Sample collection device

Abstract

To provide a sample collection device that performs sampling and quantification of samples.SOLUTION: A sample collection device 1 is provided, including: a container 10, having a chamber, two opposite ends of the chamber including an opening and an outlet, the opening communicated with the outlet and the chamber, an inner wall of the container having a plurality of protrusion portions, the plurality of protrusion portions radially protruding into the chamber; a filtration unit, disposed within the container and between the chamber and the outlet; and a sampling unit 30, including a sampling body and a sample collection member made of deformed absorbent material, the sample collection member disposed on the sampling body, and the sample collection member being insertable into the chamber and being radially pressed by the plurality of protrusion portions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a specimen collection device for collecting a specimen.

Background Art

[0002] Currently, many products for rapidly screening a number of infectious diseases perform screening using oral or nasal specimens. However, in the current specimen collection method, an accurate and effective method for quantifying the content of the specimen is not provided. When quantitative analysis is required, a separate quantitative experiment must be performed after specimen collection. However, such a complicated procedure has insufficient convenience, so the importance of quantitative analysis is likely to be reduced. Furthermore, since there is a certain proportional relationship between the quick screening result, the concentration of the analyte in the specimen, and the buffer in the quick screening reagent, if accurate quantification cannot be performed, an error will inevitably occur in the data result.

[0003] Conventional quick screening products include a specimen dropping type, a crater type extrusion type, an integrated type, and an instrument extrusion type. However, in the specimen dropping type, since the specimen is dropped into the cassette through a dropper, quantification cannot be performed because the force for squeezing the dropper is different. In the crater type extrusion type, the extrusion force cannot be controlled, and the quantification effect is low. In the integrated type, the saliva collection sponge and the detection cassette are integrally formed, and quantification cannot be performed. In the instrument extrusion type, the collected saliva is put into the inspection device together with the cassette and extruded by the inspection device, but it has the disadvantages that the price of the device is high, the volume is large, and it is not suitable for carrying.

[0004] Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, it is necessary to provide a novel and progressive specimen collection device.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The main object of the present invention relates to a specimen collection device for sampling and quantifying a specimen.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a container provided with an accommodation chamber, an opening and a drain port provided at each of two opposing ends, the opening and the drain port communicating with the accommodation chamber, and a plurality of protrusions provided on the inner wall, the plurality of protrusions protruding radially into the accommodation chamber; a filtration unit provided in the container and located between the accommodation chamber and the drain port; a specimen collection unit including a specimen collection main body and a sampling member made of a deformable absorbent material, the sampling member being provided on the specimen collection main body, extending into the accommodation chamber, and being radially pressed by the plurality of protrusions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

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Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] The following examples illustrate possible embodiments of the present invention, but do not limit the scope to be protected by the present invention. The "one" or "at least one" prefixed to the nouns referred to in this specification does not limit the quantity, and may be "a plurality" as required, and the change in the quantity is also within the scope to be protected, which will be described below.

[0009] This will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. A preferred first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The specimen collection device 1 of the present invention includes a container 10, a filtration unit 20, and a specimen collection unit 30.

[0010] The container 10 is provided with a storage chamber 11, and an opening 12 and a drain port 13 are provided at each of two opposite ends. The opening 12 and the drain port 13 communicate with the storage chamber 11, and a plurality of protrusions 101 are provided on the inner wall. The plurality of protrusions 101 protrude radially into the storage chamber 11. The filtration unit 20 is provided in the container 10 and is located between the storage chamber 11 and the drain port 13. The filtration unit 20 is filter paper. The specimen collection unit 30 includes a specimen collection body 31 and a sampling member 32 made of a deformable absorbent material. The sampling member 32 is provided on the specimen collection body 31, extends into the storage chamber 11, and is radially pressed by the plurality of protrusions 101 to collect a specimen. The sampling member 32 may be a sponge, a swab, or other materials capable of adsorbing liquids. The sampling member 32 can absorb or adhere to a specimen (for example, saliva or other liquid specimens).

[0011] As a result, the specimen on the sampling member 32 is pressed by the plurality of protrusions 101 and flows out. Since the pressing volume of the sampling member 32 by the plurality of protrusions 101 is constant, the effects of specimen collection and quantification can be obtained. Furthermore, the filtration unit 20 filters impurities (e.g., food residues and other impurities) in the specimen.

[0012] The drain port 13 is where the specimen flows out.

[0013] The plurality of protrusions 101 are at least three. The accommodation chamber 11 defines a central axis A, and the plurality of protrusions 101 are circumferentially provided on the inner wall of the container 10 around the central axis A. In this embodiment, the plurality of protrusions 101 are at least four. Furthermore, the plurality of protrusions 101 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction, thereby pressing the sampling member 32 uniformly.

[0014] Each of the protrusions 101 has a convex arc-shaped structure protruding in the radial direction. Specifically, each of the protrusions 101 is provided with a convex arc-shaped guiding surface at the tip. As a result, the sampling member 32 smoothly passes between the plurality of protrusions 101 and is pressed. Also, the sampling member 32 is not damaged when it moves and rotates axially with respect to the plurality of protrusions 101.

[0015] An insertion hole 102 is formed between the plurality of protrusions 101. The insertion hole 102 communicates with the drain port 13 and the accommodation chamber 11. The sampling member 32 can be inserted through the insertion hole 102. The outer diameter dimension D1 of the sampling member 32 is less than the opening diameter dimension D2 of the opening 12 and larger than the minimum hole diameter dimension D3 of the insertion hole 102. The sampling member 32 can smoothly enter the opening 12 without being pressed until it extends into the insertion hole 102 while being pressed by the opening 12. Thereby, the sample flows out from the drain port 13, and the ejection of the sample from the opening 12 is avoided.

[0016] The container 10 includes a cylindrical body 14 and a tube body 15. The cylindrical body 14 is externally fitted to the tube body 15, and the plurality of protrusions 101 are integrally provided on the tube body 15. The cylindrical body 14 and the tube body 15 are joined to each other (for example, by welding, adhesion, or bonding) so that processing is easy.

[0017] The tube body 15 abuts (is pushed down) against the filtration unit 20, whereby the filtration unit 20 is stably fixed.

[0018] The container 10 includes a bottom wall 18 and a peripheral wall 19. One end of the peripheral wall 19 is circumferentially connected to the bottom wall 18, and the other end extends axially away from the bottom wall 18. The peripheral wall 19 surrounds the accommodation chamber 11 and has the opening 12 formed at one end. The container 10 defines a first height H1, and the first height H1 is the distance from the opening 12 to the bottom wall 18. Each of the protrusions 101 extends axially to define a second height H2, the second height H2 is smaller than the first height H1, and the second height H2 is less than 0.6 times the first height H1. Preferably, the container 10 defines a center line extending radially and passing through the center, and each of the protrusions 101 is lower than the center line. Therefore, the sample collection unit 30 must extend to a predetermined depth of the accommodation chamber 11 before being pressed by the plurality of protrusions 101. Thereby, when the sampling member 32 is pressed, the sample flows out from the opening 12 and is ejected, and it is avoided that the sample adheres to the user's hand.

[0019] The specimen collection unit 30 further includes a sealing member 40. The sealing member 40 is provided on the specimen collection body 31. The sealing member 40 may be in circumferential contact with the inner wall of the accommodation chamber 11 to seal the inner wall of the accommodation chamber 11, thereby blocking the passage of fluid. The sealing member 40 is an O-ring. Thereby, an airtight effect in the accommodation chamber 11 is obtained. When the sealing member 40 is pushed downward in the accommodation chamber 11, the air in the accommodation chamber 11 is pressed, thereby preventing the specimen from flowing in the reverse direction and adhering to the user's hand.

[0020] A gripping portion 33 and a mounting portion 34 are provided at each of the two opposing ends of the specimen collection body 31. A lid portion 35 is radially protruded between the gripping portion 33 and the mounting portion 34 of the specimen collection body 31. The sealing member 40 is provided on the specimen collection body 31 and is located below the lid portion 35. The lid portion 35 covers the opening 12, thereby achieving multiple protection. When the sampling member 32 is pressed by the plurality of protrusions 101 to discharge the specimen, the lid portion 35 blocks the specimen so that the specimen does not eject from the opening 12, and the lid portion 35 and the sealing member 40 are used. The gripping portion 33 is gripped by hand to facilitate the stable insertion of the sampling member 32 from the opening 12 into the accommodation chamber 11. Furthermore, the outer diameter dimension of the lid portion 35 is equal to or less than the opening diameter dimension D2 of the opening 12. The lid portion 35 reaches into the accommodation chamber 11 through the opening 12. The lid portion 35 guides the specimen collection unit 30 so as to stably move axially in the accommodation chamber 11 without shaking, and makes the pressing volume of the sampling member 32 by the plurality of protrusions 101 constant.

[0021] In the peripheral wall 19 of the container 10, a through hole 17 is provided so as to penetrate in the radial direction at a location close to the opening 12. The through hole 17 communicates with the accommodation chamber 11, and the seal member 40 penetrates the through hole 17 in the axial direction. Thereby, in order for the seal member 40 to achieve an airtight effect in the accommodation chamber 11, it is necessary for the seal member 40 to penetrate the through hole 17 and reach below the through hole 17. The seal member 40 can tightly seal the container 10 and smoothly pass through the opening 12 at a location close to the opening 12 and enter the accommodation chamber 11.

[0022] The seal member 40 axially abuts against the tip of the tube body 15. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 7, the distance for pushing the seal member 40 downward in the accommodation chamber 11 is limited, and a sample of a predetermined volume is pressed during the process of pushing the seal member 40 and discharged to the drain port 13, so that accurate quantification can be achieved.

[0023] The mounting portion 34 has an "I" shape. The mounting portion 34 includes a first flange 341 and a second flange 342 that are provided at intervals from each other. The sampling member 32 is provided between the first flange 341 and the second flange 342, so that the sampling member 32 is limited between the first flange 341 and the second flange 342.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 8 to 9, a preferred second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The tube body 15' of the specimen collection device 1' is deformed from the outside to the inside, and the plurality of protrusions 101 are integrally protruded. Outside the tube body 15', a plurality of recesses 16 are formed at locations corresponding to the plurality of protrusions 101. Therefore, a plurality of spaces are formed between the tube body 15' and the plurality of recesses 16 corresponding to the cylinder body 14, and the contact area between the tube body 15' and the cylinder body 14 becomes smaller. This is advantageous for the connection between the tube body 15' and the cylinder body 14, and also has the advantages of material saving and weight reduction.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0025] 1,1' Specimen Sampling Device 10 Container 11 Accommodation Chamber 12 Opening 13 Drain Port 14 Cylindrical Body 15,15' Pipe 16 Recess 17 Through-Hole 18 Bottom Wall 19 Peripheral Wall 101 Protrusion 102 Insertion Hole 20 Filtration Unit 30 Specimen Sampling Unit 31 Specimen Sampling Body 32 Sampling Member 33 Gripping Portion 34 Mounting Portion 341 First Flange 342 Second Flange 35 Cover 40 Sealing Member A Central Axis H1 First Height H2 Second Height D1 Outer Diameter Dimension D2 Opening Diameter Dimension D3 Minimum Hole Diameter Dimension

Claims

1. A specimen collection device, comprising: a container having a storage chamber, an opening and a drainage port at each of two opposing ends, the opening and the drainage port communicating with the storage chamber, a plurality of protrusions provided on an inner wall, the plurality of protrusions protruding radially into the storage chamber; a filtration unit provided in the container and positioned between the storage chamber and the drainage port; a specimen collection unit including a specimen collection body and a sampling member made of a deformable absorbent material, the sampling member being attached to the specimen collection body, extending into the storage chamber and capable of being radially pressed by the plurality of protrusions.

2. 2. The specimen collecting device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions is at least three, the chamber defines a central axis, and the plurality of protrusions are circumferentially disposed on the inner wall of the container about the central axis.

3. The specimen collecting device according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of protrusions are provided at intervals in a circumferential direction.

4. The specimen collecting device of claim 1 , wherein each of the protrusions is a convex arc-shaped structure that protrudes in a radial direction.

5. The specimen collecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the container includes a cylindrical body and a tubular body, the cylindrical body is fitted onto the tubular body, and the plurality of protrusions are integrally provided on the tubular body.

6. The specimen collecting device according to claim 5 , wherein the tube presses against the filtration unit.

7. The specimen collecting device according to claim 5 , wherein the tubular body is deformed from the outside to the inside to integrally protrude the plurality of protrusions, and the exterior of the tubular body has a plurality of recesses formed at locations corresponding to the plurality of protrusions.

8. 6. The specimen collection device according to claim 5, further comprising a sealing member provided on the specimen collection body, the sealing member abutting circumferentially against an inner wall of the storage chamber to seal the inner wall of the storage chamber and block the passage of fluid, and the sealing member abutting axially against a tip of the tubular body.

9. 9. The specimen collecting device according to claim 8, wherein a through hole is provided radially penetrating a peripheral wall of the container near the opening, the through hole communicates with the storage chamber, and the sealing member penetrates the through hole in the axial direction.

10. The plurality of protrusions is at least four, the chamber defines a central axis, and the plurality of protrusions are circumferentially disposed on the inner wall of the container about the central axis; The plurality of protrusions are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction, Each of the protrusions is a convex arc-shaped structure protruding in a radial direction, the container includes a bottom wall and a peripheral wall, the peripheral wall having one end circumferentially connected to the bottom wall and another end extending axially away from the bottom wall, the peripheral wall surrounding the chamber and having the opening formed at one end, the container defining a first height, the first height being a distance from the opening to the bottom wall, each of the protrusions extending axially defining a second height, the second height being less than the first height, the second height is less than 0.6 times the first height; The tube is pressed against the filtration unit, a through hole is formed between the plurality of protrusions, the through hole communicates with the drainage port and the storage chamber, the through hole allows the sampling member to be inserted therethrough, and an outer diameter dimension of the sampling member is smaller than an opening diameter dimension of the opening and larger than a minimum hole diameter dimension of the through hole; A gripping portion and an attachment portion are provided at two opposing ends of the specimen collection body, and a lid portion is provided between the gripping portion and the attachment portion in a radially protruding manner on the specimen collection body. The seal member is provided on the specimen collection body and is located below the lid portion, and the lid portion covers the opening. An outer diameter dimension of the lid portion is equal to or smaller than an opening diameter dimension of the opening, and the lid portion passes through the opening to reach the storage chamber, The mounting portion has an “U” shape, the mounting portion includes a first flange and a second flange spaced apart from each other, and the sampling member is provided between the first flange and the second flange; 10. The specimen collection device of claim 9, wherein the container defines a centerline extending radially through a center, and each of the projections is lower than the centerline.

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