JP3624756B2 - Analysis equipment - Google Patents

Description

【０１０４】
【化２】

【０１０５】
また、過酸化水素電極は、尿酸やアスコルビン酸とも反応し、上記２つの式以外の出力を与え測定誤差の要因となる。それを避けるため、分子識別部と信号変換部の間に分子量の小さな過酸化水素のみを選択的に透過する選択透過膜を形成している。
【０１０６】
さて、図２０（ｂ）に示したように、尿サンプル中のグルコースの定量分析に際しては、ポテンショスタット１３０により、参照極１３３（Ａｇ／ＡｇＣｌ）に対する作用極１３５（Ｐｔ）の電位が正の一定値（たとえば、＋０．６Ｖ）になるように作用極１３５と対極１３７（Ａｇ）との間を流れる電流は過酸化水素の発生量に応じて変化する。したがって、作用極１３５と対極１３７との間を流れる電流を検出することにより、過酸化水素の発生量を検出し、これに基づいて尿サンプル中のグルコース濃度を演算することができる。作用極１３５と対極１３７との間を流れる電流は抵抗１３２によって電位差に変換され、電位差は増幅回路１３４によって増幅され、その出力端子１３６から出力される。出力端子１３６の出力は、コントローラ３６の入力処理回路に入力され、グルコース濃度の演算に利用される。
【０１０７】
一般的にはサンプル測定の前に既知濃度のグルコースを含む溶液すなわち校正液を測定し、グルコース濃度と電流値の変化量の比例定数を明らかにした上で測定を行う。
【０１０８】
緩衝液には参照極１３３の電位を安定化するとともに支持塩としても機能するＫＣｌやＮａＣｌ及びリン酸等の緩衝剤が溶解してある。緩衝液中に含まれるＣｌイオン濃度が高濃度であるほど、Ｃｌイオン濃度の変動に伴う参照極１３３の電位変動は小さくなるが、濃い塩溶液を用いることはコストアップにつながるのみならず乾燥時や低温時に塩が析出しやすくなるという欠点がある。
【０１０９】
そこで通常は数十ｍＭ程度のＫＣｌやＮａＣｌ及びリン酸等を添加した緩衝液が用いられてきた。しかし、尿中のＣｌイオン濃度は一定でない（例えば図２１のような正規分布を示す）ため、サンプルを充分に希釈して事実上参照極１３３に接触する溶液のＣｌイオン濃度が緩衝液のＣｌイオン濃度に等しくなるようにする必要があった。なぜならば希釈が充分でない場合、参照極１３３の電位が変動し、作用極１３５−対極１３７間に流れる電流が変動して、グルコースから生成された過酸化水素に基づく電流を正しく測定することができなくなるからである。
【０１１０】
従来のフロー方式で測定する場合には、緩衝液によるサンプルの希釈倍率を上げるために、サンプルの打ち込み量を少なくする方法やサンプル打ち込み部分から検出部までの配管を長くしたり送液速度を落としたりして希釈のための時間を稼ぐ方法が取られてきた。
【０１１１】
しかし、特に一般家庭のトイレ内に設置される尿検査装置においては、サンプルを正確かつ微少量分取することは困難であり、配管長を長くして希釈のための時間を稼ごうとすれば多量の緩衝液を浪費する上に測定に要する時間も長くなるという欠点も有している。
【０１１２】
そこで尿中に存在する平均的なＣｌイオン濃度に合わせたＫＣｌまたはＮａＣｌ及びリン酸等を添加した緩衝液および校正液を使用することで、尿サンプルを希釈するための緩衝液使用量と測定終了までの時間を節約しながら、正確な測定を可能としている。
【０１１３】
図２２（ａ）、（ｂ）前記したＣｌイオンと電流値の関係を示した測定データである。ＫＣｌ濃度５０ｍＭの緩衝液を用いて、大量のＣｌイオンを含んでいる尿中のグルコースを測定すると、尿サンプルが参照極１３３に到達した時に参照極１３３電位が急速に低下するため電流値の急激な減少が起こる。つづいて、尿中のグルコースから作用極１３５上に担持されたＧＯＤの作用により過酸化水素が生成され、発生した過酸化水素は作用極１３５上で酸化されて過酸化水素の酸化電流を生じる。これが図２２（ａ）に示される。これらの反応はほぼ同時におこるために尿中グルコース精度に対応した過酸化水素の酸化電流のみを正確には測定することができず、測定精度が悪化する。
【０１１４】
一方、ＫＣｌ濃度１７０ｍＭの緩衝液を用いた場合には参照極１３３電位の低下が微少であるため、過酸化水素の酸化電流のみを正確に測定することができる。これを図２２（ｂ）に示している。
【０１１５】
尿中のＣｌイオン濃度は食事内容や運動の状況によって変化するが、緩衝液に添加するＫＣｌ濃度は、尿中Ｃｌ濃度の平均値である１７０±８０ｍＭ（１σ）の範囲であることが望ましい。添加する塩はＫＣｌのほかにＮａＣｌ、さらにこれらを混合してもよい。さらに校正液にも緩衝液と同濃度の塩を添加することによって、測定精度をさらに向上させることができる。
【０１１６】
この方法はフロー方式だけでなく、バッチ方式の測定においても有効であり、電極活性物を生成する酵素を用いたアンペロメトリック方式のバイオセンサにも広く活用可能である。希釈倍率をそれほど上げなくても正確な測定が可能であり、配管長さや測定時間の短縮が図れるのである。
【０１１７】
次に、図２３を用いて、操作部について詳細に説明をする。
【０１１８】
操作部３８には、おとこスイッチ３８１、おんなスイッチ３８２、取り消しスイッチ３８３、記憶／呼出スイッチ３８４、Ａ〜Ｄスイッチ３８５、掃除モードスイッチ３８６、Ａ〜ＤのＬＥＤ３９６、現在時刻スイッチ３８７、節電時刻スイッチ３８８、調節スイッチ３８９、尿糖センサ交換ＬＥＤ３９４、準備中ＬＥＤ３９５等が設けられている。
【０１１９】
操作部３８の各種スイッチの表面には、図示しないがスイッチが特定できるように凹凸が設けられており、はっきりとスイッチが識別でき、格段に操作しやすいものとなるよう配慮されてある。スイッチの識別は凹凸だけでなく、着色された光をスイッチ個別に付設してもよい。またスイッチの大きさや形状を変えて使用者が特定できるようにすることも可能である。
【０１２０】
尚、本実施例では図示していないが、同様の理由から使用頻度の少ない各種の設定スイッチは、使用頻度の多い操作スイッチとは少し離して設置し、ふたで覆うなどしてもよく、この場合は使用者がたくさんのスイッチに戸惑うことがない。
【０１２１】
蛍光表示管３９１は、数字、英字、記号等から成る最大４桁の文字列を表示する文字表示部３９１ａ及び日時を表示する日時表示部３９１ｂを備えている。文字表示部３９１ａの下３桁は、図２３に示したように、それぞれ７つの発光セグメントから成り、０から９までの数字の他、英字“Ｅ”や記号“−”（ハイフン）等を表示することができる。また、最上位の１桁は２つの発光セグメントから成り、数字“１”を表示することができる。数字は０から９までの発光セグメントとすることがより望ましい。また、日時表示部３９１ｂにも上記のような発光セグメントが用いられている。日時表示部３９１ｂには、通常は現在日時（月、日、時、分）が表示されるが、現在時刻スイッチ３８７又は節電時刻スイッチ３８８が押された時には時刻設定モードとなる。時刻設定モード時に調節スイッチ３８９を操作すると、日時表示がそれに応じて変化する。また、機器の異常（エラー）が発生した場合には異常を示す英字“Ｅ”とその番号が示されることになる。
【０１２２】
また、本実施例では比較的低コストでなお且つはっきりと明るく見易いということから蛍光表示管を用いているが、もちろん、カラー液晶などを設けてもよく表示バリエーションを増やすこともできる。（図示しない）表示する内容についても前記した内容に限られるものではない。
【０１２３】
この他に操作方法の説明表示、現在の動作状態、測定データ、各個人のこれまでのデータの推移や健康管理の指示を表示するものであれば、使用者にとって非常に好ましいものとなる。操作方法の説明表示をすれば、初めて使用する使用者や高齢者にもわかりやすく安心して使用できる。また誤操作によって故障が発生したり誤データを提供することもない。
【０１２４】
病院などで検査する場合と異なり、本発明の尿検査装置はトイレ内にて一人で使用することを主使用としているため、前述したように操作方法を表示したり、あるいは現在の動作状態を表示すれば、検査機が何をしているかが使用者にわかるため、データ収集中など、待ち時間に使用者が不安になるようなこともない。表示するデータについても、ただ今回の測定データを表示するのみならず、これまでのデータの推移やデータについての簡単なコメントや健康管理のアドバイスを、文字だけでなく、図やグラフや人物などの画像を駆使することができ、使用者は検査という暗いイメージを払拭し、楽しく健康管理ができることになる。
【０１２５】
カラー液晶であればこれらのさまざまな情報を使用者に伝えることができるし、さらに操作部３８と表示部３９を一体化したタッチパネルを採用することで、操作部のスイッチも不要になり、このスペースを表示部３９に活用すれば、表示部３９の大画面化が図れ、きわめて操作しやすいものとなる。
【０１２６】
既に述べたが、操作部３８と表示部３９は本実施例の図には示していないが特に検査ユニットに固定して設置する必要はなく、充電部や電源部を備えて着脱可能としてもよいし、赤外光通信手段を備えたリモコンとしてもよい。
【０１２７】
なお、蛍光表示管３９１に用いられている発光セグメントは、長期間使用されると、各々の使用頻度に応じて輝度や点灯速度にばらつきが生じてくる。このような特性上のばらつきをできるだけ小さくするため、例えば、全ての発光セグメントを一斉に所定時間（例えば数秒間）点灯する、といった動作を定期的に行うこともできる。液晶の場合も劣化を防ぐためにスクリーンセーバーを用いても良い。
【０１２８】
Ａ〜Ｄスイッチ３８５の近くに配置されたＡ〜ＤのＬＥＤ３９６に対しては、次のような記憶判定および処理が行われる。すなわち、測定結果を記憶させる場合には、表示部３９に「測定結果表示中（後述する図２６のステップＳ４２６以降）」に、Ａ〜Ｄスイッチ３８５を押したとき、押されたスイッチのＡ〜Ｄ ＬＥＤ３９６が点灯し、記憶／呼出スイッチ３８４を押すことで、測定結果を記憶する。また、採尿時の採尿アーム３２の位置も合わせて記憶することができる。
【０１２９】
記憶を確定する前に先に押したＡ〜Ｄスイッチ３８５と異なるＡ〜Ｄスイッチ３８５を押すことで、改めて測定結果を記憶することができる。なお、取り消しスイッチ３８３を押すか、所定時間（たとえば５分）経過すると消える。
【０１３０】
既に記憶した測定結果を呼び出す場合には、待機中（後述する図２４のステップＳ６５０の次回の測定準備終了後）、又は準備中ＬＥＤ３９５が点滅中に、記憶／呼出スイッチ３８４を押すと、Ａ〜Ｄ ＬＥＤ３９６は全て点滅する。点滅しているＡ〜Ｄ ＬＥＤ３９６の近くに配置されたＡ〜Ｄスイッチ３８５のいずれかを押すと、押されたスイッチに記憶された最新のデータおよびデータを記憶した時刻（以下データ等という）を表示し、押されたスイッチのＬＥＤは点灯、押されたスイッチ以外のＬＥＤは消灯する。調節スイッチ３８９でデータをスクロールさせることができる。
【０１３１】
記憶したデータを呼び出し中に、先に押したＡ〜Ｄスイッチ３８５と異なるＡ〜Ｄスイッチ３８５を押すと、改めて押されたスイッチに記憶しているデータ等を表示する。この際、押されたスイッチのＬＥＤは点灯し、先に点灯していたＬＥＤは消灯する。
【０１３２】
なお、結果表示は、取り消しスイッチ３８３を押すもしくは、所定時間（たとえば５分）経過すると消える。
【０１３３】
記憶したデータ等を消去するには、記憶／呼出スイッチ３８４を押し、次に、Ａ〜Ｄのいずれかのスイッチ３８５を押す。調節スイッチ３８９によってデータをスクロールさせ、記憶／呼出スイッチ３８４を連続して３秒以上押せばよい。なお、結果表示は、取り消しスイッチ３８３を押すもしくは、所定時間（たとえば５分）経過すると消える。
【０１３４】
例えば、上記操作にて、データ及び採尿アーム３２の位置をＡ〜Ｄスイッチ３８５に記憶させた場合、次回測定時におとこスイッチ３８１，おんなスイッチ３８２を押すかわりに、Ａ〜Ｄスイッチ３８５を押すことで、Ａ〜Ｄスイッチ３８５に記憶されている位置に採尿アーム３２を伸出させて、測定後の結果を自動的に押したＡ〜Ｄスイッチ３８５に記憶するようにすると、操作が簡素化でき、且つ結果表示までその場に待っている必要もない（以下、おとこスイッチ３８１，おんなスイッチ３８２及び上述した記憶操作を行った後のＡ〜Ｄスイッチ３８５を「測定ＳＷ」とする）。
【０１３５】
次に、こうして構成された尿検査装置１０の動作、すなわち、尿検査装置１０のコントローラ３６により実行されるプログラム尿糖検査処理について図２４を参照しつつ説明する。
【０１３６】
電源プラグもしくは漏電保護プラグ（図１０参照）をコンセントに差し込み、電源が投入された時は図１８のようなフローをたどる。イニシャル動作（ステップＳ１００）の後で現在時刻セット判断（ステップＳ１１０）により、ポンプ１６への呼び水動作（ステップＳ１２０）への移行を判断し、各モータ（ロータリーバルブ駆動モータ２０、シリンジ駆動モータ２２、採尿アーム駆動モータ２３）の位置出しを行い（ステップＳ１５０）、配管充填（ステップＳ２００）する。そして校正液を吸引（ステップＳ３５０）してこれを測定（ステップＳ４００）する。この際、センサ出力をＣＰＵ３６２に取り込みＧａｉｎ（センサ出力の増幅度）を設定する。その後採尿アーム３２及びシリンジ１８内の洗浄（ステップＳ４５０）を行う。洗浄後に空引き（ステップＳ５００）して洗浄水を排出した後で排出管１８６の充填（ステップＳ５５０）とセンサ管充填（ステップＳ６００）を行って次回測定準備（ステップＳ６５０）が完了し、待機状態となる。
【０１３７】
測定ＳＷがオンとなり測定が開始されると、校正・測定判断（ステップＳ７００）にて「測定」と判定され、尿測定（ステップＳ７５０）を行った後に、校正液吸引（ステップＳ３５０）を行い、校正液測定（ステップＳ４００）を行う。その後は洗浄（ステップＳ４５０）、空引き（ステップＳ５００）、排出管充填（ステップＳ５５０）、センサー管充填（ステップＳ６００）を順次行い、次回測定準備（ステップＳ６５０）へ移行する。
【０１３８】
次に、上述する各ステップについて詳細に説明する。
【０１３９】
ステップＳ１００でのイニシャル動作とは、具体的には、図２５のフローチャートに示す要領で進行する。ＲＡＭ３６６をチェックしこれをクリアする（ステップＳ１０２）。表示部３９の蛍光表示管と全ＬＥＤを一定時間（例えば２秒）点灯（ステップＳ１０４）した後、不揮発性メモリＥＥＰＲＯＭ３６７の書込内容を確認・修復し（ステップＳ１０６）、読込（ステップＳ１０８）を行う。ここでＥＥＰＲＯＭから読み込む内容としては例えばセンサの寿命に関するデータ、センサ通電時間、コントローラ３８のトータルの通電時間、センサ交換回数、凍結履歴やそのた安全機能動作の有無などがあげられる。つづいて校正液や緩衝液や各種配管の凍結有無情報を凍結履歴有るか否かの判定（ステップＳ１１０）、で行い、尿糖センサ２８が有るか否かの判定（ステップＳ１１２）、と校正液や緩衝液のタンク残量を検知するステップＳ１１４とステップＳ１１６を行い、センサ寿命を確認するセンサ寿命検知機能を作動させ（ステップＳ１１８）を行う。なお、各種検知動作にて、否定的（異常など）に判定された場合は、製品の安全動作と異常の表示を行う動作へと移行するが、詳細はここでは述べない。
【０１４０】
ステップＳ１５０での各モータ位置出しとは、具体的には、図２６のフローチャートに示す要領で、採尿アーム駆動モータ２３による採尿アーム３２の伸出・収納（ステップＳ１５２）、ロータリーバルブ駆動モータ２０によるロータリーバルブの正・逆回転（ステップＳ１５４）、及びシリンジ駆動モータ２２によるシリンジの上昇・下降（ステップＳ１５６）を行なうことにより、採尿アーム駆動モータ２３、ロータリーバルブ駆動モータ２０及びシリンジ駆動モータ２２を突き当てなどの位置決めを行い各々所定の位置に移動させることである。
【０１４１】
ところで、上記各モータのうち、採尿アーム駆動モータ２３以外のモータは床上に据え置かれた計測ユニット１１に内蔵されているのに対し、採尿アーム駆動モータ２３を備える採尿ユニット１２は便器の上面に装着されており、使用者が便座１０２や便ふた１０４を回動させる際に採尿アーム３２の位置がずれてしまう可能性がある。このため、上記位置出しに際しては、採尿アーム駆動モータ２３の位置出しを入念に行うことが望ましい。
【０１４２】
ステップＳ２００での配管充填とは、具体的には、図２７のフローチャートに示す要領で、水を吸引（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は水ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は１／２程度まで下降し、水をシリンダ１６６内に吸引）（ステップＳ２０４）、排出管１８６充填（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は排出管１８６ポートと連通し、シリンダ１６６は最上部まで上昇し、排出管１８６内に水を充填する）（ステップＳ２０８）、緩衝液レベル＞Ｌの判定（ステップＳ２１４）、センサ管充填（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は緩衝液ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は１／２程度まで下降し、シリンダ１６６内に緩衝液を吸引し、その後、ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は搬送チューブ１５０ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最上部まで上昇し、搬送チューブ１５０・チューブ１５２内に緩衝液を充填する）（ステップＳ２１６）することである。なお、ステップＳ２１４において、否定的な判定がなされた場合には、緩衝液補充ＬＥＤ３９２を点灯する。
【０１４３】
ステップＳ３５０での校正液吸引とは、具体的には、図２８のフローチャートに示す要領で、校正液吸引（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は校正液ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は１／８程度まで下降し、校正液をシリンダ１６６内に吸引）（ステップＳ３５４）、余剰液排出（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は採尿ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は前述した下降位置と最上部の中間まで上昇し、シリンダ１６６内の校正液を排出）（ステップＳ３５８）することである。
【０１４４】
なお、上述したステップＳ３５４の校正液吸引前（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は搬送チューブ１５０ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最上部まで上昇）に、ピストン１６８を数ステップ下降させて搬送チューブ１５０ポート近傍に付着している気泡を吸引させて、気泡を含んだ緩衝液を排出管１８６に捨てても良い。
【０１４５】
ステップＳ４００での校正液測定とは、具体的には、図２９のフローチャートに示す要領で、ステップＳ４０２でシリンダ１６６内に吸引した校正液を排出（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は排出管１８６が接続された排出ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は上昇し、校正液を少量排出）（ステップＳ４０２）、校正液打込み（ロー夕１８０によりポート１７４はセンサポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は上昇し、校正液を搬送チューブ１５０に打込む）（ステップＳ４０４）、余剰校正液排出（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は採尿ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最上部まで上昇し、校正液を排出）（ステップＳ４０６）、シリンジ洗浄１回目（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は水ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は１／４程度まで下降し、シリンダ１６６内に水を吸引、その後、ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は採尿ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最上部まで上昇し、シリンダ１６６内の水を排出）（ステップＳ４０８）、シリンジ洗浄２回目（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は水ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は１／４程度まで下降し、シリンダ１６６内に水を吸引、その後、ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は採尿ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最上部まで上昇し、シリンダ１６６内の水を排出）（ステップＳ４１０）、緩衝液吸引（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は緩衝液ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は１／３程度まで下降し、シリンダ１６６内に緩衝液を吸引）（ステップＳ４１４）、泡抜き（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は排出ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は上昇し、緩衝液を少量排出）（ステップＳ４１８）、ベース電圧調整（ステップＳ４２０）、校正液送液（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４はセンサポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は上昇し、緩衝液で尿を尿糖センサ２８まで送液する）（ステップＳ４２２）、演算（ステップＳ４２４）、結果表示（ステップＳ４２６）。
【０１４６】
但し、校正・測定判定（ステップＳ７００）にて、「測定」と判定されたときは、上述した演算（ステップＳ４２４）においては、「被測定物の濃度＝（検体に対する出力／校正液に対する出力）×校正液の濃度」を行い、その後結果表示（ステップＳ４２６）まで行う。
【０１４７】
一方、校正・測定判定（ステップＳ７００）にて、「校正」と判定された時は、上述した演算（ステップＳ４２４）においては、「センサ出力をＣＰＵ３６２に取り込みＧａｉｎ（センサ出力の増幅度）を設定」を行って終了する（結果表示は行わない）。
【０１４８】
校正液送液（ステップＳ４２２）の送液開始時に、ロータ１８０によりポート１７４はセンサポートと連通させた直後、ピストン１６８を速い速度（例えば１００ＰＰＳ）で数ステップ上昇させ、搬送チューブ１５０内にある緩衝液で尿糖センサ２８内の気泡をチューブ１５２へ排出しても良い。
【０１４９】
ステップＳ４５０での洗浄とは、具体的には、図３０のフローチャートに示す要領で、ポンプオン（ステップＳ４５２）、余剰緩衝液排出（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は採尿ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最上部まで上昇し、シリンダ１６６内の緩衝液を排出）（ステップＳ４５４）、水吸引（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は水ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最下端まで下降し、シリンダ１６６内に水を吸引）（ステップＳ４５６）、水排出（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は採尿ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最上部まで上昇し、シリンダ１６６内の水を排出）（ステップＳ４５８）、水吸引（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は水ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最下端まで下降し、シリンダ１６６内に水を吸引）（ステップＳ４６０）、水排出（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は採尿ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最上部まで上昇し、シリンダ１６６内の水を排出）（ステップＳ４６２）、少量吸排（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は水ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は１／３程度まで下降し、シリンダ１６６内に水を少量吸引する。その後、ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は採尿ポートと連通する。この状態で、ピストン１６８は、一旦最上部まで上昇してから再び１／３程度まで下降する、という往復運動を２回繰り返す。これにより、上記少量の水が採尿アーム３２へ至る流路内を往復運動し、該流路が洗浄される）（ステップＳ４６４）、水吸引（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は水ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最下端まで下降し、シリンダ１６６内に水を吸引）（ステップＳ４６６）、水排出（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は採尿ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最上部まで上昇し、シリンダ１６６内の水を排出）（ステップＳ４６８）、ポンプオフ（ステップＳ４７０）することである。
【０１５０】
ステップＳ５００での空引きとは、具体的には、図３１のフローチャートに示す要領で、エアー吸引（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は採尿ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最下端まで下降し、シリンダ１６６内にエアーを吸引（搬送チューブ７６内の水も同時に吸引））（ステップＳ５０２）、排出（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は排出管１８６ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最上部まで上昇し、シリンダ１６６内のエアーおよび水を排出）（ステップＳ５０４）、エアー吸引（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は採尿ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最下端までゆっくり下降し、シリンダ１６６内にエアーを吸引（搬送チューブ７６内の水も同時に吸引））（ステップＳ５０６）、排出（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は捨ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最上部まで上昇し、シリンダ１６６内のエアーおよび水を排出）（ステップＳ５０８）することである。
【０１５１】
ステップＳ５５０での排出管充填とは、具体的には、図３２のフローチャートに示す要領で、水吸引（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は水ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最下端まで下降し、シリンダ１６６内に水を吸引）（ステップＳ５５２）、水充填（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は排出管１８６ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最上部まで上昇し、排出管１８６内に水を充填する）（ステップＳ５５４）することである。
【０１５２】
ステップＳ６００でのセンサ管充填とは、具体的には、図３３のフローチャートに示す要領で、校正液レベル＞Ｌの判定（ステップＳ６０１）、緩衝液レベル＞Ｌの判定（ステップＳ６０２）、緩衝液吸引（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は緩衝液ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は１／２程度まで下降し、シリンダ１６６内に緩衝液を吸引）（ステップＳ６０４）、緩衝液レベル＞Ｌの判定（ステップＳ６０６）、泡抜き（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は排出管１８６ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は上昇し、緩衝液を少量排出）（ステップＳ６０８）、尿糖センサ２８への送液（ステップＳ６１０）することである。
【０１５３】
なお、上述したセンサ管充填（ステップＳ６００）後、ピストン１６８を数ステップ引き戻して搬送チューブ１５０ポート近傍に残留している気泡を吸引して、気泡を含んだ緩衝液を排出管１８６に捨てても良い。
【０１５４】
ステップＳ６５０での次回測定準備とは、具体的には、図３４のフローチャートに示す要領で、ピストン位置出し（シリンジ駆動モータ２２によるシリンジの上昇）（ステップＳ６５２）、ピストンロック防止（シリンジ駆動モータ２２によるシリンジの下降）（ステップＳ６５４）、ロータ位置出し（ロータリーバルブ駆動モータ２０によるロータリーバルブの逆・正回転）（ステップＳ６５６）することである。
【０１５５】
ステップＳ７００での校正・測定判定とは、具体的には、図３５のフローチャートに示す要領で、ＣＰＵ３６２リセット状態判定（ステップＳ７０２）、測定ＳＷオン判定（ステップＳ７０６）することである。
【０１５６】
ステップＳ７５０での尿測定とは、具体的には、図３６、図３７のフローチャートに示す要領で、おとこスイッチ３８１オンの判定（ステップＳ７５２）すると、採尿アーム３２をおとこ位置（図２参照）へ伸出（ステップＳ７５４）し、尿検知有（採尿アーム３２に備える電極３４によって尿の有を検知する）の判定（ステップＳ７５６）で、サンプル（尿）吸引（ステップＳ７５８）を行い、採尿アーム３２を収納（ステップＳ７６０）する。その後、余剰サンプル（尿）排出（ステップＳ７６２）する。その後、シリンダ１６６内に吸引したサンプルを排出（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は排出管１８６が接続された排出ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は上昇し、サンプルを少量排出）（ステップＳ７８７）、サンプル打込み（ロー夕１８０によりポート１７４はセンサポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は上昇し、サンプルを搬送チューブ１５０に打込む）（ステップＳ７８８）、ここで、センサの使用回数寿命をカウントアップ（ステップＳ７８９）する。その後、余剰サンプル排出（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は採尿ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最上部まで上昇し、サンプルを排出）（ステップＳ７９０）、シリンジ洗浄１回目（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は水ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は１／４程度まで下降し、シリンダ１６６内に水を吸引、その後、ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は採尿ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最上部まで上昇し、シリンダ１６６内の水を排出）（ステップＳ７９１）、シリンジ洗浄２回目（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は水ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は１／４程度まで下降し、シリンダ１６６内に水を吸引、その後、ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は採尿ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は最上部まで上昇し、シリンダ１６６内の水を排出）（ステップＳ７９２）、緩衝液吸引（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は緩衝液ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は１／３程度まで下降し、シリンダ１６６内に緩衝液を吸引）（ステップＳ７９３）、泡抜き（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４は排出ポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は上昇し、緩衝液を少量排出）（ステップＳ７９４）、ベース電圧調整（ステップＳ７９５）、サンプル送液（ロータ１８０によりポート１７４はセンサポートと連通し、ピストン１６８は上昇し、緩衝液で尿を尿糖センサ２８まで送液する）（ステップＳ７９６）、演算（ステップＳ７９７）を行い終了する。
【０１５７】
上述した演算（ステップＳ７９７）では、尿サンプルに対する尿糖センサ２８の出力をＣＰＵ３６２に取り込む動作を行っている。
一方、ステップＳ７５２において（図３６参照）、おんなスイッチ３８２がオン判定されたときは、採尿アーム３２をおんな位置（図２参照）へ伸出（ステップＳ７６４）し、採尿アーム３２がおんな位置で停止後、調節スイッチ３８９オン判定（ステップＳ７６６）で、採尿アーム微調動作（ステップＳ７６８）する。
【０１５８】
また、ステップＳ７５６にて、採尿アーム３２伸出後１分間尿検知しない場合には、１分経過判定（ステップＳ７７０）により、採尿アーム３２を収納（図２参照）（ステップＳ７７２）する。その後、
上述した洗浄（ステップＳ４５０）、空引き（ステップＳ５００）、排出管充填（ステップＳ５５０）、次回測定準備（ステップＳ６５０）を行い、待機状態となる。
【０１５９】
測定ＳＷがオンされたときに尿糖センサ２８に印加している電圧（０．６Ｖ）を瞬間低電圧（０Ｖ）にし、再度印加電圧（０．６Ｖ）に戻しても良いし、または測定動作以外は常時低電圧（０Ｖ）にして測定時にだけ印加電圧（０．６Ｖ）にしても良い。（詳細は後述する）。
【０１６０】
図３８は尿測定（ステップＳ７５０）における採尿の別例を示すフローチャートである。このフローチャートでは、採尿アーム３２が所定位置（おとこ位置またはおんな位置：図２参照）まで伸出してから所定時間（例えば１分間）の間に取り消しスイッチ３８３がオンされたかどうかを判定するためのステップＳ７８２が設けられている。ステップＳ７５６において尿が検知されず、且つステップＳ７８２において取り消しスイッチ３８３のオンが検知されなかった場合はステップＳ７７０の１分間判定へ進む。
【０１６１】
一方、ステップＳ７８２において取り消しスイッチ３８３のオンが検知された場合は、採尿アーム３２を収納（ステップＳ７８４）し、所定時間（例えば５秒）経過判定（ステップＳ７８６）へ進む。ここで、５秒経過判定とは、ステップＳ７５４またはＳ７６４で採尿アーム３２を所定位置にセットしてからの経過時間が５秒以上であるか否かを判定することをいう。ステップＳ７８６において、経過時間が５秒以上であると判定されたときには、上述した洗浄（ステップＳ４５０）、空引き（ステップＳ５００）、排出管充填（ステップＳ５００）、次回測定準備（ステップＳ６５０）を行い待機する。一方、上記経過時間が５秒未満と判定されれば、そのまま待機状態に入る。
【０１６２】
以上説明した実施例では、後述するセンサ特性を考慮してより正確な測定を行うシーケンスを提案している。
【０１６３】
すなわち、尿測定（ステップＳ７５０）を行った後に、直ちに校正液を測定（ステップＳ３５０〜ステップＳ４００）し、両者を比較演算して結果を表示するシーケンスである。
【０１６４】
本実施例で使用している尿糖センサ２８の検出原理及び構造は図２０（ａ）、（ｂ）で説明したが、以下にこの尿糖センサ２８の特性を説明する。
前述したように、作用極１３５の材質としてＰｔ（白金）を使用し、作用極１３５は参照極１３３に対して一定電圧（例えば０．６Ｖの電圧）が印加されている（図２０（ｂ）参照）。
【０１６５】
作用極１３５に電圧を印加し続けると電極表面上が徐々に酸化される。電極表面上が酸化されると、過酸化水素に対する白金の感度が低下してくる（図３９参照）。
【０１６６】
すなわち、尿糖センサ２８のグルコース感度（出力）が低下する。従って、前述したが、尿中に含まれる妨害物（例えば尿酸やアスコルビン酸等でセンサ出力に対して擬陽性側出力してしまう）により、測定結果に誤差が生じる。
【０１６７】
尿糖センサ２８には酵素膜が担持されてあることも前述した（図２０（ａ）参照）が、この酵素膜はタンパク質であるため温度の影響を受けやすく、低温時（例えば０〜１０℃）は酵素活性が低くなり、また、作用極１３５上の過酸化水素の反応も鈍くなるため、結果としてセンサ出力が小さくなる（図４０参照）。
【０１６８】
逆に高温時（例えば３０〜４０℃）は酵素活性が高くなり、また、作用極１３５上の過酸化水素の反応も良くなるため、結果としてセンサ出力が大きくなる（図４０参照）。
【０１６９】
さらに、酵素膜は、時間の経過とともに次第に活性を失い、出力は経時的に低下する（図示しない）。
【０１７０】
よって前述した測定シーケンスによれば、尿測定した後に校正液を短時間に測定するので測定環境（特に温度）の影響も受けず、常に精度の高い測定が可能である。
【０１７１】
ただし、このシーケンスでは尿測定（ステップＳ７５０）した後に校正液測定（ステップＳ３５０〜ステップＳ４００）を行い、演算するため、結果を表示するまでの時間が長い。
【０１７２】
上記した結果表示までの時間を短縮させるためには、尿測定（ステップＳ７５０）した後に校正液測定（ステップＳ３５０〜ステップＳ４００）を行うのではなく、測定ＳＷを押下する前に校正液測定（ステップＳ３５０〜ステップＳ４００）を行うと良い。
【０１７３】
図２４を流用して、このシーケンスを詳述する。例えば電源プラグもしくは漏電保護プラグをコンセントに差し込み、電源が投入された時は、イニシャル動作（ステップＳ１００）の後で現在時刻セット判断（ステップＳ１１０）により、ポンプ１６への呼び水動作（ステップＳ１２０）への移行を判断し、各モータ（ロータリーバルブ駆動モータ２０、シリンジ駆動モータ２２、採尿アーム駆動モータ２３）の位置出しを行い（ステップＳ１５０）、配管充填（ステップＳ２００）する。そして校正液を吸引（ステップＳ３５０）してこれを測定（ステップＳ４００）する。この際、センサ出力をＣＰＵ３６２に取り込みＧａｉｎ（センサ出力の増幅度）を設定すると共にその出力値を校正値として記憶させる。その後、採尿アーム３２及びシリンジ１８内の洗浄（ステップＳ４５０）を行う。洗浄後に空引き（ステップＳ５００）して洗浄水を排出した後で排出管１８６の充填（ステップＳ５５０）とセンサ管充填（ステップＳ６００）を行って次回測定準備（ステップＳ６５０）が完了し、待機状態となる。
【０１７４】
測定時に、測定ＳＷオンとなり測定が開始されると、校正・測定判断（ステップＳ７００）にて「測定」と判定され尿測定（ステップＳ７５０）を行う。測定時のセンサ出力を校正液測定（ステップＳ４００）時に記憶されたセンサ出力（校正値）と比較して演算を行う。その後は洗浄（ステップＳ４５０）、空引き（ステップＳ５００）、排出管充填（ステップＳ５５０）、センサ管充填（ステップＳ６００）を順次行い、次回測定準備（ステップＳ６５０）へ移行する。
【０１７５】
上述したシーケンスであれば、測定時間及び結果表示までの時間が短縮されるが、前述したセンサ特性（温度依存性：図４０参照）の変化によって左右されるので、尿糖センサ２８を校正した時と尿を測定した時の測定環境温度に差があれば、多少ではあるが測定結果に誤差を生じる。
【０１７６】
上述した２つのシーケンスにはそれぞれ特徴（長所・短所）があるため、使用者のニーズに応じて二者を選択させる様に、選択スイッチ（図示しない）を操作部３８に設けても良い。また、タイマー手段や使用回数計測手段などを用いて、所定時間毎（例えば２４時間毎）、あるいは所定使用回数毎（例えば２０回毎）に校正する方法もとることができる。さらに、センサ交換後や電源投入時のタイミングや測定値に応じて該所定時間を変更するよう制御することも可能である。この制御を下記にて詳述する。
【０１７７】
電源投入後、あるいは尿糖センサ２８交換後、校正は所定時間１（例えば２時間）毎に実施される。この時、校正した値が前回の出力と比較して所定値以上あったときには引き続き所定時間１（２時間）毎で行い、所定値以下であったときには以降の校正は所定時間１より長い所定時間２（例えば２４時間）毎に行うようオート運転（自動校正）させる。こうして校正時間が短縮化され、校正液の使用量を少なくすることができるのみならず、尿糖センサ２８の経時的劣化（図３９参照）を補償することができる。
【０１７８】
自動校正の時刻は電源投入時や尿糖センサ２８交換時を基準としてもよいが、１日に一度、使用者が設定した時刻に自動校正を行うようにしてもよい。
【０１７９】
また、上記のような定刻の自動校正に加え、計測回数に基づく自動校正を行うようにすると更に好ましい。例えば、前回校正が行われてから後に行われた計測の回数が所定値（例えば２０回）を越えたら、次の定刻の自動校正を待たずに臨時の自動校正を行うのである。計測回数については不揮発性のメモリ３６７に記憶していれば、電源が遮断された場合にも記憶が失われることが無く、確実に計数できる。
【０１８０】
続いて、本実施例で示されている加熱部機構について説明する。
図３及び図１６に示すように、計測ユニット１１内部に尿糖センサ２８に送液される尿や校正液などを適温に加熱する加熱部２５０と、液温を直接的または間接的に検知する温度センサ２５１とトイレ室内の温度をモニターする温度センサ２６１と、校正液や緩衝液を（もしくは間接的に計測ユニット１１内を）加熱する加熱部２３６と、この温度を検知する温度センサ２３７を設けていることは前述したが、これらについて下記に詳述する。
【０１８１】
上述した加熱部２３６、２５０は、図１９に示すように温度センサ２３７、２５１、２６１からの信号をコントローラ３６内の入力処理回路３６８からＣＰＵ３６２に取り込み、演算結果を出力処理回路３８０より出力することで、フィードバック制御されている。
【０１８２】
図４１は、緩衝液タンク２６から尿糖センサ２８への搬送チューブ９２，１５０に設置された液温を加温するための加熱部２３６、２５０と温度センサ２３７、２５１の概略構成図である。搬送チューブ９２、１５０と加熱部２３６、２５０は熱伝導のよいアルミ箔２６３などで挟まれ、隣接する。加熱スペース節約のため、搬送チューブ９２、１５０は屈曲部をもって構成されると好ましく、図４１（ａ）のように円筒螺旋状に構成されて熱伝導のよいアルミ箔２６３で挟まれる。搬送チューブ９２、１５０とアルミ箔２６３で作られた円筒内部には加熱部２３６、２５０が同じくアルミ箔２６３で挟まれた状態で内接している。尿糖センサ２８へ連結する加熱部２５０終端部近傍に温度センサ２５１を配置することで尿糖センサ２８へ流入させる液温の精度を高めることができる。
【０１８３】
図４１（ｂ）に示すように、搬送チューブ９２、１５０と加熱部２３６、２５０を平面渦巻き上に配置するなどして、平板上に構成すると薄型化が図れるのみならず、例えば計測ユニットのケース平面に固定するなど固定が容易になる。また、尿糖センサ２８近傍に這わせることによって、液温のみならず尿糖センサ２８と付近の液温も加温することができる。
【０１８４】
尚、加熱部２３６、２５０としてはコストや形状加工が容易という利点からチュービングヒータや面状発熱手段が好ましいが、特にこれに限定されず、シーズヒータや赤外ヒータその他の発熱体を使用することも可能である。
【０１８５】
また、加熱部２３６、２５０を特別設けずとも、他の熱源と共有化しても良い。例えば温水洗浄便座などと組み合わせる場合には、温水洗浄便座の熱源である温水タンクなどに螺合するなどして加熱部２３６、２５０を兼用省略することも可能である。
【０１８６】
つぎに、上述した加熱部の役割を本実施例を基に以下に説明する。
【０１８７】
冬季の夜などにトイレ室内の温度が低下し、水道管等がしばしば凍結を起こすことがあるが、凍結をおこした場合、タンクや配管に損傷を与えることがあるだけでなく、損傷がない時でも一度凍結した校正液や緩衝液はその特性を変えてしまう。校正液はグルコース水溶液（本実施例では２００ｍｇ／ｄｌ）であるが、一度凍結すると解凍しても凍結前のグルコース濃度にはならない。
【０１８８】
更に、緩衝液は、前述したがＫＣｌやＮａＣｌと言った塩が含まれたリン酸緩衝液であり、一度凍結するとこれら溶解物が結晶化してしまい、解凍しても凍結前の緩衝液組成に戻らない。例えば夜間にトイレ室内の温度が低下して緩衝液や校正液が凍結し、その後昼間になって温度が上昇して解凍された場合などには、外見上は全く変化が無いのに測定値に大きな変動が生じてしまう。すなわち正確な測定ができずに、信頼性のない値となる。
【０１８９】
また、尿糖センサ２８の特性を前述したが、適正な測定条件（温度、湿度等）下で、測定を行う必要がある。よって、トイレ室内周囲温度の変動によって尿糖センサ２８の出力値が変動し、季節（気温）変化のみならず、昼夜のトイレ室温の変化によっても測定値が大きく変動してしまう。特に低温時には尿糖センサ２８出力が低下することから精度のよい測定が不可能となり、信頼性の低いものになる。
【０１９０】
上述した課題の対応として、温度センサ２６１がトイレ室内周囲温度を測定し、一定温度（例えば５℃）以下になった場合には加熱部２３６を加熱して、校正液タンク２４、緩衝液タンク２６および計測ユニット１１内部を適温（例えば１０℃）まで引き上げる。加熱部２３６は計測ユニット１１の下方に配置されているため、自然対流によって内部をもれなく暖めることができる。また計測ユニットが比較的大きく、内部の温度分布に開きがある時にはファンなどにより強制的に循環してもよく、この場合には加熱と循環を兼ね備える温風ファンを用いればよい。
【０１９１】
このように加熱部を設けることでタンクなどの凍結防止を図っているものの、万一の凍結が発生した時のために、制御部であるコントローラ３６は校正液タンク２４、緩衝液タンク２６の凍結を検知する凍結検知機能を備えている。
【０１９２】
具体的な一実施例としては、温度センサ２３７、２５１の検出値が一定値（例えば１℃）を下回った場合にはタンク凍結「有」を記憶し、且つ表示部３９に表示するようになっている。この他の凍結判定方法としてはタンク内の校正液や緩衝液を加熱して、その温度勾配に基づいて液の凍結有無を検知する方法を用いてもよい。
【０１９３】
また、校正液タンク２４や緩衝液タンク２６が空の状態であることを検知して、この場合には温度センサの検出値が一定値以下でも凍結と判定しないようにマスクをかけてもよい。
【０１９４】
説明した以外にも温度センサ２３７、２５１の替りに（図示しないが）自動復帰形のバイメタルスイッチを加熱部２３６と直列に接続することで凍結を防止することもできる。加熱部２３６はチュービングヒータや赤外ヒータ、面状発熱体やリボンヒータなど、何でもよい。
【０１９５】
また凍結の履歴は不揮発性メモリ３６７に記憶され、所定の操作や液交換を行うことで記憶が解除されるようにすると、凍結した校正液や緩衝液を測定に使用することが確実に防止できる。
【０１９６】
さらに、もう一つの課題の対応として、尿糖センサ２８へ流入させる液の温度を高温、且つ一定にするための実施例について説明する。
【０１９７】
尿糖センサ２８の最も出力が高く安定する温度は、約３７℃近傍である。よって、尿糖センサ２８への流入液温度や、尿糖センサ２８そのもの、さらに、計測ユニット１１内部全体の温度を該温度で制御すると、最も精度良く測定ができる。
【０１９８】
しかし、上述したことは理想であって、全てを満足する装置は高額な物となってしまう。さらに、該温度での尿糖センサ２８特性は良いが、寿命が短くなる（図示しない）。
【０１９９】
そこで、本実施例では、尿糖センサ２８への流入液温度を特性と寿命を考慮して、比較的低め温度（具体的には、略２５℃）に制御することを提案している。
【０２００】
ところが、使用者のニーズは各個人で異なり、使用者によってはセンサ寿命を優先で考え（この場合はセンサ出力すなわち測定精度は比較的劣る）、また別の使用者によってはセンサ出力すなわち測定精度を優先して考える（この場合はセンサ寿命が比較的短くなる）。
【０２０１】
そこでこのような多様な使用者のニーズに応じるために、コントローラ３６および操作部３８に液温設定手段を設けると良い。例えば操作部３８にある（図示しないが）設定部を「高精度」とすることで、液温度は測定精度の最も高い温度（例えば略３７℃）に設定され、また設定を「低精度」とすることで液温度はセンサ寿命の長い温度（例えば略２５℃）に設定されることになる。
【０２０２】
以上、液の加熱について説明したが、液温度を一定値以上に保つ場合はこのような加熱部のみ備えていれば良い。ところが、一般的な室温より低温度に液温を保ちたい場合（特に夏季）は加熱部の他にペルチェ素子などを利用した液の冷却部を同じように設けるとよい。
【０２０３】
ここで、尿検査装置のカビや雑菌繁殖防止について説明する。
【０２０４】
尿にはカビや雑菌の栄養となる物質が含まれている。既に述べたように尿検査装置は採尿部を始め、尿が通る配管などの尿搬送経路があり、これに空気中に漂うカビや雑菌が付着し繁殖してしまう。これらは不衛生であることは言うまでもなく、さらに、長期間使用されない場合には雑菌やカビの繁殖によって尿の通過経路であるチューブの入り口や内部などが詰まってしまい、採尿や測定に支障をきたしてしまう。
【０２０５】
そこで尿の搬送経路に制菌、防カビ効果を有する液体を通液する手段を設けることによって、尿の搬送経路にカビや雑菌の繁殖を抑えることができる。
【０２０６】
本実施例では、緩衝液の中に制菌、防カビ効果を有する成分（例えばアジ化ナトリウム）を微量（例えば０．０５〜０．１％未満）混入させている。
【０２０７】
尿の搬送経路に上述した緩衝液を通液させるタイミングとしては、タイミング１（１回／日）、タイミング２（１回／週）、タイミング３（１回／測定毎）等が考えられる。これらのタイミングは、カビや雑菌が付着し繁殖しやすい時期（例えば梅雨時期）は、比較的短いタイミング１、逆にカビや雑菌が付着し繁殖しにくい時期（例えば冬季）は、比較的長いタイミング２と言った具合に替えることも可能である。
【０２０８】
さらに、１日の測定回数が比較的多いときなどは、尿の搬送経路は良く洗浄されるため、カビや雑菌が付着し繁殖しにくい。逆に１日の測定回数が比較的少ないとき、または何日も測定されないときなどは、カビや雑菌が付着し繁殖しやすい。よって、１日の測定回数を考慮して通液させるタイミングを替えることも可能である。
【０２０９】
最後に、尿糖センサ２８交換時期の使用者への報知手段、タイミングについて、本実施例で説明する。なお、校正液、緩衝液については、前述しているのでここでの詳細説明は割愛する。
【０２１０】
尿糖センサ２８は、その特性で記述したように酵素膜がタンパク質であるため、使用回数に限度があると共に、時間的な寿命が存在する。
【０２１１】
まず、使用回数については、図３７のフローチャートに「センサ寿命カウントアップ」（ステップＳ７８９）することを前述したが、、ここでセンサ使用回数のデータが更新される。もちろん、このステップは計測行程中であればいずれの場所に挿入してもよい。
【０２１２】
次に、時間寿命であるが、これは、コントローラ３６への通電時間をＣＰＵ３６２内の時間タイマーを利用して、ある一定時間おき（例えば１時間毎）にＥＥＰＲＯＭへ記憶させる。
【０２１３】
本実施例では、センサの寿命予告についても、校正液、緩衝液同様にＭレベル、Ｌレベルを設けており、使用者への報知手段は、操作部３８の尿糖センサ交換ＬＥＤ３９４の点滅、点灯としている。
【０２１４】
なお、報知手段は上述した手段に限らず、校正液、緩衝液同様に図１６、図１９の通信用端子１１４によりトイレ外部へ通信する手段（例えば光通信等）を接続することが可能である。そうすることにより、センサの使用履歴（含む寿命予告）を使用者がその場に行かなくても通信の受信手段（例えば携帯用のリモコン等）で受信することが可能となる。
【０２１５】
以上、本発明の実施の形態について説明してきたが、本発明はこうした実施の形態に何ら限定されるものではなく、本発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲内において、種々なる形態で実施し得ることは勿論である。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の好適な一実施形態である尿検査装置１０（計測ユニット１１とリム取付式採尿ユニット１２とを含む）およびこの尿検査装置１０を装着した洋式便器１００（便座１０２と便蓋１０４と洗浄水タンク１０６とを含む、なお便座１０２、便ふた１０４は開状態）の外観図。
【図２】図１の洋式便器１００とリム取付式採尿ユニット１２（便座１０２、便ふた１０４は閉状態）の側面図。
【図３】尿検査装置１０の構成の概略を示すブロック図。
【図４】採尿ユニット１２の内機構成図。
【図５】採尿アーム３２構成図。
【図６】採尿アーム３２男性位置、女性位置を示すリム取付式採尿ユニット１２側面図。
【図７】採尿アーム３２女性位置調節範囲を示すリム取付式採尿ユニット１２側面図。
【図８】計測ユニット１１の正面図。
【図９】計測ユニット１１の下部の右側面図。
【図１０】計測ユニット１１の左側面図。
【図１１】計測ユニット１１の上面図。
【図１２】校正液補充口２４２、緩衝液補充口２６２の斜視図。
【図１３】（ａ）校正液補充口２４２の平面図、（ｂ）校正液補充用ノズル２４４の先端部の平面図、（ｃ）校正液補充ノズル２４４の全体図。
【図１４】（ａ）緩衝液補充口２６２の平面図、（ｂ）緩衝液補充用ノズル２６４の先端部の平面図、（ｃ）緩衝液補充ノズル２６４の全体図。
【図１５】カバー１１６内に液補充用ノズルを収納する構造の例を示す図。
【図１６】計測ユニット１１の内機構成図。
【図１７】ロータリーバルブシリンジ１８の斜視図。
【図１８】校正液、緩衝液タンク２４、２６の内機構成図。
【図１９】尿検査装置１０の電気的な構成をコントローラ３６を中心として示すブロック図。
【図２０】尿糖センサの検出原理の模式図。
【図２１】尿中の塩素（Ｃｌ）イオン濃度分布を示す図。
【図２２】（ａ）緩衝液中のＫＣｌイオン濃度５０ｍＭのときの尿糖センサ２８の出力を示す図。（ｂ）緩衝液中のＫＣｌイオン濃度１７０ｍＭのときの尿糖センサ２８の出力を示す図。
【図２３】計測ユニット１１の上面の拡大図。
【図２４】尿検査装置１０のコントローラ３６により実行されるプログラム尿糖検査処理を示すフローチャート。
【図２５】ステップＳ１００でのデータ読込処理を示すフローチャート。
【図２６】ステップＳ１５０での各モータ位置出し処理を示すフローチャート。
【図２７】ステップＳ２００での配管充填処理を示すフローチャート。
【図２８】ステップＳ３５０での校正液吸引処理を示すフローチャート。
【図２９】ステップＳ４００での校正液測定処理を示すフローチャート。
【図３０】ステップＳ４５０での洗浄処理を示すフローチャート。
【図３１】ステップＳ５００での空引き処理を示すフローチャート。
【図３２】ステップＳ５５０での排出管充填処理を示すフローチャート。
【図３３】ステップＳ６００でのセンサ管充填処理を示すフローチャート。
【図３４】ステップＳ６５０での次回測定準備処理を示すフローチャート。
【図３５】ステップＳ７００での校正・測定判定処理を示すフローチャート。
【図３６】ステップＳ７５０での採尿処理を示すフローチャート。
【図３７】ステップＳ７５０での尿測定処理を示すフローチャート。
【図３８】ステップＳ７５０での採尿処理の別の例を示すフローチャート。
【図３９】尿糖センサ２８の通電後の出力変動を示す図。
【図４０】尿糖センサ２８の温度特性を示す図。
【図４１】加熱部２３６、２５０の構成を示す図。
【符号の説明】
１１…計測ユニット、１２…リム取付式採尿ユニット、１４…給水部
１６…ポンプ、１８…ロータリーバルブシリンジ、
２０…ロータリーバルブ駆動モータ、２２…シリンジ駆動モータ
２４…校正液タンク、２６…緩衝液タンク、２８…尿糖センサ
３０…ノズル、３２…採尿アーム、３４…電極、３６…コントローラ
３８…操作部、３９…表示部、７６…搬送チューブ、１００…洋式便器
１０２…便座、１０４…便蓋、１０６…洗浄水タンク
１１１ａ…アジャスター、１１１…補強脚、１１３…カバー
１１４…通信用端子、１１６…カバー、１５０…搬送チューブ
１６６…シリンダ、１６８…ピストン、１７２…リードスクリュウ機構
１７４…ポート、１７６…電動ロータリーバルブ、１７８…ステータ
１８０…ロータ、１８６…排出管
２４１…キャップ、２４２…校正液補充口、２４４…校正液補充用ノズル
２６１…キャップ、２６２…緩衝液補充口、２６４…緩衝液補充用ノズル
３６２…ＣＰＵ、３６８…入力処理回路、３８０…出力処理回路
３８１…おとこスイッチ、３８２…おんなスイッチ
３８３…取り消しスイッチ、３８４…記憶／呼出スイッチ
３８５…Ａ〜Ｄスイッチ、３８６…掃除モードスイッチ
３８７…現在時刻スイッチ、３８８…校正時刻スイッチ
３８９…調節スイッチ、３９１…蛍光表示管
３９２…緩衝液補充ＬＥＤ、３９３…校正液補充ＬＥＤ
４９４…尿糖センサ交換ＬＥＤ、３９６…Ａ〜Ｄ ＬＥＤ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an analyzer for urine and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Equipped with a testing tool that can be attached to and detached from Western-style toilets installed in the toilet (including those that are partly placed on the floor), sample and analyze urine, and support personal health checks A health management device (urinalysis device) has been proposed. (For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-187253 discloses a urine test apparatus which collects urine by swinging a swing arm equipped with urine collection in a bowl of the toilet bowl. A test cleaning region is formed at the rear, and the urine sample is analyzed in this region, and the urine collection container is cleaned with the cleaning water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle).
[0003]
The urine contains various components such as sugar, protein, occult blood, sodium ion, uric acid and the like whose concentration varies depending on the health condition of the subject. Therefore, the urinalysis apparatus as described above uses a component concentration sensor (hereinafter simply referred to as “sensor”) that can accurately measure the concentration of the target component to be examined, and appropriate measurement conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.). It is necessary to carry out an inspection below.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, conventional analyzers have various problems for practical use.
[0005]
[Means for solving the problems and their functions and effects]
The present invention is an analyzer that collects a user's excrement and performs component analysis of the excrement, and is provided in a toilet and acquires the excrement, and the acquisition container via a carry-in path And an analysis means for analyzing the component of the excrement, and an outlet for discharging the excrement through the discharge path and communicating with the analysis means. It is characterized in that at least a part of the excrement moving route leading to the outlet is made of an antibacterial resin.
[0006]
As a preferred embodiment, it is desirable that the acquisition container is composed of an antibacterial resin, and the composition of the antibacterial resin is: Vinyl chloride It is desirable that
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an analyzer for collecting a user's urine and analyzing the component of the urine. The analyzer is provided in a toilet and obtains the urine through a carry-in path. And an analysis means for analyzing the urine component, and the entrance opening of the acquisition container is covered with an antibacterial filter.
[0008]
In a preferred embodiment, the antibacterial filter is preferably a filter made of polypropylene material obtained by exchanging and adsorbing an antibacterial metal (for example, silver) with an inorganic ion exchanger.
[0019]
The analyzer described above is preferably applied to a urine analyzer using urine, but it is intended for sweat, saliva, ovulation, menstrual blood, etc. in addition to excrement due to urine, stool, etc. Also good. In addition, urine sugar, protein, occult blood, sodium ion, uric acid, etc. can be handled as target substances in urine.
[0020]
The measurement data illustrated here has the following significance, respectively. Urine sugar can be used for the prevention, discovery and treatment of diabetes. Protein is also called urinary albumin and can be used effectively for early detection of diabetic nephropathy. In particular, since it is said that diabetic nephropathy is found very early and cannot be cured without treatment, detection of urinary albumin is highly effective. It is known that albumin is excreted in a small amount in urine at an early stage of diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, if such a small amount of albumin can be detected as measurement data, it can be used for early detection of diabetic nephropathy. Of course, it is also effective in the discovery of non-diabetic nephropathy.
[0021]
Occult blood is one of the signs of inflammation, stones, etc. that occur in the kidney, ureter, urethra, and the like. In the early stage, it is impossible to confirm at a glance that blood is mixed in urine, and there is a state called asymptomatic hematuria in which the subject has no subjective symptoms. In the health management device of the present invention, if occult blood is used as measurement data, it is possible to detect occult blood at the stage of such asymptomatic hematuria, and therefore it can be utilized for early detection and treatment of the above-mentioned various diseases. .
[0022]
Sodium is measurement data that is a measure of daily salt intake. It is well known that salinity causes high blood pressure and heart failure. In order to prevent and treat these diseases, it is preferable to control the intake of salt to an appropriate value. However, the intake of salt does not always follow the taste, and foods that do not feel so salty often contain a large amount of salt. On the other hand, it is known that it is almost proportional to the amount of sodium salt in urine. Therefore, if sodium is detected as measurement data, the intake of salt can be grasped and used for the control.
[0023]
Uric acid is known as a causative substance such as gout. Uric acid is said to be excreted in the urine in about 80% of the daily synthetic amount. Therefore, if the uric acid in urine is measured, the uric acid level in the body can be estimated and can be used for the prevention and treatment of gout and other diseases.
[0024]
The various measurement data described here is only an example, and various other measurement data can be used as the measurement object of the present invention. Of course, a plurality of measurement data may be measured.
[0025]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In order to further clarify the configuration and operation of the present invention described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the following description, a urine test apparatus equipped with a urine sugar sensor will be described. However, in order to detect physical quantities (concentration, mass, volume, number, etc.) of other components (protein, occult blood, creatinine, sodium ion, etc.). Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to a urine test apparatus equipped with a component concentration sensor.
[0026]
FIG. 1 shows a urine test apparatus 10 (including a measurement unit 11 and a rim-attached urine collection unit 12) and a western-style toilet 100 (toilet seat 102 and stool) to which the urine test apparatus 10 is attached, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It includes a lid 104 and a washing water tank 106. The toilet seat 102 and the toilet lid 104 are both external views). 2 is a side view of the Western-style toilet 100 and the rim-attached urine collection unit 12 (the toilet seat 102 and the toilet lid 104 are both closed) in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the urine test apparatus 10. It is.
[0027]
The western toilet 100 is subsequently equipped with a washing water tank 106 at the top, and a pipe 14 for supplying washing water to the measuring unit 11 is connected to the washing water tank 106. As shown in FIG. 1, the measuring unit 11 is placed on the floor (details will be described later). The rim-attached urine collection unit 12 is attached to the rim of the western toilet 100 as shown in FIGS.
[0028]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the measurement unit 11 and the rim-mounted urine collection unit 12 have a built-in water supply unit (not shown, but a strainer that removes dust contained in the supplied water) connected to the cleaning water tank 106. 15, a pump 16 for supplying water from the washing water tank 106, a rotary valve syringe 18 composed of a rotary valve and a syringe, and a liquid that receives leaked water and overflow water from the rotary valve syringe 18 A receiving container 25, a rotary valve drive motor 20 for driving the rotary valve (when the rotary valve and the rotary valve drive motor 20 are referred to together, it is referred to as an electric rotary valve 176), a syringe drive motor 22 for driving the syringe, and use Collecting / extracting urine excreted from the elderly A urine collection arm drive motor 23 for driving a flexible urine collection arm 32, a calibration liquid tank 24 for storing a calibration liquid, a buffer liquid tank 26 for storing a buffer liquid, and a urine sugar sensor 28 for converting urine sugar into an electrical signal. In order to inform the user, the nozzle 30 for washing the urine collection arm 32, the electrode 34 for detecting whether or not urine has been collected in the urine collection arm 32, the controller 36, the operation unit 38 operated by the user, and the user. Display unit 39, sound source 29 for informing the user, human body detection sensor 260 for detecting the presence or absence of a human body, and heating for heating urine and calibration liquid sent to the urine sugar sensor 28 to an appropriate temperature. Unit 250, a temperature sensor 251 for directly or indirectly detecting the liquid temperature, a temperature sensor 261 for monitoring the temperature in the toilet room, and a calibration solution or a buffer solution (or indirectly the measurement unit 11). A heating unit 236 within a) heating, a temperature sensor 237 for detecting the temperature are the main components. In the figure, a dotted line, an arrow (thin line), and an arrow (thick line) indicate the electrical path, the flow of water, and the flow of urine / calibration solution / buffer solution, respectively.
[0029]
Although not shown, when measuring another component other than urine sugar, it goes without saying that a sensor unit for sensing the component, each liquid tank, piping and the like are additionally required.
[0030]
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the rim-mounted urine collecting unit 12. The rim-mounted urine collection unit 12 is made of a resin using an antibacterial material (for example, Bactekiller (registered trademark) or Zeomic (registered trademark)) for improving hygiene. As the composition of the antibacterial resin, polypropylene is desirable, but nylon 66, nylon 6, ABS resin, melanin resin, urea resin, PS (polycarbonate) and the like can be used.
[0031]
The rim-mounted urine collecting unit 12 is configured by installing a urine collecting arm 32, a washing nozzle 30, a urine collecting arm drive motor 23, a tube 152, a water distribution pipe 186, a water supply pipe 151 to the washing nozzle 30 and the like on a resin base 650. . In addition, the drainage port of the water distribution pipe 186 and the tube 152 faces the toilet bowl, and drainage can be discharged into the toilet bowl.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 4, rubber, a suction cup 651, and the like are attached to a portion of the rim-mounted urine collection unit 12 that comes into contact with the rim of the western toilet 100.
[0033]
Rubber, a suction cup 651, etc., have a coefficient of friction so that the back surface of the rim mounting type urine collection unit 12 and the rim of the western toilet 100 do not slip for the purpose of preventing rattling when the user sits on the toilet seat 102 and uses it. A large part or member is attached to improve the anti-slip effect.
[0034]
By setting the place where the rubber, suction cup 651, etc. are attached below the abutment of the cushion (toilet seat leg) of the toilet seat 102, the weight of the user is applied to the rubber, the suction cup 651, etc., and the above-described anti-slip effect can be further enhanced. .
[0035]
The rim mounting type urine collection unit 12 is designed to be lower than other parts (see FIG. 2) because the cushion (toilet seat leg portion) of the toilet seat 102 abuts, and maintains the level of the toilet seat.
[0036]
FIG. 5 shows a structural diagram of the urine collection arm 32. The urine collection arm 32 is made of a material obtained by plating a metal in consideration of cleanability and strength. The distal end portion (urine collection portion 652) of the urine collection arm 32 has a bowl shape and is not only easy to store urine, but is attached so that the urine collection port faces substantially upward at the urine collection position. ing.
[0037]
FIG. 6 shows the extension position of the urine collection arm during urine collection. The position suitable for urine collection is different between men and women, and the extension of the female position is greater (specifically, adult men are approximately 44 degrees from the horizontal plane and adult women are approximately 75 degrees).
[0038]
Further, it is considered that the standard extension position can be adjusted to the front-rear position about the center (see FIG. 7). The urine detection electrode 34 is disposed inside the bag so that it can be easily determined whether or not urine has been collected. In addition, when the urine collection arm 32 comes out of the toilet bowl during urine collection, the electrode 34 is installed at a position where the amount of liquid necessary for measurement can be secured. Therefore, when the electrode 34 detects urine, the amount of urine necessary for measurement is obtained. Will accumulate in the buttocks. Therefore, there is no case where the measurement shifts without a sufficient amount of urine and an erroneous measurement is performed.
[0039]
A mesh-like filter 656 is installed in the urine collection section 652 of the urine collection arm 32 in order to prevent foreign matter from entering the urine collection arm 32 and scattering of urine (see FIG. 5).
[0040]
The mesh filter 656 is configured to be detachable from the urine collection arm 32 (or the urine collection unit 652), thereby improving the cleanability of the urine collection unit. On the contrary, the mesh filter 656 is integrated with the urine collection arm 32 to prevent the mesh filter 656 from being lost. It may be fixed. Here, in order to improve hygiene, the mesh filter 656 is subjected to antibacterial treatment. Specifically, it is desirable that an antibacterial metal (for example, silver) is exchange-adsorbed on a filter made of polypropylene material by an inorganic ion exchanger.
[0041]
Of course, the member for preventing foreign matter mixing and urine scattering is not limited to the mesh filter, and for example, a sponge-like film can be used instead.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, the water supply unit 15 is connected to the cleaning water tank 106 and supplies tap water in the cleaning water tank 106 to the rotary valve syringe 18 and the nozzle 30 using the suction force of the pump 16. .
[0043]
When the water supply unit 15 is directly connected to the water supply and water supply is performed by using the water supply pressure of the water supply, or when a warm water washing toilet seat is separately installed, although not shown, it is pumped by a pump inside the hot water washing toilet seat The pump 16 may be omitted if a part of the water flow to be branched or directly branched before and after the water supply pressure reducing valve and led to the water supply unit 15. In this way, the water supply system in the measurement unit 11 can be further simplified.
[0044]
In addition, when a warm water cleaning toilet seat is installed, the water supply unit 15 may be branched at a portion where the hot water cleaning toilet seat water supply connecting pipe is branched from the water supply pipe of the cleaning water tank 106 (not shown).
[0045]
Further, when a warm water cleaning toilet seat is installed, the water supply unit 15 is connected to a portion where the hot water cleaning toilet seat water supply connecting branch branched from the water supply pipe of the cleaning water tank 106 is connected to the hot water cleaning toilet seat, although not shown. By doing so, the branched portion is concealed by the warm water washing toilet seat, there is no problem in appearance, and the connection work can be simplified.
[0046]
Next, the measurement unit 11 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8 (front view), FIG. 9 (right side view, but only at the bottom), FIG. 10 (left side view), and FIG. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the measurement unit 11 is configured to be vertically long. However, in this way, the measurement unit 11 is not only capable of being installed in a narrow toilet, but also an operation unit provided on the upper surface of the unit (about this) The user seated on the toilet bowl can be easily operated without breaking the seating posture. For that purpose, it is desirable to be located at a height in the range of −50 mm to +200 mm from the rim surface of the toilet bowl. This is a position where a person can move without a sense of incongruity when he / she sits on the toilet seat and places his / her hand on the knee and naturally shifts his / her hand from that position. Depending on the person, the length of the foot, the thickness of the crotch, etc. may slightly differ, but the operation unit is provided at a position where it can be operated more naturally. By arranging in this way, operation becomes possible without difficulty.
[0047]
Three screw mounting portions 112 having a screw hole at the center are provided on the back surface of the measurement unit 11. If the back surface of the measurement unit 11 is screwed to the wall 119 through the screw, the measurement unit 11 falls down. No fear. In addition, a hook receiver 115 is provided on the back surface of the measurement unit 11, and when the hook receiver 115 is engaged with a hook 117 that is separately fixed to the wall 119, not only can the measurement unit 11 be prevented from falling, The measuring unit 11 can be easily detached from the wall surface and moved during maintenance inspections.
[0048]
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the calibration solution replenishing port 242 and the buffer solution replenishing port 262.
[0049]
First, the relationship between the calibration liquid replenishing port 242 and the tip 244a of the calibration liquid replenishing nozzle 244 inserted into the calibration liquid replenishing port 242 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0050]
As shown in FIG. 13A, the calibration liquid replenishing port 242 has three concave portions formed at intervals of 120 ° at the circular inlet.
[0051]
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 13B and 13C, the tip 244a of the calibration liquid replenishing nozzle 244 is spaced 120 ° apart from a circular outlet having a slightly smaller diameter than the circular shape of the inlet of the calibration liquid replenishing port 242. It has two formed convex parts.
[0052]
When replenishing the calibration fluid, first, the coupling portion 244b of the calibration fluid replenishing nozzle 244 is attached to the nozzle mounting port of a calibration fluid bottle (not shown) containing the calibration fluid for replenishment, and the tip 244a is attached to the calibration fluid replenishing port. Insert into 242. At this time, the tip 244a of the calibration liquid replenishing nozzle 244 can be inserted into the calibration liquid replenishing port 242 only when the concave portion and the convex portion coincide with each other.
[0053]
The relationship between the buffer solution replenishing port 262 and the tip 264a of the buffer solution replenishing nozzle 264 inserted into the buffer solution replenishing port 262 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 14A, the buffer solution replenishing port 262 has four concave portions formed at 90 ° intervals in a circular inlet.
[0055]
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 14B and 14C, the tip 264a of the buffer solution replenishing nozzle 264 is spaced 180 ° apart from the circular outlet having a slightly smaller diameter than the circular shape of the buffer solution replenishing port 262. It has two formed convex parts. When replenishing the buffer solution, first, the coupling portion 264b of the buffer solution replenishing nozzle 264 is attached to the nozzle mounting port of a buffer solution bottle (not shown) containing a replenishing buffer solution, and the tip 264a is attached to the buffer solution replenishing port. 262 to insert. At this time, the tip 264a of the buffer solution replenishing nozzle 264 can be inserted into the buffer solution replenishing port 262 only when the concave portion and the convex portion coincide with each other.
[0056]
Further, it is physically impossible to insert the tip 244a of the calibration solution replenishing nozzle 244 into the buffer solution replenishment port 262 and the tip 264a of the buffer solution replenishment nozzle 264 into the calibration solution replenishment port 242, so that a liquid replenishment error occurs. Can be avoided.
[0057]
Further, the structure for coupling the calibration liquid replenishing nozzle 244 to the calibration liquid bottle is different from the structure for coupling the buffer liquid replenishing nozzle 264 to the buffer liquid bottle (for example, the structure of the coupling portion 244b of the calibration liquid replenishing nozzle 244). If the shape and the inner diameter of the coupling portion 264b of the buffer solution replenishing nozzle 264 are made different), it is possible to avoid a nozzle mounting mistake such as attaching the calibration solution replenishing nozzle to the buffer solution bottle by mistake. .
[0058]
For example, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the calibration solution supplement nozzle 244 and the buffer solution supplement nozzle 264 can be accommodated above the calibration solution supplement port 242 and the buffer solution supplement port 262 of the measurement unit 11 so that the calibration is performed. While only the liquid bottle or the buffer bottle is discarded, the calibration liquid replenishing nozzle 244 and the buffer replenishing nozzle 264 may be reusable.
[0059]
As shown in FIG. 15, a place for storing the calibration liquid replenishing nozzle 244 and the buffer liquid replenishing nozzle 264 may be provided on the back side of the cover 116 shown in FIG.
[0060]
FIG. 16 is an interior view showing an embodiment of the measurement unit 11. (However, internal unit tubes and harnesses are not shown.) An operation unit 38, a display unit 39, and a human body detection sensor 260 are disposed on the upper surface of the measurement unit 11. The urine sugar sensor 28 is installed on the upper side surface of the measurement unit 11 and is covered with a cover 243. A rotary valve syringe 18 is installed under the urine sugar sensor 28, and a heating unit for making the temperature of the liquid sent to the urine sugar sensor 28 constant in a piping path between the rotary valve syringe 18 and the urine sugar sensor 28. 250 and a temperature sensor 251 are provided. Also, resin tanks 24 and 26 for storing calibration solutions and buffer solutions necessary for measurement are arranged at the bottom of the measurement unit 11, and heating to prevent freezing of the tanks 24 and 26 and the liquid in the pipes. A part 236 and a temperature sensor 237 are installed in the vicinity of the tanks 24 and 26. In addition, a temperature sensor 261 for monitoring the temperature in the toilet room, a pump 281, a power transformer 282, a power supply unit 215, a fall detection switch 283, and the like are arranged at appropriate positions. A communication terminal 114 (for example, RS232C) is also provided.
[0061]
Tanks 24 and 26 for storing the buffer solution and the calibration solution are disposed below the measurement unit 11. Since the upper end of the power supply unit 215 and various electric drive means are arranged at the lower part, even if liquid leaks from the tank, it does not adhere to the electronic parts or devices. -It is safe without any damage or deterioration from equipment leading to fire or leakage. Further, drains 210 are respectively provided at the lower portions of the tanks, and the bottom surfaces of the tanks 24 and 26 are inclined toward the drain 210 direction. Since the drain 210 communicates with the outside of the measurement unit 11, the calibration solution and the buffer solution can be easily drained by simply operating the drain 210 from the outside without disassembling the measurement unit 11.
[0062]
Furthermore, the stability of the measuring unit 11 itself is increased by placing the heavy tanks 24 and 26 filled with the calibration solution and the buffer solution in the lower part.
[0063]
The measurement unit 11 is also designed in consideration of being placed on the wall 119 in a place where it is not preferable to drill a screw hole or the like (for example, a toilet room in a rental house). For example, as can be seen from FIG. 10, the main body of the measurement unit 11 is configured to spread from the upper part to the lower part in order to stabilize the stationary. In addition, in order to make the stationary more stable, a stretchable reinforcing leg 111 is provided. The reinforcing leg 111 includes a screw adjuster 111a whose height can be adjusted. (Of course, the adjuster 111a may be provided directly on the leg provided on the measuring unit 11 instead of the reinforcing leg 111.) With such a configuration, the operation unit of the measuring unit 11 is operated by the user sitting on the toilet. It becomes easy to do. Further, as can be seen from FIG. 16, the calibration solution tank 24 and the buffer solution tank 26, which increase in weight when filled with a liquid, are arranged at the lower part of the main body, thereby enhancing the sense of stability.
[0064]
Next, the components described above will be described in detail.
[0065]
The urinalysis apparatus of the present invention is provided with a human body detection sensor 260 that detects the presence or absence of a person in the toilet room and the intrusion (or exit) of the person into the toilet room, and the controller 36 outputs the human body detection sensor 260. The various actuators are controlled based on the above, details will be described later. In FIG. 16 of the present embodiment, the human body detection sensor 260 is installed in the vicinity of the operation unit 38 and the display unit 39 of the measurement unit 11 and exemplifies one that detects infrared reflected light as a detection unit. The present invention is not limited to this as long as it is an installation location and detection means suitable for detection.
[0066]
For example, the installation location may be a location other than the measurement unit 11 such as the front surface of the rim-mounted urine collection unit 12. The detection means may be a micro switch for detecting the seating of a human body on the toilet seat, a pressurized conductive rubber, or a capacitance type detecting a change in capacitance. Alternatively, the human body may be detected indirectly by detecting the operation of each switch of the operation unit 38. Furthermore, the human body detection means provided in the warm water washing toilet seat device may be diverted (shared).
[0067]
As shown in FIG. 17, the rotary valve syringe 18 has a cylinder 166 and a piston 168, and the piston 168 is moved up and down by converting the rotation of the syringe drive motor 22 into a linear motion by the lead screw mechanism 172. The The controller 36 controls the stroke of the rotary valve syringe 18 by driving the syringe drive motor 22. The port 174 of the rotary valve syringe 18 is connected to the electric rotary valve 176. The electric rotary valve 176 includes a stator 178 having a plurality of ports, a rotor 180, and a rotary valve drive motor 20 controlled by the controller 36. The controller 36 drives the rotary valve drive motor 20 to rotate the rotor 180 to connect the port 174 of the rotary valve syringe 18 to one of the ports of the stator 178, and drives the rotary valve syringe 18 to drive liquid ( Aspirate or discharge water, buffer solution, calibration solution, urine, etc.). The stator 178 has six ports, each of which includes a wash water tank 106, a buffer solution tank 26, a calibration solution tank 24, a transport tube 150 to the inlet 118 of the urine sugar sensor 28 (the outlet 120 of the urine sugar sensor 28 is a tube). 152 extends to the bowl portion), and communicates with the transport tube 76 from the urine collection arm 32 and the discharge pipe 186 extending to the bowl portion of the western toilet 100.
[0068]
The port 174 is attached to the upper side with respect to the cylinder 166 and the piston 168, and is configured such that bubbles sucked into the syringe can be easily removed from the syringe by buoyancy. More preferably, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the air in the cylinder 166 can be discharged when the cylinder 166 and the piston 168 are arranged in a substantially vertical direction. With this configuration, air does not remain in the syringe, so that bubbles are not transported into the urine sugar sensor 28 and the measured value is not adversely affected.
[0069]
As can be seen from FIG. 17, the rotary valve syringe 18 is configured such that the electric rotary valve 176 can be separated from the upper portion of the cylinder 166 and the stator 178 can be replaced with another stator. Therefore, for example, if a stator having a larger number of ports is used instead of the stator 178, it is possible to add a sensor, a calibration liquid tank, etc. for inspecting other components other than urine sugar to the measurement unit. .
[0070]
The transfer tube 150 and the tube 152 (hereinafter, the transfer tube 150 and the tube 152 are collectively referred to as a sensor tube) and the discharge tube 186 are the stator when the buffer solution is filled in the pipe filling in step S200 of FIG. Each tip (open end) is fixed at the same height from the floor so that the same pressure (atmospheric pressure) is applied to each port at 178. For this reason, even if each port in the stator 178 of the transport tube 150 and the discharge pipe 186 communicates with each other, the liquids filled with each other do not mix with each other, and then the calibration liquid is driven into the transport tube 150 And the sample (urine) can be reliably reached the urine sugar sensor 28 by a predetermined amount.
[0071]
FIG. 18 is a schematic view of the internal structure of the calibration solution tank 24 and the buffer solution tank 26. Electrodes 621, 622, 623, and 624 as liquid amount detecting means are inserted in the calibration liquid tank 24 and the buffer liquid tank 26 in the vertical direction to convert the liquid amount into an electric signal.
[0072]
On the other hand, as the same liquid amount detecting means, the float 625 and the display member 626 displaying the liquid amount on the surface are supported by the float support rod 627 and rotated around the shaft 629. The display of the display member can be displayed outside the measurement unit 11 through the window 628. Since the window 628 is installed in the vicinity of the liquid replenishing ports 242 and 262, it is easy to check the amount of liquid while replenishing the liquid. Therefore, when the liquid is replenished, the liquid is inadvertently filled with water and overflowing. It prevents that.
[0073]
The longest electrode is a common electrode, and the electrode (L) 622, the electrode (M) 623, and the electrode (H) 624 are arranged in the longest order. Each of the parentheses of the electrode represents the height of the liquid level. The L level for detecting that the amount of liquid necessary and sufficient for the measurement is lost, and the M for informing the user that the liquid amount has been reduced. Three levels are set, that is, an H level for detecting that the level and the liquid replenishment are sufficient. The number of electrodes is not limited to this, and any number of two or more may be used depending on the required amount of liquid measurement.
[0074]
The above-mentioned M level may be about 5 to 15% of the effective volume in the tank.
[0075]
In the present embodiment, when the liquid level detection means described above reaches the L level and the M level, a calibration liquid replenishment LED 393 and a buffer liquid replenishment LED 392 in FIG. However, it is possible to connect means (for example, optical communication or the like) for communicating to the outside of the toilet through the communication terminal 114 of FIG. By doing so, it is possible to receive the decrease in the amount of liquid with a communication receiving means (for example, a portable remote controller) even if the user does not go there. It goes without saying that the above-described sensor life detection means can be similarly communicated.
[0076]
In FIG. 18 of the embodiment, two types of liquid amount detection means, that is, an electrode and a float, are provided. Position detecting means such as a switch may be provided and converted into an electric signal, and in this case, the electrode is unnecessary. Similarly, if the liquid amount is displayed near the tank liquid replenishing ports 242 and 262 based on the electrical signal detected by the electrodes, the float 625 may not be used.
[0077]
As described above, the tank liquid amount is detected by the electric conduction between the common electrode 621 and each liquid amount detection electrode 622, 623, 624, but the liquid component is deposited on the electrode when the electrode is constantly energized. Resulting in. Therefore, energization of the electrodes is limited to only a short time when the controller 36 as the control unit needs to confirm the tank liquid amount, and the energization is not always performed.
[0078]
The outlet for taking out the liquid to the rotary valve syringe 18 is made from the substantially lowermost part of the tank. A strainer 630 is provided here to prevent foreign matter from entering the rotary valve syringe 18 (or the urine sugar sensor 28 ahead). ing. Further, the liquid outlet port is provided almost at the upper part of the drain 210 provided at the lower part of the tank, so that the strainer 630 can be easily replaced when the drain 210 is removed. Moreover, since this drain 210 part is lower than the other part of the bottom part, it is easy to collect the liquid even when the remaining amount of the liquid is reduced.
[0079]
In the above example, the calibration solution tank 24 and the buffer solution tank 26 are separated from each other, but it is not always necessary to separate them. For example, it is of course possible to use an integrated tank in which a single tank is divided into two chambers at an appropriate volume ratio and a liquid replenishing port is provided at the top of each chamber instead of the two tanks.
The purity of the calibration solution and the buffer solution directly affects the measurement accuracy and must be managed sufficiently.
[0080]
However, since a urine sample, a calibration solution, and a buffer solution are sequentially sent to the sensor via the rotary valve syringe 18, a small amount is present when the solution is switched, but other solutions are present in the calibration solution and buffer solution tanks 24 and 26. There is a possibility of mixing, and there is a problem that the measurement accuracy is lowered if they are stacked. A negative pressure is generated in the tank by the suction during the liquid feeding, and the negative pressure makes it easier for the liquid to flow back into the tank.
[0081]
In addition, liquid may flow back into the tank due to a malfunction of the rotary valve syringe. In any case, it is not preferable that the liquid once sent out flows back into the tank again. Therefore, a backflow prevention unit for preventing a backflow of liquid between the rotary valve syringe 18 serving as a liquid feeding switching unit, the calibration liquid tank 24, and the buffer tank 26, and as a specific example, a backflow prevention valve is provided in the piping tube. Yes.
[0082]
When attention is paid only to prevention of negative pressure in the tank, a hole or a valve member for eliminating negative pressure in the tank may be provided in a part of the tank or in the liquid inlets 242 and 262 (including caps 241 and 261).
[0083]
FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the urine test apparatus 10 with the controller 36 as the center. The controller 36 is configured as a logical operation circuit centered on a microcomputer. Specifically, the controller 36 executes various arithmetic processes for controlling the rotary valve drive motor 20 and the like in accordance with a preset control program or a built-in timer. The CPU 362, the ROM 364 in which control programs and control data necessary for executing various arithmetic processes in the CPU 362 are stored in advance, and various data necessary for executing various arithmetic processes in the CPU 362 temporarily. RAM 366, an input processing circuit 368 that inputs detection signals from the various sensors (for example, the electrode 34) and signals from various switches of the operation unit 38 and converts them into signals that can be processed by the CPU 362, and Depending on the calculation result, the rotary valve drive motor 20 Syringe drive motor 22, urine collection arm drive motor 23, communication terminal 114 (for example, baud rate: 2400 bps, character length: 8 bits, parity: even, stop bit: 1, code: ASCII, level: RS232C), display 39, etc. An output processing circuit 380 for outputting a drive signal is provided. In addition, the controller 36 is provided with a nonvolatile memory (EEPROM 367) for storing data and the like and detecting troubles, and even if the power is turned off, the stored contents may be lost. Absent.
[0084]
In addition, although what was described in the present embodiment has been described as having a data storage unit in the measurement unit 11, the measurement unit 11 can be stored using another storage medium (floppy disk, CDROM, or IC card). Data may be read from the communication terminal 114 and stored in the storage medium so as to be portable.
[0085]
Particularly in the case of an IC card, since the storage drive can be miniaturized, the effectiveness is extremely high. Then, by dropping data from these storage media onto a personal computer and using dedicated software (which can also be downloaded from the measurement unit), various life information including personal meals is added. It can also be used for effective health management.
[0086]
Since the backup power source 670 is provided, the timer does not shift even if the power supply is temporarily interrupted due to, for example, a power failure.
[0087]
Further, the capacity of the backup power source 670 can be considered in various ways depending on the backup operation when the power supply is temporarily cut off. For example, an electrolytic capacitor (supercapacitor) may be used if the power is as low as the timer described above.
[0088]
In addition, when the power supply is temporarily cut off during the operation of the apparatus, a relatively large power capacity is required when the operation is to be performed to the end for protection of the apparatus. In such a case, a battery is good.
[0089]
In addition, if this battery is a type that can be charged during normal energization, maintenance is unnecessary and it is easy to use.
[0090]
The type of motor for driving the urine collection arm 32, the rotary valve syringe 18 and the like is not particularly limited, but it is particularly preferable to use a stepping motor because of its characteristics.
[0091]
The urine collection arm drive motor 23 is normally driven by a two-phase excitation method. Normal extension, storage operation, and positioning are driven at a certain speed. In this case, in order to shorten the measurement time, it is desirable that the driving speed (for example, 200 pps) is fast. On the other hand, when finely adjusting the arm position, driving at a slower speed (for example, 100 pps) is used. Selfishness improves.
[0092]
The urine collection arm 32 in the storage position is displaced due to vibrations caused by the opening / closing operation of the toilet seat 102 and the toilet lid 104 and the seating / separating operation of the user during storage. In addition, when the urine is collected by being extended into the toilet bowl, the urine may be misaligned due to the impact of the urine, and as a result, the urine cannot be collected well. The controller 36 controls to hold the position by applying a holding voltage to 23 (for example, by one-phase excitation). In this way, the urine collecting arm 32 is controlled very accurately in combination with the effect of the above-described positioning, so that urine can be collected with certainty.
[0093]
In this case, since the electric power is wasted by constantly applying the holding voltage, the holding voltage application is controlled according to the output of the human body detection sensor 260.
[0094]
Specifically, when the human body detection sensor 260 detects a person, the positional deviation can be eliminated by driving the urine collection arm 32 in the storage direction. Further, when the human body detection sensor 260 detects that the person has left, it is more preferable that power consumption can be prevented by stopping energization to the urine collection arm drive motor 23.
[0095]
Next, the rotary valve drive motor 20 and the syringe drive motor 22 will be described.
[0096]
By using a stepping motor, the driving speed of the syringe drive motor 22, that is, various liquid feeding speeds, can be easily and reliably changed without complicated control only by changing the pulse rate applied to the stepping motor. it can. Having a means for changing the driving speed of the piston 168 in the rotary valve syringe 18 is very effective and will be described according to this embodiment.
[0097]
For example, when the inside of the cylinder 166 or the piping path is cleaned, it is driven at a high-speed first pulse rate (for example, 100 pps). By driving at high speed, the time required for cleaning can be reduced.
[0098]
On the other hand, when a urine sample or a calibration liquid is fed into the urine sugar sensor 28, it can be driven at a low-speed second pulse rate (for example, 20 pps) to increase measurement accuracy.
[0099]
In addition, it is necessary to manage the amount of urine, calibration solution, and buffer solution (a sensor and solution suitable for measuring other than urine sugar) sent to the urine sugar sensor 28 for measurement. is there. By using stepping motors for the rotary valve drive motor 20 and the syringe drive motor 22, it becomes possible to manage them.
[0100]
When all the stepping motors are started, excitation is started in the same phase from the previously stopped pulse. Also, when reversing, the number of pulses for absorbing gears and other play is added and applied. In particular, it is very effective to perform such control on a rotary valve or a syringe that requires strict position control, and it is possible to control with extremely high accuracy.
[0101]
Next, the urine sugar sensor 28 will be described. The urine sugar sensor 28 has a position energy higher than that of the transport tube 150 and the tube 152 so that the liquid does not leak even if the urine sugar sensor 28 is removed when the transport tube 150 or the tube 152 is filled with the liquid. It is arranged.
[0102]
The urine sugar sensor 28 utilizes a detection principle (a schematic diagram shown in FIG. 20A) which will be described later. That is, urine, which is a waste product of life activity, contains an extremely large number of chemical species. Urine sugar as used in the present invention refers to glucose (glucose), but the concentration is considerably lower than that of other components such as urea and ammonia not only in healthy individuals but also in cases where it is excreted by a diabetic patient. Therefore, the urine sugar sensor 28 needs to have both a function as a probe for specifically identifying glucose from many components and a function as a transducer for converting it into an electrical signal. The urine sugar sensor 28 uses glucose oxidase (GOD), which is an enzyme that specifically oxidizes glucose as a probe, and a hydrogen peroxide electrode as a transducer. The detection reaction is shown below.
[0103]
[Chemical 1]

[0104]
[Chemical formula 2]

[0105]
The hydrogen peroxide electrode also reacts with uric acid and ascorbic acid, giving an output other than the above two formulas and causing measurement errors. In order to avoid this, a permselective membrane that selectively permeates only hydrogen peroxide having a small molecular weight is formed between the molecular identification unit and the signal conversion unit.
[0106]
As shown in FIG. 20B, when the glucose in the urine sample is quantitatively analyzed, the potential of the working electrode 135 (Pt) with respect to the reference electrode 133 (Ag / AgCl) is positively constant by the potentiostat 130. The current flowing between the working electrode 135 and the counter electrode 137 (Ag) so as to have a value (for example, +0.6 V) varies according to the amount of hydrogen peroxide generated. Therefore, by detecting the current flowing between the working electrode 135 and the counter electrode 137, the amount of hydrogen peroxide generated can be detected, and based on this, the glucose concentration in the urine sample can be calculated. A current flowing between the working electrode 135 and the counter electrode 137 is converted into a potential difference by the resistor 132, and the potential difference is amplified by the amplifier circuit 134 and output from the output terminal 136. The output of the output terminal 136 is input to the input processing circuit of the controller 36 and used for calculating the glucose concentration.
[0107]
In general, before measuring a sample, a solution containing a known concentration of glucose, that is, a calibration solution is measured, and the measurement is performed after clarifying the proportionality constant between the glucose concentration and the amount of change in the current value.
[0108]
In the buffer solution, a buffering agent such as KCl, NaCl, and phosphoric acid that stabilizes the potential of the reference electrode 133 and also functions as a supporting salt is dissolved. The higher the Cl ion concentration contained in the buffer solution, the smaller the potential fluctuation of the reference electrode 133 accompanying the fluctuation of the Cl ion concentration. However, the use of a concentrated salt solution not only leads to an increase in cost but also during drying. In addition, there is a drawback that salt tends to precipitate at low temperatures.
[0109]
Therefore, a buffer solution to which about several tens mM of KCl, NaCl, phosphoric acid and the like have been added has been used. However, since the Cl ion concentration in urine is not constant (for example, a normal distribution as shown in FIG. 21), the Cl ion concentration of the solution that is sufficiently diluted with the sample and in contact with the reference electrode 133 is substantially the same as that of the buffer solution. It was necessary to make it equal to the ion concentration. This is because when the dilution is not sufficient, the potential of the reference electrode 133 fluctuates, the current flowing between the working electrode 135 and the counter electrode 137 fluctuates, and the current based on hydrogen peroxide generated from glucose can be measured correctly. Because it disappears.
[0110]
When measuring with the conventional flow method, in order to increase the dilution ratio of the sample with the buffer, the method of reducing the amount of sample injection, the pipe from the sample injection part to the detection part is lengthened, or the liquid feed speed is reduced. In some cases, methods have been taken to gain time for dilution.
[0111]
However, especially in urine testing devices installed in the toilets of ordinary households, it is difficult to sample accurately and minutely, so if you try to increase the length of the pipe and increase the time for dilution, a large amount In addition to wasting the buffer solution, the time required for the measurement is also increased.
[0112]
Therefore, the amount of buffer solution used to dilute the urine sample and the measurement completed by using a buffer solution and calibration solution added with KCl or NaCl and phosphate adjusted to the average Cl ion concentration present in the urine It enables accurate measurement while saving time.
[0113]
FIGS. 22A and 22B are measurement data showing the relationship between the Cl ions and the current value. When glucose in urine containing a large amount of Cl ions is measured using a buffer solution having a KCl concentration of 50 mM, the potential of the reference electrode 133 rapidly decreases when the urine sample reaches the reference electrode 133, and the current value increases rapidly. Reduction occurs. Subsequently, hydrogen peroxide is generated from the urine glucose by the action of GOD supported on the working electrode 135, and the generated hydrogen peroxide is oxidized on the working electrode 135 to generate an oxidation current of hydrogen peroxide. This is shown in FIG. Since these reactions occur almost simultaneously, only the oxidation current of hydrogen peroxide corresponding to the urine glucose accuracy cannot be measured accurately, and the measurement accuracy deteriorates.
[0114]
On the other hand, when a buffer solution having a KCl concentration of 170 mM is used, the potential of the reference electrode 133 is only slightly reduced, so that only the oxidation current of hydrogen peroxide can be accurately measured. This is shown in FIG.
[0115]
Although the urinary Cl ion concentration varies depending on the content of the meal and the state of exercise, the KCl concentration added to the buffer is preferably within the range of 170 ± 80 mM (1σ), which is the average value of the urinary Cl concentration. The salt to be added may be NaCl, in addition to KCl, or a mixture thereof. Furthermore, the measurement accuracy can be further improved by adding a salt having the same concentration as the buffer solution to the calibration solution.
[0116]
This method is effective not only in a flow method but also in a batch method, and can be widely used for an amperometric biosensor using an enzyme that generates an electrode active. Accurate measurement is possible without increasing the dilution factor so much, and the pipe length and measurement time can be shortened.
[0117]
Next, the operation unit will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0118]
The operation unit 38 includes a man switch 381, an onset switch 382, a cancel switch 383, a memory / call switch 384, an A to D switch 385, a cleaning mode switch 386, an LED 396 for AD, a current time switch 387, and a power saving time switch 388. The adjustment switch 389, the urine sugar sensor replacement LED 394, the LED 395 being prepared, and the like are provided.
[0119]
Although not shown, the surface of the various switches of the operation unit 38 is provided with irregularities so that the switches can be specified, and the switches can be clearly identified and are considered to be easily operated. Switch identification is not limited to unevenness, and colored light may be attached to each switch. It is also possible to change the size and shape of the switch so that the user can specify it.
[0120]
Although not shown in the present embodiment, for the same reason, various setting switches that are less frequently used may be installed slightly apart from the operation switches that are frequently used and covered with a lid. In case the user will not be confused by a lot of switches.
[0121]
The fluorescent display tube 391 includes a character display unit 391a that displays a character string of up to four digits including numbers, English letters, symbols, and the like, and a date / time display unit 391b that displays the date and time. As shown in FIG. 23, the last three digits of the character display portion 391a are each composed of seven light-emitting segments, and display the letters “E”, the symbol “-” (hyphen), etc. in addition to the numbers from 0 to 9. can do. The most significant digit consists of two light-emitting segments, and the number “1” can be displayed. The number is more preferably a light emitting segment from 0 to 9. In addition, the light emitting segment as described above is also used in the date display portion 391b. The date and time display unit 391b normally displays the current date and time (month, day, hour, minute), but when the current time switch 387 or the power saving time switch 388 is pressed, the time setting mode is set. When the adjustment switch 389 is operated in the time setting mode, the date and time display changes accordingly. In addition, when an abnormality (error) occurs in the device, the alphabet “E” indicating the abnormality and its number are displayed.
[0122]
In this embodiment, a fluorescent display tube is used because it is relatively low-cost and clearly bright and easy to see. Of course, a color liquid crystal or the like may be provided to increase display variations. The contents to be displayed (not shown) are not limited to the contents described above.
[0123]
In addition to this, it is very preferable for the user to display the explanation of the operation method, the current operation state, the measurement data, the transition of the data of each individual so far and the instruction of health management. If the explanation of the operation method is displayed, it can be used with ease and intelligibility even for first-time users and the elderly. In addition, no malfunction occurs and no erroneous data is provided.
[0124]
Unlike the case of testing at a hospital, etc., the urine test apparatus of the present invention is mainly used by one person in the toilet, so the operation method is displayed as described above, or the current operating state is displayed. Then, since the user knows what the inspection machine is doing, the user is not worried during the waiting time, such as during data collection. As for the data to be displayed, not only the measurement data of this time is displayed, but also the transition of the data so far, simple comments on the data and advice on health care, such as figures, graphs, people, etc. The user can make full use of the image, and the user can wipe out the dark image of the examination and enjoy health care.
[0125]
If it is a color liquid crystal, these various information can be conveyed to the user. Furthermore, by adopting a touch panel in which the operation unit 38 and the display unit 39 are integrated, there is no need for a switch on the operation unit. Is utilized in the display unit 39, the screen of the display unit 39 can be enlarged, and it becomes extremely easy to operate.
[0126]
As described above, the operation unit 38 and the display unit 39 are not shown in the drawing of the present embodiment, but it is not particularly necessary to fix and install the operation unit 38 and the display unit. However, it may be a remote controller provided with infrared light communication means.
[0127]
In addition, when the light emitting segment used for the fluorescent display tube 391 is used for a long time, the brightness and the lighting speed vary depending on the frequency of use. In order to minimize such variation in characteristics as much as possible, for example, an operation of lighting all the light emitting segments all at once for a predetermined time (for example, several seconds) can be periodically performed. In the case of liquid crystal, a screen saver may be used to prevent deterioration.
[0128]
The following storage determination and processing are performed for the A to D LEDs 396 arranged near the A to D switches 385. That is, when the measurement result is stored, when the A to D switch 385 is pressed while the measurement result is being displayed on the display unit 39 (after step S426 in FIG. 26 described later), the A to D of the pressed switch is displayed. The D LED 396 is turned on and the storage / recall switch 384 is pressed to store the measurement result. Further, the position of the urine collection arm 32 at the time of urine collection can also be stored.
[0129]
By pressing an A to D switch 385 different from the previously pressed A to D switch 385 before confirming the storage, the measurement result can be stored again. It disappears when the cancel switch 383 is pressed or a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) elapses.
[0130]
When recalling a measurement result that has already been stored, if the storage / recall switch 384 is pressed while waiting (after the completion of the next measurement preparation in step S650 in FIG. 24 described later) or while the preparation LED 395 is blinking, All D LEDs 396 blink. When one of the A to D switches 385 disposed near the flashing A to D LEDs 396 is pressed, the latest data stored in the pressed switch and the time when the data is stored (hereinafter referred to as data or the like) are displayed. The LED of the pressed switch is turned on, and the LEDs other than the pressed switch are turned off. Data can be scrolled with the adjustment switch 389.
[0131]
If the A to D switch 385 different from the previously pressed A to D switch 385 is pressed while the stored data is being recalled, the data stored in the pressed switch is displayed again. At this time, the LED of the pressed switch is turned on, and the previously lit LED is turned off.
[0132]
The result display disappears when the cancel switch 383 is pressed or a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) elapses.
[0133]
In order to erase the stored data or the like, the storage / recall switch 384 is pressed, and then any one of the switches 385 of A to D is pressed. Data can be scrolled by the adjustment switch 389 and the storage / recall switch 384 can be continuously pressed for 3 seconds or more. The result display disappears when the cancel switch 383 is pressed or a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) elapses.
[0134]
For example, if the data and the position of the urine collection arm 32 are stored in the AD switch 385 by the above operation, the AD switch 385 can be pressed instead of pressing the man switch 381 and the ONA switch 382 at the next measurement. If the urine collection arm 32 is extended to the position stored in the A to D switch 385 and the result after the measurement is automatically stored in the A to D switch 385, the operation can be simplified, In addition, it is not necessary to wait for the result display (hereinafter, the man switch 381, the woman switch 382, and the A to D switches 385 after performing the above-described storage operation are referred to as “measurement SW”).
[0135]
Next, the operation of the urinalysis apparatus 10 thus configured, that is, the programmed urine sugar test process executed by the controller 36 of the urine test apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0136]
When a power plug or a leakage protection plug (see FIG. 10) is inserted into an outlet and the power is turned on, the flow shown in FIG. 18 is followed. After the initial operation (step S100), the current time set determination (step S110) determines the transition to the priming operation (step S120) to the pump 16, and each motor (rotary valve drive motor 20, syringe drive motor 22, The urine collection arm drive motor 23) is positioned (step S150), and the piping is filled (step S200). Then, the calibration solution is sucked (step S350) and measured (step S400). At this time, the sensor output is taken into the CPU 362 and Gain (amplification degree of the sensor output) is set. Thereafter, the inside of the urine collection arm 32 and the syringe 18 is cleaned (step S450). After cleaning, emptying is performed (step S500), and the cleaning water is discharged. Then, the discharge pipe 186 is filled (step S550) and the sensor pipe is filled (step S600), and the next measurement preparation (step S650) is completed, waiting. It becomes.
[0137]
When the measurement SW is turned on and the measurement is started, it is determined as “measurement” in the calibration / measurement determination (step S700), the urine measurement (step S750) is performed, and then the calibration liquid suction (step S350) is performed. Calibration liquid measurement (step S400) is performed. Thereafter, cleaning (step S450), emptying (step S500), discharge pipe filling (step S550), and sensor pipe filling (step S600) are sequentially performed, and the next measurement preparation (step S650) is performed.
[0138]
Next, each step described above will be described in detail.
[0139]
Specifically, the initial operation in step S100 proceeds in the manner shown in the flowchart of FIG. The RAM 366 is checked and cleared (step S102). After the fluorescent display tube and all LEDs of the display unit 39 are turned on for a certain time (for example, 2 seconds) (step S104), the contents written in the nonvolatile memory EEPROM 367 are confirmed and restored (step S106), and read (step S108). Do. Here, the contents read from the EEPROM include, for example, data relating to the life of the sensor, sensor energization time, total energization time of the controller 38, the number of sensor replacements, freezing history, and presence / absence of safety function operation. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the freezing history of the calibration solution, buffer solution, and various pipes is present (Step S110), and whether or not the urine sugar sensor 28 is present (Step S112). Steps S114 and S116 for detecting the remaining amount of the buffer tank are performed, and a sensor life detection function for checking the sensor life is activated (step S118). In addition, when it is determined negative (abnormality or the like) in various detection operations, the process proceeds to a product safety operation and an operation for displaying an abnormality, but details are not described here.
[0140]
The positioning of each motor in step S150 is specifically the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 26, and the urine collection arm 32 is extended and stored by the urine collection arm drive motor 23 (step S152), and the rotary valve drive motor 20 is used. The urine collection arm drive motor 23, the rotary valve drive motor 20, and the syringe drive motor 22 are pushed by forward / reverse rotation of the rotary valve (step S154) and raising / lowering of the syringe by the syringe drive motor 22 (step S156). Positioning such as a contact is performed and each is moved to a predetermined position.
[0141]
By the way, among the motors described above, motors other than the urine collection arm drive motor 23 are built in the measurement unit 11 placed on the floor, whereas the urine collection unit 12 including the urine collection arm drive motor 23 is mounted on the upper surface of the toilet. Therefore, when the user rotates the toilet seat 102 and the toilet lid 104, the position of the urine collection arm 32 may be displaced. For this reason, it is desirable to carefully position the urine collection arm drive motor 23 when positioning.
[0142]
The pipe filling in step S200 is specifically the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 27, and sucks water (the rotor 180 causes the port 174 to communicate with the water port, the piston 168 descends to about 1/2, Water is sucked into the cylinder 166) (step S204), and the discharge pipe 186 is filled (the port 174 communicates with the discharge pipe 186 port by the rotor 180, the cylinder 166 rises to the top, and the discharge pipe 186 is filled with water. ) (Step S208), determination of buffer level> L (step S214), filling of sensor tube (the port 174 communicates with the buffer port by the rotor 180, and the piston 168 descends to about 1/2 to enter the cylinder 166. The buffer solution is sucked, and then the port 174 communicates with the transport tube 150 port by the rotor 180, and the piston 168 It rises to the top, to fill the buffer into the delivery tube 150 tube 152) (at step S216) to be. If a negative determination is made in step S214, the buffer solution replenishment LED 392 is turned on.
[0143]
Specifically, the calibration liquid suction in step S350 is the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 28. The calibration liquid suction (the port 174 communicates with the calibration liquid port by the rotor 180, and the piston 168 is lowered to about 1/8. Then, the calibration liquid is sucked into the cylinder 166) (step S354), and the excess liquid is discharged (the rotor 180 causes the port 174 to communicate with the urine collection port, and the piston 168 rises to the middle between the lowered position and the uppermost portion. The calibration solution is discharged) (step S358).
[0144]
In addition, before the calibration liquid suction in the above-described step S354 (the port 174 communicates with the conveyance tube 150 port by the rotor 180 and the piston 168 is raised to the uppermost position), the piston 168 is lowered several steps to the vicinity of the conveyance tube 150 port. The attached bubbles may be sucked, and the buffer containing the bubbles may be discarded in the discharge pipe 186.
[0145]
Specifically, the calibration liquid measurement in step S400 is the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 29, and the calibration liquid sucked into the cylinder 166 in step S402 is discharged (the port 174 is connected to the discharge pipe 186 by the rotor 180). The piston 168 rises and discharges a small amount of calibration fluid (step S402), the calibration fluid is driven (the port 174 communicates with the sensor port by the low pressure 180, the piston 168 rises, and the calibration fluid is discharged. (Step S404), excess calibration liquid discharge (port 174 communicates with the urine collection port by the rotor 180, the piston 168 rises to the top and discharges the calibration liquid) (step S406), syringe cleaning 1st time (port 174 communicates with the water port by the rotor 180, and the piston 168 is about 1/4. Then, the water is sucked into the cylinder 166, and then the port 174 communicates with the urine collection port by the rotor 180, the piston 168 rises to the top, and the water in the cylinder 166 is discharged) (step S408), syringe washing Second time (port 174 communicates with the water port by the rotor 180, the piston 168 descends to about 1/4, sucks water into the cylinder 166, and then the port 174 communicates with the urine collection port by the rotor 180, and the piston 168 Rises to the top and discharges the water in the cylinder 166 (step S410), buffer suction (the rotor 180 causes the port 174 to communicate with the buffer solution port, the piston 168 descends to about 1/3, and the cylinder 166 (The buffer solution is sucked in) (step S414), bubble removal (port 174 is discharged by the rotor 180) The piston 168 rises and discharges a small amount of buffer solution (step S418), base voltage adjustment (step S420), calibration solution feed (port 174 communicates with the sensor port by the rotor 180, and the piston 168 communicates with the sensor port. And the urine is sent to the urine sugar sensor 28 with a buffer solution (step S422), calculation (step S424), and result display (step S426).
[0146]
However, when it is determined as “measurement” in the calibration / measurement determination (step S700), in the above-described calculation (step S424), “concentration of the object to be measured = (output for the sample / output for the calibration liquid)”. X Concentration of calibration solution ”is performed, and then the result is displayed (step S426).
[0147]
On the other hand, when it is determined as “calibration” in the calibration / measurement determination (step S700), in the above-described calculation (step S424), “the sensor output is taken into the CPU 362 and the gain (amplification degree of the sensor output) is set. To finish (no result display).
[0148]
At the start of feeding of the calibration fluid (step S422), immediately after the port 174 is communicated with the sensor port by the rotor 180, the piston 168 is raised several steps at a high speed (for example, 100 PPS), and the buffer in the transport tube 150 is placed. Bubbles in the urine sugar sensor 28 may be discharged to the tube 152 with a liquid.
[0149]
The cleaning in step S450 is specifically the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 30. Pump-on (step S452), excess buffer discharge (rotor 180 causes port 174 to communicate with the urine collection port, and piston 168 is the uppermost part. (Step S454), water suction (the rotor 180 causes the port 174 to communicate with the water port, the piston 168 descends to the lowest end, and sucks water into the cylinder 166) (Step S456), water discharge (the port 174 communicates with the urine collection port by the rotor 180, the piston 168 rises to the top and discharges the water in the cylinder 166) (Step S458), water suction (the port 174 by the rotor 180) Communicates with the water port, and the piston 168 descends to its lowest end, allowing water into the cylinder 166. (Step S460), water discharge (port 174 communicates with the urine collection port by the rotor 180, the piston 168 rises to the top and discharges the water in the cylinder 166) (step S462), small amount suction (by the rotor 180) The port 174 communicates with the water port, and the piston 168 descends to about 1/3 and sucks a small amount of water into the cylinder 166. After that, the rotor 180 communicates with the urine collection port. Repeats the reciprocating motion of once rising to the top and then descending to about 1/3 again, whereby the small amount of water reciprocates in the flow path to the urine collection arm 32, and the flow (Step S464), water suction (the rotor 180 causes the port 174 to communicate with the water port, and the piston 168 (Step S466), water discharge (port 174 communicates with the urine collection port by the rotor 180, the piston 168 rises to the top and discharges the water in the cylinder 166) (Step S468) and pumping off (Step S470).
[0150]
The emptying in step S500 is specifically the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 31. Air suction (the rotor 180 causes the port 174 to communicate with the urine collection port, the piston 168 descends to the lowest end, and the inside of the cylinder 166 (Step S502), discharge (the rotor 174 causes the port 174 to communicate with the discharge pipe 186 port, the piston 168 rises to the top, and the cylinder 166 (Air and water are discharged) (step S504), air suction (port 174 communicates with the urine collection port by the rotor 180, the piston 168 slowly descends to the lowest end, and air is sucked into the cylinder 166 (water in the transfer tube 76). (Step S506), discharge (port 174 by the rotor 180) Disposable through port and communicates, the piston 168 is to rise to the top, discharge air and water in the cylinder 166) (step S508).
[0151]
The discharge pipe filling in step S550 is specifically the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 32. Water suction (the rotor 174 causes the port 174 to communicate with the water port, the piston 168 descends to the lowest end, the cylinder 166 (Step S552), water filling (port 174 communicates with the discharge pipe 186 port by the rotor 180, the piston 168 rises to the top, and the discharge pipe 186 is filled with water) (Step S554) )It is to be.
[0152]
The sensor tube filling in step S600 is specifically the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 33, in which the determination of calibration solution level> L (step S601), the determination of buffer solution level> L (step S602), and the buffer solution Suction (the port 174 communicates with the buffer port by the rotor 180, the piston 168 descends to about 1/2, and the buffer solution is sucked into the cylinder 166) (step S604), and the buffer level> L is determined (step S606) ), Bubble removal (the rotor 180 causes the port 174 to communicate with the discharge pipe 186 port, the piston 168 rises, and a small amount of buffer solution is discharged) (step S608), and the solution is sent to the urine sugar sensor 28 (step S610). It is.
[0153]
It should be noted that after filling the sensor tube (step S600), the piston 168 is pulled back several steps to suck the air bubbles remaining in the vicinity of the transport tube 150 port, and the buffer containing the air bubbles is thrown into the discharge pipe 186. good.
[0154]
Specifically, the next measurement preparation in step S650 is the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. 34, in which the piston is positioned (the syringe is raised by the syringe drive motor 22) (step S652), and the piston is locked (syringe drive motor 22). The lowering of the syringe by (step S654) and the rotor positioning (reverse / forward rotation of the rotary valve by the rotary valve drive motor 20) (step S656).
[0155]
Specifically, the calibration / measurement determination in step S700 is to perform CPU 362 reset state determination (step S702) and measurement SW on determination (step S706) in the manner shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[0156]
The urine measurement in step S750 is specifically the procedure shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 36 and 37. When the man switch 381 is turned on (step S752), the urine collection arm 32 is moved to the man position (see FIG. 2). In the determination (step S756) of extending (step S754) and detecting the presence of urine (detecting the presence of urine by the electrode 34 provided in the urine collection arm 32) (step S756), the sample (urine) suction (step S758) is performed. Is stored (step S760). Thereafter, the excess sample (urine) is discharged (step S762). Thereafter, the sample sucked into the cylinder 166 is discharged (the rotor 180 causes the port 174 to communicate with the discharge port to which the discharge pipe 186 is connected, the piston 168 is raised, and a small amount of sample is discharged) (step S787) The port 174 communicates with the sensor port by the low speed 180, and the piston 168 moves up and drives the sample into the transport tube 150) (step S788). Here, the service life of the sensor is counted up (step S789). Thereafter, the excess sample is discharged (the port 174 communicates with the urine collection port by the rotor 180, the piston 168 rises to the top and the sample is discharged) (step S790), and the syringe is washed for the first time (the port 174 by the rotor 180 becomes the water port. The piston 168 is lowered to about 1/4 and sucks water into the cylinder 166, and then the port 174 communicates with the urine collection port by the rotor 180, and the piston 168 rises to the uppermost position, and the water in the cylinder 166 is (Step S791), the second cleaning of the syringe (the port 174 communicates with the water port by the rotor 180, the piston 168 descends to about 1/4, the water is sucked into the cylinder 166, and then the port is driven by the rotor 180. 174 communicates with the urine collection port, piston 168 rises to the top, 166) (Step S792), buffer solution suction (the rotor 180 causes the port 174 to communicate with the buffer solution port, the piston 168 descends to about 1/3, and the buffer solution is sucked into the cylinder 166) ( Step S793), bubble removal (the port 174 communicates with the discharge port by the rotor 180, the piston 168 rises and discharges a small amount of buffer solution) (Step S794), base voltage adjustment (Step S795), sample liquid supply (rotor 180) As a result, the port 174 communicates with the sensor port, the piston 168 moves up, and urine is sent to the urine sugar sensor 28 with a buffer solution (step S796), and the calculation (step S797) is completed.
[0157]
In the above-described calculation (step S797), the CPU 362 takes in the output of the urine sugar sensor 28 for the urine sample.
On the other hand, in step S752 (see FIG. 36), when the on switch 382 is determined to be on, the urine collection arm 32 is extended to the on position (see FIG. 2) (step S764), and the urine collection arm 32 stops at the on position. Thereafter, when the adjustment switch 389 is turned on (step S766), the urine collection arm is finely adjusted (step S768).
[0158]
In step S756, if urine is not detected for 1 minute after extending the urine collection arm 32, the urine collection arm 32 is stored (see FIG. 2) (step S772) based on the 1-minute determination (step S770). after that,
The above-described cleaning (step S450), emptying (step S500), discharge pipe filling (step S550), and next measurement preparation (step S650) are performed, and a standby state is entered.
[0159]
The voltage (0.6 V) applied to the urine sugar sensor 28 when the measurement SW is turned on may be changed to the instantaneous low voltage (0 V) and then returned to the applied voltage (0.6 V), or the measurement operation Other than the above, the applied voltage (0.6V) may be set to a low voltage (0V) at all times and only during measurement. (Details will be described later).
[0160]
FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing another example of urine collection in urine measurement (step S750). In this flowchart, a step for determining whether or not the cancel switch 383 is turned on for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) after the urine collection arm 32 extends to a predetermined position (man or position: see FIG. 2). S782 is provided. If urine is not detected in step S756, and if the cancel switch 383 is not turned on in step S782, the process proceeds to 1 minute determination in step S770.
[0161]
On the other hand, if it is detected in step S782 that the cancel switch 383 is turned on, the urine collection arm 32 is stored (step S784), and the process proceeds to a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) determination (step S786). Here, the 5-second elapsed determination means determining whether or not the elapsed time after setting the urine collection arm 32 at a predetermined position in step S754 or S764 is 5 seconds or more. When it is determined in step S786 that the elapsed time is 5 seconds or longer, the above-described cleaning (step S450), emptying (step S500), discharge pipe filling (step S500), and next measurement preparation (step S650) are performed. stand by. On the other hand, if it is determined that the elapsed time is less than 5 seconds, the standby state is entered.
[0162]
In the embodiment described above, a sequence for performing more accurate measurement in consideration of sensor characteristics described later is proposed.
[0163]
In other words, after the urine measurement (step S750), the calibration solution is immediately measured (steps S350 to S400), the two are compared, and the result is displayed.
[0164]
The detection principle and structure of the urine sugar sensor 28 used in the present embodiment have been described with reference to FIGS. 20A and 20B. The characteristics of the urine sugar sensor 28 will be described below.
As described above, Pt (platinum) is used as the material of the working electrode 135, and a constant voltage (for example, a voltage of 0.6 V) is applied to the working electrode 135 with respect to the reference electrode 133 (FIG. 20B). reference).
[0165]
When a voltage is continuously applied to the working electrode 135, the surface of the electrode is gradually oxidized. When the surface of the electrode is oxidized, the sensitivity of platinum to hydrogen peroxide decreases (see FIG. 39).
[0166]
That is, the glucose sensitivity (output) of the urine sugar sensor 28 decreases. Therefore, as described above, an error occurs in the measurement result due to an obstruction included in the urine (for example, uric acid or ascorbic acid outputs a false positive side with respect to the sensor output).
[0167]
As described above, the urine sugar sensor 28 carries an enzyme film (see FIG. 20A). However, since this enzyme film is a protein, it is easily affected by temperature, and at a low temperature (for example, 0 to 10 ° C.). ) Has a low enzyme activity, and the reaction of hydrogen peroxide on the working electrode 135 becomes dull, resulting in a small sensor output (see FIG. 40).
[0168]
Conversely, at a high temperature (for example, 30 to 40 ° C.), the enzyme activity is high, and the reaction of hydrogen peroxide on the working electrode 135 is improved, resulting in an increase in sensor output (see FIG. 40).
[0169]
Furthermore, the enzyme membrane gradually loses its activity over time, and the output decreases with time (not shown).
[0170]
Therefore, according to the measurement sequence described above, the calibration solution is measured in a short time after the urine measurement, so that the measurement environment (especially temperature) is not affected and measurement with high accuracy is always possible.
[0171]
However, in this sequence, calibration liquid measurement (step S350 to step S400) is performed after urine measurement (step S750) and calculation is performed, so that it takes a long time to display the result.
[0172]
In order to shorten the time until the above result display, the calibration solution measurement (step S350 to step S400) is not performed after the urine measurement (step S750), but before the measurement SW is pressed (step S350 to step S400). S350 to step S400) may be performed.
[0173]
This sequence will be described in detail with reference to FIG. For example, when a power plug or an earth leakage protection plug is inserted into an outlet and the power is turned on, after the initial operation (step S100), the current time set determination (step S110) is followed by the priming operation (step S120) to the pump 16. Is determined, each motor (rotary valve drive motor 20, syringe drive motor 22, urine collection arm drive motor 23) is positioned (step S150), and piping is filled (step S200). Then, the calibration solution is sucked (step S350) and measured (step S400). At this time, the sensor output is taken into the CPU 362 and Gain (amplification degree of the sensor output) is set, and the output value is stored as a calibration value. Thereafter, the inside of the urine collection arm 32 and the syringe 18 is cleaned (step S450). After cleaning, emptying is performed (step S500), and the cleaning water is discharged. Then, the discharge pipe 186 is filled (step S550) and the sensor pipe is filled (step S600), and the next measurement preparation (step S650) is completed, waiting. It becomes.
[0174]
At the time of measurement, when the measurement SW is turned on and measurement is started, it is determined as “measurement” in calibration / measurement determination (step S700), and urine measurement (step S750) is performed. The calculation is performed by comparing the sensor output at the time of measurement with the sensor output (calibration value) stored at the time of calibration liquid measurement (step S400). Thereafter, cleaning (step S450), emptying (step S500), discharge pipe filling (step S550), and sensor pipe filling (step S600) are sequentially performed, and the next measurement preparation (step S650) is performed.
[0175]
In the above-described sequence, the measurement time and the time until the result display are shortened, but because it depends on the change in the sensor characteristics (temperature dependency: see FIG. 40), the urine sugar sensor 28 is calibrated. If there is a difference in the measurement environment temperature when measuring urine and urine, there will be some error in the measurement results.
[0176]
Since each of the two sequences described above has characteristics (advantages / disadvantages), a selection switch (not shown) may be provided in the operation unit 38 so as to select the two according to the needs of the user. Further, it is possible to use a method of calibrating every predetermined time (for example, every 24 hours) or every predetermined number of times of use (for example, every 20 times) using a timer means, a use frequency measuring means, or the like. Furthermore, it is also possible to control to change the predetermined time according to the timing and measured value after sensor replacement or when power is turned on. This control will be described in detail below.
[0177]
After the power is turned on or after the urine sugar sensor 28 is replaced, calibration is performed every predetermined time 1 (for example, 2 hours). At this time, when the calibrated value is equal to or greater than the previous output, the calibration is continued every predetermined time 1 (2 hours). When the calibrated value is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the subsequent calibration is performed for a predetermined time longer than the predetermined time 1. Automatic operation (automatic calibration) is performed every 2 (for example, 24 hours). Thus, the calibration time is shortened, the amount of calibration solution used can be reduced, and the urine sugar sensor 28 can be compensated for deterioration over time (see FIG. 39).
[0178]
The automatic calibration time may be based on the time when the power is turned on or when the urine sugar sensor 28 is replaced, but the automatic calibration may be performed once a day at the time set by the user.
[0179]
Further, it is more preferable to perform automatic calibration based on the number of times of measurement in addition to the above-mentioned scheduled automatic calibration. For example, if the number of measurements performed after the previous calibration exceeds a predetermined value (for example, 20 times), the temporary automatic calibration is performed without waiting for the next scheduled automatic calibration. If the number of times of measurement is stored in the non-volatile memory 367, the memory is not lost even when the power supply is cut off, and can be counted reliably.
[0180]
Next, the heating unit mechanism shown in the present embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 16, the heating unit 250 that heats urine, calibration liquid, and the like sent to the urine sugar sensor 28 to an appropriate temperature inside the measurement unit 11, and the liquid temperature is detected directly or indirectly. There are provided a temperature sensor 251, a temperature sensor 261 for monitoring the temperature in the toilet room, a heating unit 236 for heating the calibration solution and buffer solution (or indirectly in the measurement unit 11), and a temperature sensor 237 for detecting this temperature. As described above, these will be described in detail below.
[0181]
As shown in FIG. 19, the heating units 236 and 250 described above receive the signals from the temperature sensors 237, 251 and 261 from the input processing circuit 368 in the controller 36 to the CPU 362 and output the calculation results from the output processing circuit 380. In feedback control.
[0182]
FIG. 41 is a schematic configuration diagram of heating units 236 and 250 and temperature sensors 237 and 251 for heating the liquid temperature installed in the transfer tubes 92 and 150 from the buffer solution tank 26 to the urine sugar sensor 28. The conveyance tubes 92 and 150 and the heating units 236 and 250 are sandwiched between aluminum foils 263 having good heat conductivity and are adjacent to each other. In order to save the heating space, it is preferable that the transfer tubes 92 and 150 have a bent portion. The transfer tubes 92 and 150 are formed in a cylindrical spiral shape and sandwiched between aluminum foils 263 having good heat conductivity as shown in FIG. Inside the cylinder made of the transfer tubes 92 and 150 and the aluminum foil 263, the heating units 236 and 250 are inscribed in a state of being sandwiched between the aluminum foils 263. By disposing the temperature sensor 251 in the vicinity of the terminal end of the heating unit 250 connected to the urine sugar sensor 28, the accuracy of the liquid temperature that flows into the urine sugar sensor 28 can be increased.
[0183]
As shown in FIG. 41 (b), when the transport tubes 92 and 150 and the heating units 236 and 250 are arranged on a flat spiral, for example, a thin plate can be formed. Fixing becomes easy by fixing to a flat surface. Further, by bringing the urine sugar sensor 28 in the vicinity, not only the liquid temperature but also the liquid temperature in the vicinity of the urine sugar sensor 28 can be heated.
[0184]
The heating parts 236 and 250 are preferably a tubing heater or a sheet heating means from the viewpoint of cost and easy shape processing. However, the heating parts 236 and 250 are not particularly limited, and use a sheathed heater, an infrared heater or other heating elements. Is also possible.
[0185]
Moreover, you may share with another heat source, without providing the heating parts 236 and 250 specially. For example, when combined with a warm water washing toilet seat or the like, the heating units 236 and 250 can be omitted by screwing into a warm water tank or the like that is a heat source of the warm water washing toilet seat.
[0186]
Next, the role of the heating unit described above will be described based on this embodiment.
[0187]
When the temperature in the toilet room drops during winter nights, water pipes, etc., often freeze, but this may not only damage tanks and piping, but also when there is no damage But once frozen calibration and buffer solutions change their properties. The calibration solution is an aqueous glucose solution (200 mg / dl in this example), but once frozen, it does not become the glucose concentration before freezing even when thawed.
[0188]
Furthermore, the buffer solution is a phosphate buffer solution containing salts such as KCl and NaCl as described above. Once frozen, these lysates crystallize. Dont return. For example, if the temperature in the toilet room drops at night and the buffer solution or calibration solution freezes, and then the temperature rises and is thawed in the daytime, the measured value does not change at all. Large fluctuations will occur. That is, an accurate measurement cannot be performed and the value becomes unreliable.
[0189]
Further, the characteristics of the urine sugar sensor 28 have been described above, but it is necessary to perform measurement under appropriate measurement conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.). Therefore, the output value of the urine sugar sensor 28 fluctuates due to fluctuations in the toilet room ambient temperature, and the measured values fluctuate greatly not only due to seasonal (temperature) changes but also due to changes in the toilet room temperature day and night. In particular, since the output of the urine sugar sensor 28 decreases at low temperatures, accurate measurement becomes impossible and the reliability becomes low.
[0190]
In response to the above-described problem, the temperature sensor 261 measures the ambient temperature in the toilet room, and when the temperature sensor 261 falls below a certain temperature (for example, 5 ° C.), the heating unit 236 is heated and the calibration solution tank 24 and the buffer solution tank 26 are heated. And the inside of the measurement unit 11 is pulled up to an appropriate temperature (for example, 10 ° C.). Since the heating unit 236 is disposed below the measurement unit 11, the inside can be warmed up by natural convection. Further, when the measurement unit is relatively large and there is an opening in the internal temperature distribution, it may be circulated forcibly by a fan or the like. In this case, a hot air fan that combines heating and circulation may be used.
[0191]
Although the heating unit is provided in this manner to prevent the tank and the like from being frozen, the controller 36 serving as the control unit freezes the calibration liquid tank 24 and the buffer liquid tank 26 in the event of freezing. Freezing detection function to detect
[0192]
As a specific example, when the detected values of the temperature sensors 237 and 251 fall below a certain value (for example, 1 ° C.), the tank freezing “present” is stored and displayed on the display unit 39. ing. As another freeze determination method, a method may be used in which a calibration solution or a buffer solution in a tank is heated and whether or not the solution is frozen is detected based on the temperature gradient.
[0193]
Further, it is possible to detect that the calibration liquid tank 24 and the buffer liquid tank 26 are empty, and in this case, a mask may be applied so as not to determine that the temperature sensor is frozen even if the detected value of the temperature sensor is below a certain value.
[0194]
In addition to the above description, freezing can be prevented by connecting an automatic return type bimetal switch in series with the heating unit 236 (not shown) instead of the temperature sensors 237 and 251. The heating unit 236 may be anything such as a tubing heater, an infrared heater, a planar heating element, or a ribbon heater.
[0195]
The history of freezing is stored in the non-volatile memory 367. If the memory is released by performing a predetermined operation or liquid exchange, it is possible to reliably prevent the use of the frozen calibration liquid or buffer for measurement. .
[0196]
Furthermore, as another countermeasure, an embodiment for making the temperature of the liquid flowing into the urine sugar sensor 28 high and constant will be described.
[0197]
The temperature at which the output of the urine sugar sensor 28 is highest and stable is about 37 ° C. Therefore, when the temperature of the inflow liquid to the urine sugar sensor 28, the urine sugar sensor 28 itself, and further the temperature inside the measurement unit 11 are controlled by the temperature, the most accurate measurement can be performed.
[0198]
However, what has been described above is ideal, and a device that satisfies all of the requirements is expensive. Furthermore, the urine sugar sensor 28 characteristics at the temperature are good, but the life is shortened (not shown).
[0199]
Therefore, in this embodiment, it is proposed to control the temperature of the inflow fluid to the urine sugar sensor 28 to a relatively low temperature (specifically, approximately 25 ° C.) in consideration of characteristics and life.
[0200]
However, the needs of users vary from individual to individual, and some users consider sensor life as a priority (in this case the sensor output or measurement accuracy is relatively inferior). Think first (in this case the sensor life is relatively short).
[0201]
Therefore, in order to meet such needs of various users, it is preferable to provide liquid temperature setting means in the controller 36 and the operation unit 38. For example, by setting the setting unit (not shown) in the operation unit 38 to “high accuracy”, the liquid temperature is set to a temperature with the highest measurement accuracy (for example, approximately 37 ° C.), and the setting is set to “low accuracy”. By doing so, the liquid temperature is set to a temperature having a long sensor life (for example, approximately 25 ° C.).
[0202]
Although the liquid heating has been described above, only such a heating unit may be provided when the liquid temperature is kept at a certain value or higher. However, when it is desired to keep the liquid temperature lower than the normal room temperature (particularly in summer), it is preferable to provide a liquid cooling unit using a Peltier element in addition to the heating unit.
[0203]
Here, the prevention of mold and miscellaneous bacteria propagation of the urine test apparatus will be described.
[0204]
Urine contains substances that serve as nutrients for fungi and bacteria. As already described, the urine test apparatus has a urine conveyance path such as a pipe through which urine passes, including the urine collection unit, and molds and germs floating in the air adhere to this and propagate. Needless to say, these are unsanitary, and if they are not used for a long period of time, the entrance and inside of the tube, which is the passage of urine, becomes clogged due to the growth of germs and molds, which hinders urine collection and measurement. End up.
[0205]
Therefore, by providing a means for passing a liquid having antibacterial and antifungal effects in the urine transport path, it is possible to suppress the growth of mold and germs in the urine transport path.
[0206]
In this embodiment, a minute amount (for example, less than 0.05 to 0.1%) of an antibacterial and antifungal component (for example, sodium azide) is mixed in the buffer solution.
[0207]
As the timing for passing the above-described buffer solution through the urine transport route, timing 1 (once / day), timing 2 (once / week), timing 3 (once / every measurement), and the like are conceivable. These timings are relatively short when the mold and bacteria are likely to grow and propagate (for example, the rainy season). Conversely, when the mold and bacteria are difficult to grow and propagate (for example, the winter season), the timing is relatively long. It is also possible to change to a condition such as 2.
[0208]
Furthermore, when the number of times of measurement per day is relatively large, the urine transport route is washed well, so that mold and germs are attached and it is difficult to propagate. On the other hand, when the number of measurements per day is relatively small, or when measurement is not performed for many days, molds and germs are attached and it is easy to reproduce. Therefore, it is also possible to change the timing of passing the liquid in consideration of the number of measurements per day.
[0209]
Finally, a means for notifying the user when the urine sugar sensor 28 is replaced and the timing will be described in the present embodiment. Since the calibration solution and the buffer solution have been described above, detailed description thereof is omitted here.
[0210]
Since the enzyme membrane is a protein as described in its characteristics, the urine sugar sensor 28 has a limited number of times of use and has a time life.
[0211]
First, regarding the number of times of use, the “sensor life count-up” (step S789) is described in the flowchart of FIG. 37, but here, the data on the number of times the sensor is used is updated. Of course, this step may be inserted at any location during the measurement process.
[0212]
Next, regarding the time life, this means that the energization time to the controller 36 is stored in the EEPROM at regular intervals (for example, every hour) using a time timer in the CPU 362.
[0213]
In the present embodiment, the sensor life warning is also provided at the M level and the L level in the same manner as the calibration solution and the buffer solution, and the notification means to the user blinks and lights up the urine sugar sensor replacement LED 394 of the operation unit 38. It is said.
[0214]
The notification means is not limited to the above-described means, and it is possible to connect means (for example, optical communication) that communicates with the outside of the toilet through the communication terminal 114 in FIGS. . By doing so, it becomes possible to receive the sensor use history (including the life warning) by the communication receiving means (for example, a portable remote controller) without the user going there.
[0215]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a urinalysis apparatus 10 (including a measurement unit 11 and a rim-attached urine collection unit 12) and a Western-style toilet 100 (toilet seat 102 and stool) to which the urine inspection apparatus 10 is attached according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The external view of the toilet seat 102 and the toilet lid 104 including the lid 104 and the washing water tank 106).
2 is a side view of the western toilet 100 and the rim-mounted urine collection unit 12 of FIG. 1 (the toilet seat 102 and the toilet lid 104 are closed).
3 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the urine test apparatus 10. FIG.
FIG. 4 is an internal unit configuration diagram of the urine collection unit 12;
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a urine collection arm 32;
6 is a side view of the rim mounting type urine collecting unit 12 showing a male position and a female position of the urine collecting arm 32. FIG.
7 is a side view of the rim-mounted urine collecting unit 12 showing a female position adjustment range of the urine collecting arm 32. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a front view of the measurement unit 11;
9 is a right side view of the lower part of the measurement unit 11. FIG.
10 is a left side view of the measurement unit 11. FIG.
11 is a top view of the measurement unit 11. FIG.
12 is a perspective view of a calibration solution replenishing port 242 and a buffer solution replenishing port 262. FIG.
13A is a plan view of the calibration liquid replenishing port 242; FIG. 13B is a plan view of the tip of the calibration liquid replenishing nozzle 244; and FIG. 13C is an overall view of the calibration liquid replenishing nozzle 244.
14A is a plan view of a buffer solution replenishing port 262, FIG. 14B is a plan view of a tip portion of a buffer solution replenishing nozzle 264, and FIG. 14C is an overall view of the buffer solution replenishing nozzle 264;
15 is a view showing an example of a structure in which a liquid replenishing nozzle is housed in a cover 116. FIG.
FIG. 16 is an internal unit configuration diagram of a measurement unit 11;
17 is a perspective view of the rotary valve syringe 18. FIG.
FIG. 18 is an internal configuration diagram of the calibration liquid and buffer tanks 24 and 26;
FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the urine test apparatus 10 with a controller 36 as a center.
FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of the detection principle of a urine sugar sensor.
FIG. 21 is a graph showing a distribution of chlorine (Cl) ion concentration in urine.
FIG. 22A is a diagram showing the output of the urine sugar sensor 28 when the KCl ion concentration in the buffer solution is 50 mM. (B) The figure which shows the output of the urine sugar sensor 28 when the KCl ion concentration in a buffer solution is 170 mM.
23 is an enlarged view of the upper surface of the measurement unit 11. FIG.
24 is a flowchart showing a program urine sugar test process executed by the controller 36 of the urine test apparatus 10. FIG.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing data reading processing in step S100.
FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the motor positioning process in step S150.
FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing pipe filling processing in step S200.
FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing calibration liquid suction processing in step S350.
FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing calibration liquid measurement processing in step S400.
FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a cleaning process in step S450.
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing emptying processing in step S500.
FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a discharge pipe filling process in step S550.
FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing sensor tube filling processing in step S600.
FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing next measurement preparation processing in step S650.
FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing calibration / measurement determination processing in step S700.
FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing urine collection processing in step S750.
FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing urine measurement processing in step S750.
FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing another example of urine collection processing in step S750.
FIG. 39 is a diagram showing output fluctuation after the urine sugar sensor is energized.
40 is a view showing temperature characteristics of the urine sugar sensor 28. FIG.
41 is a diagram showing a configuration of heating units 236 and 250. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Measurement unit, 12 ... Rim attachment type urine collection unit, 14 ... Water supply part
16 ... pump, 18 ... rotary valve syringe,
20 ... Rotary valve drive motor, 22 ... Syringe drive motor
24 ... Calibration solution tank, 26 ... Buffer solution tank, 28 ... Urine sugar sensor
30 ... Nozzle, 32 ... Urine collection arm, 34 ... Electrode, 36 ... Controller
38 ... Operation part, 39 ... Display part, 76 ... Conveyance tube, 100 ... Western style toilet
102: Toilet seat, 104 ... Toilet lid, 106 ... Wash water tank
111a ... Adjuster, 111 ... Reinforcement leg, 113 ... Cover
114 ... Communication terminal, 116 ... Cover, 150 ... Conveying tube
166 ... Cylinder, 168 ... Piston, 172 ... Lead screw mechanism
174 ... Port, 176 ... Electric rotary valve, 178 ... Stator
180 ... rotor, 186 ... discharge pipe
241 ... Cap, 242 ... Calibration solution replenishment port, 244 ... Calibration solution replenishment nozzle
261 ... Cap, 262 ... Buffer solution replenishment port, 264 ... Nozzle for buffer solution replenishment
362 ... CPU, 368 ... input processing circuit, 380 ... output processing circuit
381 ... Man switch, 382 ... Woman switch
383 ... Cancel switch, 384 ... Store / recall switch
385 ... AD switch, 386 ... Cleaning mode switch
387 ... Current time switch, 388 ... Calibration time switch
389 ... Adjustment switch, 391 ... Fluorescent display tube
392: Buffer solution supplement LED, 393: Calibration solution supplement LED
494 ... Urine sugar sensor replacement LED, 396 ... A to D LEDs

Claims (4)

An analyzer that collects the excrement of a user and performs a component analysis of the excrement,
An acquisition container provided in a toilet bowl for acquiring the excreta;
Analyzing means that communicates with the acquisition container via a carry-in path, and performs component analysis of the excreta,
Communicating with this analysis means via a carry-out path, and having a discharge port for discharging the excrement,
An analysis apparatus, wherein at least a part of a movement route of the excrement from the acquisition container to the discharge port is made of an antibacterial resin. The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the composition of the antibacterial resin is vinyl chloride. An analyzer for collecting urine of a user and analyzing the components of the urine,
An acquisition container provided in a toilet to obtain the urine;
An analysis means for performing component analysis of the urine in communication with the acquisition container via a carry-in path;
An analyzer characterized in that an entrance opening of the acquisition container is covered with an antibacterial filter. 4. The analyzer according to claim 3, wherein the antibacterial filter is obtained by exchanging and adsorbing an antibacterial metal with a polypropylene material filter using an inorganic ion exchanger.

Images