A hair sample collection device

Abstract

The present invention provides a hair sample collection device, comprising a hair cutting unit and a hair quantitative collection unit. The hair cutting unit is assembled with the hair quantitative collection unit through a piston and an elastic element, and hair sample sampling can be carried out by pressing the housing. The hair sample collection device has a simple structure, is convenient to use, safe and reliable, can easily perform quantitative sampling of hair, is convenient to hold, and can realize hair sampling with both hands or even one hand holding the hair sample collection device. It can obtain a hair sample with consistent length, neat arrangement and consistent quantity, and the obtained sample can be directly used for the extraction of the substance to be analyzed or directly tested.

Description

[0001] This application claims the priority of a prior Chinese application, application number: 202010779484X, with an application date of August 5, 2020, and all its content is incorporated herein by reference as part of the present invention. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a collection device, particularly a device for collecting hair as a sample for detection in the field of rapid diagnosis. Background Art

[0003] The following introduction to the background art is merely an introduction to some common knowledge and does not constitute any limitation to the present invention.

[0004] Medical or household rapid detection devices are usually used to detect whether an analyte is contained in a sample, such as for early pregnancy detection, drug detection, etc. The detection device has a collection chamber for collecting the sample to be tested, and a test element is installed in the collection chamber. After the sample to be tested enters the collection chamber through the opening of the collection chamber and contacts the test element, the test element detects the sample to be tested. The test element has a detection area for displaying the detection result, and the detection result can be read from the outside of the collection chamber through the side wall of the collection chamber.

[0005] When the sample is a hair sample, it brings certain difficulties for detection. First, although the hair contains the sample, it is necessary to dissolve and extract the analyte from the hair by physical or chemical means to prepare it in the form of a solution before further analysis can be carried out. The traditional method is to cut the hair with scissors, then put it into a sample bag, and then send it to the testing institution. After receiving the sample, the testing institution still needs to continue processing, such as further cutting or sorting, and then perform chemical reagent treatment to dissolve the analyte, which brings a lot of inconvenience to the sample processing.

[0006] Currently, the analytes detected in hair samples (such as drug abuse) are generally colloidal gold, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, or liquid or gas chromatography. However, all of them require chemical reagent treatment of the hair to analyze the analyte from the hair.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to provide a collection device for collecting hair samples to improve the sample processing process and enable direct extraction of the analyte. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a novel hair sample collection device in view of the defects and deficiencies of the prior art. The device has a simple structure and is easy to use, can easily perform quantitative sampling of hair, and the obtained sample can be directly used for the extraction of the analyte or directly for testing.

[0009] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a hair sample collection device, which includes a hair cutting unit, a hair quantitative collection unit, and an elastic element; the hair cutting unit is assembled with the hair quantitative collection unit through the elastic element.

[0010] The hair quantitative collection unit of the present invention can be used to quantitatively collect hair. The term "quantitative" means that the length of the collected hair samples is kept consistent (after being cut by the hair cutting unit), the quantity is approximately the same, and the sorting is neat, and it can be directly used for the extraction and detection of substances to be analyzed in the subsequent hair samples.

[0011] The elastic element enables the hair cutting unit and the hair quantitative collection unit to be movably connected together.

[0012] Further, the hair cutting unit and the hair quantitative collection unit are connected through a piston structure, and the hair cutting unit can move along the piston structure; the elastic element is arranged on the piston structure.

[0013] The hair cutting unit can move along the piston structure, which means that the hair cutting unit can move along the movement direction of the opening or closing of the piston structure. For example, if the piston structure is placed vertically, the movement is up and down.

[0014] Further, the piston structure includes a piston and a piston chamber, which are respectively arranged on the hair cutting unit and the hair quantitative collection unit; when the hair cutting unit is provided with a piston, the hair quantitative collection unit is provided with a piston chamber matching the piston; when the hair quantitative collection unit is provided with a piston, the hair cutting unit is provided with a piston chamber matching the piston.

[0015] Further, the hair cutting unit includes a housing and a cutting element; the cutting element is fixed in the housing, and the piston is arranged in the housing.

[0016] Further, the cutting element is a blade. Any sharp material that can be used for cutting can be used as the cutting element and is within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0017] Further, the blade includes two groups and is fixed on both sides of the housing.

[0018] Further, blade grooves are respectively arranged on both sides of the housing, and the two groups of blades are respectively installed in the blade grooves on both sides of the housing.

[0019] Further, the hair quantitative collection unit includes a carrier, a hair collection groove, and a base; the carrier, the hair collection groove, and the base are connected in sequence; the carrier is connected to the hair cutting unit; the piston chamber is arranged on the carrier.

[0020] In some ways, the carrier can be used to carry the hair cutting unit. The carrier can be a platform structure or a structure that encloses the hair cutting unit on one, two, three, or four sides.

[0021] Furthermore, the carrier of the hair quantitative collection unit is a cavity that can carry the hair cutting unit, and the hair cutting unit can move within the cavity.

[0022] In some ways, the cavity can enclose the bottom of the hair cutting unit on four sides, and the height of this four-sided enclosure can be the height of the housing of the hair cutting unit, or 1 / 10, 1 / 5, 1 / 2, 2 / 3, 3 / 5, etc. of the housing height of the hair cutting unit. However, the upper part of the hair cutting unit remains exposed.

[0023] Furthermore, the hair collection groove is a groove structure with an opening on one side.

[0024] The groove structure with an opening on one side is more convenient for taking and placing hair samples. At the same time, due to the size limitation of the groove structure, the number of hair samples placed is basically the same. After being cut simultaneously by two groups of blades, hair samples with the same length, neatly arranged, and the same number can be obtained.

[0025] Furthermore, the hair collection groove is composed of the lower surface of the carrier, the upper surface of the base, and the connected part between the carrier and the base.

[0026] Furthermore, the connected part between the carrier and the base is a surface with an arc-shaped structure.

[0027] It can be understood that when the connected part between the carrier and the base is of any shape, it can play the role of quantifying hair samples. For the convenience of design and manufacturing, the present invention preferably adopts an arc-shaped structure. The arc-shaped structure means that it is arc-shaped when viewed from the side, and its actual structure is a cylindrical structure composed of an arc. The arc can be any arc shape, including circular arc, curved line, and also including straight line, etc.

[0028] Furthermore, the hair collection groove is a detachable groove, and its shape matches the shape of the inner groove formed by the lower surface of the carrier, the upper surface of the base, and the connected part between the carrier and the base, and can be embedded in the inner groove.

[0029] Furthermore, the number of the pistons or piston chambers is more than 1.

[0030] In some ways, the number of the pistons or piston chambers is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.

[0031] Furthermore, two pistons are provided on the housing, and two piston chambers corresponding to the two groups of pistons respectively are provided on the carrier.

[0032] Furthermore, an elastic element is provided on each piston structure; when the cutting element of the hair cutting unit moves downward along the piston structure, the elastic element is compressed, and the hair can be cut.

[0033] Furthermore, the elastic element is a spring, which is sleeved on the piston cavity or on the piston; when the spring is sleeved on the piston cavity, the diameter of the spring is larger than the outer diameter of the piston cavity, and the length of the spring is larger than the length of the piston cavity; when the spring is sleeved on the piston, the diameter of the spring is larger than the diameter of the piston, smaller than the outer diameter of the piston cavity, and larger or smaller than the inner diameter of the piston cavity.

[0034] Furthermore, when the spring is sleeved on the piston and the diameter of the spring is smaller than the inner diameter of the piston cavity, the length of the spring is larger than the length of the piston cavity.

[0035] In some ways, one end of the spring can be fixedly connected to the housing, and the other end is connected to the bottom of the cavity, so that the housing is movably connected together through the spring base.

[0036] In some ways, without fixed connection of the spring, only through the connection between the piston and the piston cavity, the movable connection between the housing and the base can also be realized.

[0037] In some ways, the spring is sleeved on the piston, and the movement of the piston is used to compress the spring to realize the movement of the housing. When the spring returns to its initial state, it drives the housing to move upward, thereby realizing the displacement of the housing and automatically returning to its initial state.

[0038] Furthermore, a groove for convenient pressing is provided on the outer surface of the housing.

[0039] In some ways, convex ribs can be provided on the surface of the groove to increase friction and facilitate pressing.

[0040] In the hair sample collection device provided by the present invention, the hair cutting unit has a first position and a second position in the cavity. When in the first position, the hair cutting unit is in the initial first position, and at this time the elastic element is in the initial natural state; when an external force presses the groove on the surface of the housing of the hair cutting unit, the hair cutting unit overcomes the elastic force of the elastic element. When in the second position, the piston enters the piston cavity, the blade enters the quantitative unit, and the elastic element is compressed, thereby cutting the hair; when the external force is eliminated, the elastic element returns to the non-compressed state, and the hair cutting unit also returns to the initial first position.

[0041] The reciprocating movement of the hair cutting unit is realized by the compression or recovery of elasticity of the elastic element.

[0042] The hair sample collection device provided by the present invention can be prepared into various sizes according to actual needs, and can be designed according to the length of the hair to be sampled, by controlling the distance between the two sets of blades; it can also be designed according to the fact that in the actual sampling process, it may be necessary to hold the hair sample collection device with one hand for sampling, so the device can be prepared into a small and light device that is easy to hold in hand.

[0043] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for collecting hair samples, the method comprising the following steps:

[0044] 1) placing hair in the hair quantitative collection unit of the device as described above, and pressing the hair cutting unit to cut the hair;

[0045] 2) Removing the hair for subsequent processing and testing, wherein the subsequent processing includes extracting the substance to be analyzed in the hair with chemical reagents.

[0046] Furthermore, the hair sample in step 1) needs to be placed in the hair collection tank of the quantitative collection unit first.

[0047] The hair collection slot of the hair sample collection device provided by the present invention is a slot body structure with one side open. When in the initial position, the blade retracts into the blade slot. When sampling, the hair sample is allowed to pass through the opening of the hair collection slot and be located in the hair collection slot, and kept in a position under the blade. Then, the thumb of one hand gently presses the pressing part groove of the shell, and the other hand can hold the base, so as to facilitate the application of force to the shell, thereby completing the sampling.

[0048] The reason why hair drug testing has a longer traceability period is mainly because the retention mechanism of drugs in hair is significantly different from that in biological samples such as blood and urine. The entry of drugs into urine and blood is a process of continuous metabolism and rapid degradation, and the traces of drugs will completely disappear within a few days. After drugs enter the human body, they will enter the hair follicles with the blood circulation. The drug precursors and their metabolites will be fixed by the keratin in the hair and stably retained in the hair. After the hair that records drug use information grows out of the scalp, the drugs and their metabolites will migrate from the root end to the tip end of the hair as the hair grows. Therefore, the drug use history of the person being tested can be inferred through segmented testing. So, how long can the drug use history be tested? This mainly depends on the length of the hair. As long as the hair is long enough, such as a woman's hair that is several tens of centimeters long, it can even reflect the drug use situation within a few years. According to the two factors of the growth rate of yellow people's hair and the time of drug rehabilitation, a section of hair at the root end can be cut in a targeted manner, which can then reflect the conduct of drug addicts over a period of time. Therefore, in order to obtain more accurate hair location, such as drug detection, the closer to the skin, the earlier or later the drug was taken. As the hair grows, if the hair away from the skin contains drugs, it indicates that the drug was taken at an earlier stage.

[0049] Currently, the traditional method is to cut hair samples with scissors (medical scissors). However, generally, the cutting starts from a point 3 millimeters away from the skin. Different lengths of the reserved samples can indicate the length of the drug use history. For example, if the hair is cut into lengths of 3 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 10 cm, etc., the length of the drug use history can be approximately calculated. Using scissors to cut hair samples has operational difficulties, is prone to hurting the skin, and is not easy to quantify. Instead, weighing equipment is needed to weigh the sample. Additionally, when segmental sampling is required, due to the softness of the hair, it is not easy to achieve segmental cutting of different sizes. The hair sample collection device provided by the present invention can well solve these problems, thus very conveniently realizing the quantitative sampling of hair samples.

[0050] The hair sample collection device provided by the present invention mainly has the following beneficial effects:

[0051] 1. It is convenient to hold, and it is possible to use both hands or even one hand to hold the hair sample collection device for hair sampling;

[0052] 2. Only need to press the housing, and the hair sample sampling can be achieved by up and down movement;

[0053] 3. It is convenient to quantitatively obtain hair samples, and the obtained samples can be directly used for the extraction of the substance to be analyzed or directly tested;

[0054] 4. The sharp blade is located inside the device, which is safer and there will be no accidental injury. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of the hair sample collection device provided for Example 1.

[0056] Figure 2 It is a sectional view of the hair sample collection device provided for Example 1.

[0057] Figure 3 It is an exploded view of the hair sample collection device provided for Example 1.

[0058] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of the hair cutting unit (excluding the blade) of the hair sample collection device provided for Example 1.

[0059] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the hair sample collection device provided for Example 1 in the sampling state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] The following further explains the structures or technical terms involved in the present invention. If not specifically specified, they are understood and interpreted according to the general terms commonly used in the art.

[0061] Detection

[0062] Detection means assaying or testing for the presence of a substance or material. The substance or material may be, for example, but not limited to, a chemical substance, an organic compound, an inorganic compound, a metabolite, a drug or a drug metabolite, an organic tissue or a metabolite of an organic tissue, a nucleic acid, a protein or a polymer. Additionally, detection may also mean testing the quantity of a substance or material. Assaying also means immunoassay, chemical assay, enzyme assay, etc.

[0063] Sample

[0064] In the present invention, the samples collected by the detection device include biological liquids. The initial state of the sample can be liquid, solid or semi-solid. The solid or semi-solid sample can be converted into a liquid sample by any suitable method, such as mixing, mashing, macerating, incubating, dissolving, enzymolysis, etc., and then poured into the collection chamber. The test element is used to detect whether the sample contains the analyte. The sample can be taken from a human body, an animal, a plant, nature, etc. Samples taken from a human body can be, for example, liquid samples such as blood, serum, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, sweat, lymph fluid, saliva, gastric juice, etc.; solid or semi-solid samples such as feces, hair, cutin, dental calculus, fingernails / toenails, etc. Samples taken from a plant can be, for example, solid samples such as roots, stems, leaves, etc.; liquid or semi-solid samples such as tissue fluid and cell fluid prepared from roots, stems, leaves. Samples taken from nature can be, for example, liquid samples such as rainwater, river water, seawater, groundwater, etc.; solid or semi-solid samples such as soil, rock, ore, petroleum, etc.

[0065] Here, it refers to a hair sample, and this device is used to collect hair samples as samples for assaying.

[0066] Test element

[0067] A test element refers to a component that can detect the analyte in a sample to be tested. The detection of the analyte by the test element can be based on any technical principle, such as immunology, chemistry, electrochemistry, optics, molecular science, physics, etc. The test element of the present invention can be one kind, or a combination of two or more test elements. The test element has a detection area for displaying the detection result, and after detection, the detection result is displayed in the detection area.

[0068] A common form of the test element is a test strip. The detection of the test strip for the sample to be tested can be based on the principles of immunoassay or chemical analysis, and can adopt the analysis modes of non-competitive method or competitive method. The test strip sequentially includes a sample application area, a reagent area and a test area. After the sample to be tested is added to the sample application area, it flows to the reagent area through capillary action, reacts with the reagent in the reagent area, and then continues to flow to the test area through capillary action. The test area generates a signal or does not generate a signal, thereby indicating the presence or absence of the analyte in the sample to be tested. For example, if a T line (Test Line) appears in the test area, it indicates that the analyte is not present in the sample to be tested; if the T line does not appear in the test area, it indicates that the analyte is present in the sample to be tested. Some test strips are also provided with a control area, which is located after the test area. The sample flowing through the test area continues to flow to the control area, and the control area is used to judge whether the test result in the test area is valid. For example, in some test strips, only when a C line (Control Line) appears in the control area can it indicate that the test result in the test area is valid, otherwise it indicates that the test result in the test area is invalid. In the present invention, when the detection result of the test element can be read only through the test area, the detection area of the test element is the above-mentioned test area; when the detection result of the test element needs to be judged by combining the signals generated by the test area and the control area, the detection area of the test element includes the test area and the control area. Of course, in some cases, the detection result of the test element needs to be judged by combining the signals of other areas, then the detection area also includes the other area. That is to say, in the present invention, the complete detection result can be read through the detection area of the test element. Generally, the test element at least includes a detection area, through which it can be obtained whether the analyte exists in the sample. For example, through the appearance of color, the change of color, generally the color change can be seen by the naked eye, or can be read by scanning with a scanning device, or by taking a picture to read the test result. Or there is fluorescence appearance, or ray appearance, etc. The test result of the detection area is read by equipment.

[0069] Generally, the test element is composed of a porous water-absorbing material, such as filter paper, glass fiber, polyester film, nylon film, paper, non-woven fabric, etc. Any material that can absorb water is acceptable.

[0070] Here, the test element is used to test the analyte in the hair sample, such as drug substances. In some ways, it is used to test the analyte extracted or separated from the hair sample.

[0071] The method for processing hair samples can refer to the methods described in the following patent documents. For example, the reagent for ablating hair described in Chinese Patent Application for Invention, Publication No. CN108844922, the extraction solution described in Chinese Patent Application for Invention, Publication No. CN109828039A, or the extraction solution for the substance to be analyzed in hair described in Publication No. CN110044670A.

[0072] Hair sample or hair specimen

[0073] The so-called hair refers to the hair of mammals, which can be hair on the head, beard, or hair on any part of the body, such as chest hair, leg hair, or hair around the reproductive organs. In particular, the present invention generally refers to hair on the head. When detecting a hair sample, it is first necessary to collect the hair, then process the collected hair, extract or dissolve the molecular substance from the hair sample, and then perform subsequent detections. Such detections can be any detections, such as immunoassay, chemical detection, gas chromatography, liquid-phase detection, gene detection, liquid-phase - gas chromatography combined detection. The substance to be analyzed is generally a drug substance.

[0074] Analyte

[0075] Examples of the analyte involved in the present invention include some small molecule substances, and these small molecules include drugs (such as abused drugs). "Drug of abuse" (DOA) refers to the non-medical use of drugs (usually acting as nerve paralytics). The abuse of these drugs can cause physical and mental damage, dependence, addiction and / or death. The detection device of the present invention can also be used for detecting drugs that are for medical use but are prone to overdose, such as tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine or analogs) and acetaminophen, etc. These drugs will be metabolized into small molecule substances after being absorbed by the human body, and these small molecule substances exist in body fluids such as blood, urine, saliva, sweat, or some of these small molecule substances exist in the above-mentioned body fluids.

[0076] These drug substances also exist in hair samples.

[0077] Collection device

[0078] The present invention provides a collection device for collecting, gathering or storing hair samples. Hair samples are different from ordinary body fluid samples. In body fluid samples, the analyte is generally dissolved or contained in the body fluid sample, and once the collection is completed, it can be directly used for laboratory tests or detections. However, for hair samples, after collection, the hair samples still need to be processed, and it is not easy to achieve the purpose of quantification. Therefore, the present invention provides a device specifically for collecting hair samples, which can automatically collect or gather hair samples, ensure the consistency and accuracy of the collected samples, and can also achieve the purpose of quantification. Detailed implementation manners

[0080] The present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with embodiments. It should be noted that the following embodiments are intended to facilitate the understanding of the present invention and do not limit it in any way.

[0081] Embodiment 1 Hair sample collection device provided by the present invention

[0082] The hair sample collection device provided in this embodiment is as Figures 1 - 5 shown, where Figure 1 is the overall structure diagram of the hair sample collection device, Figure 2 is the sectional view of the hair sample collection device, Figure 3 is the exploded view of the hair sample collection device, Figure 4 is the schematic structural diagram of the hair cutting unit (excluding the blade) of the hair sample collection device; Figure 5 is the schematic diagram of the hair sample collection device in the sampling state.

[0083] The hair sample collection device provided in this embodiment includes a hair cutting unit 1, a hair quantitative collection unit 2, and an elastic element 3; the hair cutting unit 1 is assembled with the hair quantitative collection unit 2 through the elastic element 3. The elastic element 3 movably connects the hair cutting unit 1 and the hair quantitative collection unit 2. The elastic element is any material with elastic deformation, such as springs, rubbers, thermoplastic elastomers, etc., which all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. In this embodiment, a spring is preferably used as the elastic element.

[0084] At the same time, the hair cutting unit 1 and the hair quantitative collection unit 2 are connected through a piston structure 5, and the hair cutting unit 1 can move along the piston structure 5; the elastic element 3 is arranged on the piston structure 5. The hair cutting unit 1 can move along the piston structure 5 means that the hair cutting unit 1 can move along the movement direction of the opening or closing of the piston structure 5. For example, if the piston structure 5 is placed vertically, the movement is an up and down movement.

[0085] Preferably, the piston structure 5 includes a piston 10 and a piston chamber 11, which are respectively arranged on the hair cutting unit 1 and the hair quantitative collection unit 2; when the hair cutting unit is provided with a piston, the hair quantitative collection unit is provided with a piston chamber matching the piston; when the hair quantitative collection unit is provided with a piston chamber, the hair cutting unit is provided with a piston matching the piston chamber.

[0086] Preferably, the hair cutting unit 1 includes a housing 6 and a cutting element 7; the cutting element 7 is fixed in the housing 6, and the piston 10 is arranged in the housing 6. In this embodiment, the cutting element 7 is installed near the side of the housing 6. Any element with a sharp edge that can be used to cut hair belongs to the protection scope of the present invention. In this embodiment, a blade 8 is preferably used. In this embodiment, the cutting element 7 is a blade 8; the blade 8 includes two groups and is fixed on both sides of the housing 6. Blade grooves 9 are respectively arranged on both sides of the housing 6, and the two groups of blades 8 are respectively installed in the blade grooves 9 on both sides of the housing 6. By cutting simultaneously with the two groups of blades 8, a group of hair samples with the same length and neatly arranged can be obtained, and the number of the hair samples is basically the same due to the limitation of the hair quantitative collection unit 2.

[0087] In this embodiment, the hair quantitative collection unit 2 is provided with a blade chamber 22 through which the two groups of blades 8 can respectively pass.

[0088] The hair quantitative collection unit 2 includes a carrier 4, a hair collection groove 13, and a base 14; the carrier 4, the hair collection groove 13, and the base 14 are connected in sequence from top to bottom; the carrier 4 is connected to the hair cutting unit 1; the piston chamber 11 is arranged on the carrier 4. The carrier 4 can be used to carry the hair cutting unit 1. The carrier 4 can be a platform structure or a structure that surrounds the hair cutting unit 1 on one, two, three, or four sides. In this embodiment, it is preferably a structure that surrounds the hair cutting unit 1 on four sides.

[0089] Preferably, the carrier 4 of the hair quantitative collection unit 2 is a cavity 17 that can carry the hair cutting unit 1, and the hair cutting unit 1 can move in the cavity 17. The cavity 17 can accommodate the bottom of the hair cutting unit 1 on four sides, and the height of the four-sided accommodation can be the height of the housing 6 of the hair cutting unit 1, or 1 / 10, 1 / 5, 1 / 2, 2 / 3, 3 / 5, etc. of the height of the housing 6 of the hair cutting unit 1, but the upper part of the hair cutting unit 1 is still exposed. In this embodiment, the height of the four-sided accommodation is about 2 / 3 of the height of the housing 6.

[0090] Preferably, the hair collection groove 13 is a groove body structure with an opening on one side. The groove body structure with an opening on one side is more convenient for taking and placing hair samples. At the same time, due to the size limitation of the groove body structure, the number of hair samples placed is basically the same. After being cut simultaneously by two groups of blades, hair samples with the same length, neatly arranged, and the same number can be obtained. The hair collection groove 13 is composed of the lower surface 18 of the carrier, the upper surface 19 of the base, and the connecting part 20 between the carrier and the base.

[0091] Preferably, the connecting part 20 between the carrier 4 and the base 14 is a surface with an arc-shaped structure. The arc-shaped structure means that it is arc-shaped when viewed from the side, and its actual structure is a cylindrical structure formed by an arc. The arc can be any arc shape, including circular arc, curved line, and also including straight line, etc. It can be understood that when the connecting part between the carrier and the base is of any shape, it can play the role of quantifying hair samples. For the convenience of design and manufacture, the circular arc-shaped structure is preferably adopted in this embodiment.

[0092] In this embodiment, to improve the user's comfort, the turning parts of the housing 6, the lower surface 18 of the carrier, the upper surface 19 of the base, etc. all adopt a more beautiful and safer circular arc design. The base 14 in this embodiment is a hollow support structure, which can make the device lighter in weight. There are several vertical strip-shaped supports 21 arranged in the base 14; in addition, the housing 6 and the cavity 17 can both be hollow structures, making the whole device more lightweight.

[0093] In this embodiment, the hair collection groove 13 and the base 14 are fixed into one body. Of course, the hair collection groove 13 and the base 14 can also be detachably connected. In this embodiment, the hair collection groove 13 and the base 14 are connected as an integral structure, which is an open groove body structure.

[0094] Preferably, the number of the pistons 10 or the piston chambers 11 is more than 1. For example, the number of the pistons 10 or the piston chambers 11 is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc. In this embodiment, two pistons 10 are provided on the housing 6, and two piston chambers 11 corresponding to the two groups of pistons 10 respectively are provided on the carrier 4.

[0095] Preferably, an elastic element 3 is provided on each piston structure 5; when the cutting element 7 of the hair cutting unit 1 moves downward along the piston structure 5, the elastic element 3 is compressed, and the hair can be cut off.

[0096] Preferably, the elastic element 3 is a spring 12, which is sleeved on the piston chamber 11 or on the piston 10. When the spring 12 is sleeved on the piston chamber 11, the diameter of the spring 12 is greater than the outer diameter of the piston chamber 11, and the length of the spring 12 is greater than the length of the piston chamber 11. When the spring 12 is sleeved on the piston 10, the diameter of the spring 12 is greater than the diameter of the piston 10, less than the outer diameter of the piston chamber 11, and greater than or less than the inner diameter of the piston chamber 11. When the spring 12 is sleeved on the piston 10 and the diameter of the spring 12 is less than the inner diameter of the piston chamber 11, the length of the spring 12 is greater than the length of the piston chamber 11. At this time, the spring 12 is completely inserted into the piston chamber 11 together with the piston 10. When the diameter of the spring 12 is greater than the inner diameter of the piston chamber 11, the spring 12 cannot enter the piston chamber 11 and can only block the position where the piston 10 does not enter the piston chamber 11. The spring 12 is sleeved on the piston 10, and the movement of the piston 10 is used to compress the spring 12 to realize the movement of the housing 6. When the spring 12 returns to its initial state, it drives the housing 6 to move upward, thereby realizing the displacement of the housing 6 and automatically restoring to its initial state. Of course, the elastic element 3 can also be prepared from other elastic materials. In this embodiment, the spring 12 is preferably used.

[0097] Preferably, one end of the spring 12 can be fixedly connected to the housing 6, and the other end can be connected to the bottom of the cavity 17. In this way, the housing 6 is movably connected to the base 14 through the spring 12. Of course, the spring 12 can also be not fixedly connected. Only through the connection between the piston 10 and the piston chamber 11, the movable connection between the housing 6 and the base 14 can also be realized, which is also within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0098] Preferably, a groove 15 for convenient pressing is provided on the outer surface of the housing 6. In this embodiment, ribs 16 are further provided on the surface of the groove 15 to increase friction and facilitate pressing.

[0099] In the hair sample collection device provided by the present invention, the hair cutting unit 1 has a first position 23 and a second position 24 in the cavity 17. When in the first position 23, the hair cutting unit 1 is in the initial first position, and at this time the elastic element 3 is in the initial natural state. When an external force presses the groove 15 on the surface of the housing 6 of the hair cutting unit 1, the hair cutting unit 1 overcomes the elastic force of the elastic element 3. When in the second position 24, the piston 10 enters the piston chamber 11, the blade 8 enters the quantitative unit 2, and the elastic element 3 is compressed, thereby cutting the hair. When the external force is eliminated, the elastic element 3 returns to the non-compressed state, and the hair cutting unit 1 also returns to the initial first position.

[0100] The reciprocating movement of the hair cutting unit 1 is realized by the compression or recovery of elasticity of the elastic element 3.

[0101] The hair sample collection device provided by the present invention can be prepared in various size specifications according to actual needs, designed according to the length of the hair to be sampled, and the length of the sampled hair is controlled by controlling the distance between two groups of blades 8; it can also be designed according to the actual sampling process, where it may be necessary to hold the hair sample collection device with one hand for sampling. Therefore, the device can be prepared into a small and lightweight device that is convenient to hold by hand.

[0102] The hair sample collection device provided in this embodiment sets the distance between two groups of blades to 8 cm.

[0103] On the other hand, the present invention provides a method for collecting hair samples, and the method includes the following steps:

[0104] 1) Place the hair in the hair collection groove 13. Due to the size limitation of the hair collection groove 13, the number of hairs that can be loaded each time is basically the same. Then press the hair cutting unit 1, and cut the hair simultaneously through two groups of blades 8 to obtain a hair sample with a length of 8 cm, the same number, and neatly arranged;

[0105] 2) Take out the hair sample for subsequent processing and detection, and the subsequent processing includes extracting the analyzed substance in the hair with chemical reagents.

[0106] The hair sample collection device provided in this embodiment includes a housing 6. Blades 8 are provided on the housing 6 and are respectively arranged at both ends of the housing 6. A moving piston 10 is provided on the housing 6, and a spring 12 is sleeved outside the piston 10. Part of the housing 6 is located in the cavity 17, and the cavity 17 has a piston cavity 11 that cooperates with the piston 10, and the piston 10 can move freely in the piston cavity 11. The up and down movement of the housing 6 drives the up and down movement of the blades 8. A quantitative groove or a quantitative unit is also provided on the device, which is called the hair collection groove 13 in this embodiment, to place the hair in the hair collection groove 13, facilitating the blades 8 to cut the hair sample, thereby completing quantitative sampling. The housing 6 also includes a part for applying force, facilitating pressing the housing 6, so that the housing 6 moves up and down in the cavity.

[0107] The housing 6 has an initial position in the cavity 17. At this time, the spring 12 is in a natural state, and the piston 10 is in the first position in the piston cavity 11. At this time, the cutting edge of the cutting blade 8 is inside the outlet, thus in a safe position. When it is necessary to cut and sample the hair, press the groove 15 at the pressing part on the housing 6 with force, overcoming the reaction force of the spring 12, so that the housing 6 moves down from top to bottom into the cavity 17. At this time, the piston 10 moves in the piston cavity 11, and the blades 8 also move with the housing 6. The moving distance can be freely adjusted. Generally, the cutting edge contacts the quantitative unit, the hair collection groove 13, as Figure 5As shown, for example, the surface of the hair collection groove 13 is the limit. After cutting is completed, the housing 6 is released, and the spring 12 needs to recover from the compressed state to the natural state, so that the housing 6 returns to the initial position. At this time, the blade also returns to the initial position along with the cover, and the cut hair is taken out from the groove to complete the purpose of quantitative sampling.

[0108] In this embodiment, the hair collection groove 13 is a groove structure with an opening on one side. When in the initial position, the blade 8 retracts into the blade groove 9. When sampling, let the hair sample pass through the opening of the hair collection groove 13, be located inside the hair collection groove 13, and remain in the position under the blade 8. Then, gently press the groove 15 of the pressing part of the housing 6 with the thumb of one hand, and the other hand can support the base 14 to facilitate applying force to the housing 6 to complete the sampling.

[0109] When the hair is placed in the groove, press the housing 6 to make the housing 6 overcome the reaction force of the spring 12, so that the housing 6 moves downward from the initial position. The piston 10 also moves downward in the piston chamber 11, and the blades 8 at both ends of the housing 6 also move downward, so that the cutting edge cuts the hair located in the groove, realizing the quantitative length and the lateral volume of the hair amount by the volume of the groove of the hair collection groove 13. After cutting, release the finger, and the force pressing the housing 6 disappears. The compressed spring 12 needs to return to the original state, so that the housing 6 returns to the initial state again. A certain amount of hair quantitative sampling is completed. In this way, sampling can be repeated multiple times.

[0110] Embodiment 2 Removable hair collection groove

[0111] This embodiment uses the hair sample collection device provided in Embodiment 1, in which the hair collection groove 13 in the hair quantitative collection unit 2 is connected to the base 14 in a detachable manner. After sampling is completed, the hair collection groove 13 is detached from the base 14 to complete the sampling.

[0112] Preferably, the hair collection groove 13 provided in this embodiment is a detachable groove, and its shape matches the shape of the inner groove formed by the lower surface 18 of the carrier, the upper surface 19 of the base, and the connected part 20 of the carrier and the base, and can be embedded in the inner groove.

[0113] Embodiment 3 The spring is located on the piston

[0114] This embodiment uses the hair sample collection device provided in Embodiment 1, in which the spring 12 is sleeved on the piston 10, and the movement of the piston 10 is used to compress the spring 12 to realize the movement of the housing 6. The spring returns to the initial state to drive the housing 6 to move upward, realizing the position movement of the housing 6 and automatically returning to the initial state.

[0115] Embodiment 4 Obtaining hair samples of different sizes

[0116] This embodiment uses the hair sample collection device provided in Embodiment 1, and the distance between its two groups of blades is 12 cm respectively.

[0117] The method for collecting hair samples using the hair sample collection device provided in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0118] 3) Place the hair in the hair collection groove 13. Due to the size limitation of the hair collection groove 13, the number of hairs that can be loaded each time is basically the same. Then press the hair cutting unit 1, and cut the hair simultaneously by the two groups of blades 8 to obtain a hair sample with a length of 12 cm, the same number, and neatly arranged;

[0119] 4) Take out the hair sample for subsequent processing and detection. The subsequent processing includes extracting the analyte in the hair with chemical reagents, such as for drug analysis.

[0120] As mentioned above, it is only the specific implementation manner of the invention, but the protection scope of the invention is not limited thereto. Any change or replacement that can be thought of without creative work should be covered within the protection scope of the invention.

[0121] Although the present invention is disclosed as above, the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be subject to the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A hair sample collection device, characterized in that, it includes a hair cutting unit, a hair quantitative collection unit and an elastic element; the hair cutting unit is assembled with the hair quantitative collection unit through the elastic element; the hair cutting unit and the hair quantitative collection unit are connected through a piston structure, and the hair cutting unit can move along the piston structure; the elastic element is arranged on the piston structure; the piston structure includes a piston and a piston chamber, which are respectively arranged on the hair cutting unit and the hair quantitative collection unit; the hair cutting unit includes a housing and a cutting element; the cutting element is fixed in the housing, and the piston is arranged in the housing; the hair quantitative collection unit includes a carrier and a hair collection groove; the hair collection groove is a groove body structure with one open side; an elastic element is arranged on the piston structure; when the cutting element of the hair cutting unit moves downward along the piston structure, the elastic element is compressed and can cut the hair; the cutting element is a blade; the blade includes two groups and is fixed on both sides of the housing; two pistons are arranged on the housing, and two piston chambers corresponding to the two groups of pistons are arranged on the carrier; an elastic element is arranged on each piston structure; the length of the sampled hair is controlled by controlling the distance between the two groups of blades; The quantification means that the length of the hair samples collected after being cut by the hair cutting unit is consistent, the quantity is roughly the same, and the sorting is neat, and it can be directly used for the extraction and detection of substances to be analyzed in the subsequent hair samples.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, blade grooves are respectively arranged on both sides of the housing, and the two groups of blades are respectively installed in the blade grooves on both sides of the housing.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the hair quantitative collection unit further includes a base; the carrier, the hair collection groove and the base are connected in sequence; the carrier is connected to the hair cutting unit; the piston chamber is arranged on the carrier.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that, the carrier of the hair quantitative collection unit is a cavity containing a hair cutting unit, and the hair cutting unit can move in the cavity.

5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that, the hair collection groove is composed of the lower surface of the carrier, the upper surface of the base, and the connected part between the carrier and the base.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that, the connected part between the carrier and the base is a surface with an arc-shaped structure.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that, the hair collection groove is a detachable groove body, and its shape matches the shape of the inner groove body composed of the lower surface of the carrier, the upper surface of the base, and the connected part between the carrier and the base, and it can be embedded in the inner groove body.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that, the elastic element is a spring, which is sleeved on the piston chamber or on the piston; when the spring is sleeved on the piston chamber, the diameter of the spring is greater than the outer diameter of the piston chamber, and the length of the spring is greater than the length of the piston chamber; when the spring is sleeved on the piston, the diameter of the spring is greater than the diameter of the piston, less than the outer diameter of the piston chamber, and greater than or less than the inner diameter of the piston chamber.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the spring is sleeved on the piston and the diameter of the spring is smaller than the inner diameter of the piston cavity, the length of the spring is greater than the length of the piston cavity.

10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that a groove for convenient pressing is provided on the outer surface of the housing.

11. A method for collecting hair samples, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: 1) Place the hair in the hair quantitative collection unit of the device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and press the hair cutting unit to cut the hair; 2) Take out the hair for subsequent treatment and detection, and the subsequent treatment includes extracting the analyte in the hair with a chemical reagent.

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