DE202020103402U1 - Swab for removing secretions from or from a human or animal body - Google Patents

Abstract

Swab for removing secretions or biological material from or from a human or animal body with:
- an elongated handling member (2),
- a removal section (3),
- The removal section (3) is arranged at a free end (4) of the elongated handling member (2)
- And wherein the removal section (3) has a plurality of stripping and holding elements (5) for stripping and holding the secretion / the biological sample, characterized in that
- At least the stripping and holding elements (5) and a core structure (6) of the removal section (3) are integrally formed as a plastic injection molded component.

Description

The invention relates to a swab for removing secretions from or from a human or animal body according to the preamble of the protection claim 1 .

From the EP 1 608 268 B2 a swab for receiving biological samples is known, which has a handling organ, at the free end of which a removal section is arranged. The removal section has a core, on the outer surface of which a plurality of fibers are attached by means of flocking processes.

Such a swab harbors the risk that such fine fibers, which are required to flock the sampling section, will occasionally become detached and remain in the body during the removal of biological samples, for example within a human body.

Furthermore, there is a risk that fibers of this type, which are applied to the removal section by means of flocculation, could contaminate the sample of the biological material or the secretion during further examination steps and thus possibly also falsify it.

Furthermore, the manufacturing process of such a swab is complex. First of all, a handling member with a core structure of the removal section must be formed. An adhesive must then be applied to the core structure of the removal section in order to produce a connection. This adhesive then serves to fix electrostatically charged fibers in order to produce the flocking. A large number of materials are therefore involved in the formation of the swab according to the prior art, so that recycling, in particular material-specific separation before recycling, is not readily possible.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a swab for removing secretions from or from a human or animal body, which avoids the disadvantages mentioned above, is inexpensive to produce and the risk of contamination of the human or animal body to be examined or the samples (the secretion ) is prevented.

These tasks according to the invention are achieved with a swab with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

• - ein langgestrecktes Handhabungsorgan,
• - einen Entnahmeabschnitt,
• - wobei der Entnahmeabschnitt an einem freien Ende des langgestreckten Handhabungsorgans angeordnet ist
• - und wobei der Entnahmeabschnitt eine Mehrzahl von Abstreif- und Halteelementen zum Abstreifen und Halten des Sekretes/der biologischen Probe besitzt, wobei
• - wenigstens die Abstreif- und Halteelemente sowie eine Kernstruktur des Entnahmeabschnitts einstückig als Kunststoffspritzgussbauteil ausgebildet sind.

A swab according to the invention for removing secretion or biological material from or from a human or animal body has:

• - an elongated handling device,
• - a removal section,
• - The removal section is arranged at a free end of the elongate handling member
• - And wherein the removal section has a plurality of stripping and holding elements for stripping and holding the secretion / the biological sample, wherein
• - At least the stripping and holding elements and a core structure of the removal section are integrally formed as a plastic injection molded component.

With such a swab, the multitude of tasks according to the invention can be solved in a simple manner. Such a swab is inexpensive to produce in one piece. Due to the one-piece connection of the stripping and holding elements, there is no danger that these stripping and holding elements can unintentionally detach from the swab core, i.e. the core structure, and thus could contaminate the sample or there is an unintentional remaining in the human or animal body .

In a special embodiment of the invention, the core structure and the handling member are integrally formed as a plastic injection molded part.

In such an embodiment, it is possible to provide a swab that is manufactured in one piece. Depending on the intended use of the swab, it may also be sufficient to simply manufacture the core structure and the stripping and holding elements in one piece and, for example by means of a plug or screw connection, to assign them to a standardized handling member or to fasten them to it.

In the preferred embodiment described above, however, the entire swab is formed in one piece with the handling member, core structure and stripping and holding elements and possibly further elements.

In an expedient embodiment of the invention, a predetermined breaking point is provided between the handling member and the core structure.

This is particularly in the case of a large longitudinal extension of the handling member, e.g. B. in deep caves, e.g. B. the throat of a person to take samples, especially long. To pass on the sample together with a section of the swab, it is expedient to be able to break off the long handling element. Therefor the predetermined breaking point is particularly suitable.

In a further preferred embodiment of the swab according to the invention, it is characterized in that along a longitudinal direction L the core structure and along a circumferential direction U the core structure, the plurality of stripping and holding elements depart from the core structure, the stripping and holding elements extending radially or tangentially or at an angle to an outer peripheral surface of the core structure.

The stripping and holding elements are in a plurality along the longitudinal direction L and in a plurality along a circumferential direction U provided in order to be able to reliably take samples from the human or animal body to be examined.

Depending on the consistency of the sample to be taken as expected, it may be useful to let the stripping and holding elements come off either radially or tangentially or at any angle in between, i.e. at an angle. In the case of a tangential or angled departure, for example, a particularly smooth and less irritating contact between the swab and a sampling point can be ensured. This can relieve inflammation or pain. In return, an angled, d. H. not exactly radially outgoing arrangement of the stripping and holding elements, depending on the direction of rotation of the swab, a scooping or scooping effect can be achieved, whereby, for example, particularly tough or otherwise difficult to take up samples are easier to remove due to the angular arrangement of the stripping and holding elements.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, in a swab according to the invention the stripping and holding elements are designed as bristles or lamellae or knobs or a mixture of at least two of the above-mentioned structures.

Such a design of the stripping and holding elements in particular facilitates the adaptation of the swab to its intended use, in particular as far as the stripping and holding property of the secretion to be removed is concerned.

So z. B. in particular viscous secretions by bristles or lamellae somewhat better than with a knob-like design.

To avoid injuries, it is particularly expedient for a rounded or spherical body to be present at the free end of the core structure. This is so that no stab wounds are triggered when it is inserted, for example, into a nasal cavity.

It is also advantageous that the core structure extends along the longitudinal direction L thickened towards the free end of the core structure.

This increases the absorption area of the swab and increases the amount of secretion withdrawn or to be removed.

Furthermore, it can be advantageous that at least in the circumferential direction U the stripping and holding elements overlap at least partially along the circumference.

This creates a circumferential direction when the swab is rotated U one in the circumferential direction U closed stripping structure without gaps between stripping elements in the longitudinal direction L occur, which can possibly not take up material to be removed.

Furthermore, it can be advantageous for the core structure to extend from the free end of the core structure in the longitudinal direction L is hollow and encloses a cavity.

Such a configuration of the swab makes it possible in particular within the cavity, for. B. by inserting the swab into a sample to catch sample material and to protect it from unintentional removal from the swab. Depending on the type of secretion, e.g. For example, a pulpy or almost solid secretion, a sample can be taken, for example, by “punching out”.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous for the hollow core structure to have penetrating openings in the core structure which connect the cavity to the outside environment and / or to an intermediate space between the stripping and holding elements.

The hollow core structure can also serve as a store for secretion which has been taken up, for example, by the stripping and holding elements and has been conveyed to the core structure in large quantities. The openings can then form a connection to the hollow structure, so that secretions can reach the hollow structure through the openings and are stored there.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the cavity is open at the free end of the core structure. As a result, for example by tapping or spinning, the secretion located in the cavity can again easily be moved in the longitudinal direction, for example in a centrifuge L or in Circumferential direction U of the swab can be removed from it for the purpose of further investigations.

Furthermore, in order to reduce the risk of injury when taking the sample, it can be advantageous for a free end edge of the cavity to be in the radial direction R seen is rounded.

If appropriate, it can be expedient for the curved / spherical body of the free end of the core structure to be covered with stripping and holding elements.

With regard to the lamellar design of the stripping and holding elements, it may be expedient for the lamellae to extend radially outward in the longitudinal direction L or in the circumferential direction U rejuvenate.

The latter in particular contributes to a resilient design during a rotating removal movement in the circumferential direction U of the slats and thus reduces the possible risk of injury or pain.

Longitudinal L the tapering enlarges a space between two in the longitudinal direction L adjacent lamellae and thus offers a storage possibility (storage space) for secretions, which is in the circumferential direction U the gap covering the gap is held.

With the same mode of operation and with the same advantages, it is expedient for the pins / bristles to be in the longitudinal direction L and / or in the circumferential direction U taper radially outwards.

An embodiment of the swab according to the invention, according to which the knobs have a cylindrical bottom section and a spherical or otherwise curved free end section, serves on the one hand to enlarge the wettable area of the knobs and on the other hand to minimize the risk of injury.

The resilient configuration of the slats and / or pins in the circumferential direction also serves the latter purpose U . In a particularly expedient manner and for the inexpensive production of the swabs, the fact that the swab is produced from a thermoplastic by injection molding helps.

A large number of medically harmless plastics are known from the field of thermoplastics, which are particularly suitable for forming the present swab by means of the injection molding process.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is particularly advantageous to produce the swab in a two-component or multi-component injection molding process and in particular to produce the removal and holding elements from a relatively soft, flexible plastic and to form the core structure from a relatively harder plastic.

This has the advantage that the swab as a whole is in the longitudinal direction L and is relatively rigid across it and can therefore be inserted deeply into corresponding extraction cavities. However, the wiping and holding elements are soft, so that direct contact with often sensitive mucous membrane surfaces or the like is gently possible.

In a further embodiment, the core structure and the stripping and holding elements are made of soft plastic, whereas the handling element is made of a harder plastic and the swab as a whole is in turn produced in one piece using the 2K or multi-component injection molding process.

This makes, for example, the free end region, which is to be introduced into a body cavity or the like, particularly flexible and pliable, so that, if necessary, curvatures can be followed well. The risk of injury, especially in the case of curved body cavities, is reduced accordingly.

Further features and advantages result from the following detailed description of embodiments.

• 1: eine Seitenansicht auf einen erfindungsgemäßen Tupfer in einer ersten Ausführungsform;
• 2: einen Entnahmeabschnitt des Tupfers der ersten Ausführungsform gemäß 1 in einer vergrößerten perspektivischen Darstellung;
• 3: einen Entnahmeabschnitt eines erfindungsgemäßen Tupfers einer zweiten Ausführungsform;
• 4: einen Entnahmeabschnitt eines erfindungsgemäßen Tupfers einer dritten Ausführungsform;
• 5: einen Entnahmeabschnitt eines erfindungsgemäßen Tupfers einer vierten Ausführungsform;
• 6: einen Entnahmeabschnitt eines erfindungsgemäßen Tupfers einer fünften Ausführungsform.

The invention is explained below using the figures as an example. Show it:

• 1 : a side view of a swab according to the invention in a first embodiment;
• 2nd : a removal section of the swab according to the first embodiment 1 in an enlarged perspective view;
• 3rd : a removal section of a swab according to the invention of a second embodiment;
• 4th : a removal section of a swab according to the invention of a third embodiment;
• 5 : a removal section of a swab according to the invention of a fourth embodiment;
• 6 : a removal section of a swab according to the invention of a fifth embodiment.

1 shows a swab according to the invention 1 for taking a secretion or a biological sample / biological material from or from a human or animal body with a handling organ 2nd and a removal section 3rd . At a free end 4th the swab 1 is the removal section 3rd educated. The removal section 3rd includes a variety of stripping and holding elements 5 which are in a radial direction R one piece inside with a core structure 6 are trained.

The handling organ 2nd preferably has a predetermined breaking point 7 .

At the free end 4th the swab 1 , especially at one free end 8th (see also 2nd ) the core structure 6 , sits a rounded, especially spherical body 9 .

The following are based on the 2nd to 6 some embodiments with regard to the stripping and holding elements 5 , their arrangement on the core structure 6 and embodiments of the core structure 6 explained.

In the embodiment according to 2nd are the stripping and holding elements 5 as pins / bristles 10th trained and go in the radial direction R right-angled, angled to the radial direction R or tangent to an outer peripheral surface 11 the core structure 6 from the core structure 6 from.

In the embodiment according to 2nd go the pins / bristles 10th in the radial direction R from. The pins / bristles 10th can - as well as the stripping and holding elements described below 5 - Be made of a softer plastic than the core structure 6 , with at least the core structure 6 and the stripping and holding elements 5 , especially the pins / bristles 10th , are made in one piece in two-component or multi-component injection molding.

In one embodiment according to 3rd is part of the stripping and holding elements 5 as slats 12th educated. The slats 12th are in their two-dimensional extent in the embodiment according to 3rd parallel to the longitudinal direction L arranged. Of course, it is also possible that the slats 12th with its longitudinal course an angle to the longitudinal direction L lock in. The slats 12th taper in the radial direction R outwards in their thickness so that they are radial R become more flexible towards the outside compared to a radially inner position.

The slats 12th are in the embodiment according to 3rd alternating with pins / bristles 10th in a circumferential direction U arranged. Here are the slats 12th longitudinal L arranged so that the slats 12th longitudinal L at least one gap 13 between two neighboring pins / bristles 10th cover up.

In a further embodiment according to 4th are the stripping and holding elements 5 consistently as slats 12th educated. A radial height of the stripping and holding elements 5 can free end in each of the described embodiments 8th increase so that an effective diameter of the removal section 3rd to the free end 8th is enlarged.

In the embodiment according to 4th are the slats 12th longitudinal L aligned one behind the other and adjacent rows of slats 12th are in the longitudinal direction L arranged so that a lamella 12th one row a gap 13 between two slats 12th the adjacent row preferably covered, at least largely covered.

This creates in the circumferential direction U a closed lamellar structure in the circumferential direction U no continuous gaps 13 having. This improves the stripping and holding result of the secretion to be withdrawn or removed.

In a further embodiment according to 5 are the stripping and holding elements 5 as pimples 14 educated. The core structure 6 thickens to the free end 8th there and is at the free end 8th rounded, e.g. B. spherically rounded, formed.

In the embodiment according to 5 is the spherical rounding at the free end 8th with pimples 14 busy. Nevertheless, it is of course also possible to round off the spherical end at the free end 8th not with pimples 14 to be occupied, ie not with stripping and holding elements 5 to occupy, as for example in the embodiments according to 2nd to 4th is shown. Nevertheless, it is of course also possible in the embodiments according to 2nd to 4th the spherical / rounded body 9 with appropriate stripping and holding elements 5 to occupy.

The pimples 14 have, for example, a cylindrical bottom portion 15 and a spherical free end portion 16 on. The cylindrical bottom section 15 can be of any length, starting from a radial length of the bottom section 15 of more than twice the radius of the rounded free end section 16 who have favourited Pimples 14 rather than pins / bristles 10th are to be designated. So long as the radial length of the cylindrical bottom section 15 is smaller than twice the radius (diameter) of the rounded free end section 16 , is such a stripping and holding element 5 according to the invention as a knob 14 Are defined.

In a further embodiment of the swab according to the invention 1 is the core structure 6 in the area of the removal section 3rd hollow, so the core structure 6 a cavity 20 surrounds.

The cavity 20 is, for example, in the longitudinal direction L extending cylindrical, but can extend in the longitudinal direction L to the handling organ 2nd also rejuvenate.

The stripping and holding elements 5 are in the in 6 shown example as slats 12th formed, but also with a cavity 20 having core structure 6 the trim with wiping and holding elements 5 also in the form of pins / bristles 10th or pimples 14 or any mixture of these can be made.

A free edge 21 the core structure 6 is preferably rounded, e.g. B. rounded like a torus, designed to avoid injuries when removing the secretion or biological material.

Between the stripping and holding elements 5 are in the embodiment according to 6 openings 22 provided, which are designed for example as slot openings, the openings 22 an outside environment of the swab 1 with the cavity 20 connect. Such openings 22 on the one hand facilitate the absorption of larger amounts of secretion and on the other hand the unloading or dispensing of the secretion, for example in the cavity 20 is arranged, for example by means of a whirling movement, e.g. B. in a centrifuge.

With the swabs according to the invention 1 the problems mentioned at the outset are solved compared to the prior art. They represent an inexpensive instrument that is easy to manufacture in large quantities.

In addition, the handling is greatly simplified and a risk of contamination of the body from which secretions are to be removed and a risk of contamination of the sample are minimized or eliminated.

Reference list

1

swab

2nd

Handling organ

3rd

Removal section

4th

Free end

5

Wiping and holding elements

6

Core structure

7

Predetermined breaking point

8th

Free end

9

body

10th

Pins / bristles

11

Outer peripheral surface

12th

Slats

13

gap

14

Pimples

15

Bottom section

16

Free end section

20

cavity

21

free edge

22

openings

L

Longitudinal direction

U

Circumferential direction

R

Radial direction

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• EP 1608268 B2 [0002]

Claims (20)

Swab for removing secretion or biological material from or from a human or animal body with: - an elongated handling member (2), - a removal section (3), - the removal section (3) at a free end (4) of the elongated handling member (2) is arranged - and wherein the removal section (3) has a plurality of stripping and holding elements (5) for stripping and holding the secretion / biological sample, characterized in that - at least the stripping and holding elements (5) and a core structure (6) of the removal section (3) is formed in one piece as a plastic injection molded component. Swab after Claim 1 , characterized in that the core structure (6) and the handling member (2) are integrally formed as a plastic injection molded part. Swab after Claim 1 or 2nd , characterized in that a predetermined breaking point (7) is provided between the handling member (2) and the core structure (6). Swab according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of stripping and holding elements (5) from the core structure (6) along a longitudinal direction (L) of the core structure (6) and along a circumferential direction (U) of the core structure (6) goes off, the stripping and holding elements (5) radially or tangentially or at an angle to an outer peripheral surface (11) of the core structure (6). Swab according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stripping and holding elements (5) are designed as bristles (10) or lamellae (12) or knobs (14) or a mixture of at least two of the above-mentioned structures. Swab according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a rounded or spherical body (9) is present at the free end (8) of the core structure (6). Swab according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the core structure (6) thickens along the longitudinal direction (L) towards the free end (8). Swab according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least in the circumferential direction (U) the stripping and holding elements (5) overlap at least partially along the circumference. Swab according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the core structure (6) from the free end (8) of the core structure (6) is hollow in the longitudinal direction (L) and encloses a cavity (20). Swab according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow core structure (6) has penetrating openings (22) in the core structure (6) which connect the cavity (20) with the outside environment and / or with a space between the stripping and Holding elements (5) connects. Swab according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cavity (20) is open at the free end (8) of the core structure (6). Swab according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a free end edge (21) of the cavity (20) is rounded in the radial direction (R). Swab according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the curved / spherical body (9) of the free end (8) of the core structure (6) is covered with stripping and holding elements (5). Swab according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lamellae (12) taper radially outward in the longitudinal direction (L) and / or in the circumferential direction (U). Swab according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pins / bristles (10) taper radially outwards in the longitudinal direction (L) and / or in the circumferential direction (U). Swab according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the knobs (14) have a cylindrical bottom section (15) and a spherical or otherwise curved free end section (16). Swab according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lamellae (12) and / or pins (10) are resilient in the circumferential direction (U). Swab according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the swab (1) is made from a thermoplastic by injection molding. Swab according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the swab (1) is produced from at least two different thermoplastics in a two-component or multi-component injection molding process, the stripping and holding elements (5) in particular being made from a relatively soft, flexible plastic and the core structure (6) is made of a plastic that is relatively harder than the stripping and holding elements (5). Swab according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the core structure (6) and the stripping and holding elements (5) are made of a relatively soft plastic and the handling member (2) is made of a relatively hard plastic, the entire swab (1) is made in one piece by the two- or multi-component injection molding process.

Images