Sample collection container

Abstract

To provide a technology capable of more reliably extracting and acquiring a specific component of a biological sample with centrifugal separation of the biological sample.SOLUTION: A sample collection container (1) comprises a storage member (3) capable of storing a collected sample, and a holding member (4) that accommodates and holds a lower side of the storage member. The storage member has a substantially cylindrical body part (3c) in which the sample is stored, and a discharge part (3e) that is provided at a lower part of the body part and directs separated components of the sample in the body part to an opening. The discharge part is cylindrical with an outer diameter smaller than that of the body part. The holding member has a cylindrical body receiving part (4b) that receives the body part, a cylindrical discharge receiving part (4d) that receives the discharge part, and a separated component storage part (4e) that stores the separated components discharged from the opening. The separated component storage part has a bottomed cylindrical shape. A lower end of the body receiving part is located above or at the same height as an upper end of the discharge receiving part. The sample collection container has an intermediate receiving part that connects the lower end of the body receiving part and the upper end of the discharge receiving part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample collection container for collecting a minute amount of sample, such as a biological sample, which can be placed in a centrifuge. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, various methods have been used to collect and separate biological samples for medical purposes and to extract specific components. These methods involve collecting specific components from biological samples (blood, lymph, urine, sputum, stool, etc.) in a container. One device for separating specific components from biological samples is a centrifuge that uses centrifugal force.

[0003] In this centrifuge, a container containing a biological sample is attached to a rotor, which is rotated at a predetermined speed to apply centrifugal force to the biological sample, separating the components of the biological sample into layers according to their specific gravity. At that time, components with high specific gravity form a layer at the bottom of the sample, and components with low specific gravity form a layer at the top of the sample. By collecting each of these separated layers individually, a specific component of the biological sample can be obtained.

[0004] Here, an example of a conventional container installed in a centrifuge will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, the sample collection container is composed of a sample collection tool 100, a specimen storage tool 6, and a specimen sealing lid 5. The specimen storage tool 6 is composed of a specimen storage tool main body 6 and a specimen collection tool bottom lid 7. The sample collection tool 100 can be inserted into the specimen storage tool main body 6, and the inserted sample collection tool 100 is held by the specimen collection tool bottom lid 7 provided at the bottom of the specimen storage tool main body 6, and the lower opening of the sample collection tool 100 is sealed. When the specimen collection tool 100 is inserted into the specimen storage tool main body 6, the specimen inside the specimen collection tool is sealed by the specimen collection tool bottom lid 7 and the specimen sealing lid 5, and centrifugal separation, storage, or transportation is possible.

[0005] In FIG. 10, the sample collecting device bottom cover 7 has a drug holding section 15 and is filled with a separating agent 14 in advance. By pressing the sample collecting device 100 onto the drug holding section 15 filled with the separating agent 14, the peripheral part of the tip of the sample collecting device 100 and the inside of the sample collecting device bottom cover 7 are tightly attached to each other, and the separating agent 14 flows into the sample collecting device 100 from the lower opening of the sample collecting device 100, and a sample to which the separating agent has been added is prepared. By centrifuging the sample collecting device 100 filled with the separating agent in this manner, the blood cells 13 move to the drug holding section 15, and the separating agent 14 moves to the intermediate part between the serum or plasma 12 and the blood cells 13. As a result, the serum or plasma 12 and the blood cells 13 are separated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2016 / 147748 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the above-mentioned conventional container, the thickness of the side wall around the tip of the sample collecting device 100 is thinner than the thickness of the side wall of the sample collecting device bottom cover 7. Since an opening is formed at the tip of the sample collecting device 100, the tip of the sample collecting device 100 may narrow during assembly, and the sample collecting device 100 may be inserted too far toward the tip. In this case, the volume of the sample collecting device bottom cover 7 below the sample collecting device 100 becomes smaller, and the amount of collected blood components is less than expected.

[0008] In addition, in the above-mentioned conventional container, when attempting to obtain separated components (blood cells), there is a possibility that the separating agent 14 may be mixed in the drug holding portion 15, making it impossible to efficiently collect the separated components (blood cells). That is, in the specimen collecting device bottom cover 7 in the state in which the specimen collecting device 100 is inserted, a step is generated on the inner wall, so that the separating agent 14 in the specimen collecting device bottom cover 7 must overcome the step to move into the specimen collecting device 100, and there is a possibility that the separating agent 14 may remain in the specimen collecting device bottom cover 7. In this case, there is a possibility that an error may occur in the results due to the separating agent being mixed in during component analysis, or that when attempting to collect blood cell components with a pipette or the nozzle of the device, the pipette or the nozzle may become clogged and may not be able to be sufficiently aspirated.

[0009] Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, a large force is required to separate the specimen storage device 6 and the sample collecting device 100, and when they are separated, there is a possibility that excessive liquid will drip from the outlet of the sample collecting device 100, causing the separating agent to flow into the specimen storage device 6. Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, manufacturing variations in the dimensions of the components of the specimen storage device 6 and the specimen collecting device 100 may cause inconveniences such as insufficient strong connection between the specimen storage device 6 and the specimen collecting device 100. If the connection is insufficient, blood components may leak to the outside of the specimen collecting device bottom cover 7 during centrifugation. Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, the side wall and the side wall of the bottom cover 7 of the sample collection device are spaced apart, so when attempting to collect blood cell components with a pipette or the like, it is difficult to insert the pipette or the like into the space containing the blood cell components, and the user must proceed with the operation cautiously and carefully. Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, the edge of the cap engages with the edge of the centrifuge. However, since the cap is a component that is intended to be removed, a load is applied from the centrifuge to the cap in the direction in which the cap is separated during centrifugation, which may cause the cap to separate or become misaligned.

[0010] The present invention was invented in consideration of the circumstances at each step as described above, and its purpose is to solve any of the problems described above and to provide a technology that makes it possible to more reliably extract and obtain specific components of a biological sample by centrifuging the biological sample. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention employs the following configuration. That is, a sample collection container for collecting a sample, A storage member capable of storing the collected sample therein; A holding member that holds at least a portion of the lower side of the storage member; Equipped with The storage member is A cylindrical main body in which the sample is stored; a discharge section provided at a lower portion of the main body section of the storage member, the discharge section configured to guide a separated component of the sample stored in the main body section to an opening; The discharge portion is cylindrical and has an outer diameter smaller than that of the main body portion. The holding member is A cylindrical body receiving portion that receives and holds the body portion; A cylindrical discharge receiving portion that receives and holds the discharge portion; a separated component storage section that stores the separated components discharged from the opening, The separated component storage portion of the holding member is provided below the discharge receiving portion and has a bottomed tubular shape, The lower end of the main body receiving portion is located above or at the same axial height as the upper end of the discharge receiving portion, An intermediate receiving portion is provided which connects the lower end of the main body receiving portion and the upper end of the discharge receiving portion.

[0012] This makes it easy to insert the pipette or the like into the separated component storage section in which the blood cell components are stored when attempting to collect the blood cell components with a pipette or the like.

[0013] In addition, in the present disclosure, the thickness of the side wall of the discharge portion of the storage member is set to be thicker than the thickness of the side wall of the discharge receiving portion.

[0014] This makes it possible to prevent excessive insertion even if the storage member is connected to the holding member with an excessively strong force when assembling the sample collection container. In other words, by having a side wall of the discharge portion that is thicker than the side wall of the discharge receiving portion, it is possible to reduce the situation in which the discharge portion deforms and narrows due to pressure from the discharge receiving portion. Meanwhile, since the lower part of the discharge receiving portion is a bottomed member, the structure is such that deformation is less likely to occur the further downward in the insertion direction. This prevents the discharge portion from being excessively inserted into the discharge receiving portion when assembling the sample collection container.

[0015] In addition, in the present disclosure, the taper angle of the inner wall of the side surface of the discharge receiving portion may be larger than the taper angle of the outer wall of the side surface of the discharge portion, and the taper angle of the inner wall of the side surface of the separated component storage portion may be larger than the taper angle of the inner wall of the side surface of the discharge receiving portion.

[0016] This makes it easier to press the discharge portion of the storage member into the discharge receiving portion of the retention member, and the pressing of the storage member can be stopped before the tip of the discharge portion of the storage member enters the separated component storage portion. As a result, the storage member and the retention member can be more reliably joined, excessive pressing can be prevented, and the volume of the separated component storage portion can be more accurately secured.

[0017] In the present disclosure, the holding member has a tapered receiving portion that continuously connects the main body receiving portion and the discharge receiving portion, The axial length of the main body receiving portion is longer than the total axial length of the discharge receiving portion and the separated component storage portion, a total axial length of the discharge receiving portion and the separated component storage portion is longer than an axial length of the tapered receiving portion; The taper angle of the inner wall of the tapered receiving portion may be larger than the taper angle of the inner wall of the discharge receiving portion, which makes it easier to insert a pipette or the like into the separated component storage portion.

[0018] In the present disclosure, a separating agent storage region may be formed inside the storage member, and the separating agent may be held in the separating agent storage region. In this way, since the separating agent is held in advance inside the storage member, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience of the separating agent remaining inside the holding member after centrifugation, compared to a case in which the separating agent is held inside the holding member. As a result, it is possible to increase the purity of the separated components obtained after centrifugation.

[0019] In the present disclosure, the volume of the separated component storage section may be set to be smaller than the amount of the separated components separated from the sample when a specified amount of the sample is stored in the main body and centrifuged by a centrifuge, which makes it easier for the liquid in the separated component storage section to become only the separated components, making it easier to collect only the separated components using a pipette or the like.

[0020] In the present disclosure, the storage member is supported by the discharge portion being press-fitted into the discharge receiving portion of the holding member, A gap is provided between an outer wall of the main body portion and an inner wall of the main body receiving portion, The inner wall at the upper portion of the main body receiving portion may be provided with a protrusion that protrudes inward and abuts preferentially against the outer wall of the main body portion.

[0021] According to this, the discharge portion of the storage member is press-fitted into the discharge receiving portion of the holding member, and the holding member. A gap is basically provided between the main body portion of the storage member, which has a larger volume, and the main body receiving portion of the holding member, and the protrusion of the main body receiving portion of the holding member can abut against the main body portion of the storage member, thereby suppressing wobbling between the two. In addition, the force required to separate the storage member from the holding member is small, so that excessive liquid dripping from the outlet of the storage member due to the storage member being removed too forcefully during separation is suppressed.

[0022] In the present disclosure, a part of the upper side of the storage member is exposed above the upper end of the holding member, The exposed portion of the storage member is provided with a large diameter portion having a diameter larger than an inner wall of an upper end of the holding member and capable of being gripped when removing the storage member from the holding member, A gap may be provided in the vertical direction between a lower end of the large diameter portion and an upper end of the holding member.

[0023] This prevents the lower end of the large diameter portion from interfering with the upper end of the holding member due to manufacturing variations in the dimensions of the storage member and the holding member, resulting in insufficient strength in the connection between the storage member and the holding member. Also, by having a large diameter portion that can be grasped, the storage member and the holding member can be easily removed.

[0024] the holding member has an engagement portion that engages with a rotor of the centrifuge when the storage member is attached to the centrifuge, the engagement portion being an attachment rib provided on an outer wall of the holding member so as to protrude outwardly, When the holding member is inserted into a hole in the rotor of the centrifuge for inserting the holding member, the mounting rib may be adapted to engage with an edge of the hole in the rotor of the centrifuge.

[0025] According to this, since the retaining member engages with the rotor of the centrifuge and the storage member can be connected to the retaining member from above, the centrifugal force during centrifugation can be applied in a direction that presses the storage member against the retaining member. As a result, it is possible to suppress the retention member from coming off the retention member during centrifugation, the connection between the retention member and the retaining member from weakening, and the occurrence of positional deviation, and it is possible to more reliably centrifuge the sample.

[0026] In addition, by simply inserting the holding member, which holds the storage member, into the hole in the rotor of the centrifuge, the mounting rib comes into contact with the edge of the hole, and the holding member and the storage member can be fixed to the rotor against the centrifugal force during centrifugation. As a result, the sample collection container can be mounted in the centrifuge more easily and reliably.

[0027] The present disclosure also provides a sample collection container for collecting a sample, comprising: A storage member capable of storing the collected sample therein; A holding member that holds at least a portion of the lower side of the storage member; Equipped with The storage member is A cylindrical main body in which the sample is stored; a discharge section provided at a lower portion of the main body section of the storage member, the discharge section configured to guide a separated component of the sample stored in the main body section to an opening; The discharge portion is cylindrical and has an outer diameter smaller than that of the main body portion. The holding member is A cylindrical body receiving portion that receives and holds the body portion; A cylindrical discharge receiving portion that receives and holds the discharge portion; A tapered receiving portion that continuously connects the main body receiving portion and the discharge receiving portion, The sample collection container may be characterized in that a separated component storage section having a bottomed cylindrical shape is provided at the lower part of the discharge receiving section of the holding member, for storing the separated components discharged from the discharge section.

[0028] The present disclosure also provides a sample collection container for collecting a sample, comprising: A storage member capable of storing the collected sample therein; A holding member that holds at least a portion of the lower side of the storage member; Equipped with An opening is provided at the lower end of the storage member through which the components separated by the centrifuge can be discharged, The holding member is a cylindrical body receiving portion that receives and holds the body portion; A cylindrical discharge receiving portion that receives and holds the discharge portion; a separated component storage section that stores the separated components discharged from the opening during centrifugation by the centrifuge; The storage member is supported by press-fitting the discharge portion into the discharge receiving portion of the holding member, A gap is provided between an outer wall of the main body portion and an inner wall of the main body receiving portion, The sample collection container may be characterized in that an inner wall at an upper portion of the main body receiving portion is provided with a protrusion that protrudes inward and abuts preferentially against an outer wall of the main body portion.

[0029] The present disclosure also provides a sample collection container for collecting a sample, comprising: A storage member capable of storing the collected sample therein; A holding member that holds at least a portion of the lower side of the storage member; Equipped with A portion of an upper side of the storage member is exposed above an upper end of the holding member, The exposed portion of the storage member is provided with a large diameter portion having a diameter larger than an inner wall of an upper end of the holding member and capable of being gripped when removing the storage member from the holding member, The sample collecting container may be characterized in that a gap is provided in the vertical direction between the lower end of the large diameter portion and the upper end of the holding member.

[0030] The present disclosure also provides a sample collection container for collecting a sample, comprising: A storage member capable of storing the collected sample therein; A holding member that holds at least a portion of the lower side of the storage member; Equipped with an opening through which separated components can be discharged during centrifugation of the sample by a centrifuge is provided at a lower end of the storage member; the holding member has a separated component storage portion that stores the separated components discharged from the opening during the centrifugation, The sample collection container may be characterized in that a separating agent containing region is formed inside the storage member, and the separating agent is held in the separating agent containing region.

[0031] The present disclosure also provides a sample collection container for collecting a sample, comprising: A storage member capable of storing the collected sample therein; a holding member that holds at least a portion of a lower side of the storage member so as to hold the storage member so as to be mountable in a centrifuge; Equipped with an opening through which components separated during centrifugation of the sample by the centrifuge can be discharged is provided at a lower end of the storage member; The holding member stores the separated components discharged from the opening during the centrifugation. and an engagement portion that engages with a rotor of the centrifuge when the storage member is attached to the centrifuge, a rotor of the centrifuge is formed with a hole into which the holding member is inserted; the engaging portion is a mounting rib provided on an outer wall of the holding member so as to protrude outwardly, The storage member may be a sample collection container, characterized in that the storage member is attached to the centrifuge by inserting the holding member into the hole and engaging the mounting rib with the edge of the hole.

[0032] The present disclosure also provides a sample collection container for collecting a sample, comprising: A storage member capable of storing the collected sample therein; A holding member that holds at least a portion of the lower side of the storage member; Equipped with The storage member is A cylindrical main body in which the sample is stored; a discharge section provided at a lower portion of the main body section of the storage member, the discharge section configured to guide a separated component of the sample stored in the main body section to an opening; The discharge portion is cylindrical and has an outer diameter smaller than that of the main body portion. The holding member is A cylindrical body receiving portion that receives and holds the body portion; A cylindrical discharge receiving portion that receives and holds the discharge portion; a separated component storage section that stores the separated components discharged from the opening, The separated component storage portion of the holding member is provided below the discharge receiving portion and has a bottomed tubular shape, The sample collection container may be characterized in that the thickness of the side wall of the discharge portion of the storage member is thicker than the thickness of the side wall of the discharge receiving portion.

[0033] In the present invention, the means for solving the above problems can be used in combination as far as possible. Effect of the Invention

[0034] According to the present invention, a specific component of a biological sample can be extracted and obtained more reliably using a centrifuge. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a sample collection container in an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a sample collection container with the cup removed from the bottom cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic diagram of a cap and a cup in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic diagram of a bottom cap in an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a sample collection container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a sample collection container is mounted on a centrifuge in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 3A-3C are schematic diagrams illustrating the state of a sample collection container before and after centrifugation in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]4 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the discharge portion of the cup, the discharge receiving portion of the lower cap, and the separated component storage portion in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 4 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the discharge portion of the cup, the discharge receiving portion of the lower cap, and the separated component storage portion in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a conventional sample collection container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Examples of the present invention will be described below. The examples shown below are examples of the embodiments of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the following aspects. For example, in the following examples, an example of collecting blood as an example of a biological sample will be described, but the biological sample is not limited to blood.

[0037] <Example> FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a sample collection container 1 according to this embodiment. The sample collection container 1 is a container for centrifuging blood by being attached to a centrifuge (not shown). Here, by centrifuging the blood, it is separated into blood cell components, which are cells such as red blood cells and white blood cells, and plasma components, which are intercellular fluid. In this embodiment, the blood cell components correspond to the separated components, and the plasma components correspond to the supernatant components.

[0038] The sample collection container 1 has a cup 3 as a storage member for storing the collected blood, a cap 2 as a lid for closing the cup 3 to prevent blood from spilling out of the cup 3, and a lower cap 4 as a holding member that connects to the cup 3 from below to hold the cup 3 and collect the blood cell components separated by centrifugation.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows the specimen collection container 1 with the cup 3 (with the cap 2 attached) removed from the lower cap 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the specimen collection container 1 is constructed by inserting the cup 3 into the lower cap 4 from above and connecting the two. In this state, the specimen collection container 1 is mounted in a centrifuge (not shown) and centrifugal separation is performed. For example, the cap 2 may be made of a flexible elastomer or polyethylene. The cup 3 and the lower cap 4 may also be made of polypropylene or the like, which is a resin commonly used in medical instruments.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows a side view and a cross-sectional view of the cup 3 with the cap 2 attached. FIG. 3(a) is a side view of the cup 3, and FIG. 3(b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the line a-a. As shown in FIG. 3(a), a grip portion 3a that can be held by the user's fingers is formed on the upper part of the cup 3. A plurality of gripping ribs 3b are formed in the vertical direction on the outer periphery of the grip portion 3a so that the user can easily grip the cup 3 when removing it from the lower cap 4 and rotate it in a direction perpendicular to the axis. The grip portion 3a including the gripping ribs 3b corresponds to the large diameter portion in this embodiment. The gripping ribs 3b have an inclination such that the outer surface is positioned outward toward the upper side, and are shaped to facilitate separation of the storage member and the holding member.

[0041] A main body 3c for storing blood is provided below the grip 3a of the cup 3. The side of the main body 3c has a tapered shape that gradually decreases in diameter as it goes downward. A tapered portion 3d is formed at the bottom of the main body 3c, which has a tapered shape that rapidly decreases in diameter as it goes downward, and a discharge portion 3e for discharging blood cell components from inside the cup 3 during centrifugation is formed further below the tapered portion 3d. As shown in FIG. 3(b), a space for storing collected blood is formed within the main body 3c. An opening 3f is formed at the tip of the discharge portion 3e for discharging blood cell components separated by centrifugation.

[0042] Furthermore, inside the tapered portion 3d and the discharge portion 3e, a separating agent 3g made of a material with a specific gravity lower than that of blood cell components in blood and higher than that of plasma components is filled in advance so as to block the discharge portion 3e. A high-viscosity material is used for this separating agent 3g, which does not dissolve in blood and does not easily flow out of the discharge portion during storage. The separating agent 3g is formed from a material whose specific gravity and viscosity are appropriately controlled, for example, by dispersing a filler in a polymer. Note that in the present disclosure, since the separating agent 3g is mainly disposed in the discharge portion 3e with a reduced diameter, a thick layer is formed with a small amount of separating agent 3g. can be formed, which can improve the separation of blood cell components and plasma components. The region in cup 3 where separating agent 3g is filled corresponds to the separating agent containing region in this embodiment. The separating agent containing region in cup 3 is located in tapered section 3d and the discharge section. A region with an inner diameter of 3 mm or less may be formed in the separating agent containing region. In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the discharge section of the separating agent containing region is set to 3 mm or less, which makes it possible to more reliably hold a small amount of separating agent 3g and form a thick layer.

[0043] Next, FIG. 4 shows a side view and a cross-sectional view of the lower cap 4. FIG. 4(a) is a side view of the lower cap 4, and FIG. 4(b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the line b-b. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the lower cap 4 has a generally cylindrical shape. At the upper end of the side surface, a mounting rib 4a is formed around the entire circumference of the side surface, protruding toward the outer periphery. This mounting rib 4a is used when mounting the sample collection container 1 to a centrifuge. Also, as shown in FIG. 4(b), a main body receiving portion 4b is provided on the inside of the lower cap 4 to receive and accommodate the main body portion 3c of the cup 3 when the lower cap 4 is coupled to the cup 3.

[0044] The upper side of the inner wall of the main body receiving portion 4b is provided with a contact rib 4f that is provided to contact the outer wall of the side surface of the main body portion 3c from the lateral direction and protrudes inward over the entire circumference. The contact rib 4f corresponds to a protruding portion in this embodiment. The contact rib 4f does not necessarily have to be provided over the entire circumference of the inner wall of the main body receiving portion 4b, and may be provided in a plurality of discrete locations. When a plurality of contact ribs 4f are provided in a discrete manner, it is desirable to provide them in at least three locations in order to stably contact the outer wall of the side surface of the main body portion 3c. The apex of the contact rib 4f is capable of contacting the storage member, while the lower portion of the contact rib 4f is not configured to contact the storage member.

[0045] Below the main body receiving part 4b, a tapered receiving part 4c having a tapered inner wall as an intermediate receiving part that receives and accommodates the tapered part 3d of the cup 3 when combined with the cup 3, and a cylindrical mounting part 4g are formed. Further below the tapered receiving part 4c, a discharge receiving part 4d that receives and accommodates the discharge part 3e of the cup 3 when combined with the cup 3 is formed. That is, the tapered receiving part connects the lower end of the main body receiving part located above the upper end of the discharge receiving part to the upper end of the discharge receiving part. Further below the discharge receiving part 4d, a separated component storage part 4e is formed for storing blood cell components discharged from the discharge part 3e of the cup 3 through the opening 3f during centrifugation. The tapered receiving part, the discharge part, and the separated component storage part are radially separated from the cylindrical mounting part 4g with gaps, and by suppressing the thickness, the formability of the tapered receiving part, the discharge part, and the separated component storage part is improved. The lower end of the cylindrical mounting portion 4g is positioned below the separated component storage portion, so that when the sample collection container 1 is placed on a table or the like, the sample collection container 1 can be stably placed without any external force being applied to the separated component storage portion. In the embodiment, the intermediate receiving portion is tapered with the lower end of the main receiving portion positioned above the upper end of the discharge receiving portion, but the lower end of the main receiving portion may be at the same height as the upper end of the discharge receiving portion so that the intermediate receiving portion extends straight in the axial direction (direction perpendicular to the central axis).

[0046] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the cup 3 and the lower cap 4 in a joined state. The tip outer diameter of the discharge portion 3e of the cup 3 is set to be slightly larger than the lower end inner diameter of the discharge receiving portion 4d of the lower cap 4. Therefore, in the joined state, the tip of the discharge portion 3e of the cup 3 is pressed into the discharge receiving portion 4d, and the joined state of the cup 3 and the lower cap 4 is maintained by this frictional force. The axial length of the main receiving portion is larger than the combined axial length of the discharge receiving portion and the separated component storage portion, and the taper angle of the inner wall of the tapered receiving portion is designed to be larger than the taper angle of the inner wall of the discharge receiving portion. In this way, the portion with the larger inner diameter inside the holding member is formed long in the axial direction. In addition, the tapered receiving portion smoothly connects the main receiving portion and the separated component storage portion, making it easier to insert a pipette or the like into the separated component storage portion. The axial length of the tapered receiving portion is shorter than the combined axial length of the discharge receiving portion and the separated component storage portion, and is designed to be shorter than the axial length of the discharge receiving portion or the axial length of the separated component storage portion.

[0047] In this state, a gap is provided between the outer wall of the tapered portion 3d of the cup 3 and the inner wall of the tapered receiving portion 4c of the lower cap 4. Similarly, the outer diameter of the main body portion 3c of the cup 3 is set slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the main body receiving portion 4b of the lower cap 4, and a gap is generated between the outer wall of the main body portion 3c of the cup 3 and the inner wall of the main body receiving portion 4b of the lower cap 4 in the combined state. The gap between the inner wall of the abutment rib 4f and the outer wall of the main body portion 3c of the cup 3 is set to be smaller than the gap between the outer wall of the main body portion 3c of the cup 3 and the portion of the main body receiving portion 4b of the lower cap 4 other than the abutment rib 4f. By setting the gap in the combined state of the cup 3 and the lower cap 4 in this way, the cup 3 and the lower cap 4 can maintain a combined state with a certain degree of stability, and the cup 3 and the lower cap 4 can be easily combined and removed. Furthermore, in the combined state, it is possible to suppress excessive rattling of the cup 3 relative to the lower cap 4.

[0048] In addition, the dimensional relationship between the cup 3 and the lower cap 4 is set so that, in the combined state, the lower end of the grip portion 3a is disposed above the upper end of the lower cap 4 (the upper end of the mounting rib 4a) with a gap 1a therebetween. Therefore, even if there is manufacturing variation in each dimension, the lower end of the grip portion 3a and the upper end of the lower cap 4 do not interfere with each other, and the tip of the discharge portion 3e of the cup 3 is not impeded from being pressed into the discharge receiving portion 4d in the combined state. As a result, the combined strength of the cup 3 and the lower cap 4 in the combined state is prevented from decreasing due to manufacturing variation in the dimensional relationship between the cup 3 and the lower cap 4. In addition, when removing the cup 3 from the lower cap 4, the lower end of the grip portion 3a interferes with the upper end of the lower cap 4, which makes it difficult to remove the cup 3.

[0049] FIG. 6 shows the specimen collection container 1 in use. The specimen collection container 1 is attached to the rotor 10 of a centrifuge. More specifically, the rotor 10 is formed with a circular attachment hole 10a for inserting the specimen collection container 1, and the diameter of the attachment hole 10a is set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the lower cap 4 and slightly smaller than the attachment rib 4a. When the specimen collection container 1 is inserted into the attachment hole 10a of the rotor 10, the specimen collection container 1 descends until the attachment rib 4a of the lower cap 4 abuts against the edge of the attachment hole 10a on the surface of the rotor 10.

[0050] In this state, when the rotor 10 rotates around the rotation axis AX, the rotor 10 and the sampling container 1 are tilted by centrifugal force so that the lower side is closer to the outer periphery as shown in the figure. If the rotation speed of the rotor 10 increases, the tilt angle becomes even larger.

[0051] As a result, centrifugal force acts on the blood stored in the sample collection container 1 in the direction of being discharged from the discharge section 3e. At that time, a stronger centrifugal force acts on the blood cell components in the blood, since they have a higher specific gravity than the plasma components. Also, since the specific gravity of the separating agent 3g is higher than that of the plasma components and lower than that of the blood cell components, only the blood cell components in the blood pass through the layer of the separating agent 3g and are discharged from the discharge section 3e. Meanwhile, the plasma components remain above the separating agent 3g inside the cup 3.

[0052] FIG. 7 shows the state of the sample in the sample collection container 1 before and after centrifugation. FIG. 7(a) shows the state before centrifugation, and FIG. 7(b) shows the state after centrifugation. As shown in FIG. 7(a), before centrifugation, all of the blood is stored above the separating agent 3g inside the main body 3c and tapered portion 3d of the cup 3. Here, the stored amount may be a small amount of, for example, 50 μL to 60 μL. After centrifugation, the blood cell components pass through the separating agent 3g and are stored in the separated component storage portion 4e, and the plasma components are stored above the separating agent 3g. Then, when a diluent is added to the plasma components in the main body 3c from this state, 7(b) is obtained. After this, the user can obtain the diluted plasma component by gripping the gripping rib 3b of the grip portion 3a and removing the cup 3 from the lower cap 4. Meanwhile, in this state, blood cell components remain in the separated component storage portion 4e of the lower cap 4, so the user can obtain the blood cell components as well.

[0053] Incidentally, at this time, it is desirable that the volume of the separated component storage portion 4e be slightly smaller than the amount of blood cell components expected to be separated from the blood when a prescribed amount of blood is collected in the cup 3 and centrifuged. For example, the volume of the separated component storage portion 4e is desirably 30 μL or less, more preferably 15 μL or less. By doing so, after centrifugation, the blood cell components will be stored in the separated component storage portion 4e and inside the discharge portion 3e of the cup 3, so that the separation agent 3g will not flow out into the separated component storage portion 4e, and it is possible to prevent the purity of the blood cell components obtained in the lower cap 4 from decreasing. Here, for example, when the volume of the main body portion 3c is 550 μL to 700 μL, the volume of the separated component storage portion 4e may be about 10 to 16 μL.

[0054] Next, FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of the discharge portion 3e of the cup 3, the discharge receiving portion 4d of the lower cap 4, and the vicinity of the separated component storage portion 4e. Here, when the thickness of the side wall of the discharge receiving portion 4d of the lower cap 4 is A, the thickness of the bottom of the separated component storage portion 4e is B, and the thickness of the side wall of the discharge portion 3e of the cup 3 is C, it is desirable that the relationship A < C holds. By setting it in this way, when the discharge portion 3e of the cup 3 is press-fitted into the discharge receiving portion 4d of the lower cap 4, deformation of the discharge portion 3e can be prevented. As shown in the figure, since the discharge portion 3e has a bottomless substantially cylindrical shape, it is difficult to ensure strength. However, according to the present disclosure, sufficient strength can be provided to the discharge portion 3e. This point is completely different from the conventional sample collection container shown in FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, since the thickness of the side wall of the peripheral portion of the tip of the sample collection instrument 100 is thinner than the thickness of the side wall of the sample collection instrument bottom cover 7, when the sample collection instrument 100 abuts against the sample collection instrument bottom cover 7 too strongly, the peripheral portion of the tip of the sample collection instrument 100 may be deformed, the inner diameter may change, which may affect the separation result by centrifugation, or the position regulation at the peripheral portion of the tip may become insufficient.

[0055] Also, in the configuration shown in FIG. 8, during the centrifugation process, it is possible to prevent excessive centrifugal force from acting on the bottom of the separation component storage part 4e and damaging the separation component storage part 4e. As the thickness, it is desirable that the relationship of A = B or A < B holds, and it is preferable that the relationship is A < B. By setting it in this way, when a load is applied to the bottom of the separation component storage part during centrifugation, it is possible to suppress a situation where the bottom is deformed, damaged, etc. Here, for example, the thickness A of the discharge receiving part 4d in FIG. 8 may be 0.5 to 0.6 mm, the thickness B of the bottom of the separation component storage part 4e may be 0.7 to 0.8 mm, and the thickness C of the discharge part 3e of the cup 3 may be 0.7 to 0.8 mm.

[0056] Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the taper angles of the discharge part 3e of the cup 3, the discharge receiving part 4d of the lower cap 4, and the side wall of the separation component storage part 4e will be described. The inner walls of the discharge receiving part 4d and the separation component storage part 4e have an angle change part 4h where the angle changes. Here, when the taper angle of the side wall of the discharge part 3e of the cup 3 is α, the taper angle of the discharge receiving part 4d of the lower cap 4 is β, and the taper angle of the side wall of the separation component storage part 4e is γ, it is desirable that the relationships of α < β and β < γ hold. By setting it in this way, the discharge part 3e of the cup 3 can be surely press-fitted by the discharge receiving part 4d of the lower cap 4, and it is possible to stop the press-fitting before the discharge part 3e of the cup 3 enters the separation component storage part 4e. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the inconvenience that the connection between the cup 3 and the lower cap 4 is too weak, and the inconvenience that it becomes difficult to remove the cup 3 from the lower cap 4 due to excessive press-fitting.

[0057] In addition, in this embodiment, when the discharge part 3e of the cup 3 is press-fitted into the discharge receiving part 4d of the lower cap 4 with a stronger force, the taper part 3d of the cup 3 abuts against the taper receiving part 4c of the lower cap 4, so that excessive press-fitting can be more surely prevented. In this case, the taper angles of the taper part 3d of the cup 3 and the taper receiving part 4c of the lower cap 4 may be set to be equal.

[0058] 9, by making the taper angles of the side surfaces of the discharge receiving portion 4d and the separated component storage portion 4e of the lower cap 4 relatively large, the blood cell components stored in the separated component storage portion 4e after centrifugation can be more easily obtained by a tool such as a pipette, a dropper, a nozzle of the device, etc. In this embodiment, the taper angles α, β, γ are described as the angles between the side surface of each tapered portion and the central axis, but the same results will be obtained even if the taper angles α, β, γ are defined as the angles between the two side surfaces of each tapered portion that sandwich the central axis.

[0059] In the above embodiment, blood is collected as an example of a biological sample, but the biological sample is not limited to this. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1. Sample collection container 2. Cap 3 cups 3a Grip section 3b...Gripping rib 3c...Main body 3d...Tapered section 3e...Discharge section 3g...Separation agent 3f...Aperture 4···Bottom cap 4a Mounting rib 4b Body receiving part 4c Tapered support (middle support) 4d...Discharge receiver 4e Separation component storage section 4f...Abutment rib 4g Cylindrical mounting part 4h...Angle change section 10 Rotor (centrifuge) 10a Mounting hole

Claims

1. A sampling container for collecting a sample, comprising: A storage member capable of storing the collected sample therein; A holding member that holds at least a portion of the lower side of the storage member; Equipped with The storage member is A cylindrical main body in which the sample is stored; a discharge section provided at a lower portion of the main body section of the storage member, the discharge section configured to guide a separated component of the sample stored in the main body section to an opening; The discharge portion is cylindrical and has an outer diameter smaller than that of the main body portion. The holding member is A cylindrical body receiving portion that receives and holds the body portion; A cylindrical discharge receiving portion that receives and holds the discharge portion; a separated component storage section that stores the separated components discharged from the opening, The separated component storage portion of the holding member is provided below the discharge receiving portion and has a bottomed tubular shape, The lower end of the main body receiving portion is located above or at the same axial height as the upper end of the discharge receiving portion, A sample collection container comprising an intermediate receiving portion connecting a lower end of the main body receiving portion and an upper end of the discharge receiving portion.

2. 2. The sample collecting container according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the side wall of the discharge portion of the storage member is greater than the thickness of the side wall of the discharge receiving portion.

3. The sample collection container according to claim 2, characterized in that the taper angle of the inner wall of the side of the discharge receiving portion is larger than the taper angle of the outer wall of the side of the discharge portion, and the taper angle of the inner wall of the side of the separated component storage portion is larger than the taper angle of the inner wall of the side of the discharge receiving portion.

4. The intermediate receiving portion has a tapered receiving portion that continuously connects the main body receiving portion and the discharge receiving portion, The axial length of the main body receiving portion is longer than the axial length of the exhaust receiving portion, The axial length of the discharge receiving portion is longer than the axial length of the tapered receiving portion, 4. The sample collecting container according to claim 3, wherein the taper angle of the inner wall of the tapered receiving portion is larger than the taper angle of the inner wall of the discharge receiving portion.

5. 5. The sample collecting container according to claim 4, wherein a separating agent containing region is formed inside the storage member, and the separating agent is held in the separating agent containing region.

6. The sample collection container according to claim 5, characterized in that the volume of the separated component storage section is set to be smaller than the amount of the separated components separated from the sample when a specified amount of the sample is stored in the main body section and centrifuged using a centrifuge.

7. The storage member is supported by press-fitting the discharge portion into the discharge receiving portion of the holding member, A gap is provided between an outer wall of the main body portion and an inner wall of the main body receiving portion, 7. The sample collecting container according to claim 6, wherein an inner wall of the upper portion of the body receiving portion is provided with a protrusion that protrudes inward and comes into preferential contact with an outer wall of the body portion.

8. A portion of an upper side of the storage member is exposed above an upper end of the holding member, The exposed portion of the storage member has a diameter larger than the inner wall of the upper end of the holding member. a large diameter portion that can be gripped when removing the storage member from the holding member is provided; 8. The sample collecting container according to claim 7, wherein a gap is provided in the vertical direction between the lower end of the large diameter portion and the upper end of the holding member.

9. the holding member has an engagement portion that engages with a rotor of the centrifuge when the storage member is attached to the centrifuge, the engagement portion being an attachment rib provided on an outer wall of the holding member so as to protrude outwardly, 9. The sample collection container according to claim 8, wherein when the holding member is inserted into a hole in the rotor of the centrifuge for inserting the holding member, the mounting rib engages with an edge of the hole in the rotor of the centrifuge.

10. A sampling container for collecting a sample, comprising: A storage member capable of storing the collected sample therein; A holding member that holds at least a portion of the lower side of the storage member; Equipped with The storage member is A cylindrical main body in which the sample is stored; a discharge section provided at a lower portion of the main body section of the storage member, the discharge section configured to guide a separated component of the sample stored in the main body section to an opening; The discharge portion is cylindrical and has an outer diameter smaller than that of the main body portion, The holding member is A cylindrical body receiving portion that receives and holds the body portion; A cylindrical discharge receiving portion that receives and holds the discharge portion; A tapered receiving portion that continuously connects the main body receiving portion and the discharge receiving portion, A sample collection container, characterized in that a separated component storage section having a bottomed cylindrical shape is provided at the lower part of the discharge receiving section of the holding member, for storing the separated components discharged from the discharge section.

11. A sampling container for collecting a sample, comprising: A storage member capable of storing the collected sample therein; A holding member that holds at least a portion of the lower side of the storage member; Equipped with An opening is provided at the lower end of the storage member through which the components separated by the centrifuge can be discharged, The holding member is a cylindrical body receiving portion that receives and holds the body portion; A cylindrical discharge receiving portion that receives and holds the discharge portion; a separated component storage section that stores the separated components discharged from the opening during centrifugation by the centrifuge; The storage member is supported by press-fitting the discharge portion into the discharge receiving portion of the holding member, A gap is provided between an outer wall of the main body portion and an inner wall of the main body receiving portion, A sample collecting container, characterized in that an inner wall at an upper portion of the body receiving portion is provided with a protrusion that protrudes inward and abuts preferentially against an outer wall of the body portion.

12. A sampling container for collecting a sample, comprising: A storage member capable of storing the collected sample therein; A holding member that holds at least a portion of the lower side of the storage member; Equipped with A portion of an upper side of the storage member is exposed above an upper end of the holding member, The exposed portion of the storage member is provided with a large diameter portion having a diameter larger than an inner wall of an upper end of the holding member and capable of being gripped when removing the storage member from the holding member, A sample collecting container, characterized in that a gap is provided in the vertical direction between the lower end of the large diameter portion and the upper end of the holding member.

13. A sampling container for collecting a sample, comprising: A storage member capable of storing the collected sample therein; A holding member that holds at least a portion of the lower side of the storage member; Equipped with an opening through which separated components can be discharged during centrifugation of the sample by a centrifuge is provided at a lower end of the storage member; the holding member has a separated component storage portion that stores the separated components discharged from the opening during the centrifugation, A sample collection container, characterized in that a separating agent containing region is formed inside the storage member, and the separating agent is held in the separating agent containing region.

14. A sampling container for collecting a sample, comprising: A storage member capable of storing the collected sample therein; a holding member that holds at least a portion of a lower side of the storage member so as to hold the storage member so as to be mountable in a centrifuge; Equipped with an opening through which components separated during centrifugation of the sample by the centrifuge can be discharged is provided at a lower end of the storage member; the holding member has a separated component storage section that stores the separated components discharged from the opening during the centrifugation, and an engagement section that engages with a rotor of the centrifuge when the storage member is attached to the centrifuge, a rotor of the centrifuge is formed with a hole into which the holding member is inserted; the engaging portion is a mounting rib provided on an outer wall of the holding member so as to protrude outwardly, A sample collection container, characterized in that the storage member is attached to the centrifuge by inserting the holding member into the hole and engaging the mounting rib with the edge of the hole.

15. A sampling container for collecting a sample, comprising: A storage member capable of storing the collected sample therein; A holding member that holds at least a portion of the lower side of the storage member; Equipped with The storage member is A cylindrical main body in which the sample is stored; a discharge section provided at a lower portion of the main body section of the storage member, the discharge section configured to guide a separated component of the sample stored in the main body section to an opening; The discharge portion is cylindrical and has an outer diameter smaller than that of the main body portion. The holding member is A cylindrical body receiving portion that receives and holds the body portion; A cylindrical discharge receiving portion that receives and holds the discharge portion; a separated component storage section that stores the separated components discharged from the opening, The separated component storage portion of the holding member is provided below the discharge receiving portion and has a bottomed tubular shape, The thickness of the side wall of the discharge portion of the storage member is greater than the thickness of the side wall of the discharge receiving portion. A sample collection container comprising:

Images