Cubic container for urine dispensing kit and urine dispenser using cubic container

Abstract

To provide a cubic container for urine dispensing kits capable of losing possibility causing a mistake when dispensing urine and capable of using a small-sized, user-friendly and inexpensive urine dispenser even in a small and medium-sized hospitals having less patients subjected to urinalysis, and a urine dispenser using the cubic container for urine dispensing kits.SOLUTION: A cubic container for urine dispensing kits includes: a cup container 2 capable of storing a urine collection cup C for collecting urine; and a spit container 3 including spit storage parts 3a and a suction chip storage part 3b, capable of arranging and storing dispensing spits S and a suction chip T for sucking urine from the urine collection cup C to dispense the urine to the spits S at equal intervals. The cup container 2 and the spit container 3 are attachably / detachably constituted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cube-shaped container for accommodating a urine collection kit used for urine tests and a urine collection device using the cube-shaped container.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, urine tests have been performed to collect urine from patients and measure the concentrations of glucose, protein, occult blood, etc. in fresh urine to obtain information for early detection and diagnosis of diseases. In the past, this urine test was performed by directly dipping a urine test strip into a urine collection cup containing collected urine and visually reading the test results. However, in hospitals and the like, as the number of samples to be processed increases, it is necessary to perform tests in large quantities and quickly for the sake of improving the efficiency of the tests. In recent years, particularly in hospitals, it has become common to automatically dispense urine from a urine collection cup into a test container called a Spitz. The applicant has already proposed a fully automatic urine collection device that automatically dispenses urine from a urine collection cup into a Spitz (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The above-described fully automatic urine collection device includes a rack on which a plurality of urine collection cups are mounted and a rack on which a plurality of Spitzes are mounted, which are arranged facing each other. Between these racks, there are provided a reading device for reading parent specimen identification information from the urine collection cup, a label creating and attaching device for creating a label with child specimen identification information printed thereon based on the read identification information and attaching the label with the child specimen identification information printed thereon to a required number of Spitzes, and a dispensing device for dispensing urine from the urine collection cup into the Spitz. According to the above-described fully automatic urine sampling device, urine can be automatically sampled from the urine collection cup into the Spitz. However, in the above-described fully automatic urine sampling device, since a plurality of urine collection cups containing urine from different patients are mounted on one rack, when urine is sampled from the urine collection cup into the Spitz, if the Spitz is displaced by some reason, all the remaining Spitz will also be displaced one by one, and there is a problem that they may be used for tests with urine from different patients. In addition, the above-described fully automatic urine sampling device is suitable for facilities such as large hospitals and testing facilities that continuously sample urine from a plurality of patients into Spitz for testing, but in small and medium-sized hospitals where the number of patients undergoing urine tests per day is small, the device is too large and the device cost is too high, so there is a problem that it cannot be easily introduced. The present invention solves the problems of the above-described conventional automatic urine sampling device, can eliminate the possibility of urine sampling errors, and enables the use of a small, easy-to-use, and inexpensive urine sampling device even in small and medium-sized hospitals where the number of patients undergoing urine tests per day is small. An object of the present invention is to provide a cube-shaped container for a urine sampling kit and a urine sampling device using the cube-shaped container for the urine sampling kit.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the cube-shaped container for a urine sampling kit according to the present invention includes a cup container capable of accommodating a urine collection cup for urine collection, and a Spitz container having a Spitz accommodation portion and a suction tip accommodation portion capable of accommodating the Spitz for separation and suction tips for sucking urine from the urine collection cup and separating it into the Spitz at equal intervals. The cup container and the Spitz container are detachably configured. The cup container includes left and right side plates, a bottom plate, and an upper plate, and is configured such that the side surface is open in the front-rear direction. An opening capable of inserting the urine collection cup and supporting the upper part of the urine collection cup may be formed in the upper plate. In addition, a notch may be provided in the opening of the upper plate of the cup container so that a part of the side surface of the accommodated urine collection cup is completely exposed. The bottom plate of the cup container may have an inclined portion that supports the collected urine cup in an inclined manner. The suction tip may have a cylindrical body portion for sucking and storing urine, and a suction port portion having a diameter smaller than at least the body portion for sucking and separating urine. A concave portion having a diameter into which the suction port portion of the suction tip fits but the tip of the spitz does not fit may be formed at the bottom of the spitz storage portion. Further, the urine separation device according to the present invention is a urine separation device that separates urine from a urine cup into a spitz using the above-described cube-shaped container for a urine separation kit, and includes a container mounting tray on which the cube-shaped container for the urine separation kit can be mounted, a tray transfer device that transfers the container mounting tray back and forth, and a separation arm device configured to attach a suction tip and separate urine on the transfer path of the spitz container of the cube-shaped container for the urine separation kit mounted on the container mounting tray during the transfer of the container mounting tray, and a label attaching device that attaches a child specimen identification label to an adjacent spitz while the separation arm device is attaching the suction tip and separating urine, and a control device that controls the operation of each device. Further, the urine separation device may further include a first reading device that reads parent specimen identification information from an identification label pre-attached to the urine cup contained in the cube-shaped container for the urine separation kit. The first reading device is arranged in front of the transfer direction of the container mounting tray so as to face the urine cup contained in the cube-shaped container for the urine separation kit, and may be configured such that when the cube-shaped container for the urine separation kit is mounted on the container mounting tray, the first reading device can read the parent specimen identification information from the identification label attached to the urine cup. Furthermore, the label attaching device is preferably a label creating and attaching device that creates an identification label by printing and / or storing child specimen identification information corresponding to the parent specimen identification information on the label and attaches the created identification label to the spitz, and may be configured to print and / or store the child specimen identification information on the label based on the parent specimen identification information read by the first reading device. Further, the fractionation arm device may include an arm configured to rotate and move between a storage position, a suction tip attachment position, a urine suction position, and a urine fractionation position, and a tip attachment portion provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the arm.

Advantages of the Invention

[0006] According to the cube-shaped container for a urine fractionation kit of the present invention, a cup container capable of accommodating a urine collection cup for urine collection, and a spitz container provided with a spitz accommodation portion and a suction tip accommodation portion capable of accommodating suction tips for sucking urine from the spitz for fractionation and arranging them at equal intervals are provided. Since the cup container and the spitz container are detachably configured, it becomes possible to fractionate urine from the urine collection cup to the spitz for each patient unit, and it is possible to prevent urine from being mistakenly fractionated into the spitz by others. Further, since the spitz container is configured to accommodate spitzes and suction tips arranged at equal intervals, in the urine fractionation device, it becomes possible to perform the process of attaching an identification label to the spitz and the process of attaching the suction tip and fractionating urine to the spitz in parallel, and it becomes possible to increase the processing speed. Further, by configuring the cup container and the spitz container to be detachably attached, the process of accommodating the used urine collection cup in the cup container and the process of accommodating spitzes and suction tips in the spitz container can be completely separated. Therefore, the work efficiency is good, and there is no risk of contaminating the spitzes and suction tips when accommodating the urine collection cup. Furthermore, by configuring the cup container and the spitz container to be detachably attached, it becomes possible to remove the spitz container after fractionation and immediately use it for analysis. Further, since the cup container includes left and right side plates, a bottom plate, and an upper plate, and is configured such that the side surface is open in the front-rear direction, and an opening is formed in the upper plate through which the urine collection cup can be inserted and the upper part of the urine collection cup can be supported, it becomes possible to read externally an identification label on which parental specimen identification information pre-attached to the accommodated urine collection cup is printed and / or stored while the urine collection cup is accommodated in the cup container. In addition, a notch is provided in the opening of the upper plate of the cup container so that a part of the side surface of the collected urine cup is completely exposed. When reading the parental specimen identification information printed and / or stored on the identification label from the outside, the upper plate will not hide the identification label and cause an obstacle to reading. Furthermore, the bottom plate of the cup container is provided with an inclined portion for tilting and supporting the collected urine cup, so that the urine cup can be tilted and accommodated, the urine in the urine cup can be pushed in one direction, and the collected urine can be separated without waste. Moreover, since the tip of the suction chip is open for sucking and separating urine, if urine separation is performed by the urine separation device in a state where the suction chip is accidentally accommodated in the spitz storage portion, urine will also be separated into the suction chip with an open tip. In addition to the contamination caused by urine leakage, there is a problem that the urine for inspection may be insufficient. In this regard, the suction chip has a cylindrical body portion for sucking and storing urine and a suction port portion with a smaller diameter than at least the body portion for sucking and separating urine. A concave portion is formed at the bottom of the spitz storage portion, the diameter of which allows the suction port portion of the suction chip to fit, but the tip of the spitz does not fit. When the suction chip is accidentally accommodated in the spitz storage portion, the suction chip will enter deeper into the spitz storage portion than the spitz, resulting in a height difference from other spitzes. This height difference can be visually confirmed or detected by a sensor or the like to pre-detect the misplacement of the suction chip. Also, according to the urine sampling device of the present invention, it is a urine sampling device that samples urine from a urine collection cup into a spitz using the above-described cube-shaped container for the urine sampling kit, and includes a container mounting tray on which the cube-shaped container for the urine sampling kit can be placed, a tray transfer device that transfers the container mounting tray back and forth, and a sampling arm device configured to attach a suction tip and sample urine on the transfer path of the spitz container of the mounted cube-shaped container for the urine sampling kit. While the sampling arm device is attaching the suction tip and sampling urine, a label attaching device that attaches a sub-specimen identification label to an adjacent spitz, and a control device that controls the operation of each device are provided. Therefore, urine can be sampled using the above-described cube-shaped container for the urine sampling kit, urine sampling can be performed on a patient-by-patient basis, and there is no mistake in sampling urine from other patients. Further, in the label attaching device, since it is configured to attach a sub-specimen identification label to an adjacent spitz while the sampling arm device is attaching the suction tip and sampling urine, the processing speed is fast. Furthermore, since it is configured to attach a suction tip and sample urine on the transfer path of the spitz container of the mounted cube-shaped container for the urine sampling kit, the entire device becomes compact. Also, the urine sampling device is further provided with a first reading device that reads parent specimen identification information from an identification label pre-attached to the urine collection cup housed in the cube-shaped container for the urine sampling kit. The first reading device is arranged in front of the transfer direction of the container mounting tray so as to face the urine collection cup housed in the cube-shaped container for the urine sampling kit. When the cube-shaped container for the urine sampling kit is mounted on the container mounting tray, the first reading device can read the parent specimen identification information from the identification label attached to the urine collection cup. By configuring it in this way, when the cube-shaped container for the urine sampling kit is mounted on the container mounting tray, the first reading device can read the parent specimen identification information from the identification label attached to the urine collection cup. Therefore, no special configuration or operation is required to read the parent specimen identification information, and the configuration of the device is simplified. Furthermore, the label affixing device is configured as a label creating and affixing device that creates an identification label by printing and / or storing child specimen identification information corresponding to the parent specimen identification information on the label and affixes the created identification label to the Spitz. By configuring the device to print and / or store the child specimen identification information on the label based on the parent specimen identification information read by the first reading device, when urine collection is performed using a cube-shaped container for a urine collection kit containing a urine collection cup, a Spitz, and a suction tip for each patient unit, based on the parent specimen identification information read from the identification label of the urine collection cup contained in the cube-shaped container for the urine collection kit set in the urine collection device, an identification label on which the child specimen identification information linked to the parent specimen identification information is printed and / or stored is created, and the created identification label can be affixed to the Spitz contained in the same cube-shaped container for the urine collection kit. Thus, problems such as misattachment of the identification label or using a Spitz with an identification label of another patient affixed thereto can be avoided. Furthermore, the specimen collection arm device is configured by an arm configured to rotate and move between a storage position, a suction tip attachment position, a urine suction position, and a urine collection position, and a tip attachment part provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the arm. As a result, the storage position, the suction tip attachment position, the urine suction position, and the urine collection position are located in the rotational movement path of the arm, and the operation of the arm can be simplified, and the structure of the device can be simplified.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 8

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Figure 10(a)

Figure 10(b)

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Figure 16

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, with reference to an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, embodiments of a cube-shaped container for a urine collection kit and a urine collection device using the cube-shaped container according to the present invention will be described.

[0009] First, with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, embodiments of the cube-shaped container for a urine collection kit according to the present invention will be described. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the cube-shaped container 1 in a state where the cup container 2 and the spitz container 3 are combined, and FIGS. 3 and 4 show the cube-shaped container 1 in a state where the cup container 2 and the spitz container 3 are separated. Further, FIGS. 5 and 6 show a state where the urine collection cup C, the spitz S, and the suction tip T are accommodated in the cube-shaped container 1, and FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the appearance of the spitz S and the suction tip T. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, in this specification, the arrow F shown in FIG. 1 is defined as the front, the arrow B as the rear, the arrow U as the upper, the arrow D as the lower, the arrow R as the right direction, and the arrow L as the left direction for the description. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a cube-shaped container for a urine collection kit (hereinafter, simply referred to as "cube-shaped container"). The cube-shaped container 1 includes a cup container 2 that houses one urine collection cup C, and a spitz container 3 that houses a plurality of spitzes S and suction tips T. The cup container 2 and the spitz container 3 are detachably configured using magnets. The urine collection cup C is a cup for a patient to collect urine, and is given to the patient with a label L on which parental specimen identification information is printed and / or stored in advance. Therefore, when it is housed in the cup container 2 of the cube-shaped container 1, the label L is already attached. Here, the "parental specimen identification information" can be, for example, the patient identification information of the patient to be subjected to the urine test or information linked to the patient identification information. For example, in a control device, a host computer, or a server device of the urine sampling device, the urine sampling volume, the number of urine samplings, or urine test items of the corresponding patient can be linked to the "parental specimen identification information" and stored. Further, when a barcode capable of storing a lot of information such as a two-dimensional barcode is printed on the label L, not only the "parental specimen identification information" but also the urine sampling volume, the number of urine samplings, or urine test items of the corresponding patient can be included in the two-dimensional barcode or the like. As shown in FIG. 7, the spitz S has a conical shape in which the lower part S2 of the cylindrical body part S1 is reduced in diameter downward, and is used to separate urine from the urine collection cup C that has already been sampled using the urine sampling device described later. When housed in the spitz container 3 of the cube-shaped container 1, no label is attached to the spitz S. In the urine sampling device described later, a label (not shown) on which child specimen identification information corresponding to the parental specimen identification information printed and / or stored on the label L of the urine collection cup C before separation is printed and / or stored is attached. As shown in FIG. 7, the suction tip T has a conical shape in which the lower part T2 of the cylindrical body part T1 is reduced in diameter, and a thin suction port T3 is provided at the lower end of the conical lower part T2. The suction tip T is connected to the suction syringe pump of the urine sampling device described later, sucks urine from the urine collection cup C through the suction port T3 at the tip thereof, stores it in the body part T1, and then is used to separate the urine stored in the body part T1 into the spitz S. The used suction tip T is discarded in a disposal section provided in the urine sampling device. As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the overall length of the spitz S is substantially the same as the overall length of the suction tip T.

[0010] Hereinafter, the configuration of the cup container 2 will be described. As shown in the drawings, the cup container 2 includes a right side plate 2a, a left side plate 2b, a bottom plate 2c, and an upper plate 2d, and is configured such that the sides are open in the front-rear direction. The bottom plate 2c includes an inclined portion 2e that slopes downward from the front to the rear. Further, between the upper plate 2d and the bottom plate 2c, a support plate 2f having an inclined surface for supporting the side surface of the urine collection cup C in a state where the urine collection cup C is inclined in accordance with the inclination of the inclined portion 2e is provided when the urine collection cup C is accommodated. The upper plate 2d is formed with a circular opening 2g for supporting the periphery near the upper end of the accommodated urine collection cup C, and a notch 2h is formed at the front portion of the opening 2g. According to the cup container 2 configured as described above, the urine collection cup C after urine collection is accommodated so as to be inserted into the opening 2g from above the upper plate 2d, and the accommodated urine collection cup C is held in an obliquely inclined state such that its rear portion hangs downward, particularly as shown in FIG. 5. Thereby, the collected urine gathers at the rear of the urine collection cup C, and it becomes possible to suck it without waste using the suction tip T and dispense it into the spitz S. Also, as described above, a label L on which parental specimen identification information is printed and / or stored in advance is attached to the urine collection cup C. As shown in FIG. 5, by accommodating the urine collection cup C after urine collection in the cup container 2 such that the label L is positioned forward, thanks to the notch 2h, a part of the label L is not hidden by the upper plate 2d. Also, particularly as shown in FIG. 4, on the outer surface of the left side plate 2b of the cup container 2 configured as described above, a pair of recesses 2j into which a pair of protrusions 3f provided on the spitz container 3 (see FIG. 3) can be fitted are formed, and further, an iron plate 2k is provided at a position corresponding to the recesses 2j on the inner surface of the left side plate 2b. Thereby, the spitz container 3 can be detachably attached to the cup container 2.

[0011] Next, the configuration of the spitz container 3 will be described. The Spitz container 3 has an elongated shape extending in the front-rear direction, and includes a Spitz accommodating portion 3a formed by a columnar groove extending in the vertical direction that can accommodate three Spitzes S respectively, and a suction tip accommodating portion 3b formed by a columnar groove extending in the vertical direction that can accommodate one suction tip T. The Spitz accommodating portion 3a and the suction tip accommodating portion 3b are arranged at equal intervals. As shown in FIG. 8, the Spitz container 3 has a shape in which the corners on the cup container 2 side are chamfered. Thus, when removing the Spitz container 3 from the cup container 2, it becomes possible to grip the Spitz container 3 by placing a finger on the chamfered corner on the cup container 2 side. The Spitz accommodating portion 3a has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the Spitz S to be accommodated. In particular, as shown in FIG. 8, a tip holding groove 3c into which the tip of the Spitz S fits is formed on its bottom surface. Further, in the tip holding groove 3c, a recess 3d is formed where the tip of the Spitz S does not fit, but the suction port T3 of the suction tip T can fit. The tip holding groove 3c extends to the side opening surface of each Spitz accommodating portion 3a, allowing the accommodated Spitz S to have a little play so that it can move slightly left and right. Also, as is particularly clear from FIG. 6, the suction tip accommodating portion 3b is formed shallower than the Spitz accommodating portion 3a, and an opening 3e into which the lower portion T2 of the suction tip T can fit is formed on its bottom surface (see FIG. 8). For this reason, when the Spitz S and the suction tip T are accurately accommodated in position, the suction tip T protrudes slightly above the Spitz S (see FIG. 9(a)). Here, for the Spitz S contained in the Spitz container 3, at the time of sorting, in the urine sorting device described later, an identification label on which child specimen identification information corresponding to the parent specimen identification information printed and / or stored on the label L attached to the urine collection cup C is printed and / or stored is attached. For this reason, although the Spitz S contained in the Spitz container 3 needs to be supported at three points by a roller and rotated when the label is attached, as described above, the inner diameter of the Spitz housing portion 3a is made slightly larger than the outer diameter of the Spitz S, and a tip holding groove 3c extending to the side opening surface is formed on the bottom surface thereof so that the tip of the Spitz S can move in the left-right direction. As a result, a play that allows the contained Spitz S to move slightly in the left-right direction is formed, making it easier to support the Spitz S at three points by the roller when attaching the label and also enabling the Spitz S to be rotated smoothly. Also, as described above, in this embodiment, although the overall length of the Spitz S is substantially the same as the overall length of the suction tip T, as described above, the tip of the Spitz S does not fit into the tip holding groove 3c of the Spitz housing portion 3a. However, by forming a recess 3d into which the suction port T3 of the suction tip T can fit, if the suction tip T is accidentally inserted into the Spitz housing portion 3a, as shown in FIG. 9(b), the suction tip T will enter deeper into the Spitz housing portion 3a than the Spitz S because the suction port T3 at its tip fits into the recess 3d. As a result, a height difference will occur between the Spitz S and the suction tip T in the Spitz housing portion 3a, making it possible to visually detect the misinsertion of the suction tip T. Further, by detecting this height difference with a sensor or the like, it becomes possible to detect the misinsertion of the suction tip T in the urine collection device described later. Since the suction port T3 of the suction tip T is open due to the suction of urine, if the urine collection is performed with the suction tip T accidentally inserted into the Spitz housing portion 3a, the urine collected by the suction tip T will leak out from the suction port T3 at its tip to the outside. Not only will the amount of urine available for analysis be insufficient, but it will also lead to a serious problem of contaminating the urine collection device. The Spitz container 3 according to this embodiment is provided with the recess 3d in the Spitz housing portion 3a as described above, so that when the suction tip T is accidentally inserted into the Spitz housing portion 3a, a height difference is created, making it possible to detect the misinsertion visually and / or by a sensor. In addition, as described above, since the suction chip housing portion 3b is formed shallower than the spitz housing portion 3a, if a spitz S is mistakenly housed in the suction chip housing portion 3b, the spitz S housed in the suction chip housing portion 3b will protrude slightly compared to the case where the suction chip T is housed. Therefore, even if a spitz S is mistakenly housed in the suction chip housing portion 3b, it is possible to detect the misplacement visually and / or by a sensor. Further, the suction chip T housed in the suction chip housing portion 3b is attached to a chip attachment portion connected to a syringe pump for sucking urine when set in a urine separation device described later, and suction is performed by the syringe pump to separate urine after attachment. Therefore, if a spitz S is mistakenly housed in the suction chip housing portion 3b, the spitz S will be attached to the chip attachment portion and sucked by the syringe pump. However, unlike the suction chip T, the spitz S has a closed tip, so the pressure rises when sucked by the syringe pump. Therefore, it is also possible to detect the misplacement of the spitz S into the suction chip housing portion 3b based on this pressure increase. The spitz container 3 configured as described above is provided with the pair of protrusions 3f described above on its right side surface. Each protrusion 3f includes a magnet and is configured to be magnetically coupled to an iron plate 2k provided on the cup container 2 when fitted into the recess 2j of the cup container 2.

[0012] The cube-shaped container 1 configured as described above is set in the urine separation device 10 in a state where the urine collection cup C after urine collection, the spitz S, and the suction chip T are housed, and in the urine separation device 10, urine is separated from the urine collection cup C to the spitz S. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the urine separation device 10 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 16. In the following description, for convenience, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions of the urine separation device 10 will be described in accordance with the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions of the cube-shaped container 1 described in FIGS. 1 to 9. That is, the arrow F shown in FIG. 11 will be described as the front, the arrow B as the rear, the arrow U as the upper, the arrow D as the lower, the arrow R as the right, and the arrow L as the left. Figure 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the urine sampling device 10. Figure 10(a) shows the state where the cover 10c is closed, and Figure 10(b) shows the state where the cover 10c is open. Note that the urine sampling device 10 shown in Figure 10 shows the state in which the cube-shaped container 1 is set. In Figure 10, reference numeral 10a denotes the housing, reference numeral 10b denotes the front panel that forms a part of the housing 10a, reference numeral 10c denotes the cover that is provided on the housing 10a so as to be openable and closable, and reference numerals 10d and 10e denote the mechanism protection covers, respectively. The mechanism protection cover 10e is provided to protect the mechanism part of the sampling arm device 16, which will be described later, so that the user's hand does not accidentally enter during operation, and also has the function of preventing urine splashing during operation. Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the urine sampling device 10 with the front panel 10b, the cover 10c, the urine splash prevention plate 10d, and the mechanism protection cover 10e removed, as viewed from the upper right obliquely forward. As shown in the drawings, the urine sampling device 10 includes a container mounting tray 11 for mounting the cube-shaped container 1, a tray transfer device 12 having a conveyor for moving the container mounting tray 11 back and forth between the initial position P1, the suction tip mounting position P2, and the number of urine suction and sampling positions P3 corresponding to the number of spitzes S where urine is to be sampled, a height detection device 13 for detecting the heights of the spitz S and the suction tip T in the cube-shaped container 1 set on the container mounting tray 11, a first reading device 14 for reading parent specimen identification information from the label L of the cube-shaped container 1 mounted on the container mounting tray 11 at the initial position P1, a label creating and attaching device 15 for creating an identification label by printing and / or storing corresponding child specimen identification information on the label based on the parent specimen identification information read from the label L of the cube-shaped container 1 by the first reading device 14, and attaching the identification label to the spitz S when the spitz S is at the label attaching position, which will be described later, Connect the suction chip T housed in the cube-shaped container 1, and use a syringe pump (not shown) to suck urine from the urine collection cup C into the suction chip T, and a dispensing arm device 16 that dispenses the sucked urine into the spitz S, A chip disposal device 17 that is disposed below the initial position of the dispensing arm device 16, removes the used suction chip T from the dispensing arm device 16, drops it downward, and discards it, A control device 18 that controls the operation of each of the above devices is provided. Also, in the figure, reference numeral 19 indicates a touch panel monitor. The label creating and attaching device 15 includes a label backing roll wound with a backing paper provided with a label, a backing paper feeding mechanism for feeding the backing paper from the label backing roll, a printing mechanism for printing child specimen identification information on the label provided on the fed backing paper to create an identification label, a peeling plate for peeling the tip of the identification label by bending the backing paper at an acute angle, a three-point support for the spitz S by three rollers, and a pasting mechanism for pasting the identification label with the tip peeled off while rotating the spitz S, and a backing paper collecting roll for collecting the backing paper after the identification label is pasted. It has a conventionally known configuration, and the label pasting position (that is, the position where the three rollers 15a, 15b, and 15c are arranged) for pasting the identification label is arranged so as to be located in the movement path of the spitz container 3 in the cube-shaped container 1. Since the label creating and attaching device 15 has a conventionally known configuration, detailed description thereof is omitted in this specification. The dispensing arm device 16 includes an arm 16a configured to rotate and move between a storage position, a suction chip attachment position, a urine suction position, and a urine dispensing position, a chip attachment portion 16b provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the arm 16a, and a chip attachment guide 16c that also functions as a urine splash prevention plate disposed adjacent to the label pasting position in the movement path of the spitz container 3 in the cube-shaped container 1. The chip attachment portion 16b is connected to a syringe pump (not shown) via a tube (not numbered). The chip attachment guide 16c is composed of a plate-like body having an opening through which the chip attachment portion 16b and the suction chip T attached to the chip attachment portion 16b can pass. The three rollers 15a, 15b, and 15c that define the label attachment position and the chip attachment guide 16c are arranged side by side on the movement path of the Spitz container 3 in accordance with the intervals between the three Spitz accommodation parts 3a and the suction chip accommodation part 3b in the Spitz container 3 arranged at equal intervals. For example, when the suction chip T accommodated in the suction chip accommodation part 3b is positioned directly below the chip attachment guide 16c, the Spitz S accommodated in the adjacent Spitz accommodation part 3a is positioned at the label attachment position, and when the Spitz S accommodated in the Spitz accommodation part 3a is positioned directly below the chip attachment guide 16c, the Spitz S accommodated in the adjacent Spitz accommodation part 3a is arranged to be positioned at the label attachment position (see Fig. 16).

[0013] Fig. 11 shows the initial state before the cube-shaped container 1 is set on the container mounting tray 11. In this initial state, the container mounting tray 11 is in the rearmost position (initial position P1) and is located outside the housing 10a and the cover 10c of the urine separation device 10 (see Fig. 10). Fig. 12 shows a state where a user or a robot sets the cube-shaped container 1 containing the urine-collected urine cup C, Spitz S, and suction chip T on the container mounting tray 11. As shown in Fig. 12, the cube-shaped container 1 is set on the container mounting tray 11 such that its front, i.e., the notch 2h in the cup container 2 faces the first reading device 14, and the Spitz container 3 is located on the left side. In this state, the label L attached to the urine cup C faces the first reading device 14. Also, the arm 16a of the separation arm device 16 is in its storage position. This urine collection device 10 is equipped with a sensor (not shown in the figure) such as a proximity sensor that detects whether or not the cube-shaped container 1 is set on the container mounting tray 11 at the initial position P1. When the cube-shaped container 1 is set on the container mounting tray 11, automatically, the first reading device 14 starts reading the parent specimen identification information of the label L attached to the urine collection cup C. Note that the trigger for starting the reading of the parent specimen identification information in the urine collection device 10 is not limited to being based on a signal from the above-described proximity sensor or the like. For example, a "start operation button" may be displayed on the touch panel monitor 19, and the operation may be configured to start when the "start operation button" is touched. Furthermore, a mechanical operation start button may be provided. Based on the read parent specimen identification information, the control device 18 reads information regarding the urine collection number and collection volume, etc. of the corresponding patient from a host computer or a server device (both not shown in the figure). In this embodiment, the parent specimen identification information is printed on the label L in the form of a barcode, and the first reading device 14 consists of a barcode reader. Also, information such as the urine collection number and collection volume of the corresponding patient is stored in the host computer or server device linked to the parent specimen identification information. Note that this configuration is not limited to this embodiment. For example, when an RFID tag is provided on the label L and the parent specimen identification information is stored in the RFID tag, an RFID reader can be provided instead of the barcode reader. Also, when all information regarding the urine collection number and collection volume, etc. in addition to the parent specimen identification information is printed on the label L attached to the urine collection cup C in a form such as a two-dimensional barcode, the control device 18 can execute processing completely offline without connecting to the host computer and the server device. After the control device 18 reads the parent sample identification information with the first reading device 14, it drives the tray transfer device 12 to move the container mounting tray 11 forward. At this time, the tray transfer device 12 stepwise advances the container mounting tray 11 so that the Spitz S and the suction chip T accommodated in the Spitz container 3 pass one by one in front of the height detection device 13. The control device 18 determines whether the Spitz S and the suction chip T are accommodated in the correct positions based on the detection signal of the height detection device 13 (that is, the height of the Spitz and / or the suction chip). If it is determined that they are not accommodated in the correct positions, the urine collection device 10 is stopped and an error signal is output audibly and / or visually. The audible output is, for example, an error sound, and the visual output is, for example, an error display on the touch panel monitor 19 or a warning lamp (not shown). When it is determined that all of the Spitz S and the suction chip T are accommodated in the correct positions, the control device 18 moves the container mounting tray 11 (that is, the cube-shaped container 1) to the foremost position (the suction chip attachment position P2) by the tray transfer device 12, and rotates the arm 16a of the collection arm device 16 by about 90 degrees to move the chip attachment portion 16b provided on the arm 16a to the suction chip attachment position, specifically, directly above the chip attachment guide 16c (see FIG. 13). Incidentally, when the container mounting tray 11 is at the suction chip attachment position P2, the suction chip T is located directly below the chip attachment guide 16c (see FIGS. 13 and 16(b)). The control device 18 then lowers the chip attachment portion 16b on the arm 16a until it fits into the suction chip T. After the chip attachment portion 16b fits into the suction chip T, the chip attachment portion 16b is raised. Incidentally, the chip attachment portion 16b is connected to a syringe pump (not shown) via a tube (not numbered). By fitting into the suction chip T, it becomes possible to suck urine with the suction chip T. On the other hand, after the control device 18 determines that the Spitz S and the suction chip T are accommodated in the correct positions, in the label creation and attachment device 15, the child specimen identification information corresponding to the parent specimen identification information read by the first reading device 14 is printed and / or stored on the label, and the Spitz S located at the label attachment position, that is, the Spitz S accommodated in the Spitz accommodation part 3a located immediately adjacent to the suction chip accommodation part 3b, is held at three points using the three rollers 15a, 15b, and 15c (see Fig. 16(b)). Next, the control device 18 attaches the created identification label to the Spitz S accommodated in the Spitz accommodation part 3a while rotating the roller. After the control device 18 fits and raises the suction chip T in the chip attachment part 16b and attaches the created label to the Spitz S accommodated in the Spitz accommodation part 3a immediately adjacent to the suction chip accommodation part 3b, the control device 18 moves the container mounting tray 11, that is, the cube-shaped container 1, backward to the first urine suction and fractionation position P3 via the tray transfer device 12. At this first urine suction and fractionation position P3(1), the Spitz S after label attachment is located directly below the chip attachment guide 16c, and the next Spitz S is located at the label attachment position of the label creation and attachment device 15 (see Fig. 16(c)). At the same time, the control device 18 further rotates the arm 16a until the suction chip T reaches the urine suction position, that is, until it is located above the urine collection cup C. After moving the suction chip T to the urine suction position, the control device 18 lowers the chip attachment part 16b of the arm 16a, inserts the suction port T3 of the suction chip T into the urine in the urine collection cup C, then operates a syringe pump (not shown) to measure the amount of urine in the urine collection cup C and stir the urine as necessary, and then sucks the urine into the body part T1 of the suction chip T (see Fig. 14). The urine volume is measured by a pressure sensor connected to a syringe pump. Specifically, the pressure sensor constantly measures the pressure, and by monitoring the pressure change when the suction tip T penetrates the urine in the urine collection cup C, the water level of the urine in the urine collection cup C is detected, and the urine volume is calculated based on the detected water level. When the calculated urine volume is insufficient for the patient's urine test, that is, the urine volume required for aliquoting into the Spitz S, for example, the control device 18 outputs warning information via the touch panel monitor 19. Specifically, for example, warning information that allows the user to select whether to continue or stop the aliquoting despite the insufficient urine volume is output to the touch panel monitor 19, and the next operation can be executed based on the user's selection. Also, the urine is stirred by controlling the operation of the syringe pump so as to repeat the suction and discharge of the urine using the suction tip T. Furthermore, the control device 18 simultaneously operates the label creating and attaching device 15 to create an identification label printed with the sub-specimen identification information, and attaches the created identification label to the next Spitz S. Note that the label creating and attaching device 15 has a reading device (not shown), and using the reading device, before creating the identification label, it is confirmed whether an identification label has already been attached to the Spitz S to which the identification label is to be attached, and an error signal is output if there is a Spitz S to which an identification label has already been attached. Also, simultaneously, the control device 18 uses a reading device (not shown) provided at the first urine suction and aliquoting position P3(1) to read the sub-specimen identification information from the label of the Spitz S with the label attached, compares the read sub-specimen identification information with the parent specimen identification information read from the label L of the urine collection cup C earlier, and checks whether a label with accurate information printed and / or stored is attached to the Spitz S. If the comparison is inconsistent, the control device 18 stops the operation of the urine aliquoting device 10 and outputs an error signal audibly and / or visually. If the comparison result is consistent, the next operation is performed. After the control device 18 sucks urine into the suction chip T, it raises the chip mounting part 16b again, rotates the arm 16a until the tip of the suction chip T reaches the urine separation position, that is, directly above the chip mounting guide 16c, and separates an arbitrary amount of urine into the spitz S located at the first urine suction and separation position P3(1) (see Fig. 15). Note that the number of spitzes S to be separated and the amount of urine separated into each spitz S are obtained from a host computer or a server device based on the parental specimen identification information read from the label L of the urine collection cup C, or directly obtained from the information read from the label L if these information are stored in the label L, and the urine separation into the spitz S is performed according to the obtained urine separation number and separation amount. After urine separation, the control device 18 operates the tray transfer device 12 to move the container mounting tray 11 on which the cube-shaped container 1 is mounted to the second urine suction and separation position P3(2). At this second urine suction and separation position P3(2), the labeled spitz S located next to the separated spitz S is positioned directly below the chip mounting guide 16c, and the spitz S next to the labeled spitz S is positioned at the label attachment position (see Fig. 16(d)). Then, at this second urine suction and separation position P3(2), verification of the label of the labeled spitz S, measurement of the urine volume in the urine collection cup C, stirring of the urine, suction and separation of the urine, and confirmation of the presence or absence of a label of the spitz S at the label attachment position, creation and attachment of the label are performed. After the urine collection for all the Spitzes S to be collected is completed, the control device 18 raises the chip attachment part 16b and rotates the arm 16a by about 90 degrees to return it to the storage position shown in FIG. 12. At the storage position of the arm 16a of the collection arm device 16, a chip disposal device 17 is provided directly below the chip attachment part 16b (that is, the suction chip T attached thereto). This chip disposal device 17 includes a waste storage container 17a and chip removal means (not shown) for gripping the suction chip T and removing it from the chip attachment part 16b. The suction chip T removed by the chip removal means is dropped downward, and the suction chip T is put into the waste storage container 17a. This waste storage container 17a is configured to be able to be pulled out in the right direction of the urine collection device 10, and the used suction chips T stored in the waste storage container 17a are periodically collected from the waste storage container 17a. Also, after the urine collection for all the Spitzes S to be collected is completed, the control device 18 operates the tray transfer device 12 to return the container mounting tray 11 to the initial position P1 (FIG. 16(a)). Thereby, it becomes possible for the user to take out the cube-shaped container 1 containing the collected Spitz S from the urine collection device 10. The Spitz container 3 containing the collected Spitz S is removed from the cup container 2 and provided to an analyzer (not shown). Here, it is also possible to analyze the collected Spitz S in the analyzer while it is in the Spitz container 3, and it is also possible to take out the collected Spitz S from the Spitz container 3 in the analyzer for analysis. In the illustrated embodiment, the Spitz container 3 is configured to be magnetically attached to the cup container 2, but if necessary, a plurality of Spitz containers 3 can be arranged side by side and attached by magnetism or the like to form an integrated container, and it can be configured to be directly set in the analyzer as it is. Thereby, it also becomes possible to set the urine of a plurality of patients in the analyzer at one time.

[0014] In the above-described embodiment, the user or the robot is configured to set the cube-shaped container 1 on the container mounting tray 11. However, this configuration is not limited to this embodiment. For example, a supply conveyor device for supplying the cube-shaped container and a recovery conveyor device for recovering the cube-shaped container may be arranged such that their ends are connected to the container mounting tray 11 respectively, and the supply and discharge of the cube-shaped container 1 to and from the container mounting tray 11 may be configured to be automatically performed.

[0015] According to the cube-shaped container 1 according to the present invention and the urine sampling device 10 using the cube-shaped container, the collected urine cup C that has been used for one patient, the spitz S for sampling used for urine tests, and the suction tip T used for sampling are accommodated in the cube-shaped container 1. It is configured to perform the use of the suction tip T and the sampling from the urine cup C to the spitz S in units of cube-shaped containers. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the urine of other patients from being accidentally sampled into the spitz S. Further, since the suction tip T is also replaced in units of cube-shaped containers, there is no problem caused by the contamination of the suction tip. Furthermore, since a cleaning mechanism for the suction tip is not required, the structure of the urine sampling device 10 can be simplified. Furthermore, according to the cube-shaped container 1 according to the present invention, the cup container 2 for accommodating the urine cup C and the spitz container 3 for accommodating the spitz S and the suction tip T are configured to be detachable. Therefore, only the cup container 2 can be handed to the patient or the urine cup C after urine collection can be accommodated at a predetermined position, and when setting it on the urine sampling device 10, the spitz container 3 for accommodating the spitz S and the suction tip T can be attached to the cup container 2. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility that the spitz S and the suction tip T are contaminated with urine or the like before sampling. In addition, the step of putting the urine cup C into the cup container 2 and the step of accommodating the spitz S and the suction tip T in the spitz container 3 can be completely separated. Therefore, a plurality of spitz containers 3 can be prepared in advance, and the working efficiency is improved. Also, according to the urine collection device 10 of the present invention, the cube-shaped container 1, that is, the Spitz container 3, is configured to linearly move between the initial position P1, the suction tip attachment position P2, and the urine suction and collection positions P3 corresponding to the number of Spitzes S for which urine is to be collected. Since a label attachment position is arranged next to the urine suction and collection position P3 in the movement path, it is configured such that while the suction tip is attached, as well as while urine volume measurement, urine stirring, and urine collection are being performed, label attachment to the next Spitz S can be executed, resulting in a high processing speed.

Explanation of Signs

[0016] 1 Cube-shaped container for urine collection kit 2 Cup container 2a Side plate 2b Side plate 2c Bottom plate 2d Upper plate 2e Inclined part 2f Support plate 2g Opening 2h Notch 2j Recess 2k Iron plate 3 Spitz container 3a Spitz housing part 3b Suction tip housing part 3c Tip holding groove 3d Recess 3e Opening 3f Protrusion 10 Urine collection device 10a Housing 10b Front panel 10c Cover 10d Urine splash prevention plate 10e Mechanism protection cover 11 Container mounting tray 12 Tray transfer device 13 Height detection device 14 First reading device 15 Label creation and attachment device 15a Roller 15b Roller 15c Roller 16-division arm device 16a arm 16b chip mounting part 16c chip mounting guide 17 chip disposal device 17a waste container 18 control device 19 touch panel monitor

Claims

1. A cup container capable of accommodating a urine collection cup for urine collection, A spitz container having a spitz storage section and a suction tip storage section capable of accommodating, at equal intervals, spitzes for dispensing and suction tips for sucking urine from the urine collection cup and dispensing it into the spitzes Comprising: The cup container and the spitz container are detachably configured. A cube-shaped container for a urine dispensing kit, characterized in that.

2. The cup container includes left and right side plates, a bottom plate, and an upper plate, and is configured such that the side surface is open in the front-rear direction. An opening is formed in the upper plate through which the urine collection cup can be inserted to support the upper part of the urine collection cup. The cube-shaped container for a urine dispensing kit according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. The opening in the upper plate of the cup container has a notch such that a part of the side surface of the accommodated urine collection cup is completely exposed. The cube-shaped container for a urine dispensing kit according to claim 2, characterized in that.

4. The bottom plate of the cup container is provided with an inclined portion for supporting the accommodated urine collection cup in an inclined manner. The cube-shaped container for a urine dispensing kit according to claim 2, characterized in that.

5. The suction tip has a cylindrical body portion for sucking and storing urine, and a suction port portion having a diameter smaller than at least the body portion for sucking and dispensing urine. A recess having a diameter into which the suction port portion of the suction tip fits but the tip of the spitz does not fit is provided at the bottom of the spitz storage section. The cube-shaped container for a urine dispensing kit according to claim 1, characterized in that.

6. A urine dispensing device for dispensing urine from a urine collection cup into a spitz using the cube-shaped container for a urine dispensing kit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A container mounting tray on which the cube-shaped container for urine dispensing can be placed, A tray transfer device for transferring the container mounting tray back and forth, A dispensing arm device configured to attach the suction tip and dispense urine on the transfer path of the spitz container of the mounted cube-shaped container for urine dispensing kit during the transfer of the container mounting tray, A label attaching device for attaching a child specimen identification label to an adjacent spitz while the dispensing arm device is attaching the suction tip and dispensing urine, A control device for controlling the operations of the respective devices. A urine dispensing device, characterized in that it is provided with.

7. Comprising a first reading device for reading parental specimen identification information from a label pre-attached to the urine collection cup accommodated in the cube-shaped container for urine dispensing kit. The first reading device is arranged in front of the transfer direction of the container mounting tray so as to face the urine collection cup accommodated in the cube-shaped container for the urine collection kit. When the cube-shaped container for the urine collection kit is mounted on the container mounting tray, the first reading device is configured to be able to read the parent specimen identification information from the label attached to the urine collection cup. The urine collection device according to claim 6, characterized in that.

8. The label affixing device is a label creating and affixing device that creates an identification label by printing and / or storing child specimen identification information corresponding to the parent specimen identification information on the label and affixes the created identification label to the spitz. The label creating and affixing device is configured to print and / or store the child specimen identification information on the label based on the parent specimen identification information read by the first reading device. The urine collection device according to claim 7, characterized in that.

9. The dispensing arm device includes an arm configured to rotate and move between a storage position, a suction tip attachment position, a urine suction position, and a urine dispensing position, and a tip attachment portion provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the arm. The urine collection device according to claim 6, characterized in that.

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