KR20210133812A - Apparatus and method for obtaining saliva - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for quantitatively and efficiently collecting saliva from a subject, which is easy to maintain, and a method thereof. According to the present invention, a plurality of micro-holes are formed at one end part of a tube having elastic properties and the other end part is connected to a vacuum pump to suck animal saliva from the end part in which the micro-holes are formed. The tube having the micro-holes has a coaxial structure or a structure including a filler to filter out substances except for the subject's saliva. In addition, since motion and position sensors and electronically controllable valves such as solenoid valves are used so that the apparatus is operated only when being used by a user, and thus automatic and quantitative control is possible. In addition, the apparatus is connected to drinking water and air lines inside a livestock shed so that a saliva collection tube is washed and dried, thereby simplifying maintenance and efficiently collecting saliva.

Description

Saliva collection device and method {Apparatus and method for obtaining saliva}

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for collecting saliva simply and to minimize the stress of the saliva sampler in collecting saliva from animals, infants, and people with communication limitations (hereinafter referred to as saliva samplers). will be.

Animals as well as humans need management to maintain mental/physical health. Health status can be checked by monitoring changes in status such as stress, inflammation in the body, viruses, and enzymes. In order to monitor health status information, biological samples such as blood, urine, feces, and saliva are being collected. In recent years, with the development of medicine and related technologies, a technique for securing and testing a sample in a non-invasive method has been highlighted in order to solve problems in collecting biological samples. In particular, since saliva contains a biomarker that displays health status information, a method of monitoring the health status in a non-invasive way is being actively studied.

Among animals, especially pig saliva contains many components such as Cortisol, Haptoglobin, Serum amyloid A, C-reactive protein, and a-Amylase. These ingredients are being actively studied in recognition of their effectiveness as biomarkers that measure the degree of mental/physical health status. And with the recent rise in the importance of animal welfare, research is being conducted to improve health and welfare in various fields. Currently, pig saliva collection has been attempted in various ways, but the rope method is generally used. The rope method is a method of securing saliva from the rope in which the saliva is absorbed by installing a cotton rope in the barn for a certain period of time to absorb saliva from the pig's mouth into the rope. For collection of saliva, the installed rope is collected for a certain period of time (1 hr ~ 1 day), and saliva is collected by applying squeeze pressure to the rope in a container (eg, a plastic bag).

However, in this prior art, manpower and time must be input for saliva collection, and it can be performed temporarily or intermittently as needed, and also has limitations such as secondary contamination and inflow of impurities in the saliva collection process. In order to overcome these limitations, various technologies have been researched and developed. For example, there is a technology that installs an extruder for collecting pig's saliva in a water supply facility and collects saliva with a vacuum pump while the pig eats drinking water. In this technology, when an individual pig approaches the saliva collection system and bites a predetermined part with their teeth or mouth, the button of the extruder for saliva collection is pressed and saliva is automatically collected. For this purpose, an extruder for collecting saliva is installed in the drinking water supply facility, and individual recognition technology using chips implanted in individual pigs is included.

However, in an actual livestock environment, pigs have a habit of showing curiosity about several pigs at the same time on one thing, and one pig occupies one extruder, and it is difficult to press the extruder button at the correct position and collect saliva. There are limitations. In addition, in a livestock environment where feed feeding and drinking water feeding are performed in the same place, there is a limit in terms of durability of the device due to a large amount of feed remaining in the oral cavity during the saliva collection process, and various gases and dust inside the livestock environment. Therefore, it is necessary to study efficient and practical saliva collection technology considering low cost, simple maintenance, automation, and quantification.

The present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for collecting saliva of a person or animal that is easy to maintain, quantitatively and efficiently has limitations in communication with infants and children. have.

In order to solve the above problem, a plurality of micro-holes are formed at one end of a tube tube having elastic properties and a vacuum pump is connected to the other end to suck saliva from the end in which the micro-holes are formed and collect the device. is provided

The tube having the micro-holes may be in the form of a tube in which a plurality of sub-tubes are coaxially coupled, or in the form of a tube containing fillers such as milliballs or sponges to filter substances other than pig saliva (impurities, etc.).

In addition, by using electronically controllable valves such as motion/position sensors and solenoid valves, the device is operated only when the recipient uses the salivation device, enabling automated and quantitative control, and utilizing the drinking water line and air line in the collection environment. By performing washing and drying of the salivation tube, it is possible to provide a simple and efficient salivation apparatus and method for maintenance.

The configuration and operation of the present invention introduced above will become clearer through specific embodiments described later with drawings.

According to the saliva collection device of the present invention and the saliva collection method using the same, the input of manpower and time is minimized, and limitations such as secondary contamination and impurities generated in the saliva collection process can be controlled, so that saliva can be efficiently and quantitatively collected. can be collected automatically. And, since the collection of saliva can be carried out in a batch, it is possible to effectively manage the health condition for each saliva collection environment (eg, pig farm).

In addition, by using an elastic salivation tube, the stress of the subject is minimized, and the collection can be carried out naturally. There are possible advantages.

The saliva collection device and method according to the present invention can be used in fields such as the health care and welfare improvement market for companion animals that are rapidly growing in recent years. Based on the fact that animal saliva contains a large amount of biomarkers that indicate mental/physical health status, the portable and miniaturized saliva collector can be used as a health care product for companion animals. Although the market for collecting and testing saliva for health management of companion animals has been established, saliva collection has limitations in terms of time and method.

Figure 1: Configuration diagram of a salivation device having a coaxial structure type salivation tube according to an embodiment of the present invention
Figure 2: flow chart of the method for collecting saliva according to the present invention
Figure 3: Configuration diagram of a salivation device having a salivation tube of a milliball-filled structure according to another embodiment of the present invention
Figure 4: Configuration diagram of a salivation device having a circular type coaxial structure type salivation tube according to another embodiment of the present invention
Figure 5: Configuration diagram of a salivation device having a salivation tube of a circular type milliball-filled structure according to another embodiment of the present invention
Figure 6: a picture of the actual implementation of the saliva collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention
Figure 7: Configuration diagram of a portable saliva harvester according to another embodiment of the present invention

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be implemented in a variety of different forms, only this embodiment allows the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to fully inform the person of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined by the description of the claims. On the other hand, the terms used herein are for the purpose of describing the embodiment, not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular also includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase. As used herein, 'comprise' or 'comprising' refers to the presence or absence of one or more other components, steps, operations and/or elements other than the stated elements, steps, acts and/or elements. addition is not excluded.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components are given the same reference numerals as much as possible even though they are shown in different drawings, and in explaining the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known components or functions In the case where the gist of the present invention may be obscured, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, the spirit of the present invention will be explained through embodiments of methods and devices for collecting saliva of animals, particularly pigs, as subjects.

Pigs and humans have limitations in communication. Therefore, in order to collect pig's saliva, it is necessary to first understand the pig's habits, and the saliva should be collected in a state with minimal stress on the animal or in a natural state. Recently, with the rise of the need for animal welfare, various stress relief products are being installed in pig pens. Ideal conditions required for articles to be installed inside the barn, it is recommended that they be breakable, deformable, harmless to the living body, chewable, fragrant and clean. As materials or articles that are generally installed, wood, chains, plastic balls, ropes, etc. are commonly used. Reflecting the above conditions, the present invention proposes an apparatus and method for efficiently extracting saliva from pigs.

The principle of the present invention is basically connecting a vacuum pump to one end of an elastic tube, forming a plurality of micro-holes in the length of several tens to several hundred mm in the longitudinal direction at the other end, and then forming the micro-holes. If it comes into contact with the mouth of a pig, saliva is collected. More specifically, using a motion and/or position sensor such as an accelerometer, a gyro sensor, and an IR sensor, when it is detected that a pig bites a part of the salivation tube in which a micro-hole is formed, the vacuum pump is operated to remove the saliva from the tube. The pig's oral saliva is collected (eg, using suction). The collected saliva is transferred to the collector through the saliva transfer tube by the vacuum pump and then collected in the saliva collection container. The collected saliva is transferred to the test device through a tube installed in the saliva collection container. The test device examines the components of saliva by using the function of measuring the concentration of the biomarker.

On the other hand, when the saliva collection is finished, water is supplied from the drinking water facility to the salivation tube by using a water supply pipe connected to the drinking water facility inside the barn to wash the impurities and debris inside and outside the saliva collection tube. And by injecting compressed air into the salivation tube through the air supply pipe to dry the inside and outside of the tube. To this end, the control unit performs the saliva collection process, the washing process, and the drying process by on/off control of the valves installed in the saliva transport pipe and the water supply pipe and the air supply pipe.

The salivation device of the present invention is automatically and repeatedly operated whenever the pig uses the salivation device. In addition, the internal structure of the salivary tube has a coaxial structure in which a plurality of tubes of different diameters are inserted to filter impurities, or a structure in which a plurality of fillers such as sponges or milliballs are included in the tube. Functions such as motion and/or position sensors, vacuum pumps and valves on/off are automatically controlled by the control unit.

Hereinafter, a specific embodiment of the saliva collection device and method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, Figure 1 shows the structure of a salivation device having a coaxial structure type salivation tube according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The saliva collection device according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 is largely composed of a collection/inspection unit, a washing/drying unit, and a control unit.

The collection/inspection unit includes: a saliva collection tube 370 in which a plurality of tubes having microholes 371 formed at one end are coaxially coupled; vacuum pump 310; a transfer pipe 320 through which the sucked saliva is moved; a saliva transfer valve 340 for intermittently controlling the flow of saliva transferred through the transfer pipe 320; It is located in the transfer pipe between the vacuum pump 310 and the saliva transfer valve 340, the collector 330 for collecting the saliva sucked from the saliva collection tube 370; a saliva collection container 350 in which the saliva collected by the collector 330 is collected; a saliva level sensor 355 for checking the level of saliva collected in the saliva collection container 350; and a test device 395 for measuring biomarkers of saliva components.

The washing/drying unit includes a washing water (washing water) supply pipe 321 and a water supply valve 341; Drying air supply pipe 322 and air supply valve 342 - water and air for washing are injected toward the salivation tube (370); It includes a cap 360 that is put on the upper portion of the salivation tube 370 for washing and drying of the salivation tube (370).

The control unit, a motion sensor 380 for detecting the movement of the saliva collection tube 370 and a position sensor 385 for detecting a change in position; It includes a control unit 390 for driving and controlling the entire system including the various valves 340 , 341 , 342 , 343 ) and a vacuum pump 310 . It is preferable that the valves applied to the present salivation device are automatically and quantitatively controlled valves such as solenoid valves.

The configuration will be described in more detail.

The salivation tube 370 is composed of a coaxial structure of sub-tubes 372 having different diameters (diameter of several to tens of mm). That is, the structure of the saliva collection tube 370 is a structure in which a plurality of tubes are combined while sharing one central axis in a coaxial structure. For example, a small diameter tube (about 6mm diameter) is inserted inside the largest diameter (about 10mm diameter) tube, and a smaller diameter tube (about 2mm diameter) is inserted inside this small diameter tube. It is a structure that shares a central axis. In Figure 1, the longitudinal section of the saliva collection tube 370 of such a coaxial structure is shown.

The saliva transfer tube 320 is a tube for transferring the saliva sucked through the saliva collection tube 370 to the collector 330, and may be implemented with a diameter of several to several tens of mm. When the saliva transfer valve 340 for intermittently controlling the flow of saliva transferred through the transfer pipe 320 is opened (on), the saliva is transferred by the vacuum pump 310 and enters the collector 330 .

The collector 330 is located between the vacuum pump 310 and the saliva transfer valve 340 . Since there is a backflow prevention plate 331 in the collector 330 , the saliva does not flow back toward the vacuum pump and is collected into the saliva collection container 350 connected to the collector 330 .

The saliva collection container 350 is a container that can be easily separated and replaced with a transparent material. The water level sensor 355 is for detecting a set amount of the saliva collection capacity. A tube and a valve 343 for transferring the saliva to the inspection device 395 are installed in the lower part of the collection container.

The test device 395 is a device capable of measuring the concentration of a biomarker component included in the saliva transferred to the test device 395 .

The cap 360 coupled to the upper part (opposite end of the micro-hole formation) of the salivation tube 370 for washing and drying the salivation tube 370 is a tube 361 and an external guide 362 for washing/drying. is composed of The tube 361 for washing/drying filters feed residues or impurities present in the oral cavity of the pig when saliva is collected, and simultaneously washes the inside/outside of the tube. The diameter of the tube 361 for washing/drying should be maintained to be less than or equal to the minimum diameter of the coaxial tube 370 . In general, when a fluid (water, air) moves at a constant pressure, it has a characteristic of moving with a large diameter rather than a small diameter. When the tube 361 for washing/drying is larger than the diameter of the tube inserted into the salivation tube 370, most of the fluid does not proceed to the inside of the salivation tube 370, but only the washing/drying tube 361. will proceed In this case, only the outside of the salivation tube 370 is washed/dried. Therefore, in order to simultaneously wash the inside and outside of the salivation tube 370, the diameter of the washing/drying tube 361 must be considered to be less than or equal to the minimum diameter of the salivation tube 370.

For washing and drying of the salivation tube 370, a water supply pipe 321 and a water supply valve 341 for washing, and an air supply pipe 322 and an air supply valve 342 for drying are provided.

In addition, the motion sensor 380 constituting the control unit is located at the upper end of the salivation tube 370 to detect the movement of the salivation tube 370, furthermore, the movement of the salivation apparatus. The motion sensor 380 is functionally ok even if it is located at or near the lower end of the salivation tube 370, but in this case, the possibility of damage is very high because pigs bite and bite. The motion sensor 380 may be implemented as an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like. In addition, the motion sensor 380 may be separately manufactured so as to have a function of detecting the movement of the salivation device and may be installed attached to the salivation tube 370 with a fastener or a tape.

는 타액채취 장치의 위치를 무선으로 센싱한다는 개념을 나타내기 위한 것이다. 그러나 위치센서(385)가 유선 방식으로 타액채취 장치의 위치를 센싱하도록 구성할 수 있음은 물론이다.The position sensor 385 is a sensor using IR, ultrasound, or RF, and may be used for detecting movement of a salivary device or approaching a pig. In this embodiment, the position sensor 385 is installed in the upper space of the salivation apparatus to transmit/receive an infrared light signal to perform a function of detecting the movement of the salivation apparatus or the approach of a pig. In actual implementation, the position sensor 385 may be installed to interwork with the motion sensor 380 , or the position sensor 385 may not be installed when only the motion sensor 380 is sufficient. In FIG. 1, the mark displayed on the lower part of the position sensor 385

is to represent the concept of wirelessly sensing the position of the salivation device. However, of course, the position sensor 385 can be configured to sense the position of the saliva collection device in a wired manner.

Hereinafter, the motion sensor 380 and the position sensor 385 will be collectively referred to as an 'approach sensor'.

는 타액채취 장치와 제어부(390)가 무선 통신한다는 개념을 나타내기 위한 것이다. 그러나 유선 방식으로 제어부(390)와 타액채취 장치가 연결될 수 있음은 당연하다. 실제 구현에에서, 제어부(390)는 움직임센서(380)의 신호를 유선으로 수신하여 진공펌프(310)를 구동하도록 구현될 수 있다.The location of the control unit 390 may be virtually anywhere. The control unit 390 receives the signals of the motion and/or position sensors 380 and 385, and serves to control a vacuum pump and a valve for driving the saliva collection device according to the present invention. Any position will be fine as long as the control role is faithfully performed. As an actual embodiment, the control unit 390 may be manufactured together with the vacuum pump 310 and installed on the ceiling of the livestock house. 1, the display displayed on the lower part of the control unit 390

is to represent the concept that the saliva collection device and the control unit 390 wireless communication. However, it is natural that the control unit 390 and the saliva collection device can be connected in a wired manner. In actual implementation, the control unit 390 may be implemented to drive the vacuum pump 310 by receiving the signal of the motion sensor 380 by wire.

As described above, the pig as a salivation device by the motion/position sensors 380 and 385 (pig approach detection unit) located in the salivation tube 370 (eg, located on the upper portion of the tube 370). When the approach of (detecting the movement of the saliva collection tube 370), the vacuum pump 310 for saliva collection is operated. Here, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, and an IR (infrared) sensor may be utilized as the motion/position sensors 380 and 385 of the pig approach detection unit. The movement/position sensor 380 may be fixed to or separated from the salivation tube 370, but in any case, it should be able to detect the movement of the salivation tube 370.

The salivation tube 370 is preferably an elastic material that pigs can bite without feeling repulsive. When the oral cavity of the pig is in contact with the end of the tube 370 , the saliva in the oral cavity is sucked and collected by the pressure difference by the vacuum pump 310 . At the end of the tube in contact with the oral cavity of the pig, a number of micro-holes 371 with a diameter of several mm are formed in an area of several tens to several hundred mm in the longitudinal direction, so that several pigs can be used at the same time (it can be bitten).

2 is a flowchart of a method for collecting saliva according to the present invention. For the description of FIG. 2 , the configuration of FIG. 1 will be referred to as an example. However, the saliva collection method of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 may be performed regardless of the embodiment of FIG. 1 .

First, the pig approach detection unit is always driven (12). When it is detected that the pig approaches and bites or touches the salivation tube 370 (14), the vacuum pump operates (16), and the saliva transfer valve 340 is turned on among a plurality of valves present in the salivation device. (18) (At this time, the water supply valve 341 and the air supply valve 342 are off) and saliva collection is started (20).

Saliva collection by suction of the vacuum pump 310 is reached when the set time for salivation is reached (22), or when the pig does not use the collection device (when the use of the salivation device is finished) (24), or when the set amount of saliva collection is reached (26) until one of the conditions is met.

When the saliva collection is completed under these conditions, the saliva transfer valve is turned off (28) (at this time, the water/air supply valve is also off). The collected saliva is collected in a collection container 350 existing at an intermediate position between the vacuum pump and the saliva collection tube (30) (for this purpose, a collection container valve (not shown) may be turned on). The saliva collection container 350 can be easily separated and replaced, and there is a flow rate or water level sensor inside or outside the container, so that it is possible to confirm reaching the set amount. A tube and a valve 343 for transferring saliva to the test device 395 are installed in the lower portion of the collection container 350, and are transferred to the saliva test device (32) to measure the biomarker (34). The saliva that has been tested is discharged (36).

On the other hand, as a washing/drying process, when the saliva transfer valve is previously turned off (28), the saliva transfer is blocked, and then or at the same time, the vacuum pump is turned off (29). Accordingly, the tube (the water supply valve 341 of the water supply pipe 321 in FIG. 1) connected to the negative water supply pipe (water line) attached to the livestock is turned on 31 (at this time the saliva transfer valve 340 and the air supply valve ( 342) are all turned off), water is supplied to the salivation tube to wash the inside/outside of the tube (33). During washing, the washing water (water) of the salivation tube flows to the bottom, so pig urine and feces Manure is discharged into the sewer along with water.

When washing is complete, the water supply valve 341 is turned off and the air supply valve 342 is turned on (35) (at this time, the saliva transfer valve is still off) and the tube is dried by compressed air (37). When the drying process is completed, all valves are turned off and all processes are terminated (39). The entire process described above is automatically and repeatedly operated according to the use of the pig saliva extraction device.

Figure 3 schematically shows the structure of a salivation device having a salivation tube of a milliball-filled structure in accordance with another embodiment from Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 3, as a system similar to Figure 1 has a structural difference of the salivary tube. The difference is that the salivation tube 470 contains a porous sponge or a milliball-shaped filler 472 with a diameter of several mm contained therein with a diameter of several to tens of mm, so that the pig's oral feed residues or impurities are contained. easier to filter and clean. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the embodiment of FIG. 1 .

Figure 4 schematically shows the structure of a salivation device having a coaxial structure-type salivation tube of a circular type according to another embodiment.

The embodiment of Figure 4 has a structural difference of the salivation tube differently from the previous embodiment. The salivation tube 570 is implemented in a circular shape, and a plurality of small diameter circular tubes are coaxially inserted (same circumferential axis) similarly to FIG. 1 inside this circular tube. As in the previous embodiment, a micro-hole 571 is formed in a part of the salivation tube 570 of a circular structure, so that when the pig bites this part, the pig's mouth contacts and saliva is sucked. Other configurations and operations are the same as in the previous embodiment.

5 is an embodiment of a salivation device having a salivation tube of a structure in which milliballs are filled in a circular tube structure similar to the embodiment of FIG. 4 .

5, the salivation tube 670 is implemented in a circular type, a porous sponge or milliball filler 672 of several mm diameter is filled inside the salivation tube of a circular structure. A micro-hole 671 is formed in the outer circular tube to come into contact with the oral cavity of the pig. Other configurations and operations are the same as in the previous embodiment.

6 is a photograph taken of the implementation of the salivation apparatus according to the present invention in an actual pig barn, A is a coaxial structure type salivation tube 710 corresponding to the embodiment of FIG. 1 from pigs 720 It shows the state of collecting saliva. B shows the inner tube 730 and the micro-hole 731 of the coaxial structure type tube used at this time. C shows the appearance of filtering the residue 742 of the external tube 740 and micro-holes 741 of the used coaxial tube, and feed remaining in the oral cavity of the pig. On the other hand, D shows the appearance of collecting saliva from pigs 752 using a circular type of saliva collection tube 751 and a saliva transfer tube 750, and E is a circular type of saliva collection tube 751 used. ) and micro-holes 753 are shown. Finally, F represents the saliva 765 collected in the saliva collection container 760 collected by the apparatus and method of the present invention.

Figure 7 shows a saliva collection device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 7 shows a portable saliva harvester configured by minimizing the components of the present invention. A portable salivator may be used for the purpose of intermittently collecting saliva if necessary. The configuration is largely, the saliva collection head 810 and the saliva collection container 836 with elastic characteristics, the saliva collection unit 838, and the vacuum pump 833 and the main body 830 including the battery 834. is composed of

The salivation head 810 may be implemented in a coaxial structure type, a milliball-filled structure, a single tube structure, a geometric structure, and the like. In order to arouse curiosity of the pig while collecting saliva, when the shape of the head 810 is changed by the bite of the pig, a stimulus such as a 'beep' sound may be generated. There are micro-holes 815 for collecting saliva on the surface of the head 810 . The saliva collected from the saliva collection head 810 is transferred to the saliva collection container 836 through the transfer tube 817 . The head 810 and the main body 830 may be connected through a replacement connector 820 for replacing consumables.

Saliva is collected by the vacuum pump 833, and the saliva sucked from the saliva collection head 810 is transferred to the saliva collection unit 838 through the transfer pipe 817 due to the pressure difference. By the main body (830) side can not be passed into the saliva collection container (836) is made. The operation of the vacuum pump 833 for collecting saliva may be controlled by switching on/off of a battery 834 built in the body 830 and a control panel 837 located outside.

And after the saliva collection is completed, the saliva collection container 836 may be separated, and washing may proceed after the saliva collection container 836 is replaced. Discharge of the washing water used for washing may be collected and discharged in another replaced saliva collection container (836). In addition, it is possible to dry the salivation head 810, the transfer pipe 817, and the salivation unit 838 by the air flow by the vacuum pump 833. Element 835 shown in FIG. 7 represents an exhaust port in this drying process.

Each component of the present invention described above, in particular, the function of the control unit is at least one of a digital signal processor (DSP), a processor, a controller, an application-specific IC (ASIC), a programmable logic device (FPGA, etc.), and other electronic devices, and A combination of these can be implemented as a hardware element included. In addition, it can be implemented as software in combination with a hardware element or independently, and the software can be stored in a recording medium.

Up to now, the configuration of the present invention has been described in detail through preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the present invention may be embodied in specific forms other than those disclosed in the present specification without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. It should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the following claims rather than the above detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the claims and their equivalent concepts should be construed as being included in the technical scope of the present invention. .

Claims (20)

A saliva collection tube having a plurality of micro-holes formed at one end; a vacuum pump connected to the other end of the salivation tube and sucking saliva in contact with the micro-holes at one end of the salivation tube from the other end of the tube; and a collection/inspection unit including a test device for measuring biomarkers of the collected saliva components, and
an approach sensor for detecting that a person to be collected saliva approaches the saliva collection tube and touches the micro-hole formed at one end; and a control unit for operating the vacuum pump to collect saliva from the salivation tube when it is sensed that a person to be collected comes into contact with the microhole of the salivation tube. According to claim 1, wherein the collection / inspection unit
Salivation apparatus further comprising a collector for collecting and collecting saliva sucked from the salivation tube. According to claim 1, wherein the collection / inspection unit
Saliva collection device further comprising a saliva collection container in which the saliva sucked from the saliva collection tube is collected. According to claim 1, Salivation device further comprising a saliva transfer valve for controlling the flow of saliva sucked from the salivation tube. According to claim 1, wherein the approach sensor of the control unit is
Salivation device comprising at least one of a motion sensor for detecting a movement of the salivation device and a position sensor for detecting a change in the position of the salivation device. According to claim 1, wherein the approach sensor of the control unit saliva collection device, characterized in that configured to communicate with the control unit wirelessly. According to claim 1,
a washing water supply pipe for injecting washing water (hereinafter, washing water) into the salivation tube and a water supply valve for controlling the supply of washing water; and
Salivation apparatus further comprising a washing/drying unit including an air supply pipe for supplying air for drying of the salivation tube and an air supply valve for controlling the air supply. According to claim 1, wherein the salivation tube is
A salivation device, characterized in that linear subtubes of different diameters are coupled in a coaxial structure. According to claim 1, wherein the salivation tube is
A salivation device comprising a porous sponge contained in a linear tube. According to claim 1, wherein the salivation tube is
A salivation device comprising a plurality of milliball-shaped fillers contained in a linear tube. According to claim 1, wherein the salivation tube is
Saliva collection device, characterized in that the circular sub-tubes of different diameters are combined in a coaxial structure. According to claim 1, wherein the salivation tube is
Saliva collection device comprising a porous sponge contained in a circular tube. According to claim 1, wherein the salivation tube is
A salivation device comprising a plurality of milliball-shaped fillers contained in a circular tube. Saliva collection head having a plurality of micro-holes formed at one end;
a vacuum pump connected to the other end of the salivation head and sucking the saliva in contact with the micro-holes at one end of the salivation head from the other end of the salivation head; and
Saliva collection device comprising a saliva collection container in which the saliva sucked from the saliva collection head by the vacuum pump is collected and collected. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the salivation head
Saliva collection device, characterized in that at least one of a coaxial structure-type tube structure, a milliball-filled tube structure, a single tube structure, and a geometric structure. [Claim 15] The salivation apparatus according to claim 14, wherein a sound is generated when the shape of the salivation head is deformed. The salivation apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a connector connected to at least one of between the salivation head and the collection container and between the collection container and the vacuum pump. A method of collecting saliva using a salivation tube with a number of micro-holes formed at one end,
Sensing that the saliva collection person approaches and touches the saliva collection tube;
When the contact is sensed, collecting saliva by starting to suck saliva from the salivation tube;
terminating the collection of saliva when a predetermined condition is reached; and
Salivation method comprising the step of transferring the collected saliva to the test device. The method of claim 18, wherein the predetermined condition for the termination of the saliva collection,
Salivation method, characterized in that one of when the set time for salivation is reached, when the contact of the salivator with the salivation tube is finished, and when the set amount of salivation is reached. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein after terminating the saliva collection
supplying water to the salivation tube to wash the tube; and
Salivation method further comprising the step of drying the tube by supplying air to the salivation tube.

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