JP7466757B2 - Sample collection swabs - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a swab for collecting a specimen.

In biological tests, particularly simple measurement tests, it is important to efficiently collect hair, tissue, body fluids, etc., required for the test. Traditionally, swabs (cotton swabs) have been used to collect specimens. The following Patent Document 1 describes a type of swab for collecting biological specimens, which consists of a rod having at its end a tip covered with hydrophilic fibers that absorb biological specimens. This collection swab is characterized in that the fibers cover the tip in the form of a layer attached by flocking.

JP 2007-523663 A

Sample collection using the collection swab shown in Patent Document 1 and the like is performed, for example, by contacting the swab with the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, etc. of the patient from whom the sample is to be collected. At this time, the swab is pressed against the mucous membranes of the patient in order to collect more than the minimum required amount of sample. In this case, there is a problem that the patient may feel discomfort, pain, etc. due to the swab being pressed against them. Therefore, an object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a sample collection swab that can sufficiently collect a sample while reducing the discomfort, pain, etc. of the patient.

A sample collection swab according to one aspect of the present disclosure is as follows.
[1] A specimen collecting swab comprising a rod and a specimen collecting section provided at the end of the rod, the specimen collecting section having a buffer section that is deformable by external pressure and that includes a pile body that constitutes at least its surface, the pile body having a base portion and hair-like bodies provided in a brush-like shape on the surface of the base portion.
[2] A sample collecting swab as described in [1], wherein the buffer portion is fixed to the end of the rod or has a hollow molded portion integrally molded with the rod.
[3] A sample collecting swab as described in [1], wherein the buffer portion has a porous body covered with a base material portion of the raised pile body, and the base material portion is waterproof.
[4] A sample collecting swab according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the buffer portion has a rolled body of upright fibers.
[5] A sample-collecting swab according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the hair-like body has a base end portion protruding from the base portion and an expanded portion provided at the tip of the base end portion and having a maximum outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the base end portion, the expanded portion having a hollow shape.
[6] The sample collecting swab according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the hair-like body has a base end portion protruding from the base material portion, a tip end portion extending toward the buffer portion, and a curved portion connecting the base end portion and the tip end portion.
[7] A specimen collecting swab according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein at least the end of the rod is flexible.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a sample collection swab can be provided that can collect a sufficient amount of sample while reducing discomfort, pain, etc., to the patient.

FIG. 1(a) is a schematic diagram showing a swab according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 1(a). FIG. 2(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a pile body before being provided on a swab, and FIG. 2(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of the pile body. FIG. 3(a) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a swab according to a first modified example of the first embodiment, and FIG. 3(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a swab according to a second modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 4(a) is a schematic diagram showing a swab according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 4(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 4(a). FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a swab according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the pile body.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to one aspect of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description, the same elements or elements having the same functions will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted. In this specification, the word "same" and similar words are not limited to "completely same".

The swab in each embodiment described below is, for example, a member used for collecting a specimen (a specimen collection swab). The specimen is, for example, a liquid biological specimen obtained from a living organism such as a human body or an animal. The biological specimen is, for example, a throat swab, a nasal swab, a throat wash, a nasal wash, a nasal aspirate, saliva, serum, stool, a stool suspension, urine, a culture fluid, etc. The biological specimen may also include a solid.

First Embodiment
First, the configuration of the swab according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 (a) and (b). Fig. 1 (a) is a schematic diagram showing the swab according to the first embodiment. Fig. 1 (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of Fig. 1 (a). As shown in Fig. 1 (a) and (b), the swab 1 has a rod 2 and a specimen collection section 3. In the following description, the direction in which the rod 2 extends is defined as an axial direction X.

The rod 2 is a rod-shaped member that serves as a grip for the person collecting the specimen, and has a pair of ends 2a, 2b in the axial direction X. The end 2a is the part used as the grip. The surface of the end 2a may be, for example, anti-slip processed. The anti-slip processing may be, for example, embossing, coating with an anti-slip material, or the like. The end 2b is the part where the specimen collection section 3 is provided. In the first embodiment, a part of the end 2b is located inside the specimen collection section 3. At least the end 2b of the rod 2 may be flexible. In this case, when a force is applied to the specimen collection section 3 during specimen collection, the force concentrated at the boundary between the rod 2 and the specimen collection section 3 can be alleviated. Therefore, the swab 1 can be prevented from being damaged at the boundary, and the rod 2 can be prevented from breaking. Note that "the rod 2 breaks" corresponds to a state in which the rod 2 is irreversibly deformed. When the rod 2 breaks, the broken part of the rod 2 may come into contact with the specimen collection site or its vicinity, causing damage. Furthermore, if the specimen collection site is a site of a living organism, the living organism may feel pain, etc. Furthermore, there is a risk that the specimen collection unit 3 may not be able to reach the specimen collection site.

The rod 2 may be, for example, cylindrical or polygonal, but is not limited thereto. For example, the thickness (diameter or outer diameter) of the end 2a may be greater than the thickness of the end 2b. In this case, the rod 2 may become thinner as it approaches the end 2b along the axial direction of the rod 2. The diameter of the rod 2 is, for example, 0.5 mm or more and 3 mm or less. The length of the rod 2 along the axial direction X is, for example, 30 mm or more and 200 mm or less. The rod 2 may be formed of materials such as bamboo, wood, hard paper, metal, and resin. The rod 2 may be formed of multiple materials. For example, a part of the rod 2 including the end 2a may be formed of hard paper or the like, and another part of the rod 2 including the end 2b may be formed of resin or the like. This allows a part of the rod 2 to be a rigid body, and another part of the rod 2 to be a flexible part. Examples of the resin include polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyacetal, polybutylene terephthalate, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), polyphenylene sulfide, PEEK (polyether ether ketone), polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, vinyl chloride, nylon, polypropylene, ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), etc. When a heat treatment is performed during the manufacture of the swab 1, the resin may be a heat-resistant polycarbonate, PET, ABS, etc. The resin may contain an additive such as glass fiber.

The specimen collection section 3 is a section that collects a specimen by contacting the mucous membrane of a living organism, etc., and is fixed to the end 2b of the rod 2. The specimen collection section 3 has, for example, a spherical shape, an elliptical spherical shape, an egg shape, etc. In the first embodiment, the specimen collection section 3 has a substantially elliptical spherical shape. Therefore, at least a portion of the surface of the specimen collection section 3 has a smoothly curved surface. The specimen collection section 3 has a buffer section 11 and a pile body 12.

The buffer section 11 is a molded member fixed to the end 2b of the rod 2, and can be deformed by external pressure. The external pressure is, for example, a force applied when the specimen collection section 3 is pressed against the specimen collection site. For example, the buffer section 11 deforms according to the shape of the specimen collection site due to the external pressure, thereby mitigating the force applied to the specimen collection site. The buffer section 11 can be deformed by applying a force of, for example, 0.01 N/ ^mm2 or more. The deformation of the buffer section 11 may be elastic deformation or plastic deformation. In the former case, the buffer section 11 has elasticity. The hardness of the buffer section 11 may be lower than the hardness of the rod 2 or may be higher than the hardness of the rod 2. At least a part of the buffer section 11 may be damaged by deformation. The buffer section 11 has a main body section 11a and an opening section 11b.

The main body 11a is a hollow molded part having, for example, a spherical shape, an oval spherical shape, an egg shape, or the like, and is fixed to the end 2b of the rod 2. The maximum diameter of the main body 11a along a direction perpendicular to the axial direction X is larger than the thickness of the rod 2, for example, 3.5 mm to 10 mm. The length of the main body 11a along the axial direction X is, for example, 3.5 mm to 10 mm. The thickness of the main body 11a is, for example, 0.05 mm to 1.5 mm. From the viewpoint of ease of deformation due to external pressure, the thickness of the main body 11a may be smaller than the thickness of the rod 2, and may be 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. The surface of the main body 11a may be provided with irregularities or may have openings. The main body 11a may be a mesh cage-shaped hollow lattice formed by metal wires or the like. In the first embodiment, the main body 11a is a resin molded body formed by injection molding, balloon molding, or the like. The resin contained in the main body 11a is, for example, a thermoplastic resin. In order to suppress the influence of sample collection, the main body 11a may be water repellent or waterproof.

The opening 11b is a portion into which the end 2b of the rod 2 is inserted, and is provided at a position (base end) of the main body 11a that is closest to the end 2a in the axial direction X. When the end 2b is located inside the buffer section 11 through the opening 11b, the end 2b is located closer to the end 2a than the center C of the buffer section 11 in the axial direction X. This makes it difficult for the buffer section 11 to come into contact with the end 2b when the tip of the swab 1 (i.e., the tip of the buffer section 11) or its vicinity is deformed toward the inside of the buffer section 11. In the first embodiment, the end 2b and the specimen collection section 3 are bonded, for example, via an adhesive AD. The adhesive AD also functions as a filler that fills the gap between the end 2b and the opening 11b. This makes it possible to prevent the specimen from entering the inside of the buffer section 11. The adhesive AD includes, for example, at least one of a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin, and an elastomer resin. From the viewpoint of hygiene, etc., the adhesive AD may include a silicone resin, an acrylic resin, etc. From the viewpoint of resistance to polar organic compounds such as alcohol, the main component of the adhesive AD may be a silicone resin. The adhesive AD may contain additives as appropriate.

FIG. 2(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a pile body before being provided on a swab, and FIG. 2(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of the pile body. The pile body 12 is a part that contacts the sample collection site in the sample collection section 3, and collects and temporarily holds the sample. As shown in FIG. 2(a) and (b), the pile body 12 before being provided on the swab 1 has a sheet shape. As shown in FIG. 1(b), the pile body 12 covers the main body 11a of the buffer section 11 to form the surface of the buffer section 11. From the viewpoint of sample collection efficiency, the pile body 12 may cover the entire surface of the buffer section 11. The pile body 12 may also cover a part of the rod 2. The pile body 12 is fixed to the buffer section 11, for example, via an adhesive not shown. The contact cold/hot feeling of the pile body 12 can be indicated by the heat transfer rate q-max at the time of contact. The larger the value of q-max, the cooler it is, and the smaller the value of q-max, the warmer it is. For example, q-max may be 0.005 W/ ^cm2 or more and 0.500 W/ ^cm2 or less, or 0.200 W/ ^cm2 or more and 0.450 W/ ^cm2 or less. In this case, when the piled body 12 is brought into contact with the mucous membrane of a patient, for example, the discomfort of the patient caused by the temperature of the piled body 12 can be reduced. The piled body 12 has a base material portion 21 and a hair-like body 22.

The substrate portion 21 is a portion that is fixed to the buffer portion 11 and supports the hair-like bodies 22, and has a first surface 21a and a second surface 21b. The first surface 21a is the surface facing the buffer portion 11 (see (b) of FIG. 1), and the second surface 21b is the exposed surface. The substrate portion 21 has a sheet shape, a band shape, a string shape, or a thread shape. From the viewpoints of preventing breakage, ease of manufacturing the hair-like bodies 22, manufacturing costs, etc., the thickness of the substrate portion 21 may be 50 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, 100 μm or more and 900 μm or less, or 150 μm or more and 800 μm or less.

The material of the substrate portion 21 is not particularly limited as long as it is provided with the hair-like body 22 and can be fixed to the buffer portion 11 by wrapping or the like. Examples of the material of the substrate portion 21 include cloth, fiber, thread, nonwoven fabric, natural resin, synthetic resin, paper, animal skin, fur, etc. From the viewpoint of hygiene, etc., the material of the substrate portion 21 may be, for example, cloth, fiber, or synthetic resin. Examples of the synthetic resin include thermoplastic resin. As the thermoplastic resin, at least one of styrene-based resin, olefin-based resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, thermoplastic elastomer, fluorine-based resin, polyester-based resin, and nylon-based resin is used. From the viewpoint of suppressing the influence of the specimen on the buffer portion 11, etc., the substrate portion 21 may have waterproof properties, antibacterial properties, chemical resistance, antistatic properties, etc. Alternatively, the surface of the substrate portion 21 may be subjected to waterproofing, antibacterial processing, antistatic processing, etc.

The hair-like body 22 is a part that holds the sample, and is arranged in a brush shape on the second surface 21b of the base material portion 21. The multiple hair-like bodies 22 are arranged regularly or irregularly on the second surface 21b. When the sample collection portion 3 is pressed against the sample collection site, the sample adheres between the hair-like bodies 22. This allows the sample to be collected by the swab 1. When the multiple hair-like bodies 22 are arranged regularly, the multiple hair-like bodies 22 are arranged orderly along one or multiple directions when viewed from the thickness direction of the base material portion 21. This can improve the tactile sensation of the hair-like body 22. The tactile sensation of the hair-like body 22 is the sensation given to a patient or the like having a sample collection site. The more the tactile sensation of the hair-like body 22 is improved, the more the patient or the like who has the swab 1 pressed against them tends to get a favorable sensation such as a moist feeling, a soft feeling, or a fluffy feeling. Therefore, the more the tactile sensation of the hairs 22 is improved, the less discomfort and pain the patient or the like feels when the swab 1 is pressed against them.

The hairs 22 have a tapered shape that is approximately upright along the thickness direction of the base material portion 21. Therefore, the length of the hairs 22 can correspond to the height of the hairs 22. Note that approximately upright does not require the short fibers to be perpendicular to the second surface 21b of the base material portion 21, but means that the short fibers are approximately upright. From the viewpoint of effectively exerting the sample retention function of the hairs 12, even when the hairs 12 are fixed to the buffer portion 11, the hairs 22 are upright with respect to the second surface 21b of the base material portion 21.

The average height H1 of the hair-like body 22 is, for example, 200 μm or more and 700 μm or less. From the viewpoint of the amount of sample collection and improvement of the tactile sensation of the hair-like body 22, the average height H1 may be 300 μm or more. From the viewpoint of reducing discomfort of the patient against whom the swab 1 is pressed, the average height H1 may be 600 μm or less. The average height H1 is, for example, the arithmetic average value of a total of 30 measurement results obtained by cutting cross-sectional slices (samples) from any three points of the hair-like body 12 and measuring the height of 10 hair-like bodies for each sample. The average diameter (average outer diameter) of the hair-like body 22 is, for example, 10 μm or more and 200 μm or less. From the viewpoint of improving the tactile sensation of the hair-like body 22, the average diameter may be 20 μm or more. From the viewpoint of reducing discomfort of the patient against whom the swab 1 is pressed, the average diameter may be 150 μm or less. The average diameter is, for example, a value obtained by using the arithmetic mean value of the results of measuring the diameter of the hairs 22 at the mid-height from several points on the standing hair 12. The outer diameter of the hairs 22 is, for example, 1 μm or more and 250 μm or less. The average interval P of the hairs 22 is, for example, 20 μm or more and 200 μm or less. The interval between the hairs 22 corresponds to the distance between the center of the base of one of two adjacent hairs 22 and the center of the base of the other. From the viewpoint of sample collection, etc., the average interval P may be 150 μm or less.

The number of hairs 22 per unit area of the substrate portion 21 (i.e., the density of the hairs 22) is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 1000/ ^cm2 or more and 100,000/ ^cm2 or less. The higher the density of the hairs 22, the higher the sample retention efficiency tends to be. Therefore, the density of the hairs 22 per unit area may be 10,000/ ^cm2 or more. For example, even if the sample is nasal mucus, in order for the hairs 22 to exhibit the sample retention function well, the hairs 22 need to maintain their standing state even in a viscous liquid. Therefore, the hairs 22 need to have a fineness and surface area that can provide a certain degree of strength. The fineness of the hairs 22 is the gram weight per unit length of a single fiber or line. Considering the strength, processability, bendability, and the like of the hairs 22, the fineness of the hairs 22 may be 1.0 dtex or more and 4.0 dtex or 1.5 dtex or more and 3.0 dtex.

In the first embodiment, the substrate portion 21 and the hair-like body 22 are integrally formed using a thermoplastic resin. As a result, there is no structural boundary between the substrate portion 21 and the hair-like body 22, and a continuous phase is formed. The absence of a structural boundary means that there is no structurally clear boundary between the substrate portion 21 and the hair-like body 22. Furthermore, the formation of a continuous phase means that there is no seam between the substrate portion 21 and the hair-like body 22, and that the substrate portion 21 and the hair-like body 22 are not discontinuous. The substrate portion 21 and the hair-like body 22 are formed, for example, by melt-extruding a thermoplastic resin from a die by an extrusion molding method, and then casting the melt-extruded thermoplastic resin using a transfer roll and a touch roll that have been subjected to uneven processing. The thermoplastic resin has a region in which the slope (log η/ ^log t) is 0.5 or less in the section of 0.1<t<1.0 in a double logarithmic graph with the elongation viscosity η(t) (unit: Pa·S) measured at the extendible temperature at a strain rate of 0.5 (unit: S −1 ) as the vertical axis and the extension time t (unit: S) as the horizontal axis. In addition, in a probe tack measurement, the temperature range in which the adhesive strength of the thermoplastic resin is 0.05 N/mm ² or more and 0.25 N/mm ² or less at least partially overlaps with the extensible temperature.

The extensible temperature refers to the temperature at which the thermoplastic resin exhibits plasticity and becomes extensible (e.g., extensible). The extensible temperature can be determined from the state of a strand (a molded product of a thermoplastic resin) when it is set in a uniaxial extensional viscometer and stretched at various temperatures. When the temperature is low, the resin does not exhibit plasticity (is in a rigid state), and the roll that fixes the strand rotates idly. When the temperature is high, the resin is in a molten state and cannot be fixed to the roll, or when the strand is fixed and stretched, the elongation viscosity is less than 1.0 x ¹⁰⁴ (unit: Pa·S), and the strand breaks.

The extensional viscosity can be measured using a commercially available extensional viscosity measuring device at a temperature at which the thermoplastic resin is extensible (e.g., 100°C, 110°C, 120°C, 130°C, 140°C, 150°C or 160°C) and at a strain rate of 0.17 S ^-1 , 0.5 S ^-1 or 0.83 S ^-1 .

Examples of probe tack measurements include the Wetzel method, the Kobe-Kamagata method, the Hammond method, and the Rhesca method. In probe tack measurements other than the Rhesca method, a probe is first brought close to a sample placed with its adhesive side facing down from below. After the sample and the probe come into contact, the probe is moved downward at a constant speed to detect the force required to peel the probe from the adhesive surface. In the Rhesca method, the adhesive side of the sample is placed up, the probe is pressed against the adhesive surface from above, and the force required to peel the probe from the adhesive surface is detected. The Rhesca method is preferably used when measuring the adhesion of the surface of a molten polymer material during processing. In the first embodiment, if the adhesion force is within a range of 0.05 N/mm ² or more and 0.25 N/mm ² or less, the thermoplastic resin can adhere appropriately to the transfer roll surface and form the hair-like body 22. The adhesion force may be within a range of 0.05 N/mm ² or more and 0.25 N/mm ² or less.

Next, an example of a method for detecting an analyte in a specimen collected using the swab 1 according to the first embodiment will be briefly described. First, the specimen collection section 3 of the swab 1 is brought into contact with the specimen collection site to collect the specimen. At this time, in order to reliably collect the specimen, the specimen collection section 3 may not only be brought into contact with the specimen collection site, but may also be rubbed against the specimen collection site. Next, the specimen collection section 3 is immersed in a specimen treatment liquid to float or suspend the specimen in the specimen treatment liquid. This creates a sample for detecting an analyte in the specimen. The specimen treatment liquid is appropriately prepared depending on the type of specimen. The specimen treatment liquid includes, for example, a pH buffer, a surfactant, etc. Next, the sample is filtered using a filtration filter to obtain a filtrate. Next, the filtrate is supplied to a substrate (e.g., a membrane, etc.) of the testing device, and the substrate is immersed in the filtrate. Here, a capture reagent that specifically binds to the analyte and captures the analyte is bound to the surface of the substrate. Therefore, the analyte in the filtrate is captured on the substrate. Next, a labeling substance, which is a detection reagent that specifically binds to the analyte, is added onto the substrate by dripping or the like. This causes a complex to be formed between the capture reagent, the analyte, and the labeling substance. The presence of the complex is then detected by detecting the labeling substance in the complex. In this manner, the presence or absence of the analyte in the sample collected using the swab 1 can be measured.

In the swab 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the specimen collection section 3 has a buffer section 11 that can be deformed by external pressure, and a hair-like body 12 that constitutes the surface of the buffer section 11. As a result, for example, when the specimen collection section 3 is pressed against the mucous membrane or the like (specimen collection site) of a patient, the buffer section 11 deforms along the shape of the mucous membrane or the like. In this case, the portion of the specimen collection section 3 that contacts the mucous membrane or the like can be increased without pressing the specimen collection section 3 against the mucous membrane or the like for a long time or strongly. In addition, for example, when the specimen collection section 3 is inserted into a nostril or the like, it is less likely to get caught before the destination point. Here, the hair-like body 12 has a hair-like body 22 that is provided in a brush shape, so that the specimen is efficiently held by the hair-like body 22. Therefore, by using the swab 1, it is possible to sufficiently collect a specimen while reducing the discomfort and pain of the patient.

In the first embodiment, the buffer section 11 has a main body section 11a, which is a hollow molded section fixed to the end section 2b of the rod 2. Therefore, the buffer section 11 can be easily deformed by external pressure. Therefore, the patient's discomfort, pain, etc. can be effectively reduced.

In the first embodiment, at least the end 2b of the rod 2 may be flexible. In this case, when force is applied to the specimen collection section 3 during specimen collection, the force concentrated at the boundary between the rod 2 and the specimen collection section 3 can be alleviated. This makes it possible to prevent the swab 1 from being damaged at the boundary, the rod 2 from breaking, etc.

Below, each modified example of the first embodiment will be described with reference to (a) and (b) of FIG. 3. In the following modified examples, the description of the parts that overlap with the first embodiment will be omitted. Therefore, below, the parts that are different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

(a) of FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a swab according to a first modified example of the first embodiment. As shown in (a) of FIG. 3, in the swab 1A according to the first modified example, the entire rod 2A is located outside the specimen collection section 3A. That is, in the first modified example, a part of the end 2b of the rod 2A is not located inside the buffer section 11A. Therefore, the buffer section 11A does not have an opening. The buffer section 11A is fixed to the end 2b using, for example, an adhesive AD, but is not limited to this. For example, the buffer section 11A may be fixed to the end 2b by welding at least one of the buffer section 11A and the end 2b to the other. In the first modified example, at least the end 2b may have flexibility from the viewpoint of suppressing the occurrence of breakage at the boundary between the buffer section 11A and the end 2b. In the first modified example described above, the same action and effect as the above embodiment is achieved.

(b) of FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a swab according to a second modified example of the first embodiment. As shown in (b) of FIG. 3, in the swab 1B according to the second modified example, the buffer section 11B of the specimen collection section 3B is integrally molded with the rod 2B. For example, the rod 2B and the buffer section 11B are integrally molded by balloon molding. Therefore, a through hole 2c that communicates with the internal space of the buffer section 11B is formed in the rod 2B. Note that the through hole 2c may be sealed at the end 2a of the rod 2B. The second modified example described above also achieves the same effects as the above embodiment. In addition, damage is less likely to occur at the boundary between the buffer section 11B and the rod 2B.

Second Embodiment
The second embodiment will be described below with reference to (a) and (b) of FIG. 4. In the second embodiment, the description of the points overlapping with the first embodiment and the first and second modified examples will be omitted. Therefore, the following mainly describes the points different from the first embodiment and the first and second modified examples.

Figure 4(a) is a schematic diagram showing a swab according to the second embodiment. Figure 4(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of Figure 4(a). As shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the sample collection section 3C of the swab 1C has a buffer section 11C different from the buffer section 11 of the first embodiment, and a pile body 12 covering the buffer section 11C. In the second embodiment, the substrate portion 21 of the pile body 12 is waterproof.

The buffer section 11C has a porous body 31 that can be deformed by external pressure. The porous body 31 may be a macroporous material or a mesoporous material. The porous body 31 may be formed from a natural porous material (e.g., activated carbon, pumice, wood, cork, etc.) or an artificial porous material (e.g., polyurethane foam, zeolite, etc.). In the second embodiment, from the viewpoint of favorably performing the function (deformation function due to external pressure) of the buffer section 11C, the porous body 31 is formed from an artificial porous material. The porous body 31 can function to hold liquid. For this reason, the buffer section 11C is covered by the substrate portion 21. The entire buffer section 11C may be reliably covered by the substrate portion 21. This allows the raised hair body 12 to inhibit the collection and retention of the sample by the porous body 31. The porous body 31 is provided with a recess 31a into which the end 2b of the rod 2 is inserted. The porous body 31 is fixed to the end 2b, for example, via an adhesive not shown.

In the second embodiment described above, for example, when the specimen collection section 3C is pressed against the mucous membrane of the human body, a cushioning effect occurs due to deformation and/or damage of the buffer section 11C. Therefore, the second embodiment also achieves the same effects as the first embodiment. In addition, for example, by forming the porous body 31 from polyurethane foam or the like, the entire buffer section 11C can be made flexible. In this case, the patient is less likely to feel a foreign body sensation when the specimen collection section 3C is rubbed against the mucous membrane of the patient to increase the amount of sample collected.

In the second embodiment, the buffer section 11C is covered by a waterproof base material portion 21. Therefore, the function of the porous body 31 to retain the sample can be inhibited by the raised pile body 12. This effectively prevents excessive sample from being collected. Also, in the second embodiment, the end 2b of the rod 2 is embedded in the depression 31a of the porous body 31. Therefore, the force concentrated at the boundary between the buffer section 11C and the rod 2, etc., can be dispersed.

Third Embodiment
The third embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 5. In the third embodiment, the description of the parts that overlap with the first and second embodiments and the first and second modified examples will be omitted. Therefore, the following mainly describes the parts that are different from the first and second embodiments and the first and second modified examples.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a swab according to the third embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the buffer section 11D included in the specimen collection section 3D of the swab 1D has a roll of the hairstand 12. In the third embodiment, the specimen collection section 3D is formed only from a roll of the hairstand 12 having a band shape, and is formed by winding the hairstand 12 around the end 2b. Therefore, in the specimen collection section 3D, a part of the hairstand 12 forms the inside of the buffer section 11D, and the other part of the hairstand 12 forms the surface of the buffer section 11D. One end of the hairstand 12 is fixed to the end 2b via an adhesive or the like. This makes it possible to prevent the specimen collection section 3D from being detached from the rod 2. In addition, the other end of the hairstand 12 that forms a part of the outermost surface of the specimen collection section 3D is fixed to the other part of the hairstand 12 via an adhesive or the like. This makes it difficult for the hairstand 12 to come undone during specimen collection, etc. The method of forming the wound body (i.e., the way of winding the pile body 12 around the end 2b) is not particularly limited. The wound body may be formed, for example, by winding the pile body 12 in a circular shape like a circular belt, by winding it in a spiral shape like a spiral belt, by folding back every turn or every few turns like a folding belt, or by winding it in a figure of eight. An irregular gap (not shown) is provided inside the wound body.

In the third embodiment described above, for example, when the specimen collection section 3D is pressed against the mucous membrane of the human body, a buffer effect occurs due to the gaps in the wound body. Therefore, the third embodiment also achieves the same effect as the first embodiment. In addition, the size of the specimen collection section 3D can be easily adjusted by changing the number of turns of the pile body 12 relative to the end 2b.

The specimen collection swab according to one aspect of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and the above modification, and various other modifications are possible. The above embodiment and the above modification may be combined as appropriate. For example, the first embodiment may be combined with the content of the third embodiment. In this case, the buffer section of the specimen collection section has a hollow molded portion and a roll of a piled body. For example, the second embodiment may be combined with the content of the third embodiment. In this case, the buffer section of the specimen collection section has a porous body and a roll of a piled body. In these cases, the buffering effect of the buffer section can be better exhibited.

In the above embodiment and the above modified example, the hair-like body has a tapered shape, but is not limited to this. For example, the hair-like body may have a columnar shape. Or, the tip of the hair-like body may be thicker than the base of the hair-like body. For example, the outer diameter of the hair-like body may gradually decrease as it moves away from the substrate portion, and then the outer diameter may once increase. As a specific example, the hair-like body may have a base end portion protruding from the substrate portion, and an expanded portion provided at the tip of the base end portion and having a maximum outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the base end portion. In this case, the function of the hair-like body to hold the sample can be improved. In addition, the expanded portion may have a hollow shape.

In the above embodiment and the above modified example, the hair-like body is substantially upright along the thickness direction of the base material portion, but is not limited to this. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part showing another example of a hair-standing body. The hair-like body 22A of the hair-standing body 12A shown in FIG. 6 has a base end portion 41 protruding from the base material portion 21 so as to be separated from the buffer portion (not shown), a tip portion 42 extending toward the buffer portion (not shown), and a curved portion 43 connecting the base end portion 41 and the tip portion 42. In FIG. 6, the base end portion 41 is inclined with respect to the second surface 21b of the base material portion 21, but is not limited to this. The curved portion 43 extends from the tip of the base end portion 41 and is a portion curved with a constant curvature or a gradually changing curvature. The tip portion 42 is a portion extending from the tip of the curved portion 43. It is sufficient that at least a part of the tip portion 42 extends toward the buffer portion (not shown). For this reason, for example, the tip of the hair 22A included in the tip portion 42 may be oriented in a direction away from the buffer portion (not shown). In this case, the sample is more easily held by the tip portion 42 and the curved portion 43 of the hair 22A, improving the holding function of the hair 12A.

In the above embodiment and the above modified example, the base material portion and the hair-like body included in the raised hair body are integrally formed, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the raised hair body may be provided by fixing short fibers that become hair-like bodies to the base material portion. In this case, one end of the short fibers is fixed to the second main surface of the base material portion. The method of fixing the short fibers to the base material portion is not particularly limited. For example, the short fibers are fixed to the base material portion by electric flocking (flocking method) using an electrostatic field. Before the flocking method is performed, the base material portion may already cover the buffer portion. The short fibers may be formed from a material that has a high absorption efficiency for liquids (for example, nylon, polyester, polyamide, etc.). The material that has a high absorption efficiency for liquids may be a material that has a higher absorption efficiency for liquids than the material that forms the base material portion.

1, 1A to 1D...swab, 2, 2A, 2B...rod, 2a, 2b...end, 3, 3A to 3D...sample collection section, 11, 11A to 11D...buffer section, 12, 12A...pillow body, 21...substrate portion, 22...hair-like body, 31...porous body.

Claims (9)

Rod and
A specimen collection portion provided at the end of the rod,
The sample collection section has a buffer section that is deformable by external pressure and includes a pile body that constitutes at least its surface,
The raised hair body has a base material portion and a hair-like body provided in a brush shape on a surface of the base material portion,
A specimen collecting swab , wherein the buffer portion is fixed to the end of the rod or has a hollow molded portion integrally molded with the rod. Rod and
A specimen collection portion provided at the end of the rod,
The sample collection section has a buffer section that is deformable by external pressure and includes a pile body that constitutes at least its surface,
The raised hair body has a base material portion and a hair-like body provided in a brush shape on a surface of the base material portion,
The buffer portion has a porous body covered with the base material portion of the nap body,
The base material portion of the swab for collecting a specimen is waterproof. The specimen-collecting swab according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the buffer portion has a rolled body of the raised hair . Rod and
A specimen collection portion provided at the end of the rod,
The sample collection section has a buffer section that is deformable by external pressure and includes a pile body that constitutes at least its surface,
The raised hair body has a base material portion and a hair-like body provided in a brush shape on a surface of the base material portion,
The buffer portion of the sample collecting swab has a rolled body of the nap. The hair has a base end portion protruding from the base portion and an expanded portion provided at a tip of the base end portion and having a maximum outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the base end portion,
The specimen-collecting swab according to claim 1 , 2 or 4 , wherein the expanded portion has a hollow shape. Rod and
A specimen collection portion provided at the end of the rod,
The sample collection section has a buffer section that is deformable by external pressure and includes a pile body that constitutes at least its surface,
The raised hair body has a base material portion and a hair-like body provided in a brush shape on a surface of the base material portion,
The hair has a base end portion protruding from the base portion and an expanded portion provided at a tip of the base end portion and having a maximum outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of the base end portion,
A specimen collecting swab, wherein the expanded portion has a hollow shape. The specimen collecting swab of claim 1 , 2 , 4 , or 6 , wherein the hair-like body has a base end portion protruding from the base portion, a tip end portion extending toward the buffer portion, and a curved portion connecting the base end portion and the tip end portion. Rod and
A specimen collection portion provided at the end of the rod,
The sample collection section has a buffer section that is deformable by external pressure and includes a pile body that constitutes at least its surface,
The raised hair body has a base material portion and a hair-like body provided in a brush shape on a surface of the base material portion,
A swab for collecting a specimen, wherein the hair-like body has a base end portion protruding from the base portion, a tip end portion extending toward the buffer portion, and a curved portion connecting the base end portion and the tip end portion. 9. The specimen collecting swab according to claim 1, wherein at least the end of the rod is flexible.

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