JP2020094828A - Sample collection instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sample collection instrument that can facilitate collection of a predetermined amount of sample.SOLUTION: A sample collection instrument 10 includes a rod-shaped shaft portion 300, a storage portion 304 provided at the tip of the shaft portion 300 for storing a sample, and a grip portion 301 provide at the base of the shaft portion 300. The storage portion 304 includes an opening 341 that opens to the end face of the tip in an axial direction of the shaft portion 300, a recess 344 that has depth in the axial direction from the opening 341, and a groove-shaped slit 343 that extends in the axial direction on the surface of the shaft portion 300 and connects the surface of the shaft portion 300 with the recess 344. The end face of the tip of the shaft portion 300 has a shape surrounding the opening 341.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to sampling devices.

A sample-collecting device is known as an example of a sample-collecting device that can collect a sample in an amount required for an inspection.
The sample-collecting device is a device that can easily collect a predetermined amount of sample necessary for inspection and the like, and has a stool collecting rod composed of a gripping part, a connecting part, and a stool collecting holding plate, and a tubular squeeze tube. The stool collection rod has at least two faces of the stool collection holding plates arranged facing each other with a space therebetween, and the sample to be collected is arranged between the stool collection holding plates. The tubular squeeze tube covers the two fecal sampling holding plates in a liquid-tight manner in a sealable manner.

JP, 2003-43030, A

Generally, in the inspection of a sample, the more accurate the amount of the sample used for the inspection is, the more accurate the inspection result tends to be obtained.
In this respect, the sample collecting device described in Patent Document 1 can hold a predetermined amount of sample between the fecal collection holding plates. However, the two stool collection holding plates may have different gaps between the facing surfaces when collecting a sample having a variety of viscosities and hardnesses, or the samples may fall out of the open surroundings. However, there is room for improvement in allowing a predetermined amount of the sample to be collected, because it is not easy to push the sample uniformly into the space.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sample collecting device that can easily collect a predetermined amount of sample.

Hereinafter, the means for achieving the above-mentioned object and the effects thereof will be described.
A sample collecting device for solving the above-mentioned problems includes a rod-shaped shaft portion, a storage portion which is provided at a tip end portion of the shaft portion and stores a sample, and a grip portion which is provided at a base end portion of the shaft portion. The accommodation portion includes an opening opening to an end surface of the tip portion in the axial direction of the shaft portion, a recess having a depth from the opening portion in the axial direction, and the recess on the surface of the shaft portion. An axially-extending, groove-shaped slit that communicates the surface of the shaft portion with the recess is provided, and the end surface of the tip portion of the shaft portion has a shape surrounding the opening. There is.

With such a configuration, it is possible to push and hold a sample having high viscosity and hardness in the recess, and to pull and hold a sample having low viscosity and hardness in the recess. At this time, the surface of the rod-shaped tip portion is divided into one or a plurality by the slit, and each divided portion has a surrounding shape such as a curved line or a polygonal line shape when viewed in the axial direction. Then, each portion having a curved shape or the like when viewed from the axial direction surrounds the concave portion into which the sample is inserted. As a result, the deformation of the concave portion due to the sample entering the concave portion is suppressed as compared with the configuration in which the sample enters the gap between the two flat plates. As a result, the amount of the sample stored in the storage unit is defined by the capacity of the storage unit. In addition, the amount of the sample collected in the container can be confirmed through the slit. Further, since the slit different from the opening serves as the exhaust port, it is easy to collect the sample from the small opening. This makes it easy to collect a predetermined amount of sample.

As a preferred configuration, the slit is extended with a length equal to or less than the length in the axial direction of the accommodating portion, and the width of the slit in the direction of orbiting the axial line on the surface of the axial portion has. The width is set so that the liquid sample can be sucked up to the position of the length of the slit in the axial direction.

With such a configuration, it is possible to collect a solid sample and a liquid sample in an amount defined by a capillary phenomenon.
As a preferable configuration, the recess includes a plurality of grooves extending in the axial direction on at least a part of an inner peripheral surface of the recess.

According to such a configuration, the axially extending groove increases the contact resistance between the inner peripheral surface of the recess and the sample collected in the storage portion therein, so that the sample is prevented from falling out of the storage portion. Therefore, the quantification of the collected sample can be further quantified.

As a preferred configuration, the storage unit further includes a storage unit that has an insertion hole through which the storage unit of the shaft unit is inserted, and stores the storage unit of the shaft unit that is inserted into the insertion hole in a sealed state. A tubular container having a bottom and a tubular member that is interposed between the tubular container and the shaft portion to ensure airtightness between the tubular container and the shaft portion, The member has a through hole through which the shaft portion penetrates in the axial direction, and the through hole includes an internal opening portion near the bottom portion of the tubular container and an external opening portion apart from the bottom portion of the tubular container. And the internal opening has an opening having a shape and size capable of ensuring airtightness between the internal opening and the shaft that has penetrated.

With such a configuration, the airtightness between the storage portion and the shaft portion is ensured by the tubular member arranged between the cylindrical container and the shaft portion. Further, when the shaft portion is inserted through the tubular member from the outer opening portion toward the inner opening portion and passes through the inner opening portion, the sample attached to the side surface of the shaft portion is removed by the inner opening portion. As a result, the sample to be placed inside the cylindrical container with the shaft portion is adjusted to a predetermined amount.

As a preferred configuration, the outer opening of the tubular member is larger than the inner opening.
With such a configuration, it becomes easy to insert the tip portion of the shaft portion into the external opening portion. Further, since the sample removed by the internal opening can be stored in the space formed between the tubular member and the shaft between the external opening and the internal opening, the excess sample is separated from the instrument. And the scattering can be suppressed, and the convenience of handling the sampling device after sampling is improved.

As a preferred configuration, the shaft portion has a lid portion near the tip portion of the grip portion, and the tubular member has the external opening portion sealed with the lid portion.
With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the sample stored between the shaft portion and the tubular member from flowing out.

As a preferred configuration, the slit of the accommodation portion is arranged in the internal space of the tubular container at the shaft portion that penetrates the tubular member.
According to such a configuration, since no gap is formed between the outer periphery of the shaft portion and the internal opening of the tubular member by the slit, the airtightness between the shaft portion and the tubular member is maintained high. Further, the sample accommodated in the accommodating portion is arranged in the internal space of the cylindrical container, and there is no risk of outflow, and a predetermined amount of sample can be arranged in the internal space of the cylindrical container.

As a preferred configuration, the opening of the tubular container has an opening of a shape and size capable of ensuring airtightness between the tubular member and the tubular member, and the shaft portion is inserted into the tubular member. As the inner opening is expanded, the outer periphery of the inner opening of the tubular member is pressed against the inner surface of the cylinder of the cylindrical container.

With such a configuration, airtightness is secured between the inside of the tubular container and the tubular member. Further, with the shaft portion being inserted into the tubular member, the sealing property between each of the shaft portion, the tubular member and the tubular container is further enhanced, and the shaft portion is supplied to the internal space of the tubular container. The sample is preferably kept airtight.

As a preferred configuration, the tubular container accommodates a plurality of beads in a manner capable of moving the internal space between the bottom portion and the accommodating portion of the shaft portion arranged in the internal space of the tubular container. ing.

According to such a configuration, since the plurality of beads are arranged in the inner space in a movable manner, the plurality of beads are vibrated to diffuse the sample arranged inside the cylindrical container, The sample can be ground for inspection.

As a preferred configuration, the tubular member has a flange-shaped fitting portion on the outer periphery near the external opening, and the fitting portion seals the opening of the tubular container.
According to such a configuration, the accommodating portion of the shaft portion is hermetically held in the internal space of the tubular container together with the predetermined amount of the sample due to the close contact between the opening portion of the tubular container and the fitting portion of the tubular member. Become.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily collect a predetermined amount of sample.

The front view which shows one Embodiment of a sampling device. Sectional drawing of a sampling tool. The front view of each component which comprises a sampling tool. Sectional drawing in the 4-4 cutting line of FIG. 3 of the cylindrical container which comprises a sampling tool. Sectional drawing in the 5-5 cutting line of FIG. 3 of the axial part which comprises a sampling tool. Sectional drawing in the 6-6 cutting line of FIG. 3 of the shaft part of a sampling tool. Sectional drawing in the 7-7 cutting line of FIG. 3 of the shaft part of a sampling tool. The figure which measured the quantitative property about an example of a storage part of a sample collection instrument. The figure which measured the quantitative property with respect to the volume about an example of the accommodation part of a sampling device.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a sampling device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. The sample collecting device is used to collect a predetermined amount of sample from animal stool.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the sampling device 10 includes a cylindrical container 100 having a bottom, a shaft portion 300 used for collecting stools, and the cylindrical container 100 and the shaft portion 300. And a tubular member 200 for ensuring airtightness between the tubular container 100 and the shaft portion 300 are combined. In the present embodiment, the tubular container 100, the tubular member 200, and the shaft portion 300 are combined, and the portions abutting each other have a circular cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the axial direction. The cylindrical container 100, the tubular member 200, and the shaft portion 300 are made of a resin material and are formed into a predetermined shape by resin molding.

As shown in FIG. 2, the tubular container 100 has a bottom 110 at one end 102 of the tubular container 100 and an opening 103 at the other end. The cylindrical container 100 has an internal space 106, which is a storage section defined by the inner peripheral surface 105 of the cylindrical body 101 and the bottom 110.

The tubular member 200 is inserted into the tubular container 100 through the opening 103 of the tubular container 100. In the tubular member 200, the opening 103 of the tubular container 100 is inserted into the flange-shaped fitting portion 202 protruding from the outer periphery. In the tubular member 200, the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body 201 faces the inner peripheral surface 105 of the tubular container 100. At least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body 201 is circumferentially abutted against the inner peripheral surface 105 of the tubular container 100 to seal between the inner peripheral surface 105 of the tubular container 100 and the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body 201. You can do it.

Further, the tubular member 200 has a through hole 204 as an insertion hole through which the shaft portion 300 is inserted. The through-hole 204 includes an internal opening 214 accommodated in the internal space 106 of the tubular container 100 in the axial direction and an external opening 231 projecting outward from the opening 103 of the tubular container 100. There is. The shaft portion 300 is inserted through the through hole 204.

The shaft portion 300 has a storage portion 304 that stores a sample at a tip portion that is one end portion in the axial direction of the shaft body 303, and a grip portion that is a knob for operation at a base end portion that is the other end portion. It has 301. The accommodating portion 304 of the shaft portion 300 is accommodated in the internal space 106 of the cylindrical container 100. The accommodating portion 304 is accommodated in the internal space 106 by penetrating the through hole 204 of the tubular member 200 from the external opening 231 toward the internal opening 214. The shaft portion 300 has a flange-shaped lid portion 302 projecting to the outer periphery of the shaft body 303, and the housing portion 304 is inserted into the through hole 204, so that the lid portion 302 is an external opening portion of the tubular member 200. It is inserted into the tubular member 200 so as to abut against 231.

Subsequently, each of the cylindrical container 100, the tubular member 200, and the shaft portion 300 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the tubular container 100 includes a fitting portion 120 and a flange 104 at a position near the opening 103 in the tubular body 101. The flange 104 projects outward from the outer circumference of the tubular body 101 in a circumferential shape. The fitting portion 120 is provided between the opening 103 and the flange 104. The fitting portion 120 is provided with a convex guide 121 for a screw that goes around the outer circumference of the cylindrical body 101.

In the cylindrical container 100, a bottom portion 110 is provided with a tapered surface 112 that is tapered from a boundary 111 provided on the inner peripheral surface 105 of the internal space 106, and a dish portion 113 at the tip of the tapered surface 112. The bottom portion 110 is configured such that the solid matter in the internal space 106 is accumulated in the dish portion 113 along the tapered surface 112.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tubular member 200 has a tubular shape with an outer diameter φ21. The outer diameter φ21 of the tubular member 200 is such a size that it can be inserted into the opening 103 of the tubular container 100, and is in contact with the inner peripheral surface 105 of the tubular container 100.

In the tubular member 200, an outer tubular portion 203, a fitting portion 202, a tubular body 201, and an inner tubular tip portion 211 are arranged in this order from the external opening 231 in the axial direction.
The outer cylinder portion 203 is provided with a concave guide 233 that is a concave portion that makes a round of the outer peripheral surface 230 at a position near the fitting portion 202 of the outer peripheral surface 230. The outer cylinder portion 203 is provided with the fitting portion 202 at the tip of a boundary 232 on the opposite side of the outer opening portion 231.

The fitting portion 202 has a maximum outer diameter of φ22, and the protruding portion 220 that covers the end surface of the opening 103 of the cylindrical container 100 from the inner circumference to the outer circumference and the outer circumference of the opening 103 of the cylindrical container 100 has a circular shape. And a peripheral frame portion 221 that covers the interior.

The peripheral frame portion 221 includes an inner surface 222 that faces the fitting portion 120 of the tubular container 100 substantially in parallel. The inner surface 222 is provided with a convex guide 223 for a screw that goes around the surface of the inner surface 222 around the axial direction. The convex guide 223 has a shape that can be screwed into the convex guide 121 of the fitting portion 120 that faces the convex guide 223. The length L26 of the inner surface 222 in the axial direction is equal to or shorter than the length from the opening 103 of the cylindrical container 100 to the flange 104 in the axial direction. Therefore, when the peripheral frame portion 221 of the fitting portion 202 is screwed into the fitting portion 120 of the tubular container 100, the overhanging portion 220 of the fitting portion 202 comes into close contact with the end portion of the opening 103 so that Airtightness and airtightness between the tubular container 100 and the tubular member 200 are ensured.

The peripheral frame portion 221 of the fitting portion 202 is provided with unevenness on the outer surface 224 for increasing contact resistance. Further, in the peripheral frame portion 221, the entire circumference of the outer surface 224 is inclined at a predetermined angle θ22 with respect to the axial direction. The angle θ22 has an inclination toward the axis toward the external opening 231. Therefore, in the peripheral frame portion 221, the maximum outer diameter φ22 of the outer surface 224 on the inner opening 214 side is larger than the outer diameter φ23 of the outer opening 231 side.

By the way, the plurality of sampling devices 10 include a centrifuge as one of the devices applied for analyzing the data. When the sample collecting tool 10 is attached to a device of a centrifuge, it is arranged such that the bottom portion 110 of the cylindrical container 100 is the outer circumference and the grip portion 301 of the shaft portion 300 is the inner circumference on the circumference. .. That is, when such an arrangement is performed at a high density, the plurality of sampling tools 10 are arranged so that the grips 301 are abutted. In the sampling devices 10 arranged at a high density, the fitting portion 202 having a large width in the device may interfere with the fitting portions 202 of the adjacent sampling devices 10. Therefore, the fitting portion 202 is tapered toward the grip portion 301, so that when the fitting portion 202 is circumferentially arranged, the possibility of interfering with the fitting portion 202 of the adjacent sample collection device 10 is reduced, The sample collection device 10 can be arranged at a high density. For example, if the inclination angle θ22 of the peripheral frame portion 221 is “6°”, the fitting portion 202 has “6°” on the right side and “6°” on the left side, and “12°” for both sides. Will have a slope of. For example, if a margin for ensuring a space of "1°" is provided on both the left and right sides, the fitting portion 202 has an inclination of "14°", and 24 to 25 sampling devices 10 on the circumference. Can be placed.

In the tubular member 200, the outer opening 231 and the inner opening 214 have the same outer diameter φ21. On the other hand, in the tubular member 200, the inner diameter φ25 of the inner opening 214 is smaller than the inner diameter φ27 of the outer opening 231. The through hole 204 has a first inner peripheral surface 205, a second inner peripheral surface 206, and a third inner peripheral surface 207 in order from the outer opening 231 to the inner opening 214.

The first inner peripheral surface 205 has an inner diameter equal to the inner diameter φ27 of the outer opening 231.
The third inner peripheral surface 207 has an inner diameter equal to the inner diameter φ25 of the inner opening 214.
The second inner peripheral surface 206 is an inner peripheral surface that connects the first inner peripheral surface 205 and the third inner peripheral surface 207, and reduces the diameter of the end portion 212 having the inner diameter φ27 of the first inner peripheral surface 205. The tapered surface is connected to the end portion 213 having the inner diameter φ25 of the third inner peripheral surface 207. The second inner peripheral surface 206 has an inclination angle θ21 with respect to the axial direction. The inclination angle θ21 is defined as an angle at which the shaft portion 300 can be preferably inserted through the through hole 204 of the tubular member 200. For example, the inclination angle θ21 is set such that the shaft 300 is guided to the internal opening 214 without being caught by the through hole 204 and the excess sample attached to the outer periphery of the shaft 300 is scraped off and held in the through hole 204. It is an angle that can be done. Therefore, the length L21 from the end 212 to the internal opening 214 with respect to the axial direction is determined by the inner diameter φ27, the inner diameter φ25, the inclination angle θ21, and the length of the third inner peripheral surface 207. The inclination angle θ21 is, for example, “65°” or less, preferably “45°” or less, more preferably “30°” or less and “5°” or more with respect to the axial direction.

The inner diameter φ25 of the internal opening 214 is large enough to ensure the airtightness by the outer peripheral surface of the shaft body 303 of the shaft portion 300 being in close contact. The internal opening 214 allows the sample accommodated in the accommodating portion 304 of the shaft body 303 to pass therethrough, but does not allow the excess sample protruding from the accommodating portion 304 to pass through, and allows the sample to be stored in the through hole 204 of the tubular member 200. In the tubular member 200, the space between the surface of the shaft portion 300 and the inner surface of the through hole 204, which is formed in the section L23 from the external opening 231 to the end 212, is a space for storing the excess sample. Secured as.

Further, in the tubular member 200, the internal opening 214 is slightly expanded in diameter by the pressure from the shaft main body 303 of the inserted shaft 300. Due to this diameter expansion, the airtightness and adhesion between the inner opening 214 and the inner peripheral surface 105 of the cylindrical container 100 are enhanced.

In this way, the airtightness between the shaft body 303 of the shaft portion 300 and the internal opening 214 of the tubular member 200 is ensured. Further, the airtightness between the internal opening 214 of the tubular member 200 and the inner peripheral surface 105 of the tubular container 100 is ensured. Therefore, the internal space 106 of the tubular container 100 is airtightly partitioned from the outside of the tubular container 100 in a state where the housing portion 304 of the shaft body 303 is housed.

Further, the opening 103 of the tubular container 100 is sealed by the fitting portion 202 of the tubular member 200, and the external opening 231 of the tubular member 200 is sealed by the lid 302 of the shaft 300. Thereby, the airtightness of the cylindrical container 100 is further enhanced.

Further, the through hole 204 of the tubular member 200 ensures airtightness with respect to the outside of the tubular container 100 and airtightness with respect to the internal space 106 of the tubular container 100.
Therefore, the sample placed in the internal space 106 of the tubular container 100 is kept in an isolated state with leakage from the internal space 106 suppressed. Further, the excess sample placed in the through hole 204 of the tubular member 200 is prevented from leaking to the outside of the tubular container 100 and is prevented from leaking to the internal space 106, and is kept in an isolated state.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the shaft portion 300 includes a grip portion 301 in order from a base end portion arranged outside the cylindrical container 100 to a tip end portion arranged inside the cylindrical container 100. A lid 302, a shaft body 303, and a housing 304 are provided.

The shaft body 303 is a resin cylinder and has a diameter of φ31.
As shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the grip portion 301 is formed in a flat shape on the base end side of the shaft body 303 in the axial direction. The grip portion 301 has a width L40 with one direction orthogonal to the axial direction as the width direction, and a thickness L44 in the thickness direction orthogonal to the width direction.

In the grip portion 301, in order to improve operability and grip performance, the thickness of the central portion 312 in the width direction is relatively thinner than the side portions 313 at the left and right ends in the width direction. That is, the central portion 312 is a concave portion having a width L41 extending in the axial direction, and the side portion 313 is a convex portion having a width L42 extending in the axial direction along the central portion 312. The width L40 is equal to “width L41+width L42×2”. Further, the central portion 312 has a thickness L43, the side portion 313 has a thickness L44, and has a relationship of “thickness L43<thickness L44”. The grip portion 301 has a central portion 312 extending in the axial direction to increase the contact resistance with respect to a grip piece or a human finger that is sandwiched for an operation, or to swing to the left and right in the axial direction during the operation. Is suppressed.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the lid portion 302 is provided between the grip portion 301 and the shaft body 303 in the axial direction, and protrudes circumferentially from the outer periphery of the shaft body 303. The lid portion 302 includes, in order from the shaft body 303, an enlarged diameter portion 324 in which the diameter of the shaft body 303 is enlarged, a projecting portion 326 that projects in a circumferential shape and covers an end surface of the external opening 231 of the tubular member 200, and a tubular member. A peripheral frame portion 322 that covers the outer periphery of the external opening 231 of 200 is provided.

The enlarged diameter portion 324 has a size that fits into the inner diameter φ27 of the outer opening 231 of the tubular member 200. The enlarged diameter portion 324 is a portion in which the diameter φ31 of the shaft body 303 is enlarged to a size inscribed with the inner diameter φ27 of the external opening 231. The enlarged diameter portion 324 is provided with a recessed portion 325 which is thinned out on the inner peripheral side. If the shaft main body 303 is thickened as it is, the enlarged diameter portion 324 becomes thick and the molding accuracy is lowered. Therefore, the resin unnecessary for the grip portion 301 and the enlarged diameter portion 324 is reduced by the concave portion 325, and the resin thickness is reduced. Has been thinned.

The overhanging portion 326 can be protruded outward from the enlarged diameter portion 324 and can be brought into contact with the end surface of the external opening 231 of the tubular member 200.
The peripheral frame portion 322 has a cylindrical shape and includes an inner surface 327 that faces a peripheral side surface of the tubular member 200 having the external opening 231. The peripheral frame portion 322 is provided with a convex guide 328 at the tip of the inner surface 327. The convex guide 328 has a shape that fits into the concave guide 233 of the outer cylinder part 203 that faces the convex guide 328, and can be fitted into the concave guide 233. The axial diameter L39 of the inner surface 327 is the same as or shorter than the length from the external opening 231 of the tubular member 200 to the fitting portion 202 in the axial direction. Therefore, when the lid 302 is fitted to the tubular member 200, the protruding guide 328 is fitted to the concave guide 233, and the overhanging portion 326 comes into contact with the end of the external opening 231 and the tubular member 200 and the shaft. The airtightness and the airtightness of the space between the shaft 300 and the shaft body 303 of the portion 300 are secured.

The outer diameter φ33 of the peripheral frame portion 322 is smaller than the maximum outer diameter φ22 of the fitting portion 202. The peripheral frame portion 322 has unevenness for preventing slippage on the outer peripheral surface, and has an inclination θ32 (see FIG. 3) so as to reduce the diameter in the axial direction toward the grip portion 301. For example, the inclination θ32 is about 3°.

As shown in FIG. 3, the housing portion 304 is a portion at the tip portion of the shaft portion 300 that can collect a sample and can house the collected sample. The accommodating portion 304 has a shape in which the shaft body 303 is extended. More specifically, the diameter of the accommodating portion 304 is reduced by an inclination θ33 toward the tip, and a recess 344 that forms a space is provided at the center along the axis, and the side surface of the accommodating portion 304 (the surface of the shaft portion 300). ), a slit 343 communicated with the recess 344 is extended in the axial direction. The inclination θ33 is, for example, “1°” and the diameter change in the axial direction is small, but when the shaft portion 300 is inserted into the tubular member 200, deterioration of operability such as catching can be suppressed. In addition, the slit 343 allows the amount of the sample collected in the container 304 to be confirmed. Further, since the slit 343 serves as a different exhaust port for the sample collection and the opening 341, it facilitates the sample collection from the opening 341.

The accommodating portion 304 is provided with an opening 341 on the tip surface 340 at the tip in the axial direction. The tip surface 340 has a diameter L35 smaller than the diameter φ31 with the shaft body 303, and the opening 341 has a diameter L39 smaller than the diameter L35. The accommodating portion 304 includes a recess 344 that is a hole having a depth from the opening 341 in the axial direction. The recess 344 has a slit depth L34 in the axial direction from the opening 341 to the tip side 330 of the shaft body 303. For example, the recess 344 has a volume of “circular area of diameter L39×slit depth L34”.

Further, the accommodating portion 304 is provided with a groove-shaped slit 343 which communicates with the recess 344 from the outer periphery at a slit depth L34 in the axial direction. In other words, the accommodating portion 304 includes a plurality of outer peripheral portions 342 that form a part of the outer periphery and are divided by the slit 343 in the circumferential direction.

When viewed from the axial direction, the outer peripheral portion 342 has a curved shape of an arc shape in which a part of the outer peripheral arc is the outer side and a part of the inner peripheral side surface of the recess 344 is the inner side. Each of the partitioned outer peripheral portions 342 has an arcuate surrounding shape when viewed in the axial direction. Therefore, each outer peripheral portion 342 having a curved shape when viewed from the axial direction surrounds the recess 344 in which the sample is inserted. Further, since the arc shape increases the strength of the outer peripheral portion 342, the strength of the housing portion 304 can be improved.

The outer peripheral portion 342 has a thickness L37 between the outer side and the inner side. The thickness L37 is set to be a thickness that can maintain rigidity during sampling. The two adjacent outer peripheral portions 342 are all partitioned by the slit 343 in the axial direction. The slit 343 has a predetermined slit width L36. For example, the slit 343 has a volume of “slit width L36×thickness L37×slit depth L34”.

In other words, in the accommodation portion 304, the recess 344 is surrounded by the plurality of outer peripheral portions 342 in the cross-sectional direction orthogonal to the axial direction. The recessed portion 344 is defined such that the periphery of the central space is surrounded by a plurality of outer peripheral portions 342 so as to be held and includes an edge portion extending toward the other outer peripheral portion 342, whereby the cross-sectional area is defined with high accuracy. It In the case of a solid sample, the plurality of outer peripheral parts 342 cut the sample into arcs and store them in the recess 344, so that the sample collection amount is set to a predetermined amount with high accuracy. Further, since the plurality of outer peripheral portions 342 arrange the sample on the inner periphery of the arc, the sample arranged in the recess 344 is preferably held. Since the slits 343 are formed between the adjacent side portions of the outer peripheral portion 342, the width of the slit 343 in the axial direction can be arbitrarily changed depending on the length of the outer peripheral portion 342 extending in the circumferential direction. Is easy.

The recess 344 includes a plurality of grooves 345 extending in the axial direction on the inner peripheral surface. The groove 345 is formed as a groove having a semicircular cross section at a depth L38 with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the recess 344. The groove 345 enhances the frictional resistance between the inner peripheral surface of the recess 344 and the sample and thereby enhances the sample holding force of the recess 344 so that the solid sample is preferably maintained. In addition, the groove 345 enhances the suction force of the sample on the inner peripheral surface of the recess 344 so that the liquid sample is appropriately maintained.

In the shaft body 303, a tip recess 331 is provided on the tip side 330 of the shaft body 303, which is the bottom surface of the recess 344. The tip recessed portion 331 is provided at a position where at least a part in the axial direction corresponds to the internal opening portion 214 of the tubular member 200 when the sampling device 10 is assembled. High dimensional accuracy is required to bring the diameter φ31 of the shaft body 303 into close contact with the internal opening 214. However, even if some error occurs in the direction in which the diameter φ31 becomes relatively large, the diameter φ31 is caused by the tip recess 331. Can be reduced in diameter. As a result, the airtightness between the shaft body 303 and the internal opening 214 can be maintained more preferably.

Further, the tip recess 331 has a depth L33 in the axial direction and a diameter φ32 in the cross-sectional direction. By forming a thin portion 332 that is thin in the shaft body 303, the tip recess 331 improves the accuracy of the diameter φ31 in the thin portion 332 corresponding to the tip recess 331. Since the shaft body 303 is formed of resin, the dimensional accuracy may decrease due to shrinkage during cooling and the like as the wall thickness increases. Therefore, by providing the thin-walled portion 332 that forms the tip recessed portion 331 to reduce the thickness, deterioration of dimensional accuracy is suppressed.

In addition, the tip recess 331 can finely adjust the sample collected in the container 304 according to its volume.
The conditions under which the container 304 can be filled with the sample will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 shows conditions of slits that can fill the concave portion 344 with a liquid sample. FIG. 9 shows a predetermined amount of sample that can be stored in the storage section 304 and whether or not a predetermined amount of liquid sample is stored. 8 and 9, the concave portion 344 of the housing portion 304 is an example when the diameter L39 is "3 mm".

FIG. 8 shows the slit depth when the slit width L36 is any of "0.5", "0.7", "1", "1.2", and "1.5" (unit: mm). When L34 is "5", "10", "20" and "30" (unit: mm), it shows whether or not the liquid sample is filled in the container 304.

First, as shown in the list 20 of FIG. 8, when the slit width L36 is “0.5”, the slit depth L34 is “5”, “10”, “20” and “30” in the accommodating portion 304. Then, the liquid sample is filled (OK judgment). Further, when the slit width L36 is "0.7", the container 304 is filled with the liquid sample with the slit depth L34 of "5", "10", and "20" (OK determination). , The slit depth is “30” and the liquid sample is not filled (NG judgment). In addition, when the slit width L36 is "1" or "1.2" and the slit depth L34 is "5" or "10", the container 304 is filled with the liquid sample (OK determination). , "20" and "30" do not fill the liquid sample (NG judgment). Further, when the slit width L36 is “1.5”, the container 304 is filled with a liquid sample with a slit depth L34 of “5” (OK determination), while “10” and “20”. And the liquid sample is not filled with "30" (NG judgment).

The graph 21 of FIG. 8 is a diagram created based on the list 20, and shows the maximum value of the slit width and the maximum value of the slit depth when the container 304 is filled with the liquid sample (OK determination). Was plotted to obtain a polygonal line G20. An approximated curve G21 is obtained for the polygonal line G20. By the way, it is considered that the liquid sample is filled in the container 304 due to the capillary phenomenon caused by the slit 343. Therefore, it is shown in the list 20 and the graph 21 of FIG. 8 that the smaller the width of the slit 343 is, the higher the position of the slit 343 where the slit depth L34 is increased becomes, so that the sample is filled in the container 304. ing. For example, the approximate curve G21 indicates that the slit width L36 and the slit depth L34 have an inversely proportional correlation. Based on the list 20, the relationship between the slit width L36 and the slit depth L34 is expressed by the equation (1).

Slit width = (-38.69 x slit depth ^3) + (135.714 x slit depth ^2) + (-170.68 x slit depth) +86.25 (1)
An approximate curve G21 of the graph 21 is a region (OK region) in which the lower left portion is filled with the sample in the container 304. In other words, the accommodating portion 304 can collect a sample with high volume accuracy for a predetermined amount of the accommodating portion 304 by combining the slit width L36 and the slit depth L34 so as to belong to the lower left of the approximate curve G21. it can. On the other hand, in the approximate curve G21 of the graph 21, the upper right portion is a region (NG region) where the container 304 is not filled with the sample. Therefore, when the combination of the slit width L36 and the slit depth L34 is in the NG region, the accommodating portion 304 has a lower accuracy in the amount of sample collected with respect to the predetermined amount in the accommodating portion 304. The approximate curve G21 has different curve slopes, X values, Y values, and the like depending on the type of sample, viscosity, and the like. For this reason, the approximate curve G21 is experimentally, theoretically, or empirically determined according to the type of sample, etc., so that the capacity of the container 304 is filled with the liquid sample. The slit width L36 and the slit depth L34 can be provided in the portion 304. For example, the slit width L36 of the slit 343 is such that the liquid sample is sucked up to the slit depth L34 (the length in the axial direction) of the slit 343 so that the sample is filled in the container 304 in the OK region. The width is set to allow.

In FIG. 9, the slit width L36 is any of "0.3", "0.5", "0.7", "1", "1.2", and "1.5" (unit: mm). When the slit depth L34 is "1", "5", "10", "15", "20", "25", and "30" (unit: mm), the accommodation section 304 is filled. The amount of liquid sample that can be produced is shown. In the list 30, a blank area is an area where the container 304 is filled with the liquid sample, and a knitted area is an area where the container 304 is not filled with the liquid sample. According to the list 30, a highly accurate range in which a liquid sample can be collected in the container 304 is defined by a white range. That is, it becomes possible to provide the accommodating portion 304 with the slit width L36 and the slit depth L34 suitable for the sampling amount.

According to the list 30, the accommodating portion 304 sets the maximum value of the sampling amount to "238.8" cubic millimeters when the slit width L36 is "0.3" and the slit depth L34 is "30". You can Further, in the housing portion 304, when the slit width L36 is "0.5" and the slit depth L34 is "25", the maximum value of the sampling amount can be "204" cubic millimeters. Further, the accommodating portion 304 can set the maximum value of the sampling amount to "167.2" cubic millimeters when the slit width L36 is "0.7" and the slit depth L34 is "20". Further, in the housing portion 304, when the slit width L36 is "1" and the slit depth L34 is "10", the maximum value of the sampling amount can be "86.6" cubic millimeters. Further, in the housing portion 304, when the slit width L36 is "1.2" and the slit depth L34 is "10", the maximum value of the sampling amount can be "88.6" cubic millimeters. Further, in the housing portion 304, when the slit width L36 is "1.5" and the slit depth L34 is "5", the maximum value of the sampling amount can be "45.8" cubic millimeters.

Lists 20 and 30 are examples of the results obtained when the sample is water at room temperature. Even if the sample is in a liquid state other than water, a relatively similar tendency to water is obtained as a result in the sample.

The effects of this embodiment will be described.
(1) It is possible to push and hold a sample having high viscosity and hardness in the recess 344, and to pull and hold a sample having low viscosity and hardness in the recess 344. At this time, the surface of the tip portion (tip surface 340) having a rod shape is divided into a plurality of portions by the slits 343, and each divided outer peripheral portion 342 has a surrounding shape such as an arc shape or a polygonal line shape when viewed from the axial direction. Have. Each outer peripheral portion 342 having a curved shape when viewed from the axial direction surrounds the recess 344 in which the sample is inserted. As a result, the deformation of the recess 344 due to the sample entering the recess 344 is suppressed as compared with the configuration in which the sample enters the gap between the two flat plates. As a result, the amount of sample collected in the internal space 106 is defined by the capacity of the container 304. Further, the amount of the sample collected in the container 304 can be confirmed through the slit 343. Further, since the slit 343 different from the opening 341 serves as an exhaust port, it is easy to collect a sample from the small opening 341. This facilitates the collection of a predetermined amount of sample.

(2) Since the width of the slit 343 is set to a width that allows the liquid sample to be sucked up to the position of the length of the slit 343 in the axial direction, the solid sample can be collected and the liquid sample can be collected. With respect to the sample in the shape of a tube, the amount specified by the capillary phenomenon can be collected.

(3) Since the contact resistance between the container 304 including the inner peripheral surface of the recess 344 and the sample collected therein is increased by the groove 345 that extends in the recess 344 in the axial direction, the sample of the sample from the container 304 is increased. The dropout is suppressed, and the quantification of the collected sample can be further quantified.

(4) Airtightness between the internal space 106 and the shaft portion 300 is ensured by the tubular member 200 arranged between the tubular container 100 and the shaft portion 300. Further, when the shaft portion 300 is inserted through the tubular member 200 from the outer opening portion 231 toward the inner opening portion 214 and passes through the inner opening portion 214, the sample attached to the side surface of the shaft portion 300 is removed at the inner opening portion 214. As a result, the sample to be placed inside the cylindrical container 100 by the shaft portion 300 is adjusted to a predetermined amount.

(5) It becomes easy to insert the tip of the shaft portion 300 into the external opening 231. In addition, since the excess sample removed by the internal opening 214 can be stored in the space formed between the tubular member 200 and the shaft 300 between the external opening 231 and the internal opening 214, the excess sample can be stored. The separation and scattering of the sample from the device can be suppressed, and the convenience of handling the sample collection device 10 after the sample is collected is improved.

(6) Since the lid 302 seals the external opening 231 of the tubular member 200, it is possible to prevent the sample stored between the shaft portion 300 and the tubular member 200 from flowing out.
(7) Since there is no gap formed by the slit 343 between the outer periphery of the shaft portion 300 and the internal opening portion 214 of the tubular member 200, the airtightness between the shaft portion 300 and the tubular member 200 is maintained high. Further, the sample accommodated in the accommodating section 304 is arranged in the internal space 106 of the cylindrical container 100, and there is no risk of outflow, and a predetermined amount of sample can be arranged in the internal space 106 of the cylindrical container 100. ..

(8) Airtightness is secured between the inside of the tubular container 100 and the tubular member 200. Further, as the shaft portion 300 is inserted into the tubular member 200, the hermeticity between the shaft portion 300, the tubular member 200, and the tubular container 100 is further enhanced, and the internal space of the tubular container 100 is increased. The sample supplied by the shaft portion 300 to 106 is preferably kept airtight.

(9) Due to the close contact between the opening portion 103 of the tubular container 100 and the fitting portion 202 of the tubular member 200, the housing portion 304 of the shaft portion 300 is hermetically held in the internal space 106 of the tubular container 100 together with a predetermined amount of sample. Become so.

This embodiment can be modified and implemented as follows. The present embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a technically consistent range.
In the above embodiment, the case where the tip concave portion 331 is provided in the shaft body 303 is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. If the diameter of the tip side 330 of the shaft body 303 is maintained, the tip concave portion is not provided. May be.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the groove 345 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the recess 344 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If the sample is held, the groove is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the recess. You don't have to. Alternatively, a convex portion extending in the axial direction may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion to enhance frictional resistance and suction force.

In the above embodiment, the case where the groove 345 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the recess 344 in the axial direction has been described as an example. The suction power may be increased.

The cylindrical container 100 may house a plurality of beads in a manner that the inner space 106 can be moved between the bottom 110 and the housing 304 of the shaft 300 arranged in the inner space 106. The beads disperse the sample contained in the container 304 or crush the sample when vibration is applied to the sample collecting tool 10. Therefore, a distance L11 (see FIG. 2) is provided between the front end surface 340 of the housing portion 304 and the bottom portion 110 of the tubular container 100 so that a required amount of beads can be arranged.

Accordingly, since the plurality of beads are arranged in the inner space 106 in a movable manner, the plurality of beads are vibrated to diffuse the sample arranged inside the cylindrical container 100 or inspect the sample. Can be crushed for.

The case where the slit 343 has a length from the tip end surface 340 to the tip end side 330 of the shaft body 303 is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the slit may be provided in a part between the tip surface and the tip side of the shaft body. Further, it may be provided at a plurality of locations on one straight line connecting the tip surface to the tip side of the shaft body. For example, in the case where the tip surface has a circular shape without slits, the sampling area of the solid sample can be defined by the circular size of the tip surface. As a result, the degree of freedom in arranging the slits in the accommodating portion in the shaft portion can be improved. In addition, the quantification of the collected amount can be improved, the sample can be prevented from falling off, and the strength of the container can be improved.

-In the said embodiment, although the case where the slit 343 was multiple was illustrated, it is not restricted to this, and one slit may be sufficient. Even if there is only one slit, the amount of the stored sample can be confirmed, and it also serves as an exhaust port at the time of sampling, so that it becomes easy to collect the sample in the storage section.

In the above embodiment, the case where the tubular container 100, the tubular member 200, and the shaft portion 300 are combined and the portions abutting each other have a circular cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the axial direction has been illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as long as they can be combined and brought into contact with each other, the contacting portions may have an elliptical cross section or a polygonal shape such as a rectangle having curved corners. Good.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the sample is animal stool has been exemplified, but the animal stool has a relatively low water content, a solid state, or a slightly soft but solid state. A mode in which a large amount of liquid is contained in the liquid may be a solid.

-In the said embodiment, although the case where a sample was a feces of an animal was illustrated, it is not restricted to this and a sample may be a feces of a person.
-In the said embodiment, although the case where a sample was feces was illustrated, it is not limited to this, A sample with which water and a solid were mixed, for example, food, plants, soil, etc. may be sufficient.

10... Sampling instrument, 20... Wrist, 21... Graph, 30... Wrist, 100... Cylindrical container, 101... Cylindrical body, 102... End, 103... Opening, 104... Flange, 105... Inner peripheral surface, 106 ...Internal space, 110...bottom part, 111...boundary, 112...tapered surface, 113...plate part, 120...fitting part, 121...convex guide, 200...tubular member, 201...tubular body, 202...fitting part, 203 Outer cylinder portion, 204... Through hole, 205... First inner peripheral surface, 206... Second inner peripheral surface, 207... Third inner peripheral surface, 211... Inner cylinder distal end portion, 212, 213... End portion, 214... Internal opening, 220... Overhanging portion, 221... Perimeter frame portion, 222... Inner surface, 223... Convex guide, 224... Outer surface, 230... Outer peripheral surface, 231... External opening, 232... Boundary, 233... Concave guide, 300... Shaft part, 301... Gripping part, 302... Lid part, 303... Shaft body, 304... Housing part, 312... Central part, 313... Side part, 322... Peripheral frame part, 324... Expanded diameter part, 325... Recessed portion 326... Overhang portion, 327... Inner surface, 328... Convex guide, 330... Tip side, 331... Tip recessed portion, 332... Thin portion, 340... Tip surface, 341... Opening portion, 342... Outer peripheral portion, 343... Slit 344... Recessed portion, 345... Groove.

Claims (10)

A rod-shaped shank,
An accommodating portion which is provided at the tip of the shaft portion and accommodates a sample,
A grip provided at the base end of the shaft,
The accommodating portion has an opening that opens in the end face of the tip portion in the axial direction of the shaft portion, a recess that has a depth from the opening in the axial direction, and the axial direction on the surface of the shaft portion. Extending, comprising a groove-shaped slit that communicates the surface of the shaft and the recess,
An end surface of the tip portion of the shaft portion has a shape surrounding the opening. The slit is extended with a length equal to or less than the length in the axial direction of the accommodating portion, and the width of the slit in the direction of orbiting the axial line on the surface of the axial portion has a liquid sample. The sampling device according to claim 1, wherein the width is set so that the slit can be sucked up to the position of the length of the slit in the axial direction. The sampling device according to claim 1, wherein the recess includes a plurality of grooves extending in the axial direction on at least a part of an inner peripheral surface of the recess. An accommodating portion having an insertion hole through which the accommodating portion of the shaft portion is inserted, the accommodating portion accommodating the accommodating portion of the shaft portion inserted in the insertion hole in a sealed state,
The storage portion includes a bottomed cylindrical container, and a tubular member that is interposed between the cylindrical container and the shaft portion to ensure airtightness between the cylindrical container and the shaft portion. ,
The tubular member has a through hole in which the shaft portion penetrates in the axial direction,
The through hole has an internal opening near the bottom of the tubular container, and an external opening distant from the bottom of the tubular container,
The sample collection according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the internal opening has an opening having a shape and a size capable of ensuring airtightness with the penetrating shaft portion. Instrument. The sampling device according to claim 4, wherein the outer opening of the tubular member is larger than the inner opening. The shaft portion has a lid portion near the tip of the grip portion,
The sampling device according to claim 5, wherein the tubular member has the outer opening sealed with the lid. The sampling device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the slit of the accommodating portion is arranged in the internal space of the cylindrical container in the shaft portion that penetrates the tubular member. The opening portion of the tubular container has an opening having a shape and size capable of ensuring airtightness with the tubular member, and the shaft portion is inserted into the tubular member so that the internal opening portion is The sampling device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the outer periphery of the internal opening of the tubular member is pressed against the inner surface of the cylinder of the cylindrical container by being expanded. The cylindrical container stores a plurality of beads in a manner that allows the internal space to move between the bottom part and the storage part of the shaft part arranged in the internal space of the cylindrical container. The sampling device according to any one of 4 to 8. The tubular member has a flange-shaped fitting portion on the outer periphery near the external opening,
The sampling device according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the fitting portion seals an opening of the cylindrical container.