JP6344794B2 - Sample testing tool - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a specimen testing tool used when confirming infection such as influenza virus in a medical institution.

  Influenza is an infectious disease that is prevalent every winter, and its damage has a major impact on society as a whole. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the infected person at an early stage and take all possible measures. There are various methods for confirming the infection with the influenza virus, but from the viewpoint of convenience and cost, those using an antigen-antibody reaction are widely used. This method is to collect mucus from the nasal cavity with a cotton swab, diffuse this mucus into the extract, drop the extract onto the test plate, and determine the presence or absence of infection by its color change. The packaged dedicated kit has been commercialized.

  FIG. 5 shows a specific example of the specimen testing tool currently used. This specimen testing tool uses an antigen-antibody reaction, and is composed of a cylindrical main body and a nozzle fitted into the main body, and an extraction liquid to which a predetermined chemical is added is enclosed in the main body. Yes. At the time of inspection, the cover at the top of the main body is removed, a cotton swab impregnated with a specimen such as mucus is inserted into the extract, and then the side of the main body is pressed with a finger to squeeze out the specimen in the cotton swab. Thereafter, the cotton swab is taken out, a nozzle is fitted into the upper part of the main body, and the extract is dropped onto the test plate from the nozzle outlet. Then, after a certain period of time, a predetermined color appears in the determination window of the test plate, and the result becomes clear. A filter is incorporated inside the nozzle to prevent foreign matter from falling on the test plate.

  Examples of prior art related to the invention of the present application include the following patent document. Patent Document 1 discloses a container for sampling a specimen such as blood. This container is characterized in that a soft synthetic resin is used as a raw material and a syringe function is provided so that a sample can be collected without difficulty, and a cylindrical body made of a hard synthetic resin is fitted on the outer periphery thereof. After taking a sample for inspection, fitting the cylinders suppresses deformation of the container, enables handling with an automatic processing apparatus, and realizes a large amount of specimen processing.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a wiping inspection instrument for the purpose of allowing a specimen attached to a cotton swab to be sufficiently mixed with an extract. This wiping inspection instrument is composed of a tubular body, a test tubular specimen inspection instrument, a specimen wiping tool incorporating a cotton swab, etc., and an extract is sealed on the upper part of the specimen inspection instrument. A reagent container sealed with a material is incorporated. Further, a breaker for breaking the sealing material is provided in the vicinity of the end surface of the reagent container, and at the time of inspection, the breaker is expanded by the tip of the cotton swab to break through the sealing material. At that time, the sample is squeezed out into the extract by the contact between the cotton swab and the breaker, and the sample and the reaction reagent are sufficiently mixed to realize accurate determination.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a specimen extraction container that can extract a specimen attached to a cotton swab into a solvent by a simple operation. The main body of the container is in the shape of an elongated tube, but the bottom of the side wall is narrowed in diameter and thinned. Therefore, the tip of the cotton swab that has reached the bottom of the main body can be easily pressed, and the labor of extraction can be reduced.

  Patent Document 4 discloses a sample collection liquid container that can prevent virus infection at the time of inspection and eliminate complicated operations. A stopper that can be displaced by internal pressure or the like is incorporated in the container, and a filter and a dropping port are incorporated in the lower part of the container. At the time of examination, a cotton swab is inserted into the container, the sample is extracted into the solution in the container, a cap is attached to the top of the container, the container is pressed with a finger or the like to increase the internal pressure, and the stopper is displaced. The stopper is eventually detached from the inner surface of the container, the solution flow path is opened, and is dropped to the outside through the filter and the dripping port. In this invention, since the filter and the dropping port are preliminarily incorporated in the container, the work at the time of inspection is simplified, and the virus infection can be prevented without fear of scattering the solution.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-69844 JP 2000-346838 A JP 2006-138748 A JP 2006-250860 A

  The specimen testing tool as shown in FIG. 5 needs to be kept in stock for a sudden increase in demand, and its effective period is often set to several years. For this reason, the main body needs to have a certain strength from the viewpoints of barrier properties and impact resistance, and in order to squeeze the specimen, a corresponding force is required when pressing the side surface of the main body. If the number of specimens is still small, no problem will occur. However, since the examination will continue during the influenza epidemic, the fatigue of the inspector's hands and fingers will be severe, and the specimen will not be sufficiently squeezed out. There is also a risk of affecting the test results.

  Depending on the type of specimen, an operation of mixing two types of chemicals just before the test is necessary. In this operation, since each sealed chemical solution container is opened and poured into one container, it is cumbersome and time-consuming, easily causes unexpected troubles such as leakage and jumping out, and some countermeasure is desired.

  The present invention has been developed on the basis of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a specimen testing tool that can reduce labor at the time of testing and also supports mixing of a plurality of chemical solutions.

  The invention according to claim 1 for solving the above-mentioned problems includes a cylindrical main body with one end closed, a liquid storage container in which various chemical solutions are sealed, and an opening device that opens through the liquid storage container. And a nozzle for dripping the chemical solution to the outside, a holding chamber for storing the liquid storage container is provided in the vicinity of the opening end of the main body, a reaction chamber is provided in the back thereof, and the holding chamber is provided in the holding chamber. Is provided with a locking portion for preventing the liquid storage container from dropping, and the side wall of the reaction chamber is formed to be soft in order to ensure the deformability by pressing, and the nozzle can be fitted into the holding chamber, In addition, a discharge port for dropping the chemical solution to the outside is provided at the tip thereof, the opening is provided with a wedge for opening the liquid storage container, and the opened liquid storage container is removed from the holding chamber. Therefore, a hanging piece that can be lifted in contact with the liquid storage container is provided. A sample test device according to claim Rukoto.

  The sample testing tool according to the present invention diffuses a sample (such as nasal mucus) collected with a cotton swab into the extract and drops the extract onto a dedicated test plate to visually determine the presence or absence of an antigen-antibody reaction. For this purpose, it is composed of a cylindrical main body, a nozzle fitted into the upper portion of the main body, a liquid storage container in which various chemicals such as an extract are sealed, and an opening device for opening the liquid storage container. Therefore, the chemical solution is not simply enclosed in the main body.

  The main body has a shape like an elongated test tube and needs to have a certain height so that the chemical liquid is not scattered outside when the specimen is squeezed into the chemical liquid. Further, the nozzle is used when the chemical liquid in which the specimen is diffused is dropped, and only in that case, the nozzle is fitted so as to close the opening in the upper part of the main body. Of course, the nozzle fits in the upper part of the main body without any gap so that there is no liquid leakage. Furthermore, in order to drop a chemical solution inside the nozzle, a very thin flow path is provided, a discharge port is provided at the tip, and a filter for capturing foreign substances is incorporated in the middle.

  The liquid storage container only has a role of storing various chemicals such as an extract, and its shape and configuration are free. However, in addition to the size that can be placed inside the main body, consideration should be given to the materials, etc., so as not to cause chemical leakage or deterioration in units of several years. Furthermore, air can be expelled from the inside of the liquid storage container in order to suppress deterioration and alteration of the chemical solution. In addition, when a chemical | medical solution is enclosed with the inside of a main body as it is conventionally, in order to prevent scattering at the time of opening, it is necessary to leave a certain amount of air inside.

  A holding chamber and a reaction chamber are provided inside the main body. The holding chamber is a portion that is located near the opening of the main body and accommodates the liquid storage container in an immobile state. The reaction chamber is a space for diffusing the sample into the chemical solution. The reaction chamber can store the entire amount of the chemical solution that has flowed out of the storage container, and has the necessary size so that the swab can reach the bottom of the reaction chamber. To do.

  A locking portion is provided at the boundary between the holding chamber and the reaction chamber. The locking portion is for preventing the liquid storage container from falling from the holding chamber to the reaction chamber, and its configuration is free. Specific examples of the locking portion include an annular surface that receives the lower surface of the liquid storage container, a tapered inner peripheral surface into which the liquid storage container is fitted, and a plurality of ribs that protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the main body. It is done.

  The side wall surrounding the reaction chamber is made soft in consideration of the work of squeezing the cotton swab inserted into the main body. As a result, when the side wall is lightly pressed with a finger, the side wall is easily deformed, the tip of the cotton swab can be easily inserted, and the specimen is squeezed out of the cotton swab and diffused into the drug solution. Examples of the method for softening the side wall of the reaction chamber include thinning as much as possible, or using a material having flexibility and durability (for example, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, elastomer). In addition, the main body according to the present invention does not need to consider sealing a chemical solution for a long time. Therefore, it is sufficient if the strength is sufficient to withstand the inspection, and there are fewer restrictions on the material and thickness of the side wall of the reaction chamber.

  The opening tool has a role of opening the liquid storage container in the main body, pouring the chemical solution into the lower reaction chamber, and removing the opened liquid storage container from the main body. The opening device is manufactured separately from the main body and the nozzle, and is inserted into the upper part of the main body when in use, and the chemical liquid container is locally destroyed to release the chemical liquid. Therefore, the opening tool is provided with sharp wedges. Furthermore, in order to remove the opened liquid storage container from the main body, the opening tool is provided with a hanging piece.

  The hanging piece is a portion that contacts the downward surface of the chemical solution container. When the opening tool is pulled out from the main body, the liquid storage container is lifted by the hanging piece and removed from the main body. The hanging piece may be in any form as long as it can contact the downward surface of the chemical solution container, and can be brought into contact with other than the lower surface of the chemical solution container. Furthermore, the hanging piece is often arranged at the tip of a leaf spring or the like so that it can be moved to the lower surface of the chemical solution container without difficulty.

  In this way, the chemical solution can be sealed without being exposed to the air and the deterioration such as oxidation can be prevented by incorporating the dedicated liquid storage container into the holding chamber of the main body without enclosing the chemical solution inside the main body as it is. . In addition, the liquid storage container has no use other than storing chemicals, and can select materials according to the purpose such as barrier properties and light shielding properties, thereby realizing stable inspection for a long period of time. Furthermore, since the main body is released from the role of storing chemicals for a long period of time, the side walls of the reaction chamber can be made thinner and softer as long as there is no problem during the examination, and operations for squeezing the specimen attached to the cotton swab are also possible. Easy.

  The invention according to claim 2 relates to a liquid storage container, wherein the liquid storage container includes a plurality of liquid storage containers, which are arranged so as to be stacked in a holding chamber, and the hanging piece is a lower surface of the liquid storage container positioned at the bottom. It is possible to push up all the stacked liquid storage containers from the holding chamber.

  The number of liquid storage containers is not limited to one for one main body, and a plurality of liquid storage containers can be stacked in the holding chamber of the main body as in the present invention. Therefore, the specimen testing tool according to the present invention can be used even when a plurality of chemical solutions are mixed immediately before the test. The liquid storage container is stacked one above the other in the holding chamber. The hanging piece for removing the liquid storage container is brought into contact with the lower surface of the liquid storage container located at the bottom. Therefore, the unsealing tool can open all of the storage containers at the same time, and then simultaneously pull out the storage containers. Even when there are a plurality of storage containers, the operation method at the time of inspection remains unchanged.

  As in the first aspect of the invention, the specimen testing tool is constituted by a main body, a liquid storage container, a nozzle and an opening tool, the liquid storage container is accommodated in the upper part of the main body, and the chemical solution in the liquid storage container is stored in the main body using the opening tool. By letting it flow in, the chemical solution can be stored in a sealed state, its quality is maintained for a long time, and highly reliable inspection is realized. In addition, the main body does not need to be considered for long-term storage of the chemical solution, and the degree of freedom with respect to its shape and material is increased, and softening and thinning are easy. Therefore, when the side surface of the main body is pressed and the specimen is diffused in the chemical solution, the physical burden is reduced, and even when the examination is continued, it is possible to prevent a decrease in reliability due to operation failure.

  As in the second aspect of the invention, by stacking a plurality of liquid storage containers, it is possible to cope with an inspection of a system in which a plurality of chemical liquids are mixed immediately before. In addition, since the plurality of liquid storage containers can be removed from the main body through the hanging piece after being opened at once with an opening tool, the labor for inspection is not different from the case where there is only one liquid storage container.

It is a perspective view which shows the specific example of the sample test tool by this invention, and is a structure which laminates | stacks two types of chemical | medical solutions up and down. It is a perspective view which shows the use condition of the sample test tool of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the example of a shape of the test | inspection tool which used only one type of chemical | medical solution. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a usage state of the specimen testing tool in FIG. 3. It is a perspective view which shows the specific example of the sample test tool currently used.

  FIG. 1 shows a specific example of a specimen testing tool according to the present invention. A part of the right side of the drawing shows a cross-sectional shape. The specimen testing tool has a cylindrical shape, and is arranged in the order of the main body 11, the liquid storage container 23, the stopper 41, and the opening tool 31 from the bottom. The main body 11 serves as a container for diffusing the specimen into the chemical solutions M1 and M2, and is made of synthetic resin. The main body 11 is formed into a cylindrical shape with the lower part closed. Is provided. A cylindrical holding chamber 16 is provided on the reaction chamber 14, and an annular upward facing locking portion 15 is formed at the boundary between the reaction chamber 14 and the holding chamber 16. Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the holding chamber 16, a flange 17 which is an annular protrusion is formed. In addition, the side wall surrounding the reaction chamber 14 is thinner than the side wall surrounding the holding chamber 16 in order to ensure deformability.

  The liquid storage container 23 is used to enclose the chemical liquids M1 and M2. Here, in order to hold the two types of chemical liquids M1 and M2 individually, the two liquid storage containers 23 are stacked one above the other. The liquid storage container 23 is formed of a synthetic resin in a cylindrical shape, and M1 and M2 are stored by sealing the upper and lower sides thereof with a seal 25. The seal 25 uses an aluminum laminate film or the like, prevents deterioration of the chemical solutions M1 and M2, and is firmly integrated with the liquid storage container 23 by thermocompression bonding or the like. The interior of the liquid storage container 23 is occupied by the chemical liquids M1 and M2, and the air is completely expelled.

  The outer diameter of the liquid storage container 23 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the holding chamber 16 of the main body 11, and the liquid storage container 23 is received by the locking portion 15 and stacked in the holding chamber 16. The extension of the holding chamber 16 has a sufficient margin with respect to the two liquid storage containers 23, and even when the liquid storage container 23 is opened, the chemical liquids M1 and M2 are not scattered outside.

  The opening tool 31 is for opening the liquid storage container 23 accommodated in the holding chamber 16 and pouring the chemicals M1 and M2 therein into the reaction chamber 14, and is completely separated from the main body 11. The opening tool 31 is made of hard synthetic resin, and has an outer cylinder 37 having a diameter larger than that of the holding chamber 16, an upper plate 38 that closes the upper surface thereof, and two rows of elastic bands extending from the center of the upper plate 38. 36 and a wedge 34 at the tip thereof. The outer cylinder 37 is a part for vertically moving the opening tool 31 along the holding chamber 16, and the inner diameter thereof is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the side wall of the holding chamber 16. The wedge 34 is a portion for breaking the seal 25 that seals the liquid storage container 23 and is formed sharply.

  The elastic band 36 does not simply hold the wedge 34, but the extension is increased to ensure flexibility so that the wedge 34 can be displaced in the radial direction. Further, the tip of the wedge 34 is arranged to be slightly inside the inner peripheral surface of the liquid storage container 23. Therefore, the wedge 34 comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the liquid storage container 23 after breaking the seal 25 and is displaced toward the center. When the entire wedge 34 penetrates the liquid storage container 23, the wedge 34 is displaced outward by the restoring force of the elastic band 36, and goes around the lower surface of the liquid storage container 23. As a result, when the opening tool 31 is lifted, the two liquid storage containers 23 are also lifted through the wedge 34 and removed from the holding chamber 16. The horizontal surface at the rear end of the wedge 34 is referred to as a hanging piece 35 and serves to remove the liquid storage container 23.

  The stopper 41 is incorporated between the main body 11 and the opening tool 31, and prevents the opening tool 31 from opening the storage container 23 carelessly. The stopper 41 has a cylindrical shape whose upper surface is closed with a top plate 45, is fitted into the outer periphery of the holding chamber 16, and is prevented from dropping by contact with the flange 17. Further, the top plate 45 is provided with a cutout 46 for holding the elastic band 36, and the opening tool 31 is also restricted from being displaced in the horizontal direction. Note that the side plate 44 of the stopper 41 has a C-shaped cross section instead of a complete cylindrical shape in consideration of attachment / detachment, and the stopper 41 can be detached from the main body 11 by spreading the end surface of the side plate 44 with a finger or the like.

  The nozzle 51 is used to drop the chemical solution M1 and M2 in which the specimen is diffused after removing the liquid storage container 23 from the main body 11, and fits the press-fitting cylinder 55 in the lower part thereof into the holding chamber 16. In addition, a very thin flow path 53 is formed inside the nozzle 51, and the tip thereof is a discharge port 54. A filter (not shown) that captures foreign matter is disposed in the middle of the flow path 53.

  The specimen testing tool shown in the figure is film-wrapped at the manufacturing stage, and the main body 11, the opening tool 31 and the stopper 41 are not separated before use. Even when some external force is applied, the opening tool 31 is pushed down and stored. The liquid container 23 is not opened. At the time of inspection, the film packaging is first broken, the stopper 41 and the opening tool 31 are removed from the main body 11, the wedge 34 of the opening tool 31 is then inserted into the holding chamber 16, and the opening tool 31 is gradually pushed down.

  FIG. 2 shows the usage state of the sample testing tool of FIG. In the holding chamber 16 above the main body 11, two liquid storage containers 23 are stacked one above the other. Among them, the lower liquid storage container 23 is in contact with the locking portion 15 and does not fall from here. The inner peripheral surface of the liquid storage container 23 is located closer to the center than the inner edge of the locking portion 15, and a part of the lower surface (near the center) of the liquid storage container 23 is exposed in the reaction chamber 14.

  At the time of inspection, first, the stopper 41 and the opening tool 31 are removed from the main body 11, and then the opening tool 31 is disposed right above the main body 11 with the wedge 34 facing downward. When the opening tool 31 is gradually lowered, the end of the wedge 34 eventually breaks through the seal 25 and opens, and the upper portion of the main body 11 enters the outer cylinder 37. Thereafter, when the outer cylinder 37 comes into contact with the flange 17, the wedge 34 passes through the two liquid storage containers 23, and the chemical liquids M <b> 1 and M <b> 2 flow into the bottom of the reaction chamber 14.

  At the time of opening, the wedge 34 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the liquid storage container 23 and is displaced toward the center. However, when the entire wedge 34 passes through the upper and lower liquid storage containers 23, the wedge 34 is displaced outwardly by the restoring force of the elastic band 36 and goes around the lower surface of the liquid storage container 23. As a result, when the opening tool 31 is pulled up, the hook 35 at the rear end of the wedge 34 comes into contact with the lower surface of the liquid storage container 23, and the liquid storage container 23 is also lifted. After that, when the cotton swab with the specimen attached is inserted into the reaction chamber 14 in the main body 11 and the side wall of the reaction chamber 14 is pressed with a finger, the specimen is squeezed out from the cotton swab and diffused into the chemical solutions M1 and M2. In the present invention, the side wall of the reaction chamber 14 can be finished thinly and flexibly within a range that does not affect a series of operations, and the physical burden when pressing with a finger can be reduced.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the shape of a specimen testing tool that uses only one type of chemical M3. The medicinal solution M3 is sealed in a liquid storage container 23 whose upper and lower portions are closed with a seal 25, and is disposed at the bottom of the holding chamber 16 of the main body 12. The main body 12 and the opening tool 32 have a shape similar to that shown in FIG. 1, and the nozzle 51 has the same shape as that shown in FIG. However, in order to prevent the opening tool 32 from being detached from the main body 12, the outer cylinder 37 is configured to be fitted into the upper portion of the main body 12 at all times. Therefore, the holding chamber 16 is extended upward, and correspondingly, the outer cylinder 37 and the elastic band 36 also extend vertically as compared with FIG. Further, since the main body 12 and the opening tool 32 are always fitted, the stopper 42 has a simple C shape.

  FIG. 4 shows a usage state of the specimen testing tool of FIG. In the holding chamber 16 at the upper part of the main body 12, one liquid storage container 23 is disposed, and the wedge 34 is opposed to the liquid storage container 23 with a slight gap. Further, the lower part of the outer cylinder 37 of the opening tool 32 is fitted into the upper part of the main body 12. In this state, when the side end surface of the stopper 42 is expanded and the stopper 42 is removed from the main body 12, the opening tool 32 can be pushed down.

  When the opening tool 32 is pushed down, the wedge 34 breaks through the upper and lower seals 25 and the chemical M3 flows into the bottom of the reaction chamber 14. When the entire wedge 34 passes through the liquid storage container 23, the elastic band 36 that has been deformed toward the center is restored to the original shape, and the hook 35 at the rear end of the wedge 34 enters the lower surface of the liquid storage container 23. . Next, when the opening tool 32 is lifted, the liquid storage container 23 is pushed up through the hanging piece 35 and removed from the main body 12.

  Subsequently, a cotton swab is inserted into the main body 12, and the specimen attached thereto is diffused into the drug solution M3. The main body 12 does not need to seal the chemical solution M3 for a long time, and the side wall of the reaction chamber 14 is formed extremely thin. Therefore, when the specimen is diffused, the side wall of the reaction chamber 14 may be lightly pressed with a finger. When the diffusion of the specimen is finished, the nozzle 51 is fitted into the upper part of the main body 12, and the droplet is dropped on the test plate as shown in FIG.

11 Body (two types of chemicals)
12 Body (one type of chemical)
14 Reaction chamber 15 Locking portion 16 Holding chamber 17 Reed 23 Storage container 25 Seal 31 Opening tool (two types of chemicals)
32 Opening tool (one type of chemical)
34 Wedge 35 Hanging piece 36 Elastic band 37 Outer cylinder 38 Upper plate 41 Stopper (two types of chemicals)
42 Stopper (one type of chemical)
44 Side plate 45 Top plate 46 Cutout 51 Nozzle 53 Channel 54 Discharge port 55 Press-fit cylinders M1, M2, M3 Various chemical solutions

Claims (2)

A cylindrical main body (11, 12) with one end closed, a liquid storage container (23) in which various chemical solutions (M1, M2, M3) are sealed, and an unsealing opening through the liquid storage container (23) A tool (31, 32) and a nozzle (51) for dripping the drug solution (M1, M2, M3) to the outside,
A holding chamber (16) for accommodating the liquid storage container (23) is provided near the open end of the main body (11, 12), and a reaction chamber (14) is provided at the back thereof.
The holding chamber (16) is provided with a locking portion (15) for preventing the liquid storage container (23) from dropping,
The side wall of the reaction chamber (14) is formed to be soft in order to ensure deformability by pressing,
The nozzle (51) can be fitted into the holding chamber (16), and a discharge port (54) for dropping the chemical liquid (M1, M2, M3) to the outside is provided at the tip thereof.
The opening tool (31, 32) is provided with a wedge (34) for opening the liquid storage container (23), and the opened liquid storage container (23) is removed from the holding chamber (16). Therefore, the specimen testing tool is provided with a hanging piece (35) which can be lifted in contact with the liquid storage container (23).   The liquid storage container (23) is composed of a plurality, arranged to be stacked on the holding chamber (16), and the hanging piece (35) is the lower surface of the liquid storage container (23) positioned at the bottom. 2. The specimen testing tool according to claim 1, wherein all of the stacked liquid storage containers (23) can be pushed up from the holding chamber (16).

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