JPS63157040A - Measuring instrument for component in liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable anybody to easily and accurately take a measurement by providing an information means which displays desired information as to measurements. CONSTITUTION:This measuring instrument is equipped with a sensor BS, a reaction tank 34, and a display part 39. This display part 39 is so constituted to display various kinds of desired information at to measurements by changing the display patterns of a character display part 39a and an illustration display art 39b. Then when the power source is turned on, an initial pattern is displayed on the display part 39 and then a reaction tank setting request pattern is displayed. Namely, the lateral bars of the display part 39a illuminate and the illustration of the reaction tank at the display part 39b blinks. Then when the setting of the reaction tank 34 is confirmed, a lid member 38 is closed, an injection request pattern for liquid to be measured is displayed, and measuring operation is performed. Lastly, a measured value is found by arithmetic and then the result is displayed numerically at character parts in the display part 39a. Therefore, anybody can easily accurately take a measurement.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a liquid component measuring device used for measuring the concentration of a substance to be measured in a liquid, particularly glucose, uric acid, etc. in a body fluid.

[Background technology]

BACKGROUND ART Fluid component measuring devices that measure components in body fluids, such as glucose and uric acid, usually include a sensor that detects a substance to be measured in a sample fluid.

The sensor is immersed in the sample liquid and outputs an amount of electricity according to the concentration of the substance to be measured, and transmits the amount of electricity to the arithmetic control section. The arithmetic and control unit calculates the amount of electricity and displays the concentration δ as a fixed value on the display unit.

When measuring the component J in the liquid using this device, it is necessary to calibrate the sensor by injecting a calibration solution into the buffer solution and inject the sample prior to the measurement. Some large liquid component measuring devices used in frequently used locations such as hospitals and testing centers automate these tasks. however,
Large ones are expensive, so they are not suitable for home use. In other words, for example, many diabetic patients are instructed to measure their blood sugar levels not only in hospitals but also at home. is desired, and expensive items are not accepted. For this reason, conventional home-use devices have not been equipped with automatic sample injection means unlike the large-scale in-liquid component measuring devices described above, and have been operated manually.

In addition to the above-mentioned injection work, the user must also perform operations such as pouring a reaction tank containing a buffer solution, and the procedure is complicated. Furthermore, timing of injection of calibration solution and sample solution is also difficult. For this reason, conventional manual devices are extremely difficult to use for people who use them infrequently.

[Purpose of the invention]

An object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized in-liquid component measuring device that is inexpensive and compact, and which allows anyone to measure components easily and accurately.

[Disclosure of the invention]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a sensor that is immersed in a sample liquid stored in a reaction tank, detects a substance to be measured in this sample liquid, and outputs an amount of electricity corresponding to the amount of the substance to be measured. An in-liquid component measuring device comprising: an arithmetic control unit that calculates the amount of the substance to be measured based on the electrical quantity; and a display unit that displays the amount as a measured value based on the output from the arithmetic control unit. The gist of the present invention is an in-liquid component measuring device characterized in that it is also equipped with notification means for notifying desired information related to measurement.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 (al, (bl) shows the in-liquid component measuring device according to the present invention viewed diagonally from above. As shown in the figure, this in-liquid component measuring device includes a sensor BS, a reaction tank 3,
4 and a display section 39. In this embodiment, reaction vessel 34 comprises a disposable container as shown in FIG. This disposable container is pre-adjusted to pH
A predetermined amount of a buffer solution (hereinafter simply referred to as "buffer solution") is put in and sealed with a sealing material 34a such as aluminum foil.

When in use, after peeling off this sealing material 34a, it is installed in the hole of the reaction tank installation part 41, as shown in FIG. is covered with a lid-like member 38.The sensor BS is
It is incorporated into the sensor unit 35 and attached to the lid-like member 38. A rotating body 37 and a thermistor 36 can also be attached to the lid-like member 38. Sensor BS.

The rotating body 37 and the thermistor 36 are both immersed in a predetermined position in the liquid of the reaction tank 34 when the lid-like member 38 is closed.

The lid-shaped member 38 is formed with an injection port 40 for a calibration liquid and a sample liquid, so that these can be injected into the reaction tank 34 using a dropper or the like in the closed state. Measured values such as the concentration of the substance to be measured are displayed as digital values on the display unit 39 by calculating the amount of electricity output from the sensor BS as described later. As shown in FIG.
It consists of an illustration display section 39b that displays schematic diagrams of reaction vessels, sensors, batteries, etc., and displays measured values on the text display section 39a, as well as a display pattern of the text display section 39a and the illustration display section 39b. By changing this, it is also possible to notify various desired information related to measurement, such as abnormal operating conditions and timing of operation. Figure 1 (a), (b)
), 31 is a power switch, and 32 is a measurement start/stop switch. When the measurement start/stop switch 32 is turned on, the rotating body 37 is rotated to stir the buffer solution in the reaction tank 34, and measurement is started. The rotating body 37 has a built-in magnet (not shown) in a stirring section that is immersed in the buffer solution in the reaction tank 34 . Therefore, when the drive magnet placed at the bottom of the reaction tank 34 is rotated by the motor, the rotating body 3
7 is rotated.

This in-liquid component measuring device incorporates a circuit as shown in FIG. That is, this circuit includes a battery I, a constant voltage circuit 2. Voltage control circuit 3. Sensor BS, I/V conversion circuit 4. A/D conversion circuit 5, temperature detection circuit 8. It includes an arithmetic control section 6 and a display circuit 7.

The constant voltage circuit 2 uses the battery 1 as a power source and outputs a constant voltage based on the output from the battery 1.

The voltage control circuit 3 includes an operational amplifier OPI and resistors R1 to R6.
, and switches swt and sw2. The switches SWI and SW2 are controlled from outside the circuit using relays or the like. Voltage control circuit 3
applies negative feedback to the single power supply operational amplifier OPI, but the switch SWI.

The configuration is such that the degree of negative feedback is switched by inserting a resistor R6 or providing direct feedback by closing or opening SW2. In other words, three types of constant voltage (in this example, +〇,
7V, +0.6V and OV).

In this embodiment, the sensor BS detects a glucose component in a liquid to be measured (blood), and has an enzyme such as glucose oxidase immobilized on an electrode such as platinum. When a voltage is applied to the sensor BS in the liquid to be measured,
A current is output according to the concentration of the substance to be measured, that is, the glucose component in the liquid to be measured.

The 1/V conversion circuit 4 is configured to apply negative feedback to a single power supply operational amplifier OP2 using a resistor R7 and a capacitor C, and converts the current output from the sensor BS into a voltage and outputs the voltage. .

The temperature detection circuit 8 includes a temperature detection element R consisting of a thermistor 36.
) Outputs the temperature detected at I as a voltage.

The A/D conversion circuit 5 A/D converts the output voltage of the I/V conversion circuit 4 and the output voltage of the temperature detection circuit 8, and outputs the result.

The arithmetic control unit 6 controls the closing and opening of the switches SWI and SW2 of the voltage control circuit 3 according to the measurement order, controls the measurement operation such as controlling the voltage applied to the sensor BS, and also controls the measurement operation according to the operation status. to display a predetermined display pattern on the display section 39. Digital values output from the A/D conversion circuit 5 in accordance with the output of the sensor BS and the output of the temperature output circuit 8 are processed in the arithmetic control section 6 and output to the display circuit 7 to display information about the substance to be measured. The concentration and the like are displayed on the display section 39 as measured values.

A normal II3 constant operation will be described. First, when the power is turned on, the calculation control section 6 turns on only the switch SWI of the voltage control circuit 3. The calculation control unit 6 thereby sets the voltage applied to the sensor BS to 0, turns off the output from the sensor BS, and maintains the initial state of measurement. At the same time, the display section 39 displays an initial pattern as shown in FIG.
It consists of all 9 patterns being lit for about 1 second at the same time. After that, a reaction tank set request pattern is displayed. The reaction tank set request pattern is shown in Figure 2 (b
), all the horizontal bars in the center of each character part of the character display part 39a are lit, and the illustration display part 3
The illustration of the reaction tank in 9b blinks. The reaction tank set request pattern is for prompting confirmation of whether or not the reaction tank 34 is normally set.

After confirming that the reaction tank 34 is set, the lid member 38 is closed. A sensor unit, a sensor unit 35, a thermistor 36, and a rotating body 37 are attached to the lid member 38 in advance, and when the lid member 38 is closed, all of them face a predetermined position in the liquid of the reaction tank 34. As mentioned above, this is the case. The power switch 31 may be turned on after the lid-like member 38 is closed. Next, the measurement start/stop switch 32 is turned on. When the measurement start/stop switch 32 is turned on, the rotating body 37 rotates to stir the pH buffer solution, and the display section 39 displays a calibration solution/test solution injection waiting pattern. The calibration liquid/test liquid injection waiting pattern is the second one.
As shown in Figures (C) to (F), the horizontal bar at the center of each character part of the character display part 39a lights up, and also blinks in sequence from the first character part to the fourth character part. It is configured. In other words, the progress of the standby state is notified by changing the position of the blinking horizontal bar one after another. At the same time,
The arithmetic control unit 6 opens the switch SWI so that the feedback path of the operational amplifier PI in the voltage control circuit 3 passes only through the resistor R5. As a result, the voltage applied to the sensor BS becomes +0.7■. When a voltage of +0.7 V is applied to the sensor BS, an inrush current flows once as shown in period T2 in Figure 4 (a), but this gradually decreases and stabilizes at a predetermined output current. Head to. After a predetermined time, the arithmetic control unit 6 closes the switch SW2, and the operational amplifier O
The feedback path of P1 is made to go through resistors R5 and R6. ° As a result, the voltage applied to the sensor BS becomes +0.6V of the measurement voltage. In this way, the reason why a voltage higher than the measurement voltage is applied once and then the measurement voltage is applied is to speed up (stabilize) the output current of the sensor BS. +0. of the measured voltage.
6■ may be applied. When the output current of sensor BS becomes stable (point R1 in Figure 4 (al)), a calibration liquid injection request pattern is displayed on the display section 39.The calibration liquid injection request pattern is shown in Figure 2 (g). The illustration of the reaction tank in the illustration display section 39b lights up, and the illustration of the dropper on the left side blinks.The dropper is a modified jig for injecting the calibration solution. When the calibration liquid injection request pattern is displayed, the user injects a predetermined amount of the calibration liquid into the reaction tank 34 from the opening 40 of the lid-like member 38. In this embodiment, the calibration liquid has a predetermined concentration. When the calibration solution is injected, this is detected by the calculation control section 6, and a pattern during calibration is displayed on the display section 39.

As shown in FIG. 2(h), the calibration pattern is rcAL using the second to fourth character parts in the character display part 39a.
It consists of drawing the letter J and making it blink, and is displayed until the output current of sensor BS stabilizes (point 82 in FIG. 4(a)). When the output current is stabilized, a test liquid injection request pattern is displayed on the display section 39. The sample liquid injection request pattern, as shown in FIG. 2(1), consists of the illustration of the reaction tank in the illustration display section 39b lighting up and the illustration of the dropper on the right flashing. When the liquid to be measured injection request pattern is displayed, the user injects a predetermined amount of the liquid to be measured into the reaction tank 34 through the opening 40 of the lid-like member 38 . When the liquid to be measured is injected, it is detected by the sensor BS, and based on its output, the arithmetic control section 6 causes the display section 39 to display a pattern during measurement. The pattern during measurement is shown in Figure 2 (J
As shown in FIG. 1, ro 00J flashes in the second to fourth character portions of the character display portion 39a. The measurement pattern continues to be displayed until the output current of sensor BS stabilizes (point 23 in Figure 4 (al)). When the output current stabilizes, the stable points PI and P2 in Figure 4 (a)
．． Calculations are performed based on the output current of P3 to obtain the measured value, and the obtained results are shown in Figure 2 (kl).
The second to fourth character portions in the character display portion 39a are displayed as numbers. Note that the output current values of PI, R2, and R3 are stored in the calculation control section 6. After confirming that the measured value is displayed on the display section 39, the user turns off the measurement start switch 32 and closes the lid member 3.
8, take out the reaction tank 34, and turn off the power switch 31. Of course, every time - measurements are completed, the sensor unit 35. -'l-- Mister 362 The rotating body 37 must be cleaned. Note that FIG. 4(b) shows changes in the voltage output from the I/V conversion circuit 4 in accordance with the output current of the sensor BS.

If measurements are to be taken continuously, each time the reaction tank 34 containing a new buffer solution is reset, and the measurement start switch 32 is turned on again. In this way, as in the first measurement, the display section 39 becomes the calibration liquid/test liquid injection waiting pattern.

In the case of continuous measurement, once the output current of sensor BS is stabilized,
The liquid to be measured injection request pattern is immediately displayed on the display unit 39. In other words, the calibration value is stored during the first measurement, and there is no need to perform calibration again when measurements are taken continuously. When the power switch 31 is turned off, this memory is erased, and when the power switch 31 is turned on again, the calibration liquid injection request pattern is displayed on the display 39, as in the case of the first measurement described above.
is now displayed. Therefore, the power switch 3I must be turned off after all measurements are completed.

The arithmetic control unit 6 is designed to be able to store up to nine previous measurement values unless the power switch 31 is turned off, so that it is possible to forget to record a measurement value and perform the next measurement. Even if this happens, there is no need to re-measure. The stored measurement values are displayed on the display section 39 by pressing the memory switch 33. In other words, pressing the memory switch 33 once will display the previous measurement value, pressing it twice will display the second measurement value, and so on.
The measured values up to the previous time are displayed one after another in the second column in the character display area 39a.
~ It is displayed in the fourth character part.

At the tenth time, the previous measurement value is displayed again. The first character part in the character display part 39a is
It is now possible to display the previous measurement value.

At the same time, the = (colon) placed between the measured value and
As shown in Figure 2 (1), it lights up to indicate that the memory value is being displayed. The memory switch 33 cannot be operated until the measurement start/stop switch 2 is turned on and the measurement results are displayed. This is because there is a risk of confusion if memory display is performed during the measurement stage.

The output current of the sensor BS is unstable if the temperature of the liquid to be measured is lower or higher than a predetermined temperature range.

Therefore, in this liquid component measuring device, if the liquid temperature deviates from a predetermined temperature range between the time the measurement start/stop switch is turned on and the measurement result is displayed, the display section 39 The low temperature notification pattern or high temperature notification pattern is displayed and the measurement is stopped. The high temperature notification pattern is as shown in FIG.
is turned on, and the illustration of the reaction tank in the illustration display section 39b is made to blink or turn on. As shown in FIG. 2 (nl), the low temperature notification pattern consists of lighting up L using the first character part of the character display section 39a, and flashing or lighting up the illustration of the reaction tank on the illustration display section 39b. has been done.

The reason why the illustration of the reaction tank is blinked or lit is to indicate that there is an abnormality in the reaction tank 34. The user is
When the low temperature notification pattern or the high temperature notification pattern is displayed, either replace the reaction vessel or wait until the temperature reaches a measurable temperature, and then turn on the measurement start/stop switch 32 to restart the measurement.

This in-liquid component measuring device is capable of: (1) turning on the measurement start/stop switch 32 with the lid member 38 open; (2) the sensor unit 35 is not completely inserted into the lid member; When there is no buffer in the tank 34, a sensor/buffer error notification pattern is displayed on the display section 39. The sensor/buffer error notification pattern is as shown in Figure 2 (0).
The first character in the character display section 39a lights up the letter E, and the illustrations of the reaction tank and sensor in the illustration display section 39b alternately light up. The reason why the illustrations of the reaction tank and the sensor are lit alternately is to indicate that there is an abnormality in either of them.

This in-liquid component measuring device detects, when the measurement start/stop switch is turned on, if a component other than the buffer solution is mixed in the reaction tank 34, that is, if the reaction tank has not been replaced with a new one, the display unit 39 The reaction tank replacement request pattern is now displayed. The reaction tank replacement request pattern is the second
As shown in the figure (ρ), the 0 reaction tank is configured by lighting up E with the first character part in the character display part 39a and lighting up or blinking the illustration of the reaction tank in the illustration display part 39b. The reason why this illustration lights up or flashes is to indicate that there is an abnormality in the reaction tank.

This in-liquid component measuring device can also display on the display section 39 information such as the time to replace the battery, the time to replace the sensor, and the fact that the concentration of the component to be measured is outside the measurable range. As shown in Figure 2 (Q), the timing for battery replacement is determined by the arithmetic control unit 6.
When the controller detects that the battery voltage has fallen below a predetermined value, the illustration of the battery in the illustration display section 39b is displayed by blinking or lighting up. The timing for sensor replacement is determined by the calculation control unit 6, as shown in Figure 2 (ft).
When the sensor detects that the calibration value is lower than a predetermined value, it is displayed by lighting or blinking an illustration of the sensor. As shown in FIG. 2 (S), by lighting the horizontal bar under the second to fourth character parts in the character display part 39a, it is indicated that the component to be measured is below the lower limit of the measurable range. As shown in Figure 2 ft), by lighting the horizontal bars above the second to fourth character parts in the character display section 39a, it is possible to confirm that the component to be measured exceeds the upper limit of the measurable range. Display.

The in-liquid component measuring device according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the embodiment, information such as abnormal operating status or operation timing is announced by changing the display pattern of the text display area and the illustration display area, but instead of displaying text on the display area. I don't mind. Alternatively, the notification may be made by voice.

〔Effect of the invention〕

Since the in-liquid component measuring device of the present invention is configured as described above, anyone can easily and accurately measure the components even if it is a small device for home use. Since it is small, it goes without saying that it is inexpensive and compact.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are perspective views of one embodiment of the in-liquid component measuring device according to the present invention;
) shows the closed state of the lid-like member, and the same figure (bl
The figure shows the state with the lid-like member open. Figure 2 (al~(1) shows each display pattern on the display unit, Figure 2(a) shows the initial pattern, Figure 2(b) shows the reaction tank set request pattern, Figure 2 fc)~(f). 01 is the calibration liquid/test liquid injection waiting pattern; pattern, the figure (k) shows the measurement results, the figure (1) shows the memory display, the figure (k) shows the measurement results, and the figure (1) shows the memory display.
(2) is a high temperature notification pattern, the same figure (nl is a low temperature notification pattern, the same figure (01 is a sensor/buffer error notification pattern, the same figure (ρ) is a reaction tank replacement request pattern, and the same figure (9) is a battery replacement pattern. Timing notification pattern in the same figure (■ is the sensor life notification pattern, in the same figure (Sl is the notification pattern for under the lower limit of the measurable range, and (1) is the notification pattern for exceeding the upper limit of the measurable range. Fig. 3 is a circuit diagram showing the internal circuit, FIG. Figure 5 is a perspective view of a disposable container serving as a reaction tank. 6... Arithmetic control section 34... Reaction tank 39... Display section 39a... Character display Part 39b...Illustration display part BS...Sensor agent Patent attorney Takehiko Matsumoto @ 5 figure procedural amendment (self-initiated April 25, 1988 3, relationship with the person making the amendment case Patent issuer) Address: 1048 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Name (583) Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd. Representative (1%-i: Sadao Fujii 4, no representative 6, Specification subject to amendment and drawings 7, Contents of amendment (1) Specification, page 1), line 14 to page 14, line 1
In line 6, the statement "There is a hailstorm on the sensor BS." should be corrected as follows. -Note 1 [The output current of the sensor BS after the voltage is applied and the voltage output from the I/V conversion circuit according to this output current change as shown in FIG. 4. In addition, in FIG. 4, the change in the output current of the sensor BS is shown in the upper part, and the output voltage of the I/V conversion circuit is shown in comparison in the lower part. Sensor B
When a voltage of +〇, 7V is applied to S, the period T in Fig. 4
As shown in 2, an inrush current flows once, but this gradually decreases and stabilizes at a predetermined output current. After a predetermined period of time, the arithmetic control section 6 closes the switch SW2 so that the feedback path of the operational amplifier OPI passes through the resistors R5 and R6. As a result, the voltage applied to the sensor BS becomes +0.6 cm of the measured voltage. In this way, once
The reason for applying a voltage higher than the measurement voltage and then applying the measurement voltage is to quickly stabilize the output current of the sensor BS. It is also possible to apply the measurement voltage of +6 V from the beginning without going through such a procedure. When the output current of sensor BS becomes stable (21 in Fig. 4)
A calibration liquid injection request pattern is displayed on the display section 39 at (point). The calibration liquid injection request pattern, as seen in FIG. This is a jig for injecting the calibration liquid. When the calibration liquid injection request pattern is displayed, the user injects a predetermined amount of the calibration liquid into the reaction tank 34 through the opening 40 of the lid-like member 38. In this embodiment, the calibration liquid is a glucose solution with a predetermined concentration. When the calibration liquid is injected, this is detected by the calculation control section 6, and a pattern during calibration is displayed on the display section 39. Calibration As shown in FIG. 2 (hl), the middle pattern is constructed by drawing the characters rcALJ using the second to fourth character parts in the character display section 39a and making them blink. is displayed until the output current becomes stable (point 22 in Fig. 4). When the output current is stabilized, the liquid to be measured injection request pattern is displayed on the display section 39. The liquid to be measured injection request pattern is As shown in Figure 2 (il), the illustration of the reaction tank in the illustration display section 39b lights up, and the illustration of the dropper on the right side blinks.When the sample liquid injection request pattern is displayed, , the user injects a predetermined amount of the liquid to be measured into the reaction tank 34 through the opening 40 of the lid-like member 38. When the liquid to be measured is injected, this is detected by the sensor BS, and calculation control is performed based on the output. The unit 6 causes the display unit 39 to display the pattern being measured.The pattern being measured is indicated by flashing roo QJ in the second to fourth character portions of the character display portion 39a, as shown in Fig. 2 fJ). The measurement pattern continues to be displayed until the output current of sensor BS stabilizes (point 23 in Figure 4).When the output current stabilizes, the stable points Pi, P2 and P3 in Figure 4 are displayed. A calculation is performed based on the output current to obtain a measured value, and the obtained result is displayed as a number by the second to fourth character portions in the character display portion 39a, as shown in FIG. 2 (kl). Note that the output current values of PL, P2, and P3 are stored in the calculation control section 6.
After confirming that the measured value is displayed on the display section 39, the measurement start switch 32 is turned off, the lid member 38 is opened, the reaction vessel 34 is taken out, and the power switch 31 is turned off. Of course, every time - measurements are completed, the sensor unit 3
5. The thermistor 369 rotating body 37 must be cleaned. ” (2) The text “Fig. 4 (a)...Graph,” from page 21, line 18 to page 22, line 1 of the specification is corrected as follows. 1. "Figure 4 is a graph that vertically compares the change in the output current of the sensor BS and the change in the voltage output from the I/V conversion circuit according to this output current." (3) Attached drawings Figure 4 is corrected as shown in the attached sheet.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A sensor that is immersed in a sample liquid stored in a reaction tank to detect a substance to be measured in the sample liquid and outputs an amount of electricity corresponding to the amount of the substance to be measured; An in-liquid component measuring device comprising an arithmetic control unit that calculates the amount of An in-liquid component measuring device characterized in that it also includes a notification means for notifying. (2) The display section is equipped with a character display part and an illustration display part that digitally display measured values, and also serves as a notification means, and notifications can be made by changing the display pattern of these character display part and illustration display part. An in-liquid component measuring device according to claim 1. (3) Claim 1 or 2, wherein the arithmetic control unit has a measurement value memory function, and the memorized measurement values are displayed on the display unit together with their memory order. Liquid component measuring device.