A disposable sterile sputum cup
By designing the inner and outer cup structures and reagent dispenser, the system achieves centralized collection and uniform mixing of sputum, solving the problem of sputum deviating from the center of the cup bottom, improving detection accuracy, simplifying operation, and reducing costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- THE THIRD MEDICAL CENT OF THE CHINESE PEOPLES LIBERATION ARMY GENERAL HOSPITAL
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-07
AI Technical Summary
In existing sputum collection cups, sputum tends to deviate from the center of the bottom during use, resulting in uneven mixing and affecting the accuracy of the test. In addition, an additional container is required to mix the test reagents, which is inconvenient to operate and wastes materials.
Design a sputum cup comprising inner and outer cups. The inner cup is constricted in shape, with a sputum-collecting brush at the bottom of the top cover. Sputum is collected at the bottom of the inner cup, and a reagent adder and a needle are provided on the top cover for direct addition of test reagents. Gravity is used to mix the reagents with the sputum. The inner cup is conical or frustum-shaped to ensure uniform mixing.
It improves the accuracy of sputum testing, saves on additional containers, simplifies the operation process, reduces costs, ensures thorough mixing, and reduces the risk of misjudgment.
Smart Images
Figure CN224462006U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to a collection cup used in medical institutions, specifically a disposable sterile sputum cup. Background Technology
[0002] With the increasingly fast pace of life and mounting pressure, more and more people are experiencing sub-health conditions. This has led to a surge in hospital visits and the need for numerous examinations. Currently, sputum testing in hospitals uses disposable test cups with lids. These cups are about half the size of a standard disposable paper cup, cylindrical in shape. Patients or those being tested spit sputum into the cup, which is then sealed and placed in the collection tray of the testing kit for analysis. However, a problem with these sputum collection cups is that patients or those being tested may not spit the sputum precisely into the center of the bottom of the cup; sometimes it may land on the side or edge, hindering extraction and compromising accuracy. Furthermore, mixing the sputum with reagents or clearing it requires adding the reagent or clearing agent to a separate container after collection, wasting space and adding inconveniently. Alternatively, the reagents or clearing agent can be directly added to the sputum collection cup for mixing or clearing before testing. However, because the sputum may be located on the cup wall or at the bottom edge of the cup, the test reagent or sputum-clearing reagent may not be able to play its corresponding role, further leading to inaccurate test results and subsequent misjudgments or misidentifications. Utility Model Content
[0003] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the technical problems in the prior art and provide a disposable sterile sputum cup with a relatively simple structure, convenient for direct addition of test reagents or expectorant reagents, saving materials, easy operation, and effectively improving the accuracy of detection.
[0004] The technical solution of this utility model for a disposable sterile sputum cup is as follows: it includes a sputum cup body and a removable sealing cap fitted onto the upper part of the sputum cup body. The sputum cup body includes an outer cup body and an inner cup body. The inner cup body is disposed inside the outer cup body. The inner cup body has a contracting shape from top to bottom. The removable sealing cap is fitted onto the upper part of the outer cup body. The top cap, the inner wall of the outer cup body, and the inner cup body form a closed sputum-containing space 13. The bottom of the top cap is provided with a downwardly extending sputum-collecting brush. The top of the sputum-collecting brush is located in the lower part or bottom of the inner cup body.
[0005] The disposable sterile sputum cup of this utility model can also be:
[0006] The top cover is sealed with a reagent dispenser that can be opened and closed downwards. The reagent dispenser includes a button and a reagent holding chamber. The button is elastically located at the center of the top of the reagent dispenser. The button can open the reagent holding chamber downwards. The bottom of the reagent holding chamber is located above the inner cup. The test reagent or expectorant is sealed and held in the reagent holding chamber.
[0007] The button has a downward-extending pressure needle with a pointed bottom. The pressure needle is elastically positioned directly above the reagent compartment and can move downwards to pierce the top and bottom of the reagent compartment.
[0008] The reagent dispenser also includes a dispensing cylinder that is sealed under the top cover and extends downward. Two thin film layers are provided at the bottom and lower middle part of the dispensing cylinder, and the reagent receiving chamber is formed between the two thin film layers and the dispensing cylinder.
[0009] A fixing plate is provided on the topmost thin film body, and a compression spring is provided between the fixing plate and the bottom surface of the button. The top of the compression spring abuts against the bottom surface of the button, and the bottom of the compression spring abuts against the top surface of the fixing plate. A through hole is provided in the center of the fixing plate for the pressure needle to pass through.
[0010] The number of compression springs is one or two. One compression spring is sleeved on the pressure needle, or the two compression springs are respectively located on opposite sides of the pressure needle.
[0011] The button is sealed and slidably disposed on the upper part of the adding cylinder.
[0012] The inner cup body gradually decreases in size from top to bottom and from outside to inside, and the top outer edge of the inner cup body is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the outer cup body.
[0013] The inner cup is in the shape of a cone or a frustum.
[0014] The top cover is fixedly connected to the upper part of the outer cup body by a sealed thread or a sealed snap-fit.
[0015] This utility model discloses a disposable sterile sputum cup, comprising a sputum cup body and a removable sealing cap fitted onto the upper part of the sputum cup body. The sputum cup body includes an outer cup body and an inner cup body, with the inner cup body disposed inside the outer cup body. The inner cup body has a contracting shape from top to bottom. The removable sealing cap is fitted onto the upper part of the outer cup body. The top cap, the inner wall of the outer cup body, and the inner cup body form a closed sputum-containing space. A downwardly extending sputum-collecting brush is provided at the bottom of the top cap, with the tip of the sputum-collecting brush located at the lower part or bottom of the inner cup body. In this way, when a patient or test subject needs to collect their sputum, they open the top cover, exposing the sputum cup body. The patient or test subject then spits into the inner cup within the outer cup. Because the inner cup has a contracting shape from top to bottom, even sputum that doesn't reach the center of the bottom of the inner cup will slide down to the bottom due to gravity and the downward-contracting shape of the inner cup. This concentrates the sputum at the lowest point. When test reagents or expectorants are added, the liquid reagents easily fall or slide to the bottom of the inner cup, mixing with the sputum that has already slid down. This ensures a more thorough mixing of the reagents and sputum, resulting in more accurate test results. It also saves on an additional container for mixing the reagents and sputum, reducing costs. Furthermore, this method is more reliable. The patient then places the top cover onto the outer cup and puts the disposable sterile sputum cup onto the testing collection tray. The examining physician, after receiving the disposable sterile sputum cup, opens the top cover and uses the internal sputum-collecting brush to collect the sputum after the reaction of the test reagent or expectorant with the sputum. This sputum is then placed on the testing instrument for observation, testing, and analysis to obtain the final test result. Because the bottom of the top cover has downward-extending sputum-collecting brushes, these brushes ensure full contact with the sputum and test reagents or expectorants after the cover is closed. This ensures sufficient and adequate collection of the sputum after reaction with the test reagents or expectorants at the testing device for subsequent testing, observation, and analysis, guaranteeing more accurate test results. Therefore, the advantages of this disposable sterile sputum cup compared to existing technologies are: relatively simple structure, convenient direct addition of test reagents or expectorants, material saving, easy operation, and effective improvement in testing accuracy. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 This utility model presents a schematic diagram of the structure of a disposable sterile sputum cup.
[0017] Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of the internal structure of an embodiment of the disposable sterile sputum cup of this utility model.
[0018] Figure 3 Enlarged cross-sectional view of the reagent dispenser in an embodiment of the disposable sterile sputum cup of this utility model.
[0019] Figure 4 This utility model relates to a disposable sterile sputum cup. Figure 2 A magnified view of part A in the image.
[0020] Drawing number explanation:
[0021] 1…Top lid 2…Outer cup body 3…Inner cup body
[0022] 4…Button 5…Reagent compartment 6…Pressure needle
[0023] 7…Add cylinder body 8…Film body 9…Fixing plate
[0024] 10…through hole 11…compression spring 12…spitting brush
[0025] 13…accommodation space Detailed Implementation
[0026] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.
[0027] This utility model relates to a disposable sterile sputum cup. Please refer to [reference needed]. Figures 1 to 4The relevant figures include a sputum cup body and a removable sealing cap 1 fitted onto the upper part of the sputum cup body. The sputum cup body includes an outer cup body 2 and an inner cup body 3. The inner cup body 3 is disposed inside the outer cup body 2 and has a contracting shape from top to bottom. The removable sealing cap 1 is fitted onto the upper part of the outer cup body 2. The top cap 1, the inner wall of the outer cup body 2, and the inner cup body 3 form a closed sputum-containing space 13. The bottom of the top cap 1 is provided with a downwardly extending sputum-collecting brush, and the top of the sputum-collecting brush is located at the lower part or bottom of the inner cup body 3. In this way, when a patient or test subject needs to collect their sputum, they open the top cover 1, exposing the sputum cup body. Then, the patient or test subject spits sputum into the inner cup 3 inside the outer cup 2. Because the inner cup 3 has a contracting shape from top to bottom, even sputum that doesn't reach the center of the bottom of the inner cup 3 will slide down to the bottom due to gravity and the downward and inward contracting shape of the inner cup 3. This makes the sputum more concentrated and located at the lowest point. When test reagents or expectorants are added, the liquid test reagents or expectorants easily fall or slide down to the bottom of the inner cup 3, mixing with the sputum that has already slid down to the bottom of the inner cup 3 before testing. This ensures a more thorough mixing of the test reagents or expectorants and the sputum, resulting in more accurate test results. It also saves on an additional container for mixing the test reagents or expectorants and the sputum, reducing costs. Moreover, this operation is more reliable. The patient then places the top cover 1 onto the outer cup 2, and the entire disposable sterile sputum cup onto the testing collection tray. The examining physician, upon receiving the disposable sterile sputum cup, opens the top cover 1 and uses the internal sputum-collecting brush to collect the sputum after the reaction of the test reagent or expectorant with the sputum. This sputum is then placed on the testing instrument for observation, testing, and analysis to obtain the final test result. Because the bottom of the top cover 1 has a downward-extending sputum-collecting brush, its function is to ensure full contact with the sputum and test reagents or expectorants after the cover is closed. This ensures sufficient and adequate collection of the sputum after reaction with the test reagents or expectorants at the testing device for subsequent testing, observation, and analysis, guaranteeing more accurate test results. Therefore, the advantages of this disposable sterile sputum cup compared to existing technologies are: relatively simple structure, convenient direct addition of test reagents or expectorants, material saving, easy operation, and effective improvement in testing accuracy.
[0028] This utility model relates to a disposable sterile sputum cup. Please refer to [reference needed]. Figures 1 to 4Based on the aforementioned technical solution, the following configuration can also be implemented: A reagent dispenser that can be opened and closed downwards is sealed on the top cover 1. The reagent dispenser includes a button 4 and a reagent holding chamber 5. The button 4 is elastically positioned at the center of the top of the reagent dispenser and can open the reagent holding chamber 5 downwards. The bottom of the reagent holding chamber 5 is located above the inner cup 3, and the test reagent or sputum-clearing reagent is sealed and contained within the reagent holding chamber 5. Thus, because of the button 4 and reagent holding chamber 5, the patient, the person being tested, or the examining physician can directly press the button 4 downwards to open the reagent holding chamber 5 located above the inner cup 3. The reagent holding chamber 5 contains the test reagent or sputum-clearing reagent. Due to gravity, the test reagent or sputum-clearing reagent in the reagent holding chamber 5 is directly released into the inner cup 3 and comes into contact with the sputum located at the bottom center of the inner cup 3 to perform the corresponding test reagent fusion operation or sputum-clearing operation, preparing the sputum to be tested. Then, the examining physician can directly open the top cover 1 and directly test the sputum collected on the sputum-collecting brush. The advantages of this design are its simplicity, avoidance of secondary contamination when adding test reagents or sputum-clearing reagents, time saving, and reduced need for reagent bottles, further improving the accuracy of test results. A further preferred technical solution of this invention's disposable sterile sputum cup, based on the preceding technical solution, is as follows: A pressure needle 6 with a pointed bottom extends downwards from the bottom of the button 4. The pressure needle 6 is elastically positioned directly above the reagent receiving chamber 5, and can move downwards to pierce the top and bottom of the reagent receiving chamber 5. When the patient, the person being tested, or the examining physician presses down on the button 4, the pressure needle 6 moves downwards. After moving downwards, the spike at the bottom of the pressure needle pierces the top and bottom of the reagent container 5, releasing the test reagent or sputum-clearing reagent sealed within the reagent container 5. Under the influence of gravity, the reagent falls onto the wall of the inner cup 3 and then slides down the wall of the inner cup 3 to the bottom of the inner cup 3 to react with the sputum. Then, the pressure needle 6 rebounds elastically, and the button 4 seals the accommodating space 13 formed by the top cover 1 and the outer cup 2 again, preventing external air and moisture from contaminating the sputum to be tested, further improving the accuracy of the test results. A further preferred technical solution of the present invention for a disposable sterile sputum cup based on the preceding technical solution is as follows: the reagent dispenser further includes an adding cylinder 7 that is sealed and disposed at the lower part of the top cover 1 and extends downward. Two thin film bodies 8 are provided at the bottom and lower middle part of the adding cylinder 7, and the reagent receiving chamber 5 is formed between the two thin film bodies 8 and the adding cylinder 7.This design with two layers of film 8 results in a lighter weight, better overall weight control of the top cover 1, and a better sealing effect. When the pressure needle 6 is pressed down, it can easily pierce the upper and lower layers of film 8, allowing the test reagent or sputum-clearing reagent to fall to the bottom of the inner cup 3 and mix with the sputum. Furthermore, the two layers of film 8 can seal the test reagent or sputum-clearing reagent within the reagent holding chamber 5, preventing contamination from external air and moisture. A further preferred technical solution of this invention, based on the preceding technical solution, is that the button 4 is slidably positioned on the upper part of the adding cylinder 7. This further ensures the sealing between the inner cup 3 and the top cover 1 during the pressing down or elastic rising of the button 4, preventing secondary contamination of the sputum to be tested and further improving the accuracy of the test results.
[0029] This utility model relates to a disposable sterile sputum cup. Please refer to [reference needed]. Figures 1 to 4 Based on the preceding technical solutions, a further preferred technical solution is as follows: A fixing plate 9 is provided above the uppermost film body 8. A compression spring 11 is provided between the fixing plate 9 and the bottom surface of the button 4. The top of the compression spring 11 abuts against the bottom surface of the button 4, and the bottom of the compression spring 11 abuts against the top surface of the fixing plate 9. A through hole 10 for the pressure needle 6 to pass through is provided in the center of the fixing plate 9. This fixing plate 9 supports the compression spring 11, and the through hole 10 in the center of the fixing plate 9 facilitates the pressure needle 6 to pass through it after being pressed down, thereby piercing the upper and lower film bodies 8. At the same time, it also ensures that the pressure needle 6 will not fall and accidentally touch the reagent container 5 under normal circumstances. To achieve the preceding technical solution, a further specific technical solution is as follows: The number of compression springs 11 is one or two. One compression spring 11 is sleeved on the pressure needle 6, or two compression springs 11 are respectively located on opposite sides of the pressure needle 6. This allows for the use of one or two compression springs 11. Using one compression spring 11 offers the advantages of simple structure and low cost. Using two compression springs 11 ensures that the button 4 can descend or rise smoothly, preventing it from wobbling and creating gaps between itself and the adding cylinder 7. This prevents air or moisture from entering the adding cylinder 7 and then contaminating the sputum sample through the reagent holding chamber 5 into the inner cup 3, thus further improving the accuracy of the test results.
[0030] The present invention provides a disposable sterile sputum cup. A further preferred embodiment of the preceding technical solution is that the inner cup body 3 gradually decreases in size from top to bottom and from the outside to the inside, and the top outer edge of the inner cup body 3 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the outer cup body 2. Because the inner cup body 3 gradually decreases in size from top to bottom and from the outside to the inside, it effectively reduces the resistance of sputum coughed up by the patient or the person being tested, as well as the testing reagents or expectorants falling from the reagent holding chamber 5 after puncture, allowing them to slide down the inner cup body 3 to its bottom with minimal resistance. This achieves advantages such as simple operation, thorough mixing, and concentrated sputum. A further preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a disposable sterile sputum cup in which the inner cup body 3 is conical or frustum-shaped. Preferably, the sputum is a frustum or a cone. The base of the frustum or cone is relatively small, so that the sputum will be concentrated in a small area, making it easier for the sputum-collecting brush to be immersed in the sputum and collect a sufficient amount of sputum to be tested, thereby further improving the accuracy of the test results.
[0031] This utility model's disposable sterile sputum cup, based on the preceding technical solution, please refer to... Figures 1 to 4 A further preferred technical solution, as shown in the relevant figures, is that the top cover 1 and the outer cup body 2 are connected by a sealed threaded connection or a sealed snap-fit connection. This ensures the airtightness of both and the ease of opening and closing, making it more convenient, faster, and cheaper to use.
[0032] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", and "outer" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.
[0033] The above description provides a detailed account of the embodiments of this utility model, but the content described is merely a preferred embodiment and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations here. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom remain within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A disposable sterile sputum cup, characterized in that: The sputum cup includes a sputum cup body and a removable sealing cap fitted onto the upper part of the sputum cup body. The sputum cup body includes an outer cup body and an inner cup body. The inner cup body is disposed inside the outer cup body and has a tapered shape from top to bottom. The removable sealing cap is fitted onto the upper part of the outer cup body. The top cap, the inner wall of the outer cup body, and the inner cup body form a closed sputum-containing space. A downwardly extending sputum-collecting brush is provided at the bottom of the top cap, and the tip of the sputum-collecting brush is located in the lower part or bottom of the inner cup body.
2. The disposable sterile sputum cup according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top cover is sealed with a reagent dispenser that can be opened and closed downwards. The reagent dispenser includes a button and a reagent holding chamber. The button is elastically located at the center of the top of the reagent dispenser. The button can open the reagent holding chamber downwards. The bottom of the reagent holding chamber is located above the inner cup. The test reagent or expectorant is sealed and held in the reagent holding chamber.
3. A disposable sterile sputum cup according to claim 2, characterized in that: The button has a downward-extending pressure needle with a pointed bottom. The pressure needle is elastically positioned directly above the reagent compartment and can move downwards to pierce the top and bottom of the reagent compartment.
4. A disposable sterile sputum cup according to claim 3, characterized in that: The reagent dispenser also includes a dispensing cylinder that is sealed under the top cover and extends downward. Two thin film layers are provided at the bottom and lower middle part of the dispensing cylinder, and the reagent receiving chamber is formed between the two thin film layers and the dispensing cylinder.
5. A disposable sterile sputum cup according to claim 4, characterized in that: A fixing plate is provided on the topmost thin film body, and a compression spring is provided between the fixing plate and the bottom surface of the button. The top of the compression spring abuts against the bottom surface of the button, and the bottom of the compression spring abuts against the top surface of the fixing plate. A through hole is provided in the center of the fixing plate for the pressure needle to pass through.
6. A disposable sterile sputum cup according to claim 5, characterized in that: The number of compression springs is one or two. One compression spring is sleeved on the pressure needle, or the two compression springs are respectively located on opposite sides of the pressure needle.
7. A disposable sterile sputum cup according to claim 4, characterized in that: The button is sealed and slidably disposed on the upper part of the adding cylinder.
8. A disposable sterile sputum cup according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that: The inner cup body gradually decreases in size from top to bottom and from outside to inside, and the top outer edge of the inner cup body is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the outer cup body.
9. A disposable sterile sputum cup according to claim 8, characterized in that: The inner cup is in the shape of a cone or a frustum.
10. A disposable sterile sputum cup according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that: The top cover is fixedly connected to the upper part of the outer cup body by a sealed thread or a sealed snap-fit.