Specimen aggregation apparatus

Abstract

To provide a specimen aggregation apparatus capable of identifying a specimen determined to be positive through a simple test.SOLUTION: A test such as a bacterial test is run on each aggregated specimen aggregated in the left-right direction and each aggregated specimen aggregated in the front-rear direction. When one of the aggregated specimens aggregated in the left-right direction shows a positive test result and one of the aggregated specimens aggregated in the front-rear direction also shows a positive test result, a stool specimen common to the aggregated specimens that showed positive results is determined to be positive. In this way, the number of tests can be reduced while enabling identification of the stool specimen that tested positive.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a specimen collecting device that collects specimens such as stool specimens. [Background technology]

[0002] A known method for testing multiple stool samples collected in mass health checkups and the like is to collect stool samples using a stool sample collecting device, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 discloses that a predetermined number of stool samples are collected in one collection container, and the stool samples collected in each collection container are subjected to bacterial tests for Salmonella and the like.

[0003] For example, if 100 stool samples are collected, 10 samples of each stool sample are aggregated to obtain 10 aggregated stool samples (hereinafter referred to as "aggregate samples"). If a bacterial test is performed on the 10 aggregated samples and the results are negative, it is determined that all 10 stool samples corresponding to this aggregated sample are negative.

[0004] On the other hand, if the bacterial test result for the aggregated sample is positive, bacterial tests can be performed individually on the 10 stool samples included in this aggregated sample, and the stool sample that is found to be positive can be identified, and ultimately the subject who submitted this stool sample can be identified. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-132262 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, if the bacterial test results for an aggregated sample are positive, bacterial tests must be performed individually on all stool samples (e.g., 10 samples) included in the aggregated sample, which poses the problem of requiring a lot of effort to identify the stool samples that tested positive.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve these conventional problems, and its purpose is to provide a sample collection device that can identify positive samples through a simpler test. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a sample collecting device according to a first invention is a sample collecting device for collecting a plurality of samples, and includes a sample rack that stores a plurality of sample containers each containing a sample two-dimensionally in a first direction and a second direction; a dilution tray that is installed on a rotatable outer rotating part and has a circular periphery and a plurality of grooves formed along the periphery; an inner rotating part that is installed on the inner periphery of the outer rotating part and is disk-shaped and stores a plurality of collecting tubes; a diluent supply part that injects a diluent into each groove; a gripper that removes individual samples from each sample container stored in the sample rack and adds them to the grooves into which the diluent has been injected; and a collecting head that aspirates the diluted samples that have been injected into the plurality of grooves formed in the dilution tray and injects them into the collecting tubes. and a control unit that controls the driving of the gripper, the aggregation head, the outer rotating unit, and the inner rotating unit, wherein the control unit performs a first aggregation process in which the gripper sequentially removes sample containers from the sample rack in the first direction and adds them to the groove, and the aggregation head injects diluted samples corresponding to the number of times in the first direction into the aggregation tube, thereby generating aggregated samples corresponding to the number of times in the second direction; and a second aggregation process in which the gripper sequentially removes sample containers from the sample rack in the second direction and adds them to the groove, and the aggregation head injects diluted samples corresponding to the number of times in the second direction into the aggregation tube, thereby generating aggregated samples corresponding to the number of times in the first direction.

[0009] A sample collecting device according to a second invention is a sample collecting device for collecting a plurality of samples, and includes a sample rack that stores a plurality of sample containers each containing a sample in a two-dimensional arrangement, a first dilution tray and a second dilution tray that have a plurality of grooves formed two-dimensionally in a first direction and a second direction, a plurality of first collecting tubes stored in the first storage rack and a plurality of second collecting tubes stored in the second storage rack, a diluent supply unit that injects a diluent into each groove, a gripper that removes individual samples from each sample container stored in the sample rack and adds them to the grooves of the first dilution tray and the grooves of the second dilution tray, and a sample collecting device that aspirates the diluted samples that have been poured into the grooves formed in the first dilution tray and pours them into the first collecting tubes, and a diluent supply unit that injects the diluted samples into the grooves formed in the second dilution tray. and a control unit that controls the driving of the gripper and the aggregation head, wherein the control unit causes the gripper to remove sample containers from the sample rack and place them in the grooves of the first dilution tray and the second dilution tray, respectively, and causes the aggregation head to inject diluted samples from the first dilution tray into the first aggregation tubes for a number of times in a first direction facing the first direction, thereby generating aggregated samples for a number of times in the second direction, and a second aggregation process causes the aggregation head to inject diluted samples from the second dilution tray into the second aggregation tubes for a number of times in a second direction facing the second direction, thereby generating aggregated samples for a number of times in the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to identify samples that have been determined to be positive through simple procedures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a sample collecting device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the sample collecting device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the rotation drive unit, the aggregation head, and the diluent supply unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the stool collection tube. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the gripper. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the detailed configuration of the rotation drive unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the detailed configuration of the rotation drive unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the outer rotary drive unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the aggregation head, where (a) shows the overall configuration and (b) shows the attachment of the chip. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of stool collection tubes housed in a sample rack. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of stool samples added to each groove of the dilution tray in the first aggregation process. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of stool samples collected in a collection tube in the first collection process. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of stool samples added to each groove of the dilution tray in the second aggregation process. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of stool samples collected in a collection tube in the second collection process. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for testing samples using the sample collecting device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the sample collecting device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a plan view of the sample collecting device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18]FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a dilution unit and a storage rack mounted in a sample collecting apparatus according to the second embodiment. [Figure 19A] FIG. 19A is a perspective view of a dilution tray used in the second embodiment. [Figure 19B] FIG. 19B is a plan view of the dilution tray used in the second embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of stool collection tubes housed in a sample rack according to the second embodiment. [Figure 21A] FIG. 21A is an explanatory diagram showing grooves of the first dilution tray. [Figure 21B] FIG. 21B is an explanatory diagram showing the grooves of the second dilution tray. [Figure 22A] FIG. 22A is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the first storage rack. [Figure 22B] FIG. 22B is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the second storage rack. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for testing samples using the sample collecting device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The following describes an embodiment with reference to the drawings. First, an outline of the collection procedure performed by the sample collection device according to this embodiment will be described. Note that this embodiment will be described using a stool sample collected in a mass medical examination as an example of a sample. The present invention can also be applied to samples other than stool samples.

[0013] In the sample collecting device according to this embodiment, multiple stool collection tubes (sample containers) containing collected stool samples are arranged in two dimensions. These are referred to as the X and Y directions (see FIG. 10, which will be described later). For example, 10 stool collection tubes are arranged in the X direction and 10 in the Y direction, for a total of 100 stool collection tubes. For each of the 100 stool collection tubes, 10 stool samples are collected in the X direction, and 10 stool samples are collected in the Y direction. Hereinafter, the collected stool samples will be referred to as "collected samples." That is, 10 collected samples collected in the X direction and 10 collected samples collected in the Y direction are obtained.

[0014] Tests such as bacterial tests are conducted on each of the aggregated specimens aggregated in the X direction and each of the aggregated specimens aggregated in the Y direction. If the test result for one of the aggregated specimens aggregated in the X direction (referred to as "aggregated specimen P1") is positive, and the test result for one of the aggregated specimens aggregated in the Y direction (referred to as "aggregated specimen Q1") is also positive, the stool specimen common to aggregated specimens P1 and Q1 is determined to be positive. This reduces the number of tests and makes it possible to identify stool specimens that test positive. This is explained in detail below.

[0015] [Description of the First Embodiment] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a sample collecting device 100 according to the first embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a rotation drive unit 30, a collecting head 40, and a diluent supply unit 50. Note that Fig. 1 shows a state in which the side and front door portions have been removed. Below, the left, right, front, and rear directions are defined as shown by the arrows in Figs. 1 and 2.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the sample aggregation device 100 according to the first embodiment includes two sample racks 10A and 10B, a gripper 20, a rotation drive unit 30, an aggregation head 40, a diluent supply unit 50 (see Figure 3), and a control unit 101.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, sample racks 10A and 10B are installed at predetermined positions on the bottom portion PL1. Each sample rack 10A and 10B has five storage sections u arranged in the left-right direction (first direction) and ten in the front-to-back direction (second direction). Each storage section u stores a stool collection tube 11. That is, each sample rack 10A and 10B stores a total of 100 stool collection tubes 11 (specimen containers), ten in the left-to-right direction and ten in the front-to-back direction. That is, each sample rack 10A and 10B stores multiple stool collection tubes 11 containing stool samples in a two-dimensional array in the left-to-right direction (first direction) and front-to-back direction (second direction). The user appropriately replaces the sample racks 10A and 10B when collecting stool samples collected by the stool collection tubes 11.

[0018] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the stool collection tube 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the stool collection tube 11 comprises a container body 11a and a detachable lid 11b. A long specimen rod 11c extending downward from the lid 11b is attached to the bottom of the lid 11b. A stool sample collected from the subject adheres to the tip of the specimen rod 11c. The specimen rod 11c can be removed by removing the lid 11b from the container body 11a. Specifically, the lid 11b can be removed from the container body 11a by gripping it with a gripper 20 shown in FIG. 5 (described later) while the container body 11a is fixed, and then lifting it up.

[0019] The gripper 20 shown in Figures 1 and 2 picks up the stool collection tubes 11 stored in each storage section u of the sample racks 10A and 10B one by one, and attaches the sample stick 11c to the diluent in the groove v of the dilution tray 35 shown in Figures 6 and 7, which will be described later. That is, the gripper 20 picks up individual samples from each sample container (stool collection tube 11) stored in the sample racks 10A and 10B, and places them in the groove v into which the diluent has been poured. The gripper 20 is movable left and right along the rail R1 shown in Figure 1.

[0020] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a detailed configuration of the gripper 20. The gripper 20 includes a support frame 21, a motor M1, a threaded rod 22, threaded portions 23a and 23b, a head portion 24, a lid holding portion 25, and a holding mechanism 26.

[0021] The support frame 21 has an elongated shape extending in the vertical direction, and its lower end surface is fixed to the bottom surface of the sample collecting device 100. The motor M1 is fixed to a fixing plate disposed at the top of the support frame 21.

[0022] The threaded rod 22 is long and is installed so as to extend vertically on the side of the support frame 21. The threaded rod 22 is connected to the output shaft of the motor M1 by a pulley and a belt. Therefore, when the motor M1 is rotated in the forward or reverse direction, the threaded rod 22 rotates in the forward or reverse direction.

[0023] The two screw portions 23a, 23b have screw holes formed in the center in the vertical direction, and are screwed onto the threaded rod 22.

[0024] The head portion 24 is connected to each of the screw portions 23a, 23b. Therefore, by driving the motor M1 to rotate the screw rod 22 in the forward or reverse direction, the head portion 24 can be raised and lowered.

[0025] Lid holder 25 is attached to the underside of head portion 24 and is capable of gripping and fixing lid 11b of feces collection tube 11. Details of the mechanism for gripping lid holder 25 will not be explained here.

[0026] Holding mechanism 26 includes holding part 27 that holds container body 11a of stool collection tube 11, and guide rod 28 for moving holding part 27 to directly below lid holding part 25. That is, holding mechanism 26 can fix container body 11a by moving holding part 27 forward or backward to either a position directly below lid holding part 25 or a storage position.

[0027] The gripper 20 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is moved left and right and front and rear directions, and at the desired position, the lid holder 25 grips and lifts one of the stool collection tubes 11 stored in the sample racks 10A, 10B. In this state, the container body 11a is fixed by the holder 27. By further raising the lid holder 25, the lid 11b can be removed from the container body 11a. When removing the lid 11b, the lid 11b may be rotated by a small angle relative to the container body 11a. A description of the rotation mechanism will be omitted.

[0028] That is, by controlling the gripper 20, the fecal collection tubes 11 stored in the sample racks 10A and 10B can be taken out one by one, and the lids 11b can be removed from the container bodies 11a. Furthermore, the sample rods 11c attached to the lids 11b can be moved to the grooves v of the dilution tray 35 (described later), allowing the fecal sample to be added to the diluent poured into the grooves v.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 1, the rotary drive unit 30 is installed at a predetermined position on the bottom portion PL2. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of the rotary drive unit 30 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and Fig. 7 is a plan view of the same. Note that Figs. 6 and 7 only show the supply nozzle unit 50A of the diluent supply unit 50 shown in Fig. 3. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the rotary drive unit 30 has an inner rotating unit 31 in the center, and an outer rotating unit 32 that is concentric with the inner rotating unit 31 is provided around the inner rotating unit 31.

[0030] Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the outer rotating part 32. As shown in Fig. 8, the outer rotating part 32 includes a turntable 32a, an auxiliary plate 32b, and a drive part 32c. A dilution tray 35 is installed on the upper surface of the auxiliary plate 32b.

[0031] The turntable 32a has a disk shape with an opening in the center. The turntable 32a is connected to a drive unit 32c via a belt 32d, and is capable of rotating in the directions of arrows Y1 and Y2 in the figure using the drive unit 32c as a drive source.

[0032] The auxiliary plate 32b has a disk shape with an opening in the center. The auxiliary plate 32b is placed on the upper surface of the turntable 32a and rotates together with the turntable 32a. A plurality of openings k are formed along the inner and outer circumferences around the periphery of the upper surface of the auxiliary plate 32b. Specifically, 50 openings k are formed at equal intervals along the inner circumference, and 50 openings k are formed at equal intervals along the outer circumference.

[0033] The dilution tray 35 has a disk shape with an opening in the center. The dilution tray 35 is made of a synthetic resin such as polystyrene, and, like the auxiliary plate 32b, has 50 grooves v formed along each of its inner and outer circumferences. That is, the dilution tray 35 is installed on the rotatable outer rotating part 32, has a circular periphery, and has multiple grooves v formed along the periphery.

[0034] When the dilution tray 35 is placed on the upper surface of the auxiliary plate 32b, the grooves v formed in the dilution tray 35 fit exactly into the openings k formed in the auxiliary plate 32b. Therefore, the user can easily attach and detach the dilution tray 35 to and from the auxiliary plate 32b.

[0035] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a diluent supply unit 50 is installed around the outer rotating unit 32. Note that Figures 6 and 7 only show the supply nozzle unit 50A of the diluent supply unit 50 shown in Figure 3. The diluent supply unit 50 injects a predetermined amount of diluent into each groove v (see Figure 8) formed in the diluent tray 35. That is, by controlling the drive unit 32c shown in Figure 8 to rotate the turntable 32a by a certain angle at a time and discharging the diluent from the diluent supply unit 50, a predetermined amount of diluent can be injected into each groove v of the diluent tray 35.

[0036] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the inner rotating part 31 is installed in an opening formed in the center of the outer rotating part 32. The inner rotating part 31 has ten pairs of first openings 33 and second openings 34 formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. The first openings 33 are formed to have a larger diameter than the second openings 34. The inner rotating part 31 is rotatable like the outer rotating part 32. The inner rotating part 31 and the outer rotating part 32 can be rotated independently.

[0037] As shown in Figure 6, each first opening 33 houses an aggregation tube 37, and each second opening 34 houses a tip 36. The aggregation tube 37 houses an aggregated specimen that aggregates multiple stool specimens. The tip 36 is used as a nozzle for aspirating diluted specimens that have been poured into each groove v of the dilution tray 35. That is, the inner rotating part 31 is disposed on the inner periphery of the outer rotating part 32, is disk-shaped, and houses multiple aggregation tubes 37.

[0038] As described above, the rotary drive unit 30 comprises the inner rotating unit 31 and the outer rotating unit 32, which rotate independently, and the dilution tray 35 is detachably mounted on the surface of the outer rotating unit 32. The inner rotating unit 31 is provided with ten pairs of collection tubes 37 and tips 36.

[0039] The aggregation head 40 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is fitted with the tip 36 installed on the inner rotating part 31, and aspirates the diluted sample filled in each groove part v of the dilution tray 35 and injects it into the aggregation tube 37. Figure 9(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the detailed configuration of the aggregation head 40, and (b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the tip 36 is removed.

[0040] 9(a), the collecting head 40 includes a cylinder 41 extending in the vertical direction, a piston 42 that performs suction and discharge by moving back and forth within the cylinder 41, and a piston drive unit 43 that moves the piston 42 back and forth. The collecting head 40 also includes a tip mounting unit 44 that mounts the tip 36 by press-fitting at the lower end of the cylinder 41, a drop plate 45 that is positioned between the tip mounting unit 44 and the cylinder 41 and moves up and down to drop the used tip 36, and a vertical movement motor M2 that raises and lowers the mounted tip 36.

[0041] Aggregating head 40 includes a holding member 46 that holds the above-mentioned piston drive unit 43, piston 42, cylinder 41, tip mounting unit 44, and vertical movement motor M2. Aggregating head 40 includes a rotation shaft 47 that extends downward from holding member 46 and serves as rotation axis Z, a rotation gear 48 attached to the lower end of rotation shaft 47, and a rotation motor M3 that meshes with the rotation gear 48 to apply a driving force. As shown in FIG. 9(b), the cylinder 41 is operated to move drop plate 45 up and down, thereby allowing tip 36 to be removed.

[0042] 6 and 7, the collection head 40 is fitted with the tip 36 installed on the inner rotating part 31, and moves the tip 36 to the top of the groove v of the dilution tray 35 to aspirate the diluted specimen (liquid in which a fecal specimen has been added to a diluent) filled in the groove v. The collection head 40 injects the aspirated diluted specimen into the collection tube 37.

[0043] The above operation is performed for the diluted samples filled in 10 of the 100 grooves v formed in the dilution tray 35, thereby injecting 10 diluted samples into one collection tube 37. Then, a process is performed to detach the tip 36 from the tip attachment section 44. A similar process is performed for the diluted samples filled in the remaining 90 grooves v, thereby injecting 10 diluted samples into each of the 10 collection tubes 37. In other words, the collection head 40 has the function of aspirating the diluted samples injected into the multiple grooves v formed in the dilution tray 35 and injecting them into the collection tube 37.

[0044] The gripper 20, the rotation drive unit 30 (the inner rotation unit 31, the outer rotation unit 32), and the instrumentation devices mounted on the aggregation head 40 are controlled by a control unit 101.

[0045] Next, a specific process for collecting stool samples collected by each stool collection tube 11 will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 14. Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the stool collection tubes 11 stored in the storage sections u of the two sample racks 10A, 10B. The symbol "S" in Figure 10 indicates the stool sample collected by each stool collection tube 11. The suffixes added to the symbol "S" indicate the numbers in the left-right and front-back directions.

[0046] Specifically, the stool sample collected by the stool collection tube 11 at the left end and rear end is designated by the symbol "S1-1." Furthermore, when the forward direction is designated as X and the right direction is designated as Y, the stool sample S is designated with the suffix "XY." For example, the third stool sample in the X direction (forward direction) and the fourth stool sample in the Y direction (right direction) based on S1-1 is S3-4. Hereinafter, when a stool sample is specifically designated, it is designated with a suffix, such as "stool sample S1-1." When a stool sample is not specifically designated or is referred to collectively, it is designated without a suffix, such as "stool sample S." The same applies to the collection tube 37 and tip 36 described below.

[0047] In this embodiment, the process of aggregating stool samples is performed twice. In the first aggregation process (first aggregation process), stool samples S are sequentially removed in the left-right direction (Y direction) from the multiple stool collection tubes 11 stored in the sample racks 10A and 10B, and added to each groove v of the dilution tray 35 into which the diluent has been poured.

[0048] In the second aggregation process (second aggregation process), stool samples S are sequentially taken out in the front-to-back direction (X direction) from the plurality of stool collection tubes 11 housed in the sample racks 10A and 10B, and added to each groove v of the dilution tray 35 into which the diluent has been poured. This process is executed by the gripper 20 under the control of the control unit 101.

[0049] That is, the control unit 101 uses the gripper 20 to sequentially remove stool collection tubes 11 (specimen containers) from the sample racks 10A, 10B in a first direction (left-right direction, Y direction) and add them to the groove portion v, and the aggregation head 40 injects the number of diluted samples (10 samples) corresponding to the number of first directions facing the first direction into the aggregation tube 37, thereby performing a first aggregation process to generate the number of aggregated samples (P1 to P10 described below) corresponding to the number of second directions (10 samples).

[0050] The control unit 101 also performs a second aggregation process in which the gripper 20 sequentially removes stool collection tubes 11 (specimen containers) from the sample racks 10A, 10B in a second direction (forward / backward direction, X direction) and adds them to the groove portion v, and the aggregation head 40 injects the diluted samples (10 pieces) corresponding to the number of the second direction into the aggregation tube 37, thereby generating aggregated samples (Q1 to Q10 described below) corresponding to the number of the first direction (10 pieces).

[0051] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the position of the stool sample S when the stool sample S taken out in the left-right direction is added to each groove v of the dilution tray 35 in the first aggregation process. It is assumed that each groove v is filled with diluent. As shown in Figure 11, the groove v designated by the symbol T1 formed on the outside of the dilution tray 35 is used as the reference position, and the stool sample S1-1 is added. Starting from this reference position T1, the stool samples are added to the outer groove v in the following order in a clockwise direction: S1-2, S1-3, ... S1-10, S2-1, ... S2-10, S3-1, ... S3-10, S4-1, ... S4-10, S5-1, ... S5-10.

[0052] Furthermore, a stool sample S6-1 is added to the groove v indicated by the symbol T2 formed on the inner side of the dilution tray 35, which is set as the reference position. Starting from this reference position T2, the stool samples are added to the inner groove v in the following order clockwise: S6-2, S6-10, S7-1, S7-10, S8-1, S8-10, S9-1, S9-10, S10-1, S10-10. Therefore, the stool samples S are added to each groove v in the order along the left-right direction of each sample rack 10A, 10B shown in FIG. 10.

[0053] Next, the diluted sample filled in each groove portion v of the dilution tray 35 is aspirated by the aggregation head 40 and injected into the aggregation tube 37. Specifically, the tip 36-1 shown in FIG. 12 is attached to the tip attachment portion 44 of the aggregation head 40 shown in FIG. 9, and the diluted sample is aspirated from the ten groove portions v in a clockwise direction from the reference position T1 shown in FIG. 11 and injected into the aggregation tube 37-1 shown in FIG. 12. Therefore, the aggregation tube 37-1 is filled with an aggregated sample P1 containing ten stool samples S1-2, S1-3, ..., S1-10. In other words, the aggregated sample P1 contains the stool samples S1-1 to S1-10 shown in FIG. 10. Once the aggregated sample P1 is obtained, the tip 36-1 used for aspirating is discarded.

[0054] As described above, ten diluted specimens are collected from the grooves v of the dilution tray 35 and injected into collection tubes 37-2 to 37-10. Therefore, each collection tube 37-2 to 37-10 is filled with collected specimens P2 to P10 shown in FIG. 10. The tips 36-2 to 36-10 used for aspiration are discarded. In this way, collected specimens P1 to P10 are obtained, and the first collection process is completed.

[0055] When the first aggregation process described above is completed, the ten aggregation tubes 37-1 to 37-10 stored in the first opening 33 of the inner rotating part 31 are collected, and new aggregation tubes 37-1 to 37-10 are installed in the first opening 33. Each of the collected aggregation tubes 37 is sent to a subsequent inspection process. New tips 36-1 to 36-10 are installed in the second opening 34. In addition, the used dilution tray 35 is discarded, and a new dilution tray 35 is installed in the outer rotating part 32. Thereafter, the process proceeds to the second aggregation process.

[0056] Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the position of the stool sample S when the stool sample S taken out in the front-to-back direction is added to each groove v of the dilution tray 35 during the second aggregation process. It is assumed that each groove v is filled with diluent. As shown in Figure 13, the groove v designated by the symbol T1 formed on the outside of the dilution tray 35 is used as the reference position, and the stool sample S1-1 is added. Starting from this reference position T1, the stool samples are added to the outer groove v in the following order, clockwise: S2-1, S3-1, S10-1, S1-2, S10-2, S1-3, S10-3, S1-4, S10-4, S1-5, S10-5.

[0057] Furthermore, a stool sample S1-6 is added to the groove v indicated by the symbol T2 formed on the inner side of the dilution tray 35, which is set as the reference position. Starting from this reference position T2, the stool samples are added to the inner groove v in the following order clockwise: S2-6, S10-6, S1-7, S10-7, S1-8, S10-8, S1-9, S10-9, S1-10, and S10-10. Therefore, the stool samples S are added to each groove v in the order along the front-to-back direction of each sample rack 10A, 10B shown in FIG. 10.

[0058] Next, the diluted sample filled in each groove portion v of the dilution tray 35 is aspirated by the aggregation head 40 and injected into the aggregation tube 37. Specifically, the tip 36-1 shown in FIG. 14 is attached to the tip attachment portion 44 of the aggregation head 40 shown in FIG. 9, and the diluted sample is aspirated from the ten groove portions v in a clockwise direction from the reference position T1 shown in FIG. 13 and injected into the aggregation tube 37-1 shown in FIG. 14. Therefore, the aggregation tube 37-1 is filled with an aggregated sample Q1, which is an aggregate of ten stool samples S1-1, S2-1, ..., S10-1. In other words, the aggregated sample Q1 is a sample obtained by aggregating the stool samples S1-1 to S10-1 shown in FIG. 10. Once the aggregated sample Q1 is obtained, the tip 36-1 used for aspirating is discarded.

[0059] As described above, ten diluted specimens are collected from the grooves v of the dilution tray 35 and injected into collection tubes 37-2 to 37-10. Consequently, each collection tube 37-2 to 37-10 is filled with collected specimens Q2 to Q10 shown in FIG. 10. The tips 36-2 to 36-10 used for aspiration are discarded. Collected specimens Q1 to Q10 are thus obtained, completing the second collection process.

[0060] When the second aggregation process described above is completed, the ten aggregation tubes 37-1 to 37-10 stored in the first opening 33 of the inner rotating part 31 are collected, and a new aggregation tube 37 is installed in the first opening 33. Each of the collected aggregation tubes 37 is sent to the subsequent inspection process. New tips 36-1 to 36-10 are installed in the second opening 34. In addition, the used dilution tray 35 is discarded, and a new dilution tray 35 is installed in the outer rotating part 32.

[0061] Next, we will explain the tests using the aggregated samples (P1 to P10) collected in the first aggregation process and the aggregated samples (Q1 to Q10) collected in the second aggregation process. The user performs tests on each of the aggregated samples P1 to P10 and Q1 to Q10 and determines whether the test results are positive or negative.

[0062] As a result of the determination, for example, assume that aggregated specimen P3 is positive and aggregated specimen Q4 is positive. In this case, the stool specimen common to aggregated specimens P3 and Q4 is determined to be positive. That is, referring to Figure 10, it can be estimated that the stool specimen S3-4 common to P3 and Q4 is positive.

[0063] Next, a processing procedure for testing a plurality of stool samples S using the sample collecting device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 15. The processing shown in Fig. 15 is executed by the control unit 101 shown in Fig. 1.

[0064] In preparation for performing a test, the user places sample racks 10A and 10B, each containing a plurality of stool collection tubes 11, on bottom portion PL1 shown in Fig. 1. Collection tubes 37 are placed in first openings 33 of inner rotating portion 31 shown in Figs. 6 and 7, and tips 36 are placed in second openings 34. Furthermore, a dilution tray 35 is placed on outer rotating portion 32.

[0065] After the above preparations are completed, in step S11, the control unit 101 causes the diluent supply unit 50 to inject the diluent into the 100 grooves v (see FIGS. 6 and 7) formed around the periphery of the dilution tray 35.

[0066] In step S12, the control unit 101 sequentially removes each stool collection tube 11 stored in the sample racks 10A, 10B in the left-right direction using the gripper 20, and adds the stool samples S to the grooves v. Specifically, the stool samples S are added sequentially in a clockwise direction from the groove v, which is the reference position T1 shown in Figure 11.

[0067] In step S13, the control unit 101 mounts the tip 36 on the tip mounting unit 44 of the aggregation head 40.

[0068] In step S14, the control unit 101 aspirates the diluted sample from each of the ten grooves v and injects it into the collecting tube 37.

[0069] In step S15, the control unit 101 determines whether or not diluted specimens have been injected into all of the collection tubes 37. If diluted specimens have been injected into all of the collection tubes 37 (S15; YES), the process proceeds to step S17; otherwise (S15; NO), the process proceeds to step S16.

[0070] In step S16, the control unit 101 removes and discards the tip 36 attached to the aggregation head 40, and attaches a new tip 36. For example, when the aspiration of the diluted sample by the tip 36-1 shown in Fig. 12 is completed, the control unit 101 discards the tip 36-1 and attaches a new tip 36-2. Then, the process returns to step S14.

[0071] The processing of steps S11 to S16 described above is a first aggregation step in which multiple samples arranged along the first direction are extracted from sample containers (stool collection tubes 11) stored two-dimensionally in a first direction (left-right direction) and a second direction (front-back direction), and aggregated to generate a number of first aggregated samples equal to the number in the second direction.

[0072] In step S17, the user removes each collecting tube 37 stored in the inner rotating part 31 and sends them to the subsequent inspection process. Furthermore, new collecting tubes 37 and tips 36 are stored in the inner rotating part 31. Furthermore, the used dilution tray 35 is discarded, and a new dilution tray 35 is installed in the outer rotating part 32.

[0073] In step S18, the control unit 101 causes the diluent supply unit 50 to inject the diluent into the 100 grooves v (see FIGS. 6 and 7) formed around the periphery of the dilution tray 35.

[0074] In step S19, the control unit 101 sequentially removes each stool collection tube 11 stored in the sample racks 10A, 10B in the forward and backward directions using the gripper 20, and adds the stool samples S to the grooves v. Specifically, the stool samples S are added sequentially in a clockwise direction from the groove v, which is the reference position T1 shown in Figure 13.

[0075] In step S20, the control unit 101 mounts the tip 36 on the tip mounting unit 44 of the aggregation head 40.

[0076] In step S21, the control unit 101 aspirates the diluted sample from each of the ten grooves v and injects it into the collecting tube 37.

[0077] In step S22, the control unit 101 determines whether or not diluted specimens have been injected into all of the collection tubes 37. If diluted specimens have been injected into all of the collection tubes 37 (S22; YES), the process proceeds to step S24; otherwise (S22; NO), the process proceeds to step S23.

[0078] In step S23, the control unit 101 removes and discards the tip 36 attached to the aggregation head 40, and attaches a new tip 36. Thereafter, the process returns to step S21.

[0079] The processing of steps S18 to S23 described above is a second aggregation step in which multiple samples arranged along a second direction (front-to-back direction) are extracted from sample containers (stool collection tubes 11) stored two-dimensionally and aggregated to generate a number of second aggregated samples corresponding to the number in the first direction (left-to-right direction).

[0080] In step S24, the user takes out each collecting tube 37 stored in the inner rotating part 31 and transports it to the subsequent inspection process.

[0081] In step S25, the user identifies the stool sample S that has tested positive based on the test results of the aggregated samples P1 to P10 collected in the first aggregation process and the test results of the aggregated samples Q1 to Q10 collected in the second aggregation process. Then, this process ends.

[0082] The processing of step S25 is a first testing step in which sample testing is performed on each of a plurality of first aggregated samples (P1 to P10) to determine whether they are positive or negative, and a second testing step in which sample testing is performed on each of a plurality of second aggregated samples (Q1 to Q10) to determine whether they are positive or negative.

[0083] Furthermore, the processing of step S25 is a determination step in which, when there is one first aggregated sample (e.g., aggregated sample P1) that has been determined to be positive in the first testing step and one second aggregated sample (e.g., aggregated sample Q1) that has been determined to be positive in the second testing step, samples that overlap with both the one first aggregated sample (P1) and the one second aggregated sample (Q1) are determined to be positive. In this way, it is possible to identify positive stool samples from multiple stool samples S.

[0084] Next, we will explain how the testing procedure according to this embodiment eliminates the need for user proficiency and reduces the number of tests. For example, assume that one of the 100 stool samples S (referred to as stool sample S3-2) is positive. The stool sample S3-2 is indicated by the symbol r1 in FIG. 10. In this case, the test results show that aggregated samples P3 and Q2 are positive.

[0085] In the conventional procedure, 100 stool samples S are aggregated into groups of 10 to generate aggregate samples P1 to P10, which are then tested. If the test results show a positive result for any aggregate sample, the stool samples S contained in the aggregated samples are then tested individually. Therefore, aggregated samples P1 to P10 are tested (10 tests), and since aggregated sample P3 is positive, individual tests (10 tests) are performed on stool samples S3-1 to S3-10, and stool sample S3-2 is identified as positive. In other words, a total of 20 tests are performed.

[0086] When testing according to the procedure of this embodiment, aggregated specimens P1 to P10 (10 tests) and aggregated specimens Q1 to Q10 (10 tests) are tested, and stool specimen S3-2 is identified as positive. Furthermore, individual testing is performed on the identified stool specimen S3-2. In other words, a total of 21 tests are performed, which is approximately the same number of tests as the conventional procedure described above. Note that the number of tests is not reduced in this example.

[0087] However, aggregated sample testing and individual testing differ in the amount of effort required by the user and the level of expertise required of the user. Aggregate sample testing involves conducting a PCR test to determine whether or not a person is infected with a pathogen by amplifying minute amounts of DNA, such as that of a virus, contained in the sample. This test does not require much effort, and even users with low levels of expertise can perform a highly accurate test. In contrast, individual testing involves culturing the sample and then testing it, which can lead to problems such as the introduction of external bacteria. This means that the user performing the test has to work hard and requires a high level of expertise.

[0088] As described above, the procedure of this embodiment involves 20 tests of aggregated samples and 1 test of individual samples, whereas the conventional procedure involves 10 tests of aggregated samples and 10 tests of individual samples. Therefore, by adopting the procedure of this embodiment, the user's workload is reduced and even less skilled users can perform highly accurate testing.

[0089] Next, we will explain the case where, for example, three stool samples S3-2 (symbol r1 in FIG. 10), S3-6 (symbol r2), and S8-6 (symbol r4) out of 100 stool samples S are positive. In this case, in the conventional procedure, aggregated samples P1 to P10 are tested (10 tests). Furthermore, since aggregated samples P3 and P8 are positive, stool samples S3-1 to S3-10 (10 individual tests) and stool samples S8-1 to S8-10 (10 individual tests) are tested, and the three stool samples S3-2 (r1), S3-6 (r2), and S8-6 (r4) are identified as positive. In other words, a total of 30 tests are performed, consisting of 10 tests of aggregated samples and 20 tests of individual samples.

[0090] When testing according to the procedure of this embodiment, aggregate specimens P1 to P10 (10 tests) and aggregate specimens Q1 to Q10 (10 tests) are tested. Therefore, referring to r1, r2, and r4 shown in FIG. 10, aggregate specimens P3, P8, Q2, and Q6 are found to be positive. Therefore, four stool specimens S, S3-2 (r1), S3-6 (r2), S8-2 (r3), and S8-6 (r4), contained in both aggregate specimens P3 and P8 and aggregate specimens Q2 and Q6, are identified as positive candidates. Therefore, by conducting individual tests on these four stool specimens S, stool specimens S3-2 (r1), S3-6 (r2), and S8-6 (r4) are identified as positive, and stool specimen S8-2 (r3) is identified as negative. Therefore, three positive stool samples S can be identified through a total of 24 tests, including 20 tests of aggregated samples and 4 tests of individual samples. In other words, this embodiment can reduce the number of tests compared to conventional procedures, and it can be seen that the user's workload is also reduced.

[0091] In this way, the sample collecting device 100 according to this embodiment performs a first collecting process in which fecal samples are collected and collected in the left-right direction from a plurality of stool collection tubes 11 arranged in two dimensions, and a second collecting process in which fecal samples are collected and collected in the front-back direction. As a result, collected samples P1 to P10 in which the fecal samples are collected in the left-right direction, and collected samples Q1 to Q10 in which the fecal samples are collected in the front-back direction are generated.

[0092] In the testing process, each aggregated specimen P1-P10, Q1-Q10 is tested to determine whether it is positive or negative, and a stool specimen common to the aggregated specimens that are determined to be positive is presumed to be a positive stool specimen. For example, if aggregated specimens P3 and Q4 are determined to be positive, the stool specimen S3-4 common to these specimens is presumed to be positive. Therefore, it is possible to identify a positive stool specimen S with a small number of tests. Furthermore, even users with low skill levels can perform tests with high accuracy.

[0093] The inner rotating part 31 is provided with tips 36 corresponding to each collection tube 37, and the collection head 40 uses the tips 36 corresponding to one collection tube 37 to aspirate multiple diluted samples from each groove v and inject them into one collection tube 37. This prevents multiple stool samples S from being mixed together, making it possible to perform high-precision stool sample testing.

[0094] Furthermore, the grooves v formed in the dilution tray 35 are formed continuously at equal intervals around the periphery of the dilution tray 35, and in the first aggregation process, the gripper 20 continuously injects stool samples along the left-right direction (first direction) into the grooves v along the circumferential direction. Furthermore, in the second aggregation process, stool samples along the front-rear direction (second direction) are continuously injected into the grooves v of the dilution tray 35 along the circumferential direction, so that the aggregation head 40 can continuously aspirate diluted samples from adjacent grooves v, making it possible to carry out the aggregation process efficiently.

[0095] In this embodiment, stool samples collected during mass screening, etc. can be tested, enabling rapid and efficient testing of a large number of stool samples. This embodiment makes it possible to avoid problems such as increased operator time and sample mix-ups, which have occurred in the past when samples were manually replaced.

[0096] [Description of the Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a sample collecting device 200 according to the second embodiment, and Fig. 17 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the dilution unit 130 and first and second storage racks 160A and 160B mounted on the sample collecting device 200. Note that Fig. 16 shows a state in which the side and front door portions have been removed. Below, the left, right, front, and rear directions are defined as shown by the arrows in Figs. 16 and 17.

[0097] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the sample aggregation device 200 of the second embodiment includes two sample racks 110A and 110B, a gripper 120, a dilution section 130, an aggregation head 140, a diluent supply section 150, first and second storage racks 160A and 160B, and a control section 201.

[0098] The sample racks 110A and 110B are installed at predetermined positions on the bottom PL10. The two sample racks 110A and 110B are rectangular in plan view and are arranged side by side in the front-to-back direction. Each of the sample racks 110A and 110B has 10 storage sections u in the left-to-right direction (first direction) and 5 in the front-to-back direction (second direction). Each storage section u stores a stool collection tube 11. In other words, the two sample racks 110A and 110B store a total of 100 stool collection tubes 11 (sample containers), 10 in the left-to-right direction and 10 in the front-to-back direction.

[0099] Figure 20 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the stool collection tubes 11 stored in the storage sections u of the two sample racks 110A, 110B. The symbol "S" shown in Figure 20 indicates the stool sample collected by each stool collection tube 11. The suffixes added to the symbol "S" indicate the numbers in the left-right and front-back directions.

[0100] Specifically, the stool sample collected by the stool collection tube 11 at the left end and rear end is designated by the symbol "S1-1." Furthermore, when the forward direction is designated as X and the right direction is designated as Y, the suffix "XY" is added to the stool sample S. For example, the stool sample third in the X direction (forward direction) and fourth in the Y direction (right direction) from S1-1 as the reference is S3-4.

[0101] That is, the sample racks 110A and 110B store a plurality of stool collection tubes 11 (sample containers) containing stool samples two-dimensionally in the left-right direction (first direction) and the front-back direction (second direction). The sample racks 110A and 110B are replaced by the user as appropriate when collecting the stool samples collected by the stool collection tubes 11.

[0102] The stool collection tube 11 has a configuration similar to that shown in Fig. 4. That is, the stool collection tube 11 has a container body 11a, a lid 11b, and a specimen rod 11c. With the container body 11a of the stool collection tube 11 fixed, the lid 11b is gripped by the gripper 120 and pulled up, whereby the lid 11b can be removed from the container body 11a.

[0103] The gripper 120 shown in Figures 16 and 17 picks up the stool collection tubes 11 stored in the storage sections u of the sample racks 110A and 110B one by one, and attaches the sample sticks 11c to the diluent poured into the grooves v of the dilution tray 135 shown in Figures 21A and 21B, which will be described later. That is, the gripper 120 picks up individual samples from each sample container (stool collection tube 11) stored in the sample racks 110A and 110B, and places them into the grooves v of the first dilution tray 135A and the second dilution tray 135B, into which the diluent has been poured. The gripper 120 is movable left and right along a rail R11 shown in Figure 16. It is also movable back and forth along a rail not shown. The gripper 120 has the same configuration as the gripper 20 shown in Figure 5.

[0104] Gripper 120 is moved left and right and front and rear directions, and at the desired position, lid holder 25 (see FIG. 5) grasps and lifts one of the stool collection tubes 11 stored in sample racks 110A, 110B. In this state, container body 11a is fixed by holder 27. By further raising lid holder 25, lid 11b can be removed from container body 11a.

[0105] That is, by controlling the gripper 120, the fecal collection tubes 11 stored in the sample racks 110A and 110B can be taken out one by one, and the lids 11b can be removed from the container bodies 11a. Furthermore, the sample rods 11c attached to the lids 11b can be moved to the grooves v of the dilution tray 135, and the fecal sample can be added to the diluent (details of which will be described later) poured into the grooves v.

[0106] 16 and 17, the dilution unit 130 is installed at a predetermined position on the bottom portion PL2. As shown in FIG. 18, the dilution unit 130 has a mounting section including four mounting tables 131A, 131B, 132A, and 132B. Two of these mounting tables, 131A and 131B, are installed side by side in the front-to-back direction. Two mounting tables 132A and 132B are installed to the right of each mounting table 131A and 131B. The mounting tables 132A and 132B are also installed side by side in the front-to-back direction. Hereinafter, the two mounting tables 131A and 131B will be referred to as the first mounting table 131, and the other two mounting tables 132A and 132B will be referred to as the second mounting table 132.

[0107] Each of the mounting tables 131A and 131B has 10 openings k in the left-right direction and 5 openings k in the front-rear direction (see FIGS. 16 and 17). That is, the first mounting table 131 has 10 openings k in the left-right direction and 10 openings k in the front-rear direction, for a total of 100 openings k.

[0108] Similarly, each of the second mounting tables 132A and 132B has 10 openings k in the left-right direction and 5 openings k in the front-rear direction. That is, the second mounting table 132 has a total of 100 openings k, 10 openings in the left-right direction and 10 openings in the front-rear direction.

[0109] A dilution tray 135 is placed on the upper surface of each of the mounting tables 131A, 131B, 132A, and 132B. That is, a first dilution tray 135A is placed on the upper surface of the mounting tables 131A and 131B, and a second dilution tray 135B is placed on the upper surface of the mounting tables 132A and 132B. A plurality of grooves are formed two-dimensionally in a first direction and a second direction in the first dilution tray 135A and the second dilution tray 135B.

[0110] Fig. 19A is a perspective view of dilution tray 135, and Fig. 19B is a plan view of dilution tray 135. As shown in Fig. 19, dilution tray 135 has a rectangular shape in a plan view, and has ten grooves v formed in the longitudinal direction and five grooves v formed in the lateral direction. Each groove v has a circular shape in a plan view. In the following, dilution tray 135 placed on mounting tables 131A and 131B will be referred to as first dilution tray 135A, and dilution tray 135 placed on mounting tables 132A and 132B will be referred to as second dilution tray 135B.

[0111] A plurality of grooves v are formed two-dimensionally in the left-right direction (first direction) and the front-rear direction (second direction) in the first dilution tray 135A and the second dilution tray 135B.

[0112] When the dilution trays 135 (first and second dilution trays 135A and 135B) are placed on the top surfaces of the mounting tables 131A, 131B, 132A and 132B, the grooves v formed in the dilution trays 135 fit perfectly into the openings k. Therefore, the user can easily attach and detach the dilution trays 135 to and from the top surfaces of the mounting tables 131A, 131B, 132A and 132B.

[0113] 21A and 21B are explanatory diagrams showing groove portion v formed in dilution tray 135. Fig. 21A shows first dilution tray 135A placed on first mounting base 131, and Fig. 21B shows second dilution tray 135B placed on second mounting base 132.

[0114] 21A indicates the number of the groove portion v formed in the first dilution tray 135A. The suffixes added to the symbol "va" indicate the numbers in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction.

[0115] Specifically, the groove portion va at the left end and rear end is indicated by the symbol "va1-1." Furthermore, when the forward direction is defined as x and the right direction is defined as y, the groove portion va is indicated by adding the suffix "xy." For example, with va1-1 as the reference, the xth groove in the x direction (forward direction) and the yth groove in the y direction (right direction) is vax-y.

[0116] 21B indicates the number of the groove v formed in the second dilution tray 135B. The suffixes added to the symbol "vb" indicate the numbers in the left-right and front-rear directions. For example, with vb1-1 as the reference, the xth groove in the x direction (frontward) and the yth groove in the y direction (rightward) is vbx-y.

[0117] The diluent supply unit 150 is installed at an appropriate position on the right end of the sample collecting device 200. The diluent supply unit 150 includes a supply nozzle unit 150A. The diluent supply unit 150 is movable in the left-right direction above the bottom parts PL10 and PL20 of the sample collecting device 200. Since the mounting tables 131 and 132 are movable in the front-rear direction, the diluent supply unit 150 is movable two-dimensionally in the front-rear and left-right directions relative to the mounting tables 131 and 132. The diluent supply unit 150 can eject diluent into 100 grooves v (va1-1 to va10-10) of the dilution tray 135 placed on the first placing table 131 and 100 grooves v (vb1-1 to vb10-10) of the dilution tray 135 placed on the second placing table 132, for a total of 200 grooves v, by moving the supply nozzle unit 150A two-dimensionally relative to each of the placing tables 131 and 132, and can inject a predetermined amount of diluent into each groove v.

[0118] Furthermore, stool specimens Sx-y are added to grooves vax-y shown in Fig. 21A and grooves vbx-y shown in Fig. 21B, respectively. For example, stool specimen S1-1 is added to grooves va1-1 shown in Fig. 21A and grooves vb1-1 shown in Fig. 21B, respectively. In other words, two sets of dilution trays 135, each containing 100 diluted specimens, are generated.

[0119] The first and second storage racks 160A and 160B are installed on the right side of the second mounting table 132. FIGS. 22A and 22B are plan views showing the storage racks 160A and 160B. As shown in FIG. 22A, the first storage rack 160A has a rectangular shape that is long in the front-to-rear direction, and ten first openings Ha and second openings Hb with smaller diameters than the first openings Ha are formed along the front-to-rear direction. Each of the ten first openings Ha houses an aggregation tube 37 (37-11 to 37-20; first aggregation tubes). Each of the ten second openings Hb houses a tip 36 (36-11 to 36-20; first tips). The aggregation tubes 37 and tips 36 are the same as the aggregation tubes and tips 36 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Each collecting tube 37 stored in the first storage rack 160A is a first collecting tube, and each tip 36 is a first tip.

[0120] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 22B, the second storage rack 160B has ten first openings Ha and second openings Hb with smaller diameters than the first openings Ha formed along the front-to-rear direction. The ten first openings Ha each house a collecting tube 37 (37-21 to 37-30; second collecting tubes). The ten second openings Hb each house a tip 36 (36-21 to 36-30; second tips). Each collecting tube 37 housed in the second storage rack 160B is a second collecting tube, and each tip 36 is a second tip. Two sets of ten collecting tubes 37 and ten tips 36 are installed in each of the storage racks 160A and 160B.

[0121] As in the first embodiment, the collection tube 37 stores a collection of multiple stool samples. The tip 36 is used as a nozzle for aspirating the diluted sample injected into each groove v of the dilution tray 135.

[0122] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the aggregation head 140 is movable left and right along rails R12. The aggregation head 140 is movable forward and backward along rails not shown. The aggregation head 140 mounts the tips 36 stored in each storage rack 160A, 160B. The aggregation head 140 moves the mounted tips 36 to the top of each groove v (see Figures 19A and 19B) of the dilution tray 135 and aspirates the diluted specimen (liquid in which a stool specimen has been added to a diluent) injected into the groove v. The aggregation head 140 injects the aspirated diluted specimen into the aggregation tube 37. The aggregation head 140 operates in the same manner as in Figure 9(a) described above.

[0123] That is, the aggregation head 140 aspirates the diluted sample injected into the multiple grooves v formed in the first dilution tray 135A and injects it into the first aggregation tube, and aspirates the diluted sample injected into the multiple grooves v formed in the second dilution tray 135B and injects it into the second aggregation tube.

[0124] The control unit 201 controls the driving of the gripper 120 and the collecting head 140. The control unit 201 causes the gripper 120 to remove the stool collection tubes 11 from the sample racks 110A, 110B and place them in the grooves v of the first dilution tray 135A and the second dilution tray 135B, respectively, and then causes the collecting head 140 to inject a number of diluted specimens in a first direction from the first dilution tray 135A into the first collecting tubes 37 to generate a number of aggregated specimens in a second direction (aggregated specimens P1 to P10, described below). The control unit 201 further causes the collecting head 140 to inject a number of diluted specimens in a second direction from the second dilution tray 135B into the second collecting tubes 37 to generate a number of aggregated specimens in the first direction (aggregated specimens Q1 to Q10, described below).

[0125] Below, we will explain in detail the process of injecting diluent into the groove portion v of the dilution tray 135 installed on each of the mounting tables 131A, 131B, 132A, and 132B (diluent injection process), the process of adding stool samples taken from each stool collection tube 11 into each groove portion v (stool sample addition process), and the process of injecting the diluted samples injected into each groove portion v into the aggregation tube 37 using the aggregation head 140 (diluted sample aggregation process).

[0126] (Dilution solution injection process) First, the diluent injection process will be described. The diluent supply unit 150 moves two-dimensionally above each of the mounting tables 131A, 131B, 132A, and 132B, and injects a fixed amount of diluent into the grooves v of the diluent tray 135 installed on each mounting table. In other words, the diluent is injected into 200 grooves v.

[0127] (Adding a stool sample) The gripper 120 removes stool samples S from each of the stool collection tubes 11 housed in the sample racks 110A, 110B and places the stool samples S in each groove v. Specifically, stool samples S1-1 to S10-10 are placed in the 100 grooves va1-1 to va10-10 of the first mounting table 131, respectively. Similarly, stool samples S1-1 to S10-10 are placed in the 100 grooves vb1-1 to vb10-10 of the second mounting table 132, respectively. In other words, two sets of dilution trays 135, each containing 100 stool samples S, are produced.

[0128] (Process for collecting diluted samples) The aggregation head 140 extracts ten diluted specimens from the dilution tray 135 of the first mounting base 131 shown in FIG. 21A in the left-right direction and injects them into the aggregation tube 37. That is, the aggregation head 140 is equipped with the tip 36-11 installed in the first storage rack 160A, and aspirates ten diluted specimens, va1-1 to va1-10, from the grooves va of the first mounting base 131 (mounting bases 131A and 131B) shown in FIG. 21A in the left-right direction, and injects them into the aggregation tube 37-11 installed in the first storage rack 160A. Therefore, the diluted specimens in the ten grooves va1-1 to va1-10 shown in FIG. 21A are injected into the aggregation tube 37-11. This is referred to as "aggregated specimen P1."

[0129] Similarly, the diluted specimens in the ten grooves va2-1 to va2-10 shown in Figure 21A are poured into collection tube 37-12 to produce aggregated specimen P2. The diluted specimens in the ten grooves va3-1 to va3-10 are poured into collection tube 37-13 to produce aggregated specimen P3. Similarly, aggregated specimens P4 to P10 are produced.

[0130] In other words, each of the aggregation tubes 37-11 to 37-20 of the first storage rack 160A shown in Figure 22A will be filled with aggregated samples P1 to P10, which are 10 diluted samples aggregated in the left-right direction from the diluted samples injected into each groove portion va shown in Figure 21A.

[0131] The aggregation head 140 takes out ten diluted samples from the dilution tray 135 of the second mounting base 132 shown in FIG. 21B in the front-to-back direction and injects them into the aggregation tube 37. That is, the aggregation head 140 is equipped with the tip 36-21 installed in the second storage rack 160B, and aspirates ten diluted samples vb1-1 to vb10-1 from the grooves vb of the second mounting base 132 (mounting bases 132A and 132B) shown in FIG. 21B in the front-to-back direction, and injects them into the aggregation tube 37-21 installed in the second storage rack 160B. Therefore, the diluted samples in the ten grooves vb1-1 to vb10-1 shown in FIG. 21B are injected into the aggregation tube 37-21. This is referred to as "aggregated sample Q1."

[0132] Similarly, the diluted specimens in the ten grooves vb1-2 to va10-2 shown in Figure 21B are poured into collection tube 37-22 to produce aggregated specimen Q2. The diluted specimens in the ten grooves va1-3 to va10-3 are poured into collection tube 37-23 to produce aggregated specimen Q3. Similarly, aggregated specimens Q4 to Q10 are produced.

[0133] In other words, each of the aggregation tubes 37-21 to 37-30 of the second storage rack 160B shown in Figure 22B will be filled with aggregated samples Q1 to Q10, which are 10 diluted samples aggregated in the front-to-back direction from the diluted samples injected into each groove portion vb shown in Figure 21B.

[0134] As in the first embodiment, the aggregated specimens (P1 to P10) filled in the collection tubes 37-11 to 37-20 of the first storage rack 160A and the aggregated specimens (Q1 to Q10) filled in the collection tubes 37-21 to 37-30 of the second storage rack 160B are tested, and the test results are determined to be positive or negative. Then, based on the determination results, positive stool specimens can be identified using a method similar to that in the first embodiment.

[0135] Next, a processing procedure for testing a plurality of stool samples S using the sample collecting device 200 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 23. The processing shown in Fig. 23 is executed by the control unit 201 shown in Fig. 16.

[0136] In preparation for performing the test, the user places sample racks 110A and 110B, each housing a plurality of stool collection tubes 11, on the bottom part PL10 shown in Figure 16. Collection tubes 37 and tips 36 are placed in the openings Ha and Hb of each storage rack 160A and 160B, respectively. Dilution trays 135A and 135B are placed in the dilution part 130.

[0137] 23, the control unit 201 instructs the diluent supply unit 150 to inject the diluent into the 100 grooves v formed in the dilution tray 135A and the 100 grooves v formed in the dilution tray 135B, respectively. That is, the diluent is injected into a total of 200 grooves v.

[0138] In step S32, the control unit 201 sequentially removes each stool collection tube 11 stored in the sample racks 110A and 110B in the left-right direction using the gripper 120, and adds the stool sample S to the groove portion v of each of the first and second dilution trays 135A and 135B.

[0139] In step S33, the control unit 201 mounts the chips 36 in the first storage rack 160A on the aggregation head 140.

[0140] In step S34, the control unit 201 aspirates diluted specimens from each of the ten grooves v of the first dilution tray 135A and injects them into the aggregation tube 37. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21A, ten diluted specimens are injected into the aggregation tube in the left-right direction to generate an aggregated specimen P1.

[0141] In step S35, the control unit 201 determines whether diluted specimens have been injected into all of the collection tubes 37 (37-11 to 37-20) housed in the first storage rack 160A. If diluted specimens have been injected into all of the collection tubes 37 (S35; YES), the process proceeds to step S37; if not (S35; NO), the process proceeds to step S36.

[0142] In step S36, the control unit 201 removes and discards the tip 36 attached to the aggregation head 140, and attaches a new tip 36. Thereafter, the process returns to step S34.

[0143] By the processing of steps S33 to S36 described above, aggregated specimens P1 to P10 shown in FIG. 21A are generated.

[0144] In step S37, the control unit 201 mounts the chips 36 in the second storage rack 160B on the aggregation head 140.

[0145] In step S38, the control unit 201 aspirates diluted specimens from each of the ten grooves v of the second dilution tray 135B and injects them into the aggregation tube 37. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21B, the ten diluted specimens are injected in the front-to-back direction into the aggregation tube to generate aggregated specimen Q1.

[0146] In step S39, the control unit 201 determines whether diluted specimens have been injected into all of the collection tubes 37 (37-21 to 37-30) housed in the second storage rack 160B. If diluted specimens have been injected into all of the collection tubes 37 (S39; YES), the process proceeds to step S41; otherwise (S35; NO), the process proceeds to step S40.

[0147] In step S40, the control unit 201 removes and discards the tip 36 attached to the aggregation head 140, and attaches a new tip 36. Thereafter, the process returns to step S38.

[0148] Through the processing of steps S37 to S40 described above, aggregated specimens Q1 to Q10 shown in FIG. 21B are generated.

[0149] In step S41, the user removes each collecting tube 37 stored in each storage rack 160A, 160B and sends it to the subsequent testing process. Furthermore, new collecting tubes 37 and tips 36 are stored in each storage rack 160A, 160B. Furthermore, the used dilution tray 135 is discarded, and a new dilution tray 135 is installed in the dilution section 130.

[0150] In step S42, the user identifies the stool specimen S that has been determined to be positive based on the test results of the aggregated specimens P1 to P10 and the test results of the aggregated specimens Q1 to Q10, and then ends this process.

[0151] In this way, the specimen collecting device 200 according to the second embodiment performs a first collecting process in which fecal specimens are collected and collected in the left-right direction from a plurality of stool collection tubes 11 arranged in two dimensions, and a second collecting process in which fecal specimens are collected and collected in the front-back direction. As a result, collected specimens P1 to P10 are generated by collecting the fecal specimens S in the left-right direction, and collected specimens Q1 to Q10 are generated by collecting the fecal specimens S in the front-back direction.

[0152] In the testing process, each aggregated specimen P1-P10, Q1-Q10 is tested to determine whether it is positive or negative, and a stool specimen common to the aggregated specimens that are determined to be positive is presumed to be a positive stool specimen. For example, if aggregated specimens P3 and Q4 are determined to be positive, the stool specimen S3-4 common to these specimens is presumed to be positive. Therefore, it is possible to identify a positive stool specimen S with a small number of tests. Furthermore, even users with low skill levels can perform tests with high accuracy.

[0153] In the sample collecting device 200 according to the second embodiment, a first dilution tray 135A and a second dilution tray 135B are installed, and diluted samples are poured into grooves v formed in the dilution trays 135A and 135B. Therefore, the aggregated samples P1 to P10 shown in Fig. 21A and the aggregated samples Q1 to Q10 shown in Fig. 21B can be produced in a series of operations. This enables rapid sample collecting without the need for a user to swap the dilution trays 135.

[0154] In the above embodiment, a stool sample was used as an example of the sample, but the present invention is not limited to stool samples and can be applied to other samples that are collected in large numbers in mass health checkups, etc.

[0155] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art. [Explanation of symbols]

[0156] 10A, 10B, 110A, 110B sample racks 11. Fecal collection tube (specimen container) 20, 120 gripper 30 Rotation drive unit 31 Inner rotating part 32 Outer rotating part 32a Turntable 32b Auxiliary plate 32c Drive unit 32d belt 33 First Opening 34 Second opening 35 Dilution Tray 36 (36-1~36-10, 36-11~36-20, 36-21~36-30) Chip 37 (37-1 to 37-10, 37-11 to 37-20, 37-21 to 37-30) Aggregate tube 40, 140 aggregate head 50, 150 Diluent supply unit 100, 200 specimen collection device 101, 201 Control section 130 Dilution section 131 First platform 132 Second platform 131A, 131B, 132A, 132B Mounting tables 135A First Dilution Tray 135B Second Dilution Tray 160A First Storage Rack 160B Second storage rack P1~P10 First aggregated specimen (first direction) Q1~Q10 Second aggregated specimen (second direction) S(S1-1~S10-10) Stool specimen u Storage area v, va, vb groove

Claims

1. A specimen collecting device that collects a plurality of specimens, a sample rack that stores a plurality of sample containers containing samples in a two-dimensional arrangement in a first direction and a second direction; a dilution tray that is installed on a rotatable outer rotating part, has a circular periphery, and has a plurality of grooves formed along the periphery; an inner rotating portion that is arranged on the inner circumferential side of the outer rotating portion, has a disk shape, and accommodates a plurality of collection tubes; a diluent supply unit that injects a diluent into each groove; a gripper that removes individual specimens from each specimen container stored in the specimen rack and places them into the grooves into which the diluent has been poured; a collecting head that aspirates the diluted sample injected into the plurality of grooves formed in the dilution tray and injects the diluted sample into the collecting tube; a control unit that controls driving of the gripper, the collecting head, the outer rotating unit, and the inner rotating unit; Equipped with The control unit a first aggregation process in which the gripper sequentially removes sample containers from the sample rack in the first direction and places them in the groove, and the aggregation head injects diluted samples corresponding to the number of times the sample containers are directed in the first direction into the aggregation tubes to generate aggregated samples corresponding to the number of times the sample containers are directed in the second direction; and a second aggregation process in which the gripper sequentially removes sample containers from the sample rack in the second direction and places them in the groove, and the aggregation head injects diluted samples corresponding to the number of times the sample containers are directed in the second direction into the aggregation tubes to generate aggregated samples corresponding to the number of times the sample containers are directed in the first direction; Specimen aggregation device.

2. the inner rotating portion includes tips corresponding to the respective collecting tubes; The collecting head aspirates a plurality of diluted samples from each groove using a tip corresponding to one collecting tube, and injects the diluted samples into the one collecting tube. The specimen collecting device according to claim 1 .

3. The grooves are formed continuously at equal intervals on the periphery of the dilution tray, The control unit, by the gripper, In the first aggregation process, the specimen along the first direction is continuously injected into the groove along a circumferential direction; In the second aggregation process, a process is performed in which the specimens along the second direction are continuously injected into the grooves of the dilution tray along a circumferential direction. The specimen collecting device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The specimen collecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the specimen is a stool specimen.

5. A specimen collecting device that collects a plurality of specimens, a sample rack that stores a plurality of sample containers containing samples in a two-dimensional arrangement; a first dilution tray and a second dilution tray on which a plurality of grooves are formed two-dimensionally in a first direction and a second direction; a plurality of first collecting tubes stored in a first storage rack and a plurality of second collecting tubes stored in a second storage rack; a diluent supply unit that injects a diluent into each groove; a gripper that removes individual samples from each sample container stored in the sample rack and places the samples in the grooves of the first dilution tray and the grooves of the second dilution tray; an aggregation head that aspirates diluted samples injected into a plurality of grooves formed in the first dilution tray and injects them into the first aggregation tube, and that aspirates diluted samples injected into a plurality of grooves formed in the second dilution tray and injects them into the second aggregation tube; a control unit that controls driving of the gripper and the collecting head; Equipped with The control unit a first aggregation process in which the gripper removes sample containers from the sample rack and places them in the grooves of the first dilution tray and the second dilution tray, respectively, and the aggregation head injects diluted samples from the first dilution tray in a number corresponding to a first direction facing the first direction into the first aggregation tube, thereby generating aggregated samples in a number corresponding to a second direction; and a second aggregation process is performed in which the aggregation head injects diluted samples from the second dilution tray into the second aggregation tubes in a number corresponding to a second direction facing the second direction, thereby generating aggregated samples in a number corresponding to the first direction; Specimen aggregation device.

6. the first storage rack includes a first tip corresponding to the first collecting tube, and the second storage rack includes a second tip corresponding to the second collecting tube; The aggregation head uses the first tip to aspirate a plurality of diluted samples from each groove and inject them into the first aggregation tube, and uses the second tip to aspirate a plurality of diluted samples from each groove and inject them into the second aggregation tube. The specimen collecting device according to claim 5 .

7. The specimen collecting device according to claim 5 , wherein the specimen is a stool specimen.

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