Dispensing device for mixing different substances

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dispensing apparatus for mixing different substances, and includes a tube member comprising: a flexible tube body filled with a first substance and having an inlet shielded by a shielding means, and a perforated portion protruding axially for a predetermined length from the inner bottom of the tube body; and a nozzle member comprising: a chamber portion filled with a second substance and having one end shielded by a second sealing membrane, and a nozzle portion extending axially from the other end of the chamber portion and communicating with the inside of the chamber portion, wherein the outlet of the nozzle portion can be selectively opened; wherein when the chamber portion is connected to the inlet of the tube body, the perforated portion penetrates the second sealing membrane and perforates, thereby allowing the second substance to flow into the tube body, the first substance, the second substance and the sample to be mixed, and the nozzle portion can be opened to dispense the mixed solution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for mixing and dispensing different substances, which can safely store a plurality of different substances that are mixed and used with each other separately, and can be easily mixed and then dispensed together with the plurality of substances stored separately during use.

Background Art

[0002] As is well known, a variety of chemical or biochemical test methods are used for measuring biological indicators related to specific diseases, general health conditions, or infections. Such chemical or biochemical test methods are generally performed through multi-step chemical reactions and physical operations using various reagents and instruments.

[0003] For example, when detecting biochemical substances such as occult blood, specific chemicals, or proteins contained in feces or mucus, the sample is collected, placed in a certain container, reacted with one or more reagents, and then subjected to various physical operations that require the dispensed reacted sample from the container before applying it to the inspection / reading device.

[0004] When a specimen sample to be analyzed, for example, a detection antibody labeled with blood and a fluorescent substance, and whole blood are used, a liquid (reagent) containing a reagent for hemolysis of red blood cells is mixed in a quantitative ratio and reacted, and the specimen sample is loaded onto the sample pad of an analyzer or cartridge for analysis.

[0005] Thus, solutions used in chemical or biochemical tests, etc., frequently use a mixed solution of a plurality of different substances. By the way, if a plurality of substances used in combination for disease diagnosis, etc., are pre-mixed, they are vulnerable to evaporation and moisture and may easily deteriorate. In this case, accurate diagnosis and analysis are difficult, so they must be stored separately in separate containers. Also, a plurality of separately stored substances and a specimen sample such as blood are measured and mixed with an instrument such as a pipette during inspection.

[0006] Therefore, not only is it difficult to store the various substances used in reagents, but diagnostic or analytical procedures are also extremely complicated. In particular, mixing and dispensing different substances requires the use of multiple separate instruments, such as pipettes. Furthermore, there is the problem of having to use different containers or instruments for storing and mixing different substances, and for mixing and dispensing the mixed solution and the sample.

[0007] Prior reference 1 discloses a dropper that allows blood, boronic acid latex balls, and buffer solution to be mixed and dispensed with a single dropper, by providing a tip at the lower end of the lower part of the inlet tube containing a boronic acid latex ball that induces capillary action.

[0008] However, prior art 1 has a problem in that, due to the characteristics of the dropper, the tip of the dropper is open and must be managed in separate packaging, and it cannot be used when both of the two substances to be mixed are liquids. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The present invention was devised in consideration of the conventional problems described above, and aims to provide a heterogeneous substance mixing and dispensing device that can safely separate and store multiple different substances used, for example, in diagnostic or analytical reagents, and can easily mix the separated and stored heterogeneous substances together when needed, and then dispense them quantitatively.

[0010] The problems addressed by the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a dispensing apparatus for mixing heterogeneous substances, comprising: a tube member including a flexible tube body filled with a first substance and having an inlet shielded by a shielding means, and a perforated portion protruding axially for a predetermined length from the inner bottom of the tube body; and a nozzle member including a chamber portion filled with a second substance and having one end shielded by a second sealing membrane, and a nozzle portion extending axially from the other end of the chamber portion and communicating with the inside of the chamber portion, wherein the outlet of the nozzle portion can be selectively opened; wherein when the chamber portion is connected to the inlet of the tube body, the perforated portion penetrates the second sealing membrane and perforates, thereby allowing the second substance to flow into the tube body, the first substance, the second substance and the sample to be mixed, and the nozzle portion can be opened to dispense the mixed solution.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the shielding means may consist of a first sealing membrane that is pressed against the inlet of the tube body.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the perforated portion may have a cross-shaped, Y-shaped, or T-shaped cross-section.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one guide projection is formed longitudinally on the outer surface of the perforated portion, and the guide projection is spaced at a predetermined interval from the tip of the perforated portion, and by further widening the second sealing membrane through which the perforated portion penetrates when the tube member and the nozzle member are joined, the second substance can be easily introduced into the tube body.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inner surface of the tube body may be provided with a water leakage prevention projection that is in close contact with the outer surface of the chamber portion.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a cutting head portion that closes the outlet of the nozzle portion is integrally provided at the tip of the nozzle portion, and the nozzle portion can be opened by cutting the cutting head portion away from the nozzle portion via a cutting portion recessed in the outer surface of the nozzle portion.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the outlet of the nozzle portion may be open and closed by a cap that is detachably attached to the tip of the nozzle portion.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a first handle portion may be provided on the nozzle member for circumferential rotation after the nozzle member has been axially coupled to the inlet of the tube member.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a second handle portion for cutting the cutting head portion may be provided on the cutting head portion.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the tube body and the chamber section are equipped with corresponding female and male threaded sections and can be joined by a screw coupling method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] With the heterogeneous substance mixing and dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, when the first and second substances to be mixed are used for diagnosis or analysis, they can be stored separately in the interconnected tube member and nozzle member. This allows for the safe storage of multiple different substances that are mixed and used in chemical or biochemical tests in a separated state.

[0022] Furthermore, multiple separately stored substances can be easily mixed by simply connecting the tube and nozzle components during inspection or analysis, and the mixed solution can be easily dispensed in a precise quantity through the nozzle.

[0023] Therefore, there is no need to use separate containers or instruments for storing, mixing, and dispensing multiple substances used in combination during diagnosis or analysis, and in particular, no separate instruments are required for collecting and mixing specimen samples such as blood that require diagnosis or analysis.

[0024] In addition, since a plurality of substances can be sealed and stored in the tube member and the nozzle member respectively, there is an advantage in safe storage not only when the plurality of substances are liquid and solid, but also when they are liquid and liquid.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a separated perspective view of the heterogeneous substance mixing and dispensing device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a separated cross-sectional view of the heterogeneous substance mixing and dispensing device according to the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a combined state perspective view of the heterogeneous substance mixing and dispensing device according to the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] (a) to (c) are schematic views showing the dispensing method of the heterogeneous substance mixing and dispensing device according to the present invention. [Figure 7] (a) and (b) are partial extract views showing other forms of the perforation part of the heterogeneous substance mixing and dispensing device according to the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a plan view showing the action of the perforation part of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] It is a partial extract view showing another embodiment of the nozzle part closing structure of the heterogeneous substance mixing and dispensing device according to the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0027] In embodiments of the present invention, the "first substance" and / or the "second substance" may be liquid or solid reaction reagents, and may, but are not limited to, silica particles, proteins, amino acids, nucleic acids, fats, carbohydrates, metabolites, reagents used as supports, antibodies for selectively separating proteins, detection agents, blocking agents, photosignal enhancers, photosignal quenchers, or other reagents.

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention, specifically a dispensing apparatus for mixing different substances, will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] In Figures 1 to 4, the heterogeneous substance mixing and dispensing apparatus 1 according to the present invention may be configured to include a tube member 10, a nozzle member 20 connected to the tube member 10, and a sample collector member 30 attached to the nozzle member 20 that can quantitatively collect liquid sample such as blood.

[0030] The tube member 10 can be filled with the first substance L in a sealed state and stored. The tube member 10 may also include a tube body 11 having a first filling space 12 inside, and a perforation portion 13 that penetrates the second sealing membrane 28 (described later) when connected to the nozzle member 20.

[0031] The tube body 11 may have a long, cylindrical container shape to facilitate gripping and dispensing, and one end is open to function as an inlet to the first filled space 12. The open inlet of the tube body 11 is closed by a shielding means to safely seal the first substance L filled inside.

[0032] The shielding means may be implemented in various forms. For example, it may consist of a standard plug (not shown), or it may consist of a first sealing membrane 16 that is crimped onto the opening of the tube body 11, as shown.

[0033] Here, the first sealing film 16 may be configured to be broken by the chamber portion 21 of the nozzle member 20 when the tube member 10 and the nozzle member 20 are joined, or it may be in the form of a sticker that can be peeled off when the two are joined, and either is acceptable. The first substance L may be a liquid or a solid such as granules, and in this embodiment, it will be described as a liquid as an example.

[0034] Such a tube body 11 is made of a flexible material that can be elastically deformed so that dispensing is possible by external pressure, and a flange portion 15 may be provided on the outer circumference of the opening of the tube body 11. Furthermore, it is preferable that a ring-shaped leak-preventing projection 14 is formed protruding from the upper part of the inner circumference of the tube body 11, which elastically adheres to the outer circumference of the chamber portion 21 of the nozzle member 20, which will be described later. For more reliable leak prevention, two or more leak-preventing projections 14 may be provided, spaced apart in the axial direction. As will be described later, the leak-preventing projections 14 can prevent the mixed liquid mixed in the tube body 11 from leaking when dispensing. Alternatively, an O-ring may be provided on the outer circumference of the chamber portion 21 of the nozzle member 20 instead of the leak-preventing projection 14.

[0035] The perforated portion 13 may be formed integrally with the tube body 11. The perforated portion 13 may extend axially for a predetermined length from the inner bottom 11a of the tube body 11. Specifically, when the tube member 10 and the nozzle member 20 are completely joined, the tip of the perforated portion 13 is formed to be long enough to sufficiently penetrate the second sealing membrane 28. Such a perforated portion 13 may be made of a rigid material for easier perforation of the second sealing membrane 28, in which case the tube body 11 and the perforated portion 13 may be formed separately and then joined together.

[0036] The perforated portion 13 may be configured in various forms, but it is preferable that it be formed in a way that allows the second substance G, which is filled in the chamber portion 21 of the nozzle member 20 after perforation, to easily flow into the first filled space 12 of the tube member 10. For this reason, the perforated portion 13 is preferably configured to have a cross-shaped cross section, for example, with four ribs 13a formed radially, as shown in the figure. This is because the second sealing membrane 28 is forcibly broken and perforated by the force applied to the perforated portion 13 when the tube member 10 and the nozzle member 20 are joined, and forming it with a cross-shaped cross section is advantageous not only for breaking the second sealing membrane 28 but also for forming a gap between the second sealing membrane 28 and the perforated portion 13 after perforation.

[0037] Furthermore, although not shown separately, the perforation portion 13 can also be composed of a Y-shaped or T-shaped cross-section. Such a configuration, like the one formed with the cross-shaped cross-section described above, is advantageous for piercing the second sealing film 28 and is advantageous for forming a gap between the second sealing film 28 and the perforation portion 13 after perforation.

[0038] The nozzle member 20 can store the second substance G, which is to be mixed with the first substance L, in a sealed state, and can discharge the mixture when dispensing. For this purpose, the nozzle member 20 may be configured to include a chamber portion 21 having a second filling space 22 inside so that the second substance G can be filled, and a nozzle portion 23 that can discharge the mixture to the outside for dispensing.

[0039] The chamber portion 21 may be cylindrical in shape so that it can be inserted into the inlet side of the tube body 11. The opening at one end of the chamber portion 21 (the side that connects to the tube member) is shielded by a second sealing membrane 28, sealing the second substance G contained in the second filling space 22. The second substance G may be a liquid or a solid such as granules, and in this embodiment, it will be described as granules as an example. The nozzle portion 23 extends axially from the other end of the chamber portion 21. The nozzle portion 23 has a smaller diameter than the chamber portion 21 and has a nozzle hole 24 in the axial direction that communicates with the second filling space 22 of the chamber portion 21. The rear end of the chamber portion 21, i.e., between the chamber portion 21 and the nozzle portion 23, may have a flange cover portion 27 surrounding the flange portion 15 of the tube member 10.

[0040] The nozzle hole 24 may be shielded, for example, by a cutting head portion 26 provided at the tip of the nozzle portion 23, thereby allowing the second substance G contained in the second filling space 22 of the chamber portion 21 to be stored in a completely sealed state. The cutting head portion 26 has a cutting portion 25 on the outer circumference of the tip of the nozzle portion 23, and can be cut from the nozzle portion 23 by applying external force as needed. The cutting portion 25 may be recessed from the outer circumference of the nozzle portion 23 and may be configured as an annular groove having a substantially V-shaped cross-section.

[0041] As a result, the thickness of the nozzle portion 23 corresponding to the cutting portion 25 is made very thin compared to other parts, so that it can be easily cut when an external force such as twisting is applied. For this reason, multiple rib-shaped second handle portions 26a may be provided on the outer circumference of the cutting head portion 26 to allow the cutting head portion 26 to be easily twisted.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, after the nozzle member 20 is connected to the tube member 10, it can be rotated appropriately in the circumferential direction to form an even wider inlet hole 28a in the second sealing membrane 28 through which the perforated portion 13 has penetrated. For this purpose, for example, the flange cover 27 of the nozzle member 20 may be equipped with a plurality of rib-shaped first handle portions 27a so that the nozzle member 20 can be easily rotated after it has been connected to the tube member 10.

[0043] The method for using the heterogeneous substance mixing and dispensing apparatus 1 of the present invention is as follows.

[0044] First, as shown in Figure 4, the chamber portion 21 of the nozzle member 20 is inserted into the open inlet side of the tube member 10. This causes the first sealing membrane 16 sealing the inlet of the tube member 10 to be broken by the chamber portion 21, allowing the two to be joined together as a single unit.

[0045] Simultaneously, the tip of the perforated portion 13 penetrates the second sealing membrane 28 of the nozzle member 20, thereby connecting the first and second filling spaces 1222 to each other. Even in this state alone, the second substance G filled in the second filling space 22 can flow into the first filling space 12, but for even easier flow, it is preferable to rotate the nozzle member 20 appropriately in the circumferential direction. In this case, as shown in Figure 5, the inflow hole 28a in the second sealing membrane 28 is expanded, and the second substance G can flow into the first filling space 12 very easily.

[0046] In this state, if the heterogeneous substance mixing and dispensing device 1 of the present invention is properly shaken, the first substance L and the second substance G can be reliably mixed in the first packed space 12.

[0047] After mixing the first substance L and the second substance G, as shown in Figure 6(a), the tube member 10 is held with one hand, and the cutting head portion 26 provided at the tip of the nozzle portion 23 is rotated circumferentially using the second handle portion 26a with the other hand. As a result, the cutting portion 25, which is relatively thinner than the nozzle portion 23, is cut, and as shown in Figure 6(b), the cutting head portion 26 is separated from the nozzle portion 23, opening the outlet of the nozzle hole 24.

[0048] Next, as shown in Figure 6(c), when the dissimilar substance mixing dispenser 1 is held with the nozzle 23 facing downwards and the tube body 11 is pressed by hand, the mixed liquid can be discharged to the outside from the nozzle hole 24 in a droplet shape. At this time, the volume of the mixed liquid discharged can be determined by the diameter of the nozzle hole 24, and the volume of one drop may be, for example, about 25 μl to 40 μl. Therefore, the volume of the mixed liquid required for diagnosis or examination can be measured and dispensed quantitatively by the number of drops discharged.

[0049] Figures 7(a), 7(b) and 8 schematically show other embodiments of the perforation section 13 of the heterogeneous substance mixing and dispensing device 1 according to the present invention.

[0050] This embodiment is a configuration in which, in the above-described embodiment, at least one guide projection 13b is further provided in the longitudinal direction of the ribs 13a on the outer surface of the perforated portion 13 with a cross-shaped cross section, that is, on the outer surface on both sides of the plurality of radially arranged ribs 13a. It is preferable that the guide projection 13b is positioned at a predetermined distance S from the tip of the perforated portion 13. This is because, when the tube member 10 and the nozzle member 20 are joined, the tip of the perforated portion 13 penetrates the second sealing membrane 28 first, and then the guide projection 13b enters the perforated area, further widening the inlet hole 28b formed by the perforated portion 13 on both sides.

[0051] In this embodiment of the configuration, after joining the tube member 10 and the nozzle member 20, the inlet hole 28b of the second sealing membrane 28 formed by the perforation portion 13 can be made larger without rotating the nozzle member 20 in the circumferential direction. This allows the second substance G contained in the second filling space 22 of the chamber portion 21 to flow easily into the first filling space 120 of the tube member 10.

[0052] Figure 9 schematically shows another embodiment of the opening and closing structure of the nozzle hole 24 of the nozzle section 23 in the heterogeneous substance mixing and dispensing device 1 of the present invention.

[0053] This embodiment is configured with the nozzle hole 24 of the nozzle portion 23 open, and a cap 29 is detachably attached to the tip of the nozzle portion 23. The cap 29 may be connected by a simple insertion method, or by a screw connection method. Of course, a sealing material (not shown), such as an O-ring, may be provided on the outer circumference of the tip of the nozzle portion 23 for sealing when the cap 29 is attached.

[0054] In this case, the nozzle hole 24 can be opened and closed more easily compared to the embodiment described above.

[0055] Furthermore, although not shown separately, the tube body 11 and the chamber portion 21 can also be connected to each other using a screw connection method. That is, a female screw portion is formed on the inner circumference of the inlet side of the tube body 11, and a male screw portion is formed on the outer circumference of the chamber portion 21, and the nozzle member 20 is connected to the tube member 10 while rotating at a predetermined angle. In this case, simply by connecting the tube member 10 and the nozzle member 20, the same effect as inserting the chamber portion 21 into the inlet side of the tube body 11, perforating the second sealing membrane 28, and then rotating the nozzle member 20 to expand the inlet hole 28b perforated in the second sealing membrane 28 can be obtained.

[0056] A person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the present invention can be carried out in other specific forms without altering its technical idea or essential features. Accordingly, the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and should not be understood as limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated not by the above detailed description but by the claims set forth below, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and the concept of equivalents thereof should be construed as being within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tube member comprising a flexible tube body filled with a first substance and having an inlet shielded by a shielding means, and a perforated portion protruding axially for a predetermined length from the inner bottom of the tube body; and A nozzle member comprising: a chamber portion filled with a second substance and one end shielded by a second sealing film; and a nozzle portion extending axially from the other end of the chamber portion and communicating with the interior of the chamber portion, wherein the nozzle member can selectively open the outlet of the nozzle portion; A heterogeneous substance mixing and dispensing device characterized in that when the chamber portion is connected to the inlet of the tube body, the perforation portion penetrates the second sealing membrane and perforates, allowing the second substance to flow into the tube body, the first substance, the second substance and the sample to be mixed, and the nozzle portion can be opened to dispense the mixed solution.

2. The dispensing apparatus for mixing different substances according to claim 1, characterized in that the shielding means is composed of a first sealing membrane that is pressed against the inlet of the tube body.

3. The dispensing apparatus for mixing different substances according to claim 1, characterized in that the perforation portion has a cross-shaped, Y-shaped, or T-shaped cross-section.

4. The dispensing apparatus for mixing different substances according to claim 1, characterized in that a water leakage prevention projection is provided on the inner surface of the tube body that is in close contact with the outer surface of the chamber portion.

5. The dispensing apparatus for mixing different substances according to claim 1, characterized in that a cutting head portion for closing the outlet of the nozzle portion is integrally provided at the tip of the nozzle portion, and the cutting head portion is configured to cut from the nozzle portion via a cutting portion recessed in the outer surface of the nozzle portion.

6. The outlet of the nozzle section opens, The dispensing apparatus for mixing different substances according to claim 1, characterized in that it is closed by a cap that is detachably coupled to the tip of the nozzle portion.

7. The dispensing apparatus for mixing different substances according to claim 1, characterized in that a first handle portion is provided on the nozzle member for rotating it in the circumferential direction after the nozzle member is axially coupled to the inlet of the tube member.

8. The dispensing apparatus for mixing different substances according to claim 5, characterized in that a second handle portion for cutting the cutting head portion is provided on the cutting head portion.

9. The dispensing apparatus for mixing different substances according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube body and the chamber portion are connected by a screw connection.

10. The heterogeneous substance mixing and dispensing apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one guide projection is formed in the longitudinal direction on the outer surface of the perforated portion, and the guide projection is spaced apart from the tip of the perforated portion at a predetermined interval.

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