KR102480038B1 - Specimen collection instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

An advantageous sample collection instrument according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a body part that can enter a collection location for collecting a sample; a gripping part provided at either end of the body part, connected to the body part and configured to enable gripping; a contact part comprising a collection part connected to the remaining one of both ends of the body part and collecting the sample from the collection location, wherein the collection part comprises a case for forming an external shape, a collection protrusion for scraping off the sample, and a first pupil formed to make the sample scraped by the collection protrusion introduced into the case, and the collection protrusion directly comes into contact with the sample; and a second pupil formed to make the sample introduced into the case.

Description

Sampling instrument {SPECIMEN COLLECTION INSTRUMENT}

The present invention relates to a sample collection device, and more particularly, to a sample collection device capable of improving the sampling rate in collecting oral tissue samples and saliva.

[Background Art] With the recent development of medical technology, various examinations are being performed to prevent diseases or to detect and treat diseases at an early stage. In a general examination, samples such as blood, saliva, and secretions are collected from the test subject, and various tests such as biochemical test, immune serum test, and hematology test are performed on the collected sample to check the health condition of the test subject.

In particular, as the recent recurrence of COVID-19 spreads, the number of daily test subjects is increasing day by day. In this case, in the conventional general sample collection, a conventional sample collection tool or a cotton swab is introduced into a target collection position to collect surface tissues or saliva. However, the quantity and quality of DNA that can be obtained is not sufficient in the collection of mucosal surface tissue using a conventional sample collection instrument or cotton swab. For this reason, the examinee repeatedly collects the surface of the mucosal tissue of the examinee, thereby reducing the examinee's test efficiency and causing the examinee pain. In addition to this, since an impurity removal process is required to remove a noise signal due to impurities from repeatedly sampled samples, it is disadvantageous in terms of cost and time. Moreover, most of the sampling instruments commonly used to date are deeply inserted into the nose (nasal cavity), causing discomfort or pain when used, making it difficult to perform the test.

Accordingly, in recent years, various studies have been continuously conducted on test equipment that can collect a sufficient amount of sample from the test subject without repeated collection, and it is relatively more inconvenient than taking a sample from the nose (nasal cavity). The present invention was conceived to collect samples including saliva and the like in the oral cavity with less pain.

The sampling mechanism of the present invention is intended to provide a sampling mechanism that is advantageous for sample collection as it can collect a sufficient amount of a sample from a sampling location with one entry.

In particular, the sample collection device of the present invention is intended to provide a sample collection device that is advantageous in collecting a sample such as saliva by being introduced into the oral cavity. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not limited to the oral cavity and does not cover the nose and ears.

A sample collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body portion capable of entering a sampling position for collecting a sample, a gripping portion provided at either end of the body portion, connected to the body portion, and formed to enable gripping; A collection part that is connected to the other of both ends of the body and collects the sample from the collection position, a case forming an external shape of the collection part, a collection protrusion that scrapes the sample, and the sample scraped by the collection protrusion is inside the case. It may include a first pupil formed to be drawn into the case, and the collecting protrusion may include a contact portion directly contacting the specimen and a second pupil formed to allow the specimen to be drawn into the case.

In the above, the body portion includes a first body portion and a second body portion, the first body portion can be slid into the second body portion, the length can be adjusted, and the first body portion has a support portion capable of being gripped. may be provided.

In the above, a mouth opening device may be included to maintain the mouth opening of the test subject during the sample collection process, and a connecting member connecting the mouth opening device to the body may be further included.

In the above, a light emitting member is included so that the inside of the test subject's oral cavity can be checked in detail during the sample collection process, and the light emitting member can be connected to the connecting member.

In the above, the first body portion is composed of at least one joint, and the second body portion may further include a joint control unit for controlling fixation or release of the joint.

On the other hand, the sampling device according to one embodiment of the present invention may disclose a configuration for determining whether a sufficient sample is collected in collecting a sample, for example, when a pigment is changed or melted away. It is possible to know whether enough samples have been collected through the time until.

However, the problem solving means according to the present invention is not limited to the above description, and all those skilled in the art can understand and practice / reproduce in the entire description of the present invention may be included.

Through means for solving the above problems, the present invention scrapes a sample in a state of entering the sampling position, and then collects a sufficient amount of sample as the scraped sample is drawn into the case.

In addition, the length can be adjusted, and since joints are formed on the body, it is possible to collect tissues in the oral cavity that are difficult to collect.

In addition, since an opening or the like is formed, the degree of fatigue of the inspected person can be reduced.

In addition, easy self-examination is possible by gripping the support part, etc., but in particular, the test subject can insert himself into his mouth to collect the sample, but problems such as swallowing due to various factors such as mistakes or external shocks can be prevented. .

In addition, since DNA, etc. can be secured through a sufficient amount of sample collection, accurate and consistent sample test results for the same person can be obtained, and test quality can be improved.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a sample collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view illustrating a sampling unit of a sample collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the sampling unit of FIG. 2 .
4 is a view showing in detail the extraction protrusion of the extraction part.
5 is a perspective view showing a collecting unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a perspective view showing a collecting unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a perspective view illustrating a sample collection device having an adjustable length according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a perspective view illustrating a sample collection device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a perspective view illustrating a sample collecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprise" and/or "comprising", when used herein, specify the presence of recited features, integers, steps, operations, components and/or components, but do not specify other features. It will also be understood that does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more of s, integers, steps, acts, elements, components and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any one or all combinations of the associated listed items.

The term specimen used herein is not specifically limited to oral specimens.

Hereinafter, a sampling device corresponding to the present invention will be described in detail, including description of the drawings, as follows.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a sample collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the sample collecting device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body part 200 capable of entering a sampling position for collecting a sample. As an example, the collection location refers to the inside of a person's oral cavity, but is not particularly limited thereto. A gripping part 300 formed to enable gripping is connected to the body part 200 . The gripping part 300 is provided at either end of the body part 200 .

As an example, the gripping part 300 may have a circular ring shape. Therefore, the user can control the movement of the body part 200 by hooking a finger on the gripping part 300 . However, the gripping part 300 is not limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings, and may include any shape that can be gripped by a user.

The collecting part 100 is connected to the other one of both ends of the body part 200. The sampling unit 100 serves to collect the sample from the sampling location. Hereinafter, the structure of the sampling unit 100 will be described in more detail.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a sampling unit of a sample collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a view showing the sampling unit of FIG. 2 in detail, and FIG. 4 is a view showing the sampling protrusion of the sampling unit in detail.

The collection unit 100 includes a case 110 forming an external shape, a collection protrusion 120 that scrapes the sample, and a sample scraped by the collection protrusion 120 so that it can be drawn into the case 110. A first pupil 130 may be included. A plurality of the collecting protrusions 120 may be provided. The collecting protrusion 120 may include a contact portion 121 that directly contacts the specimen. The contact portion 121 generally has a cylindrical shape, but is not particularly limited to the shape.

For example, the material of the collecting protrusion 120 is poly(lactide), poly(butyric acid), poly(glycolide), polyurethane, polyacrylate, ethylene-vinyl acetate polymer, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, poly Vinyl fluoride, poly(vinyl imidazole), chlorosulfonate, polymethacrylate, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), ethylcellulose (EC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), carboxymethylcellulose, cyclo It may include any one or two or more materials selected from the group consisting of dextrin and a copolymer of monomers forming such a polymer.

As an example, a plurality of the collecting protrusions 120 and the first pupils 130 may be arranged in a lattice shape within the collecting part 100 . The specimen scraped by the collecting protrusion 120 falls on the surface of the collecting part 100. Since at least one first hole 130 is formed on the surface of the collecting part 100, the first hole 130 ) through which it can be drawn into the case 110. That is, since the first cavity 130 guides the collected sample into the case 110, there is an advantage that the sampling rate can be improved.

Accordingly, the collection protrusion 120 may be directly formed by including the second cavity 122 . Accordingly, the sample scraped by the collecting protrusion 120 may be introduced into the case 110 through the second hole 122 . Alternatively, the second cavity does not allow the sample to enter the case 110, but has a shape concave inward, so that the sample can accumulate and contain a larger amount due to surface tension.

As a result, the sampling rate can be further improved by simultaneously utilizing the first pupil 130 and the second pupil 122 .

As another example, the collecting protrusion 120 and the first pupil 130 may be formed on both sides of the collecting part 100 . Therefore, it is possible to collect samples from both sides of the sampling unit 100 of the sampling mechanism 10 retracted into the oral cavity without the user having to separately rotate the sampling mechanism 10 to collect the sample.

Cells, viruses, DNA, etc. are well absorbed and adsorbed inside the case 110 of the collection unit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and cells, viruses, DNA, etc. adsorbed to the filter unit are stored in a preservation solution. An adsorbing unit (not shown) having a material and structure that can be removed may be formed. To this end, the adsorption unit (not shown) may include at least one adsorption layer, and this adsorption layer may be a fabric made of natural fibers or synthetic fibers having small fineness providing a fine adsorption space. . As an example, the inspector may separate the adsorption unit (not shown) from the collection unit 100 and send it to an inspection institution.

5 is a perspective view showing a collecting unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5 , as an example, the collecting unit 400 may be formed in a mesh type. The mesh-type collecting unit 400 may include a collecting frame 420 and a first cavity 430. As an example, the collecting frame 420 may correspond to the circumference of the first pupil 430 . As another example, when the first pupil 430 is rectangular, the sampling frame 420 may correspond to a corner of the first pupil 430 . When a plurality of first pupils 430 are formed in a lattice shape, unnecessary blanks are not generated on the surface of the sampling unit 400 . Therefore, since all samples collected through the sampling frame 420 are drawn into the case 410 through the guide of the first pupil 430, an effect of further increasing the sampling rate may occur.

6 is a perspective view showing a collecting unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the first pupil 530 is formed in a quadrangular shape, and sampling protrusions 520 may be formed at the vertices of the quadrangular shape. As an example, when a plurality of first pupils 530 are formed in an adjacent state in the collecting unit 500, the collecting protrusions 520 are all formed at the vertices formed by the first pupils 530, FIG. As described in 5, a blank space may not be formed in the sampling unit 500. That is, most of the samples collected by the collection protrusion 520 do not remain on the surface of the collection unit 500, but most of the samples can be drawn into the case 510 through the first pupil 530. . The structure as described above contributes to an increase in sample collection rate.

Meanwhile, in the collection unit 100, a gauge capable of determining the degree of sample collection may be additionally configured (not shown). Through this, the user can visually recognize whether or not enough samples have been collected for the sampling unit 100 or not.

As an example, in the sampling unit 100, a color harmless to the human body is used, but when the sampling degree of the sample exceeds a certain level, the color may be changed so that the user can visually recognize that a sufficient sample has been collected.

In particular, when it is introduced into the oral cavity, the food coloring of the collection unit 100 reacts with saliva (saliva) to change color, so that when the sample is sufficiently collected, the color can be changed.

As another example, when the testee inserts the collection unit 100 into the oral cavity and bites it, it is possible to determine whether a sufficient sample has been collected by attaching and/or adding a configuration that melts and disappears after a certain period of time.

In particular, when it is held in the mouth like candy, it melts under the influence of body temperature and saliva.

On the other hand, when the sample collection device according to the present invention is inserted into the oral cavity, a substance (including a sour substance) that allows saliva to be secreted from the salivary glands is applied to the collection unit 100 so that more saliva can be collected. It can be.

7 is a perspective view illustrating a sample collection device having an adjustable length according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7 , the body part 200 may include a first body part 210 and a second body part 220. The first body part 210 may be introduced into the second body part 220 . Accordingly, the inside of the second body portion 220 may be formed in a hollow shape.

As an example, the first body part 210 can be slid into the second body part 220, and accordingly, the length of the first body part 210 can be adjusted. 10) is adjustable in length. Therefore, the inspector can collect a sample by inserting the sample collection device 10 deep into the oral cavity.

As an example, the first body portion 210 may further include a gripping support portion 230 . The inspector may select and grip the support unit 230 or the grip unit 300 .

As an example, the examiner may insert the sample collection device 10 into the oral cavity by gripping the support part 230 with a finger. Since the examiner can control the sampling unit 100 from a relatively close position, easy and accurate sample collection is possible. The provision of the above and the support part 230 provides an optimized structure for the examiner to take a sample from his/her own oral cavity.

As an example, referring to FIG. 7 , when an inspector presses the support part 230 downward with a finger, the first body part 210 is inserted into the second body part 220 . That is, the length of the sample collecting device 10 is reduced. Conversely, when the examiner pushes the support part 230 upward with a finger, the first body part 210 comes out of the second body part 220 . That is, the length of the sampling mechanism 10 is increased.

As an example, the first body part 210 can be drawn into the second body part 220 until the support part 230 comes into contact with one end of the second body part 220, and the It is possible to slide out of the second body part 220 until one end of the second body part 220 and one end of the first body part 210 face each other.

8 is a perspective view illustrating a sample collecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8 , the sample collecting device 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention may include an opening device 240 to maintain the mouth opening of the test subject during the sample collecting process. The examiner may control the mouth opening device 240 to maintain the mouth opening of the examinee during the sample collection process. For example, the examiner may use an opening/closing switch (not shown) of the opening device 240 to open or close the mouth opening device 240 according to the size of the mouth of the examinee.

The opening 240 may be connected to the body part 200 through a connecting member 250 . The material of the connecting member 250 is not particularly limited. Since the mouth opening device 240 maintains the oral cavity of the test subject, the degree of fatigue of the test subject can be reduced during a period in which a sample is collected.

For example, the opening device 240 may be additionally provided with a sponge or the like capable of absorbing saliva of the test subject, or may be additionally provided with a mouthpiece or the like so as to be fitted to the test subject's teeth. Therefore, it is possible to solve messy problems such as discharge of saliva to the outside of the mouth that may occur during the sample collection process.

9 is a perspective view illustrating a sample collecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the sample collection device 10 corresponding to another embodiment of the present invention may include a light emitting member 260 that allows the inside of the oral cavity of a test subject to be checked in detail during the sample collection process. As an example, the light emitting member 260 may correspond to any one of an incandescent light, a fluorescent light, a three-wavelength light, a halogen light, and an LED. The light emitting member 260 may be connected to the body part 200 through a connecting member 250 .

Through the light emitting member 260, the examiner can check the inside of the oral cavity of the examinee in detail. Therefore, an effect of accurately collecting a sample from a desired part of the inside of the mouth of the subject to be examined occurs.

Also, referring to FIG. 9 , the body portion 200 may include at least one joint 211 . As the body part 200 is formed of the joint 211, it has a wider range of degrees of freedom and can be refracted in a free direction within the oral cavity of the subject. Therefore, it is possible to easily collect a sample of a certain part of the oral cavity, which was difficult to collect in the past, even if the professional skill of the examiner does not exist.

As an example, the first body portion 210 may include at least one joint 211 . The second body portion 220 may further include a joint controller 212 for controlling fixation or release of the joint 211 . Accordingly, the degree of freedom of the sample collecting device 10 can be adjusted by controlling the joint 211 at a desired time point and a desired length of the first body portion 210 by the examiner.

For example, when the first body part 210 slides out of the second body part 220, the examiner maintains the joint 211 in a loosened state through the joint control unit 212, and The degree of freedom of the collecting mechanism 10 can be improved, and when the user wants to insert the first body part 210 into the second body part 220, the joint ( 211) is maintained in a fixed state, and the first body part 210 can be slid into the second body part 220.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be easily changed from the embodiments of the present invention by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs, so that the same It includes all changes within the scope recognized as appropriate.

10: sample collection device 100, 400, 500: collection unit
110, 410, 510: case 120, 520: collection protrusion
420: collection frame
121: contact part 122: second pupil
130, 430, 530: first pupil 200: body portion
210: first body part 211: joint
212: joint control unit 220: second body unit
230: support part 240: opening
250: connecting member 260: light emitting member
300: gripping unit

Claims (5)

A body part capable of entering a sampling position for collecting a sample;
a gripping part provided at either end of the body part, connected to the body part, and formed to be gripped by hooking a finger;
a sampling unit that is connected to the other one of both ends of the body and collects the sample from the sampling location;
The case for forming the outer shape of the collection part;
A collection protrusion for scraping the sample,
It includes a plurality of first pupils formed in a lattice form so that the sample scraped by the collection protrusion can be introduced into the case,
The collection protrusion includes a contact portion that directly contacts the specimen;
including a second cavity formed so that the sample can be drawn into the case or formed in a shape concave inward even if the sample is not drawn into the case;
Sampling device.
According to claim 1,
The body portion includes a first body portion and a second body portion,
The first body part can be slid into the second body part, so that the length can be adjusted.
Characterized in that the first body portion is provided with a support capable of gripping;
Sampling device. According to claim 2,
A mouthpiece is included to maintain the mouth opening of the test subject during the sample collection process,
characterized in that a connecting member for connecting the opening to the body is further included;
sampling device According to claim 3,
A light-emitting member is included to enable detailed examination of the inside of the test subject's oral cavity during the sample collection process,
The light emitting member is characterized in that connected to the connecting member;
sampling device According to any one of claims 2 to 4,
The first body portion is composed of at least one joint,
Characterized in that the second body further comprises a joint control unit for controlling the fixation or release of the joint;
Sampling device.

Images