Analyte storage container, container lid, and use method for container

Abstract

To provide a container that can prevents exposure of harmful matter such as inhalation of volatile formalin when a worker injects fixative such as formalin into an analyte storage container at an analyte treatment site such as a hospital, and enables realization of both excellent workability and cost reduction.SOLUTION: In an analyte storage container, a lid of the container has a recess with a hole on a bottom surface, and a grommet is inserted into the hole to ensure airtightness of the container. The container also is provided a recess having a cut or pleated structure on the bottom surface of the lid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container for storing a specimen and a lid for the container, and particularly to a container for preventing exposure to harmful substances in the biological tissue examination process, typically a container for storing a specimen pickled in formalin and a lid for the container. The present invention also relates to a method of using this container.

Background Art

[0002] Formalin is a chemical substance with obvious harmfulness and danger. However, when injecting a formalin solution into a container for specimen treatment, there is a possibility of inhaling volatile formalin, posing a health risk to the operator. The operation of injecting a formalin solution with the lid of the container open is basically prohibited. However, in many hospitals, specimens are placed in commercially available soft tappers and other containers, and the formalin solution is injected with the lid of the container open. This is the current situation.

[0003] According to the risk estimation method in accordance with CREATE SIMPLE used in the risk assessment since 2023, the risk level is estimated to be high for the formalin injection operation with the lid open, while the risk level can be estimated to be low for the injection operation inside a sealed container.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a dedicated container for storing a specimen pickled in formalin, and a structure for eliminating the possibility of inhaling volatile formalin is disclosed. On the other hand, at the site of specimen treatment in hospitals and the like, it is necessary to quickly immerse the specimen in a fixing solution such as formalin. However, using the special container for storing specimens described in Patent Document 1 has operational problems that the work is complicated and quick specimen treatment cannot be achieved. In addition, due to the complex structure, the container may be relatively expensive, and there are also cost issues in hospitals that use many containers.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a container that can prevent exposure to harmful substances such as inhaling volatile formalin when an operator injects a fixing solution such as formalin into a container for storing a specimen at the site of specimen processing in a hospital or the like, and can achieve both workability and cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The container for storing a specimen in the present invention is provided with a recess having a hole in the bottom surface on the lid of the container, and a grommet is inserted into the hole to ensure the airtightness of the container. Also, the container has a recess having a bottom surface with a non-cut or pleated structure on the lid of the container. Further, the present invention is configured to ensure the airtightness of the container by directly opening a hole without providing a recess in the flat portion of the lid of the container and inserting a grommet into the hole. In addition, the present invention is provided with a storage pocket capable of containing a display such as a label on the lid or the side surface of the container.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a storage container that can prevent exposure of operators to harmful substances at the site of specimen processing in a hospital or the like and can achieve both workability and cost.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0011] (Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a container for storing specimens according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) is an external view for explaining the overall structure of the container, and FIG. 1(b) is a side view when the container is viewed from the side.

[0012] In FIG. 1, the container 10 is a container for immersing a specimen (not shown) using a fixing solution such as formalin solution. The lid 20 of the container is a lid for sealing the container, and the lid 20 of the container of the present invention is provided with a hole and a cut 70 in a depression 30 for injecting the fixing solution. FIG. 10 is a view of various specific examples of the cut 70 provided in the depression 30 as seen from above. In FIG. 10, the cut 70 is a straight cut, but it may also be a curve, a cut rotated in a spiral shape, or a cut in a small circle at the center. Also, the shape of the depression 30 may be spherical or cubic.

[0013] The container 10 and the lid 20 of the container are suitable for commercially available food storage containers using materials such as PP (polypropylene) resin, PE (polyethylene) resin, PPSU (polyphenylsulfone) resin, etc. However, even containers using other materials are acceptable as long as they ensure airtightness, do not deteriorate due to the influence of the fixing solution, etc., and do not affect the specimen and the fixing solution. Regarding the degree of airtightness, any container that ensures airtightness or hermeticity is acceptable, and it is not necessarily required to be sealed. Also, in FIG. 1, a horizontally long cubic container is shown, but there is no particular problem as long as airtightness can be ensured for circular containers, etc. The stopper 40 is a stopper for preventing the evaporation of gas from the cut 70 and liquid leakage when carrying the container. When not injecting the fixing solution, the stopper 40 is inserted into the depression 30 with the cut 70 to seal it. The stopper 40 is preferably made of a rubber material but is not limited to a rubber material. There is no problem as long as it is a material that ensures airtightness and does not deteriorate due to the influence of the fixing solution, etc.

[0014] The position of the recess 30 with the notch 70 is preferably provided at an appropriate position according to the tank for injecting the fixing liquid. Specifically, the outlet of the poly-tank where a liquid such as formalin is stored often has its center at a linear distance of about 4 to 7 cm from the end of the poly-tank placed at the end of the table, and there is often a structure with a cylindrical faucet with a cock with a diameter of about 1 to 1.5 cm attached thereto. Therefore, the distance from the edge of the lid of the container to the center of the recess 30 is preferably about 4 cm, and the notch 70 is preferably about 1.5 cm in length. If the shape of the lid of the container is square, the recess 30 is provided at a position having an equal distance of about 4 cm from two sides of the edge of the container lid, or when the length of the container lid is short and the recess 30 cannot be provided at this part, the recess 30 is provided at the central part of the lid which is an equal position from each side, so that the insertion of the tank outlet during the injection of the fixing liquid becomes stable. Also, if the shape of the lid of the container is circular, it is desirable to provide the recess 30 at a position at a distance of about 4 cm from a point on the edge, or at the center of the container lid.

[0015] In the above description, the recess in the lid 20 of the container has been described as one, but it may have a plurality of recesses, and holes and notches for injecting the fixing liquid may be provided in each recess.

[0016] Also, holes and notches may be directly provided in the flat part of the lid without providing a recess in the lid 20 of the container.

[0017] With the above configuration, the operator can inject a fixing liquid such as formalin solution without opening the lid 20 of the container, so that exposure to harmful formalin gas or the like can be prevented. Also, the operation of the operator for injecting the fixing liquid is simple, and the lid of the container is made of a relatively inexpensive material and has a simple structure, so there are also great advantages in terms of cost.

[0018] In the above embodiments, specific examples have been described in order to explain the concept of the present invention. However, various configurations are conceivable for the configuration of providing a notch or the like for injecting the fixing liquid in the lid of the container and ensuring airtightness, and the details will be described in the following examples.

[0019] (Example 1) Example 1 has a structure in which a hole is provided in the bottom surface of the depression 30 of the lid 20 of the container, and a rubber grommet is inserted into the hole. Here, the rubber grommet is a grommet with a film, and the same applies to other embodiments unless otherwise specified.

[0020] <Example 1-1> Figure 2(a) shows a structure in which a grommet 50 with a cut on the lower surface is inserted into the hole in the bottom surface of the depression 30, and the upper surface of the grommet 50 is sealed with a rubber stopper 41 that fits the inner diameter of the grommet 50. When injecting a fixing solution such as formalin solution, the rubber stopper 41 is removed, and after injection, the rubber stopper 41 is inserted.

[0021] <Example 1-2> Figure 2(b) shows a structure in which a grommet 52 with a cut on the lower or upper surface is inserted into the hole in the bottom surface of the depression 30 of the lid 20 of the container, and a grommet 53 without a cut is inserted on the upper part. A support member 31 is provided horizontally from the side surface of the depression 30 to support the grommet 53 inserted by the support member 31. When injecting a fixing solution such as formalin solution, the grommet 53 is removed, and after injection, the grommet 53 is inserted. In the structure of this Example 1-2, compared with Example 1-1, the sealing performance is improved.

[0022] <Example 1-3> Figure 2(c) shows a structure in which a grommet 52 with a cut on the lower or upper surface is inserted into the hole in the bottom surface of the depression 30 of the lid 20 of the container, and a grommet 51 with a cut is inserted on the upper part. A support member 31 is provided horizontally from the side surface of the depression 30 to support the grommet 51 inserted by the support member 31. In this Example 1-3, although it is slightly inferior in terms of sealing performance compared with Example 1-1 and Example 1-2, it does not require the trouble of removing the grommet when injecting the individual liquid, and the operability is improved.

[0023] <Example 1-4> Figure 2(d) shows a structure in which a grommet 52 with a cut on the lower or upper surface is inserted into the hole at the bottom of the depression 30 of the lid 20 of the container, and a multi-layered grommet 54 is inserted at the upper part. The multi-layered grommet 54 is provided with multi-layered support members 31 in the horizontal direction from the side surface of the depression 30, and each layer of the grommet 51 inserted is supported by the support members 31 of each layer.

[0024] When the multi-layered grommet 54 is a grommet without a cut, the sealing performance is improved compared with Example 1-2. When the multi-layered grommet 54 is a grommet with a cut, the sealing performance is also improved compared with Example 1-3.

[0025] According to Example 1 described above, since there is no convex portion on the upper surface of the lid 20 of the container, it is possible to stack the containers 10, which is very advantageous in hospitals and the like where it is necessary to store a large number of containers.

[0026] (Example 2) Figure 3 shows a structure in which a grommet 52 with a cut on the lower or upper surface is inserted into the hole at the bottom of the depression 30 of the lid 20 of the container, and a rubber stopper 42 covering the entire depression 30 is inserted above the grommet 52 except when injecting the fixing liquid. The grommet 52 is preferably made of rubber. The rubber stopper 42 is preferably made of silicone rubber. According to this example, very high sealing performance can be ensured.

[0027] (Example 3) Figure 4 shows a structure in which a pleated structure 60 is provided on the bottom surface of the depression 30 of the lid 20 of the container, a grommet 50 with a cut on its lower surface is inserted above it, and the upper surface of the grommet 50 is sealed with a rubber stopper 41 that fits the inner diameter of the grommet 50. A support member 31 is provided horizontally from the side surface of the depression 30 to support the grommet 50 inserted by the support member 31. The rubber stopper 41 is inserted except when injecting the fixing liquid. A specific example of the pleated structure 60 is shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 110(a) shows a configuration in which two petal-shaped elastic bodies are arranged adjacent to each other as the pleated structure 60, and a part of the two petals is arranged so as to overlap. Fig. 11(b) shows a configuration in which three petal-shaped elastic bodies are arranged in a triangle as the pleated structure 60, and a part of the three petal-shaped elastic bodies is arranged so as to overlap. Each petal-shaped elastic body is preferably made of a soft material, such as PP (polypropylene) resin, but is not limited thereto. It should be noted that if the degree of overlap of the petal-shaped elastic bodies is too weak, the sealing performance cannot be ensured, so it is necessary to pay attention to arranging the petal-shaped elastic bodies so as to have an appropriate overlap.

[0028] (Example 4) <Example 4-1> Fig. 5(a) shows a structure in which a cut 70 is directly provided on the bottom surface of the depression 30 of the lid 20 of the container. Although there is a concern that the sealing performance may be slightly weakened in this structure, the processing is easy and the cost advantage is great.

[0029] <Example 4-2> Fig. 5(b) shows a structure in which a pleated structure 60 is directly provided on the bottom surface of the depression 30 of the lid 20 of the container. Although the processing becomes slightly more complicated compared to Example 4-1, this structure has the advantage of improved sealing performance.

[0030] In addition, in this Example 4, it is also possible to cover the depression 30 with a rubber stopper or the like as necessary.

[0031] (Example 5) <Example 5-1> Figure 6(a) shows a structure in which a pleated structure 60 is provided directly on the bottom surface of the recess 30 of the lid 20 of the container, and a grommet 52 with a cut on its lower or upper surface is inserted on top of it. A support member 31 is provided horizontally from the side surface of the recess 30 to support the grommet 52 inserted by the support member 31.

[0032] According to this structure, there is an advantage that even if the number of pleats is smaller compared to Example 4-2, airtightness equal to or higher than that can be ensured.

[0033] <Example 5-2> Figure 6(b) shows a structure in which a pleated structure 60 is provided directly on the bottom surface of the recess 30 of the lid 20 of the container, and a grommet 50 without a cut is inserted as a lid on top of it. A support member 31 is provided horizontally from the side surface of the recess 30 to support the grommet 50 inserted by the support member 31.

[0034] According to this structure, when injecting a fixing solution such as formalin solution, it is necessary to remove the grommet 50 and insert the grommet 50 after injection. However, higher airtightness can be ensured compared to Example 5-1.

[0035] (Example 6) Figure 7 shows a structure in which a pleated structure 60 is provided directly on the bottom surface of the recess 30 of the lid 20 of the container, and a rubber stopper 42 that covers the entire recess 30 is inserted except when injecting the fixing solution. According to this example, even if the number of pleats is small, very high airtightness can be ensured.

[0036] (Example 7) Figure 8(a) shows a configuration in which a pleated structure 60 is provided directly on the bottom surface of the recess 30 of the lid 20 of the container, and a pleated structure 60 is further provided from the side surface of the recess 30 on the upper part. According to this example, the airtightness is improved, and the operability and durability are also excellent.

[0037] In addition, as shown in Figure 8(b), the pleated structure 60 provided from the side surface may be a multi-layer structure, for example, three to four layers or the like. By making it a multi-layer structure, the airtightness is enhanced.

[0038] (Example 8) Figure 9 shows a structure in which a grommet 50, which has no depression provided in the lid 20 of the container and has a hole directly in the flat part, is inserted into the hole, and a cut is made on the lower surface and a rubber stopper 41 that fits the inner diameter of the grommet is fitted on the upper surface. When injecting a fixing solution such as formalin solution, the rubber stopper 41 is fitted to maintain a sealed state except when injecting the fixing solution. With this structure, although it becomes difficult to stack and store the containers 10, there is an advantage that the processing of the lid 20 of the container is very simple and the present invention can be realized at low cost. In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, a rubber grommet is used, but the material is not limited to rubber. Any material that ensures airtightness and does not deteriorate due to the influence of a fixing solution or the like is acceptable.

[0039] (Modification of the Embodiment) As described in the above embodiment, according to the present invention, when an operator injects a fixing solution such as formalin into a container for storing a specimen at the site of specimen processing in a hospital or the like, it is possible to provide a container that can prevent exposure to harmful substances such as inhaling volatile formalin and achieve both workability and cost.

[0040] Here, formalin is a "substance that may cause danger or health hazard to workers", and it is obligatory to carry out label display and delivery and dissemination of SDS (Safety Data Sheet) based on laws and regulations (Article 24-14 and Article 24-15 of the Industrial Safety and Health Regulations (Ministry of Labor Order No. 32 of 1972)). In principle, the label display needs to be attached to the container or a tag (a label attached to a chemical container) needs to be used, and direct attachment to the actual item on site is required. On the other hand, the "delivery" obligation of SDS can be managed not only by distributing documents but also by an electronic method (for example, a two-dimensional barcode (QR code (registered trademark), etc.) that can be accessed via a homepage). The "dissemination" obligation requires any one of posting, installation, delivery of a written document, recording on an electronic medium, and installing on a device.

[0041] For "sub - containers", it is necessary to "display" with "name and effects on the human body" as the minimum requirements. As methods of display, in addition to labels pasted on the surface of the container, etc., there are methods such as delivering documents, numbering the containers, samples, etc. used to create a list, creating a file summarizing the corresponding information, and posting information in units of the place, etc.

[0042] The container according to the present invention is a storage container for small - portioned formalin, etc., and since it corresponds to a "sub - container", it is necessary to "display" with "name and effects on the human body" as the minimum constituent requirements. Also, in order to simultaneously fulfill the "delivery" obligation and the "notification" obligation for SDS, it can be realized by adding a two - dimensional barcode (such as QR Code (registered trademark)) that can be read by a smartphone to the display. Thereby, even when it is necessary to move the container from the operating room to the pathology laboratory where specimen tests are performed, it can be managed without losing information.

[0043] Therefore, in a modification of this embodiment, a card - case - type storage pocket is added as a label display on the lid or side surface of the container to meet the regulations, and a label can be inserted therein.

[0044] Figure 12 is a top view and a side view of the specimen storage container in the modification of the embodiment, in which a card - case - type storage pocket is formed in the container described in the above - mentioned embodiment. Figure 12(a) is an example in which the storage pocket 80 is formed in the lid 20 of the container, and Figure 12(b) is an example in which the storage pocket 80 is formed on the side surface of the container 10. The storage pocket 80 may be in a place integrated with the container as long as it is other than the lid 20 of the container and the side surface of the container  10.

[0045] The storage pocket 80 is in a form that can insert and hold information printed matter such as labels, and it is desirable that the content can be seen from the outside with a transparent material. Note that the transparent material only needs to be such that the characters and symbols printed on the information printed matter such as labels inside the storage pocket 80 can be visually seen from the outside. It is also assumed that printed documents can be folded and placed in the storage pocket 80. The size can be arbitrary. For example, it can be about 30 characters × 10 pt including the minimum information required for label display, or it can be about A5 size when the printed matter of SDS is folded.

[0046] The shape of the storage pocket 80 can be in the form of a card case or a fold-back type. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the storage pocket 80. FIG. 13(a) is in the form of a card case, and FIG. 13(b) has a fold-back 81. Note that the storage pocket 80 can be directly formed on the lid 20 of the container or the container 10, or can be attached later to the lid 20 of the container or the container 10 with an adhesive or the like in the production process.

[0047] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the label 90. The label 90 has "name, effect on the human body" as the minimum constituent elements, and may optionally include information specified in JIS Z 7253 (Method for communicating dangerous and harmful information of chemicals based on GHS - Labels, in-workplace displays, and safety data sheets (SDS)), or emergency response procedures required for each workplace. FIG. 14(a) is a label with "name, effect on the human body" 91 printed or pasted on the label 90, and FIG. 14(b) is a label with a two-dimensional barcode 92 further printed or pasted on the label 90 to simultaneously fulfill the "delivery" obligation and the "notification" obligation for the SDS. Note that the two-dimensional barcode 92 can be directly printed or pasted on the lid, side surface, upper surface of the grommet, etc. of the container.

[0048] According to a modification of this embodiment, it becomes possible to provide the label display and the like obligatory by law in a simple and user-friendly form when handling in a small storage container such as formalin.

[0049] The embodiments, examples, and modified examples of the embodiments according to the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, examples, and modified examples of the embodiments, and various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0050] 10 Container 20 Lid of the container 30 Depression in the lid of the container 31 Support member 40 Plug 41 Rubber plug that fits the inner diameter of the grommet 42 Rubber plug that covers the depression in the lid of the container 50 Grommet with a cut at the bottom 52 Grommet with a cut at the bottom or top 53 Grommet without a cut 54 Multi-layered grommet 60 Pleated structure provided on the bottom surface of the depression in the lid of the container 70 Hole or cut provided on the bottom surface of the depression in the lid of the container 80 Storage pocket 81 Fold-back 90 Label 91 Example of display of "Name, action on the human body" 92 Example of display of two-dimensional barcode

Claims

1. A container for storing a specimen, wherein a recess having a hole at the bottom surface is provided in the lid of the container, and the airtightness of the container is ensured by inserting a grommet into the hole.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein a support member is provided horizontally from the side surface of the upper part of the recess, and the airtightness of the container is ensured by inserting a grommet using the support member as a support.

3. A container for storing a specimen, wherein a recess having a cut at the bottom surface is provided in the lid of the container.

4. A container for storing a specimen, wherein a pleated structure is provided on the bottom surface of the lid of the container.

5. The container according to claim 4, wherein a support member is provided horizontally from the side surface of the upper part of the recess, and the airtightness of the container is ensured by inserting a grommet using the support member as a support.

6. The container according to claim 4, wherein a pleated structure is further provided horizontally from the side surface of the recess.

7. The container according to claim 4, wherein the pleated structure is a structure in which a plurality of petal-shaped elastic bodies are stacked.

8. A container for storing a specimen, wherein a hole is provided in the lid of the container, and the airtightness of the container is ensured by inserting a grommet into the hole.

9. A method of using the container according to claim 1, inserting a grommet that can be fitted with a rubber stopper that matches the inner diameter of the grommet on the upper surface and has a cut on the lower surface into the hole at the bottom surface of the recess, A method of using a container, in which the rubber stopper is fitted to maintain a sealed state except when injecting a fixing solution such as formalin solution.

10. A method of using the container according to claim 2, inserting a grommet with a cut on the lower or upper surface into the hole at the bottom surface of the recess, and inserting a grommet without a cut using the support member as a support to maintain a sealed state except when injecting a fixing solution such as formalin solution.

11. A method of using the container according to claim 2, inserting a grommet with a cut on the lower or upper surface into the hole at the bottom surface of the recess, and inserting a grommet with a cut using the support member as a support to maintain a sealed state.

12. A method of using the container according to claim 1, Into the hole at the bottom surface of the recess, insert a grommet with a cut on the lower or upper surface, and when not injecting a fixing solution such as formalin solution, insert a rubber stopper that entirely covers the recess on top of the grommet to maintain a sealed state. A method of using the container.

13. A method of using the container according to claim 5, Insert a grommet with a cut on the lower surface and a rubber stopper that fits the inner diameter of the grommet on the upper surface, using the support member as a support. A method of using the container, wherein when not injecting a fixing solution such as formalin solution, fit the rubber stopper to maintain a sealed state.

14. A method of using the container according to claim 5, A method of using the container, wherein using the support member as a support, insert a grommet with a cut on the lower or upper surface to maintain a sealed state.

15. A method of using the container according to claim 5, A method of using the container, wherein when not injecting a fixing solution such as formalin solution, insert a grommet with a cut to maintain a sealed state.

16. A method of using the container according to claim 5, wherein when not injecting a fixing solution such as formalin solution, insert a rubber stopper that entirely covers the recess to maintain a sealed state.

17. A method of using the container according to claim 8, wherein insert a grommet with a cut on the lower surface and a rubber stopper that fits the inner diameter of the grommet on the upper surface into the hole, and when not injecting a fixing solution such as formalin solution, fit the rubber stopper to maintain a sealed state.

18. The container according to any one of claims 1, 3, 4, and 8, provided with a transparent storage pocket on the side surface of the container capable of containing a display item such as a label.

19. A lid for the container used in the container according to any one of claims 1, 3, 4, and 8.

20. The lid for the container according to claim 19, provided with a transparent storage pocket capable of containing a display item such as a label.

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