Measurement device

Abstract

To provide a measurement device easy to hold in use.SOLUTION: A measurement device 10A for measuring a specimen by using a sheet-like sensor 12 includes: a body unit 30 which is formed with an insertion port 28A and in which a measurement unit 50 for executing measurement related to the specimen is provided; and a movable unit 32 that is movable in a direction along a sheet surface 14 of the sensor 12 in a state of being inserted into the insertion port with respect to the body unit 30, and is configured to be movable between a storage position P1 and an expansion position P2 for increasing an area of the body unit 30 in a plan view more than that when the body unit is arranged in the storage position P1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a measurement device that measures a sample attached to a sensor with the sensor inserted therein. [Background technology]

[0002] Measuring devices are widely used in which a disposable sheet-like sensor is inserted into the measuring device to measure components of a sample attached to the sensor, etc. In such measuring devices, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example, a configuration is adopted in which the tip of the sensor (the side on which the sample is not applied) is inserted into an insertion port. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-232170 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6455425 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, miniaturized measurement devices can be small and difficult to hold and difficult to insert sensors into.

[0005] In consideration of the above, the present disclosure aims to provide a measuring device that is easy to hold during use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A measurement device of a first aspect of the present disclosure is a measurement device that measures a sample using a sheet-like sensor, and includes a main body portion formed with an insertion port for inserting the sensor and having a measurement unit inside which performs measurements on the sample, and a movable portion that is movable relative to the main body portion in a direction along the sheet surface of the sensor when inserted into the insertion port, and is configured to be movable between a stored position and an expanded position in which the area of ​​the main body portion in a planar view is increased compared to when it is positioned in the stored position.

[0007] A second aspect of the measurement device is the measurement device of the first aspect, wherein the movable part slides in a direction along the insertion direction of the sensor into the insertion opening to move between the stored position and the extended position.

[0008] The measuring device of the third aspect is a measuring device of the first or second aspect, which is provided with an ejection mechanism that ejects the sensor outside the main body in conjunction with movement of the movable part from the extended position to the stored position.

[0009] The measuring device of the fourth aspect is a measuring device of any one of the first to third aspects, which is provided with an opening / closing member that covers the insertion opening when the movable part is positioned in the stored position and opens the insertion opening when the movable part is positioned in the extended position. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the measuring device of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a measuring device that is easy to hold. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic appearance of a measurement device and a sensor according to a first embodiment (before the sensor is inserted). [Diagram 2] 2A is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a sensor, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of an upstream portion seen from a direction indicated by arrow II. [Diagram 3]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic appearance of a measurement device and a sensor according to a first embodiment (after the sensor is inserted). [Figure 4] 2 is a plan view showing the upper surface of a main body and the lower surface of a movable part of the measurement device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a movable part of the measuring device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 3. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the measurement device according to the first embodiment with a movable part disposed in an extended position. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a schematic appearance of a measurement device and a sensor (after the sensor is inserted) according to a modified example of the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a measuring device according to a second embodiment in a state in which a movable part is placed in a stored position. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the measurement device of the second embodiment in a state where a movable part is placed in an extended position. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a measuring device according to a third embodiment in a state in which a movable part is placed in a stored position. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the measurement device of the third embodiment in a state where a movable part is placed in an extended position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The measuring device of this embodiment comprises a main body portion having an insertion port for inserting the sensor and a measuring unit inside which performs measurements on the sample, and a movable portion which forms part of the main body portion and is movable relative to the main body portion in a direction along the sheet surface of the sensor when inserted into the insertion port, and is configured to be movable between a stored position and an expanded position which increases the area of ​​the main body portion in a planar view compared to when it is positioned in the stored position.

[0013] The specimen here is, for example, a body fluid collected from a living body, and specific examples include blood and urine. The measurement is, for example, the measurement of a component contained in the specimen, and when the specimen is blood, examples include the measurement of blood glucose, hemoglobin, or HbA1c, and when the specimen is urine, examples include urinary sugar, bilirubin, or urinary protein.

[0014] The measurement device includes a main body and a movable part. The main body is formed with an insertion port for inserting a sensor, and is provided with a measurement unit therein for performing measurements on the sample. The movable part is configured to be movable relative to the main body between a stored position and an expanded position in which the area of ​​the main body in a plan view is increased compared to when the main body is disposed in the stored position. The movement of the movable part at this time is in a direction along the sheet surface of the sensor in a state where it is inserted into the insertion port.

[0015] By moving the movable portion from the stored position to the expanded position, the area of ​​the main body portion in a plan view can be expanded, making it easier to hold the measuring device.

[0016] The movable portion can be configured to slide in a direction in which the sensor is inserted into the insertion opening, and move between the stored position and the expanded position.

[0017] The main body portion is formed with an insertion guide portion that guides the sensor to the insertion port, and the movable portion can be configured to cover the insertion guide portion when positioned in the stored position and to expose the insertion guide portion when positioned in the expanded position.

[0018] It is preferable to provide an ejection mechanism that ejects the sensor from the main body in conjunction with the movement of the movable part from the extended position to the stored position. By providing an ejector, the user can easily eject the sensor from the main body without directly touching the sensor.

[0019] The movable part preferably includes an opening / closing member that covers the insertion opening when the movable part is disposed at the stored position and opens the insertion opening when the movable part is disposed at the extended position. By including the opening / closing member, it is possible to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering through the insertion opening when the sensor is not inserted.

[0020] First Embodiment Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent components and parts are given the same reference numerals. In addition, the dimensional ratios of the drawings are exaggerated for the convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a measuring device 10A and a sensor 12 according to this embodiment. When the sheet-like sensor 12 is inserted into the measuring device 10A, for example, when the sample is a patient's blood, the measuring device can be used as a measurement system such as a portable blood glucose measuring device or a blood glucose meter such as a self-measurement blood glucose meter. The insertion direction of the sensor 12 into the measuring device 10A is illustrated by an arrow X. Note that the direction along this arrow X and the opposite direction to the arrow X are the directions along the insertion direction of the sensor 12. In this embodiment, as an example, a case where the measuring device 10A is a portable blood glucose meter will be described.

[0022] The sensor 12 is in the form of a long sheet, and has a pair of sheet surfaces 14, a pair of sensor side surfaces 16, and a pair of sensor end surfaces 18. The sheet surface 14 is a front surface 14A and a back surface 14B of the sheet-like sensor 12. The sensor side surfaces 16 are surfaces that run along the longitudinal direction and are formed on both ends of the sensor 12 in the width direction. The sensor end surfaces 18 are surfaces that run along the width direction and are formed on both ends of the sensor 12 in the length direction.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2(A)(B), the sensor 12 has an electrode layer formed of, for example, a metal material such as gold (Au) or a carbon material such as carbon formed on a substrate 12h formed of, for example, a synthetic resin (plastic). A spacer 12i having a rectangular cutout as a covering area, and a synthetic resin cover 12j having an air hole 12e formed thereon are laminated on the electrode layer. A space having a specimen supply port 12d formed by the cutout of the spacer 12i is formed by laminating the substrate 12h, the spacer 12i, and the cover 12j, and this space becomes the flow path 12a. The specimen supply port 12d is formed at the upstream end (rear end of insertion) of the sensor 12, and the air hole 12e is formed near the downstream end of the flow path 12a. The downstream end (front end of insertion) of the sensor 12 is not covered by the cover 12j and is an area where the electrodes are exposed.

[0024] In the exposed portion, the electrode layer is divided into a plurality of electrodes, each of which is connected to a terminal provided on a connector 52 of the measurement unit 50, which will be described later. The region on the downstream end side of the sensor 12 that is inserted into a measurement insertion port 38, which will be described later, of the measurement device 10A is the insertion region 12f, which includes not only the measurement region 12c but also the lower end portion of the cover 12j.

[0025] The measuring device 10A includes a main body 30. The main body 30 includes a main body 20 and a movable part 32. The main body 20 is generally rectangular in top view, with rounded corners. The main body 20 has an outer shape formed by a housing, and includes a top surface 22, a bottom surface 24, and a side surface 26. The longitudinal direction of the main body 20 is indicated by the symbol L, and the width direction is indicated by the symbol W. An insertion guide portion 28 is formed on one side of the longitudinal direction L of the main body 20. The insertion guide portion 28 is concave and opens to the top surface 22 and the side surface 26, and an insertion opening 28A is formed on the back side as viewed from the side surface 26. The bottom wall of the insertion opening 28A is flush with the bottom surface of the insertion guide portion 28, and the sensor 12 can be inserted into the insertion opening 28A with the sheet surface 14 facing in a direction along the top surface 22.

[0026] 6 and 7, a connector 52 and a measuring unit 50 are provided inside the main body 20. The connector 52 is formed at a position continuous with the insertion opening 28A. The connector 52 has a plurality of terminals (not shown) provided at positions that allow connection with electrodes on the surface 14A of the sensor 12. Each terminal of the connector 52 is connected to each part of the measuring unit 50.

[0027] The insertion opening 28A is shaped to conform to the outer shape of the sensor 12 when viewed from the insertion direction X, and is slightly larger than the sensor 12. The electrodes of the sensor 12 and the terminals of the connector 52 are electrically connected by inserting the entire insertion region 12f of the sensor 12 closer to the connector 52 than the measurement insertion opening 38. In this embodiment, the connector 52 faces downward in FIG. 1, and the electrodes on the front surface 14A of the sensor 12 are arranged and connected facing upward.

[0028] The measurement unit 50 is provided with a voltage applicator (not shown) that supplies a predetermined voltage signal to the sensor 12, receives a current signal indicating the measurement result from the sensor 12, and performs A / D conversion. The measurement unit 50 is also provided with a control unit (not shown) that is configured, for example, by a microprocessor and controls each unit of the measurement device 10A. The control unit causes the voltage applicator to supply a predetermined voltage signal to the sensor 12, and generates measurement data indicating the measurement value based on the current value from the sensor 12 in response to the supply of the voltage signal. The measurement data obtained by the measurement unit 50 is recorded in a recording unit (not shown). The measurement data obtained by the control unit is recorded in the recording unit in association with the measurement time or a patient ID, etc.

[0029] The movable part 32 has substantially the same shape as the main body 20 in a top view, and is thinner than the main body 20. The movable part 32 is configured to be movable between a storage position P1 shown in Fig. 1 and an extended position P2 shown in Fig. 3. That is, the movable part 32 is configured to be movable in a direction along the insertion direction X. When the movable part 32 is arranged at the storage position P1, the movable part 32 entirely overlaps with the main body 20 in a plan view. The area of ​​the main body part 30 in a plan view at this time is the same as the areas of the movable part 32 and the main body 20.

[0030] When the movable part 32 slides on the upper surface part 22 of the main body 20 in the insertion direction X and is moved to the expanded position P2, it does not overlap with the main body 20 in a plan view, and the area of ​​the main body part 30 in a plan view is enlarged compared to when it is disposed at the storage position P1. Furthermore, when the movable part 32 is disposed at the storage position P1, the insertion guide part 28 is covered by the movable part 32, and when the movable part 32 is disposed at the expanded position P2, the insertion guide part 28 is exposed and can be seen by the user.

[0031] FIG. 4 shows the upper surface 22 of the main body 20 and the lower surface 34 of the movable part 32 in a plan view with the main body 30 disassembled into the main body 20 and the movable part 32.

[0032] Three grooves 25A, 25B, and 25C are formed in the upper surface portion 22 of the main body 20 along the insertion direction X. The grooves 25A, 25B, and 25C are formed on the side of the upper surface portion 22 far from the insertion guide portion 28. The engagement portion 27 is engaged with the middle groove 25B. As shown in FIG. 6, the engagement portion 27 has a large convex portion 27A arranged on the outside of the main body 20, a small convex portion 27B arranged on the inside of the main body 20, and a neck portion 27C that connects the large convex portion 27A and the small convex portion 27B and is arranged in the groove 25B, with the groove 25B in between. The widths of the large convex portion 27A and the small convex portion 27B are larger than the groove width of the groove 25B, and the width of the neck portion 27C is smaller than the groove width of the groove 25B. The engaging portion 27 is movable along the groove 25B, and is fixed to the movable portion 32 by fitting the large convex portion 27A into an engaging recess 35, which will be described later.

[0033] An engagement recess 35 and a pair of engagement claws 37 are formed on the lower surface 34 of the movable part 32. The engagement recess 35 is formed in the center of the movable part 32 in the width direction W and the insertion direction X. The engagement part 27 is fitted into the engagement recess 35. The pair of engagement claws 37 are formed on both sides of the engagement recess 35 in the width direction W. As shown in FIG. 5, each of the engagement claws 37 has a protrusion 37A protruding in the thickness direction and a claw portion 37B extending from the tip of the protrusion 37A in the opposite direction to the insertion guide part 28 in the insertion direction X. The pair of engagement claws 37 are engaged with the grooves 25A and 25C, respectively, and are movable along the grooves 25A and 25C.

[0034] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0035] When the user uses the measuring device 10A, the movable part 32 is slid in the insertion direction X on the opposite side of the insertion guide part 28 with respect to the main body 20, and moved from the storage position P1 to the expansion position P2. At this time, the engagement part 27 engaged with the groove 25B and the engagement claws 37 engaged with the grooves 25A and 25C move along the grooves 25A, 25B, and 25C, and act as stoppers when they reach the groove ends. This movement exposes the insertion guide part 28 and a part of the top surface part 22 of the main body 20. The length of the main body part 30 in the longitudinal direction L is longer in a plan view, and the area in a plan view is larger than when the movable part 32 is arranged in the storage position P1, making it easier for the user to hold the main body part 30.

[0036] While holding the main body 30, the user inserts the sensor 12 from the tip side into the insertion opening 28A along the bottom surface of the insertion guide section 28 with the surface 14A of the sensor 12 facing upward. Then, the entire insertion region 12f is positioned closer to the connector 52 than the insertion opening 28A. This allows the electrodes of the measurement region 12c to be connected to the respective terminals of the connector 52.

[0037] In this embodiment, the movable part 32 is moved from the storage position P1 to the expansion position P2 by sliding it in the insertion direction X relative to the main body 20, but it may be moved by another mechanism. For example, a pin serving as a rotation center may be fixed to the top surface part 22 of the main body 20, and the movable part 32 may be moved by rotating around the pin.

[0038] The following functions can also be incorporated in conjunction with the movement of the movable part 32 between the storage position P1 and the extended position P2. For example, the power of the measuring device 10A can be switched on / off, and button operation can be switched on / off (power off, button operation not possible at storage position P1, power on, button operation possible at extended position P2). A function for changing the communication form of the measuring device 10A (communication not possible, pairing not possible, radio wave strength unchanged at storage position P1, communication possible, pairing acceptable, radio wave strength variable at extended position P2) can also be incorporated. A locking mechanism for the operation of the measuring device 10A can also be provided, and the measuring device 10A can be locked in the storage position P1 and unlocked in the extended position P2.

[0039] 9, a display D and a button B may be provided on the top surface 22 of the main body 20 in a portion that is exposed when the movable part 32 is placed in the extended position P2. In this case, the display D can be turned on / off and the button B can be operated or not in conjunction with the movement of the movable part 32 between the stored position P1 and the extended position P2.

[0040] <Second embodiment> Next, a measuring device 10B according to a second embodiment will be described. The measuring device 10B differs from the measuring device 10A of the first embodiment in that an opening and closing member 40 is provided. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0041] 10, the measuring device 10B has a recess 42 formed on the lower surface of the movable part 32. The recess 42 is formed in a portion corresponding to the insertion guide part 28 of the main body 20. The recess 42 has a shape capable of housing an opening / closing member 40, which will be described later.

[0042] The opening / closing member 40 is in the shape of a rectangular plate covering the insertion opening 28A, and one end of the short side is attached to the back side (the right side in FIG. 10) in the longitudinal direction L (insertion direction X) of the recess 42 so as to be rotatable around an axis member 40A extending in the width direction W. With the movable part 32 in the storage position P1, the opening / closing member 40 is placed in the closed position P3 shown in FIG. 10 and closes the insertion opening 28A.

[0043] When the movable part 32 moves from the storage position P1 to the expansion position P2, the opening / closing member 40 abuts against the upper surface part 22 arranged above the insertion opening 28A, and is stored in the recess 42 while rotating about the shaft member 40A. Then, the opening / closing member 40 moves over the upper surface part 22 and is positioned at the opening position P4 shown in FIG. 11, thereby opening the insertion opening 28A.

[0044] The measuring device 10B of this embodiment opens the insertion opening 28A by disposing the opening / closing member 40 from the closed position P3 to the open position P4 in conjunction with the movement of the movable part 32 from the stored position P1 to the expanded position P2. Therefore, when the measuring device 10B is not in use, it is possible to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering through the insertion opening 28A, and when the measuring device 10B is used, it is possible to easily open the insertion opening 28A by sliding the movable part 32.

[0045] <Third embodiment> Next, a measuring apparatus 10C according to a third embodiment will be described. The measuring apparatus 10C differs from the measuring apparatus 10A of the first embodiment in that an ejector 44 is provided. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0046] 12, in the measuring device 10C, an ejector 44 is attached to the underside of the small convex portion 27B of the engagement portion 27. The ejector 44 extends from the underside of the small convex portion 27B toward the insertion opening 28A, and a pressing portion 44A is formed at the tip. When viewed from the opening side of the insertion opening 28A, the pressing portion 44A is shaped to cover the insertion opening 28A from the inside.

[0047] When the movable part 32 is in the storage position P1, the ejector 44 is in the closed position P5 shown in FIG. 12 and closes the insertion opening 28A.

[0048] When the movable part 32 moves from the storage position P1 to the expansion position P2, the ejector 44 moves from the insertion opening 28A to the rear side (the right side in FIG. 12) together with the engagement part 27 and is disposed at the open position P6 shown in FIG. 13, thereby opening the insertion opening 28A. In this state, the sensor 12 can be inserted from the insertion opening 28A and connected to the connector 52.

[0049] After the measurement is completed, when the movable portion 32 is moved from the extended position P2 to the stored position P1, the ejector 44 moves from the open position P6 to the closed position P5, and the tip of the sensor 12 is pressed by the pressing portion 44A of the ejector 44 and ejected from the insertion opening 28A.

[0050] The measuring device 10C of this embodiment opens the insertion opening 28A by disposing the ejector 44 from the closed position P5 to the open position P6 in conjunction with the movement of the movable part 32 from the stored position P1 to the expanded position P2. Therefore, when the measuring device 10C is not in use, it is possible to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering through the insertion opening 28A, and when the measuring device 10C is used, it is possible to easily open the insertion opening 28A by sliding the movable part 32.

[0051] Furthermore, the measuring device 10C of this embodiment can eject the sensor 12 from the insertion opening 28A by pressing the sensor 12 with the pressing part 44A while moving the ejector 44 from the open position P6 to the closed position P5 in conjunction with the movement of the movable part 32 from the extended position P2 to the stored position P1. Therefore, the user can eject the sensor 12 without directly touching the sensor 12. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 10A, 10B, 10C measuring device 12 Sensors 14 Seat surface 20 Main Body 28 Insertion Guidance Section 28A Insertion port 30 Main body 32 Moving parts 40 Opening and closing members 44 Ejector 50 Measuring part P1 Storage position P2 Extended position

Claims

1. A measurement device that measures a sample using a sheet-like sensor, a main body portion having an insertion port for inserting the sensor and a measurement portion for performing a measurement on the sample; a movable section that constitutes a part of a main body section, that is movable relative to the main body section in a direction along a sheet surface of the sensor in a state where the sensor is inserted into the insertion opening, and that is configured to be movable between a stored position and an expanded position in which the area of ​​the main body section in a plan view is increased compared to when the main body section is disposed in the stored position; A measuring device comprising:

2. the movable portion slides in a direction along an insertion direction of the sensor into the insertion opening to move between the stored position and the extended position.

2. The measuring device of claim 1.

3. an insertion guide portion for guiding the sensor to the insertion port is formed in the main body portion; The movable portion covers the insertion guide portion when the movable portion is disposed at the stored position, and exposes the insertion guide portion when the movable portion is disposed at the expanded position.

2. The measuring device of claim 1.

4. The measuring device according to claim 1 , further comprising an ejector that ejects the sensor outside the main body in conjunction with movement of the movable part from the extended position to the stored position.

5. The movable portion includes an opening / closing member that covers the insertion opening when the movable portion is disposed at the storage position and opens the insertion opening when the movable portion is disposed at the expansion position. The measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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