JP5543019B2 - Stool collection container - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a stool collection container used for collecting stool and using it for inspection.

  Feces are widely used as samples for some clinical test items because they are obtained non-invasively like urine. In particular, detection of occult blood in feces is said to be useful for diagnosis of diseases such as ulcers of the digestive system such as stomach and large intestine and cancer. In particular, it is important as a screening test for colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer. In screening tests, the person who takes the test often collects samples at home. Therefore, there is a need for a stool collection container that can suspend collected stool in a liquid and carry it.

  There exists a thing described in patent document 1 as a specific example of a stool collection container. The stool collection container described in Patent Literature 1 includes a container main body that stores a liquid for suspending feces, and a cap for sealing an opening provided in the container main body. The cap includes a stool collection rod for collecting stool, a filter for filtering solid components in the liquid in which stool is suspended, and a dropping unit for dropping the liquid filtered by the filter. I have. The stool collection rod is provided with a notch or the like for adhering feces near its tip. When the stool collection rod is inserted into the container body from the opening, the stool adhering to the notch or the like is suspended in the liquid. Thereby, it becomes possible to carry feces hygienically. The liquid in which the stool is suspended passes through the filter and is dropped from the dropping part by pressing the body part of the container body, and is subjected to analysis processing.

  However, the conventional technique has the following points to be improved.

  That is, in the stool collection container described in Patent Document 1, the notch is formed in a circumferential shape at the tip of the stool collection rod. Therefore, such a stool collection rod is suitable for collecting a sample by piercing the stool, and the sample in the back of the stool lump is easily collected. However, occult blood due to bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract such as the large intestine is often distributed near the surface of the stool. Therefore, the fecal region suitable for collection using the stool collection container is different from the distribution region of the analysis object. For this reason, in particular, when an ordinary person collects stool, the analysis result is likely to vary depending on the state of the stool, the collection location, and the collection method.

  In a screening test in which a large amount of analysis processing is performed, it is desirable that the liquid can be collected directly from a stool collection container using a suction nozzle of an automatic analyzer. However, in the stool collection container described in Patent Document 1, when the sample is subjected to analysis processing, the liquid is dropped manually, and the liquid can be directly collected by the suction nozzle of the automatic analyzer. It is not a thing. Moreover, it cannot cope with both an automatic analyzer and a manual analysis.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-17653

  The present invention has been conceived under the circumstances as described above, and an object thereof is to provide a stool collection container in which anyone can easily collect a test sample with good reproducibility from the vicinity of the surface of stool. It is said. It is another object of the present invention to provide a stool collection container that can directly collect a stool suspension with a suction nozzle of an automatic analyzer. Moreover, it aims at providing the stool collection container which can respond easily also to dripping of the stool suspension by manual labor.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following technical means.

  A stool collection container provided by the present invention includes a container body that contains a liquid for suspending stool therein, a stool collection part for collecting stool, and a support rod for supporting the stool collection part. A stool collection container having a stool collection stick that can be housed in the container body, wherein the stool collection part is rotatably supported by the support rod. .

  According to such a configuration, when the stool collection portion rolls on the surface of the stool, a part of the stool adheres uniformly on the stool collection portion. Thereby, anyone can easily collect a test sample with good reproducibility from the vicinity of the surface of the stool. As a result, a stable analysis result can be obtained.

  Preferably, the stool collection part is supported using the support bar as a rotation shaft.

  According to such a configuration, by providing the stool collection unit with a function of a rotation shaft, the stool collection unit can be rotated with a simple configuration, which is advantageous in terms of cost. Further, according to such a configuration, the stool collection operator can rotate the stool collection unit on the surface of the stool by picking up the stool collection stick and moving it horizontally. Thereby, anyone can collect a test sample with good reproducibility by a simple operation from the vicinity of the surface of the stool.

  Preferably, the stool collection container according to the present invention comprises a lid that is coupled to the support bar and supports the stool collection stick in the container body when joined to the container body, and the support bar Is formed in a tubular shape so that a collection nozzle for collecting the liquid can be inserted, and the lid includes a nozzle insertion port for inserting the collection nozzle into the support rod.

  According to such a configuration, since the stool collection container according to the present invention does not need to be provided with a dropping section for dropping the liquid, the structure can be simplified. In addition, by providing a nozzle insertion port for inserting the sampling nozzle in the lid, it can be applied to both automatic sample collection by an automatic analyzer and manual sample collection.

  Preferably, the support bar includes a diaphragm for separating the inside and the outside of the container body, and the diaphragm is configured to be broken when the sampling nozzle is inserted into the support bar. ing.

  According to such a configuration, even if the support bar has a tubular structure, the liquid stored in the container body can be sealed so as not to leak from the nozzle insertion port. Therefore, the stool collection container according to the present invention can transport samples in a sanitary manner. Further, since the diaphragm is broken when the sampling nozzle is inserted into the support rod, a special procedure for breaking the diaphragm is not required. Thereby, the stool collection container according to the present invention can simplify the procedure for collecting the liquid.

  Preferably, the collection nozzle is a suction nozzle included in an automatic analyzer for analyzing an analysis object in stool.

  According to such a configuration, when the stool collection container according to the present invention is set in the automatic analyzer, the suction nozzle of the automatic analyzer automatically performs the rupture of the diaphragm and the collection of the analysis sample continuously. Therefore, since the stool collection container according to the present invention does not require the analysis sample to be transferred to another container, the labor of the analysis operator can be reduced. Further, since the stool collection container according to the present invention does not need to break the diaphragm, the labor of the analysis operator can be reduced also in this respect. Further, since the automatic analyzer does not need to have a special mechanism for breaking the diaphragm, the cost on the side of the automatic analyzer can be reduced.

  Preferably, the stool collection container according to the present invention can be equipped with an attachment including the collection nozzle as a component, and the attachment further includes a dropping nozzle for dropping the liquid.

  According to such a configuration, the stool collection container according to the present invention is in a state in which the analysis sample can be dropped just by inserting the attachment into the support rod. As described above, the stool collection container according to the present invention can omit another operation for breaking the diaphragm, so that the labor of the analysis operator can be reduced. Moreover, since the stool collection container according to the present invention can be applied to sample collection by hand only by preparing such an attachment, the development cost and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Preferably, the support rod includes a filter for filtering the liquid in which feces are suspended in the vicinity of the tip.

  According to such a configuration, the solid component in the stool suspension can be reliably removed, so that a stable analysis result can be obtained.

  Preferably, the stool collection part is formed of a porous body to which feces can adhere on the surface.

  According to such a configuration, the test sample can be collected uniformly from the surface of the stool by capturing the stool in the hole on the porous body.

  Preferably, the stool collection part has a function of filtering the liquid in which stool is suspended, and the liquid that has passed through the stool collection part flows into the support rod.

  According to such a configuration, it is not necessary to provide another filter for filtering the solid component in the stool suspension, so that the structure of the stool collection stick can be simplified. Moreover, when the filter for filtering the solid component in a stool suspension is provided together, a solid component can be more reliably removed from a stool suspension.

  Preferably, the container body includes a squeezing member for squeezing out the liquid absorbed in the stool collection part when the stool collection stick is pulled out of the container body.

  The porous body is usually immersed in a liquid for suspending feces and is in a state of absorbing the liquid. In this state, when the stool collection portion is rolled on the surface of the stool, the liquid oozes out from the porous body, so that the sample cannot be normally collected. According to such a structure, since the said porous body will be in the state where the said liquid was squeezed out, reliable sampling can be performed.

  Preferably, the throttle member is movable up and down inside the container body, and when the stool collection stick is lifted upward, the stool collection portion abuts on the throttle member, so that the upward direction Configured to move to.

  According to such a configuration, when the squeezing member squeezes out the liquid absorbed in the stool collection part, the squeezing member is at the uppermost position in the moving range. At this position, no liquid can be present around the throttle member. Therefore, the squeezing member can reliably squeeze out the liquid in the stool collection part. On the other hand, after the stool collection stick is extracted from the container body, the throttle member is again immersed in the liquid. Therefore, when the stool collection stick is returned into the container body after the stool collection is completed, the stool adhering to the stool collection unit is suspended without adhering to the throttle member. Therefore, if this stool collection container is used, the collected stool can be reliably suspended and a stable sample can be collected.

  Preferably, the stool collection portion includes a groove portion for allowing the liquid to flow down on a contact surface with the throttle member.

  According to such a configuration, the liquid that accumulates on the upper surface of the porous body can be reduced, so that the liquid can be squeezed out of the porous body with certainty.

  Preferably, the stool collection stick further includes a stool collection part different from the stool collection part at a tip part, and the another stool collection part has an uneven part for attaching stool. Yes.

  According to such a configuration, both the sample in the deep part of the stool lump and the sample existing near the surface of the stool can be collected with good reproducibility regardless of the stool collection operator.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an overall perspective view showing a stool collection container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the II-II line of FIG. 3A and 3B are perspective views for explaining a stool collection operation using the stool collection container shown in FIG. 4A to 4C are cross-sectional views for explaining a process of collecting an analysis sample from the stool collection container shown in FIG. 1 using a nozzle of the analyzer. It is sectional drawing which shows the stool collection container which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 6A and 6B are cross-sectional views for explaining a process of collecting an analysis sample from the stool collection container shown in FIG. 5 using a nozzle of an automatic analyzer. It is sectional drawing which shows the stool collection container which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the VIII-VIII line of FIG. 9A to 9C are main part cross-sectional views for explaining a step of extracting the stool collection stick from the stool collection container shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the stool collection container which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which follows the XI-XI line of FIG. It is principal part sectional drawing for demonstrating the process of extracting a stool collection stick from the stool collection container shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the stool collection container which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 14A is an overall perspective view showing an attachment according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIVB-XIVB in FIG. 14A. 15A to 15C are cross-sectional views for explaining a process of collecting an analysis sample from a stool collection container using the attachment shown in FIG. 14A.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
1 to 4 show a stool collection container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The stool collection container S1 is used by a person who undergoes a test for colorectal cancer or the like to collect stool by himself. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stool collection container S1 includes a container body 1A, a stool collection stick 2A, and a lid 20. In the following description, directions such as the up-down direction are according to the description of the drawings.

  The container body 1A is for containing the liquid 3 therein. The material of the container body 1A is a synthetic resin. Specific examples of the synthetic resin include polyethylene and polypropylene. The shape of the container body 1A is, for example, a cylindrical shape. However, the shape of the container body 1A is not necessarily limited to a columnar shape, and any shape may be used as long as it can accommodate a liquid therein. The shape of the container body 1A may be, for example, a semi-cylindrical shape, an elliptical columnar shape, a semi-elliptical columnar shape, or a prismatic shape having an arbitrary polygonal cross section. The liquid 3 accommodated in the container main body 1A is for suspending feces. Specific examples of the liquid 3 include sterilized distilled water and physiological saline. An opening 10 is formed in the upper portion of the container body 1A. The stool collection stick 2A is inserted into the container body 1A through the opening 10.

  The lid 20 is for closing the opening 10 of the container body 1A. In addition, the stool collection operator holds the stool at the time of stool collection. The lid 20 is joined to the container main body 1A by screwing. The lid 20 is coupled to a stool collection stick 2A described later. Thereby, the lid 20 supports the stool collection stick 2A inside the container body 1A when joined to the container body 1A. The lid 20 is made of synthetic resin. Specific examples of the synthetic resin include polyethylene and polypropylene. The shape of the lid 20 is a columnar shape. However, the shape of the lid 20 is not necessarily limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be any shape as long as it is easy for an operator to open and hold. The shape of the lid 20 may be, for example, a semi-cylindrical shape, an elliptical cylindrical shape, a semi-elliptical cylindrical shape, or a prismatic shape having an arbitrary polygonal cross section. A knurled surface is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 20a of the lid 20 so that the stool collection worker can easily hold it or to prevent rolling. Further, a nozzle insertion port 21 a is formed in the upper wall portion 20 b of the lid 20. The nozzle insertion port 21a is for inserting a collection nozzle for collecting the liquid 3 from the outside. The nozzle insertion port 21a is connected to the inside 21e of a support bar 21 described later. The sampling nozzle is, for example, the suction nozzle 4 of an automatic analyzer (not shown).

  The stool collection stick 2A is for use when a stool collection operator collects feces. The stool collection stick 2A includes a support bar 21 and a stool collection part 22A.

  The support bar 21 is for supporting a stool collection section 22A described later. The base end portion of the support bar 21 is coupled to the back surface of the upper wall portion 20 b of the lid 20. The support bar 21 is formed in a tubular shape with an inside 21e. The support bar 21 is opened to the outside through a nozzle insertion port 21a. The support bar 21 is formed integrally with the lid body 20. Of course, the support bar 21 may be formed as a separate part from the lid 20 and may be joined to the lid 20 later.

  A diaphragm 21 b is formed in the inside 21 e of the support bar 21. The diaphragm 21b is for separating the outside and the inside of the container body 1A. The diaphragm 21b prevents the liquid 3 from leaking from the nozzle insertion hole 21a when transporting the stool collection container S1. The diaphragm 21b is formed integrally when the support rod 21 is manufactured, and has a strength that can be broken by the tip of the suction nozzle 4 of the automatic analyzer. However, the diaphragm 21b is not limited to be formed integrally with the support rod 21. As a specific example, for example, a shield material that can be broken by the suction nozzle 4 is attached to the nozzle insertion port 21a or a liquid inlet 21c described later. The shield material is, for example, an aluminum laminate seal.

  A liquid inflow port 21 c is formed in the vicinity of the tip of the support bar 21. When the diaphragm 21b is broken by the suction nozzle 4, the liquid 3 in which feces are suspended flows from the liquid inlet 21c into the inside 21e of the support bar 21. The liquid 3 that has flowed in is sucked by the suction nozzle 4.

  The stool collection stick 2A has a stool collection part 22A at the tip. When the stool collection stick 2A is stored in the container main body 1A, the stool collection part 22A is immersed in the liquid 3. The stool collection unit 22A is a part for attaching stool when the stool collection operator collects stool. The stool collection part 22A is supported by a support bar 21. The shape of the stool collection part 22A is cylindrical. An insertion hole 22Ac is provided in the stool collection portion 22A. The stool collection stick 2A is assembled by inserting the support bar 21 into the insertion hole 22Ac. Thereby, in the stool collection stick 2A, the stool collection part 22A rotates around the support rod 21 as a central axis. The stool collection part 22A rolls on the stool, thereby attaching a part of the stool to the side wall part as a sample. Of course, the stool collection portion 22A is not limited to the one having the support rod 21 itself as the rotation axis. A separate rotation shaft may be formed near the tip of the support bar 21 and attached.

  A flange-shaped retaining portion 21d is provided around the liquid inlet 21c. The retaining portion 21d is for preventing the stool collection portion 22A from coming off from the support bar 21. The stool collection part 22A is made of a porous material. Therefore, the stool collection part 22A has the function of a filter for filtering solid components in stool in addition to adhering stool. The porous body may be anything as long as it is water-insoluble and has sufficient strength. Specific examples of the porous body include filter paper, sponge, absorbent cotton, woven fabric, non-woven fabric, plastic filter, glass fiber, sponge, sintered molded body, and fine mesh. Specific examples of the sintered compact include sintered plastic and sintered ceramic. The average pore diameter of the porous body is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 1 to 1000 μm.

  Next, the operation of the stool collection container S1 will be described.

  First, the operation of collecting feces F using the stool collection container S1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B. The stool collection operator grasps the lid 20 and pulls out the stool collection stick 2A from the container main body 1A. As shown in FIG. 3A, the stool collection unit 22A is brought into close contact with the surface of the stool F as indicated by the arrow N1. Move horizontally. Then, the stool collection part 22A rotates on the stool F as indicated by an arrow, and the stool F adheres on the surface of the side wall part. Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the stool collection stick 2A is inserted into the container body 1A from the opening 10. Then, the stool F adhering to the surface of the stool collection part 22A diffuses into the liquid 3, and the liquid 3 becomes a suspension. When hemoglobin as an analysis object is contained in the stool F, the hemoglobin is dissolved in the liquid 3. Diffusion of feces F can be promoted by moving the stool collection stick 2A up and down as indicated by an arrow, or by shaking the container body 1A after the opening 10 is closed by the lid 20.

  Next, the process of collecting the liquid 3 from the stool collection container S1 when the stool occult blood test is performed by the automatic analyzer will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4C. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the stool collection container S1 is set at a predetermined position of the automatic analyzer (not shown), the ascending / descending suction nozzle 4 descends as indicated by an arrow N2, and the nozzle insertion port 21a Enters the inside 21e of the support bar 21. Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the suction nozzle 4 breaks the diaphragm 21 b formed in the support rod 21 by the tip portion 40. Then, as shown by the arrow, the liquid 3 in which the feces F are suspended is filtered by the stool collection part 22A and flows into the inside 21e of the support bar 21 from the liquid inflow port 21c. When the liquid 3 passes through the stool collection part 22A, the solid component of the stool F is removed from the liquid 3. Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, the suction nozzle 4 further descends and sucks the liquid 3 that has flowed into the support rod 21. The sucked liquid 3 is supplied to an analysis unit (not shown) in the automatic analyzer.

  In the present embodiment, the stool F adheres uniformly on the stool collection part 22A when the stool collection part 22A rolls on the surface of the stool F. Thereby, if the stool collection container S1 is used, anyone can easily collect a test sample including an analysis object such as hemoglobin from a wide range near the surface of the stool F easily. As a result, a stable analysis result can be obtained.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the stool collection part 22A is comprised so that it may rotate centering on the support rod 21, the stool collection stick 2A can be made into a simple structure. Thereby, size reduction of stool collection container S1 and reduction of manufacturing cost can be aimed at. Further, the stool collection operator can rotate the stool collection part 22A on the surface of the stool F by holding the lid 20 and moving it laterally. Therefore, if the stool collection container S1 is used, anyone can easily collect a test sample from the vicinity of the surface of the stool F with good reproducibility.

  The stool collection stick 2A is provided with a nozzle insertion port 21a for inserting the suction nozzle 4 into the upper wall portion 20b of the lid 20, and by inserting the suction nozzle 4 from the nozzle insertion port 21a, The liquid 3 in which a certain hemoglobin is dissolved can be collected. Therefore, the stool collection container S1 is suitable for sampling with an automatic analyzer. Moreover, since the stool collection container S1 does not have a dropping part or the like for dropping the liquid 3, the structure can be simplified. Therefore, the stool collection container S1 can be reduced in size and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Further, it can be applied to both automatic sampling by an automatic analyzer and manual sampling.

  A diaphragm 21b is formed in the inside 21e of the support bar 21 of the stool collection stick 2A. Thereby, the leakage of the liquid 3 from the stool collection container S1 during transportation can be effectively avoided. Therefore, the stool collection container S1 can carry stool samples hygienically. Further, since the diaphragm 21b is automatically broken when the suction nozzle 4 enters the support rod 21, a special process for that purpose is not required. Thereby, the stool collection container S1 can simplify the collection process of the liquid 3.

  When the stool collection container S1 is set at a predetermined position of the automatic analyzer, the suction nozzle 4 of the automatic analyzer automatically and continuously breaks the diaphragm 21b and collects the liquid 3. Thus, when setting the liquid 3 in the stool collection container S1 to the automatic analyzer, the analysis operator does not need to transfer the liquid 3 to another container. Moreover, the analysis operator does not need to manually break the diaphragm 21b. Therefore, the stool collection container S1 can reduce the labor of the analysis operator. Further, the automatic analyzer does not need to be provided with a special mechanism for breaking the diaphragm 21b outside the suction nozzle 4. Therefore, the stool collection container S1 can contribute to the downsizing of the automatic analyzer and the reduction of the manufacturing cost.

  The stool collection part 22A is formed of a porous body to which feces F can adhere. According to this, since the feces F are captured in the holes on the porous body, the test sample can be collected uniformly from a wide range on the surface of the feces F.

  The porous body forming the stool collection part 22A also has a function of filtering the liquid 3 in which the stool F is suspended. Thereby, since it is not necessary to provide another filter for filtering the solid component contained in the liquid 3 in which the feces F are suspended, the structure of the stool collection stick 2A can be simplified. Therefore, the stool collection container S1 can be downsized and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[Second Embodiment]
5 and 6 show a stool collection container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In these drawings, elements that are the same as or similar to those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals as in the above embodiment. A description of matters overlapping with the above-described embodiment will be omitted. The same applies to FIGS. 7 to 15.

  In the stool collection container S2 shown in FIG. 5, the filter 5 is disposed near the tip of the stool collection stick 2B. The filter 5 is for removing the solid component by filtering the liquid 3 in which stool is suspended. The shape of the filter 5 is cylindrical, and is embedded in the liquid inlet 21 c at the tip of the support bar 21. The filter 5 is formed using a porous material. Specific examples of the porous body include filter paper, sponge, absorbent cotton, woven fabric, non-woven fabric, plastic filter, glass fiber, sponge, sintered molded body, and fine mesh. Specific examples of the sintered compact include sintered plastic and sintered ceramic. The porous body may be anything as long as it is water-insoluble and has sufficient strength. The average pore diameter of the porous body is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 1 to 1000 μm.

  The stool collection stick 2B has a stool collection part 22B at the tip. The shape of the stool collection part 22B is cylindrical. The stool collection portion 22B is supported by the support bar 21. A through hole 22Bc is formed in the stool collection portion 22B. The stool collection stick 2B is assembled by passing the support rod 21 through the through hole 22Bc. The support bar 21 has a function as a rotation axis, and the stool collection portion 22B rotates around the support bar 21 as a rotation axis. Of course, the stool collection portion 22B is not limited to the one having the support rod 21 itself as the rotation axis. A separate rotation shaft may be formed near the tip of the support bar 21 and attached. In this case, it is preferable that the stool collection portion 22B has a disk shape. The disc-shaped stool collection portion 22B is formed so as to have a through hole at the center and is attached to the rotating shaft. The stool collection part 22B is formed of a porous material. The porous body may be anything as long as it is water-insoluble and has sufficient strength. Since the stool collection part 22B has many holes on its surface, feces are captured by these holes and adhere on the surface. Of course, the stool collection part 22B may be a molded product made of synthetic resin or rubber. Specific examples of the synthetic resin include polyethylene and polypropylene. Specific examples of rubber include natural rubber (NR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), isoprene rubber (IR), butadiene rubber (BR), chloroprene rubber (CR), acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), and the like. . Also, a mixture of natural rubber and ethylene propylene diene rubber, or a mixture of natural rubber and styrene butadiene rubber may be used. Moreover, resin compositions, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, are mentioned. In this case, feces can be easily attached by forming a large number of irregularities having various shapes on the surface of the stool collection portion 22B.

  At the distal end portion of the support bar 21, a retaining portion 23 is provided to prevent the filter 5 and the stool collection portion 22B from falling off. The retaining portion 23 is formed with a through-hole 23a through which the liquid 3 in which feces are suspended flows. The stool collection stick 2 </ b> B is provided with another retaining portion 24 on the support bar 21. The retaining portion 24 is for preventing the stool collection portion 22 </ b> B from moving toward the proximal end portion of the support bar 21.

  Next, when the fecal occult blood test is performed by the automatic analyzer, a process of collecting a sample from the stool collection container S2 by the automatic analyzer will be described with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. First, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the stool collection container S2 is set at a predetermined position of an automatic analyzer (not shown), the ascending / descending suction nozzle 4 is attached to the support bar 21 as indicated by an arrow N3. Enter inside 21e. The suction nozzle 4 breaks the diaphragm 21b formed in the support rod 21 by the tip 40 thereof. Then, as shown by the arrow, the liquid 3 in which the stool is suspended passes through the filter 5 through the through hole 23a, and the filtered liquid 3 flows into the support rod 21. Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, the suction nozzle 4 further descends and sucks the liquid 3 that has flowed into the support rod 21. The sucked liquid 3 is supplied to an analysis unit (not shown) in the automatic analyzer.

  In the present embodiment, the stool collection container S2 includes the filter 5 for filtering the liquid 3 in which stool is suspended at the liquid inlet 21c at the tip of the support bar 21, so that the stool is suspended. The solid component in the liquid 3 can be reliably removed. As a result, a stable analysis result can be obtained.

[Third Embodiment]
7 to 9 show a stool collection container according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the stool collection container S <b> 3 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the container body 1 </ b> B includes a throttle member 6. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the aperture member 6 is formed in a donut shape in which the upper surface and the lower surface are recessed in a curved shape toward the center. The inner peripheral surface 60 of the diaphragm member 6 is formed in a curved shape that swells toward the center. The aperture member 6 has a hole 61 in the center. The hole 61 is formed so that the diameter thereof is smaller than the outer diameter of a cylindrical stool collection portion 22C described later. The material of the diaphragm member 6 is synthetic resin or rubber. Specific examples of the synthetic resin include polyethylene and polypropylene. Specific examples of rubber include natural rubber (NR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), isoprene rubber (IR), butadiene rubber (BR), chloroprene rubber (CR), acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), and the like. . Further, a mixture of natural rubber and ethylene propylene diene rubber, or a mixture of natural rubber and styrene butadiene rubber may be used. Moreover, resin compositions, such as a thermoplastic elastomer, are mentioned. A recess 11 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the container body 1B. The diaphragm member 6 is fitted into the recess 11. The aperture member 6 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction with the range in which the concave portion 11 is formed as a moving area. The diaphragm member 6 is normally at the lowest position in the moving range. When in this position, the throttle member 6 is entirely immersed in the liquid 3.

  The stool collection stick 2C includes a stool collection unit 22C. The shape of the stool collection part 22C is a cylindrical shape. The stool collection portion 22C is supported by a support bar 21 and is configured to rotate about the support bar 21 as a rotation axis. The stool collection part 22C is formed of a porous material. In the present embodiment, the porous body has elasticity so that the absorbed liquid 3 can be squeezed out and returned to its original shape. Specific examples of the porous material include filter paper, sponge, absorbent cotton, woven fabric, non-woven fabric, glass fiber, sponge, porous resin, and the like. Specific examples of the porous resin include urethane foam. The average pore diameter of the porous body is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 1 to 1000 μm. In the state where the stool collection stick 2C is housed in the container body 1B, the stool collection unit 22C sinks in the liquid 3 and absorbs the liquid 3.

  Next, a procedure for extracting the stool collection stick 2C from the container body 1B when performing stool collection using the stool collection container S3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9C. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the stool collection stick 2 </ b> C is lifted upward as indicated by an arrow, the upper surface 22 </ b> Ca of the stool collection part 22 </ b> C comes into contact with the inner peripheral edge 62 of the lower surface of the throttle member 6. As clearly shown in FIG. 9B, when the stool collection stick 2C is lifted further upward as shown by the arrow, the throttle member 6 moves to the uppermost position in the moving range. In this position, the throttle member 6 is above the liquid level of the liquid 3. Next, as shown in FIG. 9C, when the stool collection stick 2 </ b> C is lifted further upward, the stool collection part 22 </ b> C passes through the hole 61. At that time, the stool collection portion 22 </ b> C is squeezed by the squeezing member 6. Thereby, the liquid 3 is squeezed out from the stool collection part 22C. Thereafter, the stool collection stick 2C is extracted from the container body 1B. At this time, the stool collection part 22C returns to its original shape due to its elasticity.

  As described above, the stool collection part 22 </ b> C is formed of a porous body, and is usually immersed in the liquid 3, so that the liquid 3 is absorbed. When the stool collection part 22C in such a state is rolled on the surface of the stool, the liquid 3 oozes out, so that the stool is difficult to adhere. According to the stool collection container S3 of this embodiment, the stool collection operator can perform reliable stool collection using the stool collection stick 2C in a good state in which the liquid 3 is squeezed out from the stool collection unit 22C. it can.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the throttle member 6 squeezes out the liquid 3 absorbed by the stool collection portion 22C, the throttle member 6 is at the uppermost position in the moving range. At this position, it is possible to make the liquid 3 not exist around the throttle member 6, so that the liquid 3 in the stool collection portion 22C can be squeezed out with certainty. On the other hand, after the stool collection stick 2C is extracted from the container main body 1B, the throttle member 6 is again immersed in the liquid 3. Therefore, when the stool collection stick 2C is returned into the container body 1B after the stool collection is finished, the stool adhering to the stool collection part 22C can be suspended without adhering to the squeezing member 6. Therefore, if the stool collection container S3 is used, the collected stool can be reliably suspended and a stable sample can be collected.

[Fourth Embodiment]
10 to 12 show a stool collection container according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the stool collection container S4 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the stool collection portion 22D of the stool collection stick 2D has a columnar shape, and has a groove 22Db on its upper surface 22Da. Further, like the stool collection portion 22C described in the third embodiment, the stool collection portion 22D is formed of a porous material. This porous body has elasticity so that it can be squeezed when it contains moisture.

  When the stool collection stick 2D is removed from the container body 1B, as shown in FIG. 12, when the stool collection stick 2D is lifted upward, the upper surface 22Da of the stool collection part 22D contacts the inner peripheral edge 62 of the lower surface of the throttle member 6. Touch. As a result, the aperture member 6 moves to the uppermost position of the moving area formed by the recess 11 as indicated by the arrow N4. At this time, the upper surface 22Da of the throttle member 6 and the stool collection portion 22D has reached a position above the liquid surface of the liquid 3, and the liquid 3 accumulated on the upper surface 22Da is transmitted through the groove portion 22Db as indicated by the arrow. And run down. The upper surface 22Da corresponds to an example of the contact surface in the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, since the liquid 3 remaining on the upper surface 22Da of the stool collection part 22D can be reduced, it is possible to reliably squeeze out the liquid 3 from the stool collection part 22D. If the stool collection container S4 is used, the stool collection operator performs the stool collection operation using the stool collection part 22D in a good state in which the liquid 3 has been squeezed out, so that stable sampling can be performed. is there.

[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 13 shows a stool collection container according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, in the stool collection container S5, the stool collection stick 2E further includes a stool collection part 22F in addition to the stool collection part 22E near the tip. Since the stool collection part 22F has an uneven | corrugated | grooved part, it is suitable for extract | collecting the sample of the deep part of the stool lump. The material of the stool collection part 22F is a synthetic resin. Specific examples of the synthetic resin include polyethylene and polypropylene. The stool collection part 22F is joined to the retaining part 21d of the support bar 21 by an adhesive or ultrasonic welding.

  The stool collection unit 22E is configured to rotate about the support bar 21 as a rotation axis. Therefore, the stool collection unit 22E is suitable for collecting a sample near the surface of the stool. The stool collection portion 22E is formed using a porous material. The porous body may be anything as long as it is water-insoluble and has sufficient strength. Thereby, the stool collection part 22E has both the function to attach stool and the function to filter the liquid 3 in which stool is suspended.

  The stool collection stick 2E has a liquid inflow port 21f on the side wall near the tip of the support bar 21. A filter 5 for filtering the liquid 3 in which feces are suspended is disposed at the liquid inflow port 21f. The liquid inlet 21f is formed at a position covered by the stool collection part 22E. Therefore, the liquid 3 in which stool is suspended is further filtered by the filter 5 after being filtered by the stool collection part 22E.

  The stool collection stick 2E includes a retaining portion 24A. The retaining portion 24A is for holding the stool collection portion 22E in a predetermined position. The retaining portion 24A is provided with a tapered portion 24Aa. The taper portion 24Aa is provided so that the stool collection stick 2E can easily pass through a hole 12b of the separation wall 12 described later.

  The container body 1 </ b> C includes a separation wall 12 in the opening 10. The separation wall 12 is for removing surplus stool collected by the stool collection stick 2E. The separation wall 12 includes a constricted portion 12a. The constricted portion 12a is for scraping off the excess of feces adhering to the uneven portion of the stool collection portion 22F. Feces adhering to the concavo-convex part by scraping by the constricted part 12a remain only in the concave part. When the stool collection stick 2E is inserted into the container main body 1C, the support bar 21 closes a hole 12b described later to form a stocker portion 12d. The stool thus scraped is stored in the stocker unit 12d.

  The separation wall 12 includes a hole 12b. As described above, the hole 12b is for allowing the stool collection portions 22E and 22F to pass through when the stool collection stick 2E is inserted into and removed from the container body 1C. The upper and lower wall portions of the hole 12b are tapered. Moreover, the diameter of the hole 12b is formed smaller than the diameter of the stool collection part 22E.

  In the present embodiment, the stool collection container S5 includes a stool collection part 22E suitable for collecting a sample near the surface of the stool and a stool collection part 22F suitable for collecting a sample existing in the back of the stool lump. I have. Thereby, if the stool collection container S5 is used, the stool collection operator can collect both the sample in the deep part of the stool lump and the sample existing near the surface of the stool evenly.

  The liquid 3 in which the stool is suspended is further filtered by the filter 5 after being filtered by the stool collection unit 22E. Thereby, the stool collection container S5 can more reliably remove the solid component from the liquid 3 in which the stool is suspended.

  In the present embodiment, the constricted portion 12a of the separation wall 12 scrapes off the excess of stool adhering to the uneven portion of the stool collection portion 22F. Thereby, if the stool collection container S5 is used, a stool sample can be collected quantitatively. Since the upper and lower wall portions of the hole 12b are formed in a tapered shape, the stool collection stick 2E can be easily pulled out. Moreover, since the diameter of the hole 12b is formed smaller than the diameter of the stool collection part 22E, when the stool collection stick 2E is extracted from the container body 1C, the excess liquid 3 can be squeezed out from the stool collection part 22E. it can.

[Sixth Embodiment]
14 and 15 show an attachment according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. The attachment 7 is attached to a stool collection container, and is used for manually dropping a liquid sample in which an analysis object such as hemoglobin is dissolved into an analysis tool such as a test specimen for occult blood analysis. Hereinafter, the case where the attachment 7 is mounted on the stool collection container S1 according to the first embodiment will be described. However, this attachment 7 can also be applied to the stool collection container according to the other embodiments described above. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, the attachment 7 includes a collection nozzle 70 and a dropping nozzle 71. A flow path 72 is provided inside the attachment 7. The material of the attachment 7 is a synthetic resin. Specific examples of the synthetic resin include polyethylene and polypropylene.

  The collection nozzle 70 is for collecting the liquid 3 inserted in the stool collection container S1 and accommodated in the stool collection container S1. As shown in FIG. 14B, the distal end portion 70b of the collection nozzle 70 is cut obliquely so as to easily break the diaphragm 21b formed in the stool collection container S1. The distal end portion 70b is provided with a liquid inlet 70a for allowing the liquid 3 to flow in. The dropping nozzle 71 is for dropping a liquid sample. A dripping port 71 a is provided at the tip of the dripping nozzle 71. The channel 72 is a passage for flowing a liquid sample from the liquid inlet 70a to the dropping port 71a.

  Next, the operation of the attachment 7 will be described.

  The process of collecting a liquid sample from the stool collection container S1 using the attachment 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15A to 15C. As shown in FIG. 15A, the analysis operator inserts the collection nozzle 70 into the inside 21e of the support bar 21 through the nozzle insertion port 21a in the direction indicated by the arrow N5.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 15B, the distal end portion 70b of the sampling nozzle 70 breaks the diaphragm 21b. Then, as shown by the arrow, the liquid 3 in which the stool is suspended is filtered by the stool collection part 22A and starts to flow into the inside 21e of the support bar 21 from the liquid inflow port 21c. Thereafter, the collection nozzle 70 is pushed in until the lower end 71b of the dropping nozzle 71 hits the upper wall portion 20b of the lid 20.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 15C, the analysis operator turns the stool collection container S1 upside down and presses the trunk of the container main body 1A as indicated by an arrow. Then, the liquid 3 flows through the flow path 72 and falls as droplets from the dropping port 71a to a test specimen for occult blood measurement (not shown).

  As described above, the attachment 7 can be applied to sample collection of the stool collection container S1 manually. By using the attachment 7, it is not necessary to develop and manufacture a hand-operated stool collection container. Thereby, it is possible to reduce development cost and manufacturing cost.

  The stool collection container S1 is in a state in which the liquid 3 can be dropped just by inserting the attachment 7 into the support bar 21. Thus, since the special operation | work for fracture | rupturing the diaphragm 21b can be omitted if the attachment 7 is used, the labor of an analysis operator can be reduced.

  The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment. The specific configuration of the stool collection container and attachment according to the present invention can be varied in design in various ways.

F Feces S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 Stool collection containers 1A, 1B, 1C Container body 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E Stool collection stick 20 Lid 21 Support rod 21a Nozzle insertion port 21b Inside diaphragm 21e (support rod of)
22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, 22E, 22F Stool collection part 22Da Upper surface (contact surface)
22Db Groove 22Fa Concavity and convexity 3 Liquid 4 Suction nozzle (for automatic analyzer)
5 Filter 6 Diaphragm member 7 Attachment 70 Sampling nozzle (of attachment)
71 Dripping nozzle

Claims (13)

A container body that contains a liquid for suspending feces therein;
A stool collection stick for collecting stool and a support rod for supporting the stool collection part, and a stool collection stick that can be stored in the container body;
A stool collection container comprising:
The stool collection part is rotatably supported by the support bar,
The said support rod is a stool collection container currently formed in the shape of a tube so that the collection nozzle for collecting the said liquid can be inserted. A stool collection container according to claim 1,
The stool collection part is a stool collection container supported by the support rod as a rotation axis. The stool collection container according to claim 1 or 2,
A lid that is coupled to the support bar and supports the stool collection stick in the container body when joined to the container body;
The said cover body is a stool collection container provided with the nozzle insertion port for inserting the said collection nozzle in the said support rod. A stool collection container according to claim 3,
The support bar includes a diaphragm for separating the inside and the outside of the container body,
The diaphragm is a stool collection container that is broken when the collection nozzle is inserted into the support rod. A stool collection container according to claim 3 or 4,
The collection nozzle is a stool collection container that is a suction nozzle of an automatic analyzer for analyzing an analysis object in stool. A stool collection container according to claim 3 or 4,
The stool collection container is configured to be equipped with an attachment including the collection nozzle as a constituent element, and the attachment further includes a dropping nozzle for dropping the liquid. A stool collection container according to any one of claims 3 to 6,
The support rod is provided with a filter for filtering the liquid in which stool is suspended in the vicinity of the tip. A stool collection container according to any one of claims 3 to 7,
The stool collection part is a stool collection container formed of a porous body to which feces can adhere on the surface. A stool collection container according to claim 8,
The stool collection part has a function of filtering the liquid in which stool is suspended, and the liquid that has passed through the stool collection part flows into the support rod. The stool collection container according to claim 8 or 9,
The said container main body is equipped with the squeezing member for squeezing out the said liquid absorbed by the said stool collection part when the said stool collection stick is extracted from the said container main body in the inside. The stool collection tool according to claim 10,
The squeezing member is movable up and down inside the container body, and when the stool collection stick is lifted upward, the stool collection unit moves upward by contacting the squeezing member. A stool collection container configured as described above. The stool collection container according to claim 10 or 11,
The said stool collection part is provided with the groove part for making the said liquid flow down in the contact surface with the said throttle member. The stool collection container according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The stool collection stick further includes a stool collection part at the tip part, which is different from the stool collection part,
The another stool collection part is a stool collection container having an uneven part for attaching stool.

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