JP3557710B2 - Urine sampling device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Object of the invention]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to an apparatus for sampling urine excreted by an individual in a home, office, or other toilet in urine analysis. More specifically, the present invention relates to a urine sampling device capable of efficiently sampling urine in a toilet equipped with a commercially available standard flush toilet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With the aging of people's longevity, their interest in health care is increasing. Urine is an important source of information about an individual's health.Quantitative analysis of urinary sugar, urine protein, urobilinogen, occult blood, and other urine components provides a pancreatic disorder such as diabetes, liver damage, kidney damage, and other functions. Disorders can be examined in a non-invasive manner. Therefore, there has been proposed a toilet having a urine analysis function capable of sampling and analyzing urine using a toilet at home, at work, or other places, and supporting an individual's health check.
[0003]
For example, JP-A-59-217844, JP-A-63-184057, JP-A-63-290961, JP-A-1-178866, and JP-A-4-191660 disclose a urine collecting section on the bowl surface of a Western-style toilet bowl. It has been proposed that urine excreted on the bowl surface be collected in a urine collecting section and sampled. The collected urine sample is analyzed by a liquid chromatography method, a test strip method, or a polarographic method. The advantage of this sampling method using the urine collecting section on the bowl surface is that urine excreted on the bowl surface can be collected and collected from a fairly large area regardless of the urination direction and the drop position.
[0004]
However, a drawback of this sampling method is that a standard toilet or an existing toilet cannot be used, and a special toilet for urine sampling, which has a urine collecting portion formed on a bowl surface, is required. Such special toilets must be specially manufactured separately from the standard toilets, and thus it is difficult to reduce the cost by mass production, so that they are too expensive to spread to ordinary households, offices and offices. In addition, when modifying an existing toilet equipped with a normal bowl-shaped standard toilet so that urine analysis can be performed, the existing toilet must first be removed, and then a special toilet for urine analysis must be installed. This requires enormous cost and trouble in the construction, and causes the disposal of existing equipment. Further, after the toilet bowl is washed, washing water, old urine and excrement remain in the urine collecting section on the bowl surface, and new urine to be sampled is diluted or contaminated, so that there is a possibility that a good sample cannot be sampled.
[0005]
FIG. 4 of JP-A-62-187253 discloses a sampling device in which a swing arm supporting a waste collection container is swung in a bowl space of a toilet bowl to collect urine and other waste. Have been. The excrement collection container is dish-shaped and is always kept horizontal, which is convenient for collecting a sample. However, since the collection container is held horizontally, a considerable space is required in the front-back direction for storage. For this reason, a special storage space is formed at the rear of the bowl of the toilet bowl, which also serves as an inspection area. Therefore, this device also requires a special toilet having a storage area for storing the collection container in the rear part, so that there is an inconvenience that a standard toilet cannot be used.
[0006]
Another problem with Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-187253 is that swinging of the swing arm takes time when urine is sampled. That is, since the excrement collection container samples urine as well as urine, the excrement collection container swings forward from the storage area at the rear of the bowl. However, since urine generally falls forward from the center of the bowl, after the user presses the urine sampling start switch, the collection container is moved from the storage position at the rear of the bowl to a front position suitable for urine sampling. It takes time to move, and the waiting time for urine collection preparation increases.
[0007]
Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-30764 proposes a health diagnostic apparatus in which urine is sampled by a urine collecting mechanism attached to a toilet seat and sent to an analyzer for analysis. In order to receive urine excreted from a user seated on the toilet seat in the air in the bowl space and to sample the urine, one end of a swivel arm that can swivel around a vertical axis is attached to the lower surface of the toilet seat. At the end is a cylindrical, vertical urine collection cup. The rotation of the arm is performed manually or electrically. This health diagnostic apparatus has an advantage that a urine can be sampled using a standard toilet without the need for a special toilet.
[0008]
However, the problems with this device are that it is difficult to efficiently sample the excreted urine, and that the urine collection mechanism is not practical. That is, in general, there is a variation between the genders in the urination direction. In the case of a man, the urinary column relatively falls in front of the bowl, and in the case of a woman, the urinary column falls slightly behind the bowl. Further, there are individual differences in the urination direction, and the direction changes each time according to the posture of the subject when sitting on the toilet seat. As a result, the trajectory of the urinary column falling into the bowl space of the toilet shifts forward and backward and also shifts left and right. Therefore, in order to reliably sample excreted urine, the urine collection container must be made as large as possible. Otherwise, if the urinary column does not successfully hit the urine collection container, it will lose the opportunity for sampling. In particular, in the case of elderly people who need urine analysis, since the amount of urination per operation is small, it is necessary to use a large urine collection container to collect urine reliably.
[0009]
However, when urine is sampled using a standard toilet bowl, the toilet must be used for normal stool purposes. It is desirable to be able to store it in a place where it does not become difficult. Thus, on the other hand, there is a requirement that the urine collection container be sufficiently small. In the urine collecting mechanism disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-30764, it is difficult to satisfy these contradictory requirements because a cylindrical vertically long urine collecting cup is used.
[0010]
In the urine collecting mechanism disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-30764, since the urine collection cup is moved along an arc-shaped trajectory centered on the vertical rotation axis, the urine collection cup is moved along the central plane of the toilet bowl. I can't let it. Therefore, when the urine collection cup is turned to adjust to the displacement of the drop position of the urinary column in the front-back direction, the urine collection container is displaced in the left-right direction, and it is difficult to efficiently and reliably collect excreted urine. .
[0011]
Furthermore, it is desirable that urine collection in the toilet can be performed in a comfortable posture. Generally, when the subject sits on the toilet seat, a part of the buttocks slightly sinks below the toilet seat due to the weight. In the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-30764, since the swivel arm is mounted on the toilet seat and rotates about a vertical rotation axis, the swivel position of the urine collection cup is too high, and the urine collection container is swung. The urine collection container collides with the subject's buttocks (or penis in the case of men). Therefore, in practice, it will be difficult to avoid interference with the urine collection container unless the subject lifts her waist from the toilet seat and urinates. Further, since the position of the urine collection cup is too high, there is a problem that urine splashes on the buttocks and thighs of the user.
[0012]
After use, it is preferable that the urine collection container and the swing arm contaminated with urine be sufficiently washed. Otherwise, in the next sampling, the urine sample is contaminated with the previous urine, so that a good specimen cannot be collected and a highly accurate urine analysis cannot be performed. Also, if a urine collection container or a swing arm soiled with urine is left, it is dirty and causes odor.
[0013]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
A main object of the present invention is to provide a practical urine sampling device capable of effectively sampling urine in a toilet provided with a conventional standard flush toilet.
[0014]
Another object of the present invention is to use a standard urinal to sample urine, while using a urine collection container having a shape that can be easily stored when not in use, it is possible to reliably sample urine. It is to provide a urine sampling device.
[0015]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a urine sampling device that can be stored in a position hidden by the toilet seat when not in use and does not hinder normal use of the toilet.
[0016]
Another object of the present invention is to reliably and irrespective of variations in the longitudinal or lateral direction of the trajectory of the urinary column caused by gender differences and changes in sitting posture when sampling urine in a toilet equipped with a standard toilet. An object of the present invention is to provide a urine sampling device capable of easily collecting urine.
[0017]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a urine sampling device capable of reliably collecting urine regardless of gender differences and individual differences even when a subject urinates in a comfortable normal posture.
[0018]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a urine sampling device provided with a small and compact cleaning device for cleaning the urine collection container after use in order to keep the urine collection container clean.
[0019]
Configuration of the Invention
[Summary of Means and Action for Solving the Problems]
The features of the present invention are as described in the claims. In brief, the urine sampling apparatus of the present invention includes a swing arm, and one end of the swing arm is supported rotatably about a horizontal rotation axis positioned above a side portion of a rim of a toilet bowl. . A urine collection container is mounted on the other end of the swing arm, and the urine collection container is swung in the bowl space of the toilet bowl with the swing of the swing arm. The urine collection container of the present invention is characterized in that the container is formed in a substantially flat shape. The urine collection container is attached to the swing arm such that when the swing arm is swung by a driving means such as a motor, the swing arm swings between a substantially vertical posture and a substantially horizontal posture. Preferably, the inlet opening of the urine collection container is substantially perpendicular to the radial direction of the swing arm (the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis).
[0020]
As described above, since the urine collecting container is formed in a flat tray shape, the urine collecting container is horizontal when the swing arm is swung to the lowermost position, which is substantially vertical, in urine collection. In this state, the inlet opening of the urine collection container is also horizontal, so the inlet opening provides the largest urine receiving area for urine that falls slightly downward as in the case of women, and effectively collects urine be able to. Also, when the urine collection container is held horizontally, its content is maximized.
[0021]
When the swing arm is swung in an oblique position, the inlet opening of the urine collection container also assumes an oblique position. This posture is suitable for effectively receiving urine which falls obliquely forward as in the case of a male with a maximum urine receiving area.
[0022]
When not in use, when the swing arm is swung to a horizontal position, the urine collection container assumes a vertical position. In this position, the urine collection container has a small longitudinal dimension, so that the urine collection container can be easily stored in a narrow space in the front and rear as concealed by the toilet seat inside the rim of the toilet bowl. If the urine sampling device is stored in a place concealed by the toilet seat as described above, it does not hinder normal use of the toilet, and the urine sampling device is not contaminated during normal use of the toilet. When the urine collection container is positioned vertically, the contents such as excess urine and washing water are drained into the bowl.
[0023]
In a preferred embodiment, the urine collection container comprises a urine reservoir, a slanted front wall and a slanted bottom wall inclined toward the urine reservoir, and having a substantially rectangular inlet opening having a long axis extending transversely of the toilet bowl. . If a horizontally long urine collection container is used in this way, even if the trajectory of urine is slightly shifted left and right, the urinary column falls within the range of the horizontal length of the urine collection container, and urine is collected efficiently. be able to.
[0024]
In one embodiment, when not in use, the swingarm can be swung back to store the urine collection container in a storage room adjacent to the rear of the toilet rim. However, in a preferred embodiment, the urine collection container is stored in the storage room adjacent to the front of the rim of the toilet bowl by swinging the swing arm forward. Thus, when not in use, the urine collection container is stored in the storage room provided in the front part of the toilet, and when urine is sampled, the urine collection container is swung downward from the storage room toward the rear downward. The urine collection container can be brought to the urine collection position faster than when the urine container is swung from the rear of the toilet. Therefore, the waiting time for urine collection preparation from when the user presses the start switch to when urine collection can be started can be reduced. Further, if the urine collection container is accommodated in the front in this manner, a bidet device (crotch cleaning device) can be installed at the rear of the toilet, and the toilet can be made multifunctional.
[0025]
The storage room is curved and extended along the inner edge of the rim from the side of the rim to the front (or rear), and the swing arm is also curved along the inner edge of the rim. It is preferable to store it. Preferably, a cleaning unit such as a cleaning water injection nozzle directed toward the urine collection container is disposed in the storage chamber, and the urine collection container and the swing arm are cleaned after use by spraying the cleaning water.
[0026]
A drive means such as a swing arm and a motor for swinging the swing arm and a storage room can be mounted on the toilet seat. In another embodiment, they can be mounted on a frame that is removably mounted on the rim of the toilet bowl.
[0027]
The above features and effects of the present invention, as well as other features and advantages, will be apparent from the description of the following embodiments.
[0028]
【Example】
First, a first embodiment of the urine sampling device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows a urine analysis unit provided with the urine sampling device according to the first embodiment attached to a standard toilet bowl, and FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the housing of the urine analysis unit of FIG. .
[0029]
Referring to these drawings, the toilet 10 has a commercially available standard flush toilet 12, and the urine analysis unit 14 having the urine sampling device of the present invention is attached to the toilet 12. The toilet bowl 12 is of a vortex type, a siphon type, a siphon jet type, a wash-down type, or any other standard type, and has a normal bowl (toilet bowl) part 16 and a washing water supply part 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the flush water supply comprises a cistern mounting section 18 to which a conventional cistern 20 is mounted in a known manner, but with a flush pipe having a flush valve in place of the cistern. May be supplied with washing water.
[0030]
The urine analysis unit 14 has a housing 22 fixed to the toilet 12 as described later, and a toilet seat 24 is rotatably mounted on the housing 22. In the first embodiment shown, the urine sampling device 26 of the present invention is incorporated in the toilet seat 24. A conventional toilet lid 28 is also mounted on the housing 22 so as to be openable and closable. On the side wall of the toilet, a control unit 30 for controlling components of the urine analysis unit 14 including the urine sampling device 26 and outputting an analysis result can be provided.
[0031]
The housing 22 of the urine analysis unit 14 can be composed of a housing substrate 32, an upper casing 34, and left and right lower casings 36 and 38, for example, as shown in FIG. These components of the housing 22 can be manufactured by injection molding of a resin, and the housing 22 is formed by fastening together with screws or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the standard toilet bowl 12 has a pair of toilet seat mounting holes 40 between the bowl portion 16 and the washing water supply portion 18. The housing 22 is mounted. For this reason, the substrate 32 of the housing 22 is mounted on the lower surface of the substrate 32 by fitting the two T-bolts 42 into the lower surface of the substrate 32 as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-6291. Is fixed to the upper surface 46 of the toilet bowl 12 between the bowl portion 16 and the cistern mounting portion 18 by fastening the corresponding nut 44.
[0032]
As can be clearly seen from FIG. 2, the substrate 32 has a central portion extending transversely to the toilet bowl 12 and side portions extending forward from both ends of the central portion, and the upper casing 34 also corresponds to the substrate 32. Shape. Accordingly, the substrate 32, the upper casing 34, and the left and right lower casings 36 and 38 cooperate with each other to form a central portion 22C, a left side portion 22L, and a right side portion 22R (FIG. 1) of the housing.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 2, a measuring unit 48 for analyzing a urine sample sampled by the urine sampling device 26 and an electric syringe pump for transporting the urine sample and the carrier liquid to the measuring unit 48 are provided on the left side portion 22L of the housing. 50, a carrier liquid tank 52, and a calibration liquid tank 54 can be accommodated. As the measurement unit 48, a polarographic or absorptiometer type flow cell can be used. A finger sphygmomanometer unit 56 may be arranged on the left side portion 22L of the housing, and the blood pressure may be measured by engaging the finger sphygmomanometer unit with the left second finger of the subject. In the illustrated embodiment, a conventional bidet device 60 having a washing nozzle 58, a conventional hot air drying device 62, and a conventional deodorizing device 64 including an ozonizer are arranged in the housing central portion 22C. In addition, each function is provided when the toilet 10 provided with the urine analysis unit 14 is used for a normal purpose. However, these additional functions are not essential and can be omitted. The power supply device 66 of the unit 14 and the operation panel 68 of the bidet device can be housed in the right side portion 22R of the housing.
[0034]
Next, the urine sampling device 26 incorporated in the toilet seat 24 will be described with reference to FIGS. Referring to FIG. 3, the urine sampling device 26 includes a frame or case 70, and this frame is appropriately attached to the lower surface of the toilet seat 24 with screws or the like. The frame 70 is curved substantially along the contour of the toilet seat, and is generally hidden under the toilet seat when mounted on the toilet seat. A curved swing arm 72 is rotatably supported on the frame 70, and is swingable by an electric drive mechanism 74. 4, the upper end of the swing arm 72 is mounted on a spindle 76, which is pivotally supported on a frame 70 by a pair of bearings 78 and 80. The spindle 76 is driven by a stepping motor 82 via a belt transmission mechanism. For this purpose, a driven gear 84 is provided on the spindle 76, and a toothed belt 86 is engaged.
[0035]
As can be clearly seen in FIG. 3, the motor 82 is positioned substantially rearwardly away from the spindle 76 of the swing arm 72. As shown in FIG. 5, a recess 88 is formed on the lower surface of the toilet seat 24 to accommodate the upper portions of the motor 82 and the belt 86. As described above, since the motor 82 is stored using the recess 88 of the toilet seat 24, the frame 70 can be thinned, and therefore, the space between the upper surface 92 of the rim 90 of the toilet bowl 12 and the lower surface of the toilet seat 24 can be reduced. It becomes possible to arrange the frame 70 in the space of the vertical direction. In addition, since the motor 82 is disposed at the rear and the recess 88 is disposed at a place where the thickness of the rear portion of the toilet seat 24 is large, the size of the recess 88 can be increased. Motor can be used.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 6, the output shaft of the motor 82 is splined to a spindle 94, which is rotatably supported by a bearing block 96 fixed to the frame 70 via a pair of bearings 98 and 100. ing. A drive gear 102 is provided on the spindle 94, and a belt 86 is engaged. Therefore, when the motor 82 is rotated, the swing arm 72 is driven to rotate. In order to accurately position the swing arm, it is desirable to remove the slack of the belt 86. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, a slider 104 biased upward is disposed on the frame 70, and the slider 104 has a conventional tension pulley (see FIG. (Not shown for simplicity). The chamber accommodating the motor 82 and the belt transmission mechanism is hermetically sealed and waterproof by a packing 106 sandwiched between the frame 70 and the lower surface of the toilet seat 24.
[0037]
A urine collection container 110 is provided at the lower end 108 of the swing arm 72. 7, the lower end 108 of the swing arm 72 is offset stepwise rearward from the spindle 76, ie, a radial surface 72A passing through the rotation axis of the swing arm 72. The urine collection container 110 is positioned as rearwardly as possible at an extreme position where is rotated rearmost. The offset rearward allows the urine collection container to be adapted to the urinary column that falls relatively rearward, as in the case of a woman, while using a short swing arm.
[0038]
As can be clearly seen from FIG. 8, the urine collection container 110 has a shallow bottom shape having a substantially rectangular entrance opening 112 having a long axis extending transversely to the toilet bowl 12. Is formed. The urine collection container 110 is provided with an L-shaped urine collection tube 116 that opens toward the bottom of the urine reservoir 114. In order to detect the accumulation of urine in the urine reservoir 114, a pair of covered upper electrode 118 and lower electrode 120 are projected into the urine reservoir. It is possible to prevent inadvertent short-circuiting of these electrodes due to urine or residual water remaining on the side wall of the electrode mounting portion 122 or these electrodes due to surface tension or wetness of the electrodes, and prevent erroneous detection of urine accumulation. Therefore, these electrodes have only their tips exposed, and the remaining portions are covered with an insulating material, and one electrode 120 is short and the other electrode 118 is long. As described above, since an undesired short circuit is prevented, the electrodes can be arranged close to each other, the size of the urine reservoir 114 can be reduced, and the efficiency of suction by the urine collection tube 116 can be improved.
[0039]
In the illustrated embodiment, the urine collection container 110 includes an upstanding annular side wall 124, a bottom wall 126, a front wall 128 inclined rearward toward the bottom wall 126, and a right wall inclined leftward toward the bottom wall 126. It has a wall 130 and has a substantially flat shape as a whole. The rear right portion 124A of the annular side wall 124 is inclined forward as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 for the reason described later.
[0040]
The inlet opening 112 of the urine collection container 110 is covered with a wire mesh 132 made of stainless steel or the like, so as to prevent the urine that has fallen into the urine collection container 110 from being reflected and scattered or foreign substances from entering. I have. The L-shaped tube 116 is connected to a flexible tube 134 extending the hollow interior of the swing arm 72. The tube 134 extends through the hollow interior of the spindle 76, is guided backward from the window 136 of the spindle 76 as shown in FIG. 4, and is connected to the syringe pump 50. Similarly, urine sensing electrodes 118 and 120 are also connected to the swing arms and leads 138 and 140, respectively, which extend through the hollow interior of spindle 76. These leads are connected to the control circuit of the urine analysis unit 14.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 70 of the urine collection device 26 extends substantially along the contour of the toilet seat 24 from the rear left portion of the toilet seat to the front portion of the toilet seat. As can be clearly seen from FIGS. 3 and 9, a storage case 144 that forms a channel-shaped storage and cleaning chamber 142 that opens downward toward the bowl 16 is provided to store the urine collection container 110 and the swing arm 72 when not in use. It is. The storage case 144 can be formed integrally with the frame 70, for example. The storage case 144 extends from the side to the front of the rim 90 of the toilet bowl 12 in a curved manner along the contour of the rim 90, and is arranged inside the rim 90.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 3, the injection nozzle 146 is directed to the storage and cleaning chamber 142, and pressurized water is injected into the urine collection container 110 stored at the position shown by the solid line in FIG. And the swing arm 72 are cleaned. The injection nozzle 146 can be fixed to a mounting block 148 attached to the frame 70, and can be arranged at a position slightly higher than the vertical center of the urine collection container 110 stored in the storage cleaning chamber 142. Pressurized water can be supplied to the injection nozzle 146 from a hose 150 connected to a water pipe via an electromagnetic valve (not shown). The channel-shaped storage case 144 decreases in size rearward, and forms a drain gutter 152.
[0043]
When not in use, the urine collection container 110 is stored in the storage and cleaning chamber 142 as shown by the solid line in FIG. 9, and the toilet seat 24 can be rotated together with the urine sampling device 26 in this state. In the use position, the toilet seat 24 is supported by cushioned legs 154 (two of which are shown in FIG. 5 and the other two not shown are located on the underside of the frame 70) on the upper surface of the toilet rim 90. 92 supported.
[0044]
Since the urine collection container 110 is formed in a substantially flat shape, as shown in a solid line in FIG. can do. Therefore, by reducing the size of the storage and cleaning chamber 142 in the front-rear direction, the storage and cleaning chamber 142 can be concealed as much as possible under the toilet seat 24, and a toilet seat with a good appearance can be provided.
[0045]
In sampling and analyzing urine, when a subject sits on the toilet seat 24 and presses a start switch 30A provided in the control unit 30, the motor 82 rotates to rotate the swing arm 72. Generally, there is a gender difference in the urination direction. In the case of men, the urethra tends to fall relatively forward, and in the case of women, it tends to fall backward. Furthermore, there are individual differences in the urination direction. Therefore, when the user is a male, the swing arm is rotated in advance so that the urine collection container 110 is positioned near the position A indicated by the imaginary line in FIG. 9, and the position is changed according to the instruction of the user. Fine adjustments can be made.
[0046]
The user can urinate toward the urine collection container 110 when the urine collection container 110 is brought to an appropriate position. At or near the position A, the inlet opening of the urine collection container 110 is inclined forward, so that the urinary column that is fired forward from the penis and flies along a locus 156 that falls relatively forward of the bowl 16 is urine collected. It will intersect approximately perpendicularly with the inlet opening 112 of the container 110. Therefore, the urine collection container 110 can receive urine by making full use of the opening area.
[0047]
Since the urine collection container 110 has the horizontally elongated inlet opening 112, even if the urination direction is slightly shifted left and right, there is a high probability that the urinary column will fall within the range of the lateral spread of the inlet opening, and the urine can be efficiently collected. Can be.
[0048]
The urine droplets that have fallen on the inclined front wall 128 of the urine collection container flow toward the rear urine pool 114 and accumulate in the urine pool as shown by the hatched area in FIG. The urine sampled in this manner is sucked by the syringe pump 50 through the L-shaped urine collection tube 116 and the flexible tube 134, transported to the measurement unit 48 together with the carrier liquid in the carrier liquid tank 52, and subjected to quantitative analysis. Attached to
[0049]
The aspiration of the urine sample can be performed automatically when it is detected from the signals from the electrodes 118 and 120 that the urine has accumulated in the urine reservoir 114 up to the level of the upper electrode 118. Since the L-shaped urine collection tube 116 is open at the bottom of the urine reservoir 114, a urine sample is sucked without taking in air bubbles.
[0050]
The measurement unit 48 includes, for example, a polarographic flow cell having a glucose oxidase immobilized membrane, and outputs a signal corresponding to the glucose content in urine to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 calculates the glucose concentration based on the signal from the measurement unit 48, displays the calculated glucose concentration on the display unit 30B, and outputs the glucose concentration to the printer 30C in accordance with the subject's command.
[0051]
In the case of a woman, as shown by an arrow 158 in FIG. 9, the urinary column tends to fall substantially downward more rearward than in the case of a man. Therefore, when the user is a woman, the urine collection container 110 can be positioned substantially horizontally near the position B indicated by the virtual line. In this position, the inlet opening 112 of the urine collection container 110 assumes a substantially horizontal posture, so that the inlet opening is perpendicular to the urinary column which falls substantially downward. Therefore, urine excreted from a female subject is effectively collected. The inclined front wall 128 and right wall 130 direct the urine that has been poured into the urine collection container 110 to flow into the urine reservoir 114. The collected urine accumulates in the urine pool as shown by the hatched area in FIG. The urine collection container 110 may be moved to the extreme position C according to a command from the user.
[0052]
When the urine collection is completed, the urine collection container 110 is returned to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 9 by rotating the swing arm 72. Next, cleaning water is injected from the nozzle 146 by operating the solenoid valve. The jetted cleaning water forms a spray or a mist and cleans the outside of the urine collection container 110 and the surface of the swing arm 72 while traveling along the channel-shaped storage and cleaning chamber 142. Since the injection nozzle 146 is arranged higher than the center of the urine collection container 110, the washing water applied to the urine collection container 110 and the swing arm 72 is washed while flowing down. A part of the spray is reflected forward by the inner wall of the cleaning chamber 142, enters the inside of the urine collection container through the wire mesh 132 of the urine collection container 110 which is now in a vertical posture, and cleans the inside of the urine collection container. It is preferable that the wire mesh 132 is inclined slightly forward. Then, the washing water easily passes through the wire mesh 132.
[0053]
At the time of washing, the urine collecting container 110 is in a vertical posture, and thus the washing water that has entered the inside of the urine collecting container is quickly discharged. Since the storage and cleaning chamber 142 is open downward, the used cleaning water falls into the bowl 16.
[0054]
Since the rear right side portion 124A of the side wall 124 of the urine collection container is inclined forward, the washing water that has entered the inside of the urine collection container is guided by the side wall portion 124A to flow toward the urine collection tube 116 and the electrodes 118 and 120. Is effectively washed. Further, since the washing water is collected toward the urine collection tube 116, the inside of the urine collection tube 116 and the transfer tube 134 can be washed by sucking the washing water from the urine collection tube 116 by the syringe pump 50.
[0055]
In order to prevent foreign matter from entering, it is preferable that the mesh of the wire mesh 132 be as fine as possible, and it is necessary that the mesh be at least smaller than the inner diameter of the ureter 116. However, the finer the mesh, the more difficult it is to pass the spray of washing water. However, since there is the inclined side wall portion 124A, the limited amount of washing water that has entered the inside of the urine collection container can be used to the maximum. As shown in FIG. 8, if the notch 160 is provided on the peripheral wall 124 of the urine collection container 110 facing the nozzle 146, it is possible to facilitate the cleaning of the inside of the urine collection container.
[0056]
Since the urine sampling device 26 is attached to the toilet seat 24, the toilet seat 24 can be rotated together with the sampling attachment 26 during normal use or cleaning of the toilet. When the toilet seat is flipped up, residual drops of washing water are guided to the rear of the frame 70 by the drain gutter 152 and fall to the rear of the bowl.
[0057]
10 and 11 show a second embodiment of the urine sampling device according to the present invention. Components common to those of the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The main difference from the first embodiment is that the storage and cleaning chamber 142 is disposed inside the rear portion of the rim 90 of the toilet bowl 12, and the swing arm 72 is swung rearward when not in use.
[0058]
Also in this embodiment, the frame 70 of the sampling device 26 is mounted on the toilet seat 24. The storage case 144 forming the storage cleaning chamber 142 is curved and extends along the inner edge of the rim 90 from the side to the rear of the rim 90 of the toilet bowl, and is formed integrally with the frame 70 as in the first embodiment. I have. In order to rotate the urine collection container 110 from the storage washing chamber 142 at the rear part of the rim to the urine collection position A at the front part of the bowl, the swing arm 72 is made slightly longer, and its rotation axis is arranged above the substantially central part of the bowl 16. I have. Accordingly, the swing arm 72 can be directly connected to the motor 82. The mode of use and operation of this embodiment is basically the same as that of the above-described first embodiment except that the swing arm 72 is swung rearward.
[0059]
FIG. 12 shows a third embodiment of the urine sampling device of the present invention. Similarly, components common to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. This embodiment is characterized in that the urine analysis unit 14 is configured to be used by being hooked on a rim 90 of a toilet, and the urine sampling device 26 is mounted on the urine analysis unit 14.
[0060]
Referring to FIG. 12, the urine analysis unit 14 has a housing 180, which can be formed of two upper and lower halves that are snap-fitted to each other. The housing 180 is formed with a vertical lug 182 that acts as a hook so that the housing can be hooked to the side of the rim 90 of the toilet bowl.
[0061]
Inside the housing 180, a measurement unit (not shown) including a polarographic cell and the like as in the first embodiment, an electric syringe pump 50, a carrier liquid tank 52, a calibration liquid tank (not shown), a control arithmetic circuit ( (Not shown), and a solenoid valve (not shown) for controlling the supply of cleaning water for the urine collection container. The start switch 30A and the display unit 30B for displaying the analysis result can be provided on the upper surface of the housing 180.
[0062]
A swing arm 72 carrying the urine collection container 110 is pivotally supported on the upper part of the housing 180, and is swung by a motor (not shown) stored in the housing. The storage case 144 forming the storage cleaning chamber 142 can be formed integrally with the housing 180, and a part of the load is supported by the rim 90. In the illustrated embodiment, the storage case 144 extends from the side to the front of the rim 90 as in the first embodiment, and stores the urine collection container 110 inside the front of the rim 90 when not in use. It is configured as follows. However, as in the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the urine collection container 110 may be configured to be stored inside the rear portion of the rim 90.
[0063]
The mode of use and operation of the urine sampling device 26 according to the third embodiment is basically the same as that described above for the first embodiment. Since the urine analysis unit 14 is a self-contained unit, the urine analysis unit 14 can be attached to the toilet simply by connecting the washing water supply hose 150 to a water pipe. Can be stored.
[0064]
Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various design changes can be made. For example, the shape of the urine collection container 110 can be appropriately changed as long as the urine receiving area increases at the urine collection position and the dimension in the front-rear direction decreases at the storage position. Further, the shapes of the swing arm 72, the storage cleaning chamber 142, and the cleaning nozzle 146 can be changed, and the swing arm may be manually swung.
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
Various features and advantages of the invention have been described previously. The point here is that a substantially flat urine collection container 110 is used and is rotated integrally with the swing arm 72, so that the urine collection container 110 always provides the maximum urine receiving area with respect to the trajectory of the urinary column. I do. Therefore, urine can be collected reliably. When not in use, the urine collection container is held vertically with the swing of the swing arm, so that the urine collection container can be easily stored in the narrow storage and cleaning chamber 142.
[0066]
In the embodiment in which the storage and washing room is arranged near the front portion of the rim of the toilet, the urine collection container can be quickly swung to the urine collection position, so that the waiting time for urine collection preparation can be reduced.
[0067]
If the storage room and the swing arm are curved to the contour of the rim of the toilet bowl, the components of the urine sampling device are almost hidden under the toilet seat when not in use, so that the toilet is used for normal purposes. Easy to use in cases.
[0068]
In the case where a washing water injection device is provided in the storage and washing room to wash the urine collection container and the swing arm at once, the urine sampling device can be kept clean, and generation of offensive odor can be avoided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a urine analysis unit having a urine sampling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a toilet.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a housing of the urine analysis unit shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the urine sampling device shown in FIG. 1, in which a storage and cleaning chamber is partially cut away.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the toilet seat turned upside down.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a side view of the swing arm shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the urine collection container shown in FIG. 3 with a part cut away.
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 3;
FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a urine sampling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a urine analysis unit provided with a urine sampling device according to a third embodiment of the present invention attached to a toilet bowl.
[Explanation of symbols]
12: Standard toilet
16: Toilet bowl
24: toilet seat
26: Urine sampling device
70: Urine sampling frame
72: Swing arm
90: Toilet rim
110: Urine collection container
144: Storage and washing room

Claims (40)

A device for sampling urine excreted from an individual sitting on a toilet seat in a toilet with a standard toilet bowl, comprising:
A swing arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the swing arm is centered about a horizontal axis of rotation adjacent to and above the side of the rim of the toilet bowl; Support means for rotatably supporting the container, a relatively flat urine collection container carried on the second end of the swing arm, and a rest position near the front of the rim of the toilet bowl and located in the bowl space of the toilet bowl. Drive means for rotating the swing arm to move the urine collection container to and from the urine collection position, the urine collection container is held in a substantially vertical position in the rest position close to the front of the rim, A urine sampling device, wherein the urine sampling device is supported by the swing arm such that the swing arm is held in a substantially horizontal posture when the swing arm swings to its lowermost position. The urine sampling device according to claim 1, wherein the urine collection container has a substantially rectangular inlet opening having a long axis extending in a transverse direction of the toilet bowl. 3. The urine sampling device according to claim 2, wherein the inlet opening extends substantially perpendicular to a line perpendicular to the rotation axis of the swing arm. The urine sampling device according to claim 2, wherein the urine collection container includes a urine reservoir and a low peripheral side wall, and a part of the side wall is inclined toward the urine reservoir. The urine collection container includes a urine reservoir located at a rear portion thereof and an inclined front wall inclined toward the urine reservoir, and urine poured into the inclined front wall flows toward the urine reservoir. A urine sampling device based on any one of claims 1 to 4. The urine collection container includes a urine reservoir and an inclined bottom wall located on a side of the urine reservoir and inclined toward the urine reservoir, so that urine poured into the inclined bottom wall flows toward the urine reservoir. A urine sampling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A pair of electrodes for detecting that urine has accumulated in the urine pool is provided, at least one of the electrodes has only its tip exposed, and the exposed tip is separated from the side wall of the urine collection container. A urine sampling device according to any one of claims 4 to 6. The urine sampling device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second end of the swing arm is offset rearward with respect to the rotation axis of the swing arm, and supports the urine collection container with offset rearward. 9. The urine sampling device according to claim 1, wherein the urine collection container is held inside a rim in the rest position. 10. The urine sampling device according to claim 9, wherein the urine collection container is at least partially concealed in the rest position at the front of the toilet seat. The urine sampling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the support means comprises a frame mounted on a toilet seat, and the frame has a shape substantially concealed by the toilet seat. The driving means includes a motor disposed behind the rotation axis of the swing arm and a transmission mechanism for transmitting rotation of the motor to the swing arm, wherein the toilet seat includes a recess opened downward, The urine sampling device according to claim 11, wherein at least a part of a motor is housed in the recess of the toilet seat. 13. The urine sampling device according to claim 12, wherein the transmission mechanism has a belt transmission mechanism. The urine sampling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the support means comprises a frame detachably mounted on a rim of a toilet bowl. The urine sampling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a washing means for washing the urine collection container and the swing arm at the rest position. 16. The cleaning means according to claim 15, wherein the cleaning means comprises a cleaning water spray nozzle disposed on a side of the urine collection container at the rest position and directed toward the urine collection container, and an opening for receiving cleaning water is provided on a side wall of the urine collection container. Urine sampling device. The washing means comprises a washing water injection nozzle arranged on the side of the urine collection container at the rest position and directed toward the urine collection container, and the ejection nozzle is arranged at a position higher than the vertical center of the urine collection container at the rest position. A urine sampling device according to claim 15. The washing means comprises a washing water jet nozzle disposed on the side of the urine collection container at the rest position and directed toward the urine collection container, and an inlet opening of the urine collection container is covered by a net, and the net is a pause of the urine collection container. A urine sampling device according to claim 15, adapted to incline forward in position. A device for sampling urine excreted from an individual sitting on a toilet seat in a toilet with a standard toilet bowl, comprising:
A swing arm having a first end and a second end and curved in accordance with the shape of the rim of the toilet bowl; and the first end of the swing arm being adjacent to the side of the rim of the toilet bowl and having the side of the rim. A frame rotatably supported about a horizontal rotation axis positioned above, a relatively flat urine collection container carried on the second end of the swing arm, and a front of the side and the rim of the toilet rim. A storage member which is provided with a downwardly-opening groove-shaped storage chamber which extends in a curve corresponding to the shape of the rim of the toilet over an angular range between Driving means for rotating the swing arm to move the urine collection container between a storage position in the storage room and a urine collection position located in the bowl space of the toilet, wherein the urine collection container is in the storage position. Almost vertical figure in the storage room And the swing arm is held in a substantially horizontal position when the swing arm swings to its lowermost position, and the swing arm and the urine collection container are substantially stored in the storage chamber when not in use. Sampling device. 20. The urine sampling device according to claim 19, wherein the frame is mounted on a toilet seat, and the frame has a shape substantially concealed by the toilet seat. 20. The urine sampling device according to claim 19, wherein the frame is detachably mounted on a rim of a toilet bowl, and the frame is substantially hidden by the toilet seat when the toilet seat is in a horizontal position. Cleaning means for injecting cleaning water into the urine collection container and the swing arm when the urine collection container and the swing arm are stored in the storage chamber, wherein the used cleaning water falls into a bowl of a toilet bowl. A urine sampling device based on any of 19 to 21. A device for sampling urine excreted from an individual sitting on a toilet seat in a toilet with a standard toilet bowl, comprising:
A swing arm having a first end and a second end and curved in accordance with the shape of the rim of the toilet bowl; and the first end of the swing arm being adjacent to the side of the rim of the toilet bowl and having the side of the rim. A frame rotatably supported about a horizontal rotation axis positioned above, a relatively flat urine collection container carried on the second end of the swing arm, and a front of the side and the rim of the toilet rim. A storage member having a downwardly-opening groove-shaped storage and cleaning chamber which extends in a curve corresponding to the shape of the rim of the toilet over an angular range between the rim and the storage member which is held inside the rim in close proximity to the rim; Driving means for rotating the swing arm so as to move the urine collection container between a storage position located in the storage and washing room and a urine collection position located in the bowl space of the toilet, and the urine collection container and the swing arm Is stored in the storage and cleaning room. Cleaning means for injecting cleaning water into the urine collection container and the swing arm when the urine collection container is held. A urine sampling device which is held in a substantially horizontal posture when moved, and wherein the swing arm and the urine collection container are stored in the storage and cleaning room after use and are washed by washing water jetted from the washing means. . 24. The urine sampling device according to claim 23, wherein the storage and cleaning chamber is configured such that used cleaning water falls into a bowl of a toilet bowl. 25. The urine sampling device according to claim 24, further comprising means for dropping washing water remaining in the storage washing chamber into a bowl when the toilet seat is raised. A device for sampling urine excreted from an individual sitting on a toilet seat in a toilet with a standard toilet bowl, comprising:
A swing arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the swing arm is centered about a horizontal axis of rotation adjacent to and above the side of the rim of the toilet bowl; A support means rotatably supporting the urine collection container, a substantially flat tray-shaped urine collection container carried on the second end of the swing arm, and a rest position close to the front of the rim of the toilet and in the bowl space of the toilet. Driving means for rotating the swing arm to move the urine collection container between the urine collection container and the urine collection container, wherein the urine collection container is held in a substantially vertical posture at the rest position close to the front of the rim. A urine sampling device, wherein the urine sampling device is mounted on a swing arm. A device for sampling urine excreted from an individual sitting on a toilet seat in a toilet with a standard toilet bowl, comprising:
A swing arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the swing arm is centered about a horizontal axis of rotation adjacent to and above the side of the rim of the toilet bowl; A support means rotatably supporting the urine collection container, a substantially flat tray-shaped urine collection container carried on the second end of the swing arm, and a rest position close to the front of the rim of the toilet and in the bowl space of the toilet. Driving means for rotating the swing arm to move the urine collection container between the urine collection position located therein, and the urine collection container assumes a substantially horizontal posture when the swing arm swings to its lowermost position. A urine sampling device, which is mounted on a swing arm so as to be held. A device for sampling urine excreted from an individual sitting on a toilet seat in a toilet with a standard toilet bowl, comprising:
A swing arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the swing arm is centered about a horizontal axis of rotation adjacent to and above the side of the rim of the toilet bowl; A support means rotatably supporting the urine collection container, a substantially flat tray-shaped urine collection container carried on the second end of the swing arm, and a rest position close to the front of the rim of the toilet and in the bowl space of the toilet. Driving means for rotating the swing arm to move the urine collection container between the urine collection position and the urine collection container, wherein the urine collection container is held in a substantially horizontal posture when the swing arm swings substantially vertically. A urine sampling device, which is mounted on a swing arm as described above. A device for sampling urine excreted from an individual sitting on a toilet seat in a toilet with a standard toilet bowl, comprising:
A swing arm having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the swing arm is centered about a horizontal axis of rotation adjacent to and above the side of the rim of the toilet bowl; Support means rotatably supported as described above, a relatively flat urine collection container carried on the second end of the swing arm, and a urine collection located in a rest position near the rear of the rim of the toilet and in the bowl space of the toilet. Drive means for rotating the swing arm to move the urine collection container to and from the position, wherein the urine collection container is held in a substantially vertical position in the rest position close to the rear of the rim, The urine sampling device is supported by a swing arm such that the urine is held in a substantially horizontal posture when it swings to its lowermost position. A device for sampling urine excreted from an individual sitting on a toilet seat in a toilet with a standard toilet bowl, comprising:
A swing arm having a first end and a second end and curved in accordance with the shape of the rim of the toilet bowl; and the first end of the swing arm being adjacent to the side of the rim of the toilet bowl and having the side of the rim. A supporting means rotatably supported about a horizontal rotation axis positioned above, a relatively flat urine collection container carried on the second end of the swing arm, and a side rim and a rim of a toilet rim. A storage member that is provided with a downwardly-opening groove-shaped storage chamber that extends in a curve corresponding to the shape of the rim of the toilet over an angular range between the rear part and that is held close to and inside the rim; Driving means for rotating the swing arm to move the urine collection container between a storage position in the storage room and a urine collection position located in the bowl space of the toilet, wherein the urine collection container is in the storage position. Almost vertical figure in the storage room And the swing arm is held in a substantially horizontal position when the swing arm swings to its lowermost position, and the swing arm and the urine collection container are substantially stored in the storage chamber when not in use. Sampling device. A device for sampling urine excreted from an individual sitting on a toilet seat in a toilet with a standard toilet bowl, comprising:
A swing arm having a first end and a second end and curved in accordance with the shape of the rim of the toilet bowl; and the first end of the swing arm being adjacent to the side of the rim of the toilet bowl and having the side of the rim. A supporting means rotatably supported about a horizontal rotation axis positioned above, a relatively flat urine collection container carried on the second end of the swing arm, and a side rim and a rim of a toilet rim. A storage member having a downwardly-opening groove-shaped storage and cleaning chamber which extends in a curve corresponding to the shape of the rim of the toilet over an angle range between the rear and the rim, and is held inside the rim close to the rim; Driving means for rotating the swing arm so as to move the urine collection container between a storage position located in the storage and washing room and a urine collection position located in the bowl space of the toilet, and the urine collection container and the swing arm Is stored in the storage and cleaning room. Cleaning means for injecting cleaning water into the urine collection container and the swing arm when the urine collection container is held, the urine collection container is held in the storage cleaning chamber in a substantially vertical position in the storage position, and the swing arm is swung to its lowermost position. A urine sampling device which is held in a substantially horizontal posture when moved, and wherein the swing arm and the urine collection container are stored in the storage and cleaning room after use and are washed by washing water jetted from the washing means. . 32. A urine sampling device according to any of claims 29 to 31, wherein the urine collection container has a substantially rectangular inlet opening with a long axis extending transversely of the toilet bowl. 33. A urine sampling device according to claim 32, wherein the inlet opening extends substantially perpendicular to a line perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the swing arm. 33. The urine sampling device according to claim 32, wherein the urine collection container has a urine reservoir and a low peripheral side wall, and a part of the side wall is inclined toward the urine reservoir. The urine collection container includes a urine reservoir located at a rear portion thereof and an inclined front wall inclined toward the urine reservoir, so that urine poured into the inclined front wall flows toward the urine reservoir. A urine sampling device according to claim 32. The urine collection container includes a urine reservoir and an inclined bottom wall located on a side of the urine reservoir and inclined toward the urine reservoir, so that urine poured into the inclined bottom wall flows toward the urine reservoir. 33. The urine sampling device according to claim 32, wherein: The urine sampling device according to any one of claims 29 to 36, wherein the urine collection container is held inside the rim when not in use. 38. The urine sampling device according to claim 37, wherein the urine collection container is at least partially concealed behind the toilet seat when not in use. 39. A urine sampling apparatus according to any one of claims 29 to 38, wherein said support means comprises a frame mounted on a toilet seat, said frame having a shape substantially concealed by the toilet seat. A urine sampling device according to any one of claims 29 to 38, wherein said support means is removably mounted on a rim of a toilet bowl.

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