JP2008187944A - Microorganism-collecting tool - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a microorganism-collecting tool by which the microorganisms attached to a microorganism-collecting carrier can be separated aggressively. <P>SOLUTION: The microorganism-collecting tool is equipped with a dropper having a pressurizing part and a tube part, and the carrier for collecting the microorganism, installed in the terminal part of the tube part of the dropper. The dropper has a sucking opening, a discharging opening and a liquid flow-regulating part. The microorganism-collecting tool aggressively separates the microorganisms attached to the microorganism-collecting carrier by repeatedly spouting the liquid taken in from the sucking opening through the microorganism-collecting carrier from the discharging opening to add water pressure to the attached microorganisms repeatedly. The microorganism-collecting tool can make a microorganism-suspended liquid containing little impurities by allowing the impurities in the microorganism suspension to stay in the interior of the microorganism-collecting carrier. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a microorganism collection tool, and more particularly to a microorganism collection tool used for microorganism testing.

  In microbiological testing, the surface of an object to be examined (for example, oral mucosa or cutting board) is wiped with a cotton swab moistened with a liquid such as phosphate buffer or physiological saline, and the swab is placed in the same liquid. Often a suspension is made. As a microorganism collection tool used instead of a cotton swab or the like when preparing a microorganism suspension, there are those described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, for example.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a wiping device for testing environmental microorganisms, which includes a container body containing a suspending liquid and a dropper provided with a wiping impregnated body at the tip. The conventional collection method using a cotton swab has a problem that microorganisms cannot be collected properly if the cotton ball contains an excessive amount of liquid. On the other hand, the wiping device for testing environmental microorganisms described in Patent Document 1 can remove excess liquid contained in the wiping impregnated body (corresponding to a cotton ball of a cotton swab) by discharging the air inside the dropper. Therefore, microorganisms can be collected appropriately. The user can prepare a microbial suspension by wiping the surface of the object to be inspected with a wiping impregnated body from which excess liquid has been removed, and then putting the wiping impregnated body into the liquid in the container body.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a bacteria collection tool (cotton swab) having a bacteria collection part (cotton ball) for wiping the surface of an object to be inspected, a container (glass ampoule) containing a culture solution, and an exterior body having a culture space. A bacteria detector comprising: is disclosed. According to the invention described in Patent Document 2, after the user wipes the surface of the object to be inspected with the bacteria collection tool and returns it to the exterior body, the user destroys the container in the exterior body and brings the bacteria collection part into contact with the culture solution. Thus, a microbial suspension can be prepared.

Thus, a microorganism suspension can be produced by using the conventional microorganism collecting tool. The suspension thus obtained serves as a test sample when performing a microbiological test.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-229871 JP-A-10-70974

  However, the conventional microorganism collection tool has a problem that the attached microorganisms cannot be sufficiently dispersed in the diluent.

  That is, the above-mentioned conventional microorganism collection tool produces a suspension only by immersing a microorganism collection carrier (wiping impregnated body or bacteria collection part) in a liquid, and thus sufficiently removes microorganisms attached to the microorganism collection carrier. It is not possible. Therefore, when a microbiological test is performed using the above conventional microbiological collection tool, there is a possibility that an accurate result cannot be obtained.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this point, and it aims at providing the microorganisms collection tool which can peel off the microorganisms adhering to a microorganism collection support | carrier positively.

  The microorganism collecting tool of the present invention has a pipe part having a discharge port at a first end part, a dropper having a space communicating with the internal space of the pipe part, and a pressurizing part having a shape restoring property, A microorganism collection tool provided with a microorganism collection carrier that is provided at a discharge port and has air permeability and liquid permeability, wherein the tube portion has a suction port on a side surface, and the tube portion has a suction port. A liquid flow control unit for preventing liquid from flowing into the internal space is provided therein.

  According to the present invention, by repeatedly flowing the liquid into the microorganism collection carrier, the water pressure can be repeatedly applied to the microorganism attached to the microorganism collection carrier, so that the microorganisms can be actively peeled off. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the surrounding microorganism suspension is caused to flow, so that the separated microorganisms can be effectively dispersed in the microorganism suspension.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the microorganism suspension is allowed to flow from the inside of the pipe portion to the outside through the microorganism collection carrier, so that impurities in the microorganism suspension can be retained inside the microorganism collection carrier. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to produce a microbial suspension with few impurities.

1. About the microorganism collection tool of the present invention The microorganism collection tool of the present invention comprises a dropper having a pressurizing part and a pipe part, and a microorganism collection carrier provided at an end part of the pipe part of the dropper. Has a suction port, a discharge port, and a liquid flow control unit.

  The pressurizing part is a hollow structure member that is provided at the end of the pipe part and has shape restoring properties. The shape of the pressurizing unit is not particularly limited, and may be set as appropriate so that the user can easily perform the compression operation and the opening operation. The material of the pressurizing part is not particularly limited as long as it has shape restoring properties and water resistance and can adopt a hollow structure, and is, for example, a soft synthetic resin such as high-density polyethylene.

  The tube portion is a hollow tube that communicates the internal space of the pressurizing portion with the outside. The cross-sectional shape, length, inner diameter, and outer diameter of the tube portion are not particularly limited, and may be set as appropriate according to the object to be inspected or the microorganism to be collected. The material of the pipe part is not particularly limited as long as it has water resistance and can adopt a hollow structure, and is, for example, a soft synthetic resin such as high-density polyethylene. In addition, the said pressurization part and a pipe part may be integrally molded with the same material. Thereby, the cost which produces a dropper can be held down.

  The suction port is a hole provided in the side surface of the pipe part. The suction port is preferably formed so as to allow liquid to pass from the outside to the inside of the tube portion but not from the inside of the tube portion to the outside. Thereby, the suction port can function as a hole for taking the liquid outside the dropper into the dropper. For example, the size of the suction port is made smaller than the size of the inner hole of the pipe part (including the discharge port) (see Embodiment 1), or the second liquid flow control unit is provided at the suction port. (Refer to Embodiment 2) The flow of the liquid passing through the suction port can be controlled as described above. The second liquid flow control unit is, for example, a backflow prevention valve.

  The discharge port is a hole provided at the end of the tube portion on the side where the pressurizing portion is not provided. Here, the “end portion” includes not only the distal end portion of the tube portion but also the peripheral portion of the distal end portion of the tube portion. The discharge port functions as a hole for discharging the liquid inside the dropper to the outside by the function of the liquid flow adjusting unit described later. The size of the outlet is not particularly limited as long as the microorganism to be collected can pass through. The number of outlets may be one or more.

  The liquid flow control unit is a member that is provided in the pipe portion and between the suction port and the discharge port, and controls the flow direction of the liquid so that the liquid flows only from the suction port side to the discharge port side. The liquid flow control unit prevents external liquid from flowing into the dropper from the discharge port when the inside of the dropper becomes negative pressure. Therefore, when the inside of the dropper becomes negative pressure, external liquid is taken into the dropper from the suction port. On the other hand, the liquid flow control unit causes the liquid inside the dropper to flow from the suction port side to the discharge port side when the pressure inside the dropper becomes positive. The liquid flow control unit is, for example, a backflow prevention valve.

  The microorganism collection carrier is a member having air permeability and liquid permeability for wiping off the surface of an object to be examined and collecting microorganisms, and is firmly fixed to an end portion provided with a discharge port of the tube portion. . The carrier for collecting microorganisms is preferably a fiber lump of natural fibers or chemical fibers, a porous body of synthetic resin, and the like, for example, foamed polyurethane or foamed polyethylene. The microorganism collection tool of the present invention is characterized in that the microorganisms attached to the microorganism collection carrier are peeled off by discharging the liquid in the dropper from the discharge port through the microorganism collection carrier. Therefore, it is preferable that the distance between fibers (in the case of a fiber mass) and the pore diameter (in the case of a porous body) of the carrier for collecting microorganisms have a size that allows liquid to pass through easily. Further, it is more preferable that the distance between the fibers and the pore size of the microorganism-collecting carrier are such that the microorganisms to be collected can easily pass through and that foreign substances contained in the liquid cannot pass through. As a result, the microorganism collection tool of the present invention can remove impurities contained in the liquid for suspending microorganisms by causing the carrier for collecting microorganisms to function as a filter. The interval between the fibers and the pore size of the microorganism-collecting carrier may be appropriately set according to the object to be inspected (the size of the contaminant and the collected microorganisms are specified to some extent). For example, when the microorganisms to be collected form a mass of several μm, the fiber spacing and pore diameter of the microorganism collecting carrier may be about 10 μm to several tens of μm. In this specification, “microorganism” means all prokaryotes (eubacteria, archaea), part of eukaryotes (filamentous fungi, yeast, deformed fungi, basidiomycetes, unicellular algae, protozoa, etc. ) And small organisms including viruses.

  The microorganism collection tool of the present invention can take in the liquid for suspending microorganisms from the suction port, and discharge the taken-in liquid from the discharge port through the carrier for collecting microorganisms. The microorganism collection tool of the present invention can peel off microorganisms adhering to the microorganism collection carrier by water pressure by repeatedly discharging the liquid for suspending microorganisms. Therefore, the microorganism collection tool of the present invention can effectively disperse the collected microorganisms in the liquid for suspending microorganisms.

  Further, the microorganism collection tool of the present invention can remove impurities contained in the liquid for suspending microorganisms by causing the carrier for collecting microorganisms to function as a filter. As a result, the microorganism collection tool of the present invention can produce a microorganism suspension with few impurities.

  Thus, by using the microorganism collection tool of the present invention, it is possible to produce a microorganism suspension that is preferable as a test sample, in which impurities are small and microorganisms are sufficiently dispersed.

2. About suspension liquid stopper The microorganism collection device of the present invention may further include a suspension liquid stopper. The suspension liquid stopper is a member that encloses a liquid for suspending microorganisms inside the dropper. The suspension liquid stopper is preferably formed so as to be easily broken by the user compressing the pressurizing portion to increase the water pressure of the microorganism suspension liquid. Thereby, since the user can prepare the liquid for suspending microorganisms by compressing a pressurizing part, it can produce microbial suspension, without preparing the liquid for suspending microorganisms separately.

  The position of the suspension liquid stopper is not particularly limited as long as the liquid for suspending microorganisms can be enclosed in the dropper, but by placing it near the suction port, the suspension liquid stopper is used as the second liquid flow control unit. Can also function (see Embodiment 3).

  The liquid for suspending microorganisms is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include phosphate buffer, physiological saline, and mannitol aqueous solution. The amount of the liquid is not particularly limited and may be set as appropriate according to the purpose.

3. About the ion exchanger The microorganism collection tool of the present invention may further have an ion exchanger. The ion exchanger adsorbs ions contained in the liquid for suspending microorganisms and reduces the conductivity of the liquid for suspending microorganisms. The ion exchanger is not particularly limited as long as it lowers the conductivity of the liquid for suspending microorganisms. For example, the ion exchanger has a structure in which a functional group is bonded to a substrate such as styrene / divinylbenzene or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). An ion exchange resin having a structure in which a functional group is bonded to cellulose. The shape of the ion exchanger is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a bead shape, a film shape, or a fiber shape. What is necessary is just to arrange | position an ion exchanger inside a dropper (refer Embodiment 4) or to arrange | position in the support | carrier for microorganism collection. In this case, the size of the ion exchanger is preferably larger than the pore diameter of the microorganism collection carrier. This is because the ion exchanger can be retained in a dropper or a carrier for collecting microorganisms. The same effect can be obtained by applying an ion exchange resin inside the dropper.

  The user can produce a microbial suspension with less impurities and low conductivity by using the microbial collection tool of the present invention having an ion exchanger. As will be described later, such a microbial suspension is particularly useful as a test sample for microbial testing in which the impedance between electrodes is measured to calculate the number of microorganisms.

4). About the method for measuring the number of microorganisms using the microorganism collection tool of the present invention The microorganism suspension prepared using the microorganism collection tool of the present invention has a sufficient dispersion of microorganisms (that is, the concentration of microorganisms is high) and is a contaminant. Therefore, it is particularly preferable as a test sample for a microbiological test (for example, see JP-A No. 2000-125846) in which the impedance between electrodes is measured to calculate the number of microbes.

  Hereinafter, a method for measuring the number of microorganisms for measuring the impedance between electrodes and calculating the number of microorganisms using a microorganism suspension prepared using the microorganism collection tool of the present invention as a test sample will be described.

  First, a microorganism suspension is prepared using the microorganism collection tool of the present invention. Specifically, the surface of the object to be inspected is wiped with a carrier for collecting microorganisms, and microorganisms present in the object to be inspected are attached to the carrier for collecting microorganisms. Next, the part on the microorganism collection carrier side of the microorganism collection tool is immersed in a liquid for suspending microorganisms. At this time, at least the microorganism collection carrier and the suction port are positioned in the liquid. In this state, by repeatedly compressing and releasing the pressurizing unit, microorganisms and contaminants are peeled off, and the contaminants are removed to obtain a microorganism suspension (see each embodiment). The liquid for suspending microorganisms preferably has a low electrical conductivity, such as an aqueous mannitol solution. Moreover, it is preferable to reduce the electrical conductivity of a microorganism suspension using the microorganism collection tool which has an ion exchanger.

  Next, the produced microorganism suspension is introduced into a cell having a plurality of electrodes. Here, a description will be given assuming that two electrodes are provided in the cell.

  Next, an alternating voltage is applied between the electrodes to collect the microorganisms in the cell in the electric field concentration part. Here, the “electric field concentration portion” means a portion where the electric field is strongest and non-uniform when an AC voltage is applied between the electrodes. Microorganisms in the cell migrate to the electric field concentration part by the action of an alternating electric field generated by applying an alternating voltage. At this time, the microorganisms floating around the electrode immediately reach the electric field concentration part (gap between the electrodes), but the microorganisms floating away from the electrode are subjected to the electric field after the time corresponding to the distance has elapsed. Reach the concentrated part. Therefore, the number of microorganisms gathered in the electric field concentration part after a certain time is proportional to the number of microorganisms in the cell (microbe concentration in the microorganism suspension).

  During the dielectrophoresis, the impedance between the electrodes is measured to calculate the number of microorganisms per unit amount of suspension. Specifically, first, the change with time of the impedance between the electrodes is measured. Next, the capacitance between the electrodes is calculated from each measured impedance, and the change with time of the capacitance is calculated. This change in capacitance with time (impedance change with time) is caused by the fact that microorganisms as dielectrics move to the electric field concentration part by dielectrophoresis. As described above, the change with time of the number of microorganisms gathered in the electric field concentration portion corresponds to the number of microorganisms in the cell, and thus the change with time of the capacitance corresponds to the number of microorganisms in the cell. Therefore, by preparing in advance a conversion formula showing the relationship between the number of microorganisms in the cell and the capacitance between the electrodes, it is possible to calculate the number of microorganisms in the cell from the change in capacitance over time. it can. A more detailed procedure for calculating the number of microorganisms per unit amount of suspension from the value of impedance between electrodes is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-125846.

  By the above procedure, the number of microorganisms per unit amount can be measured for the microorganism suspension prepared using the microorganism collection tool of the present invention.

  The microorganism collection tool of the present invention can produce a microorganism suspension having a high concentration of microorganisms and a small amount of contaminants (dielectrics other than microorganisms) that cause noise. Therefore, the method for measuring the number of microorganisms using the microorganism collection tool of the present invention can obtain a measurement result with higher accuracy than when a conventional microorganism collection tool is used.

  Moreover, as described above, the microorganism collection tool of the present invention having an ion exchanger can produce a microorganism suspension having a low conductivity. Therefore, the method for measuring the number of microorganisms using the microorganism collection tool of the present invention makes it possible to more accurately change the impedance over time by preparing a microorganism suspension using the microorganism collection tool of the present invention having an ion exchanger. Since it can measure, a more accurate measurement result can be obtained.

  Furthermore, in the method for measuring the number of microorganisms using the microorganism collection tool of the present invention, since a strong electric field is generated between the electrodes during dielectrophoresis, electrolysis may occur depending on the electrolyte concentration in water. This electrolysis can be suppressed by preparing a microorganism suspension using the microorganism collection tool of the present invention.

5. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a microorganism collection tool 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  The microorganism collecting tool 100 includes a pressurizing part 110, a pipe part 120, a suction port 130, a discharge port 140, a backflow prevention valve 150, and a microorganism collecting carrier 160.

  The pressurizing part 110 and the pipe part 120 are produced by integral molding, and constitute a dropper 170 as a whole. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the pipe part 120 has a certain thickness (inner diameter).

  The suction port 130 is a hole provided in the side surface of the pipe part 120. The position where the suction port 130 is provided is not particularly limited as long as it is a side surface of the tube portion 120 and is not covered by the microorganism collection carrier 160, but the interval between the suction port 130 and the discharge port 140 does not become too long. It is preferable. This is because if the distance between the suction port 130 and the discharge port 140 is increased, the necessary amount of the liquid for suspending microorganisms is increased during the dispersion operation described later. The size of the suction port 130 is not particularly limited, but the cross-section of the inner space of the tube part 120 (if the inner diameter of the tube part 120 is not constant, the narrowest part between the suction port 130 and the discharge port 140). Is preferably smaller than the cross-section). For example, the area of the suction port 130 is preferably 20% or less, more preferably 10% or less, of the internal cross-sectional area of the pipe part 120. Thereby, when the pressurizing unit 110 is compressed, the dropper 170 can discharge most of the liquid in the dropper 170 from the discharge port 140 instead of the suction port 130.

  Here, the size of the suction port 130 will be further described. When the liquid is taken into the dropper 170, the pressure is evenly applied to the internal space of the pipe part 120. Similarly, when the liquid is discharged from the dropper 170, it is considered that the pressure is equally applied to the internal space of the pipe part 120. Therefore, the ratio of the amount of liquid discharged from the suction port 130 and the amount of liquid discharged from the discharge port 140 when the liquid is discharged from the dropper 170 is the size (area) of the suction port 130 and the pipe part 120. It is considered that it depends on the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the inner space (the cross-sectional area of the narrowest portion between the suction port 130 and the discharge port 140 when the inner diameter of the pipe portion 120 is not constant).

  Therefore, for example, when 80% of the liquid in the dropper 170 is to be discharged from the discharge port 140, the ratio of the area of the suction port 130 to the cross-sectional area of the internal space of the pipe part 120 is set to “2: 8”. do it. Further, in order to further suppress the discharge of the liquid from the suction port 130, the area ratio of the suction port 130 (ratio of the area of the suction port 130 to the cross-sectional area of the internal space of the pipe portion 120) may be further reduced. For example, when the area ratio of the suction port 130 is 0.5%, the liquid discharge from the suction port 130 is at a level that cannot be visually confirmed. However, if the suction port 130 is made small so far, it becomes difficult to take in the liquid from the suction port 130. Therefore, the area ratio of the suction port 130 is particularly preferably slightly less than 10%.

  The present inventor actually made a dropper provided with suction ports of various sizes, and examined the relationship between the area ratio of the suction port and the liquid discharge amount. Specifically, first, a blue liquid was sucked into the dropper, and the tip of the dropper (portion on the discharge port side) was placed in colorless water so that the suction port was located in water. Next, the pressurizing part was pressurized to discharge the blue liquid from the suction port and the discharge port, and the discharge amount at the suction port and the discharge port was visually observed. As a result, when the area ratio of the suction port was larger than 20%, the discharge amount at the suction port and the discharge amount at the discharge port were similar. On the other hand, when the area ratio of the suction port is 20% or less, the discharge amount at the discharge port is significantly larger than the discharge amount at the suction port, and when the area ratio of the suction port is 0.5% or less, the dropper The liquid inside was almost discharged from the outlet.

  The discharge port 140 is a hole provided in an end portion of the tube portion 120 on the side where the pressurizing portion 110 is not provided. The size of the discharge port 140 is not particularly limited as long as microorganisms to be collected can pass therethrough, but it is preferably larger than the size of the suction port 130. As described above, the dropper 170 discharges most of the liquid in the dropper 170 from the discharge port 140 instead of the suction port 130 when the pressurizing unit 110 is compressed. In the present embodiment, the size of the discharge port 140 is assumed to be the same size as the cross section of the internal space of the pipe part 120. Therefore, the size of the discharge port 140 is larger than the size of the suction port 130.

  The backflow prevention valve 150 is a valve that is located between the suction port 130 and the discharge port 140 and functions as a liquid flow control unit in the pipe unit 120. The backflow prevention valve 150 is a thin film having a shape capable of closing the inner hole of the pipe part 120, and a part thereof is fixed to the inner surface of the pipe part 120. The backflow prevention valve 150 can rotate 90 degrees toward the discharge port 140 with the fixed part as an axis. When the inside of the dropper 170 becomes a positive pressure, the backflow prevention valve 150 falls to the discharge port 140 side (becomes substantially parallel to the inner surface of the pipe part 120), so that the liquid inside the dropper 170 is discharged from the discharge port 140. Forgive me. On the other hand, when the inside of the dropper 170 becomes a negative pressure, the backflow prevention valve 150 blocks the inner hole of the pipe part 120 and prevents an external liquid from flowing from the discharge port 140. That is, the backflow prevention valve 150 functions as a valve that prevents external liquid from flowing from the discharge port 140.

  The microorganism collection carrier 160 is a member that collects microorganisms by wiping the surface of an object to be inspected. The microorganism collection carrier 160 is firmly fixed to an end portion of the tube portion provided with a discharge port so that it is not detached by water pressure when the inside of the dropper 170 becomes positive pressure.

  Hereinafter, a procedure for collecting microorganisms using the microorganism collection tool 100 configured as described above and the operation of the microorganism collection tool 100 at that time will be described.

  First, the user picks up the microorganism collecting tool 100 of the present invention, and wipes the surface of the object to be inspected (for example, oral mucosa or cutting board) with the microorganism collecting carrier 160, so that the microorganisms present in the object to be inspected are removed. It adheres to the carrier 160 for collecting microorganisms. At this time, the microorganism collection carrier 160 may contain a liquid such as a phosphate buffer, physiological saline, or a mannitol aqueous solution, but may also be dried.

  Next, the user immerses the microorganism collecting carrier 160 side portion of the microorganism collecting tool 100 in a separately prepared microorganism suspension liquid. At this time, at least the microorganism collection carrier 160 and the suction port 130 are positioned in the liquid. The liquid for suspending microorganisms is, for example, a phosphate buffer, physiological saline, an aqueous mannitol solution, or the like. When the user compresses the pressure unit 110 in this state, the internal space of the dropper 170 becomes positive pressure. At this time, since the size of the suction port 130 is smaller than the cross section of the internal space of the pipe portion 120, most of the air in the dropper 170 is discharged outside through the microorganism collection carrier 160 from the discharge port 140. Part of the microorganisms and contaminants adhering to the microorganism collection carrier 160 are peeled off from the microorganism collection carrier 160 by the air pressure received at this time, and diffused into the surrounding liquid.

  Next, when the user opens the pressure unit 110, the internal space of the dropper 170 becomes negative pressure. At this time, since the backflow prevention valve 150 suppresses the inflow of the liquid from the discharge port 140, the liquid for suspending microorganisms flows into the dropper 170 from the suction port 130. In this state, when the user compresses the pressure unit 110 again, the internal space of the dropper 170 becomes positive pressure. At this time, since the size of the suction port 130 is smaller than the inner diameter of the pipe part 120, most of the liquid in the dropper 170 is discharged outside through the microorganism collection carrier 160 from the discharge port 140. Part of the microorganisms and contaminants adhering to the microorganism collection carrier 160 are peeled off from the microorganism collection carrier 160 by the water pressure received at this time, and diffused into the surrounding liquid.

  Thereafter, by repeatedly compressing and releasing the pressurizing unit 110, the user can repeatedly apply water pressure to the microorganisms and contaminants adhering to the microorganism-collecting carrier 160 to separate the microorganisms and contaminants. Furthermore, since the liquid for suspending microorganisms is repeatedly passed through the carrier for collecting microorganisms 160, contaminants can be removed by the carrier for collecting microorganisms 160.

  As described above, since the microorganism collection tool according to Embodiment 1 can repeatedly apply water pressure to the microorganisms attached to the microorganism collection carrier, the microorganisms can be actively peeled off. In addition, since the microorganism collection tool according to Embodiment 1 can keep impurities in the microorganism suspension inside the microorganism collection carrier, a microorganism suspension with few impurities can be produced.

(Embodiment 2)
In Embodiment 1, the example which controls the flow of the liquid which passes a suction port by adjusting the magnitude | size of a suction port was shown. The second embodiment shows an example in which the flow of the liquid passing through the suction port is controlled by providing the second liquid flow adjusting unit at the suction port.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a microorganism collection tool 200 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The same components as those of the microorganism collection tool according to Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  The microorganism collection tool 200 includes an outflow prevention valve 210 in addition to the pressurization unit 110, the pipe unit 120, the suction port 130, the discharge port 140, the backflow prevention valve 150, and the microorganism collection carrier 160. The pressurizing unit 110, the pipe unit 120, the suction port 130, the discharge port 140, the backflow prevention valve 150, and the microorganism collection carrier 160 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The outflow prevention valve 210 is a valve that functions as a second liquid flow control unit in the suction port 130. The outflow prevention valve 210 is a thin film having a shape capable of closing the suction port 130, and a part thereof is fixed to the inner surface of the pipe portion 120 near the suction port 130. The outflow prevention valve 210 can be moved 180 degrees toward the pressurizing unit 110 and the discharge port 140 with the fixed part as an axis. When the inside of the dropper 170 becomes negative pressure, the outflow prevention valve 210 falls to the pressurizing part 110 side (becomes substantially parallel to the inner surface of the pipe part 120), so that external liquid flows from the suction port 130. Forgive. On the other hand, when the inside of the dropper 170 becomes a positive pressure, the outflow prevention valve 210 is tilted toward the discharge port 140 so as to close the suction port 130, so that the liquid inside the dropper 170 is discharged from the suction port 130. Hinder. That is, the outflow prevention valve 210 functions as a valve that prevents the liquid inside the dropper 170 from being discharged from the suction port 130.

  Hereinafter, a procedure for collecting microorganisms using the microorganism collection tool 200 configured as described above and the operation of the microorganism collection tool 200 at that time will be described.

  First, the user wipes the surface of the inspection object with the microorganism collection carrier 160 so that the microorganisms present in the inspection object adhere to the microorganism collection carrier 160.

  Next, the user immerses the microorganism collection tool 200 on the microorganism collection carrier 160 side in a separately prepared microorganism suspension liquid. At this time, at least the microorganism collection carrier 160 and the suction port 130 are positioned in the liquid. When the user compresses the pressure unit 110 in this state, the internal space of the dropper 170 becomes positive pressure. At this time, since the outflow prevention valve 210 blocks the suction port 130, the air in the dropper 170 is discharged to the outside from the discharge port 140 through the microorganism collection carrier 160. Part of the microorganisms and contaminants adhering to the microorganism collection carrier 160 are peeled off from the microorganism collection carrier 160 by the air pressure received at this time, and diffused into the surrounding liquid.

  Next, when the user opens the pressure unit 110, the internal space of the dropper 170 becomes negative pressure. At this time, since the backflow prevention valve 150 suppresses the inflow of the liquid from the discharge port 140, the liquid for suspending microorganisms flows into the dropper 170 from the suction port 130. In this state, when the user compresses the pressure unit 110 again, the internal space of the dropper 170 becomes positive pressure. At this time, since the outflow prevention valve 210 closes the suction port 130, the liquid in the dropper 170 is discharged to the outside through the microorganism collection carrier 160 from the discharge port 140. Part of the microorganisms and contaminants adhering to the microorganism collection carrier 160 are peeled off from the microorganism collection carrier 160 by the water pressure received at this time, and diffused into the surrounding liquid.

  Thereafter, by repeatedly compressing and releasing the pressurizing unit 110, the user can repeatedly apply water pressure to the microorganisms and the like attached to the microorganism-collecting carrier 160 to peel off the microorganisms and impurities. Furthermore, since the liquid for suspending microorganisms is repeatedly passed through the carrier for collecting microorganisms 160, contaminants can be removed by the carrier for collecting microorganisms 160.

  As described above, since the microorganism collection tool according to Embodiment 2 can further prevent the liquid inside the dropper from flowing out from the suction port, the liquid inside the dropper can be more efficiently discharged from the discharge port. it can.

(Embodiment 3)
In the second embodiment, an example in which a microorganism suspension is prepared by separately preparing a liquid for suspending microorganisms. Embodiment 3 shows an example in which a microorganism suspension is prepared using a liquid previously enclosed in a microorganism collection tool.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a microorganism collection tool 300 according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The same components as those of the microorganism collection tool according to the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  The microbe collection tool 300 includes a suspension liquid stopper 310 and a suspension liquid 320 in addition to the pressurization unit 110, the pipe unit 120, the suction port 130, the discharge port 140, the backflow prevention valve 150, and the microorganism collection carrier 160. It is prepared for. The pressurizing unit 110, the pipe unit 120, the suction port 130, the discharge port 140, the backflow prevention valve 150, and the microorganism collection carrier 160 are the same as those in the second embodiment.

  The suspension liquid stopper 310 is a thin film that closes the inner hole of the tube part 120, and encloses the suspension liquid 320 in a part of the pressurizing part 110 and the tube part 120. The suspension liquid stopper 310 is formed so that the user can discharge the suspension liquid 320 by increasing the water pressure of the suspension liquid 320 by compressing the pressurizing unit 110. It is formed so that it can function as the outflow prevention valve described in the second embodiment. In order to do this, for example, the hydraulic pressure of the suspending liquid 320 rises at a part of the connection portion between the suspending liquid stopper 310 and the pipe portion 120 (the circumferential portion of the suspending liquid stopper 310). However, a strong structure that does not break down may be used, and the remaining part of the connection part may be a weak structure that is broken when the water pressure of the suspending liquid 320 increases. By doing in this way, when a user compresses the pressurizing part 110 and raises the water pressure of the suspending liquid 320, only the weak structure part will be destroyed. Therefore, like the outflow prevention valve described in the second embodiment, the suspension liquid stopper 310 is a thin film partly fixed to the inner surface of the pipe portion 120 and capable of closing the suction port 130.

  The suspending liquid 320 is a liquid for suspending microorganisms, which is enclosed in a part of the pressurizing unit 110 and the pipe unit 120 by a suspension liquid stopper 310. The suspending liquid 320 is, for example, a phosphate buffer, physiological saline, an aqueous mannitol solution, or the like.

  Hereinafter, a procedure for collecting microorganisms using the microorganism collection tool 300 configured as described above and the operation of the microorganism collection tool 300 at that time will be described.

  First, the user wipes the surface of the inspection object with the microorganism collection carrier 160 so that the microorganisms present in the inspection object adhere to the microorganism collection carrier 160.

  Next, the user puts a part of the microorganism collection tool 300 on the microorganism collection carrier 160 side into a separately prepared container. When the user compresses the pressurizing unit 110 in this state, the water pressure of the suspending liquid 320 enclosed in the dropper 170 rises, and the suspending liquid stopper 310 is destroyed. At this time, since the broken suspension liquid stopper 310 closes the suction port 130, the released suspension liquid 320 is discharged from the discharge port 140 through the microorganism collection carrier 160 into the external container.

  Thereafter, as described in the second embodiment, the user repeatedly pressurizes and releases the pressurizing unit 110 to repeatedly apply water pressure to microorganisms and the like adhering to the microorganism collection carrier 160 to remove microorganisms and contaminants. Can be peeled off.

  As described above, in addition to the effects of the microorganism collection tool according to the second embodiment, the microorganism collection tool according to the third embodiment produces a microorganism suspension without separately preparing a liquid for suspending microorganisms. can do.

(Embodiment 4)
In Embodiment 3, the example which enclosed only the liquid for suspension in the inside of a dropper was shown. Embodiment 4 shows an example in which an ion exchanger is sealed in addition to a suspending liquid inside a dropper.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a microorganism collection tool 400 according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The same components as those of the microorganism collection tool according to the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In addition to the pressurizing part 110, the pipe part 120, the suction port 130, the discharge port 140, the backflow prevention valve 150, the microorganism collecting carrier 160, the suspension liquid stopper 310 and the suspension liquid 320, An ion exchanger 410 is provided. The pressurizing unit 110, the pipe unit 120, the suction port 130, the discharge port 140, the backflow prevention valve 150, the microorganism collection carrier 160, the suspension liquid stopper 310, and the suspension liquid 320 are the same as those in the third embodiment. is there.

  The ion exchanger 410 is a bead-shaped ion exchange resin that adsorbs ions contained in the suspension liquid 320. The ion exchanger 410 is enclosed in a part of the pressurizing part 110 and the pipe part 120 together with the suspending liquid 320. The ion exchanger 410 can move inside the dropper 170 when the suspension liquid stopper 310 is broken. The ion exchanger 410 is preferably larger than the pore diameter of the microorganism collection carrier 160. As a result, the ion exchanger 410 can remain inside the dropper 170 even if the suspension liquid stopper 310 is broken.

  In the present embodiment, the suspension liquid 320 is preferably a liquid that does not contain ions, unlike the third embodiment, and is preferably a liquid that adjusts the osmotic pressure other than ions, such as an aqueous mannitol solution.

  As described in the third embodiment, the user repeatedly pressurizes and releases the pressurizing unit 110 to repeatedly apply water pressure to the microorganisms and the like attached to the microorganism-collecting carrier 160, thereby peeling the microorganisms and contaminants. be able to. At this time, since the suspending liquid 320 comes into contact with the ion exchanger 410 and ions contained in the suspending liquid 320 are adsorbed, the obtained microbial suspension has a low conductivity.

  As described above, the microorganism collection tool according to the fourth embodiment can produce a microorganism suspension with low conductivity in addition to the effects of the microorganism collection tool according to the third embodiment.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful as a microorganism collection tool for a microorganism testing apparatus using a microorganism suspension as a test sample.

Schematic which shows the structure of the microorganisms collection tool which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. Schematic which shows the structure of the microorganisms collection tool which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. Schematic which shows the structure of the microorganisms collection tool which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. Schematic which shows the structure of the microorganisms collection tool which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100, 200, 300, 400 Microorganism collection tool 110 Pressurization section 120 Pipe section 130 Suction port 140 Discharge port 150 Backflow prevention valve 160 Microorganism collection carrier 170 Dropper 210 Outflow prevention valve 310 Suspension liquid stopper 320 Suspension liquid 410 Ion exchanger

Claims (9)

A pipe part having a discharge port at a first end, a space having a space communicating with the internal space of the pipe part, and a pressure part having a shape restoring property, and a breather provided in the discharge port. A microorganism-collecting device comprising a microorganism-collecting carrier having liquid permeability,
The said pipe | tube part has a suction port in a side surface, and has a liquid flow control part which prevents that a liquid flows into the internal space of the said pipe | tube part from the said discharge port, The microorganisms collection tool. The pressurizing part is located at the second end of the pipe part,
The liquid flow control unit is located between the suction port and the discharge port;
The microorganism collection tool according to claim 1.   The microorganism collection tool according to claim 1, wherein the liquid flow control unit is a backflow prevention valve.   The microorganism collection tool according to claim 1, wherein the microorganism collection carrier is a fiber mass or a porous body.   The microorganism collecting tool according to claim 1, wherein the pipe part further includes a second liquid flow control part for preventing the liquid in the pipe part from flowing out from the suction port.   The microorganism collecting tool according to claim 5, wherein the second liquid flow control unit is a backflow prevention valve.   The microorganism collecting tool according to claim 1, wherein the pressurizing section or the pipe section has a suspension liquid.   The microorganism collecting tool according to claim 1, wherein the pressurizing part, the tube part or the microorganism collecting carrier has an ion exchanger. Creating a suspension of microorganisms using the microorganism collection tool according to claim 1;
Introducing the suspension into a cell comprising a plurality of electrodes;
Applying an alternating voltage between any one of the electrodes to exert a dielectrophoretic force on the microorganisms in the cell and collecting the microorganisms in an electric field concentration part;
Measuring impedance between the electrodes to calculate the number of microorganisms;
A method for measuring the number of microorganisms, comprising:

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