength. The optical path length can be set. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are provided in the housing that is immersed in urine, the device can be easily reduced in size and simplified.
In the invention according to claim 6, since a plurality of sets of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are provided, and the light emitting units of each set generate light of different wavelengths, multi-wavelength measurement can be performed.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, a plurality of sets of light emitting units and light receiving units are provided, and the distance between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of each set is different, so that the optimum optical path length according to the measurement wavelength is set. Can be used to measure the absorbance.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, a urine test apparatus according to a first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The urine test apparatus according to the first embodiment includes a glass test container 1 for holding urine, a light emitting unit 2 for irradiating urine in the test container 1 with light, and a urine which has passed through the light emitting unit 2 when irradiated. A photodetector 3 for detecting transmitted light, a control / measurement unit for controlling the light emitting unit 2 and the photodetector 3 and measuring the absorbance of the transmitted light to measure specific components in urine such as sugars and proteins. 4 is provided.

The light emitting section 2 includes a light source 21 which is a halogen lamp, a spectroscope 22 connected to the light source 21 and controlled by the control / measurement section 4, and a spectroscope 22.
And an optical fiber 23 made of glass, which is connected to the urine in the test container 1 from the tip of the optical fiber 23. Further, the tip of the optical fiber 23 is disposed in the inspection container 1 so as to be able to move freely in the inspection container 1, and the photodetector 3 is located in the inspection container 1. The optical fiber 23 is provided so as to be movable toward and away from the tip of the optical fiber 23. That is, the distance between the tip of the optical fiber 23 and the photodetector 3 can be changed by moving one or both of them, and the distance between them can be changed by the control / measurement unit 4. It is controlled by the distance control unit 5 according to the instruction. Specifically, the distance control unit 5 performs control to set the optical path length to 1 cm when the measurement wavelength is 700 to 1200 nm, and performs control to set the optical path length to 1 mm when the measurement wavelength is 1200 to 2500 nm. .

That is, in the urine test apparatus according to the first embodiment, urine is put into the test container 1 and light from the light source 21 is applied to the urine in the test container 1 through the spectroscope 22 and the optical fiber 23. When the measurement wavelength is 700 to 1200 nm, the optical path length is 1 cm, and when the measurement wavelength is 1200 to 2500 nm, the optical path length is 1 mm. Thus, when the light path length is 1 cm when the absorbance of water is extremely low at a measurement wavelength of 700 to 1200 nm,
The measurement can be performed by emphasizing the absorbance of urine components other than water.
If the optical path length is 1 mm when the wavelength is from 00 to 2500 nm, the absorbance of urine components other than water can be measured by reducing the absorption of water. Therefore, even if the measurer is not conscious of the conditions of the optical path length, the absorbance can be measured with the optimal optical path length according to the measurement wavelength, and even a small amount of urine component can be inspected with high accuracy. .

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
A urine test apparatus will be described. In describing the second embodiment, only configurations different from those of the urine test apparatus of the first embodiment will be described. The urine test apparatus according to the second embodiment includes:
The measurement is performed in a state in which urine is placed in a specially shaped test container 6. The light emitting unit 2 and the photodetector 3 are provided in the test container 6.
It is provided outside.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inspection container 6 and FIG. 4 is a plan view of the inspection container 6.
Further, it is provided so as to be movable in the horizontal direction so that the relative position with respect to the photodetector 3 becomes variable. In addition, the inspection container 6 is formed in an L-shape in plan view, and has a short optical path portion 61 having an optical path length of 1 mm and a length of 1 cm due to a relative position change between the light emitting portion 2 and the photodetector 3. Optical path 6
2 is provided. Further, the position of the inspection container 6 is controlled by a position control unit 7 provided in place of the distance control unit 5 of the first embodiment, and the position control unit 7 has an optical path when the measurement wavelength is 700 to 1200 nm. The length is controlled to be 1 cm, and the optical path length is 1 when the measurement wavelength is 1200 to 2500 nm.
mm is controlled. That is, in the urine test apparatus according to the second embodiment, the optical path length is controlled by changing the relative positions of the test container 6, the light emitting unit 2, and the photodetector 3, so that the optical path length is extremely simple. In addition, it is possible to accurately set the optimum optical path length according to the measurement wavelength.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a modification of the inspection container, and FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a modification of the inspection container.
Is formed in a plane triangular shape, and has an optical path length of at least 1 due to a change in the relative position with respect to the light emitting portion and the photodetector.
It can be changed from mm to 1cm.

Next, a urinalysis apparatus according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The urine test apparatus according to the third embodiment includes a housing 9 immersed in urine, and an apparatus main body 10 provided separately from the housing 9.
And the apparatus main body 10 are connected by a cable 11. In addition, a power supply line, a signal line,
Control line is running.

The housing 9 has a light-transmitting property, the urine does not permeate into the housing 9 even when immersed in the urine, is chemically stable, and has a necessary and sufficient mechanical strength. , For example, are formed of glass, and two sets of light emitting elements 91a,
91b, light receiving elements 92a and 92b,
And An LED or LD having an output peak at the wavelength of near-infrared light is used as the two light emitting elements 91, and a photodiode having sensitivity in each wavelength region is used as the two light receiving elements 92. in use.

Between the light emitting element 91a and the light receiving element 92a of the housing 9, and between the light emitting element 91b and the light receiving element 92b, when the housing 9 is immersed in urine, Are provided, and the light emitting elements 91a and 91b are provided with the concave portions 94a and 94b.
Light is applied to urine that fills a and 94b, and the light receiving elements 92a and 92b receive light transmitted through the urine that fills the recesses 94a and 94b. The measuring section 93 controls the light emitting elements 91a and 91b and the light receiving elements 92a and 92b to perform light measurement.

The apparatus main body 10 includes a display unit 101 for displaying test results, an arithmetic unit 102 for calculating test results from measured results, and a storage unit 103 for storing data and test results for obtaining absorbance. And a control unit 104 for controlling the inspection apparatus.

That is, in the urine test apparatus of the present embodiment, urine is put in a test container (not shown), the housing 9 is put in the test container, and the housing 9 is immersed in the urine. Since the recesses 94a and 94b between the two sets of light emitting elements 91a and 91b and the light receiving elements 92a and 92b are filled with urine, the light emitted by each light emitting element 91a and 91b passes through the urine and passes through each light receiving element 92a. , 92b. Since the two light emitting elements 91a and 91b and the light receiving elements 92a and 92b have different wavelength ranges, it is possible to inspect a specific component in urine by two-wavelength absorbance analysis. In the urine test apparatus of the present embodiment, the light emitting elements 91a and 91b and the light receiving elements 92a and 92b are provided in the housing 9 that is immersed in urine, so that the apparatus can be easily reduced in size and simplified. It can be effectively used especially as a home urine test apparatus.

If the housing 9 has a power supply and a control operation unit, and the light emitting unit has a sound generating unit in the housing, when the housing 9 is immersed in urine, the urine has a specific absorption characteristic. If you show
It is possible to easily determine the presence or absence of an abnormality in the urine by informing such as light emission.

Next, a urinalysis apparatus according to the fourth to sixth embodiments will be described. In describing Embodiments 4 to 6,
Only the configuration different from the urine test apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described.

First, a urinalysis apparatus according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The urine test apparatus according to the fourth embodiment includes one light emitting element 91c and two light receiving elements 92c and 92d in the housing 9, and these one light emitting element 91c, two light receiving elements 92c and 92d, and A concave portion 94c is provided between them. The light emitting device 91
For c, a continuous spectrum light source is used, and for the two light receiving elements 92c and 92d, photodiodes having sensitivity to different wavelengths are used. That is, in this urine testing apparatus, a specific component in urine can be tested by two-wavelength absorbance analysis even though only one light emitting element 91c is provided.

Next, a urinalysis apparatus according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The urine test apparatus according to the fifth embodiment includes one light emitting element 91d using a monochromatic light source and two light receiving elements 92e and 92f in the housing 9, and the one light emitting element 91d A concave portion 94d is provided between the two light receiving elements 92e and 92f.
Then, the light emitting element 91d and the light receiving elements 92e, 9
2f, a beam splitter 95 for splitting light is provided, and this beam splitter 95 and one light receiving element 92
A non-linear optical element filter 96 is provided between the filter and the filter element e. That is, one of the light receiving elements 92e receives the light that has passed through the nonlinear optical element filter 96, and the other light receiving element 92f receives the light from the beam splitter 95 directly. Testing of specific components in urine can be performed.

Next, a urinalysis apparatus according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the urine test apparatus of the sixth embodiment, two sets of light emitting elements 91e, 91f and light receiving elements 92g, 92h are provided in the housing 9, and each set of light emitting elements 91e, 91f, light receiving element 92g, 92h, that is, the widths of the concave portions 94e and 94f are different. Specifically, the distance between one set of the light emitting element 91e and the light receiving element 92g is set such that the optical path length is 1 mm, and the other set of the light emitting element 91f and the light receiving element 92h is set.
Is set such that the optical path length is 1 cm. In other words, in the urine test apparatus of the sixth embodiment, when the absorbance of water is extremely low and the measurement wavelength is 700 to 1200 nm, the light emitting element 9 whose optical path length is set to 1 cm is used.
Inspection of specific components in urine using 1f and the measured value of light-receiving element 92h, and a light-emitting element set to have an optical path length of 1 mm at a measurement wavelength of 1200 to 2500 nm where the absorbance of water greatly increases. By inspecting the urine specific component using the measurement values of the light receiving element 91e and the light receiving element 92g, even a minute amount of urine component can be inspected with high accuracy.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this preferred embodiment, and a design change or the like may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Even if present, it is included in the present invention. For example,
In the third embodiment, an example in which the apparatus main body is formed separately from the housing has been described. However, the apparatus main body may be provided in the housing. In addition, three or more sets of light emitting elements and light receiving elements may be provided so that a specific component in urine can be tested by absorbance analysis of three or more wavelengths.

[0028]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the control means for controlling the optical path length in accordance with the measurement wavelength is provided, the measurer is conscious of the condition of the optical path length. Even without this, it is possible to measure the absorbance at the optimum optical path length according to the measurement wavelength, and thus it is possible to obtain an effect that the inspection can be performed in a short time and with high accuracy. According to the invention of claim 2, the measurement wavelength at which the absorbance of water is extremely low
When the wavelength is from 00 to 1200 nm, the optical path length is set to 1 to 10 cm and the absorbance of urine components other than water is emphasized and measured. Since the absorbance of urine components other than water can be measured by reducing the absorbance of water by setting it to 5 mm, the effect of being able to perform a test with high accuracy is obtained. Claim 3
The invention described in (4) also has an effect that the optical path length can be set extremely easily and accurately to the optimum optical path length according to the measurement wavelength. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit are provided in the housing immersed in urine, the device can be easily reduced in size and simplified, thereby reducing costs. The effect is also obtained that the reduction of the number can be achieved. In the invention according to claim 6, a plurality of sets of a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit are provided,
Since each set of light emitting units emits light of a different wavelength, it is possible to perform multi-wavelength measurement and obtain an effect that a complicated analysis becomes possible. In the invention according to claim 7, since a plurality of sets of the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are provided, and the distance between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of each set is different, the optimum optical path according to the measurement wavelength is provided. Absorbance can be measured by length,
Therefore, the effect that the inspection can be performed with high accuracy is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a urine test apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a urine test apparatus according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a test container of the urine test apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a test container of the urine test apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a modification of the inspection container.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a modification of the inspection container.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the absorbance characteristics of water.

FIG. 8 is a configuration explanatory view showing a urine test apparatus according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a test container of the urine test apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing a test container of the urine test apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a test container of the urine test apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a test container of the urine test apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a test container of the urine test apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing a test container of the urine test apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a test container of the urine test apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a front view showing a test container of the urine test apparatus according to the sixth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 inspection container 2 light emitting unit 21 light source 22 spectroscope 23 optical fiber 3 photodetector (light receiving unit) 4 control / measurement unit 5 distance control unit (control means) 6 inspection container 7 position control unit (control means) 8 inspection container 9 Cases 91a to 91f Light emitting elements (light emitting sections) 92a to 92h Light receiving elements (light receiving sections) 93 Measuring sections 94a to 94f Concave sections 95 Beam splitters 96 Nonlinear optical element filters 10 Main body 101 Display section 102 Calculation section 103 Storage section 104 Control section 11 Cable

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A test container for containing urine, a light emitting unit for irradiating urine in the test container with light having two or more different wavelengths, and a light receiving unit for receiving transmitted light transmitted through urine when the light emitting unit is irradiated. A measuring unit for measuring the absorbance of the transmitted light, the urine test device comprising: a measuring unit that measures a distance through which urine in a test container passes through until light emitted from the light emitting unit reaches the light receiving unit. A urine test apparatus comprising a control unit for controlling an optical path length according to a measurement wavelength. 2. The control means controls the optical path length to be 1 to 10 cm when the measurement wavelength is 700 to 1200 nm, and controls the optical path length to be 1 to 5 mm when the measurement wavelength is 1200 to 2500 nm. Item 7. A urine test apparatus according to Item 1. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said light emitting section and said light receiving section is movably disposed in said inspection container, and a distance between said light emitting section and said light receiving section is controlled by said control means. The urine test apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The test container has a variable position relative to the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, and an optical path length of the test container changes according to a change in a relative position between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. The urine test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the urine test apparatus is formed in a shape, and a relative position between the test container, the light emitting unit, and the light receiving unit is controlled by the control unit. 5. A light emitting unit for irradiating light, a light receiving unit for receiving light emitted by the light emitting unit, and a measuring unit for measuring absorbance of the transmitted light, wherein the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are A urine test provided in a housing to be immersed in urine, wherein a concave portion filled with urine when immersed in urine is provided between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the housing. apparatus. 6. The urine test apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of sets of said light emitting section and said light receiving section are provided, and each set of light emitting sections generates light of a different wavelength. 7. The urine test apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of sets of the light emitting section and the light receiving section are provided, and a distance between the light emitting section and the light receiving section of each set is different.