WO2021124642A1

WO2021124642A1 - Liquid collection instrument

Info

Publication number: WO2021124642A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/037320
Authority: WO
Inventors: 政希早川; 淳史土井
Original assignee: 伸晃化学株式会社
Priority date: 2019-12-19
Filing date: 2020-09-30
Publication date: 2021-06-24
Also published as: JP2021096211A; JP7417991B2

Abstract

A liquid collection instrument 100 comprises a body 10 having a front surface 11 and a rear surface 12 on the reverse side from the front surface 11, and a slit 20 that penetrates from the front surface 11 to the rear surface 12 of the body 10 and extends in a surface direction intersecting the penetration direction. The liquid collection instrument 100 stores liquid in the slit 20 through capillary action. The slit 20 comprises a bent part 23 that is bent so as to have a U shape in plan view and a first linear part 21 and second linear part 22 that respectively extend from one end and the other end of the bent part 23 so as to be smoothly connected with the bent part 23 in plan view. On the rear surface 12 between the first linear part 21 and second linear part 22 of the slit 20, the body 10 comprises a groove 15 that is recessed from the rear surface 12 to the front surface 11. The groove 15 extends in the same direction as the first linear part 21.

Description

Liquid sampling device

This disclosure relates to a liquid sampling device.

Patent Document 1 discloses a holding member that holds a liquid by utilizing a capillary phenomenon. The holding member is characterized in that a tubular liquid holding portion having an axial slit and an open end is formed at the tip of the rod-shaped body.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-79098

The liquid collecting device according to the present disclosure can collect liquid more easily than the prior art.

The liquid sampling device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is
A main body having a front surface and a back surface facing the front surface,
It is provided with a slit that penetrates the main body from the front surface to the back surface and extends in the surface direction intersecting the penetration direction.
It is a liquid collecting device that holds a liquid in the slit by a capillary phenomenon.
The slit is
A curved part curved so as to have a U shape in a plan view,
A first straight line portion extending from one end of the curved portion so as to be smoothly connected to the curved portion in a plan view.
It has a second straight portion extending from the other end of the curved portion so as to be smoothly connected to the curved portion in a plan view.
The main body is provided with a groove recessed from the back surface toward the front surface between the first straight line portion and the second straight line portion of the slit on the back surface, and the groove is in the direction in which the first straight line portion extends. Extends to.

With the liquid sampling device according to the present disclosure, the liquid can be easily sampled as compared with the prior art.

It is a perspective view which looked at the liquid sampling instrument which concerns on embodiment of this disclosure from above. It is a perspective view which looked at the liquid sampling instrument of FIG. 1 from the bottom. It is a top view of the liquid sampling instrument of FIG. It is a front view of the liquid sampling instrument of FIG. It is a rear view of the liquid sampling instrument of FIG. It is a right side view of the liquid sampling instrument of FIG. It is a bottom view of the liquid sampling instrument of FIG. It is sectional drawing which looked at the liquid sampling instrument in the VIII-VIII direction of FIG. It is sectional drawing which looked at the liquid sampling instrument in the IX-IX direction of FIG. It is sectional drawing which looked at the liquid sampling instrument in the XX direction of FIG. It is sectional drawing which looked at the liquid sampling instrument in the XI-XI direction of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the liquid sampling method using the liquid sampling instrument of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the liquid sampling method using the liquid sampling instrument of FIG. It is a schematic cross-sectional view for demonstrating the detailed example of the liquid sampling method shown in FIG. It is a schematic cross-sectional view for demonstrating the detailed example of the liquid sampling method shown in FIG. It is a schematic cross-sectional view for demonstrating the detailed example of the liquid sampling method shown in FIG. It is a schematic cross-sectional view for demonstrating the detailed example of the liquid sampling method shown in FIG. It is a schematic cross-sectional view for demonstrating the detailed example of the liquid sampling method shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the inspection kit using the immunochromatography method. It is a schematic cross-sectional view for demonstrating the state of blood discharge from the slit of the liquid collection instrument of FIG. It is a schematic cross-sectional view for demonstrating the state of blood discharge from the slit of the liquid collection instrument of FIG. It is a schematic cross-sectional view for demonstrating the state of blood discharge from the slit of the liquid collection instrument of FIG. It is a schematic cross-sectional view for demonstrating the state of blood discharge from the slit of the liquid collection instrument of FIG. It is a schematic cross-sectional view for demonstrating the state of blood discharge from the slit of the liquid collection instrument of FIG. It is a schematic cross-sectional view for demonstrating the state of blood discharge from the slit of the liquid collection instrument of FIG. It is a schematic cross-sectional view for demonstrating the state of blood discharge from the slit of the liquid collection instrument of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the comparative example of a liquid sampling instrument. It is a figure for demonstrating the comparative example of a liquid sampling instrument. It is a figure for demonstrating the comparative example of a liquid sampling instrument. It is sectional drawing which shows the liquid sampling instrument which concerns on 1st modification of embodiment of this disclosure. It is sectional drawing which shows the liquid sampling instrument which concerns on the 2nd modification of embodiment of this disclosure. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the liquid sampling instrument which concerns on the 3rd modification of the Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the liquid sampling instrument which concerns on the 3rd modification of the Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the liquid sampling instrument which concerns on the 3rd modification of the Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the liquid sampling instrument which concerns on the 3rd modification of the Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the liquid sampling instrument which concerns on 4th modification of embodiment of this disclosure. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the liquid sampling instrument which concerns on 4th modification of the Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the liquid sampling instrument which concerns on 4th modification of the Embodiment of this disclosure. It is a perspective view which shows the liquid sampling instrument which concerns on 5th modification of embodiment of this disclosure. It is a perspective view of the inspection kit 150 for demonstrating the use example of the liquid sampling instrument of FIG. 39. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the liquid sampling instrument which concerns on 6th modification of embodiment of this disclosure. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the liquid sampling instrument which concerns on 6th modification of embodiment of this disclosure.

(Background to this disclosure)
The immunochromatography method (also called immunochromatography, immunochromatography, or lateral flow immunoassay), which is a means for performing an immunological test, is a simple method in which a predetermined amount of a sample can be dropped onto a test kit to visually know the test result. It is a good immunoassay. For example, the antibody required for a test kit for diagnosing the presence or absence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (for example, Dynascreen® of Abot Diagnostics Medical Co., Ltd.) is 50 μL of plasma, serum or Whole blood. Conventionally, a liquid collecting device such as a micropipette or a capillary utilizing the capillary phenomenon has been used to collect 50 μL of whole blood or the like.

One of the advantages of a test kit using the immunochromatography method, which is a simple test method, is that the test subject such as a patient can handle it. When a non-medical subject himself performs the test, it is more realistic to use a disposable capillary than to use a micropipette, which is a specialized and expensive tool.

However, the conventional capillary tube has a certain thickness, and the lower end of the capillary that comes into contact with blood gets wet with blood. Therefore, after sucking up blood and pulling the lower end of the capillary away from the droplet, the blood in the capillary may be pulled by the droplet and hang down from the outer diameter of the capillary to the lower end of the capillary. As a result, blood that greatly exceeds a predetermined amount (for example, 50 μL) may be collected by the amount of dripping blood. Further, the upper end of blood in the capillary may also move up and down from a desired position depending on the state of the internal surface of the capillary (presence or absence of unevenness, wetness, etc.). As a result, there is a problem that the amount of blood collected by the capillary varies and a predetermined amount of blood cannot be collected accurately. If the test is performed using an amount of blood different from the predetermined amount, the correct test result may not be obtained.

Further, if the inner diameter of the capillary for collecting a predetermined amount of blood, for example, 50 μL, is large, the amount of blood dripping from the lower end of the capillary increases, so that the amount of variation tends to increase. On the other hand, if the inner diameter is small, the user cannot collect a predetermined amount of blood unless the capillary is tilted, so that it is difficult for a user who is not accustomed to the operation to accurately collect a predetermined amount of blood. Further, when the inner diameter is small, it takes time to suck the collected blood into the water-absorbent sample addition part of the test kit such as glass fiber and discharge it, and there is a problem that the blood coagulates.

Furthermore, the contact area between the tip of the capillary and a liquid such as blood is small, and the operator needs to operate the capillary to sufficiently suck the liquid to a high position in order to collect a desired amount of liquid. .. If air bubbles entered the capillary tube during liquid collection, the air bubbles could interfere with the liquid collection and the liquid could not be collected.

The inventors have discovered the above-mentioned problems and have come to construct the following liquid sampling device in order to solve these problems.

The first aspect of the present disclosure is
A main body having a front surface and a back surface facing the front surface,
It is provided with a slit that penetrates the main body from the front surface to the back surface and extends in the surface direction intersecting the penetration direction.
A liquid collection device that holds a liquid in the slit by capillarity.
The slit is
A curved part curved so as to have a U shape in a plan view,
A first straight line portion extending from one end of the curved portion so as to be smoothly connected to the curved portion in a plan view.
It has a second straight portion extending from the other end of the curved portion so as to be smoothly connected to the curved portion in a plan view.
The main body is provided with a groove recessed from the back surface toward the front surface between the first straight line portion and the second straight line portion of the slit on the back surface, and the groove is in the direction in which the first straight line portion extends. Provide a liquid sampling device that extends to.

According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the groove is formed so as to gradually reduce the thickness of the wall between the slit and the groove in the plane direction from the front surface toward the back surface. The liquid sampling device of the first aspect is provided.

According to the third aspect of the present disclosure, the main body has a notch that cuts out a wall between the slit and the groove in the plane direction from the back surface side, and the liquid collection of the first aspect or the second aspect. Provide equipment.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the notch provides a wall between the groove and at least one of the first straight portion of the slit and the second straight portion of the slit in the plane direction. A third aspect of the liquid sampling device, which is cut out from the back surface side, is provided.

According to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the notch is formed at the end or the vicinity of the end of the first straight portion of the slit, which is not connected to the curved portion, in the plane direction, and the first straight portion of the slit. The liquid sampling apparatus of the fourth aspect, which cuts out a wall between the groove and at least one of the end portion or the vicinity of the end portion of the straight portion on the side not connected to the curved portion from the back surface side. I will provide a.

According to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid sampling device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the width of the slit is constant in a plan view.

According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the slit provides a liquid sampling instrument according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the slit having a tapered shape whose width gradually decreases from the front surface toward the back surface. ..

According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the slit provides a liquid sampling instrument according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, having a reverse taper shape whose width gradually increases from the front surface toward the back surface. To do.

According to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the first to eighth aspects are configured so that when the back surface is placed on the mounting surface, the back surface can be maintained in contact with the previously described mounting surface and can stand on its own. Any one of the liquid sampling instruments is provided.

According to the tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid sampling device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, which includes a handle protruding from the surface.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, the handle provides the liquid sampling device of the tenth aspect provided at a position away from the slit in a plan view.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, the handle provides the liquid sampling device of the eleventh aspect, which has a plate-like shape extending in the radial direction of a circle centered on the center of the slit in a plan view.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the liquid collection device provides a liquid collection device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, which is a liquid collection device for blood collection.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the liquid sampling device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the following embodiments, similar components are designated by the same reference numerals. The drawings may show x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis that are orthogonal to each other for convenience of explanation. The z-axis is parallel to the vertical direction. For illustration purposes, the dimensions of each element in the drawing may be exaggerated and not necessarily to scale.

[Configuration example]
The configuration of the liquid sampling device 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the liquid sampling device 100 according to the present embodiment as viewed from above. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the liquid sampling device 100 of FIG. 1 as viewed from below. 3 to 7 are a plan view, a front view, a rear view, a right side view, and a bottom view of the liquid sampling instrument 100 of FIG. 1, respectively. Since the liquid sampling instrument 100 is symmetrical, the left side view of the liquid sampling instrument 100 is omitted because it is substantially the same as the right side view of FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid sampling device 100 as viewed in the VIII-VIII direction of FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid sampling device 100 as viewed in the IX-IX direction of FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid sampling device 100 as viewed in the XX direction of FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid sampling device 100 as viewed in the XI-XI direction of FIG.

The liquid sampling device 100 includes a main body 10, a slit 20, a handle 30, and

legs

40 and 41. The main body 10 has a plate-like shape with the y-axis direction as the longitudinal direction, and has a front surface 11 and a back surface 12 facing the front surface 11. The end on the −y side of the main body 10 is called the distal end 13, and the end on the + y side facing the distal end 13 is called the proximal end 14.

The slit 20 penetrates the main body 10 from the front surface 11 to the back surface 12, and extends from one end 25 to the other end 26 in the plane direction intersecting the penetration direction (z direction). In the illustrated example, the penetration direction and the plane direction are orthogonal to each other. The slit 20 has a curved portion 23 between the end portion 25 and the end portion 26 that is curved so as to be folded back into a U shape in a plan view. The first straight line portion 21 between the curved portion 23 and the end portion 25 of the slit 20 and the second straight line portion 22 between the curved portion 23 and the end portion 26 extend substantially in parallel. In other words, the first straight line portion 21 extends from one end of the curved portion 23, and the second straight line portion 22 extends from the other end of the curved portion 23. The first straight portion 21, the curved portion 23, and the second straight portion 22 of the slit 20 are continuously, that is, smoothly connected so that the liquid does not remain in the discontinuous portion such as the uneven portion at the time of discharging. ..

"The first straight line portion 21 of the slit 20, the curved portion 23, and the second straight line portion 22 are smoothly connected" means that the slit 20 has a curved shape in a plan view. Alternatively, "the first straight line portion 21 of the slit 20, the curved portion 23, and the second straight line portion 22 are smoothly connected" is a curve representing the connection point between the first straight line portion 21 and the curved portion 23. It means that the curve representing the connection point between the second straight line portion 22 and the curved portion 23 is differentiable in a plan view. The first straight line portion 21 is an example of the “first part” of the present disclosure, and the second straight line portion 22 is an example of the “second part” of the present disclosure.

The curved portion 23 of the slit 20 is arranged near the distal end 13 of the main body 10. The curve representing the curved portion 23 is convex downward in the xy plane. In other words, the slit 20 is a U-shape drawn with the + y direction facing up in a plan view.

The volume of the slit 20 depends on the amount of liquid required for a desired application such as inspection, but is, for example, 5 μL or more, preferably 5 μL to 500 μL, for example, 30 μL to 100 μL. For example, the volume of the slit 20 is designed to be 53 ± 5 μL. The width of the slit 20 is designed so that the slit 20 can suck up and hold the liquid by the capillary phenomenon. The width of the slit 20 is, for example, 0.05 mm to 5.0 mm, for example 0.5 mm or 1.0 mm. In the illustrated example, the width of the slit 20 is constant from the end 25 to the end 26, but it is constant as long as the liquid can be sucked up and held by the capillary phenomenon and a predetermined volume can be obtained. No need. The depth D of the slit 20 (see FIG. 10) depends on the height at which the liquid is sucked up by the capillary phenomenon. This height depends on the material of the main body 10. For example, when the outside gas is air, this height can be roughly calculated based on the contact angle of the material of the main body 10 and the width of the slit 20 if the density and surface tension of the liquid to be sucked up are known. ..

The handle 30 projects upward from the surface 11 of the main body 10. The handle 30 is configured to be easily gripped by an operator who collects the liquid. In the illustrated example, the handle 30 has a plate-like shape parallel to the yz plane. Further, the handle 30 is provided at a position away from the slit 20 in a plan view. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the operator's finger from touching the liquid when the handle 30 is gripped and the liquid sampling device 100 is moved. Therefore, by providing the handle 30, the liquid sampling device 100 can prevent impurities such as finger oil from being mixed into the liquid. When the liquid is blood, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the blood of another person in the slit 20 adheres to the operator's finger and causes a blood infection.

Further, the handle 30 has a plate-like shape extending in the radial direction of a circle centered on the center of the slit 20 in a plan view. With this configuration, when the operator grips the handle 30, the slit 20 is not hidden by the operator as seen from the operator. Therefore, the operator can easily visually recognize whether or not the slit 20 is filled with the liquid without being disturbed by the hand.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 7 to 10, the back surface 12 of the main body 10 is provided with a groove 15 that is recessed in the direction of the front surface 11 (z direction) and extends in the longitudinal direction (y direction). The groove 15 is arranged between the first straight line portion 21 and the second straight line portion 22. The groove 15 extends in the direction in which the first straight line portion 21 extends. Due to the presence of the groove 15, a wall 16 is formed between the slit 20 and the groove 15. The height H (see FIG. 10) of the top of the groove 15 from the back surface 12 is smaller than the depth D of the slit 20. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cross section of the groove 15 viewed in the y direction has a smooth arched shape. Therefore, the cross section of the wall 16 viewed in the y direction has a tapered shape in which the thickness gradually decreases toward the bottom. As a result, the liquid drainage when the main body 10 is pulled away from the liquid is improved, and the variation in the amount of the liquid collected by the liquid collecting device 100 can be reduced. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the cross section of the groove 15 viewed in the x direction also has a smooth shape. This makes it possible to prevent the liquid from remaining in a non-smooth portion such as an uneven portion after the liquid held in the groove 15 is discharged.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 7, 9 to 11, the main body 10 has

notches

18 and 19 on the back surface 12 that connect the slit 20 and the groove 15. The notch 18 cuts out a part of the wall 16 so as to connect the first straight line portion 21 of the slit 20 and the groove 15. The notch 19 cuts out a part of the wall 16 so as to connect the second straight line portion 22 of the slit 20 and the groove 15. In the illustrated example, the

notches

18 and 19 are provided at or near the ends of the wall 16, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The

legs

40 and 41 project downward from the back surface 12 of the main body 10. The

legs

40 and 41 support the main body 10 with the bottom of the slit 20 in contact with the ground. For example, when a blood test kit using the immunochromatography method is used, the

legs

40 and 41 have the bottom of the slit 20 as the water-absorbent sample addition part 151 of the test kit 150 such as filter paper and glass fiber (see FIG. 19). ) Is grounded to support the main body 10. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the height L from the bottom surfaces of the

legs

40 and 41 to the surface 11 of the main body 10 is the depth D of the slit 20 and the thickness T of the sample addition portion 151. Designed to be substantially equal to the sum.

The liquid sampling device 100 is integrally formed by, for example, injection molding. The liquid sampling device 100 includes, for example, polymethyl methacrylate resin (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polystyrene (PS). ), And may be formed by injection molding using one of the materials such as polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or may be formed by injection molding using two or more materials.

The liquid sampling device 100 is formed by, for example, a valve gate type hot runner injection molding. In this case, the advantages of hot runner injection molding, such as material saving, waste reduction, and shortening of the molding cycle, can be obtained, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The part around the slit 20 that sucks up the liquid by the capillary phenomenon is formed of a hydrophilic material when the liquid to be collected is aqueous, and a lipophilic material when the liquid to be collected is oily. Further, in order to improve the drainage when moving the liquid sampling device 100 after sucking up the liquid, the back surface 12 of the main body 10 is a hydrophobic (water repellent) material when the liquid is water-based, and the liquid is oil-based. If it is, it may be formed of a sparse oil (oil repellent) material.

Instead, the liquid sampling device 100 is based on the shape formed by injection molding, with a hydrophilic / hydrophobic material on the surface that should be hydrophilic / hydrophobic, or on a surface that should be lipophilic / oleophilic. The structure may be coated with an oily / oleophilic material.

Further, the liquid sampling device 100 uses a processing technique such as a surface modification technique to process a surface that should be hydrophilic / hydrophobic to be hydrophilic / hydrophobic, or a surface that should be lipophilic / oleophilic. May be formed by processing to be lipophilic / oleophobic.

The material of the liquid sampling device 100 is not limited to the above, and may be a material such as glass, metal, or ceramic. Further, the molding of the liquid sampling instrument 100 is not limited to the above injection molding, and a known glass molding method, a known metal processing method such as cutting, drilling, welding, or a combination thereof may be used.

The portion around the slit 20 of the main body 10 may be coated with a blood anticoagulant in order to prevent the sucked blood from coagulating.

[Usage example]
Next, an example of a liquid sampling method using the liquid sampling device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 26. Although the liquid collection device 100 for collecting blood will be described here as an example, the liquid is not limited to blood. For example, the liquid may be a body fluid other than blood, a chemical solution, an aqueous solution, a colloidal solution, an emulsion, or the like. First, as shown in FIG. 12, the operator punctures the skin of the subject's finger 90 with the skin puncture needle (lancet) 80 to discharge blood. The operator of the liquid sampling device 100 and the person to be inspected may be the same person. That is, the liquid sampling device 100 can be used by the person to be inspected. However, the liquid sampling device 100 may be used by a medical specialist such as a doctor or a nurse. Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the operator grasps the handle 30 of the liquid sampling device 100 and brings the back surface 12 of the main body 10 into contact with blood. As a result, the bottom of the slit 20 comes into contact with the blood, and the blood is sucked into the slit 20 by the capillary phenomenon.

14 to 18 are schematic cross-sectional views for explaining a detailed example of the liquid sampling method shown in FIG. 14 to 18 are cross-sectional views of the liquid sampling instrument 100 as viewed from the −y direction, and show the same cross section as in FIG.

First, the operator grasps the handle 30 of the liquid sampling device 100 and brings the main body 10 close to the blood on the finger 90 of the inspected person (FIG. 14). When the back surface 12 of the main body 10 comes into contact with blood, the blood is sucked into the slit 20 and the groove 15 by the capillary phenomenon (FIG. 15). The operator confirms that the slit 20 is filled with blood (FIG. 16), lifts the liquid sampling instrument 100, and pulls it away from the finger 90 (FIGS. 17 and 18). It is conceivable that the amount of blood exposed on the finger 90 is small, and the slit 20 may not be filled with blood only by bringing the main body 10 of the liquid collection device 100 into contact with blood once. In such a case, the operator pulls the liquid collection device 100 away from the finger 90, presses the finger 90 to squeeze the blood, and performs the above blood collection operation again.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing an example of the inspection kit 150 using the immunochromatography method. After collecting blood, the operator brings the bottom of the slit 20 of the liquid collection device 100 filled with blood into contact with the sample addition part 151 of the test kit 150. The sample addition unit 151 is made of a water-absorbent material such as filter paper or glass fiber. The blood in the slit 20 of the liquid collection device 100 is discharged to the sample addition section 151 of the test kit 150.

20 to 26 are schematic cross-sectional views for explaining the state of blood discharge from the slit 20 of the liquid collection device 100. 20 to 26 show the liquid sampling device 100.
(A) Cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 10 (cross-sectional view seen in the XX direction of FIG. 3),
(B) Cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 11 (cross-sectional view seen in the XI-XI direction of FIG. 3), and (c) cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 9 (cross-sectional view seen in the IX-IX direction of FIG. 3). ,
Are shown respectively.

FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a blood discharge state at the time when the liquid sampling device 100 is placed on the test kit 150. At this point, the blood has not yet moved to the sample addition section 151 of the test kit 150, and the slit 20 of the liquid collection device 100 is filled with blood. Therefore, the height h of the blood level in the slit 20 is substantially equal to the depth D of the slit.

When the liquid sampling device 100 is placed on the test kit 150, blood begins to move to the sample addition section 151 of the test kit 150 as shown in FIG. 21. Therefore, the height h of the liquid level begins to decrease. FIG. 21 shows a state in which the depth D of the slit 20> the height h of the liquid surface> the height H of the groove 15. At this point, the inside of the groove 15 is filled with blood.

When a further time elapses from the time point of FIG. 21, the height h of the liquid surface becomes lower than the height H of the groove 15, and as shown in FIG. 22 (c), the slit 20 and the groove 15 are connected. Air begins to enter the

notches

18 and 19. After that, as shown in FIG. 23, the air that has entered through the

notches

18 and 19 reaches the inside of the groove 15.

FIGS. 24 and 25 show the blood discharge status at a time when a further time has passed from the time of FIG. 23. FIG. 25 shows a state after the time point of FIG. 24. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the air that has entered through the

notches

18 and 19 and has reached the inside of the groove 15 travels from the proximal side to the distal side so as to push away the blood in the groove 15. At this point, most of the blood in the slit 20 has been drained.

FIG. 26 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a situation after the blood in the slit 20 and the groove 15 of the liquid collection device 100 is completely discharged. When the air in the groove 15 further advances from the proximal side to the distal side from the state of FIG. 25, the state as shown in FIG. 26 is obtained. Since the inside of the groove 15 has a smooth shape with no discontinuous portions such as corners and uneven portions, the situation where the liquid does not remain in the non-smooth portions does not occur.

The above blood discharge operation can be performed hands-free. That is, when the liquid sampling device 100 is placed on a mounting surface such as the front surface of the sample addition portion 151 of the test kit 150, the liquid sampling device 100 is configured to be able to stand on its own while maintaining a state in which the back surface 12 is in contact with the mounting surface. Has been done. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, since the back surface 12 of the main body 10 of the liquid sampling device 100 is flat, the liquid sampling device 100 is self-supporting in a state where the bottom surface of the slit 20 is in contact with the sample addition portion 151 of the test kit 150. it can. In particular, in the illustrated example, the distance L from the surface 11 of the main body 10 to the bottom surfaces of the

legs

40 and 41 is substantially equal to the thickness T of the sample addition portion 151 of the test kit 150, so that the liquid sampling device 100 is used. , You can be stable and independent in this state. Therefore, the operator does not need to wait while holding the handle 30 of the liquid collection device 100 in order to maintain the state in which the liquid collection device 100 is in contact with the sample addition unit 151 of the test kit 150. In this way, after collecting the blood, the operator may place the liquid collection device 100 on the sample addition section 151 of the test kit 150 and leave it unattended, and it is not necessary to wait until the blood is completely discharged.

Since the discharge operation is performed hands-free as described above, for example, the operator can hang a developing solvent (chaser) from above the slit 20 to promote blood discharge.

Further, in the test using the conventional capillary, it is necessary for the operator to wait until the blood discharge is completed while keeping the capillary containing the blood in contact with the sample addition part of the test kit. According to the liquid sampling device 100, it is possible to reduce the burden of waiting for such an operator. Further, especially in the case of the self-check of HIV in which the operator is the subject himself / herself, the test operation of the operator may be affected by a psychological bias such as "I want the test result to be negative". As a result, it is said that the operator may give up the self-check itself and stop it, or unknowingly lead to the inspection failure. Since the liquid collection device 100 can reduce troublesome work such as waiting until the blood is completely discharged, it is possible to prevent the above-mentioned cancellation and failure of the test.

[Effects, etc.]
As described above, the liquid sampling instrument 100 according to the present embodiment includes a main body 10 and a slit 20. The main body 10 has a front surface 11 and a back surface 12 facing the front surface 11. The slit 20 penetrates the main body 10 from the front surface 11 to the back surface 12 and extends in the surface direction intersecting the penetration direction. The slit 20 includes a curved portion 23 that is curved so as to have a U-shape in a plan view, and a first straight portion 21 that extends from one end of the curved portion 23 so as to be smoothly connected to the curved portion 23 in a plan view. It has a second straight portion 22 extending from the other end of the curved portion 23 so as to be smoothly connected to the curved portion 23 in a plan view. The main body 10 is provided with a groove 15 recessed from the back surface 12 toward the front surface 11 between the first straight line portion 21 and the second straight line portion 22 of the slit 20 on the back surface 12. The groove 15 extends in the direction in which the first straight line portion 21 extends.

With this configuration, the contact area between the liquid and the slit 20 can be increased as compared with the conventional technology such as a capillary. In the capillary, if air bubbles enter the capillary tube during liquid collection, the air bubbles may interfere with the liquid collection and the desired amount of liquid may not be collected. It was. On the other hand, since the liquid sampling device 100 has a large contact area between the liquid and the slit 20, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a desired amount of liquid cannot be sampled due to air bubbles.

Further, with this configuration, the liquid drainage when the main body 10 is pulled away from the liquid is improved, and the liquid collection device 100 can reduce the variation in the amount of the liquid to be collected. This effect will be described in comparison with a comparative example in the case where the groove is not provided. 27 to 29 are schematic cross-sectional views showing a state of liquid sampling by the liquid sampling instrument 100a having no groove 15. 27 is comparable to FIG. 16, FIG. 28 is comparable to FIG. 17, and FIG. 29 is comparable to FIG. That is, the operator confirms that the slit 20 is filled with blood (FIG. 27), lifts the liquid collection device 100a, and pulls it away from the finger 90 (FIGS. 28 and 29).

Unlike the liquid sampling device 100, on the back surface of the liquid sampling device 100a, a flat portion 12a exists between the first straight line portion 21 and the second straight line portion 22 of the slit 20. As a result, as shown in FIG. 29, after the liquid sampling device 100a is lifted and pulled away from the finger 90, blood is transmitted from the first straight line portion 21 and the second straight line portion 22 of the slit 20 through the flat portion 12a due to surface tension. Suspends. Due to the weight of the suspended blood, when the liquid collection device 100a is lifted and pulled away from the finger 90, the slit 20 is not completely filled with blood. As described above, although the slit 20 was filled with blood at the time of FIG. 27, the slit 20 is not filled with blood at the time of FIG. 29 after lifting the liquid sampling device 100a and pulling it away from the finger 90. Therefore, when the liquid collection device 100a having no groove 15 is used, even if the slit 20 is designed to have a desired volume, the designed amount of blood cannot be collected. Further, compared with the amount of blood when the slit 20 is filled, the amount of collected blood when suspended tends to vary depending on how the liquid collection device 100a is pulled away and the speed at which the liquid collecting device 100a is pulled away. Therefore, it is difficult to estimate the amount of blood to be suspended in advance, and it is not possible to design the collected amount to be accurate. The liquid sampling device 100 of the present embodiment solves such a problem when there is no groove, and can reduce variations in the amount of liquid to be sampled.

In the liquid sampling instrument 100 according to the present embodiment, the groove 15 is formed so as to gradually reduce the thickness of the wall 16 between the slit 20 and the groove 15 in the surface direction from the front surface 11 to the back surface 12. May be done.

With this configuration, the area where the liquid suspends when the main body 10 is pulled away from the liquid can be reduced, so that the variation in the amount of the liquid collected by the liquid sampling device 100 can be reduced.

In the liquid sampling instrument 100 according to the present embodiment, the main body 10 may have

notches

18 and 19 that cut out the wall 16 between the slit 20 and the groove 15 in the surface direction from the back surface 12 side. The

cutouts

18 and 19 cut out the wall 16 between the groove 15 and at least one of the first straight line portion 21 and the second straight line portion 22 of the slit 20 in the surface direction from the back surface 12 side. You may. Preferably, the

notches

18 and 19 are located in the plane direction in the vicinity of the end 25 or the end 25 of the first straight portion 21 of the slit 20 on the side not connected to the curved portion 23, and the second of the slit 20. A wall of the straight portion 22 between the groove 15 and at least one of the end portion 26 or the vicinity of the end portion 26 on the side not connected to the curved portion 23 is cut out from the back surface side.

With this configuration, air enters the groove 15 from the slit 20 through the

notches

18 and 19 when the liquid is discharged. This air acts to push away the liquid in the groove 15 and helps the liquid to drain. Therefore, the

notches

18 and 19 can prevent the liquid from remaining inside the groove 15. When the

notches

18 and 19 are at or near the

ends

25 and 26, air enters from one end of the groove 15 and the air enters the liquid in the groove 15 in order from one end to the other. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent the situation where the liquid remains inside the groove 15.

In the liquid sampling device 100 according to the present embodiment, the width of the slit 20 may be constant in a plan view.

With this configuration, there is no problem that the liquid remains in the portion where the width of the slit 20 changes when the liquid is discharged, as compared with the case where the width of the slit 20 is not constant from the end portion 25 to the end portion 26.

The liquid sampling device 100 according to the present embodiment is configured so that when it is mounted on a mounting surface of an inspection kit 150 or the like, the back surface 12 of the main body 10 is maintained in contact with the mounting surface and can stand on its own. May be done.

With this configuration, the operator does not need to keep the bottom of the slit 20 in contact with the mounting surface and wait while holding the liquid sampling device 100 until the liquid is completely discharged.

The liquid sampling device 100 according to the present embodiment may include a handle 30 protruding from the surface 11 of the main body 10.

With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the operator's finger from touching the liquid when moving the liquid sampling device 100. Therefore, by providing the handle 30, the liquid sampling device 100 can prevent impurities such as finger oil from being mixed into the liquid. When the liquid is blood, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the blood of another person in the slit 20 adheres to the operator's finger and causes a blood infection.

The handle 30 may be provided at a position away from the slit 20 in a plan view. The handle 30 may have a plate-like shape extending in the radial direction of a circle centered on the center of the slit 20 in a plan view.

With this configuration, when the operator grips the handle 30, it is possible to prevent the slit 20 from being hidden by the operator as seen from the operator. Therefore, the operator can easily visually recognize whether or not the slit 20 is filled with the liquid without being disturbed by the hand.

(Modification example)
Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, these explanations are merely examples of the present disclosure. Various improvements and modifications can be made to the above exemplary embodiments. For example, the following changes can be made. The following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

<First modification>
In the above embodiment, an example in which the width of the slit 20 is constant in the depth direction (z direction) has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid sampling device 200a according to a first modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 30 shows a cross section corresponding to FIG. As shown in FIG. 30, the first straight line portion 21a and the second straight line portion 22a of the slit 20a of the liquid sampling instrument 200a have a tapered shape whose width gradually decreases from the front surface to the back surface of the main body 10.

Since the liquid has a property of easily accumulating in a narrow space, the liquid sampling instrument 200a can discharge the liquid in the slit 20a faster than the liquid sampling instrument 100 due to this configuration. Therefore, the inspection efficiency can be improved and the burden on the operator and the inspected person can be reduced.

<Second modification>
FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid sampling device 200b according to a second modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 31 shows a cross section corresponding to FIGS. 8 and 30. As shown in FIG. 31, the first straight line portion 21b and the second straight line portion 22b of the slit 20b of the liquid sampling instrument 200b have a tapered shape whose width gradually increases from the front surface to the back surface of the main body 10.

With this configuration, the liquid sampling instrument 200b can suck up the liquid in contact with the bottom surface of the slit 20b faster than the liquid sampling instrument 100. Therefore, the inspection efficiency can be improved and the burden on the operator and the inspected person can be reduced.

<Third modification example>
In the above embodiment, the liquid sampling device 100 having a U-shaped slit 20 having a curved portion 23 on the distal end 13 side of the main body 10 has been described. Since the liquid sampling device 100 provided with such a U-shaped slit 20 has a simple shape, it can be easily molded. However, the slit may be any as long as it can suck up and hold a desired amount of liquid by the capillary phenomenon, and the shape of the slit is not limited to the above-mentioned one. 32 to 35 are perspective views showing the

liquid sampling instruments

300a, 300b, 300c, and 300d according to the third modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure, respectively. The slit 320a of the liquid sampling instrument 300a of FIG. 32 has a U-shape having a curved portion 323a on the proximal end 14 side of the main body 10, contrary to the liquid sampling instrument 100.

Further, in the above embodiment, the U-shaped slit 20 having only one curved portion 23 has been described, but a plurality of curved portions may exist. For example, the slit 320b of the liquid sampling instrument 300b of FIG. 33 has two curved portions. The slit 320c of the liquid sampling instrument 300c of FIG. 34 has six curved portions.

Further, in the above embodiment, the U-shaped slit 20 capable of writing one stroke from one end 25 to the other end 26 has been described, but there may be a branch point in the middle of the slit. For example, the slit 320c of the liquid sampling instrument 300c shown in FIG. 35 is provided with branch-like or fold-like irregularities. As a result, the surface area of the slit 320c can be increased, and a large amount of liquid can be held even in a small space.

<Fourth modification>
In the above embodiment, the liquid sampling instrument 100 having a slit 20 in front of the main body 10 (distal end 13 side) and a handle 30 in the rear (proximal end 14 side) has been described. Such a shape has an advantage that it is easy to use when the liquid sampling device 100 is placed on the sample addition section 151 of the test kit 150 as shown in FIG. However, the positional relationship between the main body and the handle is not limited to the above, and may be as shown in FIGS. 36 to 38.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing a liquid sampling device 400a according to a fourth modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. In a plan view, the direction in which the handle 430a of the liquid sampling instrument 400a extends and the direction in which the straight portions 421 and 422 of the slit 420 extend form an angle of 45 degrees. Looking at the direction in which the handle 430a extends from the proximal end 414 of the main body 410, the direction in which the straight portions 421 and 422 of the slit 420 extend is bent 45 degrees to the left. This configuration is advantageous when the operator grips the handle 430a with his / her left hand when the plurality of sample addition portions 151 of the test kit 150 as shown in FIG. 19 are arranged side by side when viewed from the operator. is there. In this case, for example, when using the liquid sampling instrument 100 of FIG. 1, it is necessary to place the liquid sampling instrument 100 on the inspection kit 150 with the longitudinal direction of the handle 30 extending forward and backward when viewed from the operator. .. However, since the range of motion of the wrist is narrow, if the operator holds the handle 30 and extends the longitudinal direction of the handle 30 in the front-rear direction when viewed from the operator, the operability may be reduced or the wrist may be burdened. To do. On the other hand, in the liquid sampling device 400a according to the fourth modification, when the operator holds the handle 430a with the left hand, the straight portions 421 and 422 of the slit 420 are 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the handle 430a. Since it is bent to the left, the operator can easily place the liquid sampling device 400a on the sample addition section 151 of the test kit 150 as compared with the case of using the liquid sampling device 100. Therefore, this configuration is advantageous when the operator is left-handed. Although not shown, a configuration in which the straight portion of the slit is bent to the right with respect to the longitudinal direction of the handle may be adopted so as to be advantageous when the operator is right-handed.

Further, a configuration as shown in FIG. 37 may be adopted as a configuration that can be easily placed on the sample addition section 151 of the test kit 150 when the handle is held. In the liquid sampling instrument 400b of FIG. 37, the handle 430b is located at a position different from the extension line in the direction in which the slit 420b extends. As a result, in the above case where a plurality of sample addition portions 151 are lined up from the front to the back, the operator can easily grasp the handle 430b regardless of whether the operator is right-handed or left-handed. The liquid sampling device 400b can be placed on the sample addition section 151.

In the liquid sampling instrument 400c shown in FIG. 38, the handle 430c is provided above the slit 420c. With such a configuration, regardless of whether the operator is right-handed or left-handed, the handle 430b can be grasped and the liquid sampling device 400c can be easily placed on the sample addition unit 151.

In addition to the

liquid sampling instruments

400a, 400b, and 400c exemplified as the fourth modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the liquid sampling instrument considers the dominant hand of the operator, the range of motion of the wrist, the configuration of the inspection kit, and the like. , Can be designed in various shapes.

<Fifth modification>
FIG. 39 is a perspective view showing the liquid sampling device 500 according to the fifth modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. The liquid sampling device 500 includes a main body 510, a slit 520, a handle 530, a leg portion 540, and a clip portion 550. As described above, the liquid sampling instrument 500 is characterized by further including a clip portion 550 as compared with the liquid sampling instrument 100.

There is a gap between the leg portion 540 and the handle 530 in the z direction, and this gap functions as the clip portion 550. A thin object such as a mount of the inspection kit 150 can be inserted into the clip portion 550 in the y direction.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the inspection kit 150 for showing a usage example of the liquid sampling device 500. The test kit 150 shown in FIG. 40 is similar to that shown in FIG. As shown by an arrow in FIG. 40, the operator inserts the clip portion 550 of the liquid sampling instrument 500 into the mount 152 of the inspection kit 150. As a result, the liquid sampling device 500 is fixed with the bottom of the slit 520 in contact with the sample addition section 151 of the test kit 150. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the liquid collection device 500 from tipping over during the discharge of a liquid such as blood, and the liquid from being mixed into the adjacent sample addition unit 151. Therefore, the liquid sampling device 500 can ensure the accuracy of the inspection by having the clip portion 550.

<6th modification>
FIG. 41 is a perspective view showing a liquid sampling device 600 according to a sixth modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. The liquid sampling device 600 of FIG. 41 further includes a bridge 601 arranged on the surface 11 of the main body 10 as compared with the liquid sampling device 100 of FIG. The bridge 601 is arranged on the slit 20. The bridge 601 may be adhered to the surface 11 of the main body 10 with an adhesive or the like, or may be integrally formed with the main body 10 by injection molding or the like. The bridge 601 can improve the strength of the main body 10 against bending. Further, the bridge 601 has a function of reinforcing so as to maintain the shape of the slit 20. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, the main body 10 itself from being bent and damaged at the distribution stage of the liquid sampling device 600, or the slit 20 from being crushed and changing its shape.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view showing a liquid sampling device 650 having bridges 651 to 653 having other configurations. Compared with the liquid sampling device 600 of FIG. 41, in the liquid sampling device 650 of FIG. 42, the bridges 651 to 653 are arranged in the slit 20 instead of the upper part of the slit 20. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to improve the strength of the main body 10 against bending and to reinforce the slit 20 so as to maintain its shape.

10 Main body 11 Front surface 12 Back surface 13 Distal end 14 Proximal end 15 Groove 16 Wall 20 Slit 21 1st straight part 22 2nd straight part 23 Curved part 30 Handle 40 Leg 41 Leg 100 Liquid sampling device 150 Inspection kit 151 Specimen addition part

Claims

A main body having a front surface and a back surface facing the front surface,
It is provided with a slit that penetrates the main body from the front surface to the back surface and extends in the surface direction intersecting the penetration direction.
A liquid collection device that holds a liquid in the slit by capillarity.
The slit is
A curved part curved so as to have a U shape in a plan view,
A first straight line portion extending from one end of the curved portion so as to be smoothly connected to the curved portion in a plan view.
It has a second straight portion extending from the other end of the curved portion so as to be smoothly connected to the curved portion in a plan view.
The main body is provided with a groove recessed from the back surface toward the front surface between the first straight line portion and the second straight line portion of the slit on the back surface, and the groove is in the direction in which the first straight line portion extends. A liquid sampling device that extends to.
The liquid sampling instrument according to claim 1, wherein the groove is formed so as to gradually reduce the thickness of the wall between the slit and the groove in the surface direction from the front surface toward the back surface.
The liquid sampling instrument according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main body has a notch that cuts out a wall between the slit and the groove in the surface direction from the back surface side.
3. The notch cuts out a wall between the first straight line portion of the slit and at least one of the second straight line portions of the slit and the groove in the plane direction from the back surface side. Liquid sampling device described in.
The notch is connected to the curved portion of the first straight portion of the slit in the plane direction at the end or the vicinity of the end not connected to the curved portion and the second straight portion of the slit. The liquid sampling device according to claim 4, wherein a wall between the groove and at least one of the end portion or the vicinity of the end portion on the non-existing side is cut out from the back surface side.
The liquid sampling instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the width of the slit is constant in a plan view.
The liquid sampling instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the slit has a tapered shape whose width gradually decreases from the front surface toward the back surface.
The liquid sampling instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the slit has a reverse taper shape whose width gradually increases from the front surface to the back surface.
The liquid sampling instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is configured so that the back surface can stand in contact with the above-mentioned mounting surface when mounted on the mounting surface. ..
The liquid sampling device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a handle protruding from the surface.
The liquid sampling device according to claim 10, wherein the handle is provided at a position away from the slit in a plan view.
The liquid sampling device according to claim 11, wherein the handle has a plate-like shape extending in the radial direction of a circle centered on the center of the slit in a plan view.
The liquid collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the liquid collection device is a liquid collection device for blood collection.