JP2001242178A - Method for removing fibrin clot in specimen vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for removing a fibrin clot, in which the fibrin clot generated in a specimen vessel in a blood coagulation examination or the like can be simply removed and which is particularly effective to recycle the specimen vessel in an automatic examination apparatus. SOLUTION: According to this method for removing the fibrin clot in the specimen vessel, the fibrin clot (21), generated in the specimen vessel (1) in the blood examination, is removed. In the method, a removing member (3) with a trapping means (33) set to the side of a leading end of a rod-shaped body (31) in inserted from above into the specimen vessel (1) and part of the fibrin clot (21) is caught and pulled up by the removing member (3).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for removing fibrin clots from a sample container, and more particularly, to a method for easily removing a fibrin clot generated in a sample container by a blood coagulation test or the like and regenerating the sample container. The present invention relates to an effective method for removing fibrin clots.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a blood coagulation test as a clinical test, a coagulation reagent is injected into a sample container containing blood plasma, and then irradiated with light of a predetermined wavelength to change the turbidity due to the generation of a coagulation component. By measuring the time, the coagulation state of the blood is examined. On the other hand, in the above test, a jelly-like fibrin mass generated and aggregated by the reaction between the blood component and the reagent remains in the sample container.
The sample container is discarded after use because it cannot be easily discharged from the sample container due to its shape retention and adhesion to the container. The blood coagulation test is usually performed using a separate test device in parallel with the biochemical serum test and the immune serum test.

[0003]

In the blood coagulation test, as described above, there is a problem that the cost of the test cannot be reduced because an expensive sample container must be disposable for each sample as described above. Disposing of the sample container is not preferable from the viewpoint of effective use of resources. Furthermore, unlike biochemical serum tests and immunoserum tests in which sample containers are washed and reused, testing devices that perform coagulation tests are:
Since it is assumed that the sample container is discarded, the structure and the size of the sample container are complicated and increased by the supply mechanism and the disposal mechanism of the sample container.
In addition, as a result, all items of the clinical test can be measured.
There is also the fact that one integrated inspection device has not been developed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can easily remove a fibrin clot generated in a sample container by a blood coagulation test or the like, and is particularly effective in regenerating a sample container in an automatic test apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for removing fibrin clots.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a method of removing a fibrin clot from a sample container according to the present invention is a method for removing a fibrin clot generated in a sample container in a blood test. A removing member provided with a capturing means on the tip end side of the rod-shaped main body is inserted into the sample container from above, and a part of the fibrin clot is captured and pulled up by the removing member.

That is, in the above-described removal method, when capturing the fibrin clot in the sample container, a chain structure of the fibrin clots entangled in a chain is utilized, and the specific removal member partially captures the fibrin clot. Hold the entire fibrin clot and remove it upwards to pull it out of the sample container.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a partially broken side view showing an operation process of a method of removing a fibrin clot from a sample container. FIG. 2 is a side view showing a structural example of a main part of a removing member used in the removing method of FIG. FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of an arm device provided with a chuck device for using the removing member of FIG. FIG. 4 is a partially broken side view showing another example of the removing member used in the removing method of FIG. In the description of the embodiment, a method of removing a fibrin clot from a sample container is abbreviated as “a method for removing a fibrin clot” or “a removal method”.

[0008] The method for removing fibrin clots according to the present invention comprises:
As shown in FIG. 1, this is a method for removing a fibrin clot (21) generated in a sample container (1) in a blood test. In this removal method, a specific removal member (3) is used.
Is inserted into the sample container (1) from above, thereby capturing a part of the fibrin clot (21) in the sample container (1), and then removing the removing member (3).

In a clinical test for testing blood components,
Blood coagulation time is measured along with biochemical serum tests and immune serum tests. That is, in a blood coagulation test, after injecting a coagulation reagent into a so-called cuvette containing plasma or a sample container called a reaction container, for example, light having a wavelength of 540 nm is irradiated, and transmitted light or scattering due to generation of a coagulation component is performed. By measuring the change in light, in other words, the change in turbidity at a photometric interval of 0.1 to 2 seconds for 3 to 7 minutes, the change over time in the coagulation state of blood is measured.

As a coagulation reagent used for measuring the coagulation time, a prothrombin time measurement reagent (P) composed mainly of rabbit brain-derived tropoplastin and calcium chloride is used.
T reagent), activated partial thromboplastin time measuring reagent (APTT reagent) mainly composed of actin (rabbit brain-derived cephalin) and calcium chloride, and fibrin amount measuring reagent mainly composed of bovine thrombin (Fb
Reagent).

The sample container (1) is generally formed in a substantially bottomed rectangular tube shape using a transparent resin material. At the upper end of the sample container (1), a flange (not shown) for mounting the sample container on a turntable for transporting a sample of the test apparatus protrudes, and the sample container (1) is inserted into a holding hole of the turntable. And a structure in which the flange is supported by the periphery of the holding hole. In the coagulation test, plasma as a specimen and the above reagent are dispensed into the specimen container (1), and fibrin clumps (21) are formed by aggregation of fibrin.

In the present invention, in order to easily catch the fibrin clot (21), a member provided with a catching means (33) on the tip side of the rod-shaped body (31) is used as the removing member (3). The removing member (3) is made of plastic,
Although it can be made of various materials such as wood, paper, metal, and ceramic, at least the rod-shaped main body (31) is made of polyethylene, from the viewpoints of moldability, manufacturing cost, and ease of disposal.
It is preferably made of resin such as polypropylene, polystyrene or polyethylene terephthalanol, or paper such as compression molded paper or wood.

The removing member (3) is usually formed integrally with the capturing means (33) by injection molding of a plastic material as described above. The cross-sectional shape of the rod-shaped main body (31) of the removing member (3) may be formed in an appropriate polygon other than a circle and an ellipse. Effective length of the rod-shaped body (31),
That is, the length of the portion of the capturing means (33) described later is
From the viewpoint of the insertion depth into the sample container (1), usually 5 to 1
It is about 5 mm.

The catching means (3) on the tip side of the removing member (3)
3) can be configured in various forms as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) to 2 (g). Hereinafter, each mode of FIG. 2 will be described. For example, the catching means (33) of the removing member (3) shown in FIG.
3a). Examples of the groove (33a) include a double spiral groove, a vertical groove, and a horizontal groove, in addition to the groove illustrated in a state of being spirally engraved on the surface of the rod-shaped main body (31). Further, these grooves may be arranged in combination.

The catching means (33) of the removing member (3) shown in FIG. 2 (b) is constituted by a number of small holes (33b) in the surface of the rod-shaped main body (31). Examples of the small holes (33b) include not only round holes as shown, but also concave portions such as elliptical and polygonal holes. Further, these holes may be arranged in combination. The small holes (33b) may penetrate the rod-shaped main body (31), but are usually formed as depressions on the surface of the rod-shaped main body (31).

The catching means (33) of the removing member (3) shown in FIG. 2 (c) is provided with a ridge (33) on the surface of the rod-shaped main body (31).
c). As the ridge (33c), for example, in addition to the ridge as shown in the figure bulging in a double spiral shape on the surface of the rod-shaped main body (31), a normal helical ridge,
Vertical or horizontal ridges and the like can be mentioned. Moreover,
These ridges may be arranged in combination. Also,
These ridges may be partially cut away.

The catching means (33) of the removing member (3) shown in FIG. 2 (d) is a projection (33d) on the surface of the rod-shaped main body (31).
Composed of Examples of the protrusion (33d) include an elliptical or polygonal protrusion in addition to a circular protrusion as illustrated. Further, these protrusions may be arranged in combination.

The catching means (33) of the removing member (3) shown in FIG. 2 (e) is constituted by a blade (33e) projecting from the surface of the rod-shaped main body (31). The wing (33e)
Usually, two to five rods (31) are provided substantially along the axis of the rod-shaped main body (31) so that the fibrin clot (21) can be easily captured by rotation of the removing member (3) described later. The above-mentioned blade may be a horizontal blade extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rod-shaped main body (31), or may be a blade provided with a notch or a hole on the tip side.

The catching means (33) of the removing member (3) shown in FIG. 2 (f) is constituted by a branch-like arm (33f) branched from the tip of the rod-shaped main body (31). Each of the branch portions of the arm (33f) is formed in a curved shape that is separated from each other toward the distal end from the branched portion and gradually approaches toward the distal end so that the fibrin clot (21) is easily caught. That is, the distal end side of the arm (33f) is formed to be tapered.

The catching means (33) of the removing member (3) shown in FIG. 2 (g) is a hook (33) at the tip of the rod-shaped main body (31).
g). The hook (33g) is formed in a so-called fishing hook shape. The hook (33g) may have a double hook type or a triple hook type in addition to the single hook type as shown.

Since the removing member (3) as described above is inserted into the tested sample container (1) conveyed in the blood test apparatus (not shown), for example, it can be turned horizontally and can be moved up and down. It is used by being attached to a chuck mechanism of an arm device (4) as shown in FIG. Such an arm device (4)
Is provided as a cleaning mechanism for cleaning the sample container (1) in the test apparatus.

The chuck mechanism has a holder body (44) having a tapered inner peripheral surface and movable along an axis, and a tapered outer peripheral surface and housed in the chuck body (44). And a plurality of claw-shaped collets (43). The collet (43) opens and closes to grip the base end side of the removing member (3) when the chuck body (44) advances and retreats by the actuator. . Further, in the arm device (4), the gripping removal member (3) is rotated. That is,
The chuck body (44) of the chuck mechanism and the collet (4)
3) is provided at the tip of the arm (41) so as to be rotatable by the motor (42).

According to the removal method of the present invention, after performing a blood coagulation test using the above-described test apparatus or the like, the fibrin clot (2
This is applied when the sample container (1) generated in 1) is washed. In the removing operation of the fibrin clot (21) by the removing method of the present invention, first, as shown in FIG. 1A, the removing member (3) gripped by the chuck mechanism of the arm device (4) is moved to the arm (41). By inserting the sample container (1) from above by the operation of (1), the removal member (3)
Is brought into contact with the fibrin clot (21) (see FIG. 1 (b)) to capture a part of the fibrin clot (21). Then, as shown in FIG.
The fibrin clot (21) is pulled out of the sample container (1) by pulling up the removing member (3) by the operation of 1).

That is, the fibrin clot (21) has a chain structure entangled in a chain, and in the removal method of the present invention, the fibrin clot (21) in the sample container (1) is used.
When capturing the fibrin clot (21) by partially capturing the fibrin clot (21) by using a specific removing member (3) as shown in each of the separate diagrams in FIG.
To keep the whole. As a result, by pulling up the removing member (3), the entire fibrin clot (21) can be easily taken out from the specimen container (1) in such a manner as to be dragged upward.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, when capturing the fibrin clot (21), the motor (42) is driven while the fibrin clot (21) is inserted into the sample container (1), thereby removing the removal member (3). By rotating, the fibrin clot (21) can be more reliably captured by the capturing means (33). Further, when the removing member (3) is rotated in one direction and then in the opposite direction under the control of the motor (42), the entanglement of the fibrin clot (21) itself is increased by the chain structure. Can be captured more reliably.

The fibrin clot (21) taken out of the sample container (1) is discarded together with the removing member (3) in the same manner as in the conventional disposal of a sample container. Specifically, the removing member (3) to which the fibrin clot (21) has adhered is transported to a predetermined waste container and discarded by operating the arm (41) and the chuck mechanism.

Further, in the present invention, as the capturing means (33) at the distal end side of the removing member (3) having a structure in which the fibrin clot (21) is entangled as in FIG. , Fabrics such as woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics or cotton, structures provided with a large number of beard-shaped overhangs, or molded products whose surfaces are roughened, such as wood chips or textured plastics. Structure can be adopted.

Although the removal member (3) applied to the removal method of the present invention is usually assumed to be discarded as described above, it can be used repeatedly by washing. And a removal member (3) on the premise of reuse
For example, there is a removing member having a structure as shown in FIG. In the removing member (3) shown in FIG. 4, the catching means (33) is constituted by a finger (33 h) capable of opening and closing the tip of the rod-shaped body (31) in order to simplify the device configuration and the cleaning process.

The removing member (3) shown in FIG. 4 is provided on the distal end side of the arm (41) of the arm device (4) similar to the above. The rod-shaped body (31) is made of a tubular member, and the finger (33h) at the tip of the rod-shaped body (31) is
The fibrin clot (21) is formed into a shape that can be gripped by an elastically deformable material such as stainless steel. Specifically, the finger (33h) is composed of a plurality of finger-like portions, and the finger-like portions are separated from each other as approaching the distal side from the branch portion at the base end, and gradually approach as approaching the distal side. It is formed into a curved shape.

The finger (33h) is attached to, for example, a tip of a pushing rod (46) of a linear motion type electromagnetic actuator (45) attached to a tip of the arm (41).
The pushing rod (46) is inserted through the tubular rod-shaped main body (31), and is constantly urged toward the distal end side of the rod-shaped main body (31) by a spring (47) in the rod-shaped main body (31).
Therefore, the finger (33h) in the open state can be closed by the backward operation (pulling operation) of the electromagnetic actuator (45).

When removing the fibrin clot (21) from the specimen container (1) by the above-mentioned removing member (3), the removing member (3) with the finger (33h) opened is operated by operating the arm (41). The finger (33) is inserted into the sample container (1) from above and serves as a capture means (33).
h) is brought into contact with the fibrin clot (21) and then the finger (3) is actuated by operation of an electromagnetic actuator (45).
By closing 3h), the fibrin clot (21) is captured. After the fibrin clot (21) is captured, the removal member (3) is pulled up by operating the arm (41), thereby pulling out the fibrin clot (21) from the sample container (1).

That is, since the fibrin clot (21) has a chain structure as described above, the finger (33)
A part of the fibrin clot (21) can be captured only by the closing operation according to h). Therefore, the whole fibrin clot (21) can be easily removed from the sample container (1) by pulling it up with a part of the fibrin clot (21) captured. Then, after removing the fibrin clot (21) from the sample container (1), in a predetermined washing container,
By opening and closing the finger (33h), only the fibrin clot (21) is discarded.

Further, by removing the fibrin clot (21) from the sample container (1) as described above by the removing method of the present invention, the sample container (1) can be easily regenerated. That is, in order to regenerate the sample container, the fibrin clot (2) in the sample container (1) is removed by the removal method of the present invention.
After removing 1), the liquid component (remaining reaction liquid) (22) (see FIG. 1C) remaining in the sample container (1) is drained, and then the sample container (1) is washed with a washing liquid. The liquid component (22) may be discharged to a predetermined waste pot or the like by turning over the sample container (1), or may be removed by suction using a suction device. Washing with a washing solution is usually performed in combination with alkali washing and pure water washing.

As described above, according to the removing method of the present invention,
Since the fibrin clot (21) generated in the sample container (1) by a coagulation test or the like can be very easily removed by the rod-shaped removing member (3), the sample container (1) used for the test is washed and regenerated. Can be done. Therefore, especially when constructing an automated test apparatus, it is not necessary to provide a disposal processing mechanism for a large number of sample containers, so that the apparatus configuration can be downsized, and as a result, a biochemical serum test, an immune serum test, and a blood coagulation test can be performed. An integrated testing device capable of performing all clinical tests of the test can be constructed.

[0035]

According to the method for removing fibrin clots in a sample container according to the present invention, a specific removal member partially captures the fibrin clots by using a chain structure of fibrin clumps that are entangled in a chain. By holding the whole, the fibrin clot can be easily removed from the sample container. Therefore, the sample container used for the test can be easily cleaned and regenerated by a washing process. Particularly, in the case of constructing an automated test device, it is not necessary to provide a disposal processing mechanism for a large number of sample containers. Can be reduced in size. As a result, it is possible to construct an integrated testing device capable of performing all clinical tests such as a biochemical serum test, an immune serum test, and a blood coagulation test.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially broken side view showing an operation process of a method of removing a fibrin clot from a sample container.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a structural example of a main part of a removing member used in the removing method of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an example of an arm device provided with a chuck device for using the removing member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partially broken side view showing another example of the removing member used in the removing method of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Sample container 21: Fibrin clot 3: Removal member 31: Rod-shaped main body 33: Capture means 33a: Groove (capture means) 33b: Small hole (capture means) 33c: Ridge (capture means) 33d: Projection (capture means) 33e: blade (capture means) 33f: arm (capture means) 33g: hook (capture means) 33h: finger (capture means)

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Atsushi Kotani Atsuka 370, Chigasaki-shi, Kanagawa F-term in Chigasaki Equipment Center, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation 2G045 AA01 AA08 AA10 BA01 BB12 BB60 CA25 HA02 HA07 HA13 2G058 AA09 BA08 BB05 FB05 FB02

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A method for removing a fibrin clot (21) generated in a specimen container (1) in a blood test, wherein a removing means (33) is provided on a tip side of a rod-shaped body (31). A method for removing a fibrin clot in a sample container, comprising inserting the member (3) into the sample container (1) from above, and capturing and lifting a part of the fibrin clot (21) by the removing member (3). 2. A catching means (33) for a removing member (3),
2. The method for removing fibrin clots in a sample container according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises a groove (33a) on the surface of the rod-shaped body (31). 3. A catching means (33) for the removing member (3),
The method for removing a fibrin clot in a sample container according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises a plurality of small holes (33b) in the surface of the rod-shaped main body (31). 4. The catching means (33) of the removing member (3) comprises:
The method for removing a fibrin clot in a specimen container according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises a projection (33c) on the surface of the rod-shaped body (31). 5. A catching means (33) for the removing member (3),
The method for removing fibrin clots in a sample container according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises a projection (33d) on the surface of the rod-shaped main body (31). 6. The capturing means (33) of the removing member (3) comprises:
The method for removing fibrin clots in a sample container according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises a blade (33e) protruding from the surface of the rod-shaped main body (31). 7. A catching means (33) for the removing member (3),
A branch-like arm (33) branched from the tip of the rod-shaped main body (31).
The method for removing a fibrin clot in a sample container according to claim 1, which is constituted by f). 8. A catching means (33) for the removing member (3),
The method for removing fibrin clots in a sample container according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises a hook (33g) at the tip of a rod-shaped body (31). 9. A catching means (33) for the removing member (3),
2. The method for removing a fibrin clot in a sample container according to claim 1, wherein the method is constituted by a fiber assembly. 10. A means (33) for capturing a removing member (3).
2. The method for removing fibrin clots in a sample container according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises a molded body having a roughened surface. 11. The sample container according to claim 1, wherein at least the rod-shaped main body (31) of the removing member (3) is made of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalanol, paper or wood. How to remove fibrin clots. 12. The fibrin clot (21) according to claim 1, wherein the removing member (3) is rotated while being inserted into the sample container (1).
Method for removing fibrin clots in a sample container that captures fibrin. 13. The method for removing a fibrin clot in a sample container according to claim 12, wherein when the removing member (3) is rotated, the removing member is rotated in one direction and then in the opposite direction. 14. A catching means (33) for a removing member (3).
The method for removing a fibrin clot in a sample container according to claim 1, wherein the finger comprises a finger (33h) capable of opening and closing the tip of a rod-shaped body (31).