JP2012083190A - Prepared slide for liquid sample inspection - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a prepared slide for a liquid sample inspection capable of easily housing a sample irrespective of viscosity level and performing a microscopic inspection.SOLUTION: The prepared slide for a liquid sample inspection comprises a substrate part 2 and a lid part 3. In the substrate part 2, a recessed depression part 2a for housing the sample on the bottom thereof, and the lid part 3 is integrally provided with the substrate part 2 through a hinge part 3a and capable of covering the recessed depression part 2a. In the lid part 3, a notch 3b used as an opening for sample injection when covering the recessed depression part 2a with the lid part 3 is provided, and the depth of the recessed depression part 2a is a depth generating capillarity between the undersurface of the lid part 3 and the bottom of the recessed depression part 2a in the state of covering the recessed depression part 2a with the lid part 3. A groove part 2b deeper than the recessed depression part 2a is provided around the recessed depression part 2a, and a rib 3d for fitting into the groove part 2b is provided to project on the reverse surface side of the lid part 3.

Description

  The present invention relates to a preparation for inspecting a liquid sample such as a body fluid with an optical microscope, and in particular, for a liquid sample inspection that can easily and uniformly accommodate a sample regardless of the level of viscosity. Regarding preparations.

When observing a liquid sample such as blood, tissue fluid, or urine with a microscope, conventionally, a few drops of the liquid sample are dropped on a rectangular glass plate called a slide glass and subjected to a predetermined treatment such as staining, and a cover glass is attached. A slide was created.
However, it is not easy to make a liquid sample to a certain thickness, so that preparation of a preparation requires considerable skill, and the liquid sample leaks between the slide glass and the cover glass to contaminate the fingers. There was also. Further, since both the slide glass and the cover glass are made of glass, there is a problem that they are heavy and easily broken.

  In order to eliminate such drawbacks, the plastic slide glass and the cover glass are closely attached via a slight gap, and the partition wall seals the right and left of the gap (cell), and the opening for sample injection before and after the gap. A slide (see Patent Document 1) provided with a portion and a vent is proposed. In this slide, if a liquid sample is dropped into the opening for sample injection, the sample is automatically drawn into the cell by capillary action and spreads, and the thickness of the sample becomes uniform, so that a preparation can be easily made.

JP-A-4-214519

  However, not only samples with low viscosity but also samples with high viscosity such as urine sediments are to be examined. Even if such a highly viscous sample is dropped on the opening of the slide described in Patent Document 1, the sample is not automatically sucked by capillary action.

In the case of a document with high viscosity, a method of removing the cover glass once and dropping the sample onto the cell, and then placing the cover glass to spread the sample can be considered. However, it is troublesome to peel off or reattach the bonded cover glass.
In addition, when using a plastic cover glass, it is necessary to make the cover glass thicker in order to provide appropriate rigidity. In this case, the thick cover glass may interfere with the objective lens of the microscope close to the sample. This makes it difficult to observe the sample. In addition, the transparency of plastic is generally lower than that of glass, and the thicker the lid portion, the less light passes through the lid portion, which makes it more difficult to observe the sample.
On the other hand, if the cover glass is made thin, an appropriate rigidity cannot be maintained this time, and the cover glass is bent during sample adjustment or observation, so that workability becomes very poor.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and provides a liquid sample inspection preparation that can easily accommodate a sample, not only a sample having a low viscosity, but also a sample having a high viscosity. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first feature of the present invention includes a substrate portion and a lid portion, and the substrate portion is provided with a concave portion for accommodating a sample, and the lid portion includes a hinge portion. And is provided integrally with the substrate portion, and can cover the concave portion, and the lid portion is a cut portion that becomes an opening for sample injection when the concave portion is covered with the lid portion. A notch is provided, and the depth of the concave portion is a depth at which capillary action occurs between the lower surface of the lid portion and the bottom surface of the concave portion in a state where the lid portion is covered on the concave portion. And a groove deeper than the recessed portion is provided around the recessed portion, and a rib that fits into the groove is projected on the back side of the lid portion. The contents include a specimen inspection preparation.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the preparation for liquid sample inspection according to claim 1 is characterized in that the depth of the groove is larger than the protruding height of the rib.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the preparation for liquid sample inspection according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rib is U-shaped or J-shaped protruding inward from the surface side. To do.

  The fourth feature of the present invention is that the portion of the lid that covers the concave portion is formed lower than the peripheral portion thereof. The preparation for liquid sample inspection is included.

  The fifth feature of the present invention is that the gap between the concave portion and the lid portion is narrowed in a taper shape from the opening for sample injection toward the center of the concave portion in a state where the concave portion is covered with the lid portion. The preparation for a liquid sample inspection according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the periphery of the notch and / or the recess is formed in a slope shape. .

The preparation for liquid sample inspection according to the present invention is provided with a notch portion serving as an opening for sample injection at the edge of the lid portion, and in a state where the lid portion is covered on the concave portion that is a sample storage portion. Since the gap between the bottom surface of the lid and the bottom surface of the recess is configured so that capillary action occurs, in the case of a sample with low viscosity, the lid is covered on the recess for sample injection. When the sample is dropped into the opening, the sample automatically spreads between the lid and the recess due to capillary action, and the sample is accommodated in the recess.
When the viscosity of the sample is high, the sample can be easily accommodated in the concave portion by lifting the lid.
Furthermore, since ribs are provided on the back surface of the lid, the ribs serve to reinforce and give rigidity. As a result, even if the lid is thin, it is difficult to bend, and it is easy to observe the sample and work. Excellent in properties. Since the rib fits into a groove provided around the concave portion, it does not interfere with sample observation.
By making the depth of the groove portion larger than the protruding height of the rib, an extra sample is accommodated in the groove portion, so that an accident that the sample leaks out and is contaminated is prevented.

By making the rib into a U-shape or J-shape projecting inward from the surface side, it becomes difficult for the resin to flow on the rib side when creating the preparation of the present invention, so it flowed into the rib side first. It is possible to suppress the generation of weld lines that can be caused by the resin joining later in the vicinity of the center of the lid.
Further, since the rib easily contracts and deforms in the width direction of the rib, the rib can be suitably fitted into the groove even if the dimensional accuracy of the rib and the groove is slightly worse.

  If the portion of the lid covering the concave portion is made lower than the peripheral portion thereof, the portion covered on the concave portion is less likely to be scratched, so that many preparations of the present invention are stacked or bundled. Workability is improved.

  When the lid is covered with the lid, the gap between the cavity and the lid is tapered so that even if the sample has a slightly higher viscosity, the sample is pushed into the recess by pushing the sample through the opening. The sample can be spread over the entire cavity.

FIG. 1A is a schematic view showing an example of a preparation for liquid sample inspection of the present invention, FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1A, and FIG. It is sectional drawing. FIG. 2A is a schematic view showing a state in which the lid portion is covered with the concave portion in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view in a state where the lid portion is covered with the concave portion in FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a preparation in which a portion between the lid portion and the concave portion is tapered.

  The liquid sample inspection preparation 1 of the present invention comprises a substrate portion 2 and a lid portion 3 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and the substrate portion 2 is provided with a concave portion 2a for accommodating a sample. The lid portion 3 is provided integrally with the base plate portion 2 via the hinge portion 3a and can be covered with the concave portion 2a. The lid portion 3 includes the lid portion 3 and the concave portion. A notch 3b that becomes an opening for sample injection when covered with 2a is provided, and the depth of the concave portion 2a is such that the lid 3 is covered on the concave portion 2a. A depth at which capillarity occurs between the lower surface of the portion 3 and the bottom surface of the recessed portion 2a, and a groove portion 2b deeper than the recessed portion 2a is provided around the recessed portion 2a. A rib 3d that fits into the groove 2b protrudes from the back side of the portion 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, the preparation for liquid sample inspection 1 of the present invention comprises a substrate portion 2 and a lid portion 3. The lid portion 3 is connected to the substrate portion 2 via a hinge portion 3a.
The shape of the substrate part 2 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use a horizontally long rectangular shape like a slide glass that has been frequently used for microscope observation, since it can be set on a microscope in the same manner as in the past and the sample can be observed.

  The substrate portion 2 is provided with a concave portion 2a for accommodating a sample, and the concave portion 2a is covered with the lid portion 3 as shown in FIG. The shape of the lid portion 3 and the concave portion 2a is not particularly limited as long as the concave portion 2a can be covered with the lid portion 3 except for an opening for sample injection which will be described later. Similarly, if a square shape with a side of about 15 to 20 mm is used, the appearance will be the same as when a normal slide glass and cover glass are used, so that the inspection can be performed in the same manner as before.

The hinge portion 3a in the present invention is a portion for allowing the lid portion 3 to be opened and closed on the concave portion 2a. Although the structure is not particularly limited, a preparation for specimen inspection is often handled as a disposable, so it is sufficient if it has a strength that can withstand opening and closing several times.
For example, when the lid portion 3 and the substrate portion 2 are formed, 1 to 3 V-shaped cuts (notches) are provided between the two portions, which can be used as the hinge portion 3a. If the substrate part 2 and the cover part 3 are connected by such a hinge part 3a, depending on the material, the cover part 3 will not break even if it is opened and closed as many times as required for the preparation (about 2 to 3 times). This structure can be manufactured at low cost. Moreover, it can replace with a notch (notch) and it can also be set as a hinge part by making between the cover part 3 and the board | substrate part 2 into thin film form.

  In the present invention, if the concave portion 2a is covered with the lid portion 3, a space surrounded by the concave portion 2a and the lid portion 3 is formed as shown in FIG. 3, and this space (hereinafter referred to as the sample chamber 5) is formed. In some cases, the sample is injected and contained. The shape of the sample chamber 5 may be determined arbitrarily so that the sample can be easily observed according to the sample and the contents of the inspection, but is usually about 15 to 20 mm in length and width and about 0.03 to 0.5 mm in height. .

In the present invention, the lid portion 3 is provided with a notch 3 b serving as an opening for dropping a liquid sample into the sample chamber 5. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, if the concave portion 2a is covered with the lid portion 3 provided with the notch portion 3b as shown in FIG. 1, the notch portion 3b is formed as shown in FIG. When the sample is dropped into this opening for sample injection, the sample is injected and accommodated in the sample chamber 5 by capillary action between the lid 3 and the recess 2a.
The position of the cutout portion 3b is not particularly limited as long as it is a portion that overlaps the concave portion 2a when the lid portion 3 is put on the concave portion 2a, but the concave portion 2a does not interfere with sample observation with a microscope. It is preferable to provide the notch portion 3b at a position overlapping with the end portion. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a notch 3b is provided on the hinge 3a side, and a part of the notch 3b is formed when the lid 3 is covered with the recess 2a. It is configured to overlap with the end of the recessed portion 2a to be an opening for sample injection.

  As described above, in the present invention, when a liquid sample is dropped into the sample injection opening 3b, the liquid sample is spread and accommodated in the sample chamber 5 by capillary action. Specifically, for example, by setting the distance between the lower surface of the lid 3 and the bottom surface of the concave portion 2a (that is, the height of the sample chamber 5) to about 0.2 to 0.5 mm, urine, blood, A liquid sample having a relatively low viscosity such as tissue fluid is automatically injected and stored in the sample chamber 5 by capillary action.

In the case of a liquid sample having a relatively high viscosity, capillary action does not occur even when the sample is dropped into the opening 3b. However, since the intermolecular force between the liquid sample and the sample chamber 5 is working, a slight force is required. If the liquid sample is added, the liquid sample may spread in the sample chamber 5. In such a case, the gap between the recess 2a and the lid 3 is tapered from the sample injection opening 3b toward the center of the lid 3 with the lid 3 covering the recess 2a. (Hereinafter sometimes referred to as a taper portion 5a, see FIG. 4), the sample can be spread over the entire recessed portion 2a by pushing the sample through the opening 3b. .
In order to form the tapered portion 5a, the periphery of the cutout portion 3b of the lid portion 3 and / or the recessed portion 2a of the substrate portion 2 may be formed in a slope shape. In FIG. 4, the vicinity of the notch 3 b of the lid 3 is formed in an inclined shape 3 g.

  For example, when the viscosity of the sample is extremely high, such as urine sediment, it is difficult to drop the sample as described above and to inject and accommodate it in the sample chamber 5 by capillary action. In such a case, the lid 3 is lifted and the sample is directly stored in the concave portion 2a, and then the lid 3 is covered on the concave portion 2a. In this case, if necessary, the sample is spread from the top of the lid 3. Furthermore, if necessary, the liquid material can be pushed into the sample chamber 5 by pushing the sloped portion 3 g of the lid 3.

As a method for making the lid 3 easy to lift, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a finger hooking projection 3 c can be provided at the tip of the lid 3, and the lid 3 can be opened by hooking a finger on this portion. The method of doing is mentioned. However, if the finger hooking projection 3c protrudes from the edge of the substrate portion 2, there is a greater risk that the inspection device or the like will hit the finger hooking projection 3c during inspection and the lid portion 3 will open unexpectedly. It is difficult to lift the lid 3 with a finger.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the finger insertion recess 2c is provided in the vicinity of the recess 2a on the edge of the substrate portion 2, and the finger hooking projection 3c protrudes in the finger insertion recess 2c. It is preferable to configure so as not to protrude within the outer shape of the substrate portion 2. In this way, it is possible to place a finger on the finger hooking protrusion 3c, and the risk that the inspection instrument or the like hits the finger hooking protrusion 3c and the lid portion 3 opens unexpectedly is reduced.

  When the lid 3 is opened and closed as described above, the lid 3 needs to have a certain degree of rigidity. However, in the present invention, the rib 3d protrudes on the back side of the lid 3 to obtain rigidity. Yes. For this reason, the rib 3d serves to reinforce the lid portion 3 and imparts rigidity. Therefore, even when the thickness of the lid portion 3 is reduced to about 0.1 to 0.3 mm, it bends when the lid portion 3 is opened and closed. There is nothing, and workability is good. In addition, since the lid can be made thinner, the objective lens of the microscope can be brought closer to the sample, and the reflected light from the sample is not blocked by the lid 3 with low transparency, so that the sample can be easily observed. become.

In the present invention, the shape of the rib 3d is not particularly limited as long as the lid 3 can be given rigidity and can be accommodated in the groove 2b. However, if the rib 3d is solid, when the preparation 1 of the present invention is produced by injection molding or the like, the resin flows into the rib 3d portion before the covering portion 3e, and from the rib 3d side toward the covering portion 3e. When the resin flows, the resin may merge near the center of the covering portion 3e, and a weld line may be formed at this portion. Since this weld line may interfere with sample observation, it is preferable that the weld line is not provided on the covering portion 3e, and the rib 3d has a U-shape or J-shape projecting inward from the surface side. Thus, the weld line can be eliminated (see FIG. 3).
That is, if the rib 3d is U-shaped or J-shaped, the resin does not easily flow to the rib 3d side, and first flows to the covering portion 3e side, and the resin flows from the covering portion 3e to the rib 3d. Can be prevented from joining in the covering portion 3e, and the generation of weld lines in the covering portion 3e can be suppressed.
The U-shaped or J-shaped rib 3d can be easily contracted and deformed in the width direction of the rib 3d when an external force is applied. Therefore, even if the dimensional accuracy of the rib 3d and the groove 2b is slightly worse (for example, the rib 3d The rib 3d can be suitably fitted into the groove 2b (even if the width is slightly larger than the width of the groove 2b). Accordingly, since it is not necessary to pay much attention to dimensional accuracy when preparing the preparation 1, it can be manufactured at a low cost and the yield is improved.

As shown in FIG. 3, a portion of the lid 3 that covers the concave portion (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a covering portion 3e) is surrounded by a peripheral portion 3f (around the covering portion 3e). It is preferable to form a lower portion. In this way, even if the preparations of the present invention are stacked or bundled and the preparations rub against each other, the surface portion of the lid portion will not be scratched, which may hinder the observation of the sample. In addition, the preparation can be easily stored and carried, and workability is improved.
The altitude difference between the covering portion 3e and the peripheral portion 3f is not particularly limited as long as the covering portion 3e is not scratched even when the preparations of the present invention are rubbed together, but the thickness of the substrate portion 2 is taken into consideration. And about 0.1 to 0.5 mm is preferable.

  In order to prevent the lid portion 3 from opening unexpectedly, it is preferable to provide a locking structure 4. Although a specific structure is not particularly limited, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the protrusion 4 a is provided from the tip of the finger hooking protrusion 3 c of the lid portion 3 toward the inside, and the finger insertion recess 2 c of the substrate portion 2. There is a structure in which the protrusions 4b are provided from the inside to the outside, and these protrusions 4a and 4b are engaged with each other. When the lid 3 is opened, the engagement between the protrusions 4a and 4b can be easily released by placing a finger on the finger hooking protrusion 3c and bending it slightly upward.

In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a groove 2b deeper than the recess 2a is provided around the recess 2a, and the rib 3d is inserted into the groove 2b. Yes. For this reason, the rib 3d does not get in the way when adjusting or observing the sample.
Further, if the depth of the groove 2b is made larger than the protruding height of the rib 3d, an extra sample that cannot enter the sample chamber 5 flows into the groove 2b, so that an extra sample leaks from the opening 3b for sample injection. Thus, the risk of contaminating the surface of the substrate portion 2 is reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to worry about the leakage of the sample, it is possible to prevent a trouble that the amount of the dropped sample is too small and a sufficient sample is not injected into the sample chamber 5.

  In the present invention, the groove portion 2b may be provided around the entire periphery of the concave portion 2a. However, as shown in FIG. 1, the groove portion 2b is omitted in the vicinity of the notch 3b serving as an opening for sample injection. Is preferred. In this way, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the sample flows into the groove 2b before the sample chamber 5 is filled with the sample, so that even when the amount of the dropped sample is small, the inspection can be performed without any problem. Further, it is possible to prevent a trouble that the sample flows into the entire groove 2b first and bubbles remain in the center.

Moreover, in order to prevent a sample from flowing into the groove part 2b first, as shown in FIG. 1, the wall part 2d can also be provided inside the groove part 2b. In this way, the sample dripped into the opening is blocked by the wall 2d, and after the recess 2a is filled with the sample first, the excess sample overflows into the groove 2b. Is further prevented from becoming insufficient or bubbles remaining in the sample in the concave portion 2a.
The wall 2d may be provided on the entire inside of the groove 2b. However, as shown in FIG. 1, a part of the side facing the side where the opening for dropping the sample is provided, preferably a recess. If the wall portion 2d is not provided at the corner portion of the portion 2a and the non-existing portion of the wall portion 2d is used as the air vent 2f, the trouble that air bubbles remain in the concave portion 2a is further effectively prevented.

By roughening the surface of the substrate portion 2 except for the concave portion 2, the concave portion 2 and other locations can be distinguished at a glance (not shown). Thereby, for example, it is possible to immediately determine whether or not the concave portion 2 is under the objective lens by simply looking into the microscope, and workability is improved.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, only a part of the surface of the substrate part 2 is roughened, and if necessary, a recording part 2f for writing and printing the name and number of the subject can be used. This can prevent troubles such as mistaking the subject.

In addition, when providing two or more recessed cavities 2a, you may attach | subject the identification symbol for distinguishing each recessed cavities 2a. The identification symbol that can be used is not limited to the alphabet, but may be anything such as hiragana, katakana, numbers, geometric patterns, etc., as long as they can distinguish the respective recessed portions 2a.
The place to which the identification symbol is attached is not particularly limited as long as each recessed portion 2a can be distinguished, and the identification symbol may be attached to the finger hooking projection 3c, or may be attached around each recessed portion 2a.
The method of attaching the identification symbol is not particularly limited, and for example, the identification symbol may be engraved on a mold for forming the preparation 1 of the present invention so that the identification symbol protrudes in a relief shape. An identification symbol may be printed after molding.

  The material of the liquid sample inspection preparation 1 in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is a transparent polymer material, and can be selected from ordinary optical transparent resins. Specific examples thereof include acrylic resins, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polymethylpentene and other polyolefins, cyclic polyolefins, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate and other polyester resins, polyamide resins, poly An arylate, a polyimide, etc. can be mentioned, Among these, an acrylic resin, a polycarbonate, and cyclic polyolefin are especially preferable.

  As described above, according to the preparation for liquid sample inspection of the present invention, a preparation can be prepared very easily not only when the viscosity of the liquid sample is low but also when the viscosity is high, and its usefulness is greatly increased.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Preparation for liquid sample inspection 2 Substrate part 2a Recessed part 2b Groove part 2c Finger insertion recessed part 2d Wall part 2e Air vent 2f Recording part 3 Lid part 3a Hinge part 3b Notch part (opening part for sample injection)
3c Finger hooking protrusion 3d Rib 3e Covering part 3f Peripheral part 3g Slope 4 Locking structure 4a, 4b Projection 5 Sample chamber 5a Tapered part

Claims (5)

It consists of a substrate part and a lid part,
The substrate portion is provided with a concave portion for accommodating a sample,
The lid portion is provided integrally with the substrate portion via a hinge portion, and can cover the concave portion.
The lid part is provided with a notch part that becomes an opening for sample injection when the concave part is covered with the lid part,
The depth of the concave portion is a depth at which capillary action occurs between the lower surface of the lid portion and the bottom surface of the concave portion, with the lid portion covered on the concave portion.
A groove portion deeper than the concave portion is provided around the concave portion, and a rib that fits into the groove portion is provided on the back side of the lid portion for liquid sample inspection. Preparation.   The preparation for liquid sample inspection according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the groove is larger than the protruding height of the rib.   The preparation for liquid sample inspection according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rib is U-shaped or J-shaped protruding inward from the surface side.   The preparation for a liquid sample inspection according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a portion of the lid that covers the concave portion is formed to be lower than a peripheral portion thereof.   In the state where the concave portion is covered with the lid portion, the notch portion and the notch portion so that the interval between the concave portion and the lid portion is tapered from the sample injection opening toward the central side of the concave portion. The preparation for liquid sample inspection according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the periphery of the concave portion is formed in a slope shape.

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