JPH0854389A - Exhalation-collecting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To collect an exhalation irrespective of degree of an exhaling force of a person to be tested. CONSTITUTION:The device is provided with an exhalation introduction pipe 3 having an exhalation intake port 3a at one end and a check valve 7 thereinside, an exhalation-storing bag 4 of polytetrafluoroethylene fitted at the other end of the introduction pipe 3, and an exhalation discharge pipe 6 communicating with the interior of the device through an outer peripheral part of the introduction pipe 3 and having one end opened inside the storing bag 4 and the other end connected to a valve of an exhalation analyzer. A projection 9 is formed on the inner wall surface of the storing bag 4. The projection 9 is engaged with an exhalation inflow port 6a of the discharge pipe 6 when the storing bag 4 is not expanded, and is detached from the inflow port 6a of the discharge pipe 6 when the storing bag 4 is expanded. As a result, a projecting length of the discharge pipe 6 to the inside of the storing bag 4 is made adjustable.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an exhalation sampling device,
For example, the present invention relates to an exhalation sampling device suitable for exhalation used for breath analysis in drunk driving enforcement.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56-63236, inside a predetermined pressure chamber kept at a pressure higher or lower than atmospheric pressure,
An exhalation sampling device has been proposed in which exhaled breath of a subject is collected in an exhalation sampling bag and the collected exhaled breath is supplied to an exhalation analyzer.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the construction of the above-mentioned breath sampling apparatus. Inside the pressure chamber 100, a mouthpiece 101 from which breath is exhaled from a subject, and a flow meter 102 for measuring the flow rate of the breath. The breath collection bag (Douglas bag) 103-105 is equipped. Also, the pressure chamber 1
On the outside of 00, solenoid valves (two-position solenoid on-off valves) 106 to 114 that are opened when the solenoid is energized and closed when the solenoid is not energized are provided.

The solenoid valve 106 is opened only during exhalation collection, and the solenoid valves 107-109 are exhalation collection bags 103-105.
It is installed corresponding to each of the above, and is opened at the time of exhalation collection into the corresponding exhalation collection bag. The solenoid valve 110 is the exhalation collection bag 1
The solenoid valve 111 is opened when breath is supplied from any of 03 to 105 to the breath analyzer (not shown), and the solenoid valve 111 is opened when it is necessary to analyze the air in the pressure chamber 100 as a reference sample during the breath analysis. The solenoid valve 112 is the breath collection bag 103-
It is opened when the pressure in the bag is constant when purging 105, and is closed when the pressure in the purge line is reduced to a constant pressure.

Further, a 3-position 3-port directional switching solenoid valve 11
When the upper position is switched to 5, the exhaled breath is supplied to the exhalation analyzer by the vacuum pump 120 driven by the motor 125, and when the lower position is switched to the pressure reducing valve 122.
The exhaled breath is supplied to the exhaled breath analyzer via the. Each of the pressure switches 116 to 118 has a purge line (A-
B), the purge line (BC), and the air supply line (D-E) pressures are detected. The solenoid valve 114 has a purge line (BC).
Open when the pressure of is returned to atmospheric pressure. Differential pressure switch 119
Detects the pressure difference between the air supply conduit (D-E) and the conduit opened to the pressure chamber 100. In the figure, reference numeral 121 is a vacuum pump driven by a motor 126, and reference numerals 123 and 124 are pressure gauges.

In the case of collecting exhaled air with the above-mentioned exhaled air collecting device, when the inspector operates the operation panel outside the pressure chamber to issue a purge start instruction, the exhaled air collecting bag 103 in the pressure chamber 100 is instructed.
~ 105 purge is performed. Next, the inspector takes the pressure chamber 1
After confirming that the mouthpiece 101 is correctly attached to the subject in 00, when the operation panel is operated and a collection start instruction is issued, the breath of the subject is collected through the mouthpiece 101. Collected in a bag. This is repeated for each subject. Next, when the inspector operates the operation panel to give an instruction to start insufflation, the exhalation in the corresponding exhalation collection bag is supplied to the exhalation analyzer.

On the other hand, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a normal exhalation sampling method. As one exhalation sampling method, the subject 130 exhales exhaled air from an exhalation inlet 132 into an exhalation sampling bag 131 (Tedlar bag or the like). Then, the inspector connects the exhalation blow-in port 132 of the exhalation collection bag 131 to the introduction tube 135 connected to the switching valve 134 inside the exhalation analyzer 133. Next, the inspector drives the exhalation introduction pump 137, which is connected to the switching valve 134 via the suction pipe 136, by a predetermined operation, and the exhalation in the exhalation collection bag 131 is connected to the switching valve 134 in the sample loop. 138. After that, the exhaled breath of the sample loop 138 is introduced into an analysis unit (not shown) inside the exhaled breath analysis device 133 and analyzed.

As another exhalation sampling method, when the subject 130 expels exhaled air into the exhalation sampling bag 131 through the exhalation inlet 132, the examiner uses the syringe 139 from the exhalation inlet 132 of the exhalation sampling bag 131. Collect a fixed amount of exhaled air. After that, the inspector connects the syringe 139 to the injector 141 of the exhalation analyzer 140, and injects a fixed amount of exhaled air collected in the syringe 139 into the injector 14.
1 Pour into the inside. After that, the exhaled air inside the injector 141 is introduced into an analysis unit (not shown) inside the exhaled breath analyzer 140 and analyzed.

[0009]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. That is, when the exhalation sampling device shown in FIG. 5 or the exhalation sampling bag shown in FIG. 6 is used to collect exhaled breath, even if the subject is a normal healthy person, the expiratory force of exhaled breath is not constant, so There is a disadvantage that the amount of exhaled air required for exhaled breath analysis cannot be collected depending on the exhaled breath exhalation force. In addition, if the subject is a sick person, an elderly person, or a child, the exhalation force of exhaled breath is intermittent or weak, so that there is an inconvenience that the amount of exhaled breath necessary for exhaled breath analysis cannot be collected. It was Further, even when a cylindrical exhalation collection tube is used instead of the exhalation collection bag, the above-mentioned inconvenience occurs.

Further, in the exhalation sampling apparatus shown in FIG. 5, a solenoid valve for circulation / interruption of exhalation is provided in a pipe line connecting the mouthpiece and the exhalation sampling bag, and the exhalation sampling bag and the exhalation analyzer. Since a structure such as a pump that sends the exhaled breath in the exhalation collection bag to the exhalation analyzer is installed in the conduit that connects to the device, the size of the entire device increases due to the increase in the number of parts due to the installation of solenoid valves and pumps, etc. However, there was the inconvenience that it was bulky and the price was high.

[0011]

It is an object of the present invention to improve the inconveniences of the above-mentioned conventional examples, and in particular, to provide an exhalation sampling device capable of collecting exhaled air regardless of the degree of exhaled breath exhalation force of a subject. The purpose is to provide.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided an exhalation introducing pipe having an exhalation inlet at one end and a check valve provided therein, and a flexible material attached to the other end of the exhalation introducing pipe. An expiratory storage bag consisting of, and an expiratory discharge pipe that is provided in communication from the outer peripheral portion of the expiratory introduction pipe and has one end opened inside the expiratory storage bag and the other end connected to a predetermined exhalation analyzer. Is adopted. This aims to achieve the above-mentioned object.

[0013]

According to the present invention, when a subject discharges exhaled air into the exhalation sampling tube through the exhalation breathing port, a check valve is provided inside the exhalation sampling tube. The exhaled air discharged into the inside of the air is sent to and stored in the exhalation storage bag without flowing back to the expiratory air inlet side. The exhalation storage bag made of a flexible material expands according to the amount of exhaled air exhaled by the subject. Next, due to the contracting force when the expiratory storage bag expanded due to the exhalation of expiratory air by the subject to contract, the exhaled air stored in the expiratory storage bag has one end opened inside the expiratory storage bag. Flowing into the exhalation pipe.
After that, the exhaled air that has flowed into the expiratory discharge pipe from the expiratory storage bag is
The other end of the exhalation tube is supplied to the exhalation analyzer connected to the exhalation tube.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment and a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The breath sampling apparatus in the first and second embodiments is used in, for example, breath analysis for clinical examination in the medical field, monitoring of a patient's pathological condition, measurement of working environment in the industrial field, measurement of indoor environment, criminal investigation. It can be applied to various fields such as drunk driving control and drug control in the field, fire cause investigation in the fire fighting field, and health management in the health industry field.

(1) First embodiment. The structure of the exhalation sampling device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The exhalation sampling device 1 includes an exhalation introducing tube 3 to which a sterilized mouthpiece 2 is detachably attached, and an exhaling introducing tube 3. An exhalation storage bag 4 detachably attached to the tip, a covering bag 5 detachably attached to the extremity of the exhalation introduction tube 3 in a state of covering the exhalation storage bag 4, the exhalation introduction tube 3 and the exhalation storage bag 4 and the exhaled-breathing pipe 6 arranged inside. The exhalation sampling device 1 is small and lightweight so that it can be carried to a required place.

Explaining this in detail, the exhalation introduction tube 3 is constructed as a glass tube having antibacterial properties / heat resistance / corrosion resistance, and the mouthpiece 2 is detachably attached to the exhalation inlet 3a. Has been done. A check valve 7 is provided on the downstream side of the exhalation inlet 3a inside the exhalation inlet 3 so that the exhaled breath discharged from the subject to the exhalation inlet 3 via the mouthpiece 2 is exhaled 3a. It is designed to prevent backflow to the side. In this case, the exhalation introduction tube 3 is not limited to glass, but may be stainless or fluoroplastic, for example.

The exhalation storage bag 4 is formed as a bellows-shaped bag made of, for example, a film made of tetrafluoroethylene resin (trade name: Teflon), and for example, three exhalation airflow outlets 3b of the exhalation introduction pipe 3 are provided. It is detachably and surely mounted via the mounting members 8A, 8B, 8C. The inner wall surface of the expiratory storage bag 4 is engaged with the expiratory air flow inlet 6a (described later) of the expiratory discharge pipe 6 when the expiratory storage bag 4 is not expanded, and is connected to the expiratory air flow inlet 6a (described later) when the expiratory storage bag 4 is expanded. A projection 9 is attached to disengage the. When exhaled air is sent to the exhaled breath storage bag 4 as the subject discharges exhaled air into the exhaled breath introduction tube 3, the expiratory flow inlet 6a of the expiratory discharge tube 6 and the projection 9 are engaged with the expiratory storage bag 4 as it expands. Is released, and exhaled air is stored in the exhaled air storage bag 4.

By configuring the expiratory storage bag 4 as a bag made of a film made of tetrafluoroethylene resin, it is possible to prevent the exhaled breath discharged from the subject from adsorbing on the inner wall surface of the expiratory storage bag 4. Has become. Thus, the breath stored in the breath storing bag 4 is sent to the sample loop 21 (see FIG. 3) of the breath analyzer 11 as it is, thereby improving the reliability of the breath analysis.

The covering bag 5 is constructed as a rubber bag having antibacterial properties / heat resistance / corrosion resistance,
Of the exhalation airflow outlet 3b of the three mounting members 8A, 8B,
8C, the breath storage bag 4 is securely attached in a detachable manner via 8C. The covering bag 5 expands as the expiratory-storing bag 4 expands, and contracts to its original shape due to the elasticity of rubber. The expansion / contraction amount of the covering bag 5 is set in advance to a predetermined expansion / contraction amount so that the expiratory amount necessary for the exhalation analysis is always stored in the expiratory storage bag 4 when the subject exhales. Since the expiratory storage bag 4 also contracts due to the contracting force when the expanded covering bag 5 tries to contract to the original shape, the exhaled air stored in the expiratory storage bag 4 is exhaled.
It is designed to be discharged to.

By setting the expansion / contraction amount of the covering bag 5 to a predetermined expansion / contraction amount in advance, the subject simply exhales the exhaled air into the exhalation introduction tube 3, and the amount of exhaled air required for the exhaled breath analysis is accurately and promptly. It is adapted to be stored in the exhalation storage bag 4 inside the covering bag 5. Further, by covering the expiratory-storing bag 4 made of a film with the rubber-made covering bag 5, the expiratory-storing bag 4 is protected. In this case, the covering bag 5 is not limited to rubber and may be any material having elasticity.

The exhalation exhalation pipe 6 is constructed as a glass pipe having antibacterial properties / heat resistance / corrosion resistance, one end of which serves as the exhalation airflow inlet 6a, and the other end of which exhalation analysis. It is connected to the valve 20 (see FIG. 3) of the device 11. The exhalation exhalation pipe 6 is penetrated into the exhalation introduction pipe 3 through a rubber stopper 10 attached to a hole 3c formed in the exhalation introduction pipe 3, and is projected into the exhalation storage bag 4. It is arranged in a state.

By disposing the exhalation discharge pipe 6 so as to project into the exhalation storage bag 4, the exhalation discharge pipe 6 is stored before the amount of exhaled air required for exhalation analysis is stored in the exhalation storage bag 4.
It is designed to prevent the exhaled breath from leaking. In this case, the expiratory discharge pipe 6 is not limited to glass and may be made of stainless steel or fluoroplastic.

Further, the rubber stopper 10 attached to the hole 3c of the exhalation introducing tube 3 is removed, and the exhalation introducing tube 3 and the exhalation storage bag 4 are removed.
By appropriately moving the expiratory discharge pipe 6 to the right or left side in FIG. 1, the protruding length of the expiratory discharge pipe 6 with respect to the inside of the expiratory storage bag 4 can be adjusted. Exhalation pipe 6
If the protrusion length of the breathing bag is adjusted in advance, the expiratory water is retained by the contracting force when the covering bag 5 that has expanded due to the expansion of the expiratory gas storing bag 4 is contracted to its original shape when the subject exhales. The degree of engagement between the protrusion 9 of the bag 4 and the exhalation airflow inlet 6a of the exhalation discharge pipe 6 can be adjusted.

That is, the protruding length of the expiratory discharge tube 6 with respect to the inside of the expiratory storage bag 4 is adjusted in advance according to the strength of the expiratory discharge force of the subject. When the exhaled breath discharge force of the subject is strong, the protrusion length of the exhaled breath discharge pipe 6 is set to be long. Further, when the exhaled breath discharge force of the subject is weak, the protruding length of the exhaled breath discharge pipe 6 is set to be short. As a result, it is possible to cope with the strength of the expiratory discharge force of the subject.

FIG. 1 shows the expiratory storage bag 4 in the expiratory discharge pipe 6.
It shows a state where the protruding length with respect to the inside of
It is suitable for collecting exhaled air from a healthy person whose exhaled air has a discharge force higher than normal. On the other hand, FIG.
2 shows a state in which the protruding length of the exhalation storage bag 4 in FIG.
It is suitable for collecting exhaled air from children.

In this case, the exhalation airflow inlet 6a of the exhalation exhalation pipe 6 at a point before the subject exhales exhalation into the exhalation introduction pipe 3.
Is set so that the protrusion 9 of the exhalation storage bag 4 is engaged in a loosely inserted state. After the subject has exhaled into the exhalation introduction tube 3, the expiratory storage bag 4 is inflated by the expelling force of the expiratory air, so that the protrusion 9 of the expiratory storage bag 4 and the expiratory air flow inlet 6a of the expiratory discharge tube 6 are engaged. The exhalation inside the exhalation storage bag 4 is exhaled through the exhalation airflow inlet 6a due to the contraction force when the covering bag 5 that has expanded due to the expansion of the exhalation storage bag 4 tries to contract to its original shape. It is designed to be discharged to 6.

Next, the structure of the exhalation analyzer 11 in which exhaled air is sent from the exhalation exhalation pipe 6 of the exhalation sampling device 1 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Exhalation analyzer 11
Is an exhalation analyzer main body 12, a control unit 13, and a detection unit 1.
4, a recording unit 15, an exhalation introduction pump 16, a valve actuator 17, and carrier gas supply units 18 and 19. Furthermore, the breath analyzer main body 1
2 includes a valve 20, a sample loop 21, a precolumn 22, and a main column 23 connected to the valve 20.

Explaining this in detail, the control unit 13 controls the breath introduction pump 1 based on a predetermined sequence control program.
6 controls the drive of the exhalation introduction pump 16 by outputting a control signal to 6, and controls the valve actuator 17 by driving a control signal to the valve actuator 17, and outputs a control signal to the recording unit 15. The recording operation in the recording unit 15 is controlled.

The exhalation introduction pump 16 is driven for a predetermined time based on the control signal of the control unit 13, and the valve actuator 1
Reference numeral 7 indicates the position of the valve 20 based on a control signal from the control unit 13 in the exhalation introduction state (the exhalation in the exhalation discharge pipe 6 can be introduced into the sample loop 21) or the exhalation analysis state (exhalation in the sample loop 21 is pre-columned). 22 and the main column 23), and the recording unit 15 records the detection data by the detection unit 14 based on the control signal of the control unit 13. Further, the carrier gas supply units 18 and 19 are configured to supply the carrier gas to the sample loop 21 and push the exhaled air filled in the sample loop 21 to the pre-column 22 and the main column 23.

The controller 13 controls the valve actuator 17
When the position of the valve 20 is switched to the exhalation introduction state by driving and controlling the exhalation introduction pump 16 to drive the exhalation introduction pump 16 for a predetermined time, exhalation is exhaled from the exhalation storage bag 4 of the exhalation sampling device 1. The exhaled air discharged into the tube 6 is introduced into the sample loop 12 of the exhalation analyzer 11 and filled therein.

On the other hand, the control unit 13 drives and controls the valve actuator 17 to switch the position of the valve 20 to the exhalation analysis state, and the carrier gas supply unit 1
When 8 and 19 are drive-controlled to supply the carrier gas to the sample loop 21, the exhaled air in the sample loop 21 is swept to the pre-column 22 and the main column 23 in that order, and the exhaled gas in the pre-column 22 and the main column 23 has a predetermined component. It is designed to be separated by each.

The detection unit 14 detects the component gas of the exhaled gas separated by the pre-column 22 and the main column 23, and outputs the detection data to the recording unit 15. After that, when the control unit 13 controls the recording unit 15 to bring it into an operating state, the detection data output from the detection unit 14 is recorded in the recording unit 15.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment constructed as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

After the subject H holds the mouthpiece 2 attached to the exhalation introducing tube 3 of the exhalation sampling device 1 based on the instruction of the examiner (FIG. 2 (a)), the mouthpiece 2 is inserted through the mouthpiece 2. When exhaled breath is discharged into the exhaled breath introduction tube 3, the exhaled breath passes through the exhaled breath introduction tube 3 and is sent to the exhaled breath storage bag 4 (FIG. 2).
(B)). When the expiratory-storing bag 4 is inflated as the expiratory-storing bag 4 is stored, the rubber-coated bag 5 is also inflated (FIG. 2C). As a result, the expiratory storage bag 4 also contracts due to the contracting force when the expanded rubber-coated bag 5 tries to contract to its original shape, so that the expiratory gas in the expiratory storage bag 4 is exhaled at a constant pressure and a constant flow rate. It is discharged to the discharge pipe 6.

When the examiner operates the switches attached to the control unit 13 of the breath analyzer 11, the control unit 13 drives and controls the valve actuator 17 based on a predetermined sequence control program to control the valve 20. The position is switched to the exhalation introducing state, and the exhalation introducing pump 16 is drive-controlled to drive the exhalation introducing pump 16 for a predetermined time. As a result, the exhaled breath in the exhaled breath discharge tube 6 is introduced and filled into the sample loop 21 connected to the valve 20 of the exhaled breath analyzer 11.

Next, the control unit 13 drives and controls the valve actuator 17 to switch the position of the valve 20 to the exhalation analysis state, and at the same time, the carrier gas supply unit 1
When 8 and 19 supply the carrier gas to the sample loop 21, the exhaled air in the sample loop 21 is precolumn 22.
Then, the exhaled air is separated into the main column 23 in that order, and exhaled air is separated into predetermined components in the pre-column 22 and the main column 23. As a result, the detection unit 14 detects the separated component gas of the exhaled breath. After that, when the control unit 13 controls the recording unit 15 to be in the operating state, the detection data output from the detection unit 14 is recorded in the recording unit 15.

By the way, the present applicant obtained the following data as a result of performing exhalation sampling from a healthy person whose exhalation force of exhalation is normal or higher using the exhalation sampling device 1 described above. That is, when a healthy person holds the mouthpiece 2 of the exhalation sampling device 1 and exhales, for example, 200 [cc] into the exhalation introduction tube 3, the exhaled breath stored in the exhalation storage bag 4 is about 0.1 [kg].
It was discharged to the exhalation discharge pipe 6 at a pressure of f / cm ² ] and a flow rate of about 50 [cc / min]. In this case, the expiratory storage bag 4 also contracts due to the contracting force when the expanded covering bag 5 tries to contract to the original shape, and the expiratory gas stored in the expiratory storage bag 4 is discharged at a constant pressure and at a constant flow rate. Since it is discharged to the breath analyzer 11, the installation of the breath introduction pump 16 on the side of the breath analyzer 11 can be omitted.

As described above, according to the first embodiment,
The exhalation sampling device 1 comprises an exhalation introduction tube 3, a film exhalation storage bag 4, a rubber covering bag 5, and an exhalation exhalation tube 6, and the amount of expansion and contraction of the covering bag 5 is analyzed during exhalation of exhaled air of the subject. Since a predetermined expansion / contraction amount is set in advance so that the required amount of exhalation is always stored in the exhalation storage bag 4, the subject simply exhales the exhalation into the exhalation introduction tube 3 and is required for exhalation analysis. A large amount of exhaled air can be accurately and rapidly collected in the exhaled air storage bag 4 inside the covering bag 5. Further, since the check valve 7 is provided in the exhalation introduction pipe 3, the exhaled breath exhaled by the subject is exhaled into the exhalation inlet 3a.
The exhaled breath storage bag 4 can be efficiently sampled without backflowing to the side.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the expiratory-storing bag 4 is also caused by the contracting force when the rubber-covered bag 5 which is inflated at the time of the exhalation of exhaled air by the subject is contracted to its original shape. Since it contracts, the exhaled breath stored in the expiratory storage bag 4 can be discharged to the expiratory discharge pipe 6 at a constant pressure and a constant flow rate,
As a result, the exhaled breath discharged to the exhaled breath discharge pipe 6 can be introduced into the exhaled breath analyzer 11 to perform a predetermined exhaled breath analysis.
Further, as described above, since the exhaled air in the exhaled breath storage bag 4 can be discharged to the exhaled breath discharge pipe 6 at a constant pressure and a constant flow rate, it is possible to omit the installation of the exhaled breath introduction pump 16 on the side of the breath analyzer 11.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the protrusion length of the expiratory discharge pipe 6 with respect to the inside of the expiratory storage bag 4 can be adjusted, so that the protrusion 9 of the expiratory storage bag 4 and the expiratory discharge pipe 6 can be adjusted. Since the degree of engagement with the expiratory air flow inlet 6a can be adjusted, the protruding length of the expiratory discharge tube 6 into the expiratory storage bag 4 is adjusted in advance according to the expiratory force of exhaled breath of the subject. In this way, the exhaled breath corresponding to the degree of the exhaled breath exhaling power of the subject can always be collected in the exhaled breath storage bag 4.

Further, according to the first embodiment, since the exhalation sampling device 1 is composed of the exhalation introduction pipe 3, the exhalation storage bag 4, the covering bag 5, the exhalation discharge pipe 6 and the like as described above, it has a simple structure. , For example, a solenoid valve for circulation / interruption of exhaled air is provided in the conduit connecting the mouthpiece and the exhalation collection bag, and an exhalation introduction pump is provided in the conduit connecting the exhalation collection bag and the exhalation analyzer. It is possible to reduce the size, weight and cost of the exhalation sampling device 1 as compared with a conventional exhalation sampling device. Furthermore, since the exhaled breath storage bag 4 is formed of a film made of tetrafluoroethylene resin, adsorption of exhaled breath to the inner wall surface of the exhaled breath storage bag 4 can be prevented, and no special maintenance of the exhaled breath storage bag 4 is required. You can

(2) Second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the exhalation sampling device 31 in the second embodiment, and the exhalation sampling device 31 in the second embodiment.
Differs from the exhalation sampling apparatus 1 in the first embodiment described above in that the exhaled breath storage bag 34 and the cover are provided so that exhaled breath can be collected from a subject such as a sick person / elderly person / child who has a weak exhalation force of exhaled breath. The capacity of the bag 35 is set to be smaller than that of the first embodiment, the protruding length of the expiratory discharge pipe 36 with respect to the inside of the expiratory storage bag 4 is shortened, and the expiratory discharge pipe 36 is opened and closed in the middle thereof. The point is that the valve 37 is provided.

In the second embodiment, the expiratory storage bag 34 and the covering bag 35 are set to have a small capacity, and the expiratory discharge pipe 3 is used.
By setting the protruding length of 6 to the inside of the exhalation storage bag 34 to be short, it is suitable when exhaling from a sick person / elderly person / child or the like who has a weak exhalation force of exhalation. In the second embodiment, the configuration other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the common configurations of the respective portions in the second embodiment and the respective portions in the first embodiment. Is omitted. Reference numeral 36 a in the figure denotes an expiratory air flow inlet of the expiratory air discharge pipe 36.

Explaining this in detail, the expiratory storage bag 34 is formed as a bellows-shaped bag made of, for example, a film made of a tetrafluoroethylene resin, and has a smaller capacity than the expiratory storage bag 4 of the first embodiment. Is set to. In addition, the covering bag 35
Is configured as a rubber bag having antibacterial properties / heat resistance / corrosion resistance, and has a smaller capacity than the covering bag 5 of the first embodiment.

Further, the exhalation exhalation pipe 36 of the exhalation sampling device 31.
An opening / closing valve 37 is provided in the inside of the device at a position located downstream of the exhalation airflow inlet 36a. Also, the exhalation pipe 36
The on-off valve 37
A valve control unit 38 for opening and closing is provided. By the operator of the inspection manually operating the valve control unit 38,
The on-off valve 37 is opened and closed. In this case, the opening / closing valve 37 may be automatically opened / closed by the control unit 13 of the exhalation analyzer 11, for example.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment constructed as described above will be described.

When collecting exhaled air from a sick person / elderly person / child or the like who has a weak exhaled breath discharge force by the exhalation sampling device 31, first, the examiner operates the valve control unit 38 of the exhalation discharge pipe 36 to open / close the valve 37. Close. Next, based on an instruction from the examiner, when the subject exhales by holding the mouthpiece 2 attached to the exhalation introducing tube 3 of the exhalation sampling device 31, the exhalation passes through the exhalation introducing tube 3 and accumulates in exhalation. It is sent to the bag 34 and stored. At this time, the cover bag 35 also expands as the expiratory storage bag 34 expands. When the subject repeats the discharge of exhalation a predetermined number of times, the exhalation storage bag 34 stores the amount of exhalation necessary for the exhalation analysis.

Next, when the examiner operates the valve control portion 38 of the exhalation discharge pipe 36 to open the on-off valve 37, the contracted force when the expanded covering bag 35 tries to contract to the original shape is exhaled. Since the storage bag 34 also contracts, the exhaled air stored in the expiratory storage bag 34 has a constant pressure and a constant flow rate.
It is discharged to 6. The exhaled air discharged to the expired gas discharge pipe 36 is
It is supplied to the exhalation analyzer 11 side through the open / close valve 37 in the open state. Then, as in the first embodiment, the component separation of the exhaled breath, the detection of the separated component gas, and the recording of the detection data are performed.

As described above, according to the second embodiment,
When the exhaled air is taken from a sick person / elderly person / child or the like who has the same effect as that of the first embodiment and has an on-off valve 37 in the exhaled air discharge pipe 36 of the exhaled air sampling device 31 and thus has a weak expiratory force. First, if exhaled air is collected a predetermined number of times with the on-off valve 37 closed, an amount of exhaled air required for exhaled breath analysis can be collected in the exhaled breath storage bag 34. Further, if the opening / closing valve 37 is opened at the time when the amount of exhaled air required for the exhaled breath analysis is collected in the exhaled breath storage bag 34, the exhaled air in the exhaled breath storage bag 34 can be expelled into the expiratory discharge pipe 36 at once, The amount of exhaled air required for analysis can be sent to the exhaled breath analyzer 11.

[0051]

As explained above, according to the exhalation sampling device of the present invention, the exhalation sampling device is composed of the exhalation introducing pipe, the exhalation storage bag and the exhalation exhaling pipe, and the check valve is provided inside the exhalation introducing pipe. Therefore, when the subject exhales into the exhalation introducing tube, exhaled exhaled air can be sent to the exhalation storing bag without backflowing to the exhalation inlet side of the exhalation introducing tube. Since it is made of a flexible material, the expiratory storage bag expands in accordance with the expiratory discharge force of the subject. It is possible to store well, and since one end of the exhalation discharge pipe is opened inside the exhalation storage bag and the other end is connected to a predetermined exhalation analyzer, the exhalation storage expanded as the exhalation is stored. Shrink when the bag is about to shrink Accordingly, it is possible to feed the breath in a breath reservoir bag to a predetermined expiration analyzer, an effect that.

Further, according to the exhalation sampling device of the present invention, the exhalation sampling device is composed of the exhalation introducing pipe, the exhalation storage bag and the exhalation exhaling pipe as described above, and only the check valve is provided inside the exhalation introducing pipe. Due to the simple structure of the device, for example, a solenoid valve for circulation / interruption of exhaled breath is provided in the pipe line connecting the mouthpiece and the exhalation collection bag, and the exhalation breath is collected in the pipe line connecting the exhalation collection bag and the exhalation analyzer. As compared with the conventional exhalation sampling device provided with a pump for sending the exhaled air in the collection bag to the exhalation analysis device, the exhalation sampling device can be made smaller, lighter and less expensive.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view in which a main part showing a configuration of an exhalation sampling device according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied has a cross section and a part thereof is omitted.

FIG. 2 shows each state of discharge / storage / discharge of exhaled breath by the exhaled breath sampling apparatus in the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 (a) shows a state in which the subject starts exhaling exhaled breath into the exhaled breath introducing tube. Fig. 2 (b) is an explanatory view showing a state in which the exhaled breath is stored in the exhaled breath storage bag, and Fig. 2 (c) is an explanation showing a state in which the exhaled breath is discharged from the expanded expiratory storage bag to the exhalation discharge pipe. It is a figure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an exhalation analyzer which is connected to the exhalation sampling device in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of an exhalation sampling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a main part is shown as a cross section and a part is omitted.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an exhalation sampling device in a conventional example.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method for collecting exhaled breath in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Breath collection device 3 Breath introduction pipe 3a Breath inflow port 4,34 Breath storage bag 6,36 Breath discharge pipe 7 Check valve

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An exhalation introducing pipe having an exhalation inlet at one end and a check valve provided inside, and an exhalation storage bag made of a flexible material attached to the other end of the exhalation introducing pipe, An exhalation exhalation pipe that is provided so as to communicate from the outer peripheral portion of the exhalation introduction pipe to the inside and has one end opened inside the exhalation storage bag and the other end connected to a predetermined exhalation analyzer. Breath collection device.