JPH06300752A - Separating tool - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To filter without requiring a pressuring/sucking device, by bringing a water absorber filled inside a hollow main body having a filter disposed therein and both ends opened in tight contact with the whole rear surface of the filter. CONSTITUTION:A filter 4 is provided in the upper part of a main body 1 of a hollow cylinder and secured to the main body 1 by a filter setting ring 6 via a packing gasket 5. A lower part of a water absorber 2 is secured to a supporting plug 3, and the upper surface of the absorber 2 is tightly kept in touch with the lower surface of the filter 4. A filtrate 8 is formed via the filter 4 from a sample solution 7 including a sample arranged above the filter 4, which is rapidly absorbed through the upper surface of the absorber 2. After the filtration, when the supporting plug 3 is pulled down, the upper surface of the absorber 2 impregated with the filtrate 8 is separated from the lower surface of the filter 4. The remaining sample reacts to an inspection reagent dipped onto the upper surface of the filter 4, thereby generating color. However, since the upper surface of the absorber 2 is separated from the lower surface of the filter 4, no generation of color due to the components other than the sample included in the filtrate 8 is observed. Therefore, correct inspecting results can be obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a separating tool. More specifically, the present invention is applied to various tests in medicine and pharmacy, for example, microbiological, biochemical, enzymatic,
Alternatively, the present invention relates to a simple separation tool that can be used for various analytical chemical tests.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Microbiology in the fields of medicine and pharmacy,
In various enzymatic or analytical chemistry tests, a biological sample separated from a subject is mixed with a reaction reagent that specifically reacts with the enzyme or antigen to be tested, and then the reaction solution is filtered with a filter paper or membrane filter. A method in which a specific reaction product is detected on a filter paper or a membrane filter by filtering with a filter or the like is used. Generally, in these methods, the amount of the specific reaction product remaining on the filter such as the filter paper or the membrane filter is quantified by reacting with the coloring reagent, so that it is efficient to ensure the accuracy of the quantification. There is a need for a simple filtration method.

Conventionally, a pressure filtration method or a suction filtration method has been adopted for the purpose of such filtration. In order to carry out such filtration, a pressurizing or suction device is required, so a rapid examination cannot be performed in a clinical bedside or a doctor's / dentist's office where the pressurizing or suction device cannot be used. There was a problem. In addition, there are cases where liquid leakage or equipment damage may occur during physical pressurization or depressurization, and the surroundings may be contaminated due to failure of the filtration operation.

Conventionally, in either the pressure filtration method or the suction filtration method, a filter installed in an assembly type holder or a filter installed in advance in a fixed holder (for example, Millipore holder). It is common to perform pressure filtration or suction filtration using. For this reason, when confirming the color development on the filter surface after filtration, disassemble the assembly type holder and take out the filter for visual inspection, or color development indirectly from the outside of the fixed type holder formed of a semitransparent member. Therefore, there is a problem in that the operation for confirming the color developed on the filter surface is complicated or inaccurate. Further, the operation of applying pressure or suction after assembling the holder using the interior filter is very complicated. A 96-well filter plate (multi-screen, manufactured by Millipore) equipped with a fixed filter has also been devised, but it requires a large-scale suction device and does not solve the above problems.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a separating tool which makes it possible to carry out filtration operations without the need for pressurization or suction devices. Also,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a separation tool that allows direct visual observation of the color reaction of a test reagent for a test substance separated, collected or concentrated on a filter.

[0006]

The present inventor has made diligent efforts to solve the above problems, and as a result, according to the separation tool of the present invention, the filtration operation can be simplified without the need for pressurization or suction. It was found that the color reaction of the test reagent against the test substance collected on the filter can be directly observed on the filter, and the present invention has been completed.

That is, the present invention includes a hollow main body in which a filter is arranged inside and both ends are open, and a water absorbing body filled in the main body, and the water absorbing body movable inside the main body is substantially formed. In addition, the present invention provides a separating tool that can adhere to the entire back surface of the filter. As the filter used in the separation tool of the present invention, any filter may be used as long as it is commonly used for separation / concentration in various microbiological, enzymatic, or analytical chemistry tests. For example, an inorganic or organic porous material may be used, and more specifically, a filter paper, a glass filter, a ceramic filter, a cellulose acetate filter, a nitrocellulose filter, a tetrafluoroethylene resin filter, or the like may be used. The filter may be used in a single layer or multiple layers, but when used in multiple layers, a combination of two or more types of the above filters may be used. These filters are arranged so as to form a partition wall inside a hollow main body which is open at both ends and has, for example, a cylindrical shape or a polygonal tubular shape.
Any known means may be used to fix the filter inside the main body. For example, it may be fixed to the inside of the main body by means of adhesion or the like, but may be fixed using, for example, a filter set ring used in combination with the main body as shown in FIG. The filter does not necessarily have to be arranged vertically to the inner wall surface of the main body, and may be fixed obliquely to the inner wall surface of the main body, for example, in order to increase the filtering area of the filter.

As the water absorber filled in the main body,
Absorbent cotton; ashless pulp; non-woven fabric; polymer fibers such as nylon, vinylon and acetate filaments; superabsorbent resin such as acrylic acid / vinyl alcohol copolymer, sodium acrylate polymer, or a mixture thereof can be used. . These water absorbers are filled inside the lower body of the filter, but at least the top surface of the water absorber is in close contact with the entire back surface of the filter (see, for example, FIG. 1), Can be moved inside the body to an arrangement in which the is completely separated from the backside of the filter (see, eg, FIG. 2). It is preferable that the water absorbing body is preformed so that it is suitable for filling and moving, and that it can be withdrawn from the main body and refilled. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, it is particularly preferable to use a preformed water absorbent body which is provided with a water absorbent body support plug in the lower portion. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the completely filled water absorbing body can be separated from the lower part of the filter by pulling the water absorbing body supporting plug downward. Further, the water absorber completely pulled out from the main body can be completely filled again inside the main body by pushing upward with the water absorber support plug.

The main body of the separation tool of the present invention may be formed of a member such as acrylic resin, glass, metal, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, fluororesin, cured rubber, Bakelite or the like. Also, a plurality of the main bodies may be connected in parallel to allow a plurality of simultaneous processes. Since the separation tool of the present invention is preferably used after being sterilized, the above-mentioned main body, filter, and water absorbent body constituting the separation tool of the present invention are both biologically or chemically inert, and It is preferable that the member is manufactured by a member that is not altered or deformed by a normal sterilization operation. Examples of such a member include stainless steel, polypropylene, glass, and fluororesin.

In order to carry out filtration, concentration, etc. of the sample solution using the separation tool of the present invention, for example, an arrangement in which the upper surface of the water-absorbing body is substantially in close contact with the entire back surface of the filter (for example,
(See FIG. 1), after filling the water absorbing body, a fixed amount of the sample solution may be filled in the space formed by the inner wall of the main body or the filter ring and the upper portion of the filter. Filtration proceeds rapidly because the water absorber begins to absorb the filtrate that leaks through the filter. When the filtration is completed, or if you want to temporarily stop the filtration, an arrangement in which the upper surface of the water absorber is completely separated from the back surface of the filter (for example,
The water absorber may be pulled down to (see FIG. 2), or the water absorber may be completely pulled out from the main body. In this state, since the filtrate is not absorbed by the water absorbing body through the filter, the filtering operation is stopped. When the sample solution remains on the filter, the obtained solution is a concentrated solution containing the target substance at a high concentration. On the other hand, when the filtration is completely completed, the test substance is adsorbed on the filter, so that the coloring reagent can be dropped on the filter to further detect the test substance. Alternatively, for such a purpose, a filter preliminarily impregnated with a test reagent and dried may be used, and the test result can be determined immediately at the end of filtration. When the filter is washed prior to the operation of detecting color development or the like, it is preferable to remove the water-absorbing body by removing it, insert a new water-absorbing body therein, fill it with a new water-absorbing body, and perform the filtering operation again using the washing liquid. Furthermore, when a large amount of sample solution is filtered, a new water-absorbing body may be sequentially inserted and filled, and the filtration operation may be performed. Further, even when the filtration rate becomes slower due to the property of the sample solution, the filtration rate can be increased by replacing the water absorber with a new water absorber.

[0011]

EXAMPLES A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the separating tool of the present invention in use. Main body 1 made of polypropylene in the shape of a hollow cylinder (outer diameter 17 mm x total length 3
5 mm, inner diameter 10 mm), and a filter 4 made of cellulose acetate to form a partition in the hollow part of the main body.
(Thickness 125 micron, Pore diameter 0.8 micron). The filter 4 is fixed to the main body 1 by a polyethylene filter set ring 6 via a silicone packing gasket 5. The lower part of the water absorbing body 2 made of acetate filament is fixed to the water absorbing body support plug 3 made of polyethylene, and the upper surface of the water absorbing body 2 completely filled in the main body is in close contact with the lower surface of the filter 4.
Sample solution 7 containing the test substance placed on the upper part of filter 4
From, the filtrate 8 is formed through the filter 4,
The filtrate 8 is rapidly absorbed by the water absorbent body 2 from the upper surface of the water absorbent body 2.

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the separating tool of the present invention in a state after use. After the filtration is completed, the upper surface of the water absorbent body 2 impregnated with the filtrate 8 is separated from the lower surface of the filter 4 by pulling down the water absorbent body supporting plug 3. The test substance remaining on the upper surface of the filter 4 is colored in the test reagent dropped on the upper surface of the filter 4, but the upper surface of the water absorbing body 2 is separated from the lower surface of the filter 4 and thus is included in the filtrate 8. Accurate test results can be obtained because there is no color development due to components other than the test substance.

[0013]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION By using the separation tool of the present invention, filtration, concentration, etc. can be performed without the need for pressurizing or suctioning device, so that a simple and quick clinical examination can be carried out in a clinical bedside or a doctor's office. Is possible. Further, since the filter and the water absorber can be separated from each other, the test substance remaining on the filter can be further reacted with the test reagent to obtain an accurate test result. Further, since the separation tool of the present invention is integrally molded and can be discarded as it is without being contaminated at the time of use or after use, various clinical tests can be safely performed. It is also useful because there is no risk of damage to the device or liquid leakage due to pressurization or suction.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the separation tool of the present invention in use.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the separation tool of the present invention in a state after use.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Main Body 2 Water Absorber 3 Water Absorber Support Stopper 4 Filter 5 Packing Gasket 6 Filter Set Ring 7 Sample Solution 8 Filtrate

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A filter including a hollow main body having a filter inside and both ends open, and a water absorbing body filled inside the main body, wherein the water absorbing body movable inside the main body is substantially the filter. Separation tool that can adhere to the entire back surface of the.