Sample collection container assembly having pipette

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sample collection container assembly having an improved pipette, the assembly enabling cell circles with uniform distribution to be obtained in a membrane filter, so that test efficiency can be increased and inspection can be accurately performed, and enabling cell circles with high cell density to be obtained.

Description

Sample collection vessel assembly with formed pipette

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample collection container assembly having a pipette formed therein, and more particularly, to an improved sample collection container assembly having a pipette formed therein, which is provided with an anti-vortex net so as to obtain a uniformly distributed cell circle on a membrane filter, thereby increasing inspection efficiency and enabling accurate inspection.

[0002] In addition, the present invention relates to a sample collection container assembly having a pipette formed therein so as to obtain a cell circle with a high cell density by forming a blocking jaw in the connecting body.

[0003] A cytology test is a method of examining collected cells under a microscope to determine whether the collected cells contain infection, inflammation, abnormal cells, or cancer cells.

[0004] A cytology test is widely used to diagnose cervical cancer by observing cells collected from cervical tissue or secretions to check for the presence of abnormal cells. It is applied to clinical specimens such as sputum, urine, exudates, cerebrospinal fluid, and fine needle aspiration biopsies, as well as tissue cell cultures.

[0005] A cytology test is mainly performed by fixing the cells contained in the collected sample, collecting the cells, smearing them on a slide, and reading them under a microscope, etc.

[0006] An example of a container assembly for collecting samples (cells) is disclosed in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1825452 and illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0007] It comprises a container (100) that receives a solution solution and collected cells, a connector (50) that forms a passage for the solution solution and cells to move within the container (100), and a filter fixing body (60) that separates the solution solution and cells moved through the connector (50).

[0008] The above container (100) comprises a container body (110) with one end opened, a cap member (120) detachably connected to the container body (110) to open and close the opening and having a through hole (121) formed in the center, and a soft elastic plate (140) connected to the through hole (121).

[0009] A filter member (130) that filters floating substances in the solution is combined inside the cap member (120).

[0010] The above connecting body (50) has a bottom plate (53) formed by protruding upward from the central portion of a protruding tube (54) that penetrates the elastic plate (140) and enters the interior of the container (100), an upper connecting portion (51) that extends upward from the edge of the bottom plate (53) and is detachably connected to the cap member (120), and a lower connecting portion (52) that extends downward from the edge of the bottom plate (53).

[0011] A guide (55) of the upper and lower surfaces is formed on the lower surface of the above-mentioned floor plate (53), so that cells guided to the raised tube (54) are guided to the central portion of the membrane filter (63).

[0012] The above connector (50) guides the solution and cells within the container (100) toward the lower joint (52) through the protrusion (54).

[0013] The above filter fixture (60) has a cylindrical shape and a middle plate (61) having a suction hole (61a) formed in the middle portion, a body (65) in which the upper portion is detachably connected to the lower connecting portion (52) and a vacuum suction device (400) is connected to the lower portion of the middle plate (61), and the membrane filter (63) attached to the upper portion of the body (65).

[0014] Between the membrane filter (63) and the intermediate plate (61), a cushion body (64) is provided to support the membrane filter (63) and allow the solution to pass therethrough.

[0015] The sample container assembly having the above configuration causes the solution and cells in the container (100) to flow into the lower joint (52) of the connector (50) through the protrusion (54) by the suction force of the vacuum suction device (400), and the solution is discharged through the suction hole (61a) of the middle plate (61), and the cells are filtered on the upper surface of the membrane filter (63).

[0016] At this time, the cell (C) forms a circle in the central part of the membrane filter (63) as shown in Fig. 3 by the guide (55).

[0017] However, in the sample container assembly having the above configuration, when the solution and cells in the container (100) pass through the bulge (54) by the suction force of the vacuum suction device (400), the flow rate increases and the space expands, causing the solution and cells to form a vortex (see arrow in FIG. 4) inside the guide (55), which has a limitation in obtaining a cell circle with a uniform distribution on the membrane filter (63).

[0018] In addition, in order to minimize the formation of vortexes in the solution and cells, the operating speed of the vacuum suction device (400) is slowed down, which is not desirable because it slows down the sample collection speed.

[0019] The present invention was created to solve the above problems, and provides a sample collection container assembly having an improved pipette formed therein so as to increase inspection efficiency and enable accurate inspection by minimizing the formation of vortexes of solution and cells to obtain a cell circle with a uniform distribution on a membrane filter.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sample collection container assembly having a pipette formed therein so as to obtain a cell circle with a high cell density.

[0021] The sample collection container assembly formed with the pipette of the present invention, which achieves the above purpose, is

[0022] A container having a container body having an opening at one end and containing a solution solution and collected cells, a cap member detachably connected to the container body to open and close the opening and having a through hole formed in the center, and a sealing sheet attached to the cap member to seal the through hole and capable of being perforated;

[0023] A connecting body having a bottom plate formed by perforating the sealing sheet and protruding upwardly to form a protruding tube that enters the interior of the container, an upper connecting portion extending upwardly from an edge of the bottom plate and detachably connecting to the cap member, and a lower connecting portion formed by extending downwardly from an edge of the bottom plate;

[0024] A filter fixture having a body having a middle plate with a suction hole formed in the middle portion as a cylinder, an upper portion of which is detachably connected to the lower connecting portion, and a vacuum suction device connected to the lower portion of the middle plate, and a membrane filter attached to the upper portion of the body and allowing the solution to pass therethrough and filtering the cells;

[0025] A pressing jaw is formed on the inner surface of the lower joint to support the edge of the membrane filter, and a fusion jaw is formed on the inner surface of the lower joint between the base plate and the pressing jaw.

[0026] The edge is attached to the above-mentioned fusion jaw and has an anti-vortex net through which the solution and cells pass.

[0027] It is characterized in that a first space portion is formed between the base plate and the vortex prevention net, and a second space portion is formed between the vortex prevention net and the membrane filter.

[0028] In addition, in the container assembly of the present invention, a filter member for filtering floating matters in the solution solution is further provided on the inside of the cap member.

[0029] Meanwhile, the sample collection container assembly formed with the pipette of the present invention that achieves the above purpose is,

[0030] A container having a container body having an opening at one end and containing a solution solution and collected cells, a cap member detachably connected to the container body to open and close the opening and having a through hole formed in the center, and a sealing sheet attached to the cap member to seal the through hole and capable of being perforated;

[0031] A connecting body having a bottom plate formed by perforating the sealing sheet and protruding upwardly to form a protruding tube that enters the interior of the container, an upper connecting portion extending upwardly from an edge of the bottom plate and detachably connecting to the cap member, and a lower connecting portion formed by extending downwardly from an edge of the bottom plate;

[0032] A filter fixture having a cylindrical body, an upper portion of the body being detachably connected to the lower connecting portion, a middle plate having a suction hole formed in the middle portion of the inner surface of the body, and a vacuum suction device connected to the lower portion of the middle plate;

[0033] A cushion body that is placed on the above intermediate plate and passes the above solution;

[0034] A membrane filter is provided on the upper surface of the cushion body and passes the solution and filters the cells;

[0035] It has a pressing jaw formed on the inner surface of the lower joint to pressurize the edge of the membrane filter and cushion body, a fusion jaw formed on the inner surface of the lower joint between the bottom plate and the pressing jaw, and a blocking jaw formed on the inner surface of the lower joint between the pressing jaw and the fusion jaw.

[0036] The edge is attached to the above-mentioned fusion jaw and has an anti-vortex net through which the solution and cells pass.

[0037] It is characterized in that a first space portion is formed between the base plate and the vortex prevention net, and a second space portion is formed between the vortex prevention net and the membrane filter.

[0038] In addition, in the container assembly of the present invention, a filter member for filtering floating matters in the solution solution is further provided on the inside of the cap member.

[0039] First, the suction organ (54) enters the container (100) and extracts cells by suction, which has the effect of preventing cell degeneration.

[0040] Second, the container assembly of the present invention has the effect of increasing inspection efficiency and enabling accurate inspection by inducing flow in a state where vortex is reduced by the vortex prevention net (70) to obtain a cell circle with a uniform distribution on the membrane filter (63).

[0041] Third, when the connecting body (50) and the filter fixing body (60) are combined, even if the edges of the cushion body (64) and the membrane filter (63) are elastically contracted by the pressing jaw (56) and an inclined surface (63a) is formed, the blocking jaw (57) comes into contact with the upper end of the inclined surface (63a), so that the solution and cells that have passed through the eddy prevention net (70) do not pass through the inclined surface (63a), thereby improving the density of cells (C) in the central portion of the membrane filter (63).

[0042] Figure 1 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing a conventional sample container assembly;

[0043] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of Figure 1;

[0044] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a filter fixture in a state where cells are filtered from the assembly of Figure 2.

[0045] Figure 4 is a drawing explaining a problem of the container assembly of Figure 1;

[0046] Figure 5 is a partially separated cross-sectional view showing a container assembly of the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main body of Fig. 5;

[0048] Figure 7 is an assembly cross-sectional view of Figure 5, and is a drawing explaining the operating state.

[0049] Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the main part of Fig. 7;

[0050] Figures 9 and 10 are drawings for explaining another container assembly;

[0051] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a container assembly of the second embodiment of the present invention, which is an improved container assembly of Fig. 9.

[0052] Figure 12 is a plan view showing the state in which cells are filtered on a membrane filter.

[0053] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing the state of smearing cells on glass.

[0054] [Example 1]

[0055] The sample collection container assembly having a pipette formed according to the first embodiment of the present invention prevents cell denaturation and enables cell circles with a uniform distribution to be obtained on a membrane filter, thereby increasing inspection efficiency and enabling accurate inspection.

[0056] In the following description, the same parts as the container assembly of the prior art will be described using the same names and symbols.

[0057] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, which illustrate a sample container assembly of the first embodiment of the present invention, it comprises a container (100) that receives a solution solution and collected cells, a connecting member (50) that forms a passage for the solution solution and cells to move within the container (100), and a filter fixing member (60) that separates the solution solution and cells moved through the connecting member (50).

[0058] The above container (100) comprises a container body (110) with one end opened, a cap member (120) detachably coupled to the container body (110) to open and close the opening and having a through hole (121) formed in the center, and a sealing sheet (150) attached to the cap member (120) to seal the through hole (121) and capable of being perforated.

[0059] Additionally, a filter member (130) that filters floating substances in the solution is combined inside the cap member (120).

[0060] The above connecting body (50) has a bottom plate (53) formed by protruding upwards in the central portion of a protruding tube (54) that penetrates the sealing sheet (150) and enters the interior of the container (100), an upper connecting portion (51) that extends upwards from the edge of the bottom plate (53) and is detachably connected to the cap member (120), and a lower connecting portion (52) that extends downwards from the edge of the bottom plate (53).

[0061] The above connector (50) guides the solution and cells within the container (100) toward the lower joint (52) through the protrusion (54).

[0062] The above filter fixture (60) has a cylindrical shape and a middle plate (61) having a suction hole (61a) formed in the middle portion, a body (65) in which the upper portion is detachably connected to the lower connecting portion (52) and a vacuum suction device (400) is connected to the lower portion of the middle plate (61), and a membrane filter (63) attached to the upper portion of the body (65).

[0063] Between the membrane filter (63) and the intermediate plate (61), a cushion body (64) is provided to support the membrane filter (63) and allow the solution to pass therethrough.

[0064] Meanwhile, a packing (125) made of silicone or rubber is attached to the outer surface of the cap member (120), so that airtightness is maintained when the cap member (120) and the upper joint (51) are joined, thereby enabling precise control of the suction force by the vacuum suction device (400).

[0065] Meanwhile, as a characteristic configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention, a pressing protrusion (56) is formed on the inner surface of the lower joint portion (52) to support the edge of the membrane filter (63), a fusion protrusion (55) is formed on the inner surface of the lower joint portion (52) between the bottom plate (53) and the pressing protrusion (56), and an anti-vortex net (70) is provided, the edge of which is attached to the fusion protrusion (55) and through which the solution and cells pass.

[0066] By the above configuration, the container assembly of the first embodiment of the present invention is formed by a first space (58) between the bottom plate (53) and the vortex prevention net (70), and a second space (59) between the vortex prevention net (70) and the membrane filter (63).

[0067] The method of using the sample container assembly of the first embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration is as follows.

[0068] First, the solution and cells are placed in the container body (110) and the cap member (120) is combined. Then, as shown in Fig. 7, the container (100) is turned upside down so that the cap member (120) is positioned at the bottom.

[0069] At this time, large particles and other floating matter are filtered through the filter member (130), and the solution and cells (C) are collected at the bottom of the cap member (120).

[0070]

[0071] *Then, the connecting body (50) and the filter holder (60) are connected, and a vacuum suction device (400) is mounted on the connecting portion (62) of the filter holder (60), and the sealing sheet (150) is perforated with the protrusion tube (54) and introduced into the inside of the container (100).

[0072] After this assembly is completed, the solution and cells in the container (100) are introduced into the lower joint (52) of the connector (50) through the protrusion (54) by the suction force of the vacuum suction device (400), and the solution is discharged downward through the suction hole (61a) of the middle plate (61), and the cells are filtered on the upper surface of the membrane filter (63).

[0073] Referring to FIG. 8 here, when the solution and cells in the container (100) pass through the small diameter protrusion (54) by the suction force of the vacuum suction device (400), a vortex is formed in the first space (58) where the space is expanded, and as the vortex is reduced by the vortex prevention net (70), the solution and cells flow into the second space (59).

[0074] The solution introduced into the second space (59) passes through the membrane filter (63) and cushion body (64) and is discharged downward, and with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, cells (C) are filtered on the upper surface of the membrane filter (63).

[0075] At this time, the cells (C) form a circle by evenly overlapping the cells on the membrane filter (63) due to the flow with reduced eddy current.

[0076] Afterwards, the worker detaches the filter holder (60) and attaches the specimen cells (C) to the surface of the slide (300) by bringing the membrane filter (63) into contact with the slide (300) as shown in FIG. 13.

[0077] At this time, the cushion body (64) provides a cushion when the membrane filter (63) comes into contact with the slide (300), so that the cells (C) can be easily transferred and attached to the slide (300), and prevents the cells (C) from being denatured due to the contact pressure with the slide (300).

[0078] These specimen cells adhere to the surface of the slide (300) in the form of circular cell circles, which has the advantage of improving cell analysis efficiency.

[0079] The container assembly of the first embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration prevents cell degeneration because the protrusion tube (54) enters the container (100) and extracts cells by suction force.

[0080] In addition, the container assembly of the present invention induces a flow in a state where vortex is reduced by the vortex prevention net (70) to obtain a cell circle with a uniform distribution on the membrane filter (63), thereby increasing inspection efficiency and enabling accurate inspection.

[0081] [Example 2]

[0082] The container assembly of the second embodiment of the present invention differs from the container assembly of the first embodiment in the following configuration.

[0083] The container assembly of the first embodiment is configured such that a membrane filter (63) is attached to the upper portion of the body (65), and a cushion body (64) supporting the membrane filter (63) is provided between the membrane filter (63) and the intermediate plate (61).

[0084] The container assembly of the second embodiment is configured such that, firstly, the membrane filter (63) is placed or attached to the upper surface of the cushion body (64), and the cushion body (64) and the membrane filter (63) are seated on the intermediate plate (61).

[0085] Second, there is a difference from the container assembly of the first embodiment in that a blocking protrusion (57) is formed on the inner surface of the lower joint portion (52) between the pressing protrusion (56) and the fusion protrusion (55) of the connecting body (50).

[0086] In the following description, the same parts as the container assembly of the first embodiment will be described using the same names and symbols, and a detailed description of the parts described in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0087] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are drawings explaining side effects due to the configuration in which the cushion body (64) and membrane filter (63) are mounted on the intermediate plate (61), and FIG. 11 is a drawing showing the main part of the container assembly of the second embodiment of the present invention that solves these side effects.

[0088] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, as the cushion body (64) and membrane filter (63) are placed on the intermediate plate (61), when the connecting body (50) and the filter fixing body (60) are combined, the edges of the cushion body (64) and membrane filter (63) are elastically contracted by the pressing jaw (56), thereby forming an inclined surface (63a).

[0089] In this case, there is a side effect in that the solution and cells that have passed through the above-mentioned vortex prevention net (70) pass through the above-mentioned inclined surface (63a), and the cells (C) are filtered while being concentrated on the inclined surface (63a).

[0090] Fig. 11 shows a container assembly of a second embodiment of the present invention that solves these side effects. This is an example of a modified configuration of the connecting body (50), and includes a pressing protrusion (56) formed on the inner surface of the lower joint portion (52) to press the edges of the membrane filter (63) and the cushion body (64), a fusion protrusion (55) formed on the inner surface of the lower joint portion (52) between the bottom plate (53) and the pressing protrusion (56), and a blocking protrusion (57) formed on the inner surface of the lower joint portion (52) between the pressing protrusion (56) and the fusion protrusion (55).

[0091] In the above configuration, when the connecting body (50) and the filter fixing body (60) are combined, even if the edge of the cushion body (64) and the membrane filter (63) is elastically contracted by the pressing jaw (56) to form an inclined surface (63a), the second space portion (59) and the inclined surface (63a) are blocked and separated by the blocking jaw (57) coming into contact with the upper end of the inclined surface (63a).

[0092] As a result, the solution and cells that have passed through the vortex prevention net (70) do not pass through the inclined surface (63a), thereby improving the density of cells (C) in the central portion of the membrane filter (63).

[0093] The sample collection container assembly formed with the pipette of the present invention has an anti-vortex net so that a uniform distribution of cell circles can be obtained on the membrane filter, thereby increasing the inspection efficiency and enabling accurate inspection.

Claims

1. A container (100) having a container body (110) having one end opened and containing a solution solution and collected cells, a cap member (120) detachably connected to the container body (110) to open and close the opening and having a through hole (121) formed in the center, and a sealing sheet (150) attached to the cap member (120) to seal the through hole (121) and capable of being perforated; A connecting body (50) having a bottom plate (53) formed by perforating the sealing sheet (150) and protruding upwardly with a protruding tube (54) that enters the interior of the container (100), an upper connecting portion (51) that extends upwardly from an edge of the bottom plate (53) and is detachably connected to the cap member (120), and a lower connecting portion (52) that extends downwardly from an edge of the bottom plate (53); It has a body (65) having a middle plate (61) formed with a suction hole (61a) in the middle portion as a cylinder, an upper portion of which is detachably connected to the lower connecting portion (52), and a vacuum suction device (400) connected to the lower portion of the middle plate (61), and a filter fixing body (60) attached to the upper portion of the body (65) and having a membrane filter (63) that passes the solution and filters the cells; A pressing projection (56) is formed on the inner surface of the lower joint (52) to support the edge of the membrane filter (63), and a fusion projection (55) is formed on the inner surface of the lower joint (52) between the bottom plate (53) and the pressing projection (56). The edge is attached to the above-mentioned fusion jaw (55) and an anti-eddy current net (70) is provided through which the solution and cells pass. A pipette-formed sample collection container assembly characterized in that a first space (58) is formed between the bottom plate (53) and the eddy-prevention net (70), and a second space (59) is formed between the eddy-prevention net (70) and the membrane filter (63).

2. A pipette-formed sample collection container assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that a filter member (130) for filtering floating matters in the solution is further provided on the inside of the cap member (120).

3. A container (100) having a container body (110) that receives a solution and collected cells and has one end opened, a cap member (120) that is detachably connected to the container body (110) to open and close the opening and has a through hole (121) formed in the center, and a sealing sheet (150) that is attached to the cap member (120) to seal the through hole (121) and is perforable; A connecting body (50) having a bottom plate (53) formed by perforating the sealing sheet (150) and protruding upwardly with a protruding tube (54) that enters the interior of the container (100), an upper connecting portion (51) that extends upwardly from an edge of the bottom plate (53) and is detachably connected to the cap member (120), and a lower connecting portion (52) that extends downwardly from an edge of the bottom plate (53); A filter fixture (60) having a cylindrical body (65), an upper portion of the body (65) being detachably connected to the lower connecting portion (52), an intermediate plate (61) having a suction hole (61a) formed in the middle portion of the inner surface of the body (65), and a vacuum suction device (400) connected to the lower portion of the intermediate plate (61); A cushion body (64) that is placed on the above intermediate plate (61) and passes the solution; It is provided with a membrane filter (63) that is placed on the upper surface of the cushion body (64) and passes the solution and filters the cells; It has a pressing projection (56) formed on the inner surface of the lower joint (52) to press the edge of the membrane filter (63) and cushion body (64), a fusion projection (55) formed on the inner surface of the lower joint (52) between the bottom plate (53) and the pressing projection (56), and a blocking projection (57) formed on the inner surface of the lower joint (52) between the pressing projection (56) and the fusion projection (55). The edge is attached to the above-mentioned fusion jaw (55) and an anti-eddy current net (70) is provided through which the solution and cells pass. A pipette-formed sample collection container assembly characterized in that a first space (58) is formed between the bottom plate (53) and the eddy-prevention net (70), and a second space (59) is formed between the eddy-prevention net (70) and the membrane filter (63).

4. A pipette-formed sample collection container assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that a filter member (130) for filtering floating matters in the solution is further provided on the inside of the cap member (120).

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