Urine sample collector capable of instantly separating urine cast-off cells

Abstract

The utility model discloses a urine sample collector capable of instantly separating urine exfoliated cells, which comprises a fixed base, and four corners of the top end of the fixed base are fixedly provided with support columns. The cell filter is mounted at the top of the flat-bottom centrifugal tube in a clamping manner, 50 ml of urine is collected through the sharp-bottom centrifugal tube, the urine is guided into the flat-bottom centrifugal tube provided with the cell filter, and cells in the urine are filtered through the cell filter, so that the cell-free urine enters the flat-bottom centrifugal tube; meanwhile, the cell filter attached with the urine exfoliated cells is placed in a flat-bottom urine cup filled with 20 ml of cell preservation liquid, then the flat-bottom urine cup is covered with a second sealing cover, the cell filter in the flat-bottom urine cup is slightly shaken for 20 times after it is determined that no liquid leaks, and then the flat-bottom urine cup and the liquid in the flat-bottom urine cup are sent to a laboratory, so that separation of the urine exfoliated cells is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of urine sample collectors, specifically a urine sample collector that can instantly separate exfoliated cells from urine. Background Technology

[0002] Bladder cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the urinary system. According to the latest data, approximately 94,600 new cases of bladder cancer were diagnosed in China in 2023, and this number continues to rise annually. About 75% of these patients have non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), of which 70% experience tumor recurrence, and 15% experience a worsening of tumor stage and grade. Therefore, patients diagnosed with NMIBC require frequent treatment and monitoring, making bladder cancer one of the most expensive cancers to treat throughout a patient's lifetime. Currently, cystoscopy combined with tissue biopsy is the "gold standard" for bladder cancer diagnosis. Cystoscopy is highly invasive, often causing significant patient discomfort and resulting in poor adherence to long-term monitoring, leading to high economic costs. Urine is one of the most readily available sterile bodily fluids in a laboratory. Urine cytology is the most commonly used non-invasive method for bladder tumor detection and is a very valuable examination. Urine cytology has high specificity but lacks sensitivity (25%-35%), especially for low-grade bladder cancer (4%-15%). The root cause lies in the fact that the low number of atypical or degenerative cells in urine samples, urinary tract infections, stones, and bladder instillation therapy can all lead to difficulties in urinary exfoliative cytology diagnosis. Urine has significant advantages as a non-invasive liquid biopsy. Urine samples are practical and readily available, and large quantities can be obtained regularly, thus the availability of tumor and genomic DNA for testing is generally far greater than from other liquid biopsy tissues (such as blood). Since cells from the urinary system (including urinary tract tumor cells) shed into the urine, urine samples are of great significance in the treatment and monitoring of urinary tract tumors. The identification of specific mutations has become one of the important indicators of whether drugs are effective in treating tumors. The prospects of urine as a liquid biopsy appear to be broad not only in cancer diagnosis but also in patient response to targeted therapy. Numerous studies both domestically and internationally have reported that the sensitivity and specificity of detecting mutations and methylation in urinary exfoliative cell DNA are superior to conventional urinary exfoliative cytology methods, and diagnostic reagents for medical use have also been approved both domestically and internationally.

[0003] While urine samples offer the aforementioned advantages of easy accessibility, their preservation is challenging due to their complexity, diverse composition, and the interactions of various metabolites within the sample, posing significant requirements for preservation. Urine contains high levels of nucleases, and intact epithelial cells or leukocytes shed in it are unstable in complex environments, potentially rupturing and releasing genomic DNA. Furthermore, urine samples contain numerous pathogenic microorganisms, making them prone to bacterial growth and contamination, which can affect the accuracy of test results. Therefore, effectively collecting, preventing bacterial growth in vitro, and preserving shed urine cell samples to facilitate efficient extraction of genomic DNA for accurate detection remain key technical challenges that need to be overcome.

[0004] Currently, in clinical practice, after patients collect their own urine, the collected urine needs to be immediately transported to the laboratory for centrifugation using specialized centrifuge equipment to obtain urine exfoliated cells for subsequent testing. If home sampling or sampling at some convenient clinics is desired, the existing urine sample collection devices have limited functionality and do not have the ability to immediately separate urine exfoliated cells.

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, we designed a urine sample collector that can instantly separate urine cells without the need for a dedicated centrifuge, referencing the cervical cell retention method. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a urine sample collector that can instantly separate exfoliated cells from urine, in order to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a urine sample collector capable of instantly separating exfoliated cells from urine, comprising a fixed base, with pillars fixedly installed at the four corners of the top of the fixed base, and a mounting plate fixedly installed at the top between the four pillars. Two through holes are opened on one side of the top of the mounting plate, and a pointed-bottom centrifuge tube and a flat-bottom centrifuge tube are respectively inserted into the two through holes. The surfaces of the pointed-bottom centrifuge tube and the flat-bottom centrifuge tube are each provided with a first scale line. The top of the pointed-bottom centrifuge tube and the top of the flat-bottom centrifuge tube are each threaded with a first sealing cap. A mounting hole is opened on the side of the top of the mounting plate away from the through holes, and a flat-bottom urine cup is engaged inside the mounting hole. A sealing box is fixedly installed on one side of the top of the fixed base, and a cell filter is installed inside the sealing box.

[0008] By attaching a cell filter to the top of a flat-bottomed centrifuge tube, collecting 50 ml of urine through a pointed-bottomed centrifuge tube, and then introducing the urine into the flat-bottomed centrifuge tube equipped with the cell filter, the cells in the urine are filtered out by the cell filter, resulting in cell-free urine entering the flat-bottomed centrifuge tube. At the same time, the cell filter with detached cells attached to the urine is placed in a flat-bottomed urine cup containing 20 ml of cell preservation solution, and then a second sealing cap is placed on top. After confirming that there is no leakage, the cell filter in the flat-bottomed urine cup is gently shaken twenty times. The flat-bottomed urine cup and its internal liquid are then sent to the laboratory, thus achieving the separation of detached cells from urine.

[0009] Preferably, each of the two through holes has a mounting groove on both sides of its inner wall, and each of the four mounting grooves has a telescopic spring fixedly connected inside. Each of the four telescopic springs has a limiting block fixedly connected to one end away from the inner side of the mounting groove. The four limiting blocks are respectively set to correspond to the pointed-bottom centrifuge tube and the flat-bottom centrifuge tube. The four limiting blocks, under the action of the four telescopic springs, limit and clamp the pointed-bottom centrifuge tube and the flat-bottom centrifuge tube, thereby ensuring the stable operation of the pointed-bottom centrifuge tube and the flat-bottom centrifuge tube and avoiding shaking during operation.

[0010] Preferably, each of the four limiting blocks has an auxiliary inclined groove on the top of the side away from the telescopic spring. The auxiliary inclined groove facilitates the retraction of the limiting block into the placement groove when it is squeezed.

[0011] Preferably, each of the four corners of the bottom of the fixed base is fixedly provided with a support rod, and each of the four support rods is fixedly provided with a suction cup. The four suction cups facilitate the fixed installation of the urine sample collector.

[0012] Preferably, the top of the sealing box is hinged to a top cover, and an auxiliary handle is fixedly provided on the top of the top cover. The top cover can be used to seal the sealing box.

[0013] Preferably, the surface of the flat-bottomed urine cup is provided with a second scale line, which facilitates real-time monitoring of the amount of liquid inside the cup.

[0014] Preferably, the top of the flat-bottomed urine cup is threaded with a second sealing cap, which can play a sealing role.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: by installing the cell filter on the top of the flat-bottomed centrifuge tube, collecting 50ml of urine through the conical-bottomed centrifuge tube, and introducing the urine into the flat-bottomed centrifuge tube equipped with the cell filter, the cells in the urine are filtered through the cell filter, so that cell-free urine enters the flat-bottomed centrifuge tube. At the same time, the cell filter with cells attached to the urine is placed in a flat-bottomed urine cup containing 20ml of cell preservation solution, and then the second sealing cap is closed. After confirming that there is no leakage, the cell filter in the flat-bottomed urine cup is gently shaken twenty times. Then the flat-bottomed urine cup and its internal liquid are sent to the laboratory, thereby achieving the separation of cells detached from the urine. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the present utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a front sectional view of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 This is an enlarged view of part A of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the sealing box of this utility model.

[0020] In the diagram: 1. Fixed base; 2. Sealing box; 3. Support column; 4. Placement plate; 5. Through hole; 6. Pointed-bottom centrifuge tube; 7. Flat-bottom centrifuge tube; 8. First graduation line; 9. First sealing cap; 10. Placement hole; 11. Flat-bottom urine cup; 12. Second sealing cap; 13. Second graduation line; 14. Placement groove; 15. Telescopic spring; 16. Limiting block; 17. Auxiliary inclined groove; 18. Cell filter; 19. Top cover; 20. Auxiliary handle; 21. Support rod; 22. Suction cup. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] Please see Figure 1-4This utility model provides a urine sample collector capable of instantly separating exfoliated cells from urine. It includes a fixed base 1, with four support pillars 3 fixedly mounted at the four corners of the top of the fixed base 1. A mounting plate 4 is fixedly mounted on the top between the four support pillars 3. Two through holes 5 are opened on one side of the top of the mounting plate 4. A pointed-bottom centrifuge tube 6 and a flat-bottom centrifuge tube 7 are respectively inserted into the two through holes 5. First graduation lines 8 are opened on the surface of both the pointed-bottom centrifuge tube 6 and the flat-bottom centrifuge tube 7. A first sealing cap 9 is threaded onto the top of both the pointed-bottom centrifuge tube 6 and the flat-bottom centrifuge tube 7. A mounting hole 10 is opened on the side of the top of the mounting plate 4 away from the through holes 5. A flat-bottom urine cup 11 is engaged inside the mounting hole 10. A mounting plate 11 is fixedly mounted on one side of the top of the fixed base 1. A sealed box 2 is provided, and a cell filter 18 is installed inside the sealed box 2. The cell filter 18 is snapped onto the top of the flat-bottomed centrifuge tube 7, and 50ml of urine is collected through the pointed-bottomed centrifuge tube 6. The urine is then introduced into the flat-bottomed centrifuge tube 7 equipped with the cell filter 18. The cell filter 18 filters the cells in the urine, so that cell-free urine enters the flat-bottomed centrifuge tube 7. At the same time, the cell filter 18 with cells attached to the urine is placed in a flat-bottomed urine cup 11 containing 20ml of cell preservation solution. The second sealing cap 12 is then closed. After confirming that there is no leakage, the cell filter 18 in the flat-bottomed urine cup 11 is gently shaken twenty times. The flat-bottomed urine cup 11 and its internal liquid are then sent to the laboratory, thereby achieving the separation of cells detached from the urine.

[0023] Two through holes 5 are provided with mounting grooves 14 on both sides of the inner wall. Each of the four mounting grooves 14 is fixedly connected with a telescopic spring 15. Each of the four telescopic springs 15 is fixedly connected with a limiting block 16 at the end away from the inner side of the mounting groove 14. The four limiting blocks 16 are respectively set to correspond to the pointed-bottom centrifuge tube 6 and the flat-bottom centrifuge tube 7. Each of the four limiting blocks 16 is provided with an auxiliary inclined groove 17 at the top of the side away from the telescopic spring 15. Each of the four corners of the bottom of the fixed base 1 is fixedly provided with a support rod 21. Each of the four support rods 21 is fixedly provided with a suction cup 22 at the bottom.

[0024] In use, the four limiting blocks 16, under the action of the four telescopic springs 15, respectively limit and clamp the pointed-bottom centrifuge tube 6 and the flat-bottom centrifuge tube 7, thereby ensuring the stable operation of the pointed-bottom centrifuge tube 6 and the flat-bottom centrifuge tube 7 and avoiding shaking during operation. The auxiliary inclined groove 17 facilitates the retraction of the limiting blocks 16 into the placement groove 14 when they are squeezed. The four suction cups 22 facilitate the fixed installation of the urine sample collector.

[0025] The top of the sealed box 2 is hinged to a top cover 19, and an auxiliary handle 20 is fixedly provided on the top of the top cover 19. The surface of the flat-bottomed urine cup 11 is provided with a second scale line 13, and the top of the flat-bottomed urine cup 11 is threaded with a second sealing cover 12.

[0026] In use, the top cover 19 can seal the sealing box 2, the second scale line 13 makes it easy to know the amount of liquid in the flat-bottomed urine cup 11 in real time, and the second sealing cover 12 can also be used for sealing.

[0027] In this embodiment, the cell filter 18 is snapped onto the top of the flat-bottomed centrifuge tube 7. 50 ml of urine is collected through the pointed-bottomed centrifuge tube 6 and introduced into the flat-bottomed centrifuge tube 7 equipped with the cell filter 18. The cell filter 18 filters the cells in the urine, allowing cell-free urine to enter the flat-bottomed centrifuge tube 7. Simultaneously, the cell filter 18, with cells attached to the urine, is placed in a flat-bottomed urine cup 11 containing 20 ml of cell preservation solution. The second sealing cap 12 is then placed on top. After confirming there is no leakage, the cell filter 18 in the flat-bottomed urine cup 11 is gently shaken twenty times. The flat-bottomed urine cup 11 and its internal liquid are then sent to the laboratory, thus achieving the separation of cells detached from the urine. Four limiting blocks 16, under the action of four telescopic springs 15, respectively, limit and clamp the pointed-bottomed centrifuge tube 6 and the flat-bottomed centrifuge tube 7, thereby ensuring the stable operation of the pointed-bottomed centrifuge tube 6 and the flat-bottomed centrifuge tube 7 and preventing shaking during operation.

[0028] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A urine sample collector capable of instantly separating exfoliated cells from urine, comprising a fixed base (1), characterized in that: The four corners of the top of the fixed base (1) are fixedly provided with support columns (3), and the top of the four support columns (3) is fixedly provided with a mounting plate (4). Two through holes (5) are opened on one side of the top of the mounting plate (4). A pointed-bottom centrifuge tube (6) and a flat-bottom centrifuge tube (7) are respectively inserted into the two through holes (5). A first scale line (8) is opened on the surface of the pointed-bottom centrifuge tube (6) and the surface of the flat-bottom centrifuge tube (7). A first sealing cap (9) is threaded on the top of the pointed-bottom centrifuge tube (6) and the top of the flat-bottom centrifuge tube (7). A mounting hole (10) is opened on the side of the top of the mounting plate (4) away from the through holes (5). A flat-bottom urine cup (11) is fitted inside the mounting hole (10). A sealing box (2) is fixedly provided on one side of the top of the fixed base (1). A cell filter (18) is provided inside the sealing box (2).

2. The urine sample collector capable of instantly separating exfoliated cells from urine according to claim 1, characterized in that: Both sides of the inner wall of the two through holes (5) are provided with placement grooves (14), and each of the four placement grooves (14) is fixedly connected with a telescopic spring (15). Each of the four telescopic springs (15) is fixedly connected with a limiting block (16) at one end away from the inner side of the placement groove (14). The four limiting blocks (16) are respectively set to correspond to the pointed bottom centrifuge tube (6) and the flat bottom centrifuge tube (7).

3. A urine sample collector capable of instantly separating exfoliated cells from urine, as described in claim 2, is characterized in that: Each of the four limiting blocks (16) has an auxiliary inclined groove (17) on the top of the side away from the telescopic spring (15).

4. A urine sample collector capable of instantly separating exfoliated cells from urine, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that: The four corners of the bottom of the fixed base (1) are all fixedly provided with support rods (21), and the bottom ends of the four support rods (21) are all fixedly provided with suction cups (22).

5. A urine sample collector capable of instantly separating exfoliated cells from urine, as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the sealed box (2) is hinged to a top cover (19), and an auxiliary handle (20) is fixedly provided on the top of the top cover (19).

6. A urine sample collector capable of instantly separating exfoliated cells from urine, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that: The surface of the flat-bottomed urine cup (11) is provided with a second scale line (13).

7. A urine sample collector capable of instantly separating exfoliated cells from urine, as described in claim 1, is characterized in that: The top of the flat-bottomed urine cup (11) is threaded with a second sealing cap (12).

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