Automatic collection and storage device for exhaled breath condensate and method of using the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic collection and storage device for exhaled breath condensate, comprising a collection box, an automatic sampling assembly disposed within the collection box, a control door movably mounted on the front of the collection box, a flap movably mounted on the top of the collection box, a power motor in transmission connection with the automatic sampling assembly disposed on the top of the flap, and a breathing tube movably mounted on the top of the flap. This automatic collection and storage device for exhaled breath condensate and its use method, through the coordinated operation of the automatic sampling assembly and the controller and various components within the collection box, can achieve multiple functions, including intelligent identification, automatic liquid level reminders, automatic storage and replacement of test tubes, and constant internal temperature regulation. This facilitates user use, reduces workload for medical staff, and addresses the existing issues of the inability to achieve integrated collection and storage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical auxiliary collection devices, and in particular to an automatic collection and storage device for exhaled breath condensate and a method for using the same. Background Art

[0002] Exhaled breath condensate can well reflect the condition of the lower respiratory tract lining fluid and the inflammatory response state of the lungs in real time. Detecting the content of carcinoembryonic antigen, nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, etc. in exhaled breath condensate can understand the physiological and pathological changes of the lower respiratory tract, and help diagnose respiratory diseases such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. It also has broad clinical application prospects in disease severity classification and treatment effect evaluation.

[0003] Currently, exhaled breath condensate collection devices are inconvenient to carry, prone to cross-infection during collection, inconvenient to remove and install the sampler, have poor refrigeration efficiency, are not highly intelligent, and are not comfortable for the exhaler to use. In the prior art, Chinese Patent No. 201611012632.5 proposes an automatic exhaled breath condensate collection and storage device, which solves the problems of inconsistent standards, unstable effects, and poor automation of current automatic exhaled breath condensate collection and storage devices. However, when using the above technical solution, medical staff still need to wait by the side for the sampling to be completed and then send it for inspection immediately, and it is impossible to achieve integrated collection and storage. There is room for improvement. Therefore, an automatic exhaled breath condensate collection and storage device and a method of use thereof are proposed to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the problems of the existing technology, such as the need for medical staff to wait nearby to take samples for inspection, and the inability to achieve integrated collection and storage. An automatic collection and storage device for exhaled breath condensate and a method for using the same are proposed.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] An automatic collection and storage device for exhaled breath condensate comprises a collection box, an automatic sampling assembly disposed therein, a control door movably mounted on the front of the collection box, a flip cover movably mounted on the top of the collection box, a power motor transmission-connected to the automatic sampling assembly disposed on the top of the flip cover, and a breathing tube corresponding to the automatic sampling assembly movably mounted on the top of the flip cover;

[0007] The automatic sampling assembly consists of a sampling disk and a storage disk, a separation partition is provided between the sampling disk and the storage disk, an adjustment sleeve penetrating the sampling disk, the storage disk and the separation partition is movably installed at the center of the sampling disk, the storage disk and the separation partition, an adjustment push rod rotatably connected to the adjustment sleeve and a sampling push rod for sampling are provided below the storage disk, and a transmission shaft for driving the adjustment sleeve to rotate is provided at the output end of the power motor.

[0008] Furthermore, a sampling tube is provided on the sampling tray, and placement grooves corresponding to the sampling tubes are evenly provided on the sampling tray and the storage tray, so as to facilitate neat arrangement and subsequent automatic collection and storage.

[0009] Furthermore, a liquid filtering device and a one-way valve are provided inside the breathing tube. The breathing tube is a soft tube, which improves the collection accuracy and prevents saliva from being mixed with the exhaled air and blown out, causing saliva contamination.

[0010] Furthermore, the interior of the collection box is divided into a collection chamber and a storage chamber by a separation partition. The collection chamber and the storage chamber act on the sampling disk and the storage disk respectively. A sampling push rod is provided on the separation partition for transferring a through hole for the sampling tube, so that the sampling tube can move from the collection chamber to the storage chamber through the through hole provided on the separation partition to achieve the purpose of automatic collection.

[0011] Furthermore, a refrigeration component is provided on the back of the collection box to act on the collection chamber. The refrigeration component includes a semiconductor refrigeration plate and a heat dissipation fan. During the sampling process, the refrigeration component is used to cool down the exhaled air so that the exhaled air is quickly condensed. The semiconductor refrigeration plate is composed of PN nodes connected in series. The hot end of the semiconductor refrigeration plate is provided with a rib-type heat sink. Heat dissipation silica gel is applied between the semiconductor refrigeration plate and the rib-type heat sink.

[0012] Furthermore, the collection box is provided with a liquid nitrogen assembly connected to the storage chamber. The liquid nitrogen assembly includes a fixing frame, a temperature-adjustable electric control valve and a liquid nitrogen bottle. The exhaled gas condensate is temporarily stored by the liquid nitrogen assembly to avoid frequent waiting by medical staff.

[0013] Furthermore, a snap-on paddle is fixedly connected to the adjusting sleeve, and a snap-on groove adapted to the snap-on paddle is provided on the top of the sampling disk and the bottom of the storage disk. The snap-on paddle enables the power motor to drive the rotation of the sampling disk and the storage disk respectively, and a connecting groove corresponding to the transmission shaft is provided on the top of the adjusting sleeve, and a limiting slide groove is provided on the transmission shaft. A limiting slider adapted to the limiting slide groove is provided on the inner wall of the connecting groove, which can facilitate the user to open the flip cover and add the collection tube inside.

[0014] Furthermore, a display panel and a controller are provided on the control door, and an identity recognition module, a remote reminder module, a temperature sensor, a counter and a liquid level sensor electrically connected to the controller are provided inside the collection box. Through the cooperation of the controller and various components, multiple effects such as intelligent identity recognition, automatic reminder of liquid level reaching the standard, automatic storage and replacement of test tubes, and constant regulation of internal temperature can be achieved.

[0015] Furthermore, another solution disclosed in the present invention is to provide a method for using a device for automatically collecting and storing exhaled breath condensate, comprising the following steps:

[0016] 1) Identity recognition: After the user scans the QR code on the display panel, the identity recognition module recognizes the user's identity and then reminds the user to insert the breathing tube for use;

[0017] 2) Sample collection: The user's exhaled breath is collected through the breathing tube and quickly cooled by the refrigeration component inside the collection box to condense the exhaled breath in the sampling tube. At the same time, the liquid level in the sampling tube is detected by the liquid level sensor. When the condensate level reaches the standard, the display panel reminds the user to stop blowing and remove the breathing tube;

[0018] 3) Automatic storage: After sampling is completed, the sampling push rod drives the sampling tube down, moves the sampling tube from the collection chamber to the storage chamber through the through hole provided on the separation partition, and snaps the sampling tube into the placement slot provided on the storage disk;

[0019] 4) Temperature control: Temperature sensors are used to detect the temperatures inside the collection chamber and storage chamber. The temperature inside the collection chamber is maintained by a refrigeration component at a temperature at which the exhaled air in the sampling tube rapidly condenses. The temperature inside the storage chamber is maintained by a liquid nitrogen component at a temperature that can keep the condensate sample in the sampling tube fresh.

[0020] 5) Reset and collect, the adjusting push rod pushes the adjusting sleeve to move up and down, the snap-on paddle set on the adjusting sleeve is snapped into the storage disk, and then the power motor drives the storage disk to rotate one grid, so that the empty placement slot on the storage disk corresponds to the sampling push rod, and the sampling push rod passes through the placement slot and extends to the through hole of the separation partition. Finally, the snap-on paddle set on the adjusting sleeve is snapped into the sampling disk, and the power motor drives the new sampling tube on the sampling disk to move to the through hole of the separation partition and dock with the sampling push rod to reset, waiting for the next user to use.

[0021] Furthermore, after the reset collection in step 5) is completed, the controller makes a judgment based on the remaining amount of the placement slots set on the storage disk, where X is the total number of placement slots, Xn is the current number of collection tubes, T is the time when the first collection tube enters the device, and Tn is the current time. The output value of (X-Xn) is M, and the output value of (T-Tn) is N. The remote reminder module reminds medical staff to handle the situation when [M*(T1-N)*(Tn-T2)]=0, where T1 is the maximum storage time of the sample and T2 is the equipment shutdown time.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0023] The automatic collection and storage device for exhaled breath condensate and its use method, by providing an automatic sampling component and a controller and various components inside the collection box, can achieve multiple effects such as intelligent identity recognition, automatic reminder of liquid level reaching the standard, automatic storage and replacement of test tubes, and constant internal temperature regulation. It is convenient for users to use, reduces the workload of medical staff, and solves the problem that the existing technology cannot achieve integrated collection and storage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural perspective diagram of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the rear structure of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the structure of the automatic sampling component of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of the automatic sampling component of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the internal structure of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the structure of the clamping paddle in the present invention;

[0031] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the control system in the present invention.

[0032] In the figure: 1 collection box, 2 control door, 3 flip cover, 4 power motor, 5 breathing tube, 6 display panel, 7 liquid nitrogen assembly, 8 cooling fan, 9 automatic sampling assembly, 91 sampling tray, 92 storage tray, 93 separation partition, 94 adjustment push rod, 95 sampling push rod, 96 transmission shaft, 97 adjustment sleeve, 98 limit slider, 99 snap-on paddle, 10 sampling tube, 11 conductor cooling plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] See also Figure 1-8 A device for automatically collecting and storing exhaled breath condensate includes a collection box 1, an automatic sampling component 9 is arranged inside the collection box 1, a control door 2 is movably installed on the front of the collection box 1, a flip plate 3 is movably installed on the top of the collection box 1, a power motor 4 is provided on the top of the flip plate 3 and is transmission-connected to the automatic sampling component 9, and a breathing tube 5 corresponding to the automatic sampling component 9 is movably installed on the top of the flip plate 3.

[0035] In order to enable the device to automatically collect and sample respiratory fluid, a display panel 6 and a controller are provided on the control door 2, and an identity recognition module, a remote reminder module, a temperature sensor, a counter and a liquid level sensor electrically connected to the controller are provided inside the collection box 1.

[0036] Specifically, the display panel 6 displays the temperature inside the box, the identification QR code and the remaining amount in the internal sampling tube 10 .

[0037] It should be added that the display panel 6, controller, identity recognition module, remote reminder module, temperature sensor, counter and liquid level sensor are all relatively mature technologies in the existing technology, so they are not described in detail and can be replaced by structures with the same functions that can be easily thought of by technicians in this field.

[0038] It should be noted that the entire collection box 1 consists of an insulated box shell, a middle insulation layer and an internal waterproof layer. Considering that the shell of the entire collection box 1 needs to have sufficient strength and a certain insulation capacity, a polycarbonate material is selected as the shell of the entire collection box 1, and a polyurethane foam rigid plastic board with low thermal conductivity, volume and density is selected as the insulation layer of this collection box 1. A layer of aluminum foil is plated on the inside of the polyurethane foam rigid plastic board as a waterproof layer, and the joints of each layer are bonded by a foaming agent, which can not only ensure a good bonding effect but also reduce the heat exchange between the inside of the refrigeration box and the outside world, which can improve the sealing of the entire collection box 1 and prevent water droplets from penetrating into the insulation layer and affecting the insulation effect.

[0039] In this embodiment, a liquid filter device and a one-way valve are provided inside the breathing tube 5. By adding the liquid filter device to the breathing tube 5, saliva is prevented from being mixed with the exhaled air and blown out, causing saliva contamination. At the same time, a one-way valve is installed in the breathing tube 5 to ensure that the exhaled air flows in one direction to avoid cross contamination.

[0040] At the same time, the breathing tube 5 is a soft tube, which is a disposable consumable material, easy to use, and has high collection efficiency, so as to avoid cross infection between exhaling people.

[0041] In this embodiment, the automatic sampling component 9 consists of a sampling disk 91 and a storage disk 92. A separation partition 93 is provided between the sampling disk 91 and the storage disk 92. An adjustment sleeve 97 that passes through the sampling disk 91, the storage disk 92 and the separation partition 93 is movably installed at the center. An adjustment push rod 94 rotatably connected to the adjustment sleeve 97 and a sampling push rod 95 for sampling are provided below the storage disk 92. The output end of the power motor 4 is provided with a transmission shaft 96 for driving the adjustment sleeve 97 to rotate.

[0042] Among them, a sampling tube 10 is provided on the sampling tray 91, and a liquid level sensor corresponding to the sampling tube 10 is provided inside the collection box 1, which is used to remind the user to stop exhaling after the sampling tube 10 reaches the specified position. The sampling tray 91 and the storage tray 92 are evenly provided with placement grooves corresponding to the sampling tube 10, and each placement groove on the storage tray 92 is provided with a corresponding label, which is used to label the test tubes after the collection is completed, so as to facilitate subsequent collection and sampling by medical staff.

[0043] In this embodiment, the interior of the collection box 1 is divided into a collection chamber and a storage chamber by a separation partition 93. The collection chamber and the storage chamber act on the sampling disk 91 and the storage disk 92 respectively. A sampling push rod 95 is provided on the separation partition 93 for transferring a through hole for the sampling tube 10. At the same time, a counter is provided inside the collection box 1, which can be electrically connected to the sampling push rod 95. The counter counts the number of times the sampling push rod 95 moves up and down, thereby counting the number of sampling tubes 10 that have completed sampling. When the upper limit is reached, the remote reminder module reminds the medical staff to replace the new sampling tube 10, and takes away the sampling tubes 10 that have completed sampling and sends them for testing as soon as possible.

[0044] In this embodiment, a refrigeration component that acts on the collection chamber is provided on the back of the collection box 1. The refrigeration component includes a semiconductor refrigeration plate 11 and a heat dissipation fan 8. The semiconductor refrigeration plate 11 is composed of PN nodes connected in series. A rib-type heat sink is provided at the hot end of the semiconductor refrigeration plate 11. Heat dissipation silicone is applied between the semiconductor refrigeration plate 11 and the rib-type heat sink.

[0045] At the same time, the collection box 1 is provided with a liquid nitrogen assembly 7 connected to the storage chamber. The liquid nitrogen assembly 7 includes a fixing frame, a temperature-adjustable electric control valve and a liquid nitrogen bottle.

[0046] The collection chamber and storage chamber are acted on by the refrigeration assembly and the liquid nitrogen assembly 7 respectively. At the same time, the temperature sensor provided inside the collection box 1 is used to detect the internal temperature of the collection chamber and the storage chamber. The refrigeration assembly and the temperature sensor are used to ensure that the temperature of the collection chamber is within the temperature range of 0-5 degrees Celsius, so as to facilitate rapid pre-cooling and condensation of the exhaled breath. Since the storage temperature of the exhaled breath condensate is relatively demanding and needs to be stored at a temperature of -80°C to avoid affecting the test results, the liquid nitrogen assembly 7 is provided. When the sampling tube 10 enters the storage chamber under the action of the sampling push rod 95, the controller drives the temperature-adjusting electric control valve to operate, open the liquid nitrogen bottle, and quickly reduce the temperature inside the storage chamber. The temperature is monitored by the temperature sensor and maintained below 80°C.

[0047] like Figure 7 As shown, in order to realize that the power motor 4 drives the sampling disk 91 and the storage disk 92 to rotate respectively, a snap-on paddle 99 is fixedly connected to the adjusting sleeve 97, and a snap-on groove adapted to the snap-on paddle 99 is provided on the top of the sampling disk 91 and the bottom of the storage disk 92. When the device is running, after the sampling tube 10 at the top is sampled, the sampling tube 10 can be moved from the collection chamber to the storage chamber through the through hole provided on the separation partition 93 under the action of the sampling push rod 95. After the movement is completed, the snap-on paddle 99 at the bottom is snapped into the snap-on groove at the bottom of the storage disk 92. At this time, the power motor 4 rotates, driving the storage disk 92 to move one grid, and then the sampling push rod 95 and the adjusting push rod 94 move at the same time. The adjusting push rod 94 moves downward, driving the adjusting sleeve 97 to contract, so that the bottom snap-on paddle 99 is disengaged from the interior of the storage disk 92. At this time, the top snap-on paddle 99 is snapped into the interior of the sampling disk 91, and the sampling push rod 95 moves upward to the through hole of the separation partition 93. The power motor 4 is rotating and running, driving the sampling disk 91 to rotate and move the next sampling tube 10 to the through hole to wait for sampling, thereby achieving the effect of automatic sampling.

[0048] Another solution disclosed in the present invention is to provide an automatic collection method for exhaled breath condensate, including an automatic collection and storage device and a method for using the same, comprising the following steps:

[0049] 1) Identity recognition: After the user scans the identification QR code on the display panel 6, the identity recognition module recognizes the user's identity and then reminds the user to insert the breathing tube 5 for use;

[0050] 2) Sample collection: The user's exhaled breath is collected through the breathing tube 5 and placed inside the sampling tube 10. The exhaled breath in the sampling tube 10 is quickly cooled and condensed by the refrigeration component inside the collection box 1. At the same time, the liquid level in the sampling tube 10 is detected by the liquid level sensor. When the condensate level reaches the standard, the display panel 6 reminds the user to stop blowing and remove the breathing tube 5;

[0051] 3) Automatic storage: After sampling is completed, the sampling push rod 95 drives the sampling tube 10 downward, moves the sampling tube 10 from the collection chamber to the storage chamber through the through hole provided on the separation partition 93, and then snaps the sampling tube 10 into the placement groove provided on the storage disk 92;

[0052] 4) Temperature control: The temperature inside the collection chamber and the storage chamber is detected by a temperature sensor. The temperature inside the collection chamber is maintained by a refrigeration component at a temperature at which the exhaled air in the sampling tube 10 rapidly condenses. The temperature inside the storage chamber is maintained by a liquid nitrogen component 7 at a temperature that can ensure the freshness of the condensate sample in the sampling tube 10.

[0053] 5) Reset and collect, the adjusting push rod 94 pushes the adjusting sleeve 97 to move up and down, and the snap-on paddle 99 provided on the adjusting sleeve 97 is snapped into the storage disk 92, and then the power motor 4 runs to drive the storage disk 92 to rotate one grid, so that the placement groove above the storage disk 92 corresponds to the sampling push rod 95, and the sampling push rod 95 passes through the placement groove and extends to the through hole of the separation partition 93. Finally, the snap-on paddle 99 provided on the adjusting sleeve 97 is snapped into the sampling disk 91, and the power motor 4 runs to drive the new sampling tube 10 on the sampling disk 91 to move to the through hole of the separation partition 93 and dock with the sampling push rod 95 to reset, waiting for the next user to use.

[0054] It should be noted that after the reset collection in step 5) is completed, the controller makes a judgment based on the remaining amount of the placement slots set on the storage disk 92, where X is the total number of placement slots, Xn is the current number of collection tubes, T is the time when the first collection tube enters the device, and Tn is the current time. The output value of (X-Xn) is M, and the output value of (T-Tn) is N. The remote reminder module reminds medical staff to handle the situation when [M*(T1-N)*(Tn-T2)]=0, where T1 is the maximum storage time of the sample and T2 is the equipment shutdown time.

[0055] When M is equal to 0, the controller determines that the number of samples collected by the collection tube has reached the upper limit and the medical staff needs to replace it;

[0056] N is the time set by the medical staff. The medical staff manually sets the maximum storage time of the sample. For example, 3 hours, when N = T-Tn = 3, (T1-N) equals 0, and the final output value is zero, reminding the medical staff to collect and process;

[0057] T2 can be the off-duty time, the rest time of the medical staff in the department. When the current time Tn reaches the off-duty time, Tn is equal to T2, and Tn-T2 is equal to 0, it reminds to take out the samples inside the equipment before leaving get off work to avoid retaining them for too long.

[0058] When any value in [M*(T1-N)*(Tn-T2)] is zero, the final output value is zero, and the medical staff is reminded to perform the operation.

[0059] To implement the above automatic collection method, please refer to Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the circuit connection between the controller and each component.

[0060] In order to facilitate the user to add a new sampling tube 10 and remove the sampling tube 10 after sampling, Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, a connecting groove corresponding to the transmission shaft 96 is provided on the top of the adjusting sleeve 97, a limiting groove is provided on the transmission shaft 96, and a limiting slider 98 adapted to the limiting groove is provided on the inner wall of the connecting groove, which can facilitate the user to directly open the top flip plate 3 to add the sampling tube 10. After the addition is completed, when the flip plate 3 is closed, the transmission shaft 96 at the output end of the power motor 4 is just connected to the connecting groove provided on the adjusting sleeve 97. At the same time, in order to ensure the normal driving function, a limiting groove is provided on the transmission shaft 96, and a limiting slider 98 adapted to the limiting groove is provided on the inner wall of the connecting groove. The adjusting sleeve 97 is driven to rotate by the limiting slider 98.

[0061] When the sampling tube 10 is taken out after sampling, the control door 2 can be opened, the sampling tube 10 on the storage disk 92 can be taken out, and placed according to the classification mark to facilitate the statistics of subsequent test results.

[0062] When using this embodiment, the user logs in by scanning the identification QR code on the display panel 6. After the identity is confirmed by the identity recognition module, the user takes the breathing tube 5 and inserts it into the top of the flip cover 3 and docks it with the sampling tube 10 inside the collection chamber, and then performs exhaled breath sampling. During the sampling process, the refrigeration component cools down to make the exhaled gas condense quickly. After the condensed water reaches the standard, it passes through the liquid level sensor set inside the collection box 1 to remind the user to stop exhaling after the sampling tube 10 reaches the specified position. The sampling of the sampling tube 10 is completed, and then under the action of the sampling push rod 95, the sampling tube 10 is moved from the collection chamber to the storage chamber through the through hole set on the separation partition 93. Inside, after the movement is completed, the bottom engaging paddle 99 is engaged with the engaging groove at the bottom of the storage disk 92. At this time, the power motor 4 rotates, driving the storage disk 92 to move one grid, and then, the sampling push rod 95 and the adjusting push rod 94 move at the same time, and the adjusting push rod 94 moves downward, driving the adjusting sleeve 97 to contract, so that the bottom engaging paddle 99 is disengaged from the inside of the storage disk 92. At this time, the top engaging paddle 99 is engaged with the inside of the sampling disk 91, and the sampling push rod 95 moves upward to the through hole of the separation partition 93. The power motor 4 is rotating and running, driving the sampling disk 91 to rotate and move the next sampling tube 10 to the through hole to wait for sampling, thereby achieving the effect of automatic sampling.

[0063] The beneficial effects of the above embodiment are:

[0064] The automatic collection and storage device for exhaled breath condensate and the method of using the same, by providing an automatic sampling assembly 9 and a controller and various components inside the collection box 1, can achieve multiple effects such as intelligent identity recognition, automatic reminder of liquid level reaching the standard, automatic storage and replacement of test tubes, and constant internal temperature regulation. It is convenient for users to use, reduces the workload of medical staff, and solves the problem of the inability to achieve integrated collection and storage in the existing technology.

[0065] The electrical components mentioned in this article are all electrically connected to the main controller and the power supply. The main controller can be a conventional known device that controls a computer, etc., and the existing public power connection technology is not described in detail in this article.

[0066] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, etc., are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply the existence of any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article, or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or device. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or device comprising the element.

[0067] While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, and that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automatic collection and storage device for exhaled breath condensate, comprising a collection box (1), characterized in that: An automatic sampling assembly (9) is provided inside the collection box (1), a control door (2) is movably installed on the front of the collection box (1), a flip cover (3) is movably installed on the top of the collection box (1), a power motor (4) connected to the automatic sampling assembly (9) is provided on the top of the flip cover (3), and a breathing tube (5) corresponding to the automatic sampling assembly (9) is movably installed on the top of the flip cover (3); The automatic sampling assembly (9) is composed of a sampling disk (91) and a storage disk (92), a separation partition (93) is provided between the sampling disk (91) and the storage disk (92), an adjustment sleeve (97) penetrating the sampling disk (91), the storage disk (92) and the separation partition (93) is movably installed at the center of the three, an adjustment push rod (94) rotatably connected to the adjustment sleeve (97) and a sampling push rod (95) for sampling are provided below the storage disk (92), and a transmission shaft (96) for driving the adjustment sleeve (97) to rotate is provided at the output end of the power motor (4).

2. The automatic collection and storage device for exhaled breath condensate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sampling disk (91) is provided with a sampling tube (10), and the sampling disk (91) and the storage disk (92) are evenly provided with placement grooves corresponding to the sampling tube (10).

3. The automatic collection and storage device for exhaled breath condensate according to claim 1, characterized in that: A liquid filtering device and a one-way valve are provided inside the breathing tube (5), and the breathing tube (5) is a flexible tube.

4. The automatic collection and storage device for exhaled breath condensate according to claim 2, characterized in that: The interior of the collection box (1) is divided into a collection chamber and a storage chamber with a separation partition (93) as the boundary. The collection chamber and the storage chamber act on the sampling disk (91) and the storage disk (92) respectively. The separation partition (93) is provided with a sampling push rod (95) for transferring a sampling tube (10).

5. The automatic collection and storage device for exhaled breath condensate according to claim 4, characterized in that: A refrigeration assembly acting on the collection chamber is provided on the back of the collection box (1), the refrigeration assembly comprising a semiconductor refrigeration sheet (11) and a heat dissipation fan (8), the semiconductor refrigeration sheet (11) being formed by PN nodes connected in series, a rib-type heat sink being provided at the hot end of the semiconductor refrigeration sheet (11), and heat dissipation silica gel being applied between the semiconductor refrigeration sheet (11) and the rib-type heat sink.

6. The automatic collection and storage device for exhaled breath condensate according to claim 4, characterized in that: The collecting box (1) is provided with a liquid nitrogen assembly (7) in communication with the storage chamber, and the liquid nitrogen assembly (7) comprises a fixing frame, a temperature-adjustable electric control valve, and a liquid nitrogen bottle.

7. The automatic collection and storage device for exhaled breath condensate according to claim 1, characterized in that: A snap-fitting paddle (99) is fixedly connected to the adjusting sleeve (97), and a snap-fitting groove adapted to the snap-fitting paddle (99) is provided on the top of the sampling disk (91) and the bottom of the storage disk (92). A connecting groove corresponding to the transmission shaft (96) is provided on the top of the adjusting sleeve (97), and a limiting sliding groove is provided on the transmission shaft (96). A limiting sliding block (98) adapted to the limiting sliding groove is provided on the inner wall of the connecting groove.

8. The automatic collection and storage device for exhaled breath condensate according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The control door (2) is provided with a display panel (6) and a controller. The interior of the collection box (1) is provided with an identity recognition module, a remote reminder module, a temperature sensor, a counter, and a liquid level sensor electrically connected to the controller. The display panel (6) displays the temperature inside the box, an identification QR code, and the remaining amount of the internal sampling tube (10).

9. The method for using the automatic collection and storage device for exhaled breath condensate according to claim 8, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: 1) Identity recognition: After the user scans the identification QR code on the display panel (6), the identity recognition module recognizes the user's identity and then reminds the user to insert the breathing tube (5) for use; 2) Sample collection: the user's exhaled air is collected through the breathing tube (5) and placed inside the sampling tube (10), and the exhaled air in the sampling tube (10) is quickly cooled and condensed by the refrigeration component inside the collection box (1). At the same time, the liquid level in the sampling tube (10) is detected by the liquid level sensor. When the liquid level of the condensed liquid reaches the standard, the display panel (6) reminds the user to stop blowing and remove the breathing tube (5); 3) Automatic storage: After the sampling is completed, the sampling push rod (95) drives the sampling tube (10) to descend, and the sampling tube (10) is moved from the collection chamber to the storage chamber through the through hole provided on the separation partition (93), and the sampling tube (10) is clamped into the placement groove provided on the storage disk (92); 4) Temperature control: The temperature inside the collection chamber and the storage chamber is detected by a temperature sensor. The temperature inside the collection chamber is maintained at a temperature at which the exhaled air inside the sampling tube (10) is rapidly condensed by a refrigeration component. The temperature inside the storage chamber is maintained at a temperature at which the condensate sample inside the sampling tube (10) is kept fresh by a liquid nitrogen component (7); 5) Reset and collect, the adjustment push rod (94) pushes the adjustment sleeve (97) up and down, so that the power motor (4) can control the sampling disk (91) or the storage disk (92) to rotate respectively. After the storage disk (92) rotates, the new placement groove corresponds to the sampling push rod (95), and the sampling push rod (95) passes through the placement groove and extends to the through hole of the separation partition (93). Then the power motor (4) controls the sampling disk (91) to rotate, driving the new sampling tube (10) on the sampling disk (91) to move to the through hole of the separation partition (93) and dock with the sampling push rod (95) to reset, waiting for the next user to use.

10. The automatic collection and storage device for exhaled breath condensate and the method for using the same according to claim 9, characterized in that: After the reset collection in step 5) is completed, the controller makes a judgment based on the remaining amount of the placement slots set on the storage disk (92), X is the total number of placement slots, Xn is the current number of collection tubes, T is the time when the first collection tube enters the device, Tn is the current time, wherein the output value of (X-Xn) is M, and the output value of (T-Tn) is N. The remote reminder module reminds medical staff to handle the sample when [M*(T1-N)*(Tn-T2)]=0, wherein T1 is the maximum storage time of the sample, and T2 is the equipment shutdown time.

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