Urine test device

Abstract

To provide a urine test device with a simple configuration which does not require significant modifications of an existing device and can prevent degradation of a reagent part due to moisture of test paper.SOLUTION: A urine test device 1 includes: a storage room 45 for storing plural pieces of test paper C; a supply mechanism 40 having a drawing unit 46 for drawing out the test paper C from the storage room 45 and a discharge unit for discharging the test paper, the supply mechanism discharging the test paper C from the discharge unit 49; a first conveyance mechanism 10 for receiving the test paper C from the supply mechanism 40 and conveying the test paper C to a position near a spotting position pa where a sample is spotted; and a cover 70 for covering the discharge unit 49 when the supply mechanism 40 is at rest and sealing the storage unit 45 and the drawing unit 46 from the outside air.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a urine testing device. [Background technology]

[0002] A urine testing device is a device that tests a specimen by causing a reagent portion on the surface of a test paper (also called a test strip, etc.) to react with urine as a specimen, causing the reagent portion to develop color, and detecting the presence or absence and the degree of color development. This test measures, for example, the physical properties of urine, or the presence or absence or concentration of a specific component in urine. Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of test papers are stored in a cylindrical rotatable drum, and one test paper is discharged from the discharge port of the drum. The test paper discharged (supplied) from the drum is sent out by a sorter rack mechanism.

[0003] On the other hand, it is known that the reagent part on the test paper may deteriorate due to absorbing moisture from the air (i.e., absorbing moisture). As described in Patent Documents 2 and 3, various countermeasures against deterioration of the reagent part have been considered. In the device described in Patent Document 2, light is irradiated onto a deterioration detection reagent part provided on the test paper, and the degree of deterioration is judged based on the reflected light. In the device described in Patent Document 3, a plurality of test papers are stored in a cylindrical container. One test paper is discharged through a rotatable door member attached to the side of the container. In the mechanism equipped with the door member, two openings leading to the inside of the container are not opened at the same time, and one of the openings is always kept closed. This prevents outside air from entering the container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-264540 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-5736 [Patent Document 3] JP 2023-72560 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described above, various countermeasures against deterioration of the reagent portion have been considered, but all of these countermeasures require the preparation of special test papers or the incorporation of special mechanisms or components into the device, which may complicate the device and increase costs.

[0006] The present disclosure describes a urine test device that has a simple configuration and is capable of preventing deterioration of a reagent portion in a test paper due to moisture. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] [1] One aspect of the present disclosure is a urine testing device equipped with a transport mechanism for transporting a test paper provided with a reagent section, the device having a storage chamber capable of storing a plurality of test papers, an extraction section for extracting the test papers from the storage chamber, and a discharge section for discharging the test papers, the device also comprising: a supply mechanism for sequentially supplying the test papers to the transport mechanism by discharging the test papers from the discharge section; a transport mechanism for receiving the test papers from the supply mechanism and transporting the test papers to or near a deposition position where a sample is applied; and a cover for covering the discharge section and sealing the storage chamber and the extraction section from outside air.

[0008] According to the urine testing device of [1], while the supply mechanism is operating, a test paper is discharged from the discharge part. The test paper is transported to the spotting position or its vicinity by the transport mechanism. After a sample (i.e., urine) is spotted on the reagent part of the test paper, a test for the sample is performed. When the supply mechanism is stopped, for example, when the test for a large number of samples is completed and the device is not operated for a while, the discharge part can be covered with a cover. Since the cover seals the storage chamber and the take-out part from the outside air, it is possible to prevent moisture from entering and to prevent deterioration of the reagent part even when one or a large number of test papers are stored in the storage chamber. Since the cover can be designed to match the shape of the discharge part, etc., no major modification of the existing device is required. Therefore, according to this urine testing device, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the reagent part of the test paper due to moisture with a simple configuration. In a conventional device without a cover, in order to prevent deterioration of the reagent part due to moisture, it is necessary to take measures such as removing all test papers remaining in the storage chamber and storing them separately. In this urine testing apparatus, the inside of the supply mechanism is sealed by the cover, making such special measures unnecessary.

[0009] [2] In the urine testing apparatus described in [1] above, the cover may be sandwiched between the discharge part and a part of the transport mechanism when the supply mechanism is at rest, thereby making the cover adhere to the discharge part. There is inherently some space between the discharge part and the transport mechanism. If the cover is placed in this space and the pressing force received from both is utilized, a separate pressing mechanism or the like is not required to make the cover adhere to the discharge part (seal the supply mechanism).

[0010] [3] The urine testing apparatus described in [2] above may include an apparatus body including a transport mechanism. The supply mechanism is attached to the apparatus body and may be movable between an operating position where the discharge section faces the transport mechanism and a maintenance position where the discharge section is spaced apart from the transport mechanism compared to the operating position, and the cover may be attached to the discharge section when the supply mechanism is located at the maintenance position. When the supply mechanism is stopped (such as at the end of a test), the supply mechanism is often moved to the maintenance position. With this configuration, the cover can be attached by utilizing an opportunity or time for maintenance work. Even when maintenance work is not performed, the discharge section can be exposed by simply moving the supply mechanism, and the cover can be easily attached.

[0011] [4] In the urine testing apparatus described in [3] above, the cover may be temporarily held in the discharge part when the supply mechanism is located at the maintenance position, and may be tightly attached and fixed to the discharge part when the supply mechanism is moved to the operating position and set in the apparatus body. According to this configuration, the cover is tightly attached and fixed when the supply mechanism is set, so that the installation work of the cover can be performed reliably and easily.

[0012] [5] In the urine testing apparatus described in any one of [1] to [4] above, the supply mechanism may be attached near the discharge part and have a shutter that opens the discharge part only when the test paper is being discharged and covers the discharge part at other times, and the cover may be attached to the discharge part using the shutter. According to this configuration, the cover can be attached using an existing shutter, so no dedicated jig or mounting fixture is required. The above-mentioned actions and effects can be achieved with a simpler configuration.

[0013] [6] In the urine testing apparatus according to any one of [1] to [5] above, the apparatus body may be provided with a controller that controls the operation of the urine testing apparatus, and the controller may perform operation prohibition control that prohibits the operation of the urine testing apparatus when it detects the presence of a cover attached to the discharge section. This operation prohibition control can prevent the supply mechanism and the first transport mechanism from operating by mistake with the cover attached. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present disclosure, deterioration of the reagent portion in the test paper due to moisture can be prevented with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a urine testing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the inside of the main body of the apparatus shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the first and second transport mechanisms, the spotting device, the imaging device, and the waste box in the device main body. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the supply mechanism and the first transport mechanism located at the maintenance position. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the supply mechanism. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cover as viewed from above (the side that comes into contact with the discharge portion). [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cover as viewed from below (the side that contacts the first conveying mechanism). [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a shutter that covers the discharge portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 9(a) is a diagram showing a state in which the shutter is opened and the cover is about to be attached, and FIG. 9(b) is a diagram showing a state in which the cover is temporarily held in the ejection section by using the shutter. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the cover in close contact with the discharge portion when the supply mechanism is at rest. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. The dimensional ratios of the drawings do not necessarily match those in the description.

[0017] In some figures, mutually orthogonal X, Y and Z directions are shown, and these directions may be used to explain the urine testing apparatus 1. The X, Y and Z directions correspond to the left-right direction, the front-back direction and the up-down direction in the installed state of the urine testing apparatus 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2, respectively. In this specification, terms indicating directions such as "front", "back", "up", "down", "left" and "right" are terms based on the installed state of the urine testing apparatus 1. The urine testing apparatus 1 is installed on a flat and horizontal surface. "Left" and "right" are the directions when the urine testing apparatus 1 is viewed from an operator standing in front of the mounting table 3 and the display 5b and facing the mounting table 3 and the display 5b.

[0018] First, the overall configuration of the urine testing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. The urine testing apparatus 1 is an apparatus for testing urine as a specimen contained in a spigot 100. As shown in Fig. 1, the urine testing apparatus 1 sequentially tests each specimen in a plurality of spigots 100 standing on a rack R. The test items (test purposes) are not particularly limited. Examples of the test items include the physical properties of the specimen, or the presence or concentration of a specific component in the specimen. In the urine testing apparatus 1, a test paper C having an elongated shape is used to test the specimen (see Fig. 3). One test paper C is used for one specimen. Each test paper C is provided with, for example, a plurality of reagent portions Ca. Each reagent portion Ca may correspond to a different test item. Each reagent portion Ca contains a reagent corresponding to the test item. A known configuration may be appropriately adopted for the test paper C.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, the urine testing apparatus 1 comprises an apparatus main body 2 which houses various devices and mechanisms related to the transport of test papers C and the testing of samples, and a mounting base 3 which has a transport mechanism and the like related to the supply and transport of racks R. The apparatus main body 2 comprises a lower apparatus part 4 and an upper apparatus part 5 which is disposed on a part of the lower apparatus part 4 in the left-right direction (e.g., the left side). The mounting base 3 is coupled to the front surface of the lower apparatus part 4. The urine testing apparatus 1 further comprises a supply mechanism 40 which is a mechanism related to the storage of test papers C and the supply of test papers C to the apparatus main body 2. The supply mechanism 40 is disposed on another part of the lower apparatus part 4 in the left-right direction (e.g., the right side).

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the device body 2 has a frame F made of structural members extending in the up-down, left-right, and front-rear directions. As shown in FIG. 1, the device lower part 4 includes a lower housing 4a, and the device upper part 5 includes an upper housing 5a. The lower housing 4a and the upper housing 5a are shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped based on the shape of the frame F. A front panel 5c is provided on the front surface of the upper housing 5a, which can be opened and closed by rotating, for example, around an axis L5 extending in the up-down direction (Z direction). A display 5b is provided on the upper part of the front panel 5c. The display 5b is directed forward, and displays necessary information related to the test to the operator of the urine testing device 1. The display 5b may have a touch panel function. In that case, the display 5b can also serve as an operation unit operated by the operator.

[0021] The mounting table 3 has a width in the left-right direction that is approximately equal to that of the device body 2. The mounting table 3 also has a predetermined size in a plan view. A plurality of racks R can be mounted on the mounting table 3. Although only one rack R is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of racks R can be mounted on each of the right and left sides of the mounting table 3. The mounting table 3 is provided with a transport mechanism (not shown) that transports the rack R in a required direction. A known configuration can be adopted as a specific configuration of the transport mechanism. As an example, the devices (structures) described in JP-A-10-120167 and JP-A-10-139152 may be applied.

[0022] Returning to Fig. 2, the device main body 2 is provided with a controller 90, for example, in the upper housing 5a. The controller 90 is a computer having, for example, a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which programs and the like are stored, a RAM (Random Access Memory) in which data is temporarily stored, and a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The controller 90 controls the operation of the mechanisms and devices in the urine testing apparatus 1 according to a program stored in advance in response to an operation by an operator, thereby performing various operations related to the test. The controller 90 is capable of communicating information with various motors and centers provided in the supply mechanism 40, the first transport mechanism 10, and the second transport mechanism 20, the camera 32, the lighting unit 33, and the like of the imaging device 30.

[0023] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the supply mechanism 40 is a feeder for supplying the test papers C one by one in a predetermined orientation (posture). The supply mechanism 40 has a rectangular parallelepiped housing 40a, a casing 43 arranged inside the housing 40a, and a pair of input lids 41 that can be opened and closed relative to the casing 43. The supply mechanism 40 accommodates a plurality of test papers C input by an operator through the input lid 41. The plurality of test papers C are input with their longitudinal orientations aligned (in the orientation shown in Fig. 3) so that the portion in which the plurality of reagent portions Ca (see Fig. 3) are arranged at regular intervals is positioned forward. The supply mechanism 40 sequentially discharges the test papers C one by one from the discharge portion 49. A sensor (not shown) is provided inside the supply mechanism 40 for detecting that one test paper C has been successfully removed. When the controller 90 detects the planned supply of test papers C (the planned discharge of test papers C from the discharge section 49), it controls the first transport mechanism 10 (see FIG. 3) described later to move the arm 11 to directly below the discharge section 49 at a predetermined timing. The test papers C that fall from the discharge section 49 are placed on the support portion 11a of the arm 11. This causes the supply mechanism 40 to sequentially supply the test papers C one by one to the first transport mechanism 10.

[0024] The casing 43 of the supply mechanism 40 has an airtight structure, and airtightness is also ensured between the casing 43 and the input lid 41. The only route by which the space within the supply mechanism 40 can be exposed to the outside air (atmosphere) is the exhaust part 49 located at the lower end of the supply mechanism 40. Note that the term "airtight" should not be interpreted as meaning only that the outside air is completely (100%) blocked. Those skilled in the art will understand that the term "airtight" also includes cases in which a small amount of outside air is allowed to pass through.

[0025] In this embodiment, the supply mechanism 40 includes a pair of insertion lids 41 and is capable of supplying two (or multiple) types of test papers C. This is merely one example, and the supply mechanism 40 may be of a type capable of supplying only one type of test papers C.

[0026] Next, various components of the device body 2 will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4. The device body 2 includes a first transport mechanism 10 that transports the test paper C received from the supply mechanism 40 to the spotting position Pa or its vicinity, a spotting device 9 that spots a sample on each reagent portion Ca of the test paper C placed at the spotting position Pa, a second transport mechanism 20 that transports the test paper C from the spotting position Pa to an imaging position Pb, and an imaging device 30 that images the test paper C placed at the imaging position Pb. In other words, the device body 2 spots the sample on the test paper C and analyzes a specific component in the sample.

[0027] The device body 2 further includes a waste box 60 for storing the test papers C that have been discharged from the imaging device 30 after image capture by the imaging device 30. The rectangular waste box 60 is open toward the top and is capable of storing a large number (a certain number) of test papers C in an internal storage space 65. In this embodiment, an internal space S (see FIG. 1) having a size (volume) equal to or larger than that of the waste box 60 is formed below the waste box 60.

[0028] 3 and 4, the first transport mechanism 10 includes, for example, an arm 11 that supports the test paper C by a support portion 11a, a moving block 13 to which the arm 11 is fixed, and a pair of shafts 12 that extend in the X direction (horizontal direction) and guide the moving block 13 in that direction. The first transport mechanism 10 also includes a drive motor (not shown because it is hidden under the first transport mechanism 10) controlled by a controller 90, a drive pulley 14 that is driven and rotated by the drive motor, and a timing belt 17 that is stretched between the drive pulley 14 and the driven pulley 14. The moving block 13 is connected to the timing belt 17. The first transport mechanism 10 moves the arm 11 to directly below the discharge portion 49 at the above-mentioned predetermined timing. The first transport mechanism 10 receives one test paper C from the supply mechanism 40, and then transports the test paper C to a predetermined position above the spotting position Pa where the sample is spotted. That is, in this embodiment, the first transport mechanism 10 transports the test paper C received from the supply mechanism 40 to the vicinity of the spot application position Pa.

[0029] The rear end of the test paper C transported above the spot application position Pa is aligned forward by a push-out plate 15A which is movable in the front-rear direction. The rotational driving force of the push-out motor 15B is converted into a linear force by a crank mechanism (not shown), thereby adjusting the movement of the push-out plate 15A. Other known configurations may be appropriately adopted as the mechanism for driving the push-out plate 15A.

[0030] A tray-shaped cleaning tray B having short sides extending in the front-rear direction and long sides extending in the left-right direction is disposed below the pair of shafts 12. For example, powdered reagent scattered from the reagent portion Ca of the test paper C and other dust particles are stored in the cleaning tray B. As shown in FIG. 4, the first transport mechanism 10 includes a pair of top panels 18 extending directly above (close to the top) the pair of shafts 12 so as to cover them. The pair of top panels 18 extend horizontally (parallel to the XY plane) and prevent powdered reagent scattered from the reagent portion Ca from landing on the pair of shafts 12. The pair of top panels 18 are spaced apart in the front-rear direction. The inner ends 18a of the top panels 18 are spaced apart in the front-rear direction, and an opening 19 (see FIG. 10) is formed between the inner ends 18a. The top panels 18 and the cleaning tray B are the main parts to be cleaned in the first transport mechanism 10.

[0031] The first transport mechanism 10 is not limited to the above configuration. The first transport mechanism 10 may transport the test paper C received from the supply mechanism 40 to the spot application position Pa. The first transport mechanism 10 may be any mechanism capable of receiving the test paper C from the supply mechanism 40 and transporting it laterally. Other known configurations may be adopted for the first transport mechanism 10. For example, the first transport mechanism 10 may include a belt conveyor or the like. The first transport mechanism 10 may include a slide rail or a linear guide or the like.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the spotting device 9 collects (samples) a predetermined amount of the specimen in the spigot 100 and spots the specimen on each reagent portion Ca of the test paper C placed at the spotting position Pa. The spotting device 9 includes a support drive mechanism 9c and a rail 9b arranged in the upper housing 5a, and a nozzle 9a that can move in the vertical direction (Z direction) and the front-back direction (Y direction) along the rail 9b. The support drive mechanism 9c includes a drive motor (not shown). When the controller 90 detects that the spigot 100 arrives at a predetermined position in front of the spotting device 9 (in front of the spotting position Pa), the controller 90 controls the spotting device 9, and the specimen is collected by the nozzle 9a. When the nozzle 9a moves forward, it reaches a position protruding from the device body 2 (i.e., the area of ​​the mounting base 3). That is, the nozzle 9a is movable between the device body 2 and the mounting base 3. When collecting a sample, the pump unit PU arranged in the upper housing 5a is also controlled by the controller 90 and operates in conjunction with the spotting device 9.

[0033] The spotting position Pa is set at a position slightly higher than the upper end of the spit 100 on the rack R. This minimizes the vertical stroke of the nozzle 9a. That is, the tip 9t of the nozzle 9a needs to enter the spit 100 to a predetermined depth, but after the specimen is collected, the tip 9t leaves the spit 100 and moves backward at a position slightly higher than the upper end. After that, spotting is performed on each reagent part Ca, for example, starting from the rear reagent part Ca. The spotting device 9 repeats the same operation every time a new specimen (spit 100) arrives at the predetermined position. Although not shown, the spotting device 9 has a cleaning part or the like for cleaning the nozzle 9a between the spotting position Pa and the spit 100.

[0034] As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the second transport mechanism 20 is, for example, a mechanism for transporting a plurality of test papers C in a step-like manner with a predetermined pitch. In this embodiment, the imaging position Pb is located to the left of and higher than the spotting position Pa. The second transport mechanism 20 transports the test papers C diagonally upward. The second transport mechanism 20 includes, for example, a pair of outer fixed plates 21, one central fixed plate 22 disposed at a middle position in the front-rear direction between the pair of outer fixed plates 21, and a pair of movable plates 23 disposed between the pair of outer fixed plates 21 and the central fixed plate 22 (since Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view, the front outer fixed plate 21 is not shown). The outer fixed plate 21, the central fixed plate 22, and the movable plate 23 are each disposed parallel to the XZ plane and have a substantially congruent step shape. In the outer fixed plate 21, the central fixed plate 22, and the movable plate 23, the pitches (height difference and left-right distance) of all horizontal steps are set to be equal.

[0035] The pair of movable plates 23 are moved in a predetermined circular orbit by a drive motor and a rectangular cam (not shown). More specifically, the pair of movable plates 23 move in a substantially rectangular orbit (counterclockwise orbit as viewed from the front) between two adjacent horizontal steps of the outer fixed plate 21 and the central fixed plate 22. As a result, the second transport mechanism 20 transports each test paper C placed on a horizontal step to the next higher horizontal step, and repeats this operation.

[0036] The test paper C transported above the spotting position Pa by the first transport mechanism 10 is transferred from the arm 11 of the first transport mechanism 10 to the spotting position Pa by the operation of the movable plate 23. That is, the test paper C transported to the transfer position is lifted upward from the arm 11 by the movable plate 23. At that time, the arm 11 moves to directly below the discharge section 49 (to transport the next test paper C). The test paper C lifted upward draws a substantially rectangular orbit (a clockwise orbit when viewed from the front) and is placed on the lowest horizontal step of the outer fixed plate 21 and the central fixed plate 22, which is the spotting position Pa. The highest horizontal step of the outer fixed plate 21 and the central fixed plate 22 is disposed inside the imaging device 30 and is the imaging position Pb. The second transport mechanism 20 transports the test paper by taking into account the time required for the color development of the reagent portion Ca.

[0037] The second transport mechanism 20 is not limited to the above configuration. The second transport mechanism 20 may be any mechanism capable of transporting the test paper C placed at the application position Pa diagonally upward. Other known configurations may be adopted for the second transport mechanism 20. For example, the second transport mechanism 20 may include a belt conveyor or the like. The second transport mechanism 20 may also be capable of transporting the test paper C in a horizontal direction, such as to the left. In this case, the imaging position Pb may be at the same height as the application position Pa.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging device 30 includes a rectangular parallelepiped (or cubic) imaging chamber 31 arranged to surround an imaging position Pb, a camera 32 arranged on the upper surface of the imaging chamber 31, and an illumination unit 33 arranged around the camera 32 on the upper surface of the imaging chamber 31. The imaging device 30 reads optical information of the test strip C on which a sample has been dropped. The imaging position Pb is located at the approximate center of the imaging chamber 31, at the bottom of the imaging chamber 31. The test strip C maintains a posture in which its longitudinal direction is always oriented in the front-rear direction (perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1) and the reagent portion Ca is oriented upward, from when it is supported by the arm 11 of the first transport mechanism 10 until it is transported by the second transport mechanism 20 and reaches the imaging position Pb. The camera 32 captures an image of the entire test strip C and transmits the image information to the controller 90.

[0039] The controller 90 performs testing, i.e., measurement and judgment, for each test item based on the image of the test strip C acquired by the imaging device 30. The controller 90 displays the measurement results and judgment results on the display 5b together with unique information such as the sample ID. The controller 90 also stores the measurement results and judgment results together with unique information such as the sample ID in the memory unit. The controller 90 has the function of a testing unit in the urine testing apparatus 1.

[0040] After the image of the test piece C has been captured by the imaging device 30 , the test piece C is discharged from the imaging device 30 by the second transport mechanism 20 and placed in a waste box 60 .

[0041] Next, the supply mechanism 40 of this embodiment and the structure related to moisture prevention in the supply mechanism 40 will be described with reference to each of the figures from FIG. 4 onwards. Hereinafter, the description of the direction and positional relationship of each part of the supply mechanism 40 will be based on the case where the supply mechanism 40 is located at the operating position P1 (described in detail later) unless otherwise specified. As shown in FIG. 5, the supply mechanism 40 has a pair of input lids 41 that seal the open part on the upper surface of the casing 43, a drum 44 that is arranged in the casing 43 and can rotate around an axis extending in the front-rear direction (Y direction), an auxiliary drum 48 arranged below the drum 44, and a discharge part 49 that is a hollow elongated rectangular body (square tube shape) formed below the auxiliary drum 48. The discharge part 49 is formed in an elongated rectangular shape that is one size larger than the test paper C and extends in the front-rear direction. An upper end opening 49c is formed on the upper end surface 49a of the discharge portion 49, which is connected to the take-out portion 46 described later, and a lower end opening 49e is formed on the lower end surface 49b of the discharge portion 49, which is connected to the outside of the supply mechanism 40. The casing 43 includes an upper casing 43A, a middle casing 43B, and a lower casing 43C. These are integrally formed, and when the upper surface of the upper casing 43A is closed by the input lid 41, the portions other than the lower end opening 49e of the discharge portion 49 maintain an airtight structure. A storage chamber 45 capable of storing a plurality of test papers C is formed between the upper casing 43A, the input lid 41, and the outer peripheral surface 44a of the drum 44.

[0042] When the supply mechanism 40 can supply two (or many) types of test papers C, a central partition 42 extending in the vertical direction is provided at the center position in the horizontal direction. This central partition 42 divides two storage chambers 45. The input lid 41 includes a flat plate portion 41a and a desiccant storage portion 41b integrally provided on the lower surface of the flat plate portion 41a. The desiccant storage portion 41b is disposed within the storage chamber 45. A plurality of through holes (or slits, etc.) are formed in the desiccant storage portion 41b, and the inside of the casing 43 is dehumidified by a desiccant (not shown) provided in the desiccant storage portion 41b. A gasket G for improving sealing is provided between the flat plate portion 41a of the input lid 41 and the upper casing 43A.

[0043] A groove (not shown) into which the test paper C fits is formed on the outer circumferential surface 44a of the drum 44. The depth of this groove is set so that only one test paper C can fit therein; two or more test papers C cannot be accommodated in the groove. A small cylindrical clearance is formed between the drum 44 and the inner casing 43B. The drum 44 is rotated clockwise and counterclockwise as viewed from the front by a motor (not shown). The drum 44 is also called a reversing drum. With the above structure and the rotation of the drum 44, one of the test papers C is taken out of the storage chamber 45. The drum 44 and a part of the casing 43 form a take-out section 46 that takes out one test paper C from the storage chamber 45.

[0044] A pair of front / back detectors 47 are provided on both the left and right sides of the drum 44. The front / back detectors 47 detect whether the test paper C accommodated in the groove of the drum 44 is facing up or down. The test paper C transported downward by the drum 44 falls at an opening at the lower end and is accommodated in a slit formed in the auxiliary drum 48. The rotation angle of the auxiliary drum 48 is controlled according to the detection result by the front / back detectors 47, and the test paper C is discharged from the lower opening 49e of the discharge section 49 in a predetermined attitude. As a result, the dropped test paper C is placed on the arm 11 of the first transport mechanism 10 (see Figures 3 and 4) with the front side facing up.

[0045] It should be noted that other known configurations may be adopted as the specific configuration of the supply mechanism 40. As an example, the device (structure) described in JP-A-2000-35433 may be applied. Alternatively, for example, a cartridge-type mechanism or the like may be adopted as the supply mechanism 40.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 4, the supply mechanism 40 is attached to the device body 2 via a base portion 4b and a pair of connectors 4c provided on the device lower portion 4. The supply mechanism 40 can be opened and closed with respect to the device body 2, for example, for maintenance. The supply mechanism 40 can be rotated about a rotation axis L40 extending in the left-right direction (i.e., horizontal). A rectangular opening 40e is formed in the center of the bottom surface portion 40b of the housing 40a, and the discharge portion 49 is disposed so as to face the opening 40e. The supply mechanism 40 can be moved between an operating position P1 (see FIG. 1) where the discharge portion 49 faces the first conveying mechanism 10 and a maintenance position P2 (see FIG. 4) where the discharge portion 49 is separated from the first conveying mechanism 10 compared to the operating position P1. The operating position P1 can also be said to be a closed position of the supply mechanism 40, and the maintenance position P2 can also be said to be an open position of the supply mechanism 40. The maintenance position P2 is a position where the supply mechanism 40 is rotated approximately 90 degrees or more from the operating position P1.

[0047] The supply mechanism 40 maintains a substantially horizontal posture at the operating position P1. That is, the central axis of the drum 44 extends substantially horizontally (in the Y direction). The supply mechanism 40 is fixed and set at the operating position P1 by a mechanism such as a ball catch (not shown). The locking mechanism may include a latch or the like. The supply mechanism 40 can also maintain its posture at the maintenance position P2. The supply mechanism 40 is prevented from rotating backward by more than 90 degrees, for example, due to the engagement between plate members provided on the upper housing 5a and the housing 40a.

[0048] When the supply mechanism 40 is set at the operating position P1, the discharge section 49 is in a position facing the cleaning tray B via the above-mentioned opening section 19 (see FIG. 10). When the supply mechanism 40 is opened to the maintenance position P2, the cleaning tray B arranged below the first transport mechanism 10 is exposed. When the urine testing apparatus 1 is at rest, an operator can clean the cleaning tray B and the periphery of the first transport mechanism 10.

[0049] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the supply mechanism 40 has a shutter 50 attached near the discharge section 49 to cover the discharge section 49. The shutter 50 opens the discharge section 49 only when the test paper C is discharged during operation of the supply mechanism 40, and covers the discharge section 49 at other times. The shutter 50 includes a shutter body 51 rotatably attached to the lower casing 43C via a shaft 52, and a torsion spring (spring member) (not shown) that biases the shutter body 51 in a closing direction (clockwise when viewed from the front). The outer surface of the shutter body 51 is provided with a pair of engagement protrusions 53 (see Fig. 8) that engage with the support section 11a of the arm 11 that moves to the right. When the engagement protrusions 53 are pressed by the support section 11a, the shutter 50 moves in an opening direction and the test paper C is discharged. The inner surface of the shutter body 51 is provided with a pair of holding claws 54 that regulate the position of the test paper C when it is discharged. The test strip C fits vertically into the holding claw 54 fitted in the discharge portion 49 .

[0050] 6, 7 and 9, the urine testing apparatus 1 is provided with a cover 70 for preventing moisture from entering the inside of the supply mechanism 40. Cover 70 is provided so as to cover lower end opening 49e of discharge part 49 when the supply mechanism 40 is at rest (i.e., when the urine testing apparatus 1 is at rest), and seals storage chamber 45 and removal part 46 from the outside air.

[0051] The cover 70 has a flat plate portion 71 and a sheet container 72 made of a metal such as stainless steel. The flat plate portion 71 has a rectangular shape larger than the discharge portion 49. A rectangular sheet 76 made of a material capable of blocking (not transmitting) moisture (humidity) in the outside air is fitted into the sheet container 72. The sheet container 72 has an elongated tray shape smaller than the flat plate portion 71 but slightly larger than the discharge portion 49. The sheet 76 is contained in the sheet container 72 and fixed thereto by, for example, adhesion. The sheet 76 is larger than the discharge portion 49 and has a size and shape capable of covering the entire discharge portion 49. The sheet 76 may have elasticity. For example, a silicon sheet is used as the sheet 76. A predetermined gap 79 (see FIG. 10) is formed between the flat plate portion 71 and the sheet container 72. The flat plate portion 71 and the sheet container 72 are connected and fixed by two pillars 74 while maintaining this gap.

[0052] A pair of handles 73 connected to a pair of long sides of the flat plate portion 71 and a pair of leaf springs 77 spaced apart from each other in the long side direction of the flat plate portion 71 are provided on the surface of the flat plate portion 71 opposite the sheet container 72. The handles 73 are held by one hand of an operator. The leaf springs 77 include a flat base portion 77a fixed to the flat plate portion 71 and a spring portion 77b rising from the base portion 77a in a V-shape and displaceable relative to the flat plate portion 71. Meanwhile, a detection target portion 78, which is a plate piece extending perpendicularly to the flat plate portion 71, is provided on one short side of the flat plate portion 71.

[0053] Further, a pair of notches 72e are formed in the side wall provided on the long side portion of the sheet container 72, the notches 72e being spaced apart from each other in the long side direction.

[0054] A method for attaching the cover 70 will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 10. The cover 70 is attached to the discharge portion 49 when the supply mechanism 40 is located at the maintenance position P2. As shown in Fig. 8, the operator first rotates the supply mechanism 40 to the maintenance position P2 when the supply mechanism 40 is at rest. The discharge portion 49 is covered by the shutter 50. The cover 70 is attached to the discharge portion 49 by utilizing this shutter 50.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 9(a), the worker holds the handle 73 of the cover 70 with one hand (e.g., the left hand) and opens the shutter body 51 with the other hand (e.g., the right hand) against the biasing force of the torsion spring. At this time, the pair of holding claws 54 that were fitted in the discharge portion 49 are released from the discharge portion 49 as the shutter body 51 rotates. The worker places the sheet container 72 (the surface on which the sheet 76 is provided) of the cover 70 against the rectangular frame-shaped discharge portion 49. After that, the worker tilts the shutter body 51 in the closing direction as shown in FIG. 9(b). The tip portion 51a of the shutter body 51 enters the gap 79 between the sheet container 72 and the flat plate portion 71. At the same time, the pair of notches 72e allow the pair of holding claws 54 to pass through. The biasing force of the torsion spring acts, and the tip portion 51a presses the sheet container 72. Since the tip portion 51a extends in the long side direction except for the notched portion of the shutter body 51, the cover 70 is pressed down by the shutter body 51 via a linear contact point over a predetermined distance.

[0056] In the state shown in FIG. 9(b), the cover 70 is temporarily held by the discharge section 49. The cover 70 is temporarily held by the shutter 50. That is, the cover 70 is temporarily held by the discharge section 49 when the supply mechanism 40 is located at the maintenance position P2. After the cover 70 is temporarily held, even if the operator releases one hand from the cover 70, the cover 70 will not fall off. The temporarily held state of the cover 70 is maintained unless the shutter body 51 is moved in the opening direction again. Therefore, even if the operator releases both hands from the cover 70 and the shutter 50 and rotates the supply mechanism 40 toward the operating position P1, the cover 70 will not fall off and will maintain a position sandwiched between the discharge section 49 and the shutter 50. Note that in the temporarily held state, the cover 70 is not fixed and can move slightly relative to the discharge section 49 and the supply mechanism 40.

[0057] Even during the rest period of the supply mechanism 40, the supply mechanism 40 is moved to the operating position P1 and set in the device body 2. When the supply mechanism 40 is set in the device body 2, the cover 70 is attached to the discharge section 49 and fixed in accordance with this setting operation. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, when the supply mechanism 40 reaches the operating position P1 and is locked, the lower end surface 49b of the discharge section 49 is attached to the sheet 76 so as to close the lower end opening 49e, and the pair of leaf springs 77 abut against the pair of top plates 18 of the first conveying mechanism 10. Since the total height H from the surface of the sheet 76 to the apex of the spring section 77b when the spring section 77b is in a free state (initial state) is smaller than the gap height h from the surface of the sheet 76 to the top plate 18, the spring section 77b is contracted (deformed). The sheet 76 is also compressed (deformed). As a result, the cover 70 is sandwiched between the discharge portion 49 and the top panel 18 (part of the first conveying mechanism 10) and thereby comes into close contact with the discharge portion 49. Note that, since the spring portion 77b is in a contracted state in Fig. 10, the reference line on the lower side of the total height H (indicating the apex position of the spring portion 77b in a free state) is shown within the range of the thickness of the top panel 18.

[0058] With the cover 70 attached, the sheet container 72 is contained within the housing 40a (inside the bottom surface portion 40b), but the flat plate portion 71 protrudes outside the housing 40a (see FIG. 9(b)). The flat plate portion 71 and the handle portion 73 are separated from the sheet container 72 having the sheet 76. The cover 70 has a dimension larger than the shutter 50 in the passing direction of the test paper C in the discharge portion 49 (thickness direction of the bottom surface portion 40b). This allows the leaf spring 77 to abut against the top panel 18 without being affected by the presence of the shutter 50. The handle portion 73 is provided so as to protrude from the flat plate portion 71, but is disposed in the opening 19 between the pair of inner ends 18a, and does not interfere with any member of the first conveying mechanism 10.

[0059] A sensor 75 for detecting the presence of the cover 70 is attached near the rear top panel 18 (near the base portion 4b. See FIG. 4). When the supply mechanism 40 is fixed at the operating position P1 and the cover 70 is fixed, the sensor 75 located behind the detection target portion 78 detects the presence of the detection target portion 78 attached to the discharge portion 49. For example, if the cover 70 remains attached when the urine testing apparatus 1 is started up (when the operation starts), the controller 90 receives a signal from the sensor 75 and issues a warning through the display 5b or other notification portion (alarm, etc.). The controller 90 does not start the test in the urine testing apparatus 1 while the cover 70 remains attached to the discharge portion 49. That is, in this case, the controller 90 performs operation prohibition control to prohibit the operation of the urine testing apparatus 1 and issues a warning. This operation prohibition control makes it possible to prevent the supply mechanism 40 and the first transport mechanism 10 from operating by mistake with the cover 70 attached.

[0060] According to the urine testing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, while the supply mechanism 40 is operating, the test strips C are discharged one by one from the discharge section 49. The test strips C are transported to the vicinity of the application position Pa by the transport mechanism 400. After a sample (i.e., urine) is applied to the reagent section 201 of the test strip C, a test for the sample is performed. When the supply mechanism 40 is stopped, for example, at the end of the measurement for one day, when the device is not operated for a while after the tests for a large number of samples are completed, the discharge section 49 can be covered with the cover 70. The cover 70 seals the storage chamber 45 and the take-out section 46 from the outside air, so that even when one or a large number of test strips C are stored in the storage chamber 45, it is possible to prevent moisture from entering and to prevent deterioration of the reagent section 201. The cover 70 may be designed to match the shape of the discharge section 49, etc., and therefore, for example, no major modification of an existing device is required. Therefore, according to the urine testing apparatus 1, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the reagent section 201 due to moisture in the test strip C with a simple configuration that does not require major modification of an existing device. In a conventional device that does not have cover 70, measures such as removing all test papers C remaining in storage chamber 45 and storing them separately would be necessary to prevent deterioration of the reagent section due to moisture. In the urine testing device 1, the inside of supply mechanism 40 is sealed by cover 70, making such special measures unnecessary.

[0061] The cover 70 is attached to the discharge portion 49 when the supply mechanism 40 is located at the maintenance position P2. When the supply mechanism 40 is not in operation (such as at the end of an inspection), the supply mechanism 40 is often moved to the maintenance position P2 for cleaning or other operations. Therefore, the cover 70 can be attached using an opportunity or time for maintenance operations. Furthermore, even when maintenance operations are not being performed, the discharge portion 49 can be exposed simply by moving the supply mechanism 40, and the cover 70 can be easily attached.

[0062] Since the cover 70 is tightly attached and fixed in place as the supply mechanism 40 is set, the installation of the cover 70 can be performed reliably and easily.

[0063] Inherently, some space exists between the discharge unit 49 and the first conveying mechanism 10. If the cover 70 is placed in this space and the pressing force received from both is utilized, a separate pressing mechanism or the like is not required for tight contact with the discharge unit 49 (i.e., sealing the supply mechanism 40).

[0064] In addition, since the cover 70 can be attached by utilizing the existing shutter 50, there is no need for a dedicated jig or mounting bracket, etc. The above-mentioned functions and effects can be achieved with a simpler configuration.

[0065] Although the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the configuration of the cover 70 is not limited to the above embodiment and can be appropriately changed.

[0066] The supply mechanism may not be of a rotating type but may be detachable from the apparatus body 2. The supply mechanism may be fixed rather than being openable and closable. Even in these cases, a cover may be provided between the supply mechanism and the transport mechanism when the apparatus is at rest.

[0067] A structure may be applied in which the cover is brought into close contact with the discharge part based on the attachment structure when the cover is attached, without relying on the pressing force from the supply mechanism. The cover may be attached to any location within the supply mechanism even when the urine testing apparatus 1 is in operation. In this case, the cover is disposed in a location different from the discharge part 49 and does not prevent the discharge of the test strips C from the discharge part 49, but is attached so as to cover the supply mechanism 40 when the supply mechanism 40 is at rest.

[0068] The cover may be attached without using the shutter 50. In the supply mechanism 40, the shutter 50 may be omitted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1...urine testing apparatus, 2...apparatus main body, 3...mounting table, 9...spotting device, 10...first transport mechanism (transport mechanism), 20...second transport mechanism, 30...imaging device, 40...supply mechanism, 43...casing, 44...drum, 45...storage chamber, 46...removal section, 49...discharge section, 50...shutter, 60...disposal box, 70...cover, 100...spit, C...test paper, 201...reagent section, P1...operating position, P2...maintenance position, Pa...spotting position, Pb...imaging position, R...rack.

Claims

1. A urine testing device including a transport mechanism for transporting a test paper having a reagent portion, a supply mechanism including a storage chamber capable of storing a plurality of test papers, an extracting section for extracting the test papers from the storage chamber, and a discharging section for discharging the test papers, the supply mechanism sequentially supplying the test papers to the transport mechanism by discharging the test papers from the discharging section; a transport mechanism for receiving the test paper from the supply mechanism and transporting the test paper to a spotting position or its vicinity where a sample is to be spotted; a cover that covers the discharge portion and seals the storage chamber and the removal portion from outside air.

2. The urine testing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the cover is sandwiched between the discharge portion and a part of the transport mechanism when the supply mechanism is at rest, thereby coming into close contact with the discharge portion.

3. an apparatus body including the transport mechanism, the supply mechanism is attached to the apparatus body and is movable between an operating position in which the discharge unit faces the transport mechanism and a maintenance position in which the discharge unit is spaced apart from the transport mechanism as compared to the operating position, The urine testing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the cover is attached to the discharge portion when the supply mechanism is located in the maintenance position.

4. The urine testing device according to claim 3, wherein the cover is temporarily held in the discharge portion when the supply mechanism is located in the maintenance position, and is tightly attached and fixed to the discharge portion as the supply mechanism is moved to the operating position and set into the device body during a setting operation.

5. the supply mechanism is attached near the discharge section, and has a shutter that opens the discharge section only when the test paper is being discharged and covers the discharge section at other times; The urine testing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cover is attached to the discharge portion by utilizing the shutter.

6. a controller for controlling an operation of the urine testing apparatus is provided; 5. The urine testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller performs operation prohibition control to prohibit operation of the urine testing apparatus when the controller detects the presence of the cover attached to the discharge section.

7. a sensor capable of detecting the presence of said cover; and the controller outputs a warning when the presence of the cover is detected by the sensor at the start of operation of the urine testing apparatus. The urine testing device according to claim 6.

8. The shutter has a spring member, The cover is attached to the discharge portion by the biasing force of the spring member. The urine testing device according to claim 5.

Images