WO2013042536A1

WO2013042536A1 - Component measuring device

Info

Publication number: WO2013042536A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/072542
Authority: WO
Inventors: 杉山隆行
Original assignee: テルモ株式会社
Priority date: 2011-09-20
Filing date: 2012-09-05
Publication date: 2013-03-28

Abstract

A component measuring device (10A) is provided with an ejection member (34) and a locking member (46). The locking member (46) is configured such that when a waste box (54) or a case (14) for a test implement (12) is connected to a measuring head (18) equipped with the test implement (12), the locking member (46) moves into a lock release position, and when the locking member (46) is in a locked position, movement of the ejection member (34) to an attachment part (28) side is prevented by the locking member (46), and when the locking member (46) is in the lock release position, movement of the ejection member (34) to the attachment part (28) side is permitted.

Description

Component measuring device

The present invention relates to a component measuring apparatus for measuring a predetermined component in a body fluid using a measuring chip.

Various component measuring devices are used to detect a predetermined component in body fluid and measure the amount and property of the predetermined component. Examples of the component measuring device include a blood glucose meter that measures glucose concentration in blood. As a conventional component measuring device, a test device (measuring chip) capable of holding bodily fluids is attached to the component measuring device, body fluid such as blood is collected in the test device, and the collected body fluid is analyzed and measured There is a configuration (for example, see JP 2010-233845 A). Moreover, the conventional component measuring apparatus is provided with an ejector for discharging the used test device after measuring the body fluid.

In recent years, with an increase in safety awareness, there is an increasing demand for a component measuring apparatus that can safely dispose of a test device without contacting body fluid. On the other hand, in the conventional component measuring apparatus, the used test device can be discharged by the ejector. However, the ejector is configured to be always operable. There was a problem that it was discarded in a place other than the disposal place.

The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a component measuring apparatus capable of discarding a test device without contacting body fluid and limiting the discharge location of the test device. And

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a component measuring device for measuring a component in a body fluid, and is provided at a body portion that can be gripped by a user and one end of the body portion, and collects the body fluid. A measuring head having a mounting portion on which a test tool is detachably mounted; and an ejecting member which is slidably provided on the body portion and which pushes the test tool mounted on the mounting portion by sliding so as to be detached from the mounting portion. A lock member that can move between a lock position and an unlock position, and a lock mechanism that regulates the operation of the eject member, the lock member being a test tool storage container for storing the test tool When the measuring head is connected, it is configured to move to the unlocking position. When the locking member is in the locking position, the locking member Moving to the mounting portion of the transfected member is prevented, when the locking member is in the unlocked position, wherein the movement to the mounting portion of the eject member is allowed.

According to the above-described configuration of the present invention, the lock mechanism that restricts the discharge function of the test tool by the eject member is provided, and this lock mechanism has the test head storage container (the test tool case and the disposal box) as the measurement head of the component measuring device. It is configured to be unlocked when connected to. Therefore, in a state where the component measuring device is not connected to the test tool storage container, the operation of the eject member is restricted, and the test tool cannot be discharged from the component measuring device. Only when the component measuring apparatus is connected to the test instrument storage container, the ejection function by the eject member is exhibited, and the test instrument can be ejected from the component measurement apparatus and directly stored in the test instrument storage container. Therefore, it becomes possible to limit the discharge | emission place of a test device, the opportunity for a user to contact the bodily fluid adhering to a used test device can be reduced, and safety can be improved.

In the component measuring apparatus, the lock mechanism includes an elastic member that elastically biases the lock member toward the unlocking position, and when the measurement head is connected to the test tool storage container. The lock member may move to the unlock position against the biasing force of the elastic member.

According to the above configuration, since the lock member is held in the locked position by the elastic force of the elastic member when the measuring head is not connected to the test instrument storage container, the discharge function by the eject member is surely limited. Can do.

In the component measuring apparatus, the lock member is disposed so as to protrude from an outer peripheral surface of the measurement head, and when the measurement head is connected to the test tool storage container, the lock member is locked by the test tool storage container. The member may be configured to move to the unlocking position when pressed.

According to the above configuration, when the measuring head is connected to the test tool storage container, the test tool storage container directly contacts the lock member and presses the lock member, so that the lock mechanism can be easily configured. Further, the lock by the lock mechanism can be reliably released, and the discharge function by the eject member can be surely exhibited.

In the above component measuring apparatus, the lock member is formed with a through-hole through which the tip of the eject member can be inserted, and when the lock member is in the lock position, the through-hole is formed on the eject member. The through hole may be positioned on the operation path when the tip is located at a position deviated from the operation path and the lock member is at the unlock position.

According to the above configuration, when the lock member is in the lock position, the eject function by the eject member can be reliably restricted, and when the lock member is in the lock release position, the eject function by the eject member can be surely exhibited. .

In the component measuring apparatus, the lock mechanism has an operating body movable in the axial direction of the measurement head, and when the measurement head is connected to the test tool storage container, The actuating body may be pressed and moved backward, and the lock member may be moved to the unlocking position in conjunction with the actuating body.

According to the above configuration, since the operating body detects that the measuring head is connected to the test tool storage container, and the operating body moves the lock member to the unlocking position, the lock mechanism is reliably unlocked and ejected. The discharge function by a member can be exhibited reliably.

According to the component measuring apparatus of the present invention, the test tool can be discarded without contacting the body fluid, and the discharge location of the test tool can be limited.

1 is a perspective view of a component measuring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the eject mechanism of the component measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 1, a lock mechanism, and those peripheral parts. FIG. 3A is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a test tool is mounted on the mounting portion, and FIG. 3B is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a case is connected to the measurement head. FIG. 4A is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the eject member is advanced and the test tool is pushed forward, and FIG. 4B is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the test tool is detached from the component measuring apparatus together with the case. It is a figure which shows the state which connected the measuring head of the component measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 1 to the disposal box. It is a perspective view of the component measuring apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the eject mechanism of the component measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 6, a lock mechanism, and those peripheral parts. FIG. 8A is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a case is connected to the measurement head, and FIG. 8B is an operation explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the ejection member is advanced to push the test tool forward. It is a figure which shows the state which connected the measuring head of the component measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 6 to the disposal box.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the component measuring apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a component measuring apparatus 10A according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The component measuring device 10A is a medical device for measuring components in body fluids. In this embodiment, the component measuring device 10A is configured as a blood glucose meter (blood glucose level measuring device) for measuring the glucose concentration in blood collected from a human body. ing. The blood glucose meter 10A can be used by doctors, nurses, diabetics, and the like to collect blood, measure blood sugar levels, and manage measurement data of the blood sugar levels. Of course, the present invention is not limited to a blood glucose meter, and may be configured as a device for measuring other components in blood or other components in body fluids.

The blood glucose meter 10A attaches (inserts) a measurement chip 12 (test device) configured to hold (collects) body fluid (blood) to the blood glucose meter 10A, analyzes the properties of the collected blood, The glucose concentration in the medium is measured. Methods used for such measurement include electrochemical measurement of the reaction between glucose and oxidase in the blood, and comparison of the reaction between a coloring reagent containing an oxidase impregnated in test paper and glucose. Some measure color.

The measurement chip 12 shown in FIG. 1 uses a method of electrochemically measuring blood glucose level using an oxidase, and is configured in a plate shape (strip shape) as a whole, and includes a measurement electrode and a measurement electrode. A counter electrode, a reagent layer, and a small chamber (reaction layer) for storing blood are disposed. This reagent layer contains an enzyme and a mediator (electron acceptor) and is disposed so as to cover the measurement electrode and the counter electrode. A sample supply hole 12a is provided on the upper surface of the measurement chip 12. When blood is dropped into the sample supply hole 12a, the blood is guided to the small chamber, and the reaction between glucose in the blood and the reagent starts.

Such a measuring chip 12 is stored in a package 13 before use. The package 13 includes a bottomed cylindrical case (test device storage container) 14 having an opening and a film seal (not shown) that seals the opening of the case 14. When measuring the blood glucose level, the film seal is peeled off from the case 14, the case 14 is attached to the tip of the blood glucose meter 10 A (measurement head 18 described later), and then the case 14 is removed from the measurement head 18. Only the measurement chip 12 is attached to the measurement head 18.

As shown in FIG. 1, a blood glucose meter 10A includes, as basic components, a body part 16 that can be gripped by a user, a measurement head 18 provided at one end (tip part) of the body part 16, and a measurement chip. 12 is provided with an ejection mechanism 20 for ejecting 12, a display unit 22 for displaying various information, and an operation unit 24 for performing various operations.

The trunk portion 16 has a casing 26 that forms an outer shell. The housing 26 is formed in a three-dimensional shape that is a little slender and fits the hand so that the user can easily hold and operate the operation unit 24 with one hand. The housing 26 includes an upper case 26a, a lower case 26b, and a front end case 26c. The upper case 26a and the lower case 26b are stacked one above the other, and the front end portions of the upper case 26a and the lower case 26b. It is assembled by attaching the tip case 26c.

The casing 26 in which the upper case 26a and the lower case 26b are overlapped is formed so as to taper from the intermediate portion to the tip portion and bend toward the lower case 26b as a whole. The tip case 26c is attached to the tip portions of the upper case 26a and the lower case 26b that are overlaid.

On the back side of the upper case 26a (inside the housing 26), a liquid crystal panel of the display unit 22 and a main wiring board that functions as an arithmetic control unit for controlling the blood glucose meter 10A are arranged. A microcomputer for executing a predetermined process, a storage device such as a ROM and a RAM storing a predetermined program, and other electronic components (active elements, passive elements, etc.) are mounted on the main wiring board. The display unit 22 displays information input items, confirmation items, measurement results, and the like necessary for blood glucose level measurement under the control action of the arithmetic control unit.

An operation unit 24 is provided behind the display unit 22 of the upper case 26a. The operation unit 24 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a power switch (operation switch) 24a and a memory switch (operation switch) 24b. The power switch 24a is a switch for performing an on / off operation. The blood glucose meter 10A is turned on when the power switch 24a is pressed, and ready for measurement when the measurement chip 12 is attached. The blood glucose meter 10A detects the current generated by the reaction between the blood absorbed by the measurement chip 12 and the reagent, and performs a predetermined calculation. The blood glucose level obtained by the operation is displayed on the monitor. When the memory switch 24b is pressed, the blood glucose level measured in the past is displayed on the display unit 22.

A battery storage unit (not shown) is provided on the lower side of the housing 26, and the battery is stored in the battery storage unit. This battery supplies power necessary for the operation of the blood glucose meter 10A.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the eject mechanism 20 and the lock mechanism 30 of the blood glucose meter 10A and their peripheral parts. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the measurement head 18 is provided so as to protrude from the distal end portion of the body portion 16 in the distal end direction, and is configured in a columnar shape. The measuring head 18 is provided with a mounting portion 28 to which the measuring chip 12 is detachably mounted. The mounting portion 28 is configured as an opening into which the measurement chip 12 can be inserted. When the measurement chip 12 is attached to the attachment portion 28, an electrode terminal (not shown) provided on the measurement chip 12 and a connection terminal (not shown) provided on the measurement head 18 come into contact with each other.

The blood glucose meter 10A is provided with an ejection mechanism 20 in order to easily discharge the used measurement chip 12 from the mounting portion 28 after the blood glucose level 10A has been measured. Further, in order to limit the disposal location of the used measurement chip 12, the blood glucose meter 10A is provided with a lock mechanism 30 that locks the ejection function of the eject mechanism 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the eject mechanism 20 is movable between an initial position and a discharge position, and pushes the measuring chip 12 (see FIG. 1) when moving toward the discharge position. It has an eject operator 36 connected and fixed to the member 34, and a return spring 38 that elastically biases the eject member 34 toward the initial position. In FIG. 2, the eject member 34 is in the initial position.

As shown in FIG. 2, the eject member 34 includes a sliding plate 40 that can slide in the axial direction (front-rear direction) with respect to the housing 26, and a pusher piece 42 that extends from the sliding plate 40. In the illustrated configuration example, the pusher piece 42 is formed in an elongated pin shape (rod shape), extends from the sliding plate 40 to the inside of the housing 26, then bends and extends forward, and extends to the tip case 26c. It is inserted through the provided insertion hole 25 (movement path). The insertion hole 25 is provided on an extension line of the mounting portion 28.

The return spring 38 is disposed between the sliding plate 40 and the tip case 26c, and the sliding spring 40 is always elastically biased backward by the return spring 38. The eject operator 36 is a portion that is pressed by placing a finger of the user and is provided outside the housing 26.

The lock mechanism 30 includes a lock member 46 that can move between a lock position and an unlock position, and an elastic member 48 (in the illustrated example, a coil spring) that elastically biases the lock member 46 toward the lock position. Have The lock member 46 is slidably inserted into a guide hole 50 formed in the measurement head 18, and is configured to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the measurement head 18. In addition, a tapered portion 46a is formed at an outer end portion of the lock member 46 so as to incline radially outward toward the rear. The lock member 46 having the illustrated configuration is formed with a through hole 46b through which the pusher piece 42 can be inserted, along the movement direction of the eject member 34.

In FIG. 2, the lock member 46 is pressed in the radial direction (upward in FIG. 2) within the measuring head 18 by the elastic force of the elastic member 48 and is in the locked position. When the lock member 46 is in the lock position, the lock member 46 prevents the eject member 34 from moving to a position where the measurement chip 12 is pushed out. On the other hand, when the lock member 46 is in the unlock position, the lock member 46 allows the eject member 34 to move to a position where the measurement chip 12 is pushed out by passing through the through hole 46b.
The blood glucose meter 10A according to the present embodiment is basically configured as described above, and the operation and effect thereof will be described below.

To measure the blood glucose level using the blood glucose meter 10A, first, the power switch 24a (see FIG. 1) of the blood glucose meter 10A is pressed. The film seal (not shown) is peeled off from the package 13, the package 13 is attached to the measurement head 18 of the blood glucose meter 10 A together with the case 14 (see FIG. 1), and then the case 14 is removed from the measurement head 18. Since the fitting force between the measurement chip 12 and the mounting portion 28 is set larger than the fitting force between the measurement chip 12 and the case 14, only the case 14 is detached. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3A, the measurement chip 12 is attached to the attachment portion 28 of the measurement head 18. Next, blood is dropped into the sample supply hole 12a (see FIG. 1) of the measurement chip 12 mounted on the mounting unit 28. Then, the glucose in the blood absorbed by the measuring chip 12 reacts with the reagent to generate a current, and the blood glucose level is calculated and measured based on the detected current value. The measured blood glucose level is displayed on the display unit 22.

Next, an operation for discharging the used measurement chip 12 from the mounting portion 28 will be described. In FIG. 3A, the lock member 46 is pressed in the radial direction by the elastic member 48, the outer end of the lock member 46 protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the measurement head 18, and the through hole 46 b of the lock member 46 is displaced from the insertion hole 25. is there. For this reason, even if it is attempted to push the eject operation element 36 forward and eject the measurement chip 12 in this state, the ejection member 34 pushes out the measurement chip 12 because its tip end abuts against the side surface of the lock member 46. Moving to a position is prevented. That is, the movement of the eject member 34 is locked by the lock member 46, and as a result, the discharge from the mounting portion 28 of the measurement chip 12 is restricted.

To release the lock mechanism 30, for example, the case 14 of the package 13 can be used. That is, as shown in FIG. 3B, the case 14 in which the measurement chip 12 is stored is put on the measurement head 18 to which the measurement chip 12 is attached. Then, the end portion of the case 14 comes into contact with the tapered portion 46a and pushes down the tapered portion 46a, and the lock member 46 is pressed in the radial direction (downward in FIG. 3B) against the elastic force of the elastic member 48. As a result, the through hole 46b of the lock member 46 comes to a position facing the insertion hole 25 (position between the insertion hole 25 and the mounting portion 28). The position of the lock member 46 at this time is a “lock release position”. When the lock operating mechanism 36 is in the unlocked position, when the eject operator 36 is pressed forward by hand, the eject member 34 connected to the eject operator 36 is caused by the elastic force of the return spring 38. Move forward against.

As shown in FIG. 4A, in the process in which the eject member 34 moves forward, the distal end portion of the eject member 34 is inserted into the through hole 46b of the lock member 46 and abuts on the measurement chip 12 attached to the attachment portion 28 to perform measurement. The tip 12 is moved forward. Thereby, the fitting between the measurement chip 12 and the mounting portion 28 is released. 4B, when the case 14 is detached from the measurement head 18, the measurement chip 12 fitted to the case 14 is pulled out together with the case 14 from the mounting portion 28, whereby the measurement chip 12 is removed from the mounting portion 28. To be discharged.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an operation of releasing the lock by the lock mechanism 30 and discharging the measuring chip 12 from the mounting portion 28 using the disposal box (test tool storage container) 54. In FIG. 5, the disposal box 54 includes a box-shaped storage unit 56 configured to store at least a plurality of measurement chips 12, and a connection unit 58 provided on the storage unit 56. The accommodating portion 56 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin or metal having an appropriate rigidity, and is configured so that body fluid (blood) attached to the used measurement chip 12 does not leak out of the disposal box 54. .

The connecting portion 58 is connected to the measuring head 18 of the blood glucose meter 10A and functions as an inlet for the used measuring chip 12, and is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the measuring head 18 so that the measuring head 18 can be inserted. It has a cylindrical shape with a slightly larger inner diameter. When the measuring head 18 to which the measuring chip 12 is mounted is inserted (connected) into the connecting portion 58 of the disposal box 54, the locking member 46 is resisted by the elastic force of the elastic member 48 by the connecting portion 58 (see FIG. 5). To the right) and move.

As a result, similarly to the case shown in FIG. 3B, the lock member 46 comes to the unlock position. Therefore, by pressing the eject manipulator 36 in this state, the eject member 34 can push the measurement chip 12 and the measurement chip 12 can be detached from the mounting portion 28. As a result, the measuring chip 12 falls due to its own weight and is accommodated in the accommodating portion 56.

As described above, the blood glucose meter 10A according to the present embodiment includes the lock mechanism 30 that restricts the discharge function of the measurement chip 12 by the eject member 34, and the lock mechanism 30 tests the measurement head 18 of the blood glucose meter 10A. The lock is released when the container is connected to the container (case 14 or disposal box 54). Therefore, in a state where the blood glucose meter 10A is not connected to the test tool storage container, the operation of the eject member 34 is limited, and the discharge function by the eject member 34 is exhibited only when the blood glucose meter 10A is connected to the test tool storage container. 12 can be discharged from the blood glucose meter 10A. Therefore, the discharge location of the measurement chip 12 can be limited, the measurement chip 12 can be discarded without contacting the body fluid, and safety can be improved.

In the case of the blood glucose meter 10A according to the present embodiment, the lock member 46 moves to the unlock position against the biasing force of the elastic member 48 when the measurement head 18 is connected to the case 14 or the disposal box 54. When the measuring head 18 is not connected to the case 14 or the disposal box 54, the lock member 46 is held in the locked position by the elastic force of the elastic member 48. Therefore, the discharge function by the eject member 34 can be reliably restricted.

Further, in the case of the blood glucose meter 10A according to the present embodiment, the lock member 46 is arranged so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the measurement head 18, and when the measurement head 18 is connected to the case 14 or the disposal box 54, The lock member 46 is pressed by the case 14 or the disposal box 54 and moved to the unlock position. For this reason, when the measuring head 18 is connected to the case 14 or the disposal box 54, the case 14 or the disposal box 54 directly contacts the locking member 46 and presses the locking member 46, so that the locking mechanism 30 can be simply configured. At the same time, the lock by the lock mechanism 30 can be reliably released, and the ejection function by the eject member 34 can be reliably exhibited.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a blood glucose meter 10B according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the component measuring apparatus 10B according to the second embodiment, elements having the same or similar functions and effects as those of the component measuring apparatus 10A according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. To do.

The component measuring device 10B is configured as a blood glucose meter (blood glucose level measuring device) for measuring the glucose concentration in the blood collected from the human body, like the component measuring device 10A.

In the blood glucose meter 10B according to the present embodiment, a measurement chip 60 (test tool) configured to hold (collect) body fluid (blood) is mounted on the mounting portion 64 of the measurement head 62 and is collected on the measurement chip 60. A blood glucose level is measured by irradiating a test paper 74 infiltrated with blood (described later) with light of a predetermined wavelength and detecting the reflected light. The measuring head 62 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape, and its opening is configured as a mounting portion 64 to which the measuring chip 60 can be attached and detached.

A measuring chip 60 attached to such a blood glucose meter 10B has a base portion 66 formed in a disk shape, a nozzle 68 formed to project from the center of the tip surface side of the base portion 66, and the opposite of the nozzle 68. And a cylindrical portion 70 projecting from the surface side. On the central axis of the nozzle 68, a sampling hole 68a penetrating from the tip surface to the back surface is formed (see FIG. 7).

The cylindrical portion 70 is formed with a plurality of (four in the illustrated example) locking claws 71 (locking portions) elastically deformable in the radial direction so as to protrude rearward. An inner peripheral ridge 64 a (see FIG. 7) extending in the circumferential direction is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the mounting portion 64, and when each locking claw 71 is inserted into the mounting portion 64, An outer peripheral protrusion 71a that engages with the inner peripheral protrusion 64a is formed. The measuring chip 60 is attached to the mounting portion 64 by the outer peripheral protrusion 71a getting over the inner peripheral protrusion 64a and being locked to the inner peripheral protrusion 64a (see FIG. 7).

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a test paper container 72 that communicates with the sampling hole 68a is provided inside the cylindrical portion 70. The test paper container 72 stores a test paper 74 into which the blood permeates when blood is collected. The test paper 74 is preliminarily impregnated with a coloring reagent that reacts with glucose in blood and develops color when blood infiltrates. The blood glucose meter 10 B measures the blood glucose level by irradiating the test paper 74 with irradiation light and receiving reflected light from the test paper 74.

Such a measuring chip 60 is stored in a package 61 shown in FIG. 6 before use. The package 61 includes a bottomed cylindrical case (test device storage container) 63 having an opening, and a film seal (not shown) that seals the opening of the case 63. When measuring the blood glucose level, the film seal is peeled off from the case 63, the case 63 is attached to the measuring head 62 of the blood glucose meter 10B, and then the case 63 is removed from the measuring head 62, whereby only the measuring chip 60 is measured. The head 62 is attached. The fitting force between the measuring chip 60 and the mounting portion 64 of the measuring head 62 is set larger than the fitting force between the measuring chip 60 and the case 63.

As shown in FIG. 6, the blood glucose meter 10 B includes, as basic components, a body portion 76 that can be gripped by a hand, a measurement head 62 provided at one end (tip portion) of the body portion 76, and a measurement chip 60. Are provided with an eject mechanism 78, a display unit 22 for displaying various information, and an operation unit 24 for various operations.

The trunk portion 76 has a casing 80 that forms an outer shell. The housing 80 includes an upper case 26a, a lower case 26b, and a tip case 82. The upper case 26a and the lower case 26b are configured similarly to the upper case 26a and the lower case 26b of the housing 26 shown in FIG. Inside the housing 80, a liquid crystal panel of the display unit 22 and a main wiring board that functions as an arithmetic control unit for controlling the blood glucose meter 10B are arranged. A microcomputer for executing a predetermined process, a storage device such as a ROM and a RAM storing a predetermined program, and other electronic components (active elements, passive elements, etc.) are mounted on the main wiring board. The display unit 22 displays information input items, confirmation items, measurement results, and the like necessary for blood glucose level measurement under the control action of the arithmetic control unit.

An operation unit 24 is provided behind the display unit 22 of the upper case 26a. The operation unit 24 is configured similarly to the operation unit 24 shown in FIG. A battery storage unit (not shown) is provided on the lower side of the housing 80, and the battery is stored in the battery storage unit. The battery supplies power necessary for the operation of the blood glucose meter 10B.

The measuring head 62 is provided so as to protrude in the distal direction from the distal end surface 76a of the body portion 76, and is configured in a hollow cylindrical shape. The measuring head 62 is provided with a mounting portion 64 to which the measuring chip 60 is detachably mounted. Such a measuring head 62 is configured as a tip side portion of the tip case 82. Although not shown in FIG. 7 for the sake of simplification, a test is provided at a position facing the mounting portion 64 in the tip case 82 (a position facing the test paper 74 of the measurement chip 60 when the measurement chip 60 is mounted). A measuring unit is provided for irradiating the paper 74 with light of a predetermined wavelength, receiving reflected light from the test paper 74, and outputting the received light signal. The measurement unit includes a light emitting element, a light receiving element, a condenser lens, and the like.

The blood glucose meter 10B is provided with an eject mechanism 78 in order to easily discharge the used measurement chip 60 from the mounting portion 64 after the blood glucose level 10B has been measured. Further, in order to limit the disposal location of the used measurement chip 60, the blood glucose meter 10B is provided with a lock mechanism 86 that locks the discharge function of the eject mechanism 78.

As shown in FIG. 7, the eject mechanism 78 is movable between an initial position and a discharge position, and is connected to the eject member 88 to push the measuring chip 60 when moving toward the discharge position. It has a fixed eject operator 36 and a return spring 38 that elastically biases the eject member 88 toward the initial position. In FIG. 7, the eject member 88 is in the initial position. The eject operator 36 and the return spring 38 are configured in the same manner as the eject operator 36 and the return spring 38 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the eject member 88 includes a sliding plate 90 that can slide in the axial direction (front-rear direction) with respect to the housing 80, a support plate 92 that protrudes perpendicularly from the sliding plate 90, and a support A plurality of (two in the illustrated example) pusher pieces 94 extending from the plate 92 in the distal direction. Each pusher piece 94 is formed in an elongated pin shape (rod shape) in the illustrated configuration example. One of the pusher pieces 94 (hereinafter referred to as “pusher piece 94 a”) has a distal end portion inserted through an insertion hole 82 a (movement path) provided in the distal end case 82. Note that only one pusher piece 94 (only the pusher piece 94a) may be provided, or three or more pusher pieces 94 may be provided.

The lock mechanism 86 includes a lock member 96 movable between a lock position and an unlock position, and an elastic member 98 (in the illustrated example, a coil spring) that elastically biases the lock member 96 toward the lock position. And an actuating body 104 that can be projected and retracted from the front end surface 76 a of the body portion 76. The lock member 96 is inserted into the first radial guide hole 100 formed in the tip case 82 so as to be slidable in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the measuring head 62. Further, a tapered portion 96a is formed at one end of the lock member 96 so as to incline outward in the radial direction toward the rear. The lock member 96 having the illustrated configuration is formed with a through hole 96b through which the pusher piece 94 can be inserted, along the direction in which the eject member 88 moves.

The tip case 82 is provided with a second guide hole 102 in the axial direction that opens at the tip portion 76a of the trunk portion 76, that is, the original portion of the trunk portion 76 from which the measurement head 62 extends. The second guide hole 102 is a hole that communicates with the first guide hole 100. The operating body 104 is held in the second guide hole 102 so as to be slidable along the axial direction of the measuring head 62. The rear end of the operating body 104 is in contact with the tapered portion 96 a of the lock member 96.

In FIG. 7, the operating body 104 is not receiving a pressing force from the front, the operating body 104 protrudes from the distal end portion of the body portion 76, and the lock member 96 is moved to the distal end case by the elastic force of the elastic member 98. It is pressed radially outward in 82 and is in the “lock position”. When the lock member 96 is in the lock position, the lock member 96 prevents the eject member 88 from moving to a position where the measurement chip 60 is pushed out.

On the other hand, when the operating body 104 receives a pressing force from the front, the operating body 104 moves backward in the second guide hole 102, and the lock member 96 moves in the radial direction as the operating body 104 moves. To move to the “unlock position”. When the lock member 96 is in the unlocked position, the lock member 96 allows the eject member 88 to move to a position where the measuring chip 60 is pushed out.

In order to measure the blood glucose level using the blood glucose meter 10B, first, the power switch 24a (see FIG. 6) is pressed. Then, the blood glucose meter 10B starts pulse irradiation of light having a predetermined wavelength. Next, the film seal (not shown) of the package 61 is peeled off, the case 63 is attached to the measurement head 62 of the blood glucose meter 10 B, and then the case 63 is removed from the measurement head 62. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7, the measurement chip 60 is attached to the attachment portion 64 of the measurement head 62. Next, blood is introduced into the test paper 74 through the nozzle 68 of the measurement chip 60, and the blood is infiltrated into the test paper 74. The blood glucose meter 10B receives the reflected light from the test paper 74, and calculates and measures the blood glucose level based on the received light signal. The measured blood glucose level is displayed on the display unit 22.

Next, an operation for discharging the used measurement chip 60 from the mounting portion 64 will be described. In FIG. 7, the lock member 96 is pressed radially outward by the elastic member 98, and the through hole 96b of the lock member 96 is at a position displaced from the insertion hole 82a. For this reason, even if it is attempted to push the eject operation element 36 forward and eject the measuring chip 60 in this state, the ejecting member 88 comes into contact with the side surface of the locking member 96 because the tip of the pusher piece 94a contacts the measuring chip. Moving to the position to push 60 is prevented. That is, the movement of the eject member 88 is locked by the lock member 96, and as a result, the discharge from the mounting portion 64 of the measuring chip 60 is restricted.

In order to discharge the measuring chip 60 from the mounting portion 64, for example, the case 63 of the package 61 can be used. That is, as shown in FIG. 8A, the case 63 is put on the measuring head 62 on which the measuring chip 60 is mounted. Then, the operating body 104 is pushed backward by the case 63 and retracts. At this time, since the lock member 96 and the operating body 104 are in contact with each other via the tapered portion 96 a, the lock member 96 resists the elastic force of the elastic member 98 in the radial direction as the operating body 104 moves backward. Move inward.

As a result, the through hole 96b of the lock member 96 comes to the “lock release position” that is the position facing the insertion hole 82a (the position between the insertion hole 82a and the mounting portion 64). Then, when the ejecting operation element 36 is pushed forward by hand while the lock mechanism 86 is in the unlocked position, the ejecting member 88 connected to the ejecting operation element 36 becomes the elastic force of the return spring 38. Move forward against.

As shown in FIG. 8B, in the process of the ejection member 88 moving forward, the distal end portion of the ejection member 88 is inserted into the through hole 96 b of the lock member 96 and the locking claw 71 of the measurement chip 60 attached to the attachment portion 64. The measurement tip 60 is pushed in the tip direction. Then, the engaging claw 71 is elastically deformed inward in the radial direction, so that the engagement between the inner peripheral protrusion 64a formed on the mounting portion 64 and the outer peripheral protrusion 71a formed on the engaging claw 71 is released. . As a result, the measuring chip 60 is moved together with the case 63 in the distal direction. When the case 63 is detached from the measurement head 62, the measurement chip 60 fitted to the case 63 is pulled out from the mounting portion 64 together with the case 63, whereby the measurement chip 60 is discharged from the mounting portion 64.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an operation of releasing the lock by the lock mechanism 86 and discharging the measurement chip 60 from the mounting portion 64 using the disposal box (test tool storage container) 110. In FIG. 9, the disposal box 110 includes a box-shaped storage unit 56 configured to store at least a plurality of measurement chips 60, and a connection unit 112 provided on the top of the storage unit 56. The accommodating portion 56 is configured in the same manner as the accommodating portion 56 shown in FIG.

The connection unit 112 is connected to the measurement head 62 of the blood glucose meter 10B and functions as an inlet for the used measurement chip 60. The connection unit 112 is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the measurement head 62 so that the measurement head 62 can be inserted. It has a cylindrical shape with the same or slightly larger inner diameter. Further, a flange 113 having an enlarged diameter is provided at the distal end portion (upper end portion) of the connection portion 112. When the measuring head 62 to which the measuring chip 60 is attached is inserted (connected) into the connecting portion 112 of the disposal box 110, the operating body 104 is pushed by the flange 113 of the connecting portion 112, and the lock member 96 is elasticized by the elastic member 98. It moves by being pushed inward in the radial direction against the force.

As a result, as in the case shown in FIG. 8A, the lock member 96 comes to the unlock position. Therefore, by pressing the eject operator 36 in this state, the measurement chip 60 can be pushed by the eject member 88 and the measurement chip 60 can be detached from the mounting portion 64. As a result, the measuring chip 60 falls due to its own weight and is accommodated (collected) in the accommodating portion 56.

As described above, the blood glucose meter 10B according to the present embodiment includes the lock mechanism 86 that restricts the discharge function of the measurement chip 60 by the eject member 88, and the lock mechanism 86 includes the measurement head 62 of the blood glucose meter 10B as a case. 63 or the disposal box 110 is connected to release the lock. Therefore, when the blood glucose meter 10B is not connected to the case 63 or the disposal box 110, the operation of the ejection member 88 is limited, and the ejection function by the ejection member 88 is activated only when the blood glucose meter 10B is connected to the case 63 or the disposal box 110. Then, the measurement chip 60 can be discharged from the blood glucose meter 10B. Therefore, the discharge location of the measurement chip 60 can be limited, the measurement chip 60 can be discarded without contacting the body fluid, and safety can be improved.

Further, in the case of the blood glucose meter 10B according to the present embodiment, when the measuring head 62 is connected to the case 63 or the disposal box 110, the lock member 96 moves to the unlock position against the urging force of the elastic member 98. When the measuring head 62 is not connected to the case 63 or the disposal box 110, the lock member 96 is held in the locked position by the elastic force of the elastic member 98. Therefore, the discharge function by the eject member 88 can be reliably restricted.

Furthermore, in the case of the blood glucose meter 10B according to the present embodiment, when the measuring head 62 is connected to the test instrument storage container, the lock member 96 is reliably moved to the unlock position in conjunction with the backward movement of the operating body 104. Therefore, the lock by the lock mechanism 86 can be reliably released. In other words, the discharge function by the eject member 88 can be reliably exhibited.

In the above description, the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Needless to say.

Claims

A component measuring device (10A, 10B) for measuring a component in a body fluid,
A torso (16, 76) that can be gripped by the user;
A measuring head (18, 62) having a mounting part (28, 64) provided at one end of the body part (16, 76) and detachably mounted with a test device (12, 60) for collecting the body fluid; ,
The body part (16, 76) is slidably provided, and the test tool (12, 60) mounted on the mounting part (28, 64) is pushed by sliding to be detached from the mounting part (28, 64). Eject members (34, 88);
A lock mechanism (30, 86) that has a lock member (46, 96) movable between a lock position and an unlock position, and regulates the operation of the eject member (34, 88);
When the measuring head (18, 62) is connected to the test tool storage container (14, 54, 63, 110) for storing the test tool (12, 60), the lock member (46, 96) is Configured to move to the unlocked position,
When the lock member (46, 96) is in the locked position, the lock member (46, 96) prevents the eject member (34, 88) from moving toward the mounting portion (28, 64). And
When the lock member (46, 96) is in the unlocked position, movement of the eject member (34, 88) toward the mounting portion (28, 64) is allowed.
Component measuring apparatus (10A, 10B) characterized by the above.
In the component measuring apparatus (10A, 10B) according to claim 1,
The lock mechanism (30, 86) includes an elastic member (48, 98) that elastically biases the lock member (46, 96) toward the lock position,
When the measuring head (18, 62) is connected to the test device storage container (14, 54, 63, 110), the lock member (46, 96) is biased by the elastic member (48, 98). Move to the unlocked position against
Component measuring apparatus (10A, 10B) characterized by the above.
In the component measuring device (10A) according to claim 1 or 2,
The lock member (46) is arranged so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the measurement head (18, 62), and the measurement head (18, 62) is connected to the test instrument storage container (14, 54). Sometimes, the locking member (46) is pressed by the test instrument storage container (14, 54) and moved to the unlocking position.
The component measuring apparatus (10A) characterized by the above-mentioned.
In the component measuring device (10A) according to claim 3,
The lock member (46) is formed with a through hole (46b) through which the tip of the eject member (34) can be inserted,
When the lock member (46) is in the locked position, the through hole (46b) is at a position shifted from the operation path of the tip of the eject member (34);
When the lock member (46) is in the unlock position, the through hole (46b) is located on the operation path.
The component measuring apparatus (10A) characterized by the above-mentioned.
In the component measuring device (10B) according to claim 1 or 2,
The locking mechanism (86) has an operating body (104) movable in the axial direction of the measuring head (62),
When the measuring head (62) is connected to the test tool storage container (63, 110), the operating body (104) is pushed back by the test tool storage container (63, 110) and moved back. The locking member (96) moves to the unlocking position in conjunction with the body (104).
A component measuring apparatus (10B).
In the component measuring device (10B) according to claim 5,
The lock member (96) is formed with a through hole (96b) through which the tip of the eject member (88) can be inserted.
When the lock member (96) is in the locked position, the through hole (96b) is at a position shifted from the operation path of the tip of the eject member (88);
When the lock member (96) is in the unlock position, the through hole (96b) is located on the operation path.
A component measuring apparatus (10B).