Specimen sampling tool

Abstract

To provide a specimen sampling tool that can quantify specimen liquid to be sampled.SOLUTION: A specimen sampling tool comprises a tube 11 and a sampling rod 21. The tube 11 comprises an internal space 14 continuous from an insertion port 13 and accommodating specimen liquid. The sampling rod 21 comprises a shaft part 22, and an absorber 23 supported by the shaft part 22 penetrating therethrough and absorbing and holding the specimen liquid in an amount larger than the minimum amount of specimen liquid necessary for inspection. The sampling rod 21 is inserted into the internal space 14 from the insertion port 13, with the absorber 23 absorbing and holding the specimen liquid, the tube 11 is pressed and deformed to squeeze the absorber 23, and the specimen liquid squeezed out of the absorber 23 is retained at the bottom 12 of the internal space 14. With the absorber 23 being not squeezed, a lower end 23a of the absorber 23 is located above the surface of the minimum amount of specimen liquid retained in the internal space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a specimen collection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Over-the-counter (OTC) kits for collecting urine and other liquid samples from living bodies use swabs such as cotton swabs. The user must extract the required amount of urine or other liquid sample from the swab into a tube, cup, or other container.

[0003] Although specimen collection devices such as those described in Patent Document 1 are also used, kits such as those described above are often used in OTC and other settings. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6931839 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, users who are not familiar with sample collection have difficulty extracting the sample from the swab. For example, they have to squeeze out the sample liquid by handling the swab, but the sample liquid once squeezed out can be reabsorbed by the swab, making it difficult to extract the required amount of sample liquid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A sample collection device for solving the above problems includes a tube for collecting sample liquid, the tube having an insertion opening and an internal space for containing the sample liquid, and a collection rod including a shaft and an absorbent body through which the shaft passes and is supported, the absorbent body absorbing and retaining the sample liquid in an amount greater than the minimum amount required for testing. The collection rod is inserted into the internal space through the insertion opening with the absorbent body absorbing and retaining the sample liquid, and the tube is pressed and deformed, and the absorbent body is handled, so that the sample liquid squeezed out of the absorbent body is stored at the bottom of the internal space. When the absorbent body is not handled, the lower end of the absorbent body is located above the liquid level of the minimum amount of sample liquid stored in the internal space.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the absorbent body of the sampling rod can absorb and retain the required amount of sample liquid. The sample liquid can be squeezed out by inserting the sampling rod into the internal space of the tube and then compressing and deforming the tube, thereby allowing the squeezed sample liquid to be stored in the internal space of the tube.

[0008] The lower end of the absorbent is positioned above the liquid level when the sample liquid is stored in the internal space. As a result, even if the lower end of the absorbent is immersed in the sample liquid and sucked again after handling, the absorbent will no longer reabsorb any more sample liquid once the lower end of the absorbent is separated from the liquid level. This allows the amount of sample liquid stored in the internal space to be quantified.

[0009] In the above-mentioned specimen collecting device, the bottom of the internal space may be configured to have a butt section against which the insertion end of the sampling rod butts. With this configuration, when the sampling rod is inserted into the internal space, the insertion end butts against the butt section, thereby defining the position of the absorber in the internal space.

[0010] In the above-described specimen collection tool, the collection rod may be configured to include a tip cap that is press-fitted onto the tip of the shaft that constitutes the insertion end of the collection rod. According to this configuration, the tip cap can be easily attached to the tip of the shaft by press-fitting. Furthermore, the tip cap is attached to one end of the shaft by press-fitting without using adhesive. This prevents components of the adhesive from mixing with the specimen liquid.

[0011] In the specimen collection device, the tube includes an attachment portion that forms the insertion opening and allows a nozzle to be attached to the insertion opening. The region below the attachment portion may be more susceptible to deformation under pressure than the attachment portion, and the upper end of the absorber may be positioned below the attachment portion when the collection rod is inserted into the internal space.

[0012] With this configuration, the nozzle can be securely attached to the attachment part, and the tube can be pressed and deformed at the lower part of the attachment part to handle the absorber. By fitting the nozzle to the attachment part, which has a relatively high strength, it is possible to prevent the tube from deforming when the nozzle is attached, which can cause the nozzle to fall off or cause poor dripping.

[0013] In the specimen collection tool, the collection rod may be configured so that a non-slip cap is provided at the base end opposite the tip of the shaft, making it easier for the user to grasp the non-slip cap of the collection rod and insert it into the internal space of the tube through the insertion opening. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, the collected sample liquid can be quantified. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the specimen collecting tool according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the tube, sampling rod, and nozzle in this embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a side view of the specimen collecting tool according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the state in which the sample liquid is absorbed and held in the absorbent body of the sampling rod in this embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the sampling rod of this embodiment is inserted into a tube. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the absorbent body of this embodiment is being handled. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the sample liquid is stored in the tube after the absorbent body in this embodiment has been treated. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a nozzle is attached to a tube storing a sample liquid in this embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a state in which a sample liquid is being dropped onto the test kit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A specimen collecting tool to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. 〔tube〕 As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the specimen collection device 10 includes a tube 11 and a collection rod 21. The tube 11 is a long, slender, cylindrical container with a bottom. The tube 11 is resistant to liquid buffer solutions, stabilizers, test solvents, and other solvents. The tube 11 is a resin molded product made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, ABS, or acrylic resin, and is flexible enough to allow a user to pinch it with their fingers and deform it by pressing. The tube 11 includes a bottom 12 at one end and an insertion opening 13 at the other end. The tube 11 includes an internal space 14 that is continuous with the insertion opening 13. The tube 11 includes an attachment portion 15 and a flange 16 at the position of the insertion opening 13.

[0017] The bottom 12 is provided with an abutment portion 17 at the deepest part of the internal space 14. The abutment portion 17 is a protrusion that protrudes from the deepest part of the internal space 14 in the direction of the insertion opening 13. The insertion end of the sampling rod 21 inserted through the insertion opening 13 abuts against the abutment portion 17. In this way, the abutment portion 17 determines the position of the absorber 23 in the vertical direction within the internal space 14.

[0018] The flange 16 circumferentially protrudes outward from the outer peripheral surface at the position of the insertion opening 13. The mounting section 15 has a certain width from the insertion opening 13. The mounting section 15 is the portion into which the nozzle 18 for dropping sample liquid into the test kit 30 is inserted through the insertion opening 13 and fitted. For this reason, the mounting section 15 is thicker than the portion below the mounting section 15, making it an area that is less susceptible to deformation under pressure.

[0019] The insertion opening 13 may be sealed with a seal when not in use, thereby keeping the internal space 14 clean until use. As an example of the seal, a peel film may be used.

[0020] Here, nozzle 18 includes tubular portion 18a that can be fitted into mounting portion 15, and nozzle portion 18b provided on tubular portion 18a. Nozzle 18 is fitted into mounting portion 15 by inserting tubular portion 18a through insertion port 13. Nozzle portion 18b drips the sample liquid stored in internal space 14 by tilting tube 11 so that nozzle 18 faces downward.

[0021] The tube 11 has a shape in which the outer diameter D1 and the inner diameter D2 gradually decrease from below the mounting portion 15 toward the lower end, thereby making the tube 11 easy to lean against a stand or the like.

[0022] [Collection stick] The sampling rod 21 includes a shaft 22 and an absorber 23. The shaft 22 is a straight rod-like member. The length of the shaft 22 is longer than the length from the lower end of the tube 11 to the flange 16. A tip cap 24 is disposed on one end of the shaft 22, and an anti-slip cap 25 is disposed on the other end.

[0023] The absorbent body 23 is a porous elastic body, such as a melamine sponge. The absorbent body 23 has a cylindrical shape. The shaft portion 22 passes through and is supported along the central axis of the absorbent body 23. The absorbent body 23 has absorption characteristics such as volume and absorption rate that can absorb and hold at least the minimum amount of sample liquid required for testing. In this embodiment, the absorbent body 23 absorbs and holds a specified sample liquid volume or a volume greater than the specified sample liquid volume. The specified sample liquid volume is the minimum sample liquid volume or a volume greater than the minimum sample liquid volume. Furthermore, the specified sample liquid volume is an appropriate volume for the capacity of the tube 11 when storing sample liquid in the tube 11, so that the sample liquid will not overflow or spill during operation.

[0024] The absorber 23 is disposed at a position closer to one end of the shaft portion 22 where the tip cap 24 is disposed than to the other end of the shaft portion 22 where the anti-slip cap 25 is disposed. The absorber 23 is disposed at a position on the shaft portion 22 where it can be housed in the tube 11. Preferably, the absorber 23 is disposed so as to be located lower than the attachment portion 15.

[0025] The tip cap 24 is a cap with a curved tip, into which one end of the stem 22 is press-fitted. The tip of the tip cap 24 forms the insertion end when the sampling rod 21 is inserted through the insertion opening 13. The tip cap 24 is, for example, a molded product made of polyvinyl chloride. When the tip of the tip cap 24 is inserted all the way into the internal space 14, it abuts against the abutment portion 17. The tip cap 24 is attached by press-fitting to the one end of the stem 22, rather than by using an adhesive. This prevents the components of the adhesive used to secure the tip cap 24 from mixing with the sample liquid.

[0026] The lower end 23a of the absorber 23 abuts against the base end of the tip cap 24 fixed to one end of the shaft 22. This defines the position of the absorber 23 on the shaft 22. The tip of the tip cap 24, i.e., the insertion end of the sampling rod 21, abuts against the abutment portion 17, thereby defining the position of the absorber 23 in the internal space 14.

[0027] The non-slip cap 25 is also a cap with a curved tip, into which the other end (base end) of the shaft 22 is press-fitted. The end of the shaft 22 on which the non-slip cap 25 is placed is the end opposite to the end on which the tip cap 24 is placed. The non-slip cap 25 is also, for example, a molded product made of polyvinyl chloride. The non-slip cap 25 is used as a grip. Since the non-slip cap 25 is not a part that comes into contact with the sample liquid, it may be fixed to the other end of the shaft 22 with an adhesive rather than being press-fitted. The non-slip cap 25 is also positioned so that it is exposed from the insertion port 13 even when the tip cap 24 is abutted against the abutment portion 17.

[0028] [Positional relationship between absorber and tube] 3 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the sampling rod 21 is inserted into the tube 11 until the insertion end abuts against the abutment portion 17, with the nozzle 18 superimposed thereon. The position of the lower end 23a of the absorber 23 is determined when the insertion end of the sampling rod 21 abuts against the abutment portion 17. In this state, the upper end 23b of the absorber 23 is located below the lower end of the attachment portion 15.

[0029] 3, tube 11 needs to store at least the minimum amount of sample liquid required for testing. Therefore, when tube 11 is not deformed by pressure, lower end 23a of absorber 23 is set to be located above liquid surface 31a of sample liquid 31 when a specified amount of sample liquid is stored in internal space 14 (see FIG. 7).

[0030] When tube 11 is pressed and deformed, absorber 23 is handled, and more sample liquid than the specified volume may be squeezed out, causing lower end 23a of absorber 23 to become immersed in the sample liquid surface. In such a case, absorber 23 re-absorbs sample liquid 31 that was squeezed out as tube 11 returns to its original shape. Even in such a case, once sample liquid surface 31a of sample liquid 31 becomes lower than lower end 23a of absorber 23 due to re-absorption, the sample liquid is no longer re-absorbed into absorber 23. As a result, it is possible to prevent the amount of sample liquid stored from falling below the specified volume.

[0031] Additionally, upper end 23b of absorber 23 is located below mounting part 15. Absorber 23, which absorbs and retains sample liquid 31, is handled by compressing and deforming tube 11, and sample liquid 31 squeezed out of absorber 23 is stored in bottom part 12 of internal space 14. Therefore, upper end 23b of absorber 23 is located below mounting part 15, which is relatively less susceptible to compressive deformation, so that the entire absorber 23 can be firmly handled even through tube 11.

[0032] Furthermore, the outer diameter of the absorber 23 is configured to be smaller than the inner diameter of the portion of the tube 11 where the absorber 23 is located. This makes it easier to insert the collection rod 21 into the tube 11. Even if the outer diameter of the absorber 23 is smaller than the inner diameter of the portion of the tube 11 where the absorber 23 is located, the absorber 23 can be handled by pressing and deforming the tube 11.

[0033] [How to use] 4, sample liquid 31 such as urine is absorbed and retained in absorber 23 of sampling rod 21. Here, the sample liquid may be absorbed and retained in absorber 23 by directly pouring the sample liquid onto absorber 23, or by immersing absorber 23 in sample liquid stored in a reservoir such as a cup. Here, absorber 23 absorbs and retains a specified amount of sample liquid or an amount of liquid greater than the specified amount of sample liquid.

[0034] Next, as shown in Figure 5, the sampling rod 21 is inserted into the internal space 14 through the insertion port 13 from the insertion end provided with the tip cap 24. The sampling rod 21 is inserted until the insertion end abuts against the abutment portion 17. When this happens, the absorber 23 is positioned below the attachment portion 15. The portion of the tube 11 below the attachment portion 15 is prone to deformation due to pressure.

[0035] Next, as shown in FIG. 6 , the region of tube 11 below attachment portion 15 is pinched with fingers or the like and compressed and deformed. As a result, absorber 23 is handled via tube 11. Tube 11 may be compressed and deformed with fingers or the like once or multiple times. While absorber 23 is being handled, the amount of absorbed and held sample liquid 31 changes depending on the degree of contraction of absorber 23, and the amount of sample liquid 31 squeezed out and stored in internal space 14 and the height of liquid surface 31a also change. If tube 11 is compressed and absorber 23 is compressed, liquid surface 31a will rise and may even immerse at lower end 23a of absorber 23. When absorber 23 returns to its original contraction, if sample liquid 31 is immersed at lower end 23a of absorber 23, it will be reabsorbed.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 7, when the work of compressing and deforming tube 11 and handling absorber 23 is completed, sample liquid 31 squeezed out from absorber 23 is stored in internal space 14. At least a specified volume of sample liquid 31 is stored in internal space 14. When tube 11 is not compressed and deformed, lower end 23a of absorber 23 is positioned above and separated from liquid surface 31a of sample liquid 31 stored in internal space 14. Even if lower end 23a of absorber 23 is immersed in sample liquid 31, re-absorption stops as soon as lower end 23a of absorber 23 separates from liquid surface 31a of the stored sample liquid 31. As a result, the sample liquid 31 stored in internal space 14 becomes at least the specified volume and is quantified.

[0037] It should be noted that even if the amount of sample liquid stored in internal space 14 is less than the specified sample liquid volume, it is acceptable as long as it is greater than the minimum sample liquid volume. If the amount of sample liquid stored in internal space 14 is less than the specified sample liquid volume, then liquid level 31a will be lower than liquid level 31a when the specified sample liquid volume is stored.

[0038] Thereafter, the sampling rod 21 is pulled out of the tube 11. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the nozzle 18 is attached to the attachment part 15 so as to close the insertion opening 13. Specifically, the tubular part 18a of the nozzle 18 is inserted through the insertion opening 13 and fitted into the attachment part 15. The attachment part 15 is thicker than the part below the attachment part 15. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the attachment of the nozzle 18 from deforming the tube 11, which would cause the nozzle 18 to fall off or cause poor dripping.

[0039] 9, the test kit 30 is, for example, an immunochromatography kit. The tube 11 is tilted so that the nozzle portion 18b faces downward, and the tube 11 is pressed and deformed, so that the specimen liquid 31 can be dripped onto the sample pad 30a of the test kit 30.

[0040] [Effects of the embodiment] The specimen collecting tool 10 as described above can achieve the following effects. (1) The specimen collecting device 10 can absorb and hold a required amount of specimen liquid 31 in the absorbent 23 of the collection rod 21. The specimen liquid 31 can be squeezed out of the absorbent 23 by inserting the collection rod 21 into the internal space 14 of the tube 11 and then compressing and deforming the tube 11. This allows the tube 11 to store the squeezed specimen liquid 31 in the internal space 14.

[0041] The lower end 23a of the absorber 23 is positioned above the liquid level 31a when a specified volume of sample liquid 31 is stored. Therefore, even if the lower end 23a of the absorber 23 is immersed in the sample liquid 31 and reabsorbs it immediately after handling, the absorber 23 will no longer reabsorb any more sample liquid 31 once the lower end 23a of the absorber 23 moves away from the liquid level 31a. The final volume of sample liquid 31 stored must be greater than the minimum volume, which is quantified here as the specified volume. The sample liquid 31 stored in the tube 11 can then be dropped from the nozzle 18 onto the sample pad 30a of the test kit 30 to perform the test.

[0042] (2) When the sampling rod 21 is inserted into the internal space 14, the insertion end formed by the tip cap 24 abuts against the abutment portion 17. This allows the position of the absorber 23 in the internal space 14 to be determined.

[0043] (3) The tip cap 24 can be easily attached to one end of the shaft portion 22 by press-fitting. Furthermore, the tip cap 24 can be attached to one end of the shaft portion 22 by press-fitting without using adhesive. This prevents the components of the adhesive from mixing with the sample liquid 31.

[0044] (4) The nozzle 18 can be securely attached to the attachment part 15, and the tube 11 can be pressed and deformed at the lower part of the attachment part 15 to handle the absorber 23. The nozzle 18 is fitted into the attachment part 15, which has a relatively high strength. This prevents the tube 11 from being deformed by the attachment of the nozzle 18, which can cause the nozzle 18 to fall off or cause poor dripping.

[0045] (5) The user can easily grasp the non-slip cap 25 of the sampling rod 21 and insert it into the internal space 14 through the insertion opening 13 of the tube 11. In other words, this makes it easier to absorb the sample liquid into the absorbent 23 and to insert the sampling rod 21 into the tube 11.

[0046] (6) The outer diameter of the absorber 23 is smaller than the inner diameter of the tube 11 at the location of the absorber 23. This makes it easier to insert the sampling rod 21 into the tube 11.

[0047] [Modification] The specimen collecting device 10 can also be modified as follows: In addition to the above-described embodiments, the specimen collecting device 10 may be implemented in the following modified examples, or in a form that combines at least two mutually consistent modified examples.

[0048] The outer diameter of the absorber 23 may be configured to be larger than the inner diameter of the tube 11 at the portion where the absorber 23 is located in the internal space 14. With this configuration, simply inserting the sampling rod 21 into the internal space 14 and abutting the insertion end against the abutting portion 17 can slightly compress the absorber 23 and squeeze out a small amount of the absorbed sample liquid.

[0049] The non-slip cap 25 may be omitted from the configuration of the sampling rod 21. By grasping the base end of the shaft 22, the insertion end of the sampling rod 21 can be inserted through the insertion opening 13. The non-slip cap 25 may be formed by molding an elastic material that functions as a non-slip material, or may be formed by coating the surface with a non-slip agent.

[0050] The configuration in which the area below the mounting portion 15 is more susceptible to pressure deformation than the mounting portion 15 may be achieved by using different materials for the mounting portion 15 and the area below the mounting portion 15. For example, the mounting portion 15 and the area below the mounting portion 15 can be formed by two-color molding.

[0051] The mounting portion 15 and the region below the mounting portion 15 may both have similar flexibility to the extent that they can handle the absorber 23. For example, the peripheral wall of the tube 11 may have the same overall thickness.

[0052] The tip cap 24 may be omitted from the configuration of the collection rod 21. In such a configuration, the tip of the shaft 22 abuts against the abutment portion 17. The position of the absorber 23 within the shaft 22 is not restricted by the tip cap 24, but may be configured, for example, by providing a protrusion on the shaft 22 and engaging the lower end 23a of the absorber 23 with the protrusion. Of course, the absorber 23 may be fixed to the shaft 22 with an adhesive.

[0053] The tip of the tip cap 24 does not have to be configured with a curved surface. For example, the tip surface may be configured with a flat surface or may have a pointed shape. The abutment portion 17 may be omitted from the bottom portion 12 of the tube 11. In this case, the insertion end of the sampling rod 21 abuts against the deepest portion of the internal space 14.

[0054] The sample liquid may be urine, sweat, saliva, blood, etc. Furthermore, it may be urine, sweat, saliva, blood, etc. from industrial animals such as cows and pigs, or non-industrial animals. Furthermore, the sample liquid may be sludge that has settled on the bottom of a river, lake, or sea, or excrement that has settled on the bottom of a fish pond or breeding tank. Furthermore, the sample liquid may be liquids such as river water or seawater. Furthermore, the sample liquid may be drinking water such as mineral water or juice, or liquid detergents used for shampoo, clothes, bathtubs, kitchens, etc. In other words, the sample liquid is not particularly limited as long as it is a liquid that can be tested. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10...Sample collection tool 11...Tube 12...Bottom 13...insertion slot 14...Interior space 15...Attachment part 16...Flange 17...Butt section 18...Nozzle 18a...Cylinder part 18b...Nozzle part 21...Gathering stick 22...Shaft 23...Absorbent 23a…lower end 23b…Top end 24...Tip cap 25...Anti-slip cap 30...Test kits 30a...Sample pad 31...Sample liquid 31a…Liquid level

Claims

1. A sample collection tool for collecting a sample liquid, a tube having an internal space continuous with the insertion port for accommodating the sample liquid; a sampling rod including a shaft portion and an absorbent body through which the shaft portion is passed and supported, the absorbent body absorbing and retaining a greater amount of sample liquid than the minimum amount of sample liquid required for testing; the sampling rod is inserted into the internal space through the insertion opening while the absorber absorbs and holds the sample liquid; The tube is pressed and deformed, and the absorbent body is handled, so that the sample liquid squeezed out from the absorbent body is stored at the bottom of the internal space, When the absorbent body is not being handled, the lower end of the absorbent body is located above the liquid surface of the sample liquid of the minimum amount stored in the internal space. Sample collection equipment.

2. The bottom of the internal space is provided with a butt portion against which the insertion end of the sampling rod butts. The specimen collection device according to claim 1 .

3. The sampling rod has a tip cap that is press-fitted onto the tip of the shaft that constitutes the insertion end of the sampling rod. The specimen collecting device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the tube includes an attachment portion that forms the insertion opening and allows a nozzle to be attached to the insertion opening; The region below the mounting portion is more susceptible to pressure deformation than the mounting portion, When the sampling rod is inserted into the internal space, the upper end of the absorber is located below the attachment part. The specimen collecting device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The sampling rod has a non-slip cap disposed at the base end opposite to the tip of the shaft. The specimen collecting device according to claim 1 or 2.

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