Sample collection stick

Abstract

The present invention relates to a specimen collection stick including a support portion and a specimen collection portion. According to the present invention, the specimen collection portion has a cylindrical shape with a storage space capable of storing the specimen on the central axis side of the longitudinal direction of the specimen collection portion, and a large number of specimen inlets and outlets communicating with the storage space are formed on the outer surface of the specimen collection portion, and the large number of specimen inlets and outlets are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the specimen collection portion, thereby disclosing a technology that can increase the amount of specimen collected from a subject and increase the amount of the collected specimen that dissolves or disperses from the specimen collection stick into a reagent or solution.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a specimen collection stick, and more specifically to a specimen collection stick that can collect a specimen such as saliva in a subject's oral or nasal cavity by scraping the saliva, etc., from the oral and nasal cavities of the subject. [Background technology]

[0002] Microbiological testing is testing to determine whether a specimen is contaminated with pathogenic bacteria that can cause disease. In other words, it is testing to establish methods of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention when a microorganism is thought to be the cause of a disease. Microbiological testing is used to determine whether a subject is contaminated with pathogenic bacteria that can cause disease, such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas.

[0003] Generally, for a microbiological test, a specimen is taken from the body of a test subject, and the taken specimen is mixed with a test reagent or solution and then tested for the presence or absence of pathogenic bacteria.

[0004] When collecting a sample from a subject's saliva, body fluids, or body tissues, a tool called a sampling stick, brush, or swab is used. In other words, the sampling swab is inserted into the subject's body, and the sample is collected by applying the sample to the swab and then withdrawing it.

[0005] In the case of existing specimen collection swabs, a circular collection part is formed at the end of a rod-shaped swab. The collection part of the swab is provided with a fiber layer formed by attaching small fine fibers. In this way, the sample is soaked into the fiber layer formed in the collection part of the conventional swab, and the sample is collected by pulling out the collection part of the swab from the subject.

[0006] As described above, the conventional sample collection swabs used for collecting samples must be inserted into the oral and nasal cavities of the test subject for a certain period of time to allow saliva and other fluids to soak into the fiber layer, which is inconvenient for the test subject. Above all, there have been cases where the fiber layer of the sample collection swab is separated and left behind in the test subject's body. The remaining of foreign matter such as a fiber layer in the test subject's body must be a serious medical problem. In addition, there have been cases where the amount of sample collected using conventional swabs is insufficient, resulting in a decrease in the accuracy of the test.

[0007] Therefore, there has been a demand for a technique that can solve these problems. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technique, and to provide a sample collection stick which can increase the amount of sample collected when collecting a sample, reduce the time required for sample collection, and avoid the problem of the fiber part that constitutes the fiber layer of conventional swabs not being separated from the swab. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a sample collection stick according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a support portion in the form of a rod or bar having any length, and a sample collection portion located at the front end of the support portion for collecting a sample that comes into contact with inside the subject's body, the sample collection portion having a cylindrical shape with a storage space capable of storing the sample on the central axis side of the longitudinal direction of the sample collection portion, a number of sample inlets and outlets communicating with the storage space are formed on the outer surface of the sample collection portion, and the multiple sample inlets and outlets have a form arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the sample collection portion.

[0010] Here, a further feature is that the multiple sample inlets and outlets are arranged in a first row and a second row, and the first row and the second row are formed on either side of the longitudinal central axis of the sample collection section.

[0011] Here, a further feature may be that the first row of sample inlets and the second row of sample inlets and the second row of sample inlets and the first ... are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the sample collecting section.

[0012] Here, a further feature may be that the inside of the specimen collecting section is provided with one or more partitions that spatially divide the storage space.

[0013] Here, a further feature may be that the inlet / outlet flow path of the sample narrows or widens as the sample advances from the sample inlet / outlet in a direction crossing the central axis of the sample collecting portion.

[0014] Here, a further feature may be that the specimen collecting portion is made of a material having flexibility or elasticity.

[0015] Here, another feature can be that a protruding connecting step or connecting protrusion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the support portion, or a lid fastening groove is formed, so that the sample collection portion can be fixedly connected to the lid of a sample container that houses the sample collection portion inside. Effect of the Invention

[0016] The specimen collection stick according to the present invention does not require the flocking process required in the manufacturing process of existing specimen collection swabs, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs of the specimen collection stick. Furthermore, since the specimen collection stick does not have a fiber layer, there is no risk of the fiber layer coming off and remaining inside the subject's body, as occurs with existing specimen collection swabs, thereby improving the safety of the test.

[0017] In addition, the specimen collection stick according to the present invention increases the amount of specimen collected from the body of the subject, and further reduces the time required for specimen collection because it does not require the absorption time required for the specimen to soak into the fiber layer as with conventional swabs. This reduces the time required for specimen collection, reduces the inconvenience to the subject when collecting the specimen, and improves the accuracy of the test by increasing the amount of specimen collected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic diagram of a specimen collection stick according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a side view showing a schematic diagram of a sample collection portion of a sample collection stick according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram for explaining a specimen collection portion of a specimen collection stick according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a schematic diagram of a sample collection portion of a sample collection stick according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic cross-sectional side view of a specimen collection portion of a specimen collection stick according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic cross section of a specimen collection portion of a specimen collection stick according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing a modified sample collection portion of a sample collection stick according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The present invention can be modified in various ways and can have various embodiments, but a specific embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to a specific embodiment, and it should be understood that the present invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. The present embodiment is provided to explain the present invention in more detail to those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. Therefore, the shape of each element shown in the drawings may be exaggerated to emphasize a clearer description, and if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description may be omitted.

[0020] Terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. Terms are used for the purpose of explaining and understanding one component by distinguishing it from other components.

[0021] The terms used in the present invention are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Unless otherwise clearly indicated in the context, the singular expression includes the plural expression.

[0022] In the present invention, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The same reference numerals may be used throughout the specification to refer to similar parts.

[0024] Hereinafter, a specimen collection stick according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic representation of a specimen collection stick according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic representation of the specimen collection portion of a specimen collection stick according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the specimen collection portion of a specimen collection stick according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing a schematic representation of the specimen collection portion of a specimen collection stick according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic representation of a side cross-section of the specimen collection portion of a specimen collection stick according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic representation of a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the specimen collection portion of a specimen collection stick according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] First, as shown in FIG. 1, a specimen collection stick 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a support part 200 and a specimen collection part 300, and may further include a handle part 100.

[0027] First, the support part 200 has a rod or bar shape and has an arbitrary length. The sample collecting part 300 is located at the front side of the support part 200 and supports the sample collecting part 300. The handle part 100 is connected to the rear side of the support part 200. The support part 200 supports the sample collecting part 300 so that it can enter the body of the subject.

[0028] The front side of the support part 200 and the specimen collecting part 300 may be made of a single material such as a polymeric material or an elastomeric material. Alternatively, the support part 200 and the specimen collecting part 300 may be made of different materials and may be combined with each other. It is also entirely possible to fusion-mold the specimen collecting part 300 to the front side of the support part 200.

[0029] The support section 200 is not limited to a specific shape as long as it can support the specimen collecting section 300 so that the specimen collecting section 300 enters the body of the subject and collects the specimen.

[0030] In addition, the support 200 is preferably made of a polymer material having flexibility and elasticity so that it can be flexibly deformed by an externally applied or transmitted force and can be restored to its original shape.

[0031] When pulling out the specimen collection portion 300 and the support portion 200 of the specimen collection stick 10 stored in a specimen container (not shown), if a tool such as tweezers is used to remove them, the tweezers must be washed in advance, and the support portion 200 of the specimen collection stick 10 must be pinched with the tweezers to remove it from the specimen container. Once the specimen collection portion 300 and the support portion 200 of the specimen collection stick 10 are placed in the position intended by the examiner, the tweezers used must be washed again.

[0032] In this way, the tweezers used in the process of pulling the specimen-picking stick out of the specimen container must be washed every time, which can act as a factor in reducing the efficiency of the test work on the specimen. Therefore, the following configuration can be provided so that the specimen-picking portion 300 and the support portion 200 of the specimen-picking stick 10 can be pulled out of the specimen container without using tweezers.

[0033] That is, it is also possible that the support part 200 may have a coupling step or coupling protrusion 210 formed on the outer surface thereof so that a cover or lid of a sample container can be fixedly coupled to the outer surface of the support part 200 .

[0034] A fixing groove or a fitting step (not shown) may be provided on the inside of a cover or lid (not shown) of a sample container (not shown) so that the support part 200 of the sample collection stick 10 can be fixed to the cover of the sample container. The fixing groove or fitting step provided on the inside of the cover of the sample container may be engaged or coupled with the coupling step or coupling protrusion 210 of the support part.

[0035] In this way, since the support part 200 can be fixed to the cover or lid of the specimen container, when the cover or lid of the specimen container is opened, the support part 200 can be easily removed from the specimen container together with the lid or cover of the specimen container without using an instrument such as tweezers, which is preferable.

[0036] 1 shows a ring-shaped coupling step or coupling protrusion 210 formed along the circumferential direction on the outer surface of the support part 200 as an exemplary form of such a coupling step or coupling protrusion 210. As can be seen in FIG. 1, it is also preferable that one or a number of coupling steps or coupling protrusions formed in the form of a ring are provided on the outer surface of the support part 200.

[0037] In this way, if the support part 200 can be connected to the cover of the specimen container, convenience in use can be increased, which is preferable.

[0038] The handle portion 100 is located on the rear side of the support portion 200. That is, the rear end of the support portion 200 is connected to the handle portion 100.

[0039] The handle portion 100 is connected to the rear end of the support portion 200 and has a certain length so that it can be grasped by the examiner's hand or fingers.

[0040] The handle portion 100 is connected to the rear end of the support portion 200 and has a certain length so that it can be grasped by the examiner's hand or fingers.

[0041] As can be seen in the drawings, the handle portion 100 has the form of a rod or bar having a certain length. Such a handle portion 100 is held by the hand or fingers of an examiner. The examiner can use the handle portion 100 to control the advancement or insertion of the specimen collection portion 300 into the body of a subject.

[0042] Therefore, by controlling the handle portion 100 by the examiner, the specimen collection portion 300 can be advanced or inserted into the body of the subject through the oral cavity, nasal cavity, etc.

[0043] As can be seen in the drawings, a segmented groove 120 is preferably provided between the handle portion 100 and the rear end of the support portion 200, such that the handle portion 100 and the support portion 200 can be distinguished from each other. In other words, a segmented groove 120 is preferably provided between the handle portion and the support portion so that the handle portion 100 and the support portion 200 can be separated from each other.

[0044] When the specimen collecting section 300 is pulled out from the body of the subject in response to the intention of the examiner who is the user, the specimen collecting section 300 and the support section 200 are housed in the specimen container.

[0045] Here, since there is no need to house the handle portion 100 in the sample container, it is preferable to separate the handle portion 100 from the support portion 200. Therefore, it is preferable that a segment or a segment groove 120 is provided between the support portion 200 and the handle portion 100, as can be seen in the drawings, so that the support portion 200 and the handle portion 100 can be separated according to the needs of the examiner.

[0046] After the support part 200 and the handle part 100 are separated, the support part 200 can be coupled to a cover of a sample container as described above. It is preferable that the support part 200 has a protruding coupling step or coupling protrusion 210 or a lid fastening groove formed on the outer circumferential surface thereof so that the sample collecting part 300 can be fixedly coupled to a cover or lid of a sample container that accommodates the sample collecting part 300 therein.

[0047] The specimen collecting part 300 is a part that is inserted or advanced into the body of the subject to come into contact with the specimen and collect the specimen. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the specimen collecting part 300 is located at the front end of the support part 200 and collects or collects the specimen that it comes into contact with inside the body of the subject.

[0048] As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the specimen collecting section 300 has a cylindrical shape with a storage space 310 capable of storing a specimen on the longitudinal central axis LX side of the specimen collecting section 300, and a number of specimen inlets and outlets 360R1, 360R2 communicating with the storage space 310 are formed on the outer surface of the specimen collecting section 300, and it is preferable that the multiple specimen inlets and outlets 360R1, 360R2 are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the specimen collecting section 300.

[0049] That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the specimen collecting section 300 has a cylindrical shape with an internal storage space 310 capable of storing a specimen, and when a number of specimen inlets and outlets 360R1, 360R2 are formed in a shape that crosses from the outer surface of the specimen collecting section 300 toward the inner central axis LX, as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, a number of specimen inlets and outlets 360R1, 360R2 communicating with the storage space 310 are formed on the outer surface of the specimen collecting section 300.

[0050] Here, the specimen inlets 360R1, 360R2 are not in the form of a hole that penetrates linearly perpendicular to the central axis LX of the longitudinal direction of the specimen collecting section 300. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the specimen inlets 360R1, 360R2 are preferably formed as a space that starts from the specimen inlets 360R1, 360R2 and crosses the central axis LX side of the specimen collecting section, that is, as a groove 360E with the end of the specimen inlet / outlet flow path blocked.

[0051] As described above, the sample inlets 360R1 and 360R2 are not in the form of linearly penetrating holes, but are in the form of grooves with closed ends, so that the sample flowing into the sample inlets 360R1 and 360R2 can be received in the receiving space 310 without passing through to the other side.

[0052] Preferably, a plurality of specimen inlets and outlets 360R1, 360R2 are formed on the outer surface of the specimen collection section 300, and the plurality of specimen inlets and outlets 360R1, 360R2 are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the specimen collection section 300, as shown in the drawing.

[0053] Another way of expressing this is that the multiple specimen entrances and exits 360R1, 360R2 are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the specimen collecting portion 300, that is, multiple specimen entrances and exits 360R1A, 360R1B, 360R1C are formed in a row from the rear side of the specimen collecting portion 300 connected to the front end of the support portion 200 toward the front side of the specimen collecting portion 300 along the longitudinal central axis LX.

[0054] Here, the multiple sample inlets 360R1A, 360R1B, and 360R1C are arranged in one row, i.e., the first row.

[0055] In addition, the other sample inlets 360R2A, 360R2B, and 360R2C are arranged in another row. Here, the other sample inlets 360R2A, 360R2B, and 360R2C have a configuration in which they are arranged in another row, i.e., a second row.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 4, it is also preferable that the direction in which the multiple sample entrances 360R1 belonging to the first row are opened is opposite to the direction in which the multiple sample entrances 360R2 belonging to the second row are opened.

[0057] The multiple specimen inlets 360R1, 360R2 are preferably arranged in a first row and a second row, with the first row and the second row being formed on either side of the central axis LX of the specimen collecting section 300 in the longitudinal direction.

[0058] Here, it is preferable that the specimen inlets 360R1 belonging to the first row and the specimen inlets 360R2 belonging to the second row are alternately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the specimen collecting section 300 as shown in the drawing.

[0059] The first row of specimen inlets 360R1 and the second row of specimen inlets 360R2 are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction of the specimen collection section 300, and as described above, the multiple specimen inlets 360R1, 360R2 are not formed as holes penetrating perpendicularly across the longitudinal central axis LX of the specimen collection section 300, but are formed in the form of grooves 360E with the opposite ends of the specimen inlets 360R1, 360R2 blocked.

[0060] Therefore, during the sample collection process, the sample flowing into the sample inlets 360R1 and 360R2 and entering the storage space 310 is prevented from passing across the central axis LX and exiting, and the sample can be maintained in a state where it is contained within the storage space 310.

[0061] It is preferable that the inlet / outlet flow path 360F for the specimen be narrowed or widened as the specimen advances from the specimen inlets 360R1, 360R2 in a direction transverse to the central axis LX of the longitudinal direction of the specimen collecting section 300. In other words, it is preferable that the inlet / outlet flow path 360F for the specimen be narrowed or widened as the specimen advances inward from the specimen inlets 360R1, 360R2.

[0062] For example, as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the height 360h of the specimen inlet / outlet channel 360F can be reduced as it moves from the specimen entrance / exit 360R1A toward the central axis LX, thereby making the specimen inlet / outlet channel 360F narrower.

[0063] Also, it is possible for the width 360W of the specimen inlet / outlet channel 360F to decrease from the specimen inlet / outlet 360R1A toward the central axis LX, thereby narrowing the specimen inlet / outlet channel 360F.

[0064] In this manner, it is preferable that the sample inlet / outlet flow path 360F becomes narrower as it proceeds inward from the sample inlets 360R1, 360R2, because this makes it possible to collect the sample that flows in through the sample inlets 360R1, 360R2 and enters the storage space 310 inside the sample collection section 300.

[0065] The specimen that flows into the specimen inlet / outlet flow path 360F or that has gathered in the storage space 310 has a certain coagulation force, so that the specimen is prevented from escaping to the outside of the specimen collecting portion 300 during the specimen collection process.

[0066] When the specimen collecting portion 300 is immersed in the fixing solution, the specimen held or contained in the specimen collecting portion 300 can be easily dispersed and released into the fixing solution, thereby increasing the amount of specimen in the fixing solution.

[0067] In other words, when the specimen collecting section 300 is immersed in the fixing solution, the fixing solution flows into the accommodation space 310. Therefore, the accommodation space 310 becomes filled with the accommodated specimen and the fixing solution, and some of the specimen is dispersed in the fixing solution. In this state, shaking the support section 200 to shake the specimen collecting section 300 increases the amount of specimen dispersed in the fixing solution and also helps the specimen dispersed in the fixing solution to flow out of the accommodation space 310 to the outside of the specimen collecting section 300.

[0068] In particular, in the case where the specimen inlet / outlet flow path 360F is narrowed as it advances inward from the specimen inlets / outlets 360R1, 360R2, the inlet / outlet flow path 360F expands in the direction from the inside of the storage space 310 toward the specimen inlets / outlets 360R1, 360R2. Therefore, it is possible to ensure that the amount of the specimen contained inside the storage space 310 that disperses in the fixing solution and is discharged to the outside through the specimen inlets / outlets 360R1, 360R2 is more than a certain amount.

[0069] Therefore, the amount of specimen collected can be increased, and moreover, a certain amount or more of the specimen accommodated in the accommodation space 310 can be discharged to the outside of the specimen collecting section 300 while being dispersed in the fixing solution.

[0070] In addition, it is also preferable that the storage space 310 of the specimen collecting section 300 is divided into two or more separate spaces as follows.

[0071] 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing a modified sample collection portion of a sample collection stick according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, it is also preferable to provide one or more partitions 320 that spatially divide the receiving space 310 inside the sample collection portion 300.

[0072] 7 shows an example including a single partition 320. The single partition 320 divides and separates the receiving space 310 into two receiving spaces 310A and 310B.

[0073] Providing one or more partitions 320 in the receiving space 310 helps to aggregate surrounding samples when a viscous sample adheres to the partitions 320. Therefore, by using the receiving spaces 310A and 310B separated by one or more partitions 320, collection of a certain amount of sample can be ensured.

[0074] As described above, the partition 320 and the receiving spaces 310A and 310B provided in the specimen collecting portion 300 are preferable because they help a certain amount of the specimen to remain in the specimen collecting portion 300 while being agglutinated.

[0075] When one or a plurality of partitions 320 are provided or the partitions 320 are divided and separated into a plurality of receiving spaces, the amount of sample escaping from the receiving space 310 in the sample collecting part 300 during the process of collecting a sample from within the body is significantly reduced, thereby increasing the amount of sample collected. Furthermore, the amount of the collected sample dissolved or dispersed in a reagent or solution from the sample collecting part 300 of the sample collecting stick 10 can be increased.

[0076] As described above, the sample collection stick according to an embodiment of the present invention can store the sample to be collected within the storage space of the sample collection section and prevents the sample that has flowed into the storage space from escaping to the outside, thereby allowing the amount of sample to be collected to be relatively increased compared to conventional sample collection swabs.

[0077] Furthermore, since there is no fiber layer unlike the conventional method, when the specimen collection portion is immersed in a fixing solution, the specimen held or contained in the specimen collection portion can easily disperse and come out into the fixing solution, thereby increasing the amount of specimen in the fixing solution.

[0078] As described above, the specimen collection stick according to the present invention does not require the flocking process required in the manufacturing process of existing specimen collection swabs, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs of the specimen collection stick. Furthermore, since the specimen collection stick does not have a fiber layer, there is no risk of the fiber layer coming off and remaining inside the subject's body, as occurs with existing specimen collection swabs.

[0079] In addition, the specimen collection stick according to the present invention has the advantage that it can increase the amount of specimen collected from a subject compared to conventional swabs, and can increase the amount of collected specimen that dissolves or disperses in a reagent or solution from the specimen collection stick, thereby improving the accuracy of the test by increasing the amount of specimen collected.

[0080] Furthermore, the sample collection stick according to the present invention can reduce the time required for sample collection and can reduce the inconvenience to the subject when collecting a sample. Furthermore, since the sample collection part inserted into the oral or nasal cavity of the subject is made of a polymeric or elastomer material having flexibility and elasticity, it has the advantage of reducing the inconvenience to the user.

[0081] As described above, the specific description of the present invention has been disclosed based on the embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. However, since the above-mentioned embodiments are merely described as examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention should not be understood as being limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and the scope of the present invention should be understood based on the claims and their equivalents described below. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 10. Sample collection stick 100 Handle 200 Support part 300 Sample Collection Section 310 Containment Space 320 Bulkhead 360R1, 360R2 Sample entrance / exit

Claims

1. A support in the form of a rod or bar of any length; A specimen collection section is located at a front end of the support section and collects a specimen that comes into contact with the specimen inside the subject's body. The sample collecting unit includes: A specimen collection stick characterized in that it has a cylindrical shape with a storage space capable of storing the specimen on the central axis side of the longitudinal direction of the specimen collection section, a number of specimen inlets and outlets communicating with the storage space are formed on the outer surface of the specimen collection section, and the multiple specimen inlets and outlets are arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction of the specimen collection section.

2. The plurality of sample inlets and outlets are arranged in a first row and a second row, 2. The specimen picking stick according to claim 1, wherein the first row and the second row are formed on either side of a central axis in a longitudinal direction of the specimen picking portion.

3. 3. The specimen picking stick according to claim 2, wherein the first row of specimen inlets and the second row of specimen inlets are arranged alternately in the longitudinal direction of the specimen picking portion.

4. The specimen collection stick according to claim 1 , wherein the specimen collection portion is provided with one or more partitions on the inside thereof for spatially dividing the storage space.

5. 2. The specimen collection stick according to claim 1, wherein the inlet / outlet flow path of the specimen narrows or widens as the specimen advances from the specimen inlet / outlet in a direction transverse to a central axis of the specimen collection portion.

6. 2. The specimen-picking stick according to claim 1, wherein the specimen-picking portion is made of a material having flexibility or elasticity.

7. The specimen collection stick according to claim 6, wherein the outer peripheral surface of the support portion is formed with a protruding connection step or connection protrusion or a lid fastening groove so that the specimen collection portion can be fixedly connected to a lid of a specimen container that houses the specimen collection portion therein.

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