Sample collection tool and sample collection device using the same

Abstract

To provide a sample collecting device for collecting samples by attaching samples such as cells floating in a liquid such as a cell preservation solution to a sheet-like filter, which can easily and inexpensively obtain a consistent high-quality sample. [Solution] The sample collection device 2 includes a cylindrical main body 21, a filter 6 stretched over one end surface 215 of the main body 21, and an absorbent member 23 housed within the main body 21 and capable of absorbing liquid when it is soaked in it. Negative pressure is applied to the internal space 212 of the main body 21 from the other end 211 side by a suction device 3, causing cells 5 floating in the liquid to adhere to the filter 6. Therefore, when a specimen (aliquot) is prepared by transferring the cells from the filter 6 to a slide glass, no liquid accumulates on the back side of the filter 6, and there is no problem of the cells 5 adhering to the filter surface washing off after the filter is lifted from the liquid.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample collection tool that is suitable for use in collecting samples for cytological diagnosis using cell-containing fluid, and a sample collection device that uses the same. [Background technology]

[0002] In pathological diagnosis, in addition to methods for examining excised organs or biopsies (extracting a portion of an organ), minimally invasive cytological techniques are also widely used. The specimens used in cytological diagnosis are prepared by clinical laboratory technicians or other professionals who perform specific procedures on specimens collected by doctors or nurses. These procedures involve rubbing or spraying the specimen collected from the patient using a brush, cotton swab, needle, or other device onto a glass slide, followed by fixation and preservation, and then staining with reagents appropriate for the test item, such as cancer. The prepared specimens are used for diagnosis by cytotechnologists and physicians. Liquid specimens, such as urine and body cavity fluid, have traditionally been prepared by applying the sediment collected by centrifugation to a glass slide or by centrifugal cell collection methods using specialized centrifuges (e.g., autosmear, cytospin).

[0003] Conventional cytology specimen processing methods can produce substandard specimens, depending on the skill of the preparer. These specimens may have high or low cell counts, overlapping cells, or dry specimens. To address this issue, liquid-based cytology (LBC) was developed in the 1990s to achieve homogenization, mechanization, and automation. In LBC, collected cells are suspended in a specific liquid solution (hereafter simply referred to as the solution) and then deposited on a glass slide. This allows for consistent specimen quality regardless of the specimen type or the skill of the preparer. LBC is also applicable to many specimens, including viruses and microorganisms. Furthermore, LBC allows for genetic analysis and viral analysis, and allows for re-preparation of specimens. As a result, LBC has become widely used.

[0004] Currently, there are two methods for LBC: one is a method in which cells suspended in the solution are allowed to settle naturally due to their specific gravity and then adsorbed to a glass slide by electrical charge (SurePath (registered trademark) method, LBC Prep 2). The other LBC method is a method in which a certain amount of cells suspended in the solution is adsorbed (collected) onto a filter using negative pressure suction and pressed onto a glass slide (ThinPrep (registered trademark) method), or a method in which the cells are attached using wind pressure (CellPrep (registered trademark) method).

[0005] These solutions include cell preservation solutions and physiological saline solutions, and are used depending on the target cells and their collection method. For example, cell preservation solutions contain 30-50% alcohol and may contain formaldehyde. The alcohols mentioned above are also used in appropriate proportions, such as methanol, ethanol, and propanol. In addition to these differences in alcohol concentration and type, solutions also vary in the presence or absence of hemolytic agents, mucolytic agents, pH, and osmotic pressure. Solutions suitable for each of the above methods are commercially available. Cell preservation solutions preserve cell shape and prevent decay, allowing for long-term cell storage and also enabling genetic testing of cells.

[0006] The SurePath® method and LBC Prep 2 do not require expensive specialized equipment and can prepare specimens relatively inexpensively, making them used in 80-90% of hospitals that perform LBC. However, because they rely on sedimentation, cells maintain their three-dimensional structure (stacking in multiple layers) and cell shapes vary, making precision control of the cells (specimens) difficult, sometimes making observation difficult. They are particularly unsuitable for AI-based diagnosis.

[0007] In contrast, in the ThinPrep® and CellPrep® methods, a certain amount of cells suspended in a cell preservation solution are attached (collected) onto a filter, and then the cells are pressed from the filter onto a glass slide using physical or air force, flattening the cells and allowing for cell images similar to those obtained with conventional cell specimens. This allows the observer to perceive cell images as easy to see and familiar, contributing to improved diagnostic accuracy and reduced diagnostic burden. Specifically, in the ThinPrep® method, a cylindrical body with a filter attached to one end is immersed in the cell preservation solution, and negative pressure suction is applied from the other end to attach (collect) the cells onto the filter. The body is then lifted from the cell preservation solution, inverted, and the filter surface is pressed against a glass slide for transfer. On the other hand, in the CellPrep (registered trademark) method, the main body with a filter attached is inserted into the bottom of a container containing cell preservation solution, and the cell preservation solution is discharged through the filter to attach (collect) the cells to the filter.The main body is then removed from the container, the filter surface is brought close to a glass slide, and air pressure is applied from the back of the filter to transfer the cells.

[0008] However, the ThinPrep (registered trademark) method and the CellPrep (registered trademark) method require dedicated equipment and filters, which increases costs. These methods use cell fixatives and cell preservatives to enable long-term storage of samples, making them suitable for processing large quantities over such long periods. However, because they are capable of continuous processing of large quantities, the equipment costs are very high. Furthermore, even with equipment that processes specimens one by one, the above-mentioned complex process does not significantly reduce equipment costs. Processors that process specimens one by one are shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-93536 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-93537 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] Such LBC diagnosis is mainly used in large facilities, and the biggest obstacle to its introduction is cost. Due to differences in the cost that each hospital and testing facility can afford to spend on cytology, cell specimens are currently prepared using a variety of methods, not just LBC, such as those mentioned above. In this specification, a sample is defined as a cell or virus to be collected (adsorbed) on a filter, and a specimen (aliquot) is defined as a sample that has been transferred to a glass slide and stained so that it can be actually observed by a doctor or cytotechnologist.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a sample collection tool that can collect consistent, high-quality samples simply and at low cost, and a sample collection device that uses the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The sample collection device of the present invention includes a main body having an internal space that is connected from one end to the other end, a sheet-like filter that is stretched over one end surface of the main body, and an absorbent member that is contained within the main body and can absorb liquid when it is soaked in, and is characterized in that the internal space is suctioned under negative pressure from the other end side of the main body, causing the sample floating in the liquid to adhere to the filter and collect the sample.

[0013] The above-described configuration of the sample collection device, which is suitable for use in, for example, preparing LBC cell samples and collects samples by attaching a sample suspended in a liquid, such as a predetermined cell preservation solution or cell fixative, to a sheet-like filter, is configured such that the filter is stretched over one end of a main body having an internal space communicating from one end to the other, and the suspended sample is attached to the sheet-like filter by applying negative pressure suction from the other end of the main body. An absorbent member is provided on the back side of the filter (the side opposite to the side onto which the sample is attached). When the absorbent member is saturated with the liquid absorbed into the main body by the negative pressure suction, the absorbent member absorbs the liquid. For example, if the liquid does not contain alcohol, the absorbent member may be a water-absorbent polymer, or for liquids such as alcohol, a polymer capable of absorbing the liquid may be used.

[0014] Therefore, when transferring the sample (aliquot) from the filter to a glass slide or the like, the liquid is absorbed by the absorbent material on the back side of the filter during the transfer process, and the liquid does not accumulate. Therefore, there is no problem with the sample adhering to the filter surface flowing off after the filter is removed from the liquid, as occurs when the liquid accumulates. This makes it possible to adhere a high-quality sample to the filter surface very simply and at low cost. Furthermore, by selecting the filter's basis weight and diameter and the liquid, it is possible to prepare a sample (aliquot) of the desired sample, such as a virus or microorganism.

[0015] The sample collection device of the present invention is characterized by comprising the sample collection tool and a suction device that performs negative pressure suction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] As described above, the sample collection device of the present invention is a sample collection device that collects samples by attaching samples floating in a liquid to a sheet-like filter.The filter is stretched over one end surface of a cylindrical main body, and negative pressure suction is applied from the other end of the main body to cause the floating sample to adhere to the sheet-like filter, and an absorption member is provided on the back side of the filter.

[0017] Therefore, when the sample is transferred from the filter to a slide glass or the like for observation, the liquid is absorbed by the absorbent member on the back side of the filter during the transfer process, and the liquid does not pool, so there is no problem of the sample adhering to the filter surface washing away after the filter is lifted from the liquid. In this way, a high-quality sample can be attached to the filter surface extremely simply and at low cost. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a sample collecting device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the sample collection device shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view for explaining the sample collecting device in use. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a six-view diagram of the sample collection device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a six-view diagram of a sample collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled state of the sample collecting tool shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a six-view diagram of another embodiment of the sample collection device shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a cover used in a sample collection tool or sample collection device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a sample collecting implement in a sample collecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the sample collecting device shown in FIG. 9, seen from the bottom side. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state in which a sample collecting device according to another embodiment of the present invention is used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a sample collection device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the sample collection device 1, Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view for explaining the use of the sample collection device 1, and Fig. 4 is a six-view diagram of the sample collection device 1. The sample collection device 1 of this embodiment is configured to include a sample collection tool 2 and a suction device 3. The sample collection device 1 is used for liquid-based cytology (LBC) and for preparing specimens (aliquots) of liquid samples, and as shown in Fig. 3, cells 5, which are a sample suspended (impregnated) in a predetermined liquid solution 4, are attached (collected) to a sheet-like filter 6 as shown in Fig. 2.

[0020] The solution 4 is a cell preservation solution or cell fixative containing at least one of alcohol and formaldehyde, and is adjusted to have components suitable for the sample (cells 5) used in the LBC cytology. In the cell preservation solution or cell fixative, high concentrations of alcohol or formaldehyde fix the cells, while low concentrations result in unfixed, raw, or semi-fixed cells. A specimen (cells 5) collected from a patient by a doctor or nurse using a brush, cotton swab, needle, or other instrument is suspended in the solution 4 by the doctor, nurse, clinical laboratory technician, or other professional. Alternatively, the solution 4 may be a liquid specimen (a liquid specimen containing cells) such as urine or body cavity fluid, or a liquid specimen in which cells are suspended, such as an instrument cleaning solution containing physiological saline. As described below, the cells 5 adhered (collected) to the filter 6 as shown in Figures 3 to 2 are transferred onto a glass slide (not shown) and stained to prepare the specimen (aliquot). The sample collection device 1 is then lifted from the solution 4 as shown in Figure 2. The specimen (aliquot) is used for diagnosis by a cytotechnologist or a physician. Therefore, when the sample collection device 1 of this embodiment is used for LBC, for example, it can be considered a derivative of the ThinPrep (registered trademark) method or the CellPrep (registered trademark) method.

[0021] The sample collection device 1 collects samples through the cooperative operation of a sample collection tool 2, which actually collects samples, and a suction device 3, which assists in the collection. The sample collection tool 2 is, for example, an attachment that is replaced for each sample. The suction device 3 is a manual suction pump that generates negative pressure and is replaced for each sample or for every predetermined number of samples. Note that an electric pipette or the like may be used instead of the suction device 3.

[0022] 1 to 4, the suction device 3 has a structure similar to that of a syringe, and is configured to include a cylindrical body 31, a piston 32, and a handle 33. One end 311 of the cylindrical body 31 is connected to the other end 211 of the main body 21 of the sample collection tool 2, which will be described later, so that the internal space 312 of the cylindrical body 31 communicates with the internal space 212 of the main body 21. In this embodiment, the one end 311 of the cylindrical body 31 and the other end 211 of the main body 21 are configured to be detachable by threading together an internal thread 313 and an external thread 213 formed on each end 311.

[0023] A pair of handles 33 is provided at one end 321 of the piston 32. A rubber cap 34, which serves as a piston ring, is fitted into the large-diameter portion 320 at the other end of the piston 32, and this rubber cap 34 slides airtightly within the cylindrical body 31. Since the handle 33 is used for suction operations, it is not limited to a T-shape as in this embodiment, but may be a ring-like shape that is easy to hook a thumb around. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , a pair of slits 315 is formed in the axial direction from the other end 314 of the cylindrical body 31 so that the pair of handles 33 can enter the cylindrical body 31 in the initial state when the piston 32 is pressed in as shown in FIG. 3 . If the piston 32 is formed relatively long and the handles 33 do not interfere with the cylindrical body 31 in the initial state when the piston 32 is pressed in, the slits 315 may not be provided. The cylindrical body 31, piston 32, and handle 33 are realized by resin molding or the like.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a six-view diagram of a sample collection device 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a front view, (b) is a cross-sectional view, (c) is a plan view, (d) is a bottom view, and (e) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of (b). For simplicity, some consumable components shown in FIG. 6 (described later) and in FIGS. 2 and 3 are omitted from FIG. 5. As described above, this sample collection device 2 is attached to the suction device 3 like an attachment, and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 2, adheres (collects) cells 5, which are samples suspended in a solution 4, to a sheet-like filter 6. This sample collection device 2 is comprised of the main body 21, a fixing member 22, an absorbing member 23 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), and an end plate 24.

[0025] The fixing member 22 is formed endless and fitted onto the outside of the main body 21, thereby sandwiching the filter 6 between itself and the outer peripheral surface 214 of the main body 21, and stretching the sheet-like filter 6 over one end surface 215 of the main body 21 so as to close the one end surface 215. In the example of FIG. 5 , one end 216 of the main body 21 is cylindrical, and the fixing member 22 is formed in an annular shape. Therefore, the filter 6 can be easily attached and detached by simply placing the filter 6 on one end surface 215 of the main body 21 and fitting and removing the ring-shaped fixing member 22. The inner diameter D1 of the fixing member 22 may be approximately the sum of the outer diameter D2 of the one end 216 of the main body 21 and the thickness of the filter 6.

[0026] When the other end 211 side of the main body 21 is connected to one end 311 of the cylindrical body 31 as described above, the internal space 212 communicates with the internal space 312 of the cylindrical body 31, and the internal space 212 is negatively suctioned by the suction action of the piston 32 as shown in Figures 3 to 2. The main body 21 is configured to include the other end 211 on which the outer thread 213 is formed, a cylindrical portion 217 connected to the other end 211 and formed with a constant diameter larger than that of the other end 211, a narrow portion 218 connected to the cylindrical portion 217 and having an inverted truncated cone shape, and the one end 216 connected to the narrow portion 218 and formed with a constant diameter. The diameter of the inside of this main body 21 decreases from the other end 211 toward the one end 216.

[0027] The inner diameter D3 of the one end 216 determines the size (area) of the sample (cells 5) transferred to the slide glass, and is, for example, D3 = 13 mm. Correspondingly, for example, D2 = 15 mm, D1 = 15.2 mm, and the outer diameter D4 of the fixing member 22 = 17 mm. In addition, for example, the outer diameter D5 of the tubular portion 217 = 26 mm, the height H1 of the main body 21 = 25 mm, and the width H2 of the fixing member 22 = 2 mm. The volume of the internal space 212, 312 is determined by these parameters and the stroke of the piston 32, and is determined according to the maximum volume of the solution 4 to be sucked up (passed through the filter 6) contained in the container 7 shown in Figure 3. The container 7 is, for example, a container for sputum. Regarding the maximum volume, the negative pressure must be increased to continue suction until the cells 5 are adsorbed to the filter 6 (i.e., the piston 32 becomes heavier). Once an appropriate layer of cells 5 has been collected, suction is stopped. Therefore, the maximum volume is a volume that can accommodate a large amount of solution 4 to be sucked, for example, when there are only a few cells 5 floating in the solution 4.

[0028] Preferably, end surface 221 of fixing member 22 is positioned deeper than one end surface 215 of main body 21, i.e., is recessed by one step. As described above, fixing member 22 has width H2=2 mm, and a gap of height H3 is formed between one end surface 215 and fixing member 22. This gap increases the tolerance for tilting of sample collection tool 2 during transfer onto the slide glass, making it possible to easily prepare a high-quality specimen.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the assembled state of the sample collection device 2 shown in FIG. 5. See also FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the main body 21 is placed in an inverted state on a base or the like. Then, a sheet-like filter 6 is placed on one end surface 215 of one end 216. Next, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the fixing member 22 is fitted into one end 216, and the filter 6 is stretched across the one end surface 215. In the example of FIG. 6, the filter 6 is a general-purpose sheet body that is not sized to fit the outer diameter D2 of the one end 216. Therefore, by cutting off the unnecessary portion 61 shown by the imaginary line that protrudes from the fixing member 22, the filter 6 becomes as shown in FIG. 6(b).

[0030] Next, as shown in FIG. 6(c), after the main body 21 is rotated forward, in this embodiment, a nonwoven fabric 25 is introduced into the internal space 212 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), followed by the filling of the absorbent member 23. The absorbent member 23 is housed in the internal space 212 of the main body 21 and is impregnated with and absorbs the solution 4 that has been absorbed into the main body 21 by the negative pressure suction of the suction device 3. In this embodiment, absorbent cotton 231, water-absorbent polymer 232, and absorbent cotton 231 are introduced in this order as the absorbent member 23. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6(d), the top of the absorbent cotton 231 is pressed down by the nonwoven fabric 26, and as shown in FIG. 6(e), an end plate 24 is fitted into the other end 211 of the main body 21, completing the sample collection device 2. The end plate 24 may be, for example, a punched (perforated) resin plate.

[0031] Therefore, the sample collection device 2 of this embodiment is suitable for use in preparing LBC preservation cell samples and liquid specimens, and collects samples by attaching cells 5, which are samples suspended in solution 4, to a sheet-like filter 6. The filter 6 is stretched over one end surface 215 of the main body 21, and is subjected to negative pressure suction from the other end 211 of the main body 21 by the suction device 3, causing the filter 6 to adsorb (collect) cells 5 suspended in solution 4 onto its front (bottom) surface. At this time, an absorption member 23 is provided on the back side of the filter 6 (the surface opposite to the surface on which the cells 5 adhere), and this absorption member 23 absorbs the solution 4 when it is impregnated with the solution 4 that has been absorbed into the main body 21 by the negative pressure suction.

[0032] Therefore, when a specimen (aliquot) is prepared by transferring the solution 4 from the filter 6 to a glass slide, the solution 4 is absorbed by the absorbent member 23 on the back side of the filter 6 during the transfer process, and the solution 4 does not accumulate. Therefore, the sample collection device 2 of this embodiment does not suffer from the inconvenience of cells that would otherwise adhere to the surface of the filter 6 being washed away when the filter 6 is lifted from the solution 4, which occurs when the solution 4 accumulates. In this way, a high-quality sample can be adhered (collected) to the surface of the filter 6 very simply and at low cost. Furthermore, by selecting the basis weight and diameter of the filter 6 and the solution 4, desired specimens, such as viruses and microorganisms, can be collected from the cells 5.

[0033] This embodiment is a sample collection device suitable for LBC, and employs the ThinPrep® method in that it uses negative pressure suction. Unlike Patent Documents 1 and 2, which use the same method, the sample collection device 1 of this embodiment does not invert the main body 21. Instead, the sample collection device 1 remains facing downward (with the filter 6 facing downward) from the negative pressure suction of the solution 4 shown in Figures 3 and 2 to the transfer onto the slide glass. Therefore, it is extremely important that the absorbent member 23 does not allow liquid to pool on the back (upper) side of the filter 6. In Patent Documents 1 and 2, the solution 4 sucked under negative pressure is disposed of as waste. In contrast, the sample collection device 1 of this embodiment is designed for a relatively small number of samples. Since the solution 4 sucked under negative pressure is absorbed by the absorbent member 23, it can be disposed of as medical waste, eliminating the need for waste liquid management and disposal.

[0034] Here, main body 21, fixing member 22, and end plate 24 may be reused if they can be subjected to an appropriate cleaning process. In this case, filter 6 and absorption member 23 become consumable medical waste. Filter 6 may be attached to one end surface 215 by adhesive or thermal welding, rather than being stretched over main body 21 by fixing member 22, as long as it will not peel off due to the influence of solution 4. In this case, the entire sample collection device 2 becomes a consumable item.

[0035] Furthermore, the sample collection tool 2 of this embodiment uses absorbent cotton 231, which absorbs the solution 4 by capillary action, as the absorbent member 23, as well as a water-absorbent polymer 232 that swells upon absorbing the solution 4. Accordingly, an end plate 24 is provided at the other end 211 of the main body 21, abutting the absorbent member 23. Therefore, by pressing down the swollen water-absorbent polymer 232 with the end plate 24, the filter 6 stretched on one end surface 215 of the main body 21 is pushed out, allowing transfer pressure to be generated even at the center of the filter 6 during transfer. This allows for easy preparation of a high-quality sample (aliquot). When the amount of solution 4 to be absorbed is small, the amount of water-absorbent polymer 232 may be reduced or eliminated.

[0036] Furthermore, in the sample collection tool 2 of this embodiment, a material that swells upon absorbing water, such as the water-absorbent polymer 232, is used as the absorbent member 23. Therefore, if the water absorption progresses to a certain extent and the pores of the water-absorbent polymer 232 become clogged, the negative pressure suction of the solution 4 will not proceed. Therefore, in the sample collection tool 2 of this embodiment, the water-absorbent polymer 232 and the absorbent cotton 231 that absorbs by capillary action are dispersed at least in the circumferential direction of the main body 21, for example, in the axial direction, and powder of the water-absorbent polymer 232 is dispersed among the fibers of the absorbent cotton 231. By doing so, even if the water-absorbent polymer 232 close to the filter 6 (on the one end 216 side of the main body 21) swells and becomes clogged, the solution 4 will penetrate and be absorbed through the surrounding portion of the absorbent cotton 231 to the side opposite the filter 6 (the other end 211 of the main body 21), allowing the solution 4 to be efficiently absorbed.

[0037] In the sample collection tool 2 of this embodiment, the absorbent polymer 232 is in powder or granular form and tends to scatter, and the absorbent cotton 231 is irregular in shape as shown in FIG. 6(c), so nonwoven fabric 26 is laid on the other end 211 side of the main body 21 to block it. This allows the absorbent polymer 232 and absorbent cotton 231 to be held together, making them easier to handle. The nonwoven fabric 26 can be made of, for example, pulp, cellulose, sponge, or cotton.

[0038] Furthermore, the sample collection tool 2 of this embodiment is provided with a nonwoven fabric 25 lining the filter 6. Therefore, this lining nonwoven fabric 25 can prevent the filter 6 from bending (loosening) without interfering with the negative pressure suction of the solution 4. This allows, for example, in the case of a sample (cell 5) used in cytological diagnosis by LBC, to generate transfer pressure even at the center of the filter 6 when the sample is transferred to a slide glass, making it easy to prepare a high-quality specimen (aliquot). Note that, for example, if the filter 6 is thick, the nonwoven fabric 25 is not necessarily required. Furthermore, the nonwoven fabric 25 can be made of, for example, pulp, cellulose, or cotton.

[0039] For example, the pore size of the filter 6 is φ=1.2, 2, 3, 5, 8, or 10 μm when the material is polycarbonate, φ=5 μm when using polyvinylidene fluoride, φ=1, 5, 10, 15, 20, or more μm when using polyethylene terephthalate, φ=1, 5, or more μm when using polyester, or φ=1, 5, or more μm when using nylon. According to experiments conducted by the inventors of the present invention, a pore size of φ=5 to 15 μm when using polyethylene terephthalate was effective for cytodiagnosis of normal cervical cancer cells.

[0040] Sodium polyacrylate is preferred as the water-absorbing polymer 232. When solution 4 contains the alcohol or other components, the polymer can be a polyacrylamide-based Acofloc, a polyacrylate ester-based Aronfloc (registered trademark), a sulfo-containing superabsorbent resin Alonzap TS1, or a diatomaceous earth-based Chemizorb. When solution 4 is primarily composed of alcohol or other components and the only polymer available is water-absorbing polymer 232, solution 4 can be centrifuged, and the extracted cells 5 can be resuspended in saline or purified water, and then aspirated to adsorb the saline or purified water to the water-absorbing polymer 232.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a six-view diagram showing the structure of a sample collection device 2a, which is another embodiment of the sample collection device 2 described above. (a) is a front view, (b) is a cross-sectional view, (c) is a plan view, and (d) is a bottom view. This sample collection device 2a is similar to the above-described sample collection device 2, and corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals with the suffix "a" added, and their description will be omitted. This sample collection device 2a is also detachably attached to one end 311 of the suction device 3 like an attachment. In the above-described sample collection device 2, one end 216 of the main body 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape, but in this sample collection device 2a, one end 216a of the main body 21a is formed in a rectangular tube shape, or in the example of FIG. 7, a regular square tube shape. Correspondingly, the fixing member 22a is also formed in a rectangular tube shape.

[0042] With this configuration, the cell 5 transferred to the slide glass becomes a square, and can be observed in a shape similar to that of the conventional one. The inner diameter D3a of the one end 216a is, for example, 11.56 mm.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a cover 8 used in the sample collection tool 2 or sample collection apparatus 1 described above. This cover 8 is used from the time when cells 5 are adsorbed onto the filter 6 as shown in FIGS. 3 to 2 described above until the cells 5 are transferred to the glass slide 9. A pair of legs 82 protrude from the bottom of the main body 81, and these legs 82 clamp the glass slide 9 from both sides at appropriate positions in the longitudinal direction of the glass slide 9. The pair of legs 82 are biased in the protruding direction by an elastic member such as a spring provided within the main body 81. Once the sample collection tool 2 is aligned with the glass slide 9, the main body 81 is pushed in against the resilient force of the elastic member, and the sample collection tool 2 supported by the main body 81 is pressed vertically against the glass slide 9.

[0044] Use of such a cover 8 allows accurate positioning of the sample collection device 2 relative to the slide glass 9, allows a constant transfer pressure to be applied, and also protects the surface of the filter 6 to which the cells 5 are attached until the transfer. If the legs 82 interfere with the container 7 when the cells 5 are adsorbed, they may be retractable. Alternatively, the cover 8 may be attached to the sample collection device 1 after the cells 5 have been adsorbed, or to the sample collection device 2 detached from the sample collection device 1. In Figure 8, the handle 33 is not visible, so the sample collection device 2 is shown detached from the suction device 3. In Figure 8, the main body 81 of the cover 8 is rectangular tubular, but it may also be cylindrical.

[0045] (Embodiment 2) Fig. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a sample collection tool 12 in a sample collection device 11 according to another embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the sample collection tool 12 as seen from the bottom, and Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the use of the sample collection device 11. The sample collection device 11 comprises a sample collection tool 12 and a vacuum test tube 13 sealed with a negative pressure maintained inside the tube. The sample collection tool 12 is roughly shaped like a vacuum blood collection tube holder with the front end cut off into a cylindrical shape. Specifically, it comprises a cylindrical portion 121, a reduced diameter portion 122, a guide tube 123, and a connecting needle 124.

[0046] The cylindrical portion 121 is formed in a cylindrical shape, similar to the one end 216 of the main body 21, and the ring-shaped fixing member 22 is fitted onto the outside of the cylindrical portion 121, thereby tensioning the sheet-like filter 6 on one end surface 1215 of the cylindrical portion 121 so as to close the one end surface 1215. The cylindrical portion 121 is connected to the reduced-diameter portion 122, and the cylindrical internal space 1212 of the cylindrical portion 121 is reduced in diameter in the reduced-diameter portion 122 to form a truncated-cone-shaped internal space 1222, which then extends from the top of the reduced-diameter portion 122 to form a cylindrical internal space 1223. The internal space 1223 is connected to the internal space 1242 of the connecting needle 124. Therefore, the internal spaces 1222, 1223 of the reduced-diameter portion 122 and the internal space 1242 of the connecting needle 124 are formed in an inverted funnel shape.

[0047] The guide tube 123 rises from the outer circumferential surface of the reduced diameter portion 122 and is formed into a cylindrical shape. Therefore, as shown in Figure 11, when the vacuum test tube 13 is inserted into the guide tube 123, the seal of the cap 131 placed on the top of the vacuum test tube 13 is broken by the sharp tip 1241 of the connecting needle 124, and the internal spaces 1242, 1223, 1222, and 1212 are subjected to negative pressure suction. In this way, the vacuum test tube 13 can be used instead of the suction device 3 to perform negative pressure suction of the solution 4 and attach (collect) the cells 5 to the surface of the filter 6. The cap 131 placed on the top of the vacuum test tube 13 may be made of rubber.

[0048] The internal space 1212 of the tubular portion 121 and the internal spaces 1222, 1223 of the reduced diameter portion 122 are filled with the absorbent member 23. In the sample collection device 11 of this embodiment, most of the aspirated solution 4 is drawn into the vacuum test tube 13. Therefore, when the sample collection device 11 is withdrawn from the solution 4, the only problem is what remains in the internal space 1242 of the connecting needle 124, the internal spaces 1223, 1222 of the reduced diameter portion 122, and the internal space 1212 of the tubular portion 121. In a typical vacuum blood collection tube holder, this residual amount is a minute amount of less than 1 cc. Therefore, the absorbent member 23 only needs to prevent the residue from returning to the outside through the filter 6, and the absorbent member 23 may not necessarily include the water-absorbing polymer 232. In this case, absorbent cotton 231, nonwoven fabric, pulp, cellulose, sponge, or the like may be used for the absorbent member 23. In the vacuum blood collection tube holder, the sharp tip 1241 of the connecting needle 124 is provided with a valve function that allows blood to pass through when sucked into the vacuum test tube 13, i.e., prevents blood from accidentally gushing out due to blood pressure. The sharp tip 1241 of the connecting needle 124 of this embodiment does not necessarily need to be provided with such a valve function.

[0049] <Additional Notes> The sample collection tool of this embodiment is characterized in that a nonwoven fabric is laid on the other end side of the main body.

[0050] The sample collection device of this embodiment is also characterized by including a nonwoven fabric lining the filter.

[0051] Furthermore, the sample collection device of this embodiment has a fixing member that stretches a sheet-like filter over one end surface of a cylindrically formed main body, and the fixing member is formed endless and is fitted onto the outside of the main body, sandwiching the filter between the fixing member and the outer surface of the main body.

[0052] The sample collecting device of this embodiment is characterized in that one end of the main body is cylindrical, and the fixing member is formed in an annular shape. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1,11 Sample collection device 2,2a,12 Sample collection equipment 21,21a main body 211 Other end 212,312 interior space 213 External thread 214 Outer surface 215 One end face 216,216a One end 217 Cylinder part 218 Narrow section 22, 22a Fixing member 221 End face 23 Absorbing member 231 Absorbent cotton 232 Water-absorbing polymer 25,26 Nonwoven fabric 3 Suction device 31 Cylindrical body 311 One end 313 Internal thread 314 Other end 315 Slit 32 piston 33 Handle 34 Rubber cap 4 solution 5 cells 6 Filters 61 Unnecessary part 7 containers 8 Cover 81 Main Unit 82 Legs 9. Glass slides 121 Cylindrical part 1212,1222,1223,1242 interior space 1215 One end face 122 Reduced diameter section 123 Guide tube 124 Connecting needle 1241 Sharp part 13 Vacuum test tube 131 Cap

Claims

1. a main body having an internal space communicating from one end side to the other end side; a sheet-like filter stretched over one end surface of the main body; an absorbent member housed within the body and capable of absorbing liquid when saturated with the liquid; A sample collection device characterized in that the internal space is suctioned under negative pressure from the other end side of the main body, thereby causing the sample floating in the liquid to adhere to the filter.

2. an end plate that abuts against the absorbing member at the other end side of the main body; 2. The sample collection device according to claim 1, wherein the absorbent member includes a polymer that swells upon absorbing the liquid.

3. 3. The sample collection device according to claim 2, wherein the absorbent member includes absorbent cotton, and the polymer and the absorbent cotton are dispersed and arranged at least in the circumferential direction of the main body.

4. A sample collection device comprising the sample collection tool according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and a suction device that performs the negative pressure suction.

5. The sample collection device described in claim 4, characterized in that the suction device consists of a syringe having a cylindrical body that is connected to the other end of the main body to communicate with the internal space, a piston that slides airtightly within the cylindrical body, and a handle for suction operation that is fixed to one end of the piston.

6. 5. The sample collection device according to claim 4, wherein the suction device comprises a test tube that is sealed with a negative pressure maintained inside the tube.

7. 5. The sample collecting device according to claim 4, wherein the sample is a cell, and the sample cells attached to the filter are transferred onto a slide glass for use in cytological diagnosis.

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