Intestinal microbe collection device and method
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202611125396.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-07-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-28
AI Technical Summary
[0005]本发明的目的在于提供一种肠道微生物采集装置及方法，以解决上述背景技术提出的问题，本发明技术方案针对现有技术解决方案过于单一的技术问题，提供了显著不同于现有技术的解决方案
1、本发明，通过触发组件与密封组件配合完成采样通道的自动化开闭，利用抵接杆、抵接块传动带动抵接板一转动，驱使连接柱一沿底座一的六边形凹槽滑动，进而控制多组密封片同步开合，搭配锥形桶与底座一之间的弹簧复位结构实现自动密封，该结构替代传统简易密封方式，可有效隔绝外界杂菌与污染物侵入，避免肠道微生物样本被污染、菌群失活变质，同时整体密封性能优异，能够防止转运过程中保存液渗漏，全方位保障样本纯度与活性。
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Figure CN122648221A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of microbial collection technology, specifically to an intestinal microbial collection device and method. Background Technology
[0002] Fecal microbial sampling is a crucial step in intestinal microecology testing, disease diagnosis and treatment, and health screening. The sterility, integrity, and microbial activity of the collected samples directly affect the accuracy of subsequent test results. Microbial-related test data are important evidence for the diagnosis of intestinal diseases, medication guidance, dietary intervention, and microecological regulation. They not only relate to the actual effectiveness of diagnosis, treatment, and health management, but also serve as an important guarantee for reducing the incidence of digestive tract diseases and lowering health maintenance costs.
[0003] Existing fecal microbial sampling operations and related sampling devices mostly rely on manual operation, which not only results in low overall sampling efficiency but also easily introduces environmental bacteria and human body surface contaminants, leading to human contamination errors. This causes the collected samples to be contaminated by exogenous microorganisms, making it difficult to control the insertion angle of the sampling instrument and the sampling volume, resulting in problems such as sample scattering and uneven sampling. Furthermore, traditional sampling tubes only use ordinary threaded caps for sealing, which has a simple sealing structure and insufficient protection. During transportation, leakage of the preservation solution and inactivation and deterioration of microorganisms inside the tube upon contact with air can easily occur. In addition, traditional sampling... The device lacks an integrated automatic cutting and sample retention structure, requiring manual separation of the sampling spoon after sampling. This process can easily lead to secondary contamination of the sample. Furthermore, the internal sealing components mostly employ a simple single-piece sealing structure, and the linkage design lacks rationality. This makes it difficult to achieve rapid opening and closing of the sampling channel and complete airtight isolation, resulting in poor sealing stability. The various functions of the existing device are fragmented and have a low degree of integration, making it difficult to flexibly adapt to different usage scenarios such as home self-testing, clinical sampling, and batch screening. This results in poor applicability to diverse sampling conditions, significantly reducing sampling efficiency and the quality of microbial samples.
[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, innovative designs are urgently needed based on existing approaches. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an intestinal microbiome collection device and method to solve the problems mentioned in the background. The technical solution of this invention addresses the problem that the existing technical solutions are too simplistic and provides a solution that is significantly different from the existing technology.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an intestinal microbial collection device, comprising a sampling tube, a tube cap at the top of the sampling tube, a conical barrel fixed inside the sampling tube, a sealing component at the upper end of the conical barrel, a shearing component at the lower end of the sealing component, a triggering component at the upper end of the sealing component, and the shearing component fixed on the inner wall of the conical barrel. The sealing assembly includes a base, which is fixed to the upper end of the inner wall of the conical barrel. Six sets of connecting columns are slidably mounted on the upper end of the base. Each of the six sets of connecting columns is fixed with a sealing plate near the center of the base. An abutment plate is rotatably mounted inside the base.
[0007] Preferably, the inner wall of the conical barrel is provided with a groove, and the base is provided with a protrusion near the groove on the inner wall of the conical barrel. The protrusion of the base slides vertically within the groove on the inner wall of the conical barrel, and the lower surface of the protrusion of the base is connected to the inner wall of the groove on the conical barrel by a spring.
[0008] Preferably, the base has a hexagonal groove, the abutment plate has a groove near one end of the base, one end of the connecting post slides in the hexagonal groove of the base, and the other end of the connecting post slides within a limited position in the groove of the abutment plate near one end of the base. The grooves of the abutment plate near one end of the base are arranged in six groups, and the six groups of grooves of the abutment plate near one end of the base are distributed in a circumferential shape. The six groups of connecting posts and sealing plates are also distributed in a circumferential shape.
[0009] Preferably, the shearing assembly includes a second base, which is fixed to the inner wall of the conical barrel. A second connecting column rotates inside the second base, and a shearing blade is fixed near the center of the second connecting column. An abutment plate slides vertically near one end of the second base, and a connecting rod is fixed near one end of the second abutment plate. The other end of the connecting rod abuts against the first base.
[0010] Preferably, the second abutment plate has a circular through groove, and the upper end of the second connecting post is fitted inside the circular through groove of the second abutment plate. The circular through groove of the second abutment plate has a protrusion, and the end of the second connecting post near the second abutment plate has a spiral groove. The protrusion in the circular through groove of the second abutment plate slides within the spiral groove of the second connecting post near the second abutment plate.
[0011] Preferably, the connecting post 2 and the shearing plate are arranged in six groups, and the six groups of connecting post 2 and the shearing plate are distributed in a circumferential shape. The circular through groove of the abutment plate 2 is arranged in six groups, and the six groups of circular through grooves of the abutment plate 2 are distributed in a circumferential shape. The six groups of shearing plates are arranged in a spiral shape.
[0012] Preferably, the triggering component includes an abutment rod, which is fixed to the inner wall of the conical barrel. The lower end of the abutment rod is provided with an abutment block, which is fixed to the upper surface of the abutment plate. An abutment post is fixed to the upper surface of the base away from the abutment rod, and an abutment ring is fixed to the upper end of the abutment post.
[0013] Preferably, the abutting block has a specially designed groove with a straight top and a sloping bottom at one end near the abutting rod. The end of the abutting rod near the abutting block slides within the groove of the abutting block. The abutting posts are arranged in three groups, and the three groups of abutting posts are distributed in a circumferential shape.
[0014] Preferably, the method includes the following steps: S1: When the pipe cap is pressed against the abutment ring, the sealing plate remains closed. After the pipe cap is unscrewed, the abutment rod moves, and the structure causes the abutment plate to rotate, the sealing plate opens, and the shearing plate rotates accordingly to be ready. S2: Place the sampling spoon with the sample into the sampling tube, press the abutment ring to move the base down, drive the shearing blade to cut the spoon rod, so that the head of the sampling spoon remains in the sampling tube; S3: Loosen the abutment ring, and all components will reset under the action of the spring. The sealing plate will reopen. Tighten the tube cap and press it against the abutment ring to complete the sample sealing and storage.
[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. This invention achieves automated opening and closing of the sampling channel through the cooperation of a trigger component and a sealing component. The abutment rod and abutment block drive the abutment plate to rotate, causing the connecting column to slide along the hexagonal groove of the base, thereby controlling the synchronous opening and closing of multiple sealing plates. Combined with the spring reset structure between the conical barrel and the base, automatic sealing is achieved. This structure replaces the traditional simple sealing method, effectively isolating external bacteria and contaminants from intrusion, preventing intestinal microbial samples from being contaminated and the bacterial flora from becoming inactive and deteriorating. At the same time, the overall sealing performance is excellent, preventing leakage of preservation solution during transportation and comprehensively ensuring the purity and activity of the sample.
[0016] 2. This invention achieves automatic cutting of the sampling spoon by setting a shearing component. The vertical displacement of the base is transmitted to the abutment plate 2 through the connecting rod. With the limiting cooperation of the protrusion inside the abutment plate 2 and the spiral groove on the outer wall of the connecting column 2, the linear motion is converted into rotational motion, driving multiple circumferentially distributed shearing blades to rotate synchronously, thereby automatically cutting off the sampling spoon rod and leaving the spoon head with the intestinal microorganism sample inside the sampling tube. This structure eliminates the manual disassembly of the sampling spoon, effectively avoiding problems such as secondary contamination of the sample and sample scattering or loss caused by human operation, and ensuring the integrity and reliability of the collected sample. Attached Figure Description
[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the disassembled main structure of the present invention. Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 2 Enlarged structural diagram at point A; Figure 4This is an exploded view of the sealing assembly structure of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a side view of the sealing assembly structure of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a structural exploded view of the shearing component of the present invention; Figure 7 This is an enlarged schematic diagram of the shearing component structure of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the trigger component structure of the present invention; Figure 9 For the present invention Figure 8 A magnified structural diagram at point B in the middle.
[0018] In the diagram: 1. Sampling tube; 2. Tube cap; 3. Conical barrel; 4. Sealing assembly; 41. Base 1; 42. Connecting post 1; 43. Sealing plate; 44. Abutment plate 1; 5. Shearing assembly; 51. Base 2; 52. Connecting post 2; 53. Shearing plate; 54. Abutment plate 2; 55. Connecting rod; 6. Trigger assembly; 61. Abutment rod; 62. Abutment block; 63. Abutment post; 64. Abutment ring. Detailed Implementation
[0019] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0020] Please see Figures 1-9 The present invention provides a technical solution: an intestinal microbial collection device, including a sampling tube 1, a tube cap 2 at the top of the sampling tube 1, a conical barrel 3 fixed inside the sampling tube 1, a sealing component 4 at the upper end of the conical barrel 3, a shearing component 5 at the lower end of the sealing component 4, a triggering component 6 at the upper end of the sealing component 4, and the shearing component 5 fixed on the inner wall of the conical barrel 3. The sealing assembly 4 includes a base 41, which is fixed to the upper end of the inner wall of the conical barrel 3. Six sets of connecting posts 42 slide on the upper end of the base 41. Each of the six sets of connecting posts 42 is fixed with a sealing plate 43 near the center of the base 41. An abutment plate 44 rotates inside the base 41.
[0021] The inner wall of the conical barrel 3 has a groove. The base 41 has a protrusion near the groove on the inner wall of the conical barrel 3. The protrusion of the base 41 slides vertically within the groove on the inner wall of the conical barrel 3. The lower surface of the protrusion of the base 41 is connected to the inner wall of the groove on the conical barrel 3 by a spring.
[0022] The base 41 has a hexagonal groove, and the abutment plate 44 has a groove near one end of the base 41. One end of the connecting post 42 slides in the hexagonal groove of the base 41, and the other end of the connecting post 42 slides in a limited position in the groove of the abutment plate 44 near one end of the base 41. The grooves of the abutment plate 44 near one end of the base 41 are arranged in six groups, and the six groups of grooves of the abutment plate 44 near one end of the base 41 are distributed in a circumferential shape. The six groups of connecting posts 42 and sealing plates 43 are also distributed in a circumferential shape.
[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, six sets of connecting columns 42 and sealing plates 43 are arranged around the base 41. When the abutment plate 44 rotates, it drives the connecting columns 42 to slide, and controls the sealing plates 43 to open and close synchronously, so as to realize the opening and closing and sealing of the channel.
[0024] Please see Figure 4 The shearing assembly 5 includes a base 2 51, which is fixed on the inner wall of the conical barrel 3. A connecting column 2 52 rotates inside the base 2 51. A shearing plate 53 is fixed near the center of the connecting column 2 52. An abutment plate 2 54 is vertically limited and slidable near one end of the base 2 51, and a connecting rod 55 is fixed near one end of the abutment plate 2 54. The other end of the connecting rod 55 abuts against the base 1 41.
[0025] The second abutment plate 54 has a circular through groove, and the upper end of the second connecting post 52 is fitted inside the circular through groove of the second abutment plate 54. A protrusion is provided inside the circular through groove of the second abutment plate 54. A spiral groove is provided at one end of the second connecting post 52 near the second abutment plate 54. The protrusion inside the circular through groove of the second abutment plate 54 slides within the spiral groove at the one end of the second connecting post 52 near the second abutment plate 54.
[0026] The connecting column 2 52 and the shear plate 53 are arranged in six groups, and the six groups of connecting column 2 52 and shear plate 53 are distributed in a circumferential shape. The circular through groove of the abutment plate 2 54 is arranged in six groups, and the six groups of circular through grooves of the abutment plate 2 54 are distributed in a circumferential shape. The six groups of shear plates 53 are arranged in a spiral shape.
[0027] In one embodiment of the present invention, the second abutment plate 54 moves with the first base 41 via the connecting rod 55, and converts linear motion into rotation through the spiral groove transmission, driving the shearing plate 53 to complete the shearing action.
[0028] Please see Figure 8 The triggering component 6 includes an abutment rod 61, which is fixed on the inner wall of the conical barrel 3. An abutment block 62 is provided at the lower end of the abutment rod 61. The abutment block 62 is fixed on the upper surface of the abutment plate 44. An abutment post 63 is fixed on the upper surface of the base 41 away from the abutment rod 61. An abutment ring 64 is fixed at the upper end of the abutment post 63.
[0029] The abutment block 62 has a specially designed groove with a straight top and a sloping bottom at one end near the abutment rod 61. The end of the abutment rod 61 near the abutment block 62 slides within the groove of the abutment block 62. The abutment posts 63 are set in three groups, and the three groups of abutment posts 63 are distributed in a circumferential shape.
[0030] In one embodiment of the present invention, the base 41 is connected to the abutment ring 64 through three sets of abutment posts 63. The tube cover 2 can press the abutment ring 64 to limit its position. Opening the tube cover 2 or pressing the abutment ring 64 can trigger the entire mechanism to move.
[0031] As one embodiment of the present invention, the method includes the following steps: S1: When the pipe cap 2 is pressed against the abutment ring 64, the sealing plate 43 remains closed. After the pipe cap 2 is unscrewed, the abutment rod 61 moves, and the abutment plate 44 rotates through the structure, the sealing plate 43 opens, and the shearing plate 53 rotates accordingly to wait for the action. S2: Place the sampling spoon with the sample into the sampling tube 1, press the abutment ring 64 to drive the base 41 to move down, drive the shearing plate 53 to cut the spoon rod, so that the head of the sampling spoon remains in the sampling tube 1. S3: Loosen the abutment ring 64, and all components will reset under the action of the spring. The sealing plate 43 will reopen. Tighten the tube cap 2 and press it against the abutment ring 64 to complete the sample sealing and storage.
[0032] Working principle: In the initial state, the top of the sampling tube 1 is screwed with the tube cap 2, and the lower end of the tube cap 2 is pressed against the abutment ring 64. The whole mechanism is in a closed state. The base 1 41 is held at the lower limit by the spring in the groove of the inner wall of the conical barrel 3. The six sets of sealing plates 43 are spliced together to completely seal the internal channel of the conical barrel 3. The lower end of the base 1 41 is pressed against the connecting rod 55, so that the abutment plate 2 54 is kept in a downward state. The connecting column 2 52 and the shear plate 53 are statically retracted, and the whole interior forms a closed space. In use, a fecal microbial sample is first collected using a sampling spoon. After sampling, the cap 2 at the top of the sampling tube 1 is unscrewed. The cap 2 moves upward and releases the abutment limit on the abutment ring 64. The abutment rod 61 fixed on the inner wall of the conical barrel 3 then contacts the abutment block 62. The abutment rod 61 slides along the upper straight and lower inclined limiting groove of the abutment block 62, pushing the abutment plate 44 to rotate around the hinge position. During the rotation of the abutment plate 44, the grooves distributed around its end circumference abut against the corresponding connecting post 42 one by one, driving the six sets of connecting posts 42 to slide radially along the hexagonal groove inside the base 41, thereby driving the six sets of sealing plates 43 to rotate outward synchronously, releasing the sealing state inside the conical barrel 3. At the same time, the base 41 slides vertically upward and resets under the elastic force of the spring inside the conical barrel 3. The lower end of the base 41 disengages from the connecting rod 55, releasing the pressure on the connecting rod 55. The pressure-free abutment plate 54 rebounds upward. The protrusion in the circular through groove of the abutment plate 54 slides along the spiral groove on the outer wall of the connecting column 52, converting the vertical rebound motion into rotational motion, which drives the connecting column 52 and the six sets of shear plates 53 arranged in a circle to rotate synchronously. The sampling spoon carrying the fecal sample is then placed into the conical barrel 3 from the top of the sampling tube 1. The abutment ring 64 is pressed vertically downwards. The abutment ring 64 drives the base 41 to slide downwards along the groove on the inner wall of the conical barrel 3 through the three sets of circumferentially distributed abutment posts 63 at the bottom. After the base 41 moves down, it presses against the connecting rod 55 again. The connecting rod 55 then presses down on the abutment plate 54. During the downward pressing process, the abutment plate 54 squeezes the connecting post 52 again. With the help of the spiral groove transmission structure, the connecting post 52 is driven to rotate in the opposite direction, which drives the shearing blade 53 to continuously rotate in a circle. The rotating shearing blade 53 cuts the sampling spoon rod that extends into the tube, so that the sampling spoon head with the intestinal microbial sample attached is completely left inside the sampling tube 1. After the shearing operation is completed, the pressure applied to the abutment ring 64 is removed. All components, including base 41, abutment plate 54, connecting column 52, shearing plate 53, and abutment plate 44, are reset sequentially under the linkage of spring and structure. Finally, the tube cap 2 is tightened back onto the top of the sampling tube 1, so that the lower end of the tube cap 2 abuts and presses against the abutment ring 64 again, thereby closing the sealing plate 43 again and sealing the conical barrel 3 channel to complete the sample sealing and storage, which can then be transferred to the laboratory for subsequent microbial testing.
[0033] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. An intestinal microbial collection device, comprising a sampling tube (1), characterized in that: The top of the sampling tube (1) is provided with a tube cap (2), and a conical barrel (3) is fixed inside the sampling tube (1). The upper end of the conical barrel (3) is provided with a sealing component (4), the lower end of the sealing component (4) is provided with a shearing component (5), the upper end of the sealing component (4) is provided with a triggering component (6), and the shearing component (5) is fixed on the inner wall of the conical barrel (3). The sealing assembly (4) includes a base (41), which is fixed to the upper end of the inner wall of the conical barrel (3). Six sets of connecting columns (42) slide on the upper end of the base (41). Each of the six sets of connecting columns (42) is fixed with a sealing plate (43) near the center of the base (41). An abutment plate (44) rotates inside the base (41).
2. The intestinal microbiome collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The conical barrel (3) has a groove on its inner wall. The base (41) has a protrusion near the groove on the inner wall of the conical barrel (3). The protrusion of the base (41) slides vertically within the groove on the inner wall of the conical barrel (3). The lower surface of the protrusion of the base (41) is connected to the inner wall of the groove on the conical barrel (3) by a spring.
3. The intestinal microbiome collection device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The base (41) has a hexagonal groove, the abutment plate (44) has a groove near one end of the base (41), one end of the connecting post (42) slides in the hexagonal groove of the base (41), and the other end of the connecting post (42) slides in the groove of the abutment plate (44) near one end of the base (41). The grooves of the abutment plate (44) near one end of the base (41) are arranged in six groups, and the six groups of grooves of the abutment plate (44) near one end of the base (41) are distributed in a circumferential shape. The six groups of connecting posts (42) and sealing plates (43) are distributed in a circumferential shape.
4. The intestinal microbiome collection device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The shearing assembly (5) includes a base two (51), which is fixed on the inner wall of the conical barrel (3). A connecting column two (52) rotates inside the base two (51). A shearing piece (53) is fixed near the center of the base two (51) near the center of the connecting column two (52). A stop plate two (54) is vertically limited and slidable near the base one (41) of the base two (51). A connecting rod (55) is fixed near the base one (41) of the stop plate two (54). The other end of the connecting rod (55) abuts against the base one (41).
5. The intestinal microbial collection device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second abutment plate (54) has a circular through groove. The second abutment plate (54) is fitted inside the circular through groove of the second abutment plate (54) and the upper end of the second connecting post (52) is provided with a protrusion. The second connecting post (52) is provided with a spiral groove at one end near the second abutment plate (54). The protrusion in the circular through groove of the second abutment plate (54) slides within the spiral groove at one end of the second connecting post (52) near the second abutment plate (54).
6. The intestinal microbiome collection device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The connecting post 2 (52) and shear plate (53) are arranged in six groups, and the six groups of connecting post 2 (52) and shear plate (53) are distributed in a circumferential shape. The circular through groove of the abutment plate 2 (54) is arranged in six groups, and the six groups of circular through groove of the abutment plate 2 (54) are distributed in a circumferential shape. The six groups of shear plate (53) are distributed in a spiral shape.
7. The intestinal microbiome collection device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The triggering component (6) includes an abutment rod (61), which is fixed on the inner wall of the conical barrel (3). The lower end of the abutment rod (61) is provided with an abutment block (62), which is fixed on the upper surface of the abutment plate (44). An abutment post (63) is fixed on the upper surface of the base (41) away from the abutment rod (61), and an abutment ring (64) is fixed on the upper end of the abutment post (63).
8. The intestinal microbiome collection device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The abutting block (62) has a specially designed groove with a straight top and a sloping bottom at one end near the abutting rod (61). The abutting rod (61) slides within the groove of the abutting block (62) at one end. The abutting post (63) is set in three groups, and the three groups of abutting posts (63) are distributed in a circumferential shape.
9. A method for collecting intestinal microorganisms, applicable to the intestinal microorganism collection device according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that: The method includes the following steps: S1: When the pipe cap (2) presses against the abutment ring (64), the sealing plate (43) remains closed. After the pipe cap (2) is unscrewed, the abutment rod (61) moves, and the abutment plate (44) rotates through the structure, the sealing plate (43) opens, and the shearing plate (53) rotates accordingly to wait for the action. S2: Place the sampling spoon with the sample into the sampling tube (1), press the abutment ring (64) to drive the base (41) to move down, drive the shearing blade (53) to cut the spoon rod, so that the head of the sampling spoon remains in the sampling tube (1); S3: Loosen the abutment ring (64), and each component resets under the action of the spring. The sealing plate (43) reopens, and the tube cap (2) is tightened and pressed against the abutment ring (64) to complete the sample sealing and storage.