JP2023077077A - Exhalation capturing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an exhalation capturing device excellent in handleability of a downsized suction plate and capable of properly capturing exhalation.SOLUTION: An exhalation capturing device according to the present invention includes: a main body 3 including a fluid channel 2 allowing exhalation to pass therethrough; and a holding body 4 that can be detachably attached to the main body 3, detachably holds a suction plate P having a gas adsorption surface and allows the suction plate P arranged in the fluid channel 2. The main body 3 includes an insertion port 3a which allows the holding body 4 to be inserted thereinto and be removed therefrom in a direction crossing the fluid channel 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a device for capturing exhaled breath of animals or humans.

Conventionally, a breath analysis method is known as one of cancer diagnostic methods. The breath analysis method diagnoses cancer by analyzing the amount of volatile substances called biomarkers contained in breath. Since the concentration of biomarkers in breath is low, we used an adsorption plate, which is a three-dimensional microstructure made by MEMS technology and coated with an adsorbent of volatile organic gas molecules, to increase the adsorption area. Techniques for increasing are known (for example, Patent Document 1, etc.). This adsorption plate is obtained by dry-etching one surface of a silicon substrate, by providing a large number of carbon nanotube bundles in an upright manner on a silicon substrate, or by making one surface into a plate-like shape with fine unevenness by means of a resin structure. Those configured and the like are known (for example, Non-Patent Document 1, etc.). By using such an adsorption plate, it is possible to concentrate a low-concentration gas on the order of ppb and analyze it with an analyzer such as a gas chromatograph capable of detecting only the order of ppm.

JP 2016-11929 A Sang-Sook Lee, “Investigation of Inexpensive Micro Preconcentrator for Early Diagnosis of Cancer Using Resin Structure”, [online], June 12, 2019, Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Research Results Report Book, [searched on August 31, 2021], Internet <URL: https://kaken.nii.ac.jp/ja/file/KAKENHI-PROJECT-16K04919/16K04919seika.pdf>

Although the above-mentioned conventional adsorption plate can be made smaller and has excellent adsorption performance, it is difficult to handle due to the miniaturization, and there is no means for appropriately capturing exhaled air.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an exhaled breath capture device that is excellent in handleability of a compact suction plate and capable of appropriately capturing exhaled breath.

To achieve the above object, an exhaled breath capture device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a main body having a flow path for passing exhaled breath, and an adsorption plate detachable from the main body and having a gas adsorption surface. and a holding body for holding the suction plate in the channel and for arranging the suction plate in the flow channel, and the main body comprises an insertion opening into which the holding body can be inserted and removed in a direction intersecting the flow channel.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the holding body includes a plurality of exchangeable holding bodies each having a different angle of intersection between the axis of the flow path and the held suction plate.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the holding body can be configured such that the angle of intersection between the axis of the flow path and the held suction plate can be changed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a positioning mechanism for fixing the orientation of the gas adsorption surface is further provided, and the positioning mechanism includes a key provided on one of the holder and the main body, and a key provided on one of the holder and the holder. and a plurality of key grooves provided on the other side of the main body with which the key engages, and by engaging the key with any of the plurality of key grooves, the , the crossing angle of the suction plates can be changed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the holder is mounted on the main body so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis that intersects the axis of the flow path, and is frictionally attached to the main body via a rubber O-ring. Any rotational angular position can be held by engagement, and the angle of intersection of the suction plate with respect to the axis of the channel can be changed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the holding body and the main body are provided with indicia indicating the rotational angular position of the holding body.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the holder holds the suction plate so that the suction plate obliquely intersects the axis of the flow path.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the main body has an insertion opening into which the holding body can be inserted and removed in a direction intersecting the flow path, and the holding body has a grip for holding the holding body. a support portion connected to the holding portion to support the suction plate in the channel; and a movable stopper detachably holding the suction plate supported by the support portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the movable stopper is slidably inserted into a guide hole provided in the gripping portion, and has a tip portion that engages with the suction plate.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the movable stopper includes an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion provided in the guide hole, and the engaged portion is configured such that the movable stopper is attached to the suction portion. An engaging position where the movable stopper engages with the plate and a non-engaging position where the movable stopper does not engage with the suction plate are provided.

According to the present invention, the suction plate is detachably held by the holder, and the holding portion holding the suction plate is detachably inserted into the insertion opening of the main body, thereby arranging the suction plate in the flow channel. Therefore, if the suction plate is held by the holder, by attaching the holder to the main body, the suction plate can be arranged in the flow path through which the exhaled air flows, and the exhaled air can be appropriately captured.

1 is a front view of one embodiment of a breath capture device according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the breath capture device of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 3; FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of a main body that is a component of the breath capture device of FIG. 1; Figure 6 is a plan view of the body of Figure 5; FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG. 6; 6 is a right side view of the main body of FIG. 5; FIG. 6 is a left side view of the main body of FIG. 5; FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a holder that is a component of the breath capture device of FIG. 1; 11 is a front view of the holding body of FIG. 10; FIG. 11 is a left side view of the holder of FIG. 10; FIG. FIG. 13 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 12; 2 is a plan view showing a movable stopper that is a component of the breath capture device of FIG. 1; FIG. 15 is a side view of the movable stopper of FIG. 14; FIG. 15 is a bottom view of the movable stopper of FIG. 14; FIG. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a modification of the holder of FIG. 10; FIG. 11 is a plan view showing another modification of the holder of FIG. 10; FIG. 10 is a graph showing analysis results of gas captured by a breath capture device according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 10 is a graph showing analysis results of gas captured by a breath capture device according to another embodiment of the invention; FIG. FIG. 5 is a graph showing analysis results of gases captured by a breath capture device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. Fig. 10 is a front view of another embodiment of a breath capture device according to the present invention; FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a modification of the main body of FIG. 6; FIG. 7 is a plan view showing still another modification of the main body of FIG. 6; FIG. 25 is a front view showing a holder attached to the main body of FIG. 24; FIG. 25 is a front view showing a breath capture device in which the holder of FIG. 25 is attached to the main body of FIG. 24; 27 is a plan view of the breath capture device of FIG. 26; FIG.

Embodiments of a breath capture device according to the present invention are described below with reference to FIGS. 1-14. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar components throughout all the drawings and all the examples.

As shown in FIG. 1, an exhaled breath capture device 1 detachably holds a main body 3 having a flow path 2 for passing exhaled breath and an adsorption plate P (see FIGS. 4 and 13) having a gas adsorption surface Ps. and a holding body 4 detachable from the main body 3 .

The adsorption plate P has a gas adsorption surface Ps. For example, one surface of a silicon substrate is dry-etched by MEMS technology to form a three-dimensional fine structure, and a large number of carbon nanotubes are provided vertically on a silicon substrate. A known material such as a material having a three-dimensional fine structure, or a resin structure having a plate shape with one surface having fine irregularities can be used. The gas adsorption surface is coated with an adsorbent for volatile organic gas molecules (porous polymer adsorbent TENAX-TA, etc.). As another adsorption plate P, a thin plate simply coated with an adsorbent can also be used. In this embodiment, a silicon substrate is etched using MEMS manufacturing technology, TENAX-TA, which is an adsorbent for volatile organic gases from exhaled breath, which is a biomarker, is applied to the etched surface, and the adsorbent is applied to the surface. A thin disc-shaped suction plate with a diameter of about 1 cm is used (see FIG. 4).

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the main body 3 has an insertion opening 3a into which the holder 4 can be inserted and removed in a direction (Z-axis direction) intersecting the axis X direction of the flow path 2. As shown in FIG. A key groove 3b1 into which a positioning key 4a (FIGS. 3 and 11) abutted against the outer peripheral surface of the holder 4 is fitted is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion opening 3a. By fitting the positioning key 4 a into the key groove 3 b 1 , the gas adsorption surface Ps of the adsorption plate P is arranged to face the direction in which the exhaled air flows through the flow path 2 .

10 to 16, the holder 4 includes a grip portion 4b for gripping the holder 4, a support portion 4c connected to the grip portion 4b and supporting the suction plate P, and a support portion 4c. and a movable stopper 4d for detachably fixing the suction plate P to.

The grip portion 4b is formed in a size and shape that can be held by pinching with fingers. Although the grasping portion 4b has a cylindrical shape in the illustrated example, it may have a prismatic shape or other shapes.

The support portion 4c has a groove shape in which a part of the peripheral portion of the suction plate P is fitted. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the support portions 4c are provided dispersedly at two locations in this example, but may be provided at only one location or dispersedly at three or more locations. The support portion 4c is not limited to a groove shape, and may be hook-shaped or other support shapes.

The movable stopper 4d is slidably inserted into a guide hole 4b1 provided in the grip portion 4b. The movable stopper 4d includes a locking portion 4d1 that locks onto locked portions 4b2 and 4b3 provided on the inner surface of the guide hole 4b1. 14 to 16, the locking portion 4d1 is formed by a protrusion provided on the flexible portion 4d2. The flexible portion 4d2 has flexibility by providing a slit 4d2 in the movable stopper 4d and making it thin. A protrusion forming the locking portion 4d1 is formed in a semispherical shape. The locked portions 4b2 and 4b3 are configured by recesses into which the locking portion 4d1 is fitted. When the movable stopper 4d is inserted into the guide hole 4b1, the flexible portion 4d2 is elastically deformed and bends toward the inside of the slit 4d2, and the projection forming the locking portion 4d1 moves to the position of the recess forming the locked portion 4b2 or 4b3. Then, the bent flexible portion 4d2 is elastically restored, the protrusion of the locking portion 4d1 fits into the concave portion of the locked portion 4b2 or 4b3, and the locking portion 4d1 is engaged with the locked portion 4b2 or 4b3. stop.

The tip of the movable stopper 4d is provided with an engaging portion 4e that engages with a part of the peripheral portion of the suction plate P. As shown in FIG. The engaging portion 4e can be configured by a stepped portion as shown in the drawing. A rear end portion 4f of the movable stopper 4d protrudes from a grip portion 4b of the holding body 4 so that it can be gripped by fingers and used for sliding operation of the movable stopper 4d.

The locked portion 4b2 is provided at an engagement position where the movable stopper 4d engages the suction plate P, and the locked portion 4b3 is provided at a non-engagement position where the movable stopper 4d does not engage with the suction plate P. ing. Since the suction plate P is thin and easily damaged, the locking portion 4d1 is locked to the locked portion 4b1 at an appropriate engagement position to prevent an excessive load from being applied to the suction plate. Damage can be prevented.

The suction plate P is held by the holder 4 by being sandwiched between the support portion 4c and the movable stopper 4d. The attachment and detachment of the adsorption plate P can be easily performed only by sliding the movable stopper 4d. The suction plate P can be gripped with tweezers or the like and set in the holding portion.

12 and 13, reference numeral 4j denotes a guide groove in which the movable stopper 4d is fitted, and reference numeral 4k denotes a concave portion for providing a space for the tips of tweezers for gripping the suction plate P to enter.

As described above, the adsorption plate P is detachably held by the holder 4, and the holding portion 4 holding the adsorption plate P is detachably inserted into the insertion opening 3a of the main body 3, whereby the adsorption plate P can be placed in the flow channel 2, if the suction plate P is held by the holder 4, the suction plate P can be placed in the flow channel 2 through which exhaled air flows by attaching the holder 4 to the main body 3. , the exhaled air can be appropriately captured, and attachment and replacement of the adsorption plate P, which is small and difficult to handle, can be easily performed.

The holding body 4 has a flange portion 4g between the grip portion 4b and the positioning key 4a. The flange portion 4g abuts on the peripheral edge of the insertion opening 3a of the main body 3. As shown in FIG. The flange portion 4g is positioned so that the holding portion 4b is arranged outside the main body 2 and the suction plate P is arranged at a predetermined position in the flow path 2 when the holder 4 is inserted into the insertion opening 3a. function as A rubber O-ring 4i (FIG. 3) is attached to the circumferential groove 4h of the holder 4, and is airtightly fitted into the insertion opening 3a.

When the retainer 4 is inserted into the body 3 , the channel 2 is partially obstructed by the retainer 4 but leaves an air gap through which exhaled air passes. Therefore, exhaled air that has flowed in from one side opening of the flow path 2 can flow out from the other side opening of the flow path 2 . Exhaled air contacts the adsorption plate P held by the holder 4 in the middle of the flow path 2, and the volatile organic gas in the expired air is adsorbed on the gas adsorption surface Ps.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the channel cross-sectional area of the channel 2 is wide at the position where the adsorption plate P is arranged and narrow at the outlet side of exhaled breath. By narrowing the outlet side of the channel 2, the exhaled air that has flowed into the channel 2 can be retained around the adsorption plate P.

One side (exhalation inlet side) of the flow path 2 is a first tube connection portion 2a into which a tube (not shown) such as an intubation tube can be inserted and connected. The other side of the flow path 2 is provided with a second tube connection portion 2b composed of a hose joint 3c, which can be used for connection of an anesthesia tube or the like. Exhaled air is sent from a subject (animal or human) through the intubation tube to the channel 2 of the exhaled breath capturing device 1, and the volatile organic gas in the exhaled air is adsorbed on the adsorption plate P held by the holder 4. Exhaled air entering from one side of channel 2 is expelled to the other side of channel 2 . After that, the holder 4 is removed from the main body 3, the movable stopper 4d is slid, and the suction plate P is removed from the support portion 4c of the holder 4. As shown in FIG. The removed adsorption plate P is heated to a high temperature (for example, 300° C.) by a heating device (not shown), and the adsorbed volatile organic gas is evaporated and subjected to component analysis by gas chromatography.

In the holder 4 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the intersection angle θ between the axis X of the channel 2 and the suction plate P is 90°. The crossing angle θ means the minimum value of the angle between the axis X and the suction plate P. As shown in FIG. On the other hand, the holder 4A shown in FIG. 17 holds the suction plate P so that the suction plate P obliquely intersects the axis X of the flow path 2 at an intersection angle of 75°. The holder 4B shown in FIG. 18 holds the suction plate P so that the suction plate P obliquely intersects the axis X of the flow path 2 at an intersection angle of 15°. The movable stopper 4d engages with the peripheral portion of the suction plate P so that the suction plate P fitted in the groove-shaped support portion 4c does not come off. The holding body 4 and the holding body 4A can be exchanged with each other and attached to the main body 3 .

19 to 21 show the results of gas chromatographic analysis of captured volatile organic gas molecules in exhaled breath by replacing the retainer 4, the retainer 4A, and the retainer 4B with each other. The graph of FIG. 19 shows the case where the intersection angle θ is 90°, the graph of FIG. 20 shows the case of the intersection angle of 75°, and the graph of FIG. 21 shows the case of the intersection angle of 15°. When the intersection angle is 90° (Fig. 19), the amount of captured volatile organic gas molecules is large, and when the intersection angle θ is 75° (Fig. In the case of ° (Fig. 21), both the captured amount of volatile organic gas molecules and captured species are small. This means that the amount of captured volatile organic gas molecules and the captured species differ depending on the direction in which the exhaled air hits the adsorption plate P. FIG.

The crossing angle θ can be appropriately set within the range of 5° to 90° depending on the amount and type of molecules to be analyzed.

As shown in FIG. 22, the main body 3 is provided with a plurality of insertion openings 3a (FIG. 6) so that a plurality of holders 4 and 4A having different crossing angles .theta. can be attached at the same time. Although FIG. 22 shows an example in which two holders are provided, it is also possible to attach three or more holders.

Figure 23 shows the body 3 of another embodiment of a breath capture device according to the invention. As shown in FIG. 23, the insertion opening 3a of the main body 3 is provided with a plurality of key grooves 3b1 and 3b2. Other configurations are the same as those of the breath capture device shown in FIGS. The key grooves 3b1 and 3b2 are formed at predetermined angular intervals. By engaging the key 4a (see FIGS. 3 and 11) of the holding body 4 with one of the plurality of key grooves 3b1 and 3b2, the axial line X of the flow path 2 is shown by a phantom line in FIG. , the intersection angle θ of the held suction plate P can be changed. According to such a configuration, there is no need to separately prepare the holders 4A having different crossing angles θ as described above. It is also possible to provide the keyway on the holder 4 and the key on the body 3 .

Figures 24-27 show yet another embodiment of a breath capture device according to the present invention. The breath capturing device 1 shown in FIGS. 24 to 27 does not have the keyway of the above embodiment in the insertion opening 3a of the main body 3 as shown in FIG. It does not have an embodiment key. The holder 4 and the main body 3 are provided with indicators 5m and 5n indicating the rotational angular position of the holder 4 . Other configurations are the same as those of the breath capture device 1 shown in FIGS. In the illustrated example, display 5m is a reference position mark, and display 5n is an angle scale. According to such a configuration, the holder 4 is attached to the main body 3 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis Y that intersects the axis X of the flow path 2 . Thereby, the intersection angle θ of the held suction plate P with respect to the axis X of the channel 2 can be changed. Further, the holder 4 can be held at any rotational angular position by frictionally engaging the main body 3 via the rubber O-ring 4i.

The present invention is not interpreted as being limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1 Breath capturing device 2 Flow path 3 Main body 3a Insertion openings 3b1, 3b2 Key grooves 4, 4A Holding body 4a Key 4b Grip portion 4b1 Guide hole 4b2 Locked portion 4b3 Locked portion 4c Support portion 4d Movable stopper 4d1 Locking Part 4i Rubber O-rings 5m, 5n Display P Adsorption plate Ps Gas adsorption surface X Axis θ Intersection angle

Claims (10)

a body comprising a passageway for passing exhaled air;
a holder that is detachable from the main body, detachably holds an adsorption plate having a gas adsorption surface, and arranges the adsorption plate in the flow path,
The breath capture device, wherein the main body has an insertion opening into which the holder can be inserted and removed in a direction intersecting with the flow path. 2. A breath capture device according to claim 1, wherein the retainer comprises a plurality of replaceable retainers each having a different angle of intersection between the axis of the channel and the adsorber plate to be retained. 2. The breath capture device according to claim 1, wherein the holding body is configured such that the angle of intersection between the axis of the flow path and the held suction plate can be changed. A positioning mechanism for fixing the direction of the gas adsorption surface is further provided, and the positioning mechanism includes a key provided on one of the holder and the main body, and a key provided on the other of the holder and the main body. a plurality of key grooves with which a key engages, and by engaging the key with any one of the plurality of key grooves, the crossing angle of the suction plate with respect to the axis of the flow path is changed. A breath capture device according to claim 3, enabled. The holding body is attached to the main body so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis that intersects the axis of the flow path, and is frictionally engaged with the main body via a rubber O-ring, so that the holding body can be rotated at an arbitrary rotational angle position. 4. The breath capture device according to claim 3, wherein the crossing angle of the suction plate with respect to the axis of the flow path can be changed. 6. A breath capture device according to claim 5, wherein the holder and the main body are provided with indicia indicating the rotational angular position of the holder. 2. The breath capture device according to claim 1, wherein the holder holds the suction plate so that the suction plate obliquely intersects the axis of the flow path. The holding body includes a gripping portion for gripping the holding body, a support portion connected to the gripping portion to support the suction plate in the channel, and the suction plate supported by the support portion. 2. The breath capture device of claim 1, comprising a movable stopper that detachably retains the . 9. The breath capture device according to claim 8, wherein said movable stopper is slidably inserted into a guide hole provided in said gripping portion, and has a tip portion that engages said suction plate. The movable stopper includes an engaging portion that engages with an engaged portion provided in the guide hole,
The engaged portion is provided at an engaging position where the movable stopper engages with the attraction plate and a non-engaging position where the movable stopper does not engage with the attraction plate. A breath capture device according to 8 or 9.

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