JP2010178819A - Puncture device and blood examination apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem of a puncture device for collecting blood by puncturing the skin with a laser, wherein an appropriate quantity of blood can not be collected because of the irregularity in the pressurization to a finger application part. <P>SOLUTION: The puncture device includes: the finger application part 3 having a pressurization mechanism for applying a finger, etc., by pressurization; a detection part for detecting the appropriate pressurization to the finger application part 3; a puncture switch 13 for moving a puncture part; and an informing part for informing a device user of the pressurization to the finger application part based on the output of the detection part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a puncture device and a blood test apparatus using the same.

  A general blood test will be described with diabetes as an example. Carbohydrates ingested by meals and the like are broken down in the small intestine to become glucose, bind to insulin, pass through the cell membrane, and are taken up as energy. In diabetes, the amount of insulin secreted decreases, blood sugar increases and becomes abnormal.

  Therefore, the patient needs to regularly measure the blood glucose level, inject insulin based on the blood glucose level, and keep the blood glucose level normal. Therefore, the patient must collect a small amount of blood from a fingertip or the like and measure the blood glucose level of the blood with a blood glucose level measuring device. A puncture device for collecting this blood is required.

  There are two types of puncture devices for collecting blood, a needle type and a laser type. The laser type will be described below. A conventional laser puncture device 1 is shown in FIG. The main components of the laser puncture device shown in FIG. 6 are a laser source 50 for forming a laser beam output, a focusing 51 for focusing the laser beam, a power supply block 52, and a drilling site at the focal point of the laser beam. A skin holding device 53 is included. The operation of this apparatus will be described below.

  When the finger 55 is applied to the finger contact portion 54 of the skin holding device 53 and the finger 55 is pressed against the spring 56 attached to the skin holding device 53, the skin of the finger 54 is initially pressurized. The space of the portion of the finger 55 that contacts the skin is decompressed by the mechanism of the device 53, and the skin of the finger 55 is sucked. Thereafter, the finger 55 applied to the skin holding device 53 is punctured.

As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.
JP 2004-195245 A

  When the finger applied to the finger pad 54 is sucked, the finger is fixed. However, considering the downsizing of the device, the mechanism such as a pump and a solenoid valve necessary for suction is omitted, and suction is not performed. When the puncture is stopped at the stage of pressurization that is not performed, if the finger is moved even after the finger rest part 54 has been pressed, proper puncture cannot be performed. This is because, in the case of the pressurization method, the finger resting part 54 is pressed by its own force, and therefore the finger may move when the timing until puncturing is not known. This state is shown in FIG. The case of FIG. 7A is a case where the finger 55 is pressed against the finger contact portion 54 and the pressure is appropriately applied, and FIG. 7B is the case where the finger 55 is moved and thus is pressed with a displacement. In the case of deviation, there is little swell of the finger, and the position of the climax of the swell is also deviated from the center of the hole provided in the finger contact part 54. Therefore, when puncturing with a laser or the like, the relationship between the puncturing finger and the focal position of the laser, or the angle at which the laser beam is incident on the finger also changes.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a puncture device that can collect an appropriate amount of blood by performing an appropriate puncture.

  In order to achieve this object, the puncture device of the present invention includes a finger pad having a pressurizing mechanism for pressing a finger or the like, a puncture unit for puncturing a finger through the finger pad, and the finger pad. A detection unit for detecting an appropriate pressurization, a puncture switch for moving the puncture unit, and a notification unit for informing the user of the pressurization to the finger contact unit based on the output of the detection unit It is provided. Thereby, the initial purpose can be achieved.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a finger pad having a pressurizing mechanism for pressing a finger or the like, a puncture unit for puncturing a finger through the finger pad, and an appropriate amount to the finger pad Since a detection unit for detecting pressurization, a puncture switch for moving the puncture unit, and a notification unit for informing the user of the pressurization to the finger contact unit based on the output of the detection unit are provided. By detecting an appropriate pressure and performing puncture, an appropriate amount of blood can be exuded.

  As described above, the puncture device of the present invention has 1) a finger pad, 2) a puncture unit, 3) a detection unit, 4) a puncture switch, 5) a notification unit, and the blood test apparatus further includes a blood sensor connector, It has a blood component measurement unit.

Finger pad part The finger pad part is for fixing a part for puncturing, and has, for example, a puncture part that exudes blood from the skin, such as a needle and a laser, and a part through which light passes. Touches the skin and exudes blood. The shape of this finger rest is one that can hold the finger stably and is pressed by a spring or the like so that the reaction force is applied to the finger when pressed by the finger. Can be pressurized.

Puncture part Typical puncture parts are performed using a needle and those performed using a laser. Here, a description will be given of lasers performed using a solid-state laser.
The solid-state laser irradiates a laser rod doped with a rare earth ion or a transition metal ion to be a laser active species containing ions such as erbium Er, neodymium Nd, or holonium Ho, and light for exciting the laser rod active species. And a lens barrel for efficiently condensing the light from the flash lamp onto the laser rod without leaking out. Examples of the solid-state laser include a ruby laser, a glass laser, a YAG laser, and the like.

  The laser rod for puncturing the skin as in the present invention is preferably a rod made of a YAG laser doped with about 50% of erbium Er. The YAG laser may be a YAG single crystal or a YAG ceramic. YAG ceramics are polycrystals made by solidifying YAG microcrystals.

  The laser irradiation part of the laser puncture unit of the present invention needs to have characteristics for puncturing the skin. That is, the laser irradiation diameter before entering the lens is preferably about 0.5 mm to 3 mm, and the laser output is preferably about 30 mJ to 200 mJ.

Detection unit The detection unit is a part that detects that a finger has pressed the finger pad and is set at a predetermined position.The detection is performed when a button is pressed in the form of a push button, or on the light receiving unit. Optical detection when a finger pad crosses a certain position using a photo sensor or the like, or a magnetic sensor installed in the finger pad is magnetically detected by a magnetic sensor installed in the finger pad by providing a magnetic sensor in the receiving part. Any other method may be used as long as it can detect that the finger pad is pushed and reaches a predetermined position.

Notification unit The notification unit is provided to notify the device user that the preparation is completed when a signal from the detection unit is input, and is a light such as a lamp such as an LED that appeals visually. Sounds such as a speaker that appeals audibly and vibrations such as a vibrator that appeals tactilely are good.

Puncture switch The puncture switch is operable after a signal from the notification unit is input, and puncture by the puncture unit is started by operating this switch. As the puncture switch, any button, toggle switch, touch panel, slide switch, or the like that triggers puncture may be used.

Blood sensor connector and blood component measurement unit The blood sensor connector is a part to which a sensor for measuring a blood component collected by puncture is attached, and a sensor signal is input to the blood component measurement unit via the connector. For example, when the blood glucose level is measured, it is measured using an electrochemical reaction, or optically measured by reacting with a reagent and emitting light. Since a specific measuring method is not related to the present invention, it will be omitted.

  Hereinafter, the puncture apparatus and blood component measurement apparatus of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. The following forms are examples of embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by these.

(Embodiment 1)
The blood test apparatus of Embodiment 1 is shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of blood test apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, but is a case where a laser is used for the puncture portion, and thus has a shape having laser protective cover 2 (closed state); FIG. 3 is an overview diagram of blood test apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is an overview diagram of blood test apparatus 1 with laser protective cover 2 opened; FIG. FIG. 5 is an overview of the state in which the part 3 and the blood test sensor chip 4 are opened; FIG. 5 is an overview of the state in which the blood test apparatus 1 is actually held and operated.
The blood test apparatus 1 will also be described to serve as a puncture apparatus.

  In FIG. 1, a laser puncture unit 6 is disposed inside a housing 5 for protecting the whole so that puncturing is easy when the housing 5 is held with one hand. The laser puncture unit 6 may be a needle puncture unit using a puncture needle. In addition, it has an electrical control circuit and a measurement circuit for processing the signal from the blood sensor to measure the blood component concentration and a capacitor necessary for power supply of the battery and the laser unit. The finger pad, detection unit, puncture switch, and notification unit will be described in detail.

  In FIG. 1, a finger pad 3 having a through hole 3 a is provided in the middle of one side surface 5 a of the housing 5. The finger pad 3 is provided opposite to the laser puncture unit 6, and a sensor connector 7 into which the sensor chip 4 is detachably inserted and a through hole 8 a are provided on the laser puncture unit 6 side of the finger pad 3. A pressing member 8 (see an enlarged view within a dotted line) and a coil spring 9 are provided. The coil spring 9 pressurizes the pressing member 8 in the direction of the finger pad 3, and the pressure of the finger 30 brought into contact with the finger pad 3 is determined by the biasing force of the coil spring 9. As described above, as long as the mechanism can pressurize the finger 30, a pressurizing member may be provided in the finger rest part itself.

  In FIG. 1, a switch 10 (used as an example of a detection unit) serving as a detection unit is provided at the tip of the laser puncture unit 6. In the present embodiment, the mechanically operated switch 10 is used. However, it is not always necessary to use a mechanical switch, and optical or magnetic detection means may be used. However, a low-cost detection means is realized by using a mechanical switch. Further, the switch 10 does not necessarily have to be the tip of the laser puncture unit 6, and may be provided on the pressurizing member 8 or other parts as long as the finger contact part can detect the state of being pressed with a predetermined force. good.

  In FIG. 1, a notification lamp 11 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 5 as an example of notification means. In the present embodiment, the notification is made by the light of the lamp 11, but this may be notified by sound using a speaker or electronic sound instead of light. Moreover, you may use the alert | report by vibration, such as a vibrator using the eccentricity by having shifted the gravity center and rotation center of the rotary body currently used for a portable apparatus or a massager. Further, the notification may be displayed on the display unit 12 provided on the upper surface of the housing 5. However, by using the lamp 11 in the present embodiment, it is possible to directly sense the notification and to realize a low-cost notification means.

  In FIG. 1, a puncture switch 13 for puncturing the laser puncture unit 6 is provided at the upper right corner of the housing 5. When a signal from the switch 10 of the detection unit is input to the control unit, the control unit turns on the lamp 11 and simultaneously enables the puncture switch 13 so that the puncture switch 13 is turned on when the lamp 11 is not lit. Even if it tries to operate, it does not operate. Therefore, in the puncturing operation, when the user sets the finger on the finger rest 3 and applies a predetermined pressure to the finger, the lamp 11 is lit and the device user can puncture the device. Is notified. Here, the device user can perform a puncturing operation by the puncture switch 13.

  In FIG. 1, a laser protective cover 2 is provided so as to block the laser light from the laser puncture unit 6. The laser protective cover 2 is provided so as to be slidable, and a part of the laser protective cover 2 can be stored inside the apparatus when the apparatus is not used. The puncture switch 13 is operated by detecting a state in which the laser protective cover 2 is pulled up (referred to as “open” because it is open, and “closed” when it is open), and the lamp 11 serving as a notification unit is lit. This may be possible by the AND mechanism.

  Of blood test apparatus 1 configured as described above, puncture apparatus 1a is obtained by removing sensor chip 4, sensor connector 7, and blood test measurement circuit unit. That is, the puncture device 1a has a function of only collecting blood. On the other hand, the blood test apparatus 1 collects blood and enables a series of operations from the collected blood to the measurement of blood component concentration, for example, blood glucose level.

  Both the blood test apparatus 1 and the puncture apparatus 1a described above have the switch 10 that detects the pressure applied to the finger, so that an appropriate pressure applied to the finger can be detected and the skin is sufficiently raised. Can be punctured. Accordingly, an appropriate amount of blood can be exuded efficiently with little pain. In addition, since the lamp 11 is provided to notify the state of skin swell, the best puncture timing can be easily known.

  A method using negative pressure means has also been proposed in order to obtain an appropriate swell of the skin. However, if negative pressure means is used, a mechanism such as a pump or solenoid valve necessary for suction is required, and that amount is inevitably increased. There is a problem that it is not suitable for portability due to its large size. In addition, since the amount of money is expensive, the present invention uses only pressure means.

  In FIG. 2, since the laser protection cover 2 is in a closed state, the finger pad 3 is covered with the laser protection cover 2. When the laser protective cover 2 is closed, the apparatus becomes small when the apparatus is not used, and is convenient for portability. Further, since the laser protective cover 2 is provided, the laser light from the laser puncture unit 6 is not emitted outside the housing 5 and is safe. By operating the operation unit 14 provided on the front surface of the housing 5, adjustment of the input voltage corresponding to the puncture depth by the laser puncture unit 6, blood glucose level which is a blood component concentration stored in the memory, and the like. It can be displayed on the display unit 12.

  In FIG. 3, since the laser protective cover 2 is in an open state, the finger contact portion 3 appears exposed. Therefore, when the laser protective cover 2 is in an open state, it is possible to set a finger on the exposed finger rest 3 and preparation for puncturing is completed.

  In FIG. 4, a finger pad 3 and a sensor connector 7 into which the sensor chip 4 is inserted are provided between the laser protective cover 2 and the pressure member 8 attached to the housing 5. By making the contact part 3 and the sensor chip 4 rotatable, the sensor chip 4 can be easily attached to or detached from the connector 7.

  In FIG. 5, a space is created between the laser protection cover 2 and the finger pad 3 by opening the laser protection cover 2. In FIG. 5, a ring finger is inserted into this space, and this finger is brought into contact with the finger rest 3. At this time, pressure is applied to the inserted ring finger, and after the lamp 11 is lit, the puncture switch 13 is pressed with the thumb in FIG. When the puncture switch 13 is pressed, laser light is emitted and the ring finger is punctured. Thus, both the operation of holding the blood test apparatus 1 and depressing the puncture switch 13 and the operation of collecting blood from the ring finger can be performed with one hand. Therefore, it can be easily operated under the table or the like without being conscious of human eyes.

  The hand holding blood test apparatus 1 does not have to be the right hand and may be the left hand. The finger to be punctured does not have to be a ring finger, and may be another finger. In short, any skin may be used as long as it collects blood. However, in the case of the blood test apparatus of the present invention, the blood test apparatus is limited to the portion of the skin that can be inserted between the laser protective cover 2 and the finger rest 3. However, since the laser protective cover is a mechanical cover, if the laser irradiation can be safely controlled electrically, the laser protective cover is not necessary. Therefore, the palm or arm can be punctured if it is skin. . In this case, the apparatus is not operated by grasping with one hand but with both hands (details are not shown).

  Next, the blood collection operation will be described. The skin is brought into contact with the finger pad 3 and pressurized. When the finger reaches a value determined by an appropriate distance by which the finger contact portion 3 is moved against the applied pressure, the switch 10 is turned on. The applied pressure at this time is set to an appropriate applied pressure. This appropriate pressure is determined by the coil spring 9. After the switch 10 is turned on by pressurization, the notification lamp 11 is turned on. That is, the laser puncture unit 6 of the puncture unit can be operated by turning on the lamp 11, and the laser puncture unit 6 of the puncture unit is operated under the logical product condition of depressing the puncture switch 13, and laser light is emitted from the laser puncture unit 6. Then, the finger skin 3 is punctured with the pressurized finger skin. Blood oozes from the skin due to skin puncture. The exuded blood is taken into the sensor chip 4 and blood component concentration can be measured. Since the measurement method is not related to the present invention, it will be omitted.

  Since the puncture apparatus according to the present invention can efficiently collect an appropriate amount of blood, it can be applied to a puncture apparatus used for blood collection and a blood test apparatus for examining properties such as blood component concentrations.

Sectional drawing of the blood test apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention Overview of blood test apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 Overview of blood test apparatus 1 with laser protective cover 2 open FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the state where the finger pad 3 and the blood test sensor chip 4 are further opened. Overview of the blood test device 1 actually being held and operated Sectional view of a conventional laser puncture device Cross-sectional view of relationship between finger and finger rest

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Blood test | inspection apparatus 1a Puncture apparatus 2 Laser protective cover 3 Finger contact part 3a Through-hole 4 Sensor chip 5 Case 5a Side surface 6 Laser puncture unit 7 Sensor connector 8 Pressure member 8a Through-hole 9 Coil spring 10 Switch 11 Lamp 12 Display part 13 Puncture switch 14 Operation unit 30 Finger

Claims (7)

In an apparatus for collecting blood, a finger pad having a pressurizing mechanism for pressurizing a finger or the like, a puncture unit for puncturing a finger through the finger pad, and appropriate pressurization to the finger A puncture device provided with a detection unit for detecting, a puncture switch for moving the puncture unit, and an informing unit for notifying an apparatus user of pressurization to the finger pad based on an output of the detection unit. The puncture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit includes a switch such as a micro switch. The puncture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is performed by a lamp. The puncture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is performed by a speaker. The puncture apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit is performed by vibration. The puncture device according to claim 1, wherein the puncture unit is enabled to move by a logical product of an output from the notification unit and an output from the puncture switch. In a blood test apparatus for collecting blood and measuring blood components, a finger pad having a pressurizing mechanism for pressurizing a finger, a puncture unit for puncturing a finger through the finger pad, and the finger pad A detection unit for detecting an appropriate pressurization to the unit, a puncture switch for moving the puncture unit, a blood sensor connector for measuring the collected blood, and a blood component of the blood taken into the blood sensor A blood test apparatus provided with a measurement unit that measures the pressure and a notification unit that notifies the user of pressurization of the finger pad based on the output of the detection unit.

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