Device for in-situ analysis of excreta, method for operating such device, arrangement consisting of toilet bowl and such device and sample carrier

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the in-situ analysis of excrement, comprising a housing, a sampling device by means of which an excrement sample can be sampled, a feed device and an analysis device, the sampling device comprising an arm element for a sample carrier, the arm element being movable relative to the housing in an axial movement direction, the arm element is at least partially guided in a guide part in a retractable and extendable manner, a new sample carrier is supplied to the sampling device by means of the feeding device, and the sampled sample can be at least partially analyzed by means of the analyzing device, said device being characterized in that the guide part comprises a contaminated region and a clean region, the contaminated area has a guide path for guiding the movable arm element, in which new sample carriers can be arranged at least partially near the guide path.

Description

This application is a divisional application of the following application: International application number of the original application: PCT / DE2018 / 000328 International filing date of the original application: November 12, 2018 National application number of the original application: 201880073033.5 Title of the invention of the original application: Device for on-site analysis of excreta, method for operating such a device, arrangement consisting of a flush toilet and such a device and a sample carrier Technical Field

[0001] One aspect of the present invention relates to a device for on-site analysis of excrement, comprising a shell, a sampling device, a feeding device and an analyzing device. The sampling device can be used to sample excrement samples, wherein the sampling device includes an arm element for a sample carrier, the arm element can be moved along an axial movement direction relative to the shell, the arm element is at least partially guided in a guide component in a retractable and extendable manner, a new sample carrier is provided to the sampling device by means of the feeding device, and the sampled sample can be at least partially analyzed by means of the analyzing device.

[0002] On the other hand, the present invention relates to a device for on-site analysis of excrement, comprising a housing, a sampling device and an analysis device, with the aid of which excrement samples can be sampled, wherein the sampling device comprises an arm element for a sample carrier, the arm element being movable relative to the housing in an axial movement direction, the arm element being at least partially guided in a guide component in a retractable and extendable manner, and the sampled sample being at least partially analyzed with the aid of the analysis device.

[0003] The invention also relates to a method for operating a device for on-site analysis of excreta, wherein a sample carrier is linearly moved relative to a sensor unit by means of an axially movable arm element for sampling, wherein the sample carrier is supported at a holder of the axially movable arm element, and the excreta sample carried by the sample carrier at the device is at least partially analyzed,

[0004] The invention also relates to a device consisting of a toilet, a urinal or the like and a device for analysing excreta on site.

[0005] The present invention also relates to a sample carrier for on-site analysis of excrement. Background Art

[0006] It is known that by analyzing urine and / or feces samples, the health status of an organism, in particular a human being, can be at least first understood. However, in order to obtain sufficiently meaningful analytical information, it is usually necessary to safely place the urine and / or feces sample, for example, taken from a toilet, in a transport container so that the container containing the sample can be sent to an analytical laboratory. This is not only inconvenient, but also takes longer time before obtaining the corresponding analytical results. And it is particularly disadvantageous that, due to the considerable effort involved, close monitoring is usually not carried out in the sense of continuous preventive inspections. In this regard, it is necessary to establish a method for facilitating the analysis of excreta.

[0007] From WO 2017 / 021452 A1, a device is known, in particular for the mobile analysis of excrement in toilets, so that a daily analysis of urine and / or feces samples can be carried out on site, ie immediately at the sampling location. Summary of the invention

[0008] The problem addressed by the present invention is to develop a device of this type for analyzing excreta, in particular human excreta, in particular in such a way that it functions more reliably.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the problem solved by the present invention is solved by a device for on-site analysis of excrement, the device comprising a shell, a sampling device, a feeding device and an analyzing device, with the aid of which excrement samples can be sampled, wherein the sampling device comprises an arm element for a sample carrier, the arm element can be moved along an axial movement direction relative to the shell, the arm element is at least partially guided in a retractable and extendable manner in a guide component, a new sample carrier is provided to the sampling device with the aid of the feeding device, and the sampled sample can be at least partially analyzed with the aid of the analyzing device, wherein the device is characterized in that the guiding component comprises a contaminated area, the contaminated area has a guiding path for guiding the movable arm element, and also comprises a cleaning area, in which a new sample carrier can be at least partially arranged near the guiding path.

[0010] Since the guide member has a contaminated area and a clean area, the device can be operated more reliably.

[0011] In particular, when a new sample carrier is moved along the guide member for sampling, i.e. when the movable arm element with the new sample carrier is moved axially along the guide path for new sampling, the risk of inadvertent contamination of the new sample carrier by excrement, in particular excrement from another user, can be completely eliminated or at least significantly reduced. This in turn reduces the risk of erroneous analysis results.

[0012] In this regard, continuous ambulatory monitoring using urine and / or feces samples is even easier and more reliable.

[0013] In the sense of the invention, the movable arm element is mounted displaceably relative to the guide component in an axial displacement direction, wherein the axial displacement direction is oriented along the longitudinal extension of the guide component.

[0014] More specifically, the movable arm element for sampling a new fecal sample as well as a new (ie unused) sample carrier may at least partially extend axially from the guide member in the axial extension direction.

[0015] Furthermore, the movable arm element together with the sample carrier moistened with urine or feces (ie, the used sample carrier) can be axially retracted again in the axial retraction direction.

[0016] In this context, the term "axial" refers to the actual direction of movement or motion of the movable arm element or the sample carrier.

[0017] In the sense of the present invention, the term "sampling device" refers to any device by means of which a fecal sample can be taken and supplied to the device for analysis.

[0018] In the present case, the term "feeding device" describes a device by means of which new sample carriers can be transferred to the movable arm element.

[0019] In the present context, the term "analytical device" refers to all devices suitable for the organoleptic detection and analysis of fecal samples.

[0020] For this purpose, the analysis device also comprises at least one sensor, preferably a complete sensor unit having a plurality of identical or preferably different sensors.

[0021] In the sense of the invention, the term "contaminated area" describes the area of ​​the guide component in which the movable arm element is guided. In this respect, the guide path of the guide component also lies in the contaminated area. It cannot be completely excluded here that the movable arm element comes into contact with excrement.

[0022] The contamination region extends substantially from a guide path opening arranged at the free end of the guide part and a transfer region in which a new sample carrier is transferred from the feed device to a holder located on the arm element.

[0023] In the present case, the term "clean area" describes the area of ​​the guide component, which neither the movable arm element nor the used sample carrier can reach.

[0024] The cleaning region describes in particular the sector on the guide element between the sensor unit arranged at the free end of the guide element and the transfer region in which new sample carriers are transferred from the feed device to a holder located on the arm element.

[0025] The free end of the guide member refers to the end of the guide member from which the movable arm element extends from the guide member for sampling. The sensor unit is also located at said free end.

[0026] In the sense of the present invention, the term "sensor unit" describes a device which at least essentially comprises at least one sensor, preferably a plurality of sensors, which sensoryly detects a sample attached to a sample carrier for analysis.

[0027] In the present case, such a sensor unit can be designed in a variety of ways in order to be able to at least temporarily place the sample carrier opposite the sensor unit and / or to be arranged or formed on the guide element in accordance with the requirements imposed.

[0028] It goes without saying that different sensors can be provided for this purpose.

[0029] For example, the sensor unit comprises a color sensor for detecting a color change relative to the sample carrier, whereby a first analysis in the sense of the invention can already be performed.

[0030] Further data of the sensor unit can be transmitted cumulatively or alternatively to an evaluation unit, which can be located, for example, in a housing of the device and / or also on a guide element of the device.

[0031] Furthermore, data can be transmitted cumulatively or alternatively from the sensor unit and / or from the analysis unit to an external analysis unit. For this purpose, for example, a data processing and / or analysis application running on a smartphone or the like can be considered.

[0032] The transmission may be wireless or wired, wherein the transmission between the device and an external data processing and / or analysis application or the like preferably takes place wirelessly.

[0033] For the analysis, the analysis device, in particular the sensor unit and / or the additional analysis unit, advantageously comprises a suitable microcontroller or the like, by means of which, in the simplest embodiment, for example a color change on the sample carrier can be analyzed.

[0034] In this case it is conceivable that, depending on the excreta to be analyzed, at least some of the sensors can be switched off or on, thereby operating the device more energy efficiently.

[0035] The “movable arm element” can be designed in various ways, for example as a telescopic arm element, wherein the arm segments can be retracted into each other, etc.

[0036] However, the arm element in the present application preferably comprises a rollable or unrollable strip of material which can be unrolled from a coil for extending the arm element and rolled up again onto a coil for retracting the arm element.

[0037] The term "sample carrier" describes a piece of material suitable for receiving fecal matter, such as an indicator strip or sheet or the like.

[0038] At this point it must already be noted that such a sample carrier can be designed in a variety of ways in order to be advantageously used in the sense of the present invention. For example, the sample carrier is also at least partially transparent to visible light.

[0039] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the problem of the present invention is also solved by a sample carrier for on-site analysis of excreta, the sample carrier comprising a body, wherein the sample body has individual sample analysis areas of different geometric shapes.

[0040] As a result, different indicator surfaces can be specifically designed on the sample carrier so that a variety of analyses can be performed independently of one another.

[0041] By designing the sample carrier in this way, the device can be operated more efficiently.

[0042] In this context, the problem solved by the present invention is also solved by a sample carrier for on-site analysis of excreta, the sample carrier comprising a body, wherein sample analysis areas are arranged on the front and rear sides of the body. If the sample analysis areas are arranged on both sides of the body, the number of analyses that can be performed simultaneously can be significantly increased.

[0043] The sample carriers claimed above also allow the development of corresponding devices for on-site analysis of excreta and associated methods for operating such devices. For example, by using corresponding sample carriers, the number of sensor units on the device can be increased in a meaningful way, so that the associated processes can be performed faster.

[0044] In the case of conventional urine test strips, the test material (reagent or blotting paper) is always applied to the carrier material (here: body) only from one side. In the present invention, the sample analysis area is applied to the carrier material from both sides. This saves space and reduces the need for carrier material and sample carrier.

[0045] Furthermore, for a single sample carrier, if the single sample analysis areas have different indices, more analyses can be performed simultaneously without any problem.

[0046] Furthermore, if the separate sample analysis areas are arranged at a distance from each other on the body part, the risk of different indicators influencing each other can be reduced.

[0047] For further optimization, the shape of the sample analysis area can also be varied, which has so far been mainly a square with dimensions of 5 mm x 5 mm.

[0048] In this regard, another embodiment provides that each sample analysis area is designed in a circular shape.

[0049] However, other different geometries are also conceivable, such as smaller square areas, circular areas, elliptical areas, etc.

[0050] If the main body and the separate sample analysis area are at least partially light-transmissive, the diversity of analytical methods can be significantly increased using an appropriately equipped device. For example, transmitted light measurements can be considered.

[0051] If a sample carrier is provided by a feed device and has not yet been contaminated by excreta, it is considered a new sample carrier in the sense of the present invention.

[0052] However, if the sample carrier is contaminated with feces, it is referred to as a used sample carrier in this case.

[0053] In the sense of the present invention, the term "excreta" describes body waste, such as urine and faeces.

[0054] In the sense of the present invention, the term “on-site analysis” describes that the analysis of the excreta can be carried out at least partially or preferably completely at the site of excretion, for example at a toilet bowl, urinal or the like.

[0055] In other words, this means that any type of excrement to be examined no longer has to be laboriously sent to a remote laboratory for analysis.

[0056] It goes without saying that the data or information acquired on site can also be sent to an external device, such as a data carrier or the like, for further evaluation or storage.

[0057] In order to sample the desired sample, the movable arm element of the sampling device is in any case extended from the guide part to such an extent that a new, freshly prepared sample carrier can come into contact with the corresponding excrement.

[0058] The sample carrier soiled with excrement is then retracted into the guide element for analysis so that it can be examined therein by the sensors of the sensor unit of the device.

[0059] A preferred embodiment provides that the clean area of ​​the guide member is arranged on a side adjacent to the dirty area of ​​the guide member, wherein the clean area and the dirty area are spatially separated from each other by a spacing, preferably by a rigid partition. Thus, the clean area and the dirty area, in particular the guide path of the movable arm element, are very clearly separated from each other, so that ultimately the risk that excrement adhering to the arm element enters the clean room and where a new sample carrier, possibly from another person, contaminates the old excrement can be reduced.

[0060] In order that the sample carrier can remain on the partition with its first half on the support of the movable arm element (contaminated area) and the other half can be supplied to a new sample without contamination via a guide component (clean area), it is advantageous if a slit-like opening is provided in the area of ​​the partition through which a new sample carrier can be arranged in the contaminated area and in the clean area.

[0061] Furthermore, advantageously, the cleaning area of ​​the guide member is arranged axially behind the release unit for releasing the used sample carrier from the movable arm element, as seen in the retracting direction of the movable arm element. This ensures that the used sample carrier is reliably released from the retracting arm element before reaching the clean room, so that contamination of the clean room can be excluded if the device is operated correctly.

[0062] It goes without saying that the slit-shaped opening can be designed in different ways. If necessary, the bristle strip is arranged solely or additionally on the partition, so as to achieve a partition that is essentially only permeable to the sample carrier.

[0063] The slit-shaped opening can be designed so that the sample carrier can be guided above and below in the region of the partition, thereby producing a certain height guidance for the sample carrier in the guide element. As a result, the sample carrier can always be kept in front of the sensor at a possibly identical distance.

[0064] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the problem solved by the present invention is solved cumulatively or alternatively by a device for on-site analysis of excrement, the device having a housing, a sampling device and an analysis device, with the aid of which an excrement sample can be sampled, wherein the sampling device comprises an arm element for a sample carrier, the arm element being movable in an axial movement direction relative to the housing, the arm element being at least partially guided in a retractable and extendable manner in a guide component, the sampled sample being at least partially analyzed with the aid of the analysis device, wherein the device is characterized in that it has a sensor unit for a transmitted light measuring device that transmits light through the sample carrier.

[0065] With the aid of such a transmitted light measuring device, particularly precise inspection results, in particular a qualified inspection and determination of excrement, can be achieved.

[0066] In particular, the measurement and evaluation of the indicator material can advantageously be performed by transmitted light measurement.

[0067] In particular, by means of a correspondingly designed sensor unit or transmitted light measuring device and the transmitted light measurement associated therewith, the optical path length of the light emitted from the light source through the sample is significantly increased.

[0068] In this case, a higher information density is advantageously achieved since the sample carrier or the corresponding test material is transparent and the sample carrier is not only irradiated on the surface, as has been customary hitherto, for example in reflectance photometry, in which properties of the radiation reflected by a surface irradiated by a light source are measured by a reflectance photometer.

[0069] In particular, the indicator strips or sheets or the like already described can be used as test material, but it is also possible to use materials which are provided especially for this purpose.

[0070] For example, a very simple form of transmitted light measurement can be performed by soaking a simple receiving material, such as a cellulose based material (filter paper) or a rayon material, with the excreta.

[0071] The “transmitted light” enables in particular the visualization of individual components in the receiving material of the optical measuring cell.

[0072] In addition, a common test strip structure can be used, which is composed of, for example, a carrier material, a reagent, and absorbent paper.

[0073] The measurements can be performed with and without a supporting carrier material.

[0074] Plastics or cellulose can generally be used as suitable carrier materials in the indicator field.

[0075] If the transmitted light measuring device is arranged at least partially on both sides of the sample carrier, the transmitted light measurement can be carried out in a structurally simple manner.

[0076] A very precise detection can be achieved if the transmitted light measuring device surrounds the sample carrier during the transmitted light measurement. This means that the sample carrier is surrounded by the sensor unit or the transmitted light measuring device.

[0077] Not only for this purpose, it is advantageous if the transmitted light measuring device has an integrated transport path along which the sample carrier can be moved.

[0078] The overall transmission path is characterized in that it is protected from unwanted, critical ambient light.

[0079] At least a portion of the transport path is preferably surrounded by the sensor unit or the transmitted light measuring device, so that a very compact design, in particular of the sensor unit, can also be achieved.

[0080] Advantageously, the sensor unit has a housing, wherein the transmission path of the transmitted light measuring device is at least partially arranged in the housing, so that during the transmitted light measurement the sample carrier to be transmitted is well protected from influences of ambient light and the like.

[0081] If the housing is formed at least partially by the guide component of the sampling device or another suitable component of the device, the housing can be provided in a structurally very simple manner.

[0082] Furthermore, if the transmitted light measuring device has an illumination device on a first side of the overall transport path and a detection device on a second side of the overall transport path opposite to the first side, the sensor unit can be made more compact.

[0083] For example, if the lighting device and the detection device are arranged as an alternative on a common side of the transmission path, a reflector device which can deflect the light beam to the detection device can be located on the other side opposite to the lighting device.

[0084] The lighting device has at least one light source, and the detection device has at least one detection sensor surface.

[0085] In this case, it is advantageous for the transmitted light measurement described here if the at least one light source is opposite the at least one detection sensor surface.

[0086] However, for another embodiment, at least one further light source can also be arranged on the side of the detection device in order to be able to additionally illuminate the sample carrier.

[0087] In this case, when the sensor unit is operated, the lighting device arranged opposite to the detection device can be used exclusively or can also use cumulatively other light sources arranged on one side of the detection device. Alternatively, as a substitute for another light source arranged on one side of the detection device, the lighting device opposite to the detection device is used exclusively or cumulatively to perform the desired inspection.

[0088] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the transmitted light measuring device has more than one light source, wherein the main beam path of at least one light source is arranged to extend at right angles to the detection sensor surface and at least one further main beam path of at least one further light source is arranged to extend at a different angle to the detection sensor surface. This can further improve the quality of the analysis.

[0089] It goes without saying that the other devices and / or methods described herein can also be advantageously developed with a transmitted light measuring device or sensor unit equipped in this way.

[0090] A particularly preferred embodiment provides that the guide means comprises a sensor unit which is arranged on a side adjacent to the guide path for guiding the movable arm element. As a result, the guiding of the movable arm element and the analysis of the sample can be separated with even higher precision.

[0091] In the present application "side" relates to the narrow side of the guide path or the arm element, ie the right or left side of the guide path or the arm element.

[0092] However, the term "side" does not refer to a position at the upper or lower side, nor to overlapping with the broad sides of the guide path or the arm element, and thus also not to above or below the guide path or the arm element.

[0093] If the cleaning area of ​​the guide component is arranged axially in front of the sensor unit as seen from the extension direction of the movable arm element, it is structurally easy to avoid accidental contamination of the cleaning chamber by excrement when the used sample carrier is retracted, because the used sample carrier only needs to be moved to the sensor unit.

[0094] An arrangement of the sensor unit at the free end of the guide part is particularly advantageous, since this prevents the used sample carrier from having to be axially retracted further into the guide part in order to be able to analyze the adhering excrement.

[0095] If the sensor unit is arranged axially in front of the clean area of ​​the guide part, seen in the retraction direction of the movable arm element, the used sample carrier does not even enter the clean area of ​​the guide part for analysis.

[0096] If, viewed in the retraction direction of the movable arm element, the sensor unit is arranged axially in front of a release unit for releasing a used sample carrier from the movable arm element, the used sample carrier can be easily released from the arm element after a completed analysis process by simply moving the arm element further in the retraction direction.

[0097] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the sensor unit has a sensor area opening at the free end of the guide element with a smaller opening height than the guide path opening of the guide path. Due to the smaller opening height of the sensor area opening, the sensor area is better protected from contamination from the outside. Due to the correspondingly larger opening height of the guide path opening, there is sufficient space height available for the movable arm element and the sample carrier temporarily supported thereon, in particular for an associated holder.

[0098] Additionally or alternatively, it is advantageous if the width of the sensor area opening is greater than the width of the guide path. Due to the wider sensor area opening, the half of the sample carrier that can overlap the sensor unit can be designed to be larger, in particular longer, than the half of the sample carrier by which the sample carrier is supported on the holder of the movable arm element.

[0099] Another advantageous embodiment provides that the clean area of ​​the guide element is wider than the contaminated area of ​​the guide element, in particular wider than the guide path. This can ensure that a new sample carrier on the guide element remains as largely free of contamination as possible, so that the risk of accidental contamination of the sample carrier by older excrement etc. can be reduced as much as possible.

[0100] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the cleaning area of ​​the guide component is spatially merged into the sensor area of ​​the guide component. As a result, the cleaning area and the sensor area can be spatially placed directly behind one another in the axial movement direction, making the guide component very compact. Furthermore, a new sample carrier coming from the direction of the clean room can be guided to the sampling on the sensor unit in order to be able to align the sample carrier before sampling or to check whether the new sample carrier is properly supported on the movable arm element.

[0101] In order to ensure that the cleaning area of ​​the guide element can at least partially cover and protect the feed device, it is advantageous if the cleaning area of ​​the guide element is designed to be wider on the side facing away from the sensor area than on the side facing the sensor area.

[0102] In terms of design, the device can be kept very simple if both the dirty area and the clean area are arranged in a support bracket of the device. Advantageously, the guide component can thus be used directly as a support bracket. In particular, the transfer of a new sample carrier for sampling can thus be achieved very easily.

[0103] The dirty area and the clean area are preferably arranged in a common support bracket.

[0104] If both the dirty area and the clean area are at least partially curved, these important areas can be easily integrated into the supporting bracket of the device.

[0105] Another embodiment, which is also advantageous without the other features of the invention, provides a sensor unit with a thermal sensor for detecting excrement temperature, body temperature, excrement volume and / or excrement volume flow.

[0106] The relevant part of the interior of the toilet bowl may advantageously be scanned by means of a temperature sensor (eg an infrared sensor or the like) connected to the device, so that further information may be obtained.

[0107] Since the corresponding thermal sensors are preferably arranged on the device of the present application, they do not need to be permanently installed on the toilet. Instead, the thermal sensors are connected to the toilet in a removable manner, so that they can be advantageously retrofitted to an existing toilet.

[0108] Direct temperature measurement of excrement may thus enable conclusions to be drawn about a person's body temperature directly upon leaving the body or after contact with the toilet bowl.

[0109] Suitable calculation models and / or algorithms may be used to back-calculate or compensate for any temperature loss caused by contact with the outside air or toilet bowl.

[0110] As a result, fluctuations in body temperature can be detected and, for example, conclusions about illnesses can be drawn.

[0111] The measurement of the temperature profile during the entire discharge phase also allows the volume flow and therefore also the dispensing amount to be back-calculated.

[0112] Furthermore, the characteristics of the emptying are revealed, which is also interesting information for some clinical pictures, e.g., after kidney transplantation or in case of urinary stones.

[0113] Advantageously, the same thermal sensor can also cumulatively trigger measurements to determine temperature changes in the toilet bowl due to introduced waste.

[0114] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the problem solved by the present invention is solved by a device for on-site analysis of excrement, the device comprising a shell, a sampling device, a feeding device and an analyzing device, with the aid of which excrement samples can be sampled, wherein the sampling device comprises an arm element for a sample carrier, the arm element can be moved in an axial moving direction relative to the shell, the arm element is at least partially guided in a retractable and extendable manner in a guide component, a new sample carrier is provided to the sampling device with the aid of the feeding device, and the sampled sample can be at least partially analyzed with the aid of the analyzing device, wherein the device is characterized in that the sampling device comprises a releasing unit, the releasing unit having a peeling means for releasing the used sample carrier from the arm element.

[0115] By means of this peeling means, the used sample carrier can be removed very reliably from the holder of the movable arm element, so that the device can be operated more reliably.

[0116] In particular, the risk that excrement in general, in particular excrement from another user, could inadvertently penetrate deeper into the guide component, for example so that a used sample carrier is not correctly removed from the holder of the movable arm element, can be completely excluded or at least significantly reduced. In any case, the stripping means of the invention reduces the risk of erroneous analysis results.

[0117] In this regard, continuous ambulatory monitoring using urine and / or feces samples may be performed more easily and reliably.

[0118] In order to increase the reliability of the release unit, it is advantageous if the release unit is arranged on the guide element, in particular in the transition area at the axial height between the sensor area of ​​the guide element and the cleaning area of ​​the guide element. Thus, it can be achieved that the used sample carrier can still be moved into the sensor area by the movable arm element, but further in the direction of the cleaning area, before the used sample carrier can continue to penetrate the cleaning chamber, it can be reliably detached from the holder of the movable arm element.

[0119] A particularly preferred embodiment provides that the release unit is designed so that the release unit can be released by means of a holder arranged on the movable arm element for temporarily holding the sample carrier and / or an actuating means for actuating the feeding device. This ensures that the used sample carrier can be reliably removed from the movable arm element, but that the holder and the actuating means arranged on the arm element can still be retracted into the guide part in the retraction direction in order to be able to receive a new sample carrier in an operationally safe manner.

[0120] In this context, it is also advantageous if the release unit has a body that can be penetrated by the movable arm element, wherein the body at least partially surrounds a space that has a spatial height that is many times greater than the thickness of the arm element. In the case of such a spatial height, in particular supports for sample carriers and the aforementioned actuation means etc. can easily pass through the release unit.

[0121] Of course, the spatial height can be chosen in particular based on the design of the holder or the actuating means and generally based on the shape of the movable arm element.

[0122] It has proven successful if the spatial height of the body is greater than twice the thickness of the arm element, preferably greater than ten times. In particular, a spatial height exceeding ten times, for example fifteen times, the thickness of the arm element has proven to be high enough to ensure interaction between the stripping means and the sample carrier and unhindered passage of the holder and the actuating means.

[0123] It goes without saying that suitable release means in the sense of the invention can be designed in a variety of ways.

[0124] For example, the stripping means may comprise a brush and / or bristles, by means of which the sample carrier is stripped from the holder of the movable arm member.

[0125] It has been demonstrated in practical tests that the stripping means comprises at least one flexible finger element and that the movable arm element is guided through said finger element in a translational manner, preferably with contact. For this purpose, when the movable arm element is further retracted into the guide part in the axial retraction direction, the at least one flexible finger element can hold the used sample carrier so that the used sample carrier is finally released from the holder and subsequently falls, for example, into a toilet bowl and is thus discarded.

[0126] For this purpose, the at least one flexible finger element may be in active contact with the movable arm element.It may also be positioned at a short distance above the movable arm element.

[0127] In this case, the at least one finger-like element extends from the main body of the release unit in the direction of the above-mentioned guide path opening of the guide component and deviates in the direction toward the movable arm element, so that the free end of the finger-like element points to the movable arm element, or there is contact between the free end of the finger-like element and the arm element, or there is no contact.

[0128] For example, if the movable arm element is moved in the extension direction, a new sample carrier from the feeding device can easily pass through the release unit. However, if the movable arm element is retracted again and moved in the retraction direction, the sample carrier used at the same time is grasped by the free end of the finger-like element and released from the holder by further movement of the movable arm element.

[0129] In this respect, the release unit has a release tip which faces in the direction of the guide path opening of the guide member.

[0130] Another very advantageous embodiment provides that the flexible finger element is divided into two parts and has two flexible finger parts separated by a gap. As a result, the sample carrier can be easily captured and released by the flexible finger element, seen across the width of the movable arm element, wherein the flexible finger element itself can still be designed in a very sophisticated manner.

[0131] If two flexible fingers are arranged at a distance from each other in the axial or translational movement direction of the movable arm element, a possible specification of the movable arm element with a higher design can pass through the release unit between the two flexible fingers.

[0132] The peeling means are preferably arranged on at least two sides of the movable arm element, so that a used sample carrier can also be penetrated from both sides, thereby further improving the operational safety of releasing the sample carrier from the holder of the movable arm element.

[0133] The peeling means are preferably provided on the upper and lower sides of the arm element, so that a used sample carrier can be reliably captured and released from the holder and thus peeled from the arm element.

[0134] If a flexible finger element with two flexible finger parts is now placed on the upper and lower sides of the movable arm element, the used sample carrier can be grasped with the four peeling means and released from the holder.

[0135] In the last-mentioned configuration of the release unit, a total of at least four flexible fingers form a release tip of the release unit, which faces in the direction of the guide path opening of the guide member.

[0136] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the problem solved by the present invention is also solved by a device for on-site analysis of excrement, the device comprising a shell, a sampling device, a feeding device and an analysis device, with the aid of which excrement samples can be sampled, wherein the sampling device comprises an arm element for a sample carrier, the arm element can be moved in an axial moving direction relative to the shell, the arm element is at least partially guided in a retractable and extendable manner in a guide component, a new sample carrier is provided to the sampling device with the aid of the feeding device, and the sampled sample can be at least partially analyzed with the aid of the analysis device, wherein the device is characterized in that the feeding device can be actuated by means of the movement of the movable arm element.

[0137] Since the feed device can be actuated, operated and controlled by the movement of the movable arm element, the design of the device can be further simplified and can therefore also operate more reliably.

[0138] In this respect, the device is characterized in that the feed device is operated by a drive unit that drives the movable arm element.

[0139] In this respect, the sampling device and the feed device have the same drive.

[0140] In other words, regardless of its other features, the present invention is also characterized in that the sampling device and the feeding device have a single drive unit.

[0141] Furthermore, the use of the device may be further improved if the device has an automatic urination diary by which the measurement data can be stored.

[0142] Advantageously, information such as urine parameters, stool transport time, stool transport duration, etc. determined can be recorded directly in the digital urination diary. This information can in particular be sent to a digital terminal or a medical system for further processing.

[0143] In particular, in combination with the features of the holder of the present invention, the problem solved by the present invention is also solved by a method for operating a device for on-site analysis of excreta, in which method a sample carrier is sampled by means of a linear movement of an axially movable arm element relative to a sensor unit, in which method the sample carrier is supported on a holder of the axially movable arm element, and the excreta sample carried by the sample carrier is at least partially analyzed on the device, wherein the method is characterized in that a feeding device is driven by the axial movement of the axially movable arm element in the axial movement direction to supply a new sample carrier to the holder transversely to the axial movement direction of the axially movable arm element.

[0144] The method proposed here allows the device to be operated particularly efficiently, since the same driver can be accessed for a plurality of functions.

[0145] In terms of design, the interaction between the movable arm element and the feed device can be addressed in various ways.

[0146] In a particularly simple embodiment, the feed device has an actuating lever, which can be actuated by the movement of the movable arm element.The actuating lever can then be actuated by the movement of the movable arm element, preferably when the movable arm element moves in the axial retraction direction.

[0147] In particular, in this context, the problem solved by the present invention is also solved by a method for operating a device for on-site analysis of excreta, in which method a sample carrier is sampled by means of a linear movement of an axially movable arm element relative to a sensor unit, in which method the sample carrier is supported on a holder of the axially movable arm element, and in which method the excreta sample carried by the sample carrier is at least partially analyzed, wherein the method is characterized in that a used sample carrier is released from the holder by means of an axial movement of the axially movable arm element in the axial movement direction.

[0148] The method proposed here allows the device to be operated particularly efficiently, since an additional drive to release the used sample carrier from the holder can be dispensed with.

[0149] An actuation or actuation mechanism for a feed device, which operates on the basis of an actuation lever actuable by a movable arm element, can be kept simple in construction if the actuation lever is mounted rotatably about a rotation axis, wherein the rotation axis of the actuation lever can be moved by movement of the arm element. As a result, the feed device can be moved translationally when the actuation lever is rotated about the rotation axis.

[0150] In this respect, it is advantageous if the rotation axis of the actuating lever is movable transversely to the axial displacement direction of the arm element.

[0151] In the present case, the structure of the feed device can be realized very compactly if the feed device has a displacement curve along which the actuating rod can be rolled up once the actuating rod is rotated about its rotation axis. As a result, the actuating rod can be guided on the rotation axis and additionally guided by the displacement curve.

[0152] If the feed device has a movement curve, along which the actuating rod can be rolled when the rotation axis of the actuating rod moves transversely to the axial movement direction of the arm element, the actuating rod can be dragged in the direction of the movable arm element while the actuating rod rotates around the rotation axis via the movable arm element.

[0153] At this point it should be noted that such a movement profile can be realized by different means for forced movement or movement paths, such as sliding guides or the like. It is also advantageous if the feed device has a translationally movable transport carriage, by means of which new sample carriers can be fed in a feed direction to a holder arranged on a movable arm element. Due to the translational mobility of the transport carriage, the structure of the feed device according to the invention can be greatly simplified.

[0154] If the transport carriage can be moved by movement of the movable arm element, an additional drive for the transport carriage can be omitted.

[0155] If the transport carriage has a rotation axis for the actuating rod, the transport carriage can be dragged by the actuating rod transversely to the axial displacement direction of the movable arm element.

[0156] In this respect, it is advantageous that the transport carriage can be moved by the actuating rod transversely to the axial movement direction of the movable arm element and thus in the feed direction towards the holder for holding new sample carriers. As a result, the design outlay for the feed device can be kept very low.

[0157] However, it is not only advantageous that the transport carriage can be moved in translation towards the movable arm element, but it is also advantageous that the transport carriage can be guided along a curved path in order to perform a cutting movement perpendicular to the feed direction in order to produce a new sample carrier. As a result, the cutting means can be easily driven by the drive unit of the sampling device or in particular the drive unit of the movable arm element, which is very advantageous even without the other features of the invention.

[0158] It goes without saying that the curved path can also be realized mechanically by various means for forcing the movement or movement path. Likewise, sliding guides or the like can be considered.

[0159] In this context, it is advantageous if the transport carriage comprises cutting means for cutting new sample carriers from the sample carrier tape. Additional cutting means can thus be omitted.

[0160] Alternatively, the cutting means can already be formed by the transport carriage, or the transport carriage can have corresponding seats in which the cutting means are preferably arranged in a replaceable manner.

[0161] In this respect, the problem solved by the present invention is also solved by a method for operating an apparatus for on-site analysis of excreta, in which method a sample carrier is sampled by means of a linear movement of an axially movable arm element relative to a sensor unit, in which method the sample carrier is supported on a holder of the axially movable arm element, and in which method the excreta sample carried by the sample carrier is at least partially analyzed, wherein the method is characterized in that a new sample carrier is cut from a roll material by means of a cutting means driven by an axial movement of the arm element in the axial movement direction.

[0162] In this way, the device can also be operated particularly efficiently, since an additional drive of the cutting means can be dispensed with.

[0163] Suitable roll materials include, for example, filter paper or similar materials that are impregnated with a chemical substance.

[0164] The roll material may be approximately 35 cm long and 0.5 cm wide.

[0165] Furthermore, another preferred embodiment provides that the movable arm element comprises actuating means for actuating the feed device. By means of the actuating means on the arm element, the feed device can be actuated in a structurally simple manner by simply moving the arm element. In this respect, the drive of the movable arm element can be used to operate and control the feed device.

[0166] These actuation means in the sense of the invention can be realized in different ways.

[0167] The actuation means can be realized in a very simple manner if the actuation means comprises a protrusion on the surface of the movable arm element.

[0168] This raising can be directly reflected by the movable arm element, thereby further simplifying the present structure.

[0169] Additionally or alternatively, the raising may be achieved by a further component which is connected to the movable arm element in a suitable manner, for example by a screw connection and / or an adhesive connection or the like.

[0170] In this case, the lifting may be provided, for example, by additional pin components or the like at the movable arm element.

[0171] Another particularly preferred embodiment provides that the movable arm element comprises a support which can be actuated by movement of the movable arm element, wherein such a support is advantageous even without the other features of the invention because even when considered alone it already advantageously develops known devices of the type described.

[0172] In any case, the movement of the movable arm element is used to actuate the holder, so that an additional drive for the holder can be omitted.

[0173] In this respect, the holder of the invention is essentially based on a clamping mechanism by means of which the sample carrier can be reversibly held or clamped on the movable arm element.

[0174] For this purpose, the holder can be connected, in particular placed or clamped on the movable arm element, or the holder is preferably realized directly by the movable arm element.

[0175] For example, plastic, metal or possibly other materials, or combinations thereof, are suitable materials for the holder.

[0176] In any case, it is advantageous if the holder comprises at least two clamping elements, at least one of which can be actively operated.

[0177] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the device has a holder operating member for actuating a holder arranged on the movable arm element for temporarily holding the sample carrier, wherein the holder operating member comprises a ramp element.

[0178] In this case, the holder can be pulled on the ramp element by movement of the movable arm element, resulting in an elastic deflection of at least one clamping element in order to clamp a new sample carrier between the at least two clamping elements and thus hold it on the movable arm element.

[0179] In particular, in combination with the features of the holder of the present invention, the problem solved by the present invention is also solved by a method for operating a device for on-site analysis of excreta, in which method a sample carrier is sampled by means of a linear movement of an axially movable arm element relative to a sensor unit, in which method the sample carrier is supported on a holder of the axially movable arm element, and in this method the excreta sample carried by the sample carrier is at least partially analyzed, wherein the method is characterized in that the holder is opened or closed by means of an axial movement of the axially movable arm element in the axial movement direction.

[0180] By means of the method proposed here, the device can be operated particularly efficiently, since an additional drive for actuating the holder can be omitted.

[0181] The problem solved by the present invention is also solved by a method for operating a device for on-site analysis of excreta, in which method a sample carrier is sampled by linear movement of an axially movable arm element relative to a sensor unit, in which method the sample carrier is supported on a holder of the axially movable arm element, and in which method the excreta sample carried by the sample carrier is at least partially analyzed, wherein the method is characterized in that the sample carrier provided with excreta is moved between an illumination device and a detection device, and transmission is performed by means of the illumination device for transmitted light measurement.

[0182] In this case, a particularly high analysis quality can be achieved if the sample carrier provided with the excreta is at rest during the transmitted light measurement.

[0183] However, the method can be performed more quickly if the sample carrier with the fecal matter is moved during the transmitted light measurement.

[0184] With regard to further advantageous method steps, reference is made to the description, in particular of the device with a transmitted light measuring device, in order to avoid repetition in the present case.

[0185] Another method variation provides for supporting the wetting of the sample carrier with excrement, in particular with urine, by an additional movement of the axially movable arm element, in particular in the axial extension and / or retraction direction. As a result, the duration of sampling can be significantly shortened.

[0186] As regards another method variation, it is also advantageous that the duration of the sampling is between 10 s and 1 s, preferably between 2 s and 3 s. Due to such a short time period for sampling, the use of the device can be limited in time to a great extent. In addition, this reduces the risk of undesired sample contamination due to external influences, because the faster the removed sample can be fed to the sensor unit in the guide part, the lower the risk of undesired external influences.

[0187] Furthermore, it is advantageous if excess excrement, in particular excess urine, is removed from the movable arm element, the sample carrier and / or the holder by vibration of the axially movable arm element. By sampling excess excrement, the risk of contamination of the device, in particular of the guide components, can advantageously be additionally reduced, since ideally only small amounts of excrement adhere to the sample carrier for the sensor examination.

[0188] With regard to the methods described here, it must also be noted at this point that the individual methods can be supplemented by device characteristics in order to further specify the method sequence.

[0189] If the guiding member has an articulated connection, by which the guiding member is articulatedly arranged on the housing, the design of the device can be more compact. By this articulated connection, the guiding member can be folded onto the housing when not in use.

[0190] In this regard, according to another aspect of the present invention, the problem solved by the present invention is also solved by a holding bracket for an apparatus for on-site analysis of excrement connected to a flush toilet, a urinal, etc., the holding bracket comprising a guide path, along which a movable arm element of the holding bracket is guided in a retractable and extendable manner, wherein the holding bracket has a contaminated area and a clean area, the contaminated area having a guide path for guiding the movable arm element, and in the clean area a new sample carrier can be at least partially arranged next to the guide path.

[0191] By means of a support bracket configured in this way, the risk of inadvertent contamination of a new sample carrier with old excrement is significantly reduced.

[0192] The simplification of the device proposed here not only leads to a higher reliability of the device, but also to a reduction in weight due to the associated reduction in components and enables a very efficient operation of the device.

[0193] In particular, the risk that a new sample carrier is not or not completely inserted into a holder for holding a sample carrier can be completely eliminated or at least significantly reduced.

[0194] In this regard, continuous ambulatory monitoring using urine and / or feces samples is even easier and more reliable.

[0195] It goes without saying that the features of the solutions described above or in the claims can also be combined, if appropriate, in order to be able to achieve the advantages and effects achievable in the present case in a correspondingly cumulative manner.

[0196] At this point it must also be mentioned that, in the context of this patent application, the term "particularly" or "in particular" always refers to the introduction of optional preferred features. The term is not meant to mean "also" and / or "i.e."

[0197] Furthermore, it must be pointed out that in the context of the present patent application, indefinite articles and indefinite numerical data, such as "one ...", "two ...", etc., generally refer to the minimum specification, that is, "at least one ...", "at least two ...", etc. Unless it is clear from the context or the specific text of a specific paragraph, they only mean "exactly one ...", "exactly two ...", etc.

[0198] Furthermore, other features, effects and advantages of the present invention are described by means of the accompanying drawings and the following description, in which a device for on-site analysis of excreta is presented and described by way of example. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0199] Components that are substantially identical in the various figures, at least with regard to their function, may be denoted by the same reference numerals, wherein a component does not necessarily have to be shown and described in all figures.

[0200] It must be noted that the drawings shown are illustrative of the basic structure and basic mode of operation.

[0201] In the attached picture:

[0202] Figure 1 schematically shows a first perspective view of a partially shown device for in situ analysis of excreta at a starting location;

[0203] Figure 2 Schematically shows Figure 1 a second perspective view of the device shown having a hopper including a roll of material for a new sample carrier;

[0204] Figure 3 Figure 1 and Figure 2 a third perspective view of the device shown in a feeding position, wherein a sample carrier is fed to the holder of the movable arm member;

[0205] Figure 4 Schematically shows Figures 1 to 3 A fourth perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1 in a cutting position, wherein a sample carrier partially fed to the holder is cut from a roll of material;

[0206] Figure 5 Schematically shows Figure 1-4 Another view of the device shown having a housing and a guide member folded thereon;

[0207] Figure 6 Schematically shows Figure 1-5 The sampling device of the device shown in , wherein the movable arm element and its drive are partially rolled up;

[0208] Figure 7 Schematically shows Figure 1-6 Another perspective view of the device shown in , with a folded guide member;

[0209] Figure 8 Schematically shows Figure 1-7 a bottom view of the guide member of the illustrated device showing a contaminated area, a clean area, and a sensor area of ​​the guide member;

[0210] Fig. 9 Schematically shows Figure 1-8 A first perspective detail view of the release unit of the illustrated device;

[0211] Fig.10 Schematically shows Figure 1-9 A second perspective detail view of the release unit of the illustrated device;

[0212] Fig.11 Schematically shows Figures 1 to 10 a third perspective detail view of the release unit of the illustrated device;

[0213] Fig.12 Schematically shows Figures 1 to 11 a fourth perspective detail view of the release unit of the illustrated device;

[0214] Fig.13 schematically illustrates a bottom view of an alternative holder for temporarily holding a sample carrier on a movable arm member;

[0215] Fig.14 Schematically shows the Figures 1 to 12 The device shown and the flush toilet constitute the device;

[0216] Fig.15 Schematically shows Fig.14 A detailed view of the device shown;

[0217] Fig.16 An advantageous sensor unit with a transmitted light measuring device is schematically shown;

[0218] Fig.17 Schematically shows Fig.16 The sensor unit in

[0219] Fig.18 An alternative sensor unit with a transmitted light measuring device is schematically shown;

[0220] Fig.19 schematically shows a top view of a sample carrier having separate circular and elliptical sample analysis areas;

[0221] Fig. 20 schematically shows a side view of a sample carrier with separate sample analysis areas arranged on both sides; and

[0222] Fig.21 A further sample carrier having separate sample analysis areas of different sizes arranged on both sides is schematically shown in a side view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0223] exist Figures 1 to 15The device 1 for on-site analysis of excreta, whose structure and operation mode are basically shown in the figure, mainly consists of the following: a sampling device 2, by means of which an excreta sample can be sampled through a sample carrier 3; a feeding device 4, by means of which a new sample carrier 3 can be provided for the sampling device 2; and an analyzing device 5, by means of which the sampled sample can be directly analyzed at least partially by the device 1.

[0224] The device 1 comprises a housing 6 to which a support bracket 10 is fastened so as to be folded upwards or downwards by means of a swivel joint connection 7 .

[0225] By means of the support bracket 10, the device 1 can be fixed, for example, to the edge 11 of a toilet bowl 12 of a toilet 13, as described in connection with Fig.14 and 15 The corresponding arrangement shown in 14 is shown.

[0226] The sampling device 2 basically comprises: an arm element 20, which is movable relative to the housing 6 of the device 1 and is used to move the sample carrier 3 along an axial movement direction 21, more precisely, along an axial extension direction 22 or along an axial retraction direction 23; a guide component 25 having a guide path 26 for accurately guiding the movable arm element 20; a holder 30 for supporting the sample carrier 3 on the movable arm element 20; an opening and closing unit 32 for opening and closing the holder 30; a releasing unit 35 for releasing a used sample carrier 3 from the holder 30; and an actuating means 38 for actuating the feeding device 4; and a driving unit 40 for axially driving the movable arm element 20.

[0227] The feed device 4 essentially comprises: a conveyor carriage 42 that can be moved in a translational manner, which can be moved at a guide path component 44 in a feed direction 46 running transversely to the axial movement direction 21; an actuating rod 48, which is rotatably mounted at a rotation axis 50 of the conveyor carriage 42; a moving curve 52, on which the actuating rod 48 can also be rolled up; a cutting means 54 of a cutting device (not shown here), which is used to produce individual sample carriers 3; and an additional curved path 56, which slides along a guide pin 58 of the housing 6 in order to guide the cutting means 54, in particular in a cutting direction 60, transversely to the feed direction 46 and against the spring force 62 of the spring element 64; and finally a refillable hopper 66 for storing a roll material 68, from which new sample carriers 3 are cut by means of the cutting means 54.

[0228] At this point, it must also be noted that instead of a roll material 68 with a suitably designed hopper (not explicitly shown here), other storage structures can also be provided as sample carriers, such as prefabricated strip elements or the like. In this way, the cutting means 60 can be further simplified or can be completely omitted.

[0229] It goes without saying that the shown movement curve 52 and the additional curved path 56 are only the first of many configurations for deflecting the actuating rod 48 or the conveying carriage 42 or the cutting means in a desired manner. Alternatively, other sliding guides can also be used, wherein the slide is guided in a slideway or the like.

[0230] In addition to the analysis unit 70, the analysis device 5 also includes a sensor unit 72 with a plurality of different sensors 73 (represented here only by way of example) and a data transmission unit 74 for transmitting the analysis data or information to almost any receiver device (e.g., a smartphone), on which a corresponding application for visualizing and / or further analyzing the data or information is running.

[0231] However, for this purpose the analysis unit 70 can also be located at another location on the device, for example in the housing 6 .

[0232] For example, the analysis unit 70 includes a microcontroller (not shown) or the like for analysis purposes.

[0233] In this case, the analysis unit 70 and the sensor unit 72 can be in active contact with each other in a wired or wireless manner. This also applies to the data transmission unit 74 etc. already mentioned above.

[0234] according to Figure 1 As shown, the device 1 is in a starting position 80, in which the movable arm element 20 is retracted into the guide part 25, so that the actuating means 38 is already located in the recess 81 of the actuating rod 48, but the actuating rod 48 has not yet been rotated about the rotation axis 50 by the actuating means 38, or if it has been rotated, then only to a negligible extent.

[0235] In this embodiment, the actuating means 38 is designed, for example, as a projection 82 on the upper side of the movable arm element 20 .

[0236] In this exemplary embodiment, the projection 82 is designed as a pin element (not explicitly indicated again).

[0237] It goes without saying that, by a corresponding redesign of the device 1 , the projection 82 or the not-designated pin element can also be arranged on the underside 85 of the movable arm element 20 .

[0238] In any case, the actuation rod 48 remains in the unactuated state and remains aligned substantially perpendicularly to the axial movement direction 21 .

[0239] The web 68 has been repositioned below the cutting means 54 by means of the transport carriage 42 .

[0240] The cutting means 54 of the invention can be designed differently, for example as a cutting knife, a tearing knife or a punching knife, so that the term cutting means 54 relates not only to cutting, but also to punching, tearing or other cutting methods.

[0241] The conveying carriage 42 is pressed upwards, ie in the opposite direction to the actual cutting direction 60 , by means of a spring force 62 of a leaf spring element 64 arranged in the hopper housing 87 .

[0242] In this case, the cutting means 54 is preferably replaceable with the hopper housing 87 once the web of material 68 is exhausted.

[0243] according to Figure 2 , which essentially shows the hopper 66 of the device 1 , once again illustrating that the transport carriage 42 and the leaf spring element 64 interact with each other so that the transport carriage 42 is not only moved upward by the spring force 62 opposite to the cutting direction 60 , but also in the rearward direction 88 away from the movable arm element 20 .

[0244] Furthermore, the hopper 66 is also equipped with a closing part 89 below the transport carriage 42, which can substantially follow the movement of the transport carriage 42 and, when not in operation, can close the hopper housing 87 at the feed opening 90 through which the web 68 is fed. The web 68 can thereby also be well protected, for example from the influence of air humidity.

[0245] A holder 30 for holding a corresponding sample carrier 3 is arranged at the front free end 87 of the movable arm element 20 , wherein in the present embodiment the holder 30 has two clamping elements 88 and 89 .

[0246] At least the second clamping element 89 can be elastically deflected by the holder operating element 90 , so that the holder 30 can be opened by the holder operating element 90 ; thus, a new sample carrier 3 can be inserted into the holder 30 by the feed device 4 .

[0247] At this point, it must also be noted that Figure 1 , the second clamping element 89 is shown partially cut away in order to visualize the ramp element 91 hidden beneath the second clamping element 89 .

[0248] In addition, in this embodiment, the support operating member 90 is designed as a ramp element 91 (see Figure 4 ), the second clamping element 89 can hit the ramp element 91, thereby deflecting it upward.

[0249] according to Figure 3As shown, the device 1 has been shown in a more advanced feeding position 100 , in which the movable arm element 20 is visualized further in the axial retraction direction 23 , so that the actuating rod 48 has been rotated further about the rotation axis 50 , wherein the actuating rod 48 is simultaneously supported by the displacement curve 52 .

[0250] As a result, the transport carriage 42 is moved in the feed direction 46 towards the movable arm element 20 , so that the sample carrier 3 can be inserted further into the more open holder 30 .

[0251] The movement of the transport carriage 42 in the feed direction 46 towards the movable arm element 20 can be easily recognized by the fact that the curved path 56 has been moved further relative to the guide pin 58 .

[0252] Due to the axial movement of the movable arm element 20 in the axial retraction direction 23 , the second clamping element 89 of the holder 30 is deflected upwards, as its bent end (not shown again) gradually strikes against the ramp element 91 .

[0253] according to Figure 4 As shown, the device 1 is shown to be in a cutting position 110, in which the movable arm element 20 is further moved in the axial retraction direction 23, so that the conveying bracket 42 is further moved toward the movable arm element 20, and the curved path 56 is again further guided under the guide pin 58, so that the conveying bracket 42 and the cutting means 54 fixed thereto are moved downward in the cutting direction 60.

[0254] In this respect, new sample carriers 3 are now cut from the web 68 located in the hopper 66 .

[0255] It can also be clearly seen that the second gripping element 89 now strikes completely against the ramp element 91 , as a result of which the holder 30 is completely opened and new sample carriers 3 can now be transferred from the feed device 4 to the holder 30 in an unhindered manner.

[0256] If the new sample carrier 3 is finally correctly positioned in the holder 30, the movable arm element 20 is moved in the axial extension direction 22, the second clamping element 89 is thus moved away from the ramp element 91 again, so that the holder 30 is closed and the new sample carrier 3 is clamped securely and operationally safely in the holder 30, although this is again not explicitly shown.

[0257] according to Figure 51 , the device 1 is shown with its housing 6 and a support bracket 10 arranged thereon, wherein a transfer region 111 is shown between the feed device 4 and the sampling device 2, with a schematically positioned sample carrier 3. In this case, the movable arm element 20, which usually protrudes from the outlet opening 112, is not shown again.

[0258] according to Figure 6 , which is shown connected to a drive unit 40 of the sampling device 2 , wherein the movable arm element 20 is shown rolled up and has been guided out of the outlet opening 112 .

[0259] As a representative of the drive unit 40 , only the drive shaft 114 is shown, on which a drive roller 116 and a pressure roller 118 are arranged, wherein the movable arm element 20 is guided between the drive roller 116 and the pressure roller 118 .

[0260] Otherwise, the movable arm element 20 is largely rolled up in the housing 6 .

[0261] according to Figure 7 As shown, the device 1 is shown with the guide member 25 folded downwardly so that Fig.14 and 15 As shown, the device 1 may be connected to a rim 11 of a toilet bowl 12 .

[0262] In the present case, the guide member 25 is advantageously designed to support the bracket 10 , so that the device 1 can be constructed in a very compact manner.

[0263] according to Figure 8 , the guide part 25 is shown in more detail from its lower side 130, wherein it can be clearly seen that the guide part 25 extends on the one hand into a contaminated area 132, in which the guide path 26 extends along the axial movement direction 21, and on the other hand also separates a clean area 134, in which a new sample carrier 3 can be at least partially guided to the vicinity of the guide path 26, and in particular, a sensor unit 72 is arranged.

[0264] In this case, the clean region 134 is arranged on the side adjacent to the dirty region 132 , wherein a partition 136 is provided between the dirty region 132 and the clean region 134 , which extends in the axial movement direction 21 in the longitudinal extension of the guide part 25 with a rigid web 138 .

[0265] In this case, the partition 138 is arranged and initially configured such that it can be bridged by the sample carrier 3 clamped onto the holder 30 .

[0266] In other words, this means that a new sample carrier 3 supported on the holder 30 is located with its clamping side 140 in the contaminated area 132 , whereas the sample carrier 3 is located with its sensor side 142 in the clean area 134 .

[0267] This ensures that the sensor side 142 of a new sample carrier 3 is not contaminated by excrement on its way along the axial extension direction 22, since the previously used sample carrier 3 can only reach the axial height of the sensor unit 72 and at most the axial height of the release unit 35 or the transition area 144 arranged in a radially adjacent manner.

[0268] In this exemplary embodiment, the guide element 25 is open on its underside 130 , so that in particular the dirty area 132 and the clean area 134 can always be cleaned or disinfected.

[0269] In this case, the cleaning region 134 is arranged axially behind the release unit 35 , as seen in the axial retraction direction 23 .

[0270] In this respect, the cleaning region 134 is arranged axially in front of the sensor unit 72 , as viewed in the axial extension direction 22 .

[0271] The guide path 26 extends from a rear end 150 of the guide member 25 to a front end 152 of the guide member 25 .

[0272] The cleaning region 134 extends substantially from a rear end 150 of the guide member 20 to a transition region 144 , wherein the sensor unit 72 adjoins the transition region 144 at a front free end 152 .

[0273] At the front free end 152 , the sensor unit 72 has a sensor region opening 154 , the opening height of which (not explicitly indicated) is smaller than a guide path opening 156 of the guide path 26 .

[0274] In this case, the sensor area opening 154 has a width 158 that is greater than a width 160 of the guide path 26 .

[0275] Furthermore, the cleaning region 134 is configured to be wider at its side 164 facing away from the sensor region 162 than at its side 166 facing the sensor region 162 .

[0276] according to Figures 9 to 12 As shown, the release unit 35 is again shown in more detail together with the holder 30 of the axially movable arm element.

[0277] from Figure 8 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the release unit 35 is arranged at an axial height between the sensor region 162 and the cleaning region 134 in the transition region 144 .

[0278] The release unit 35 has peeling means 170 which are designed so that they can be released in the axial retraction direction 23 (see Figures 10 to 12 ) has a peeling or releasing effect only on the sample carrier 3, so that when the axially movable arm element 20 is moved through the release unit 35 in the axial retraction direction 23, only the used sample carrier 3 is released from the holder 30.

[0279] For this purpose, the release unit 35 has a body 172 which can be penetrated by the axially movable arm element 20 .

[0280] In this case, the main body portion 172 has a spatial height 174 which is greater than 10 mm in this embodiment.

[0281] In any case, the spatial height 174 is many times greater than the arm member thickness 176.

[0282] In this embodiment, the peeling means 170 of the release unit 35 are designed as a first finger element 178 on the upper side 84 of the axially movable arm element 20 and as a lower flexible finger element 180 on the lower side 85 of the axially movable arm element 20 .

[0283] Both flexible finger elements 178 and 180 are two-part.

[0284] That is, each of the flexible finger elements 178 , 180 has two flexible finger members 184 (shown by way of example only) spaced apart from one another by a gap 182 .

[0285] For this purpose, the gap 182 is chosen such that the actuating means 38 can easily pass through it, so that the actuating means 38 does not influence the task of the release unit 35 but serves only to actuate the feed device 4 already described in detail above.

[0286] In addition, advantageously, the flexible finger-like member 184 can adapt to or flexibly follow the existing contour of the axially movable arm element 20, so that the actual holder 30 configured at the axially movable arm element 20 can easily pass through the release unit 35.

[0287] In this respect, in the sense of the invention, the release unit 35 interacts only with the used sample carrier 3, so that when the axially movable arm element 20 with the holder 30 is moved through the release unit 35 in the axial retraction direction 23, the release unit 35 is released from the holder 30 of the axially movable arm element 20.

[0288] Then, only the used sample carrier 3 is released from the holder 30 by means of the flexible finger-like member 184 and the used sample carrier 3 is disposed according to the disposal direction 186 (see Fig.12 ) falls into the toilet bowl 12 (see Fig.14 and 15 ) so that it can be easily placed on the flush toilet 13.

[0289] Fig.13 The alternative holder 190 shown has a fastener 191 with a fastening body 192, by means of which the holder 190 can be fixed at the movable arm element 20. For this purpose, it is sufficient to simply slide the holder 190 onto the movable arm element 20 with a mounting force that is substantially greater than all other operating forces acting on the holder 190 during normal operation of the device 1. The holder 190 is thus operationally securely located on the movable arm element 20.

[0290] The holder 190 has a clamping element 193 which is rotatably mounted on a fastening body 192 via a spring-prestressed rotating shaft 194 .

[0291] In this case, the support 190 functions substantially like a spring-pretensioned folding mechanism.

[0292] Basically, the clamping element 193 is moved in the clamping direction 195 by the spring force of the spring-pretensioned rotation axis 194 , so that the sample carrier 3 is clamped operationally securely between the movable arm element 20 and the clamping element 193 .

[0293] The holder 190 is opened by moving the movable arm element 20 in the retraction direction 23 and pressing the end 197 of the clamping element 193 facing away from the clamping side 196 against a stop (not shown), causing an opening force 198 to act on said end 197 .

[0294] This stop is typically located on the feed device 4 , since this is where the holder 190 is also opened to receive a new sample carrier 3 .

[0295] The blocking may be achieved by mechanically forced guides or other mechanical elements, which may preferably be arranged in an adjustable manner along the movable arm element 20. Thus, it can be clearly determined that the holder 190 is finally opened to receive a new sample carrier 3, or to allow a used sample carrier 3 to pass through and be released from the holder 190.

[0296] according to Fig.14 As shown, the device 1 is suspended on the edge 11 of the toilet bowl 12. For this purpose, the axially movable arm element 20 has been extended into the toilet bowl 12, in particular from the guide part 25 into the toilet bowl 12, wherein a new sample carrier 3 is placed in the toilet bowl 12, so that the sample carrier 3 is well placed on the toilet bowl 13 to receive in particular urine.

[0297] according to Fig.15 , it is again shown in more detail how the device 1 is placed on the toilet bowl 12 by means of the support bracket 10.

[0298] according to Fig.16 and 17 , furthermore, a further sensor unit 210 having a transmitted light device 211 is shown, wherein in particular, the above-mentioned device 1 can also be equipped with the further sensor unit 210 in addition or alternatively.

[0299] With the aid of the further sensor unit 210 , the sample carrier 215 can be illuminated not only from one side, for example in the sense of reflection photometry, but also a correspondingly designed sample carrier 215 can be fully or partially illuminated.

[0300] For this purpose, the sample carrier 215 has a light-transmissive body 216 and a light-transmissive sample analysis area 217 (represented only by way of example), wherein the light-transmissive sample analysis area 217 can also be equipped with different indicators 218 and 219 for different analyses (represented only by way of example, see Fig.17 and 21 ).

[0301] The transmitted light measuring device 211 is at least partially arranged on both sides of the sample carrier 215 .

[0302] More precisely, the transmitted light measuring device 211 is at least partially arranged on both sides of the transport path 220, wherein the transport path 220 is an integral component of the transmitted light measuring device 211 along which the sample carrier 215 can move.

[0303] In particular, the transmitted light device 211 in this embodiment has an illumination device 225 located on a first side 226 of the overall transmission path 220 , and a detection device 230 located on a second side 231 of the overall transmission path 220 opposite to the first side 226 .

[0304] In this case, the lighting device 225 has three light sources 233 , 234 and 235 , which have respective main beam paths 236 (represented merely by way of example), wherein the light sources 233 , 234 and 235 are designed here as LEDs.

[0305] The detection device 230 features at least one detection sensor surface 240 which in the present embodiment is arranged with a detection side 241 facing the light sources 233 , 234 and 235 .

[0306] Therefore, the transmitted light measuring device 211 has more than one light source 233, 234, 235, wherein the main beam path 236 of the light source 234 is arranged to extend at right angles to the detection sensor surface 240, and the main beam paths 236 of the other light sources 233 and 235 are arranged to extend at different angles 242 to the detection sensor surface 240.

[0307] Another sensor unit 210 can be equipped with a simple housing 245, which is at least partially formed by the guide part 25 of the device, such as Fig.17 shown.

[0308] according to Fig.18 Description in Fig.16 and 17 The sensor unit 210 shown in FIG. 2 is equipped with a transmitted light measuring device 211 and also has two additional light sources 245 and 246 , which are arranged on the same side of the overall transmission path 220 as the detection device 230 , ie, on the second side 231 .

[0309] By means of the two additional light sources 245 and 246 , a sample analysis region 249 of an alternative sample carrier 250 introduced into the sensor unit 210 can be additionally illuminated in a transmissive or reflective manner.

[0310] On the alternative sample carrier 250, the sample analysis areas 249 are arranged on both sides of its main body 251 (represented by way of example only), namely, a single sample analysis area 249 at its front side 252, and two sample analysis areas 249 at its rear side 253, so that more sample analysis areas 249 can be accommodated at the alternative sample carrier 250 with the same sample carrier size.

[0311] according to Fig.19 , another sample carrier 260 is shown, on the front side 262 of which circular sample analysis areas 265 of different sizes (shown by way of example only) with different indicator materials 266 (shown by way of example only) are placed.

[0312] Fig. 20 Shown from Fig.18 Side view of sample carrier 250.

[0313] Fig.21 Another alternative sample carrier 270 is shown. The other alternative sample carrier 270 has a body 271 with two sample analysis areas 279 of different sizes positioned at its front side 272 and a single sample analysis area 279 positioned at its rear side 273 .

[0314] At this point it has to be explicitly pointed out that the features of the solutions described above or in the claims and / or in the drawings may also be combined if appropriate in order to achieve or realize the described features, effects and advantages in a respectively cumulative manner.

[0315] It goes without saying that the above-described embodiment is only a first design of the device according to the present invention. In this respect, the design of the present invention is not limited to the described embodiment.

[0316] All features disclosed in the application documents are claimed to be essential to the invention insofar as they are novel individually or in combination with one another compared to the prior art.

[0317] List of reference symbols used

[0318] 1Device for on-site analysis of excreta

[0319] 2 Sampling device

[0320] 3. Sample carrier (new or used)

[0321] 4 feeding device

[0322] 5Analytical device

[0323] 6 Shell

[0324] 7 Articulated connection

[0325] 10 Support brackets

[0326] 11 Edge

[0327] 12 flush toilet bowl

[0328] 13Flush toilet

[0329] 14 Arrangement

[0330] 20 axially movable arm elements

[0331] 21 Axial movement direction

[0332] 22 Axial extension direction

[0333] 23 Axial retraction direction

[0334] 25 Guide components

[0335] 26 Guided Paths

[0336] 30 Support

[0337] 32 opening and closing units

[0338] 35 Release Unit

[0339] 38 Actuation means

[0340] 40 drive units

[0341] 42 transport slide

[0342] 44 Guide path components

[0343] 46 Feeding direction

[0344] 48 Actuating rod

[0345] 50 Rotation axis

[0346] 52 Moving Curve

[0347] 54 cutting means

[0348] 56 Curved Path

[0349] 58 guide pin

[0350] 60 cutting directions

[0351] 62 Spring force

[0352] 64 leaf spring element

[0353] 66 Hopper

[0354] 68 roll material

[0355] 70 analysis units

[0356] 72 sensor units

[0357] 73 sensors (same or different)

[0358] 74 data transmission units

[0359] 80 Starting position

[0360] 81 slotting

[0361] 82 bulge

[0362] 84 upper side

[0363] 85 lower side

[0364] 87 front free end

[0365] 88 first clamping element

[0366] 89 second clamping element

[0367] 90 Support operating parts

[0368] 91 Bevel element

[0369] 93 Hopper shell

[0370] 94 backward direction

[0371] 95 closure parts

[0372] 96 Feed opening

[0373] 100 feeding positions

[0374] 110 cutting position

[0375] 111 Transfer Area

[0376] 112 Exit opening

[0377] 114 drive shaft

[0378] 116 driving roller

[0379] 118 Pressure Roller

[0380] 130 lower side

[0381] 132 Polluted Area

[0382] 134 Clean Area

[0383] 136 separators

[0384] 138 partition

[0385] 140 Clamping side

[0386] 142 sensor side

[0387] 144 Transition Zone

[0388] 150 Backend

[0389] 152 front free end

[0390] 154 sensor area opening

[0391] 156 Guide path opening

[0392] 158 Width

[0393] 160 Width

[0394] 162 sensor area

[0395] 164 divergence side

[0396] 166 facing side

[0397] 170 stripping device

[0398] 172 Main Body

[0399] 174 Space Height

[0400] 176 Arm element thickness

[0401] 178 upper finger element

[0402] 180 lower finger element

[0403] 182 Gap

[0404] 184 Flexible finger parts

[0405] 186 Disposal Direction

[0406] 190 Alternative Support Devices

[0407] 191 Fastener

[0408] 192 Fastener

[0409] 193 Clamping elements

[0410] 194 Spring pre-tensioned rotating shaft

[0411] 195 Clamping direction

[0412] 196 Clamping side

[0413] 197 Departure end

[0414] 198 Zhang Kaili

[0415] 210 Other sensor units

[0416] 211 Transmitted light measurement equipment

[0417] 215 sample carrier

[0418] 216 Main Body

[0419] 217 Sample Analysis Area

[0420] 218 First Indicator

[0421] 219 Another indicator

[0422] 220 transmission paths

[0423] 225 Lighting Equipment

[0424] 226 First Side

[0425] 230 Detection Device

[0426] 231 Second Side

[0427] 233 First Light Source

[0428] 234 Second Light Source

[0429] 235 The Third Light Source

[0430] 236 Main beam path

[0431] 240 Detection sensor surface

[0432] 241 detection side

[0433] 242 Angle

[0434] 245 First additional light source

[0435] 246 Second additional light source

[0436] 249 Sample Analysis Area

[0437] 250 optional sample carriers

[0438] 251 Main Body

[0439] 252 front side

[0440] 253 rear side

[0441] 260Other sample carriers

[0442] 262 front side

[0443] 265 Circular Sample Analysis Area

[0444] 266 different indicator materials

[0445] 270Other replaceable sample carriers

[0446] 271 Main Body

[0447] 272 front side

[0448] 273 rear side

[0449] 279 Sample Analysis Area

Claims

1. A device (1) for on-site analysis of excrement, comprising a housing (6), a sampling device (2) and an analysis device (5), wherein the sampling device (2) can be used to sample excrement, wherein the sampling device (2) comprises an arm element (20) for a sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270), the arm element (20) being movable relative to the housing (6) along an axial movement direction (21), the arm element (20) being at least partially guided in a guide component (25) in a retractable and extendable manner, and the sampled sample can be at least partially analyzed by means of the analysis device (5), characterized in that: A sensor unit (72; 210) having a transmitted light measuring device (211) for transmitting light through the sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The transmitted light measuring device (211) is at least partially arranged on both sides of the sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270).

3. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The transmitted light measuring device (211) has an overall transport path (220), and the sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) is movable along the overall transport path (220).

4. The device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that The transmitted light measuring device (211) has an illumination device (225) on a first side (226) of the overall transmission path (220), and a detection device (230) located on a second side (231) of the overall transmission path (220) opposite to the first side (226).

5. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The transmitted light measuring device (211) has more than one light source (233, 234, 235, 245, 246), wherein a main beam path (236) of at least one light source (233, 234, 235, 245, 246) is arranged at right angles to a detection sensor surface (240), and at least one further main beam path (236) of at least one further light source (233, 234, 235, 245, 246) is arranged at a different angle (242) to the detection sensor surface (240).

6. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The guide member (25) includes a sensor unit (72; 210) which is provided at one side near a guide path (26) for guiding the movable arm element (20).

7. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The cleaning region (134) of the guide member (25) is arranged axially in front of the sensor unit (72; 210), as seen in the axial extension direction (22) of the movable arm element (20).

8. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that A sensor unit (72; 210) is arranged at the free end (152) of the guide member (25).

9. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The sensor unit (72; 210) is arranged axially in front of the cleaning area (134) of the guide member (25), as seen in the axial retraction direction (23) of the movable arm element (20).

10. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that Viewed from the axial retraction direction (23) of the movable arm element (20), the sensor unit (72; 210) is axially arranged in front of a release unit (35), which is used to release a used sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) from the movable arm element (20).

11. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that At the free end (152) of the guide member (25), the sensor unit (72; 210) has a sensor area opening having an opening height smaller than a guide path opening (156) of the guide path (26), wherein a width (158) of the sensor area opening (154) is greater than a width (160) of the guide path (26).

12. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The sensor unit (72; 210) has a thermal sensor for detecting excrement temperature, body temperature, excrement volume and / or excrement volume flow.

13. A device (1) for on-site analysis of excrement, comprising a housing (6), a sampling device (2), a feeding device (4) and an analysis device (5), wherein the sampling device (2) can be used to sample excrement, wherein the sampling device (2) comprises an arm element (20) for a sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270), the arm element (20) being axially movable relative to the housing (6), the arm element (20) being at least partially guided in a guide part (25) in a retractable and extendable manner, the feeding device (4) being used to provide the sampling device (2) with a new sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270), the sampled sample being at least partially analyzed by means of the analysis device (5), characterized in that: The sampling device (2) comprises a releasing unit (35) having peeling means (170) for releasing a used sample carrier (3; 215; 50; 260; 270) from a movable arm element (20).

14. The device (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that The release unit (35) is arranged on the guide component (25), in particular in a transition area (144) at an axial height between a sensor area (162) of the guide component (25) and a cleaning area (134) of the guide component (25).

15. The device (1) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The release unit (35) is designed so that the release unit (35) can be passed by a support (30) and / or an actuating means (38), wherein the support (30) is arranged on the movable arm element (20) for temporarily supporting the sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270), and the actuating means (38) is used to actuate the feeding device (4).

16. The device (1) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that The release unit (35) has a body (172) that can be penetrated by the movable arm element (20), wherein the body (172) at least partially surrounds a space with a space height (174) that is many times greater than the arm element thickness (176).

17. The device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that The spatial height (174) of the body (172) is greater than twice the thickness (176) of the arm element, and preferably greater than ten times the thickness (176) of the arm element.

18. The device (1) according to any one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that The stripping means (170) comprises at least one flexible finger element (178, 180), and the movable arm element (20) is preferably guided in translation in a contacting manner past the finger element (178, 180).

19. The device (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that The flexible finger element (178, 180) is divided into two parts and has two flexible finger parts (184) separated from each other by a gap (182).

20. The device (1) according to claim 19, characterized in that The two flexible finger-like parts (184) are arranged at a certain distance from each other in a direction transverse to the axial movement direction (21) of the movable arm element (20).

21. The device (1) according to any one of claims 13 to 20, characterized in that The peeling means (170) is arranged on at least two sides (84, 85) of the movable arm element (20).

22. A device (1) for on-site analysis of excrement, comprising a housing (6), a sampling device (2), a feeding device (4) and an analysis device (5), wherein a sample of excrement can be sampled by means of the sampling device (2), wherein the sampling device (2) comprises an arm element (20) for a sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270), the arm element (20) being axially movable relative to the housing (6), the arm element (20) being at least partially guided in a guide part (25) in a retractable and extendable manner, a new sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) being provided to the sampling device (2) by means of the feeding device (4), and the sampled sample being at least partially analyzed by means of the analysis device (5), characterized in that The feed device (4) can be actuated by means of movement of the movable arm element (20).

23. The device (1) according to claim 22, characterized in that The feed device (4) has an actuating rod (48) which can be actuated by means of a movement of the movable arm element (20).

24. The device (1) according to claim 23, characterized in that The actuating lever (48) is rotatably mounted about a rotation axis (50), wherein the rotation axis (50) for the actuating lever (48) can be moved by means of a movement of the movable arm element (20).

25. The device (1) according to claim 24, characterized in that The rotation axis (50) for the actuating rod (48) is movable transversely to the axial displacement direction (21) of the movable arm element (20).

26. The device (1) according to any one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that The feed device (4) has a movement curve (52) along which the actuating rod (48) can be rolled up once the actuating rod (48) is rotated about its rotation axis (50).

27. The device (1) according to any one of claims 22 to 26, characterized in that The feed device (4) has a movement curve (52) along which the actuating rod (48) can roll if the rotation axis (50) for the actuating rod (48) is moved transversely to the axial movement direction (21) of the movable arm element (20).

28. The device (1) according to any one of claims 22 to 27, characterized in that The feeding device (4) has a transport carriage (42) that can be moved translationally, and new sample carriers (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) can be fed into a support (30) arranged on a movable arm element (20) along a feeding direction (46) with the help of the transport carriage (42).

29. The device (1) according to claim 28, characterized in that The translationally movable transport carriage (42) is movable by means of a movement of the movable arm element (20).

30. The device (1) according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that The translationally movable transport carriage (42) has a rotation axis (50) for the actuating rod (48).

31. The device (1) according to any one of claims 28 to 30, characterized in that The translatively movable transport carriage (42) can be moved transversely to the axial movement direction (21) of the movable arm element (20) by means of the actuating rod (48), so that it can be moved in the feed direction (46) toward a support (30) for supporting a new sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270).

32. The device (1) according to any one of claims 28 to 31, characterized in that The translationally movable transport carriage (42) can be guided along a curved path (56) in order to perform a cutting movement (60) perpendicular to the feed direction (46) for producing a new sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270).

33. The device (1) according to any one of claims 28 to 32, characterized in that The translationally movable transport carriage (42) comprises cutting means (54) for cutting new sample carriers (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) from the roll material (68).

34. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 33, characterized in that The movable arm element (20) comprises actuating means (38) for actuating the feed device (4).

35. The device (1) according to claim 34, characterized in that The actuating means (38) comprises a protrusion (82) at the surface of the movable arm element (20).

36. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 35, characterized in that The movable arm element (20) comprises a holder (30) which can be actuated by movement of the movable arm element (20).

37. The device (1) according to claim 36, characterized in that The holder (30) comprises at least two clamping elements (88, 89), at least one of which (89) can be actively actuated.

38. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 37, characterized in that The support operating member (90) is used to actuate a support (30), which is arranged on the movable arm element (20) for temporarily supporting the sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270), wherein the support operating member (90) includes a ramp element (91).

39. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 38, characterized in that The guide component (25) has an articulated connection (7), by means of which the guide component (25) is arranged on the housing (6) in an articulated manner.

40. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 39, characterized in that The device (1) has an automatic urination diary, by means of which measurement data can be stored.

41. A method for operating a device (1) for on-site analysis of excreta, wherein a sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) is linearly moved relative to a sensor unit (72; 210) by means of an axially movable arm element (20) for sampling, wherein the sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) is supported at a holder (30) of the axially movable arm element (20), and wherein a sample of excreta carried by the sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) is at least partially analyzed on the device (1), characterized in that A new sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) is fed to the holder (30) transversely to the axial movement direction (21) of the axially movable arm element (20), and the feeding device (4) is driven by the axial movement of the axially movable arm element (20) in the axial movement direction (21).

42. A method of operating a device (1) for on-site analysis of excreta, wherein a sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) is linearly moved relative to a sensor unit (72; 210) by means of an axially movable arm element (20) for sampling, wherein the sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) is supported on a holder (30) of the axially movable arm element (20), and wherein, A sample of excrement carried by the sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) is at least partially analyzed on the device (1), characterized in that A new sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) is cut from the web (68), the cutting device (54) being driven by means of an axial movement of the arm element (20) in an axial movement direction (21).

43. A method for operating a device (1) for on-site analysis of excreta, wherein a sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) is linearly moved relative to a sensor unit (72; 210) by means of an axially movable arm element (20) for sampling, wherein the sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) is supported on a holder (30) of the axially movable arm element (20), and wherein a sample of excreta carried by the sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) is at least partially analyzed on the device (1), characterized in that The holder (30) is opened or closed by means of an axial movement of an axially movable arm element (20) in an axial movement direction (21).

44. A method for operating a device (1) for on-site analysis of excreta, wherein a sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) is linearly moved relative to a sensor unit (72; 210) by means of an axially movable arm element (20) for sampling, wherein the sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) is supported on a holder (30) of the axially movable arm element (20), and wherein a sample of excreta carried by the sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) is at least partially analyzed on the device (1), characterized in that A used sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) is released from the holder (30) by means of an axial movement of the arm element (20) in an axial movement direction (21).

45. A method of operating a device (1) for on-site analysis of excreta, wherein a sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) is linearly moved relative to a sensor unit (72; 210) by means of an axially movable arm element (20) for sampling, wherein the sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) is supported on a holder (30) of the axially movable arm element (20), and wherein, A sample of excrement carried by the sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) is at least partially analyzed on the device (1), characterized in that The sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) with the excrement is moved between the lighting device (225) and the detection device (230) and is illuminated by the lighting device (225) for transmission light measurement.

46. ​​The method according to claim 45, characterized in that The sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) with the excreta is stationary or moving during the transmitted light measurement.

47. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 46, characterized in that The wetting of the sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) with excrement, in particular with urine, is supported by means of an additional movement of the axially movable arm element (20), in particular in the axial extension and / or retraction direction (22, 23).

48. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 47, characterized in that The duration of the sampling is between 10 s and 1 s, preferably between 2 s and 3 s.

49. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 48, characterized in that By vibrating the axially movable arm element (20), excess excrement, in particular excess urine, can be removed from the axially movable arm element (20), the sample carrier (3; 215; 250; 260; 270) and / or the holder (30).

Images