JPH0395433A - Measuring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To inform that measurement is executed, by counting a prescribed time with display for each prescribed time when it is detected that a test piece is set. CONSTITUTION:A test piece 1 with a specimen stuck thereto is set and the concentration of a component of the specimen is measured on the basis of color development of test paper reacting with the specimen. When the test piece 1 is inserted into an opening 24 of a width cover body 22 and set, in a state indicated by a dotted line wherein the cover body is fitted to a main body, on the occasion, an actuator 36a of a microswitch 36 is pushed down by the lateral side of the test piece 1. A control unit receives a signal of the switch 36 as an input and detects the setting of the test piece 1 therefrom. Based on the detection, measurement is started automatically, a timer of the control unit counts a prescribed time and display is made for each prescribed time. The measurement is executed when this time counting is ended, and thus the concentration of the component can be measured only with the setting of the test piece 1, while the execution of the measurement is informed by the display of a measuring time.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a measuring device that attaches an analyte to a test paper of a test strip, attaches the test strip, and measures the component concentration of the sample. be.

[Prior Art] For example, in a blood glucose measuring device, which is one of the conventional measuring devices for measuring the blood concentration of a sample, after attaching blood to be measured to a test piece, excess blood is wiped off and the test piece is removed. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed for the test strip attached to the test strip to react with the sugar content in the blood, the test strip is attached to the measuring device. After the wearing is completed, the measurement of the blood sugar level is started by pressing a measurement start switch provided on the measuring device.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above conventional example, it is up to the operator to measure the predetermined time until the test strip reacts. There was a problem that blood sugar levels could not be measured. Also, after attaching the test piece, the measurement will not start unless you press the start switch again, so even if you take the time to accurately measure the time and attach the test piece to the device, you may forget to press the start switch. In some cases, accurate blood sugar levels could not be measured due to a delay in pressing the start switch.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and by simply attaching the specimen to be measured to a test piece and immediately attaching it to the measuring device, it is possible to easily and accurately measure the component concentration of the specimen. It is an object of the present invention to provide a measuring device capable of informing an operator that a measurement is being performed by displaying the required time.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a measuring device that can notify an operator of the end of measurement and the impending end of measurement.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the measuring device of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, it is a measuring device for measuring a certain concentration of the specimen based on the coloration of a test material that has reacted with the specimen by attaching a test piece to which the specimen is attached. a detecting means for detecting that the test piece is attached; a time measuring means for measuring a predetermined time and displaying it in predetermined time units when the detecting means detects that the test piece is attached; and when the time measuring means finishes measuring time; and measuring means for photoelectrically reading the degree of coloration of the test material and measuring the component concentration of the attached specimen.

[Operations] In the above structure, when it is detected that a test piece is attached, a predetermined time is measured and displayed in predetermined time units. When the time measurement and display are completed, the test material is operated to photoelectrically read the degree of coloration of the attached test material and measure the concentration of the attached specimen.

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Overall Description (Figs. 1 and 2) Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an automatic blood glucose measuring device 50 according to an embodiment.

In FIG. 1, 50 indicates the main body of the automatic blood glucose measuring device, and 51 indicates a display section such as a liquid crystal display for displaying measurement results and the like. 52 is a power switch, and when the power of the device 50 is turned off, pressing this switch 52 turns on the device 5.
0 is turned on, and if pressed while in the on state, the power of the device 50 is turned off. Reference numeral 53 denotes a memory recall switch, and each time this switch 53 is pressed, the measurement results stored in the memory built into the device are sequentially read out along with the measurement date and time and displayed on the display section 51. Reference numeral 1 denotes a blood glucose test strip, which is inserted into and attached to the opening 24 of the device 50, and the blood glucose level of blood adhering to the test paper portion through the opening 4 of the test strip 1 is measured.

Reference numeral 54 denotes a memory cancel switch, and when this switch 54 is not pressed within a predetermined time after measurement when measuring blood sugar level,
The automatically measured blood sugar level is stored in the memory, but by pressing this switch 54 within a predetermined time after the end of the measurement, it is possible to prevent the blood sugar level measured immediately before from being stored in the memory. This makes it possible to prevent the value from being stored in the memory, for example, when the measured value becomes abnormal due to poor adhesion of blood to the test strip or other operational errors.

55 is a setting switch, and by pressing this switch 55, the values of (month, day, hour, minute) can be set. Reference numeral 56 denotes a change switch, which allows the date and time specified by the setting switch 55 to be changed and set. These setting switch 55 and change switch 5
6 is a switch that is rarely used after the time is set.

[Description of the structure of the device (Fig. 2)] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the automatic blood glucose measuring device 50. Parts common to Fig. 1 are designated by the same numbers, and their explanation will be omitted. .

In the figure, 70 is a control unit that controls the entire device, and is used as a CPU 72 such as a microprocessor, a ROM 73 that stores control programs and various data for the CPU 72 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, and a work area for the CPU 72. , a RAM 74 for storing measurement results along with date and time. The control unit 70 can input the states of various connected switches and execute processing corresponding to the switch inputs, and can also read the signal value from the photo sensor 30b to determine the blood sugar level, and the liquid crystal display unit 51. Measurement results and memory (RAM74
) can be displayed. 36 is test piece 1
A switch that detects that the is inserted into the opening 24,
When the test strip 1 is inserted, the device 50 is turned on, and when the device 50 is powered on, blood sugar level measurement is automatically started.

Reference numeral 75 denotes an LED driver, which drives the LED 30a to light with a constant current. The LED 30a illuminates the back side of the test piece 1 (the invisible part of the test piece 1 shown in FIG. 1), and the reflected light is detected by the photo sensor 30b, and the blood sugar level of the blood is determined based on the intensity of the reflected light. It will be done. 76 is a signal detection circuit for converting the intensity of reflected light detected by the photo sensor 30b into a voltage value. This signal detection circuit 7
The analog signal from 6 is input to the control section 70 and
It is D-converted and input as a digital signal corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light. A battery 77 serves as a power source that supplies power to the entire device 50. Reference numeral 78 denotes a timer provided in the control unit 70, which measures a predetermined time according to instructions from the CPU 72. Reference numeral 79 denotes a buzzer which notifies the operator of the elapse of one second, the end of measurement, the occurrence of an error, etc. during a countdown display, which will be described later.

[Explanation of the insertion part of the test strip (Figs. 3 and 4)] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing details of the insertion part of the test piece 1 of the blood glucose measuring device 50 of the embodiment, which is shown in the above-mentioned drawings. Identical parts are indicated by the same numbers.

FIG. 3 shows the state in which the sub cover unit 22 is removed from the main body part 50, and the portion indicated by the dotted line of the spring body 26 that presses the opening 24 and the test piece 1 is in the state where the sub cover unit 22 is attached. The position of each part is shown. Test piece 1
The convex portion 4b provided in the. It engages with the notch 24a of the opening 24, and prevents the test piece 1 from being inserted backwards. The test piece 1 inserted and attached to the device 50 is attached to the spring member 26
is pressed in the direction of the transparent plate 32. And LED
The light L from the (light emitting diode) 30a illuminates the opening 2a through the transparent plate 32, and the reflected light is reflected by the photo sensor 3.
0b. This structure will be explained in detail with reference to FIG.

36 is a microswitch for detecting that the test piece 1 mentioned above is attached; when the test piece 1 is attached, the test piece 1
The actuator 3 of the microswitch 36 is
6a is pushed down and turned on. The control unit 30 can detect that the test piece 1 is attached to the main body 50 by inputting the signal from the switch 36. In addition,
Since this actuator 36a has a 1.times.1.2 configuration in which the switch 36 is not turned on when the test piece 1 is not completely attached, it is also possible to detect whether or not the test piece 1 is improperly attached.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the test piece 1 taken along the line AA' in FIG. 3 when it is placed in the main body 50.

The blood adhering through the opening 4 spreads through the liquid spreading layer 10 and penetrates into the reagent layer (test paper) 8. Reference numeral 12 denotes a liquid absorbing layer section for absorbing excess blood that is not absorbed by the liquid spreading layer section 10. 6 is a transparent light-transmitting layer portion through which light passes. The light L from the LED 30a passes through the transparent plate 32 and the light-transmitting layer 6 and is irradiated onto the test paper 8. The light L from the LED 30a passes through the transparent plate 32 and the light-transmitting layer section 6, and is irradiated onto the test paper 8. The reflected light reaches the target. Thereby, the reaction color of the test strip 8 is read, and the blood sugar level of the blood is determined.

Here, blood is attached from the opening 4, and the liquid development layer]O
The time it takes for the reagent to penetrate into the reagent layer 8 and react is about 1 minute. Therefore, in this automatic blood sugar measuring device, after one minute has been counted since the test piece 1 was inserted and attached,
The measurement is performed by lighting the LED 30a. Note that 2 indicates the main body of the test piece 1.

[Explanation of operation of blood sugar measuring device (Figs. 1 to 5)] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the blood sugar measuring device of the embodiment, and the control program for executing this process is stored in the ROM 7.
It is stored in 3.

The process shown in FIG. 5 is started when the power switch 52 of the device 50 is pressed to turn on the power, and step S1
All the items that can be displayed are displayed on the display section 51 for about several seconds so that it can be confirmed whether the display section 51 is functioning normally. Next, proceeding to step S2, it is checked whether the test piece 1 is attached or not by checking whether the switch 36 is turned on.
If the switch 36 is not on (when the test piece 1 is not attached), the process proceeds to step S3, and the test is continued for a predetermined period of time (for example, when the test piece 1 is not attached).
Check to see if 5 minutes have passed. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S5, and the power of the device is turned off. If the predetermined time is not counted in step S3, step S4
The process proceeds to step S5 to check whether the power switch 52 has been pressed, and if the switch 52 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S5 to turn off the power.

When it is detected in step S2 that the test piece 1 has been attached, the process proceeds to step S6, where "60° seconds" is displayed on the display section 51, and in step S7, wait for 1 second to elapse.When 1 second has elapsed, Proceeding to step S8, the buzzer 79 sounds and a 1-second countdown is displayed. Note that each time may be measured by the above-mentioned timer 78, or by software using a control program stored in the ROM 73. The time may be measured by

In addition, in this embodiment, the time is displayed as a countdown, but the display is not limited to this.
o It is also possible to display the count up sequentially starting from 1 minute. Also, by changing the volume, tone, or length of the buzzer 79 just before 1 minute has passed, it is possible to indicate that the end of the measurement is near. The operator may be notified of this.

In this way, when one minute has passed in step Sll, step S
Proceed to step 12 to perform measurement processing. During this time, if it is detected in step 8 that the test piece 1 is attached or detached by a signal from the switch 36, the process proceeds to step S9, and the display section 5
An error message is displayed at 15 1 6 and the buzzer 79 sounds.

In step S12, a signal is output to the LED driver 75 to cause the LED 30a, which had been off until then, to emit light, and in step S13, the intensity of reflected light detected by the photo sensor 30b is read. The intensity of this reflected light is measured by the signal detection circuit 7.
6, is converted into a digital signal by the control unit 70, and is input to the CPU 72. When the reflected light intensity is thus input, the process proceeds to step S14, where the LED 30a is turned off and the blood sugar level is determined based on the reflected light intensity.

This can be done by, for example, preparing a table in the ROM 72 that stores values of reflected light intensity corresponding to blood sugar levels, and determining the blood sugar level by referring to the table based on the input reflected light intensity.

Once the blood sugar level has been determined in this way, the process proceeds to step 315.
The measurement results are displayed on the display section 51.

At this time, if the measured value is below a predetermined range, data indicating that, for example, "L○゜゜" is displayed on the display section 51.
If the measured value is above a predetermined range, for example, "'Hi" is displayed to notify the operator that the measured value is abnormal. Also, at the end of the measurement,
Depending on whether the measured value is within a predetermined range, the volume, tone, or length of the buzzer 79 may be changed.

Next, in steps S16 and 317, for a predetermined period of time (approximately 3 minutes)
It is checked whether the memory abort switch 54 is pressed within the same period. If the switch 54 is not pressed, the process advances to step 818 and the measurement results are stored in the RAM 74 along with the current date and time. On the other hand, when the memory cancel switch 54 is pressed in step 316, the process advances to step S19, where the display section 51 displays that the memory has been canceled, and the process returns to step S2.

[Description of other embodiments (Figs. 6 and 7)] Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a blood glucose measuring device according to another embodiment, and parts common to Fig. 3 are designated by the same numbers. and their explanation will be omitted.

Here, the difference from the circuit of FIG. 3 is that a buzzer drive circuit 80 is provided. This buzzer drive circuit 80
By changing the voltage or frequency for driving the buzzer 79, the volume, tone color, or length of the sound of the buzzer 79 is changed according to instructions from the control unit 70, and the buzzer 79 is activated.
can be made to sound.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing measurement processing by the blood glucose measuring device of the other embodiment shown in FIG. 6, and a control program for executing this processing is stored in the ROM 73a. In this flowchart, the same parts as step S in FIG. 5 are indicated by the same step numbers, and the steps that are different from the flowchart in FIG. 5 are mainly shown.

Here, until 45 seconds elapse in step S32,
In step S31, the buzzer 79 is made to sound at frequency A, for example. After that, every 5 seconds, the sound frequency of the buzzer 79 is changed to B (steps S33, S34).
-4C (steps S35, 336)→D (steps S37, S38), and when the measurement is finally completed, the buzzer 79 is made to sound at the frequency E in step S39.

Note that these A-E are not limited to frequencies; for example, the buzzer 7
9 may correspond to the length of the sound, the type of sound, etc.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, by attaching blood to the test piece 1 9 2 0 1 and immediately inserting the test piece 1 into the device 50 and mounting it, the test piece 1 is automatically exposed. Since the blood sugar level of the measured blood is measured, anyone can easily and accurately measure blood sugar. While waiting for the reaction time required for measurement, the timer is displayed counting down (or counting up), which notifies the operator that the measurement is being performed, and also indicates the progress of the measurement as time passes. It is possible to give a sense of security by notifying the user.

Although the present embodiment has been described in the case of a blood glucose measuring device, the present invention is not limited thereto, and can also be applied to measuring devices that analyze uric acid, GT◯, GPT, cholesterol, etc., for example. In addition to blood, the specimen may also be body fluids such as urine and saliva.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the component concentration of the specimen can be easily and accurately measured by simply attaching the specimen to the test piece and immediately attaching it to the measuring device. Displaying the time required for measurement has the effect of notifying the operator that measurement is being performed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the automatic blood glucose level measuring device of this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the automatic blood glucose level measuring device, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of the test strip mounting section, and FIG. Figure 4 is a diagram showing the AA' cross-sectional shape of Figure 3 with the test piece attached, Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the measurement process in the blood glucose measuring device of the example, and Figure 6 is the diagram of another example. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the blood sugar measuring device, and a flowchart showing measurement processing in the blood sugar measuring device of another embodiment. In the figure, 1... test piece, 4... opening, 6... transparent layer part, 8... reagent layer part (test paper), 10... liquid developing layer part, 12...・Liquid absorption layer part, 22...Sub cover integrated, 2
4... Opening, 30a... LED (light emitting element),
30b... Photo sensor, 36... Micro switch, 50... Automatic blood sugar level measuring device, 52... Power switch, 53... Memory recall switch, 54... Memory cancel switch, 55... Setting switch, 56...
Change switch, 75...LED driver, 76...
Signal detection circuit, 77...Battery, 78...Timer, 7
9... Buzzer 80... Buzzer drive circuit. 23

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A measuring device for measuring the component concentration of the specimen based on the coloration of a test material that has reacted with the components of the specimen by attaching a test piece to which the specimen is attached, wherein the test piece is attached a detecting means for detecting that the test piece has been attached; a time measuring means for measuring a predetermined time and displaying it at predetermined time intervals when the detecting means detects that the test piece has been attached; A measuring device comprising: a measuring means for photoelectrically reading the degree of coloration of the test material and measuring the component concentration of the attached specimen. (2) The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the timer further includes a notification means that displays a display in units of one second and makes a sound every second. (3) When the remaining amount of time for the predetermined time becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, at least one of the volume, tone, and length of the sound of the notification means is changed. The measuring device according to item 2.