Disposal system

Abstract

To provide a disposal system in which a measurement chip can be automatically detached from a component measurement device.SOLUTION: A disposal system 1 includes: a disposal bottle 10 for disposing of a measurement chip 91 of a component measurement device 90; a detection unit 20 capable of detecting that the component measurement device approaches the disposal bottle; and a drive unit 95 that detaches the measurement chip from the component measurement device when the detection unit detects that the component measurement device approaches the disposal bottle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a disposal system. [Background technology]

[0002] Many diabetic patients today take blood samples to self-manage their blood glucose levels, supply the blood sample to a blood glucose meter, which is an example of a component measuring device, and read the measurement value.

[0003] When collecting blood from a diabetic patient, first the skin is punctured with a puncture device to allow a minute amount of blood to flow out. Then, with the measurement chip attached to the component measurement device, the blood application part of the measurement chip is brought into contact with the blood.

[0004] The puncture needle and the measurement tip are then discarded in a waste container such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5902015 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the case of a waste container as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the measurement tip and the puncture needle must be removed manually, which is troublesome for the user and undesirable from the viewpoint of usability.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a disposal system that can automatically remove a measurement tip from a component measuring device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following means.

[0009] (1) a waste bottle for disposing of the measuring chip of the component measuring device; a detection unit capable of detecting that the component measuring device approaches the waste bottle; a drive unit that detaches the measuring tip from the component measuring device when the detection unit detects that the component measuring device has approached the waste bottle.

[0010] (2) The detection unit is an IC tag, The IC tag is attached to a lid of the waste bottle, When the IC tag detects that the component measuring device is approaching the waste bottle, the IC tag transmits a signal indicating that the component measuring device is approaching the waste bottle to the drive unit, The disposal system according to (1), wherein the driving unit removes the measurement tip from the component measuring device.

[0011] (3) The detection unit is an antenna attached to the lid of the waste bottle; A control unit electrically connected to the antenna, When the antenna detects that the component measuring device is approaching the waste bottle, the antenna transmits a signal indicating that the component measuring device is approaching the waste bottle to the control unit, The disposal system described in (1), wherein when the control unit receives a signal detecting that the component measuring device is approaching the disposal bottle, the control unit sends a signal to the drive unit via the antenna to remove the measurement tip from the component measuring device.

[0012] (4) The disposal system according to claim 2, wherein the IC tag receives measurement information stored in the memory of the component measuring device when the IC tag transmits a signal to the driving unit indicating that the component measuring device has approached the disposal bottle. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the disposal system configured as described above, when the detection unit detects that the component measuring device approaches the disposal bottle, the drive unit can remove the measuring tip from the component measuring device. Therefore, it is possible to provide a disposal system that can automatically remove the measuring tip. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a disposal system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a component measuring device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a component measuring device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a disposal system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a control unit of the disposal system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow of a method of using the disposal system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the disposal system according to the second embodiment is used in an in-hospital system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following description does not limit the technical scope or the meaning of terms described in the claims. Also, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0016] Hereinafter, the configuration of a disposal system 1 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a disposal system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a component measuring device 90. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the component measuring device 90.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the disposal system 1 has a waste bottle 10 into which the measurement tip 91 of the component measuring device 90 is disposed, a detection unit 20 capable of detecting when the component measuring device 90 approaches the waste bottle 10, and a drive unit 95 capable of removing the measurement tip 91 from the component measuring device 90.

[0018] First, there will be described the configuration of the component measuring device 90. As a schematic configuration of the component measuring device 90, the component measuring device 90 disclosed in JP-A-2010-233845 can be used.

[0019] The component measuring device 90 can measure the amount, properties, etc. of a predetermined component in a body fluid, such as the blood glucose level in blood. In this embodiment, the component measuring device 90 is a blood glucose meter.

[0020] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the component measuring device 90 has a holding portion 92 that can be held by a user, a fitting portion 93 into which the measurement tip 91 is fitted, an ejection portion 94 that removes the measurement tip 91 from the fitting portion 93, a drive portion 95 that drives the ejection portion 94, a reading portion 96 that reads the detection portion 20, and a display 97.

[0021] The measuring tip 91 is configured to be fitted into the fitting portion 93. The driving portion 95 is a motor or a cylinder. The driving portion 95 drives the ejecting portion 94 to move in the right direction in FIG. 2, whereby the ejecting portion 94 moves the measuring tip 91 in the right direction and removes the measuring tip 91 from the fitting portion 93.

[0022] The reading unit 96 is composed of any one or more of a reader for reading an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) ​​or other IC tags, a one-dimensional barcode reader, and a two-dimensional barcode reader. The reading unit 96 performs short-distance wireless communication using NFC (Near Field Communication) or the like.

[0023] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the waste bottle 10. As shown in Fig. 1, the waste bottle 10 has a main body 11 in which a measuring tip 91 removed from a component measuring device 90 is stored, and a lid 12 provided above the main body 11 and capable of being opened and closed.

[0024] When the lid 12 is open, the opening 11H formed in the upper part of the main body 11 has an opening large enough to allow the measuring tip 91 to easily pass through.

[0025] The waste bottle 10 is preferably made of a transparent or semi-transparent material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, silicone, polystyrene, or the like.

[0026] The detection unit 20 is an IC tag. The IC tag is attached to the lid 12 of the waste bottle 10. The method of attaching the IC tag to the lid 12 is not particularly limited. By using a relatively inexpensive IC tag according to this embodiment, the IC tag is discarded together with the waste bottle 10 while still attached to the waste bottle 10, and the IC tag can be used for tracking and managing the waste bottle 10 and for certifying disposal.

[0027] Next, a method of using the disposal system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0028] First, the blood glucose level measurement by the component measuring device 90 is completed.

[0029] Next, the user moves the component measuring device 90 close to the waste bottle 10. As a result, the detection unit 20 receives the NFC transmitted by the reading unit 96 of the component measuring device 90 and detects that the component measuring device 90 has approached the waste bottle 10.

[0030] Then, the detection unit 20 transmits a signal to the reader 96 of the component measuring device 90 to remove the measuring tip 91 from the component measuring device 90 .

[0031] When the reader 96 receives a signal to remove the measuring tip 91 from the component measuring device 90, it sends a signal to the driver 95, which drives the ejector 94 to move it to the right in Fig. 2. As a result, the ejector 94 moves the measuring tip 91 to the right and removes it from the fitting part 93.

[0032] As described above, the disposal system 1 according to this embodiment includes the waste bottle 10 in which the measurement tip 91 of the component measuring device 90 is disposed, the detection unit 20 capable of detecting that the component measuring device 90 has approached the waste bottle 10, and the drive unit 95 that removes the measurement tip 91 from the component measuring device 90 when the detection unit 20 detects that the component measuring device 90 has approached the waste bottle 10. According to the disposal system 1 configured in this manner, when the detection unit 20 detects that the component measuring device 90 has approached the waste bottle 10, the drive unit 95 can remove the measurement tip 91 from the component measuring device 90. Therefore, the measurement tip 91 can be automatically removed, and cross-infection can be suitably prevented.

[0033] Furthermore, according to the disposal system 1 configured as described above, the measuring tip 91 can be automatically removed from the component measuring device 90, and therefore the removal button that was provided when the measuring tip was removed manually in the past is no longer necessary, and this makes it possible to eliminate unevenness on the surface of the component measuring device 90. Therefore, cleaning of the component measuring device 90 becomes easier.

[0034] Moreover, the detection unit 20 is an IC tag, and the IC tag is attached to the lid 12 of the waste bottle 10. When the IC tag detects that the component measuring device 90 is approaching the waste bottle 10, the IC tag transmits a signal indicating that the component measuring device 90 is approaching the waste bottle 10 to the drive unit 95, and the drive unit 95 removes the measurement tip 91 from the component measuring device 90. According to the disposal system 1 configured in this manner, the measurement tip 91 can be automatically removed from the component measuring device 90 with a simple configuration. Furthermore, by discarding the IC tag together with the waste bottle 10, this IC tag can also be used for tracking and managing the waste bottle 10 and for disposing of the waste bottle 10.

[0035] <Second embodiment> Next, the configuration of the disposal system 2 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 7. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the disposal system 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the control unit 122 of the disposal system 2 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a flow of a method of using the disposal system 2 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example in which the disposal system 2 according to the second embodiment is used in an in-hospital system.

[0036] The disposal system 2 according to the second embodiment is different from the disposal system 1 according to the first embodiment described above in the configuration of the detection unit 120, etc. The configuration of the disposal system 2 according to the second embodiment will be described below.

[0037] 4, the disposal system 2 according to the second embodiment includes a disposal bottle 10 into which a measuring tip 91 of a component measuring device 90 is disposed, a detection unit 120 capable of detecting that the component measuring device 90 has approached the disposal bottle 10, and a drive unit 95 capable of removing the measuring tip 91 from the component measuring device 90. The configuration of the disposal bottle 10 is the same as that of the disposal system 1 according to the first embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0038] The detection unit 120 has an antenna 121 attached to the lid 12 of the waste bottle 10, and a control unit 122 electrically connected to the antenna 121. The control unit 122 is electrically connected to the antenna 121 by wire or wirelessly.

[0039] The antenna 121 is removably attached to the lid 12 of the waste bottle 10. When the waste bottle 10 is discarded, it is preferable that the antenna 121 be removed from the lid and reused.

[0040] When the antenna 121 detects that the IC tag 20A built in the component measuring device 90 has approached the waste bottle 10, the antenna 121 can transmit a signal indicating that the component measuring device 90 has approached the waste bottle 10 to the control unit 122. In other words, the antenna 121 can transmit and receive a signal indicating that the component measuring device 90 has approached the waste bottle 10.

[0041] The control unit 122 is removably attached to the side surface of the waste bottle 10. When the waste bottle 10 is discarded, it is preferable that the control unit 122 be removed from the waste bottle 10 and used repeatedly.

[0042] 5, the control unit 122 has a receiving unit 123 that receives from the antenna 121 a signal that detects that the IC tag 20A of the component measuring device 90 has approached the waste bottle 10, a transmitting unit 124 that transmits a signal to the driving unit 95 via the antenna 121 to remove the measuring chip 91 from the component measuring device 90, and a memory unit 125 that stores the measurement data of the measuring chip 91. A known CPU can be used for the control unit 122.

[0043] The IC tag 20A is powered and driven by the IC chip of the IC tag 20A when it receives radio waves from an RFID reader / writer (not shown) included in the detection unit 120. When power is supplied to the IC chip, the measurement information measured by the component measuring device 90 held by the IC tag 20A is transmitted to the control unit 122 via the antenna 121. This measurement information includes not only the blood glucose level of the user measured by the component measuring device 90, but also measurement error information. The measurement error information includes information such as the fact that the measurement by the component measuring device 90 was not performed in a guaranteed environment.

[0044] 4, the control unit 122 is connected to the electronic medical record 40. The transmission unit 124 can also transmit the measurement data of the measuring chip 91 stored in the storage unit 125 to the electronic medical record 40.

[0045] Next, a method of using the disposal system 2 according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0046] First, the blood glucose level measurement by the component measuring device 90 is completed.

[0047] Next, the user moves the component measuring device 90 close to the waste bottle 10. As a result, the antenna 121 receives the NFC transmitted by the reading unit 96 of the component measuring device 90 and detects that the component measuring device 90 has approached the waste bottle 10.

[0048] Then, the antenna 121 transmits a signal to the control unit 122 indicating that the component measuring device 90 has approached the waste bottle 10. The receiving unit 123 of the control unit 122 receives the signal indicating that the component measuring device 90 has approached the waste bottle 10 from the antenna 121. The transmitting unit 124 of the control unit 122 transmits a signal to the reading unit 96 of the component measuring device 90 via the antenna 121 to remove the measuring tip 91 from the component measuring device 90. That is, the control unit 122 transmits a signal to the driving unit 95 to remove the measuring tip 91 from the component measuring device 90.

[0049] With reference to FIG. 6, the subsequent flow will be described with four patterns (Pattern 1 to Pattern 4).

[0050] Pattern 1 will be described. When the control unit 122 transmits a signal to the drive unit 95 to remove the measuring chip 91 from the component measuring device 90, if the measuring chip 91 has already been removed by some means (for example, manually), the measuring chip 91 is not removed. If there is unsent data of the measuring chip 91 to the electronic medical record 40, the unsent data is transmitted to the electronic medical record 40 by the control unit 122.

[0051] Pattern 2 will be described. When the control unit 122 transmits a signal to the driving unit 95 to remove the measuring tip 91 from the component measuring device 90, if the measurement of the component measuring device 90 has been completed normally, the measuring tip 91 is removed and the measurement data of the measuring tip 91 is transmitted to the electronic medical record 40.

[0052] Pattern 3 will be described. When the control unit 122 transmits a signal to the driving unit 95 to remove the measuring tip 91 from the component measuring device 90, if the measuring tip 91 touches a liquid other than blood and a measurement error occurs in the component measuring device 90, the measuring tip 91 is removed and error information is transmitted to the electronic medical record 40.

[0053] Pattern 4 will now be described. When the control unit 122 transmits a signal to the driving unit 95 to remove the measuring tip 91 from the component measuring device 90, if an attempt is made to use the used measuring tip 91 for the next patient, an error is issued indicating that the used measuring tip 91 remains, and the measuring tip 91 is removed.

[0054] Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a case where the disposal system 2 according to the second embodiment is used in an in-hospital system will be described.

[0055] In the in-hospital system, as shown in Fig. 7, a plurality of component measuring devices 90 are used to perform measurements on a plurality of patients P. Meanwhile, one waste bottle 10 is provided. In the in-hospital system, the electronic medical record 40 is connected to an electronic medical record terminal 50, and the electronic medical record terminal 50 is connected to inventory management software 60.

[0056] In the hospital system, data on the total number of times the above-mentioned pattern 2 and pattern 3 were performed is sent to the electronic medical record 40 and the electronic medical record terminal 50, and the inventory management software 60 checks the inventory. When the inventory is low, a notification prompting an order or the like is sent to the electronic medical record terminal 50, or an automatic ordering process may be executed. This not only improves the accuracy of inventory management, but also reduces the burden of inventory management work within the hospital. When checking the inventory, the number of times the ejection operation was performed may be used as a reference, instead of the total number of times the above-mentioned pattern 2 and pattern 3 were performed.

[0057] As described above, in the disposal system 2 according to the second embodiment, the detection unit 120 has an antenna 121 attached to the lid 12 of the disposal bottle 10 and a control unit 122 electrically connected to the antenna 121, and when the antenna 121 detects that the component measuring device 90 has approached the disposal bottle 10, the control unit 122 transmits a signal indicating that the component measuring device 90 has approached the disposal bottle 10 to the control unit 122, and when the control unit 122 receives a signal indicating that the component measuring device 90 has approached the disposal bottle 10, the control unit 122 transmits a signal to the drive unit 95 via the antenna 121 to remove the measuring tip 91 from the component measuring device 90. According to the disposal system 2 configured in this manner, since the control unit 122 can transmit the measurement data to the electronic medical record 40, not only the measurement tip 91 can be automatically removed, but also the most recent measurement data can be transmitted, thereby reducing the burden on nurses and the like. In addition, at this time, the measurement information is transmitted to the control unit 122 via the antenna 121, so that the disposal of the measuring tip 91 and the transmission of the measurement data are performed at the same time. This eliminates the need to transmit measurement data separately, improving convenience.

[0058] The waste disposal systems 1 and 2 according to the present invention have been described above through the first and second embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate based on the description of the claims.

[0059] For example, in the second embodiment described above, the control unit 122 is attached to the side surface of the waste bottle 10, but the control unit may be disposed on the bottom surface of the waste bottle 10 as a stand. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1, 2 Disposal system, 10 waste bottles, 12 Lid; 20, 120 detection unit, 90 Component measuring device, 91 measuring chips, 95 Drive unit, 121 Antenna, 122 Control section.

Claims

1. a waste bottle for disposing of the measuring chip of the component measuring device; a detection unit capable of detecting that the component measuring device approaches the waste bottle; a drive unit that detaches the measuring tip from the component measuring device when the detection unit detects that the component measuring device has approached the waste bottle.

2. The detection unit is an IC tag, The IC tag is attached to a lid of the waste bottle, When the IC tag detects that the component measuring device is approaching the waste bottle, the IC tag transmits a signal indicating that the component measuring device is approaching the waste bottle to the drive unit, The disposal system according to claim 1 , wherein the drive unit removes the measuring tip from the component measuring device.

3. The detection unit is an antenna attached to the lid of the waste bottle; A control unit electrically connected to the antenna, When the antenna detects that the component measuring device is approaching the waste bottle, the antenna transmits a signal indicating that the component measuring device is approaching the waste bottle to the control unit, The disposal system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when receiving a signal detecting that the component measuring device is approaching the disposal bottle, transmits a signal to the drive unit via the antenna to remove the measuring tip from the component measuring device.

4. The disposal system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the IC tag receives measurement information stored in the memory of the component measuring device when the IC tag transmits a signal to the driving unit indicating that the component measuring device has approached the disposal bottle.

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