JP5274143B2 - Sample collection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sample collecting apparatus capable of suppressing the variation of a sample collecting amount by collecting samples by roughly constant loads. <P>SOLUTION: The sample collecting apparatus includes: a sample collecting member 2 provided with a sample collecting part 1 for collecting samples on one end; a holding part 4 for supporting the sample collecting member 2, to be the object of holding when collecting samples; and a load control part 3 for controlling pressurization loads so that the pressurization load generated at the sample collecting part 1 due to pressurization to the surface of the sample is the roughly fixed load when collecting samples. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample collection device for collecting a sample attached on a surface to be examined, and particularly to a sample collection device for collecting microorganisms and the like attached to a mucous membrane in an oral cavity.

  Conventionally, as a method for collecting a sample such as a microorganism, a method for collecting from a test object using a cotton swab and a sample collection device for collecting a microorganism quantitatively by rotating or vibrating a collection surface have been proposed. Yes. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-334059 A

  However, in the conventional method, since the sample collection unit for collecting the sample is directly fixed to the holding unit for holding the sample collection device, if the pressing force varies depending on the collector, There were variations in which the amount of sample collected increased or decreased depending on the pressing force.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sample collection device capable of suppressing variations in the amount of collected samples.

  The sample collection device of the present invention includes a sample collection member having a sample collection unit for collecting a sample at one end, a holding unit that supports the sample collection member, and is a holding target when collecting the sample, A load control unit configured to control the pressing load so that a pressing load generated in the sample collecting unit due to the pressure on the surface of the sample at the time of collection becomes a substantially constant load.

  With this configuration, by controlling the pressing load when pressing the sample to be a substantially constant load and collecting the sample, it is possible to suppress variations in the amount of collected sample.

  In the sample collecting apparatus of the present invention, the sample collecting member is detachable.

  With this configuration, it is possible to repeatedly collect the sample without cleaning the sample collection unit by replacing the sample collection member.

  In the sample collecting apparatus of the present invention, the load control unit includes two pulleys and a constant load spring that connects the two pulleys.

  With this configuration, the pressing load when pressing the specimen can be controlled to be a constant load.

  In the sample collecting apparatus of the present invention, the load control unit includes an elastic plate, and controls the pressing load based on a spring load based on a spring constant of the elastic plate and a displacement of the elastic plate.

  With this configuration, it is possible to control the pressing load when pressing the specimen to be a substantially constant load with a simple configuration and at a low cost.

  Further, in the sample collecting device of the present invention, the load control unit is based on a detection result by the motor that controls the pressing load, a pressing load detection unit that detects the pressing load, and the pressing load detection unit. A motor control unit for controlling the motor.

  With this configuration, it is possible to easily change the set value corresponding to the substantially constant load for adjusting the pressing load so as to be a substantially constant load.

  In the sample collection device of the present invention, the sample collection member rotates within a plane defined by the direction in which the pressing load acts.

  With this configuration, even when the surface of the test object including the specimen has irregularities, the pressing load when pressing the specimen becomes a substantially constant load.

  In the sample collection device of the present invention, the sample collection member rotates about a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the pressing load is applied on a surface defined by the direction in which the pressing load is applied.

  With this configuration, the sample can be easily collected only by the operation of pressing in a state where a substantially constant load is applied as the pressing load generated in the sample collection unit.

  In the sample collecting apparatus of the present invention, the sample collecting member is disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the holding portion within a plane defined by a direction in which the pressing load acts.

  With this configuration, since the natural angle of the hand of the user who is the examiner can be maintained, the sample can be easily collected.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress variations in the amount of collected samples by collecting samples with a substantially constant load.

  Hereinafter, a sample collection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
A sample collection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the sample collection device viewed from the side, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sample collection device viewed from the side.

  The sample collection device of this embodiment includes a sample collection unit 1, a sample collection member 2, a load control unit 3, a holding unit 4, a shaft unit 5, and a connecting unit 6.

  The sample collection unit 1 is pressed (pressed) against the surface of the collection target and collects the sample. The sample collection member 2 has a sample collection unit 1 at one end. The sample collection member 2 is, for example, a cotton swab or a swab, and the sample collection unit 1 such as a cotton material is attached to the tip of the rod-shaped sample collection member 2 as shown in FIG.

  The load control unit 3 controls the pressing load so that the pressing load generated in the sample collecting unit 1 due to the pressure on the surface of the sample becomes a substantially constant load when the sample is collected.

  The holding unit 4 is a portion that supports the sample collecting member 2 and is a holding target when the sample is collected.

  The shaft unit 5 transmits the load from the load control unit 3 when the load control unit 3 controls the pressing load.

  The connecting part 6 connects the shaft part 5 and the specimen collecting member 2. The sample collection member 2 may be detachable from the connecting portion 6. Although not shown, it is desirable that the connecting portion 6 is provided with a mechanism that can be locked so that the sample collection member 2 is not attached and removed.

  Each part of the sample collecting apparatus shown in FIG. 1 may be made of a material that can be sterilized from the viewpoint of hygiene. In the present embodiment, the load control unit 3 is provided inside the holding unit 4, but may be configured to be attached to the outside of the holding unit 4. The shape of the holding unit 4 is not limited to a rectangular box shape, It may be a bar shape or a shape constituted by a curve such as an arc or a grip shape. The specimen is, for example, a microorganism attached to the mucous membrane in the oral cavity of the human body.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a cross-sectional view of the specimen collecting apparatus as viewed from the side. FIG. 2A shows a state where the surface of the object to be collected is not pressed, and FIG. 2B shows a state where the surface is pressed against the surface of the object to be collected. Here, the load control unit 3 is set inside the holding unit 4.

  In the present embodiment, the load control unit 3 includes a constant load spring 103 wound between the first pulley 101 and the second pulley 102 attached to the rotary shaft 100, and a shaft portion 5 attached to the second pulley 102. It is comprised. In addition, the rotation shafts 100 of the first pulley 101 and the second pulley 102 are fixed at predetermined positions on the side surfaces of the holding portion 4, and the pulleys the first pulley 101 and the second pulley 102 can rotate around the rotation shaft 100. It has become. In addition, the specimen collection member 2 is in a plane including the direction in which the load acts on the load control unit 3 (in the plane shown in FIG. 2), that is, in a plane defined by the direction in which the pressing load acts. Can rotate. As shown in FIG. 2, the side surface of the holding portion 4 has an opening having a predetermined shape (for example, a substantially rectangular shape) so that the sample collecting member 2 can be rotated via the shaft portion 5 and the connecting portion 6. 4a. Moreover, the stopper 7 is provided in a part of the opening 4a. The constant load spring 103 is a plate spring having a constant curvature, and is also called a constant torque spring, and generates a constant load (torque). Moreover, the attachment method between two pulleys has O type attached to two pulleys by forward winding, and N type attached to one pulley of two pulleys by reverse winding.

  The constant load spring 103 of FIG. 2 is attached in an N shape, and one end is wound around the first pulley 101 in a forward winding and the other end is wound around the second pulley 102 in a reverse winding and fixed. With this configuration, a constant moment M always acts on the second pulley 102 in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Even if the second pulley rotates, a constant moment M always acts on the second pulley 102 in the direction of the arrow in the figure. In FIG. 2, the shaft portion 5 is defined by a stopper 7 so as to be in a horizontal position in the drawing.

Next, a case where the sample collection device is pressed against the surface of the collection target will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2B, when the sample is collected, the user holds the holding unit 4 and presses the sample collecting unit 1 against the surface 10 to be collected. As a result, the shaft portion 5 moves in the direction of the arrow B shown in the figure, the shaft portion 5 moves away from the stopper 7, and the constant moment M applied to the second pulley 102 is changed to the sample collecting portion of the shaft portion 5. 1 and a constant load is applied to the sample collection unit 1. At this time, the first pulley 101, the second pulley 102, and the constant load spring 103 move in the direction of the broken arrow shown in the drawing. If the length from the rotating shaft 100 to the sample collection unit 1 is L, the load applied to the sample collection unit 1 by the moment M applied to the second pulley 102 is F (= M / L).

  When collecting the sample on the surface 10 to be examined, the sample collecting device takes an operation of scraping the sample collecting unit 1 on the surface 10 to be examined in the direction of arrow A in the drawing. Even when the surface 10 to be inspected is uneven (not shown), the sample collection member 1 rotates in a plane including the direction in which the load acts, so the sample collection unit 1 presses the sample. A constant load can be applied.

  Note that when using the sample collection device, the holding unit 4 may be operated by being held by the examiner, or may be fixed to a jig or the like. Since the sample collection member 2 can be attached to the connecting portion 6 before collection and removed after collection, the components other than the sample collection member 2 can be used repeatedly.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 shows a sample collection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The sample collection device of this embodiment includes a sample collection unit 1, a sample collection member 2, a load control unit 3, a holding unit 4, a shaft unit 5, and a connection unit 6. Note that the description of the same parts as those of the sample collection device in the first embodiment is omitted or simplified.

  FIG. 3 is an example of a cross-sectional view of the specimen collecting apparatus as viewed from the side. FIG. 3A shows a state where the surface of the object to be collected is not pressed, and FIG. 3B shows a state where the surface is pressed against the surface of the object to be collected. Here, the load control unit 3 is set inside the holding unit 4.

  Compared with the sample collection device in the first embodiment, the configuration of the load control unit 3 is different. The load control unit 3 shown in FIG. 3 includes an elastic plate 200 having one end attached to the holding unit 4 and a shaft 5 attached to the other end of the elastic plate 200. The elastic plate 200 is preferably a spring material such as stainless steel, but may be a rubber material. Further, the elastic plate 200 is not limited to a plate shape or a cylindrical shape.

  Further, as in the first embodiment, the specimen collecting member 2 is in a plane including the direction in which the load acts on the load control unit 3 (in the plane shown in FIG. 3), that is, a pressing load acts. It can be rotated in a plane defined by the direction. Further, the side surface of the holding unit 4 has an opening 4 a having a predetermined shape (for example, a substantially rectangular shape) so that the sample collecting member 2 can be rotated via the shaft unit 5 and the connecting unit 6. Yes. Moreover, the stopper 7 is provided in a part of the opening 4a.

Next, a case where the sample collection device is pressed against the surface of the collection target will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3B, when the sample is collected, the user holds the holding unit 4 and presses the sample collecting unit 1 against the surface 10 to be examined. It is assumed that the elastic plate 200 having the spring constant K is displaced by the displacement u in the direction of the arrow due to the press contact. In this case, the load (spring load) F0 generated at the other end of the elastic plate 200 is expressed as Ku, and the load F (pressing load) generated in the sample collection unit 1 is a value obtained from the balance between F0 and the moment. . At this time, if the spring constant K of the elastic plate 200 is made sufficiently small, the change in the load F can be made sufficiently small and can be regarded as a substantially constant load. Note that the substantially constant load is a value in a range of about ± 30% of the set load. In addition, by giving an initial displacement to the elastic plate 200 with the stopper 7 and applying an initial load, a change from the set load can be further reduced.

  When the load F deviates from a range that can be regarded as a substantially constant load, the load control unit 3 includes a strain gauge in the elastic plate 200 to detect the generated displacement u and obtain the load F, thereby notifying a not-shown unit. However, the inspector may be warned with a display or sound. The means for detecting the displacement u is not limited to the strain gauge, and a contact switch, a distance sensor, or the like may be used.

  Thus, by using an elastic body when controlling the pressing load, it is possible to generate a substantially constant load with a simple configuration and at a low cost.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 4 shows a sample collection device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The sample collection device of this embodiment includes a sample collection unit 1, a sample collection member 2, a load control unit 3, a holding unit 4, a shaft unit 5, and a connection unit 6. Note that the description of the same parts as those of the sample collection device in the first embodiment is omitted or simplified.

  Compared with the sample collection device in the first embodiment, the configuration of the load control unit 3 is different. The load control unit 3 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a motor 301 installed in the holding unit 4, a force detector 302, a rotary shaft 300, and a control unit 303. The shaft 5 is attached to the rotating shaft 300.

  The motor 301 controls the pressing load, and is, for example, a servo motor or a stepping motor.

  The force detector 302 is an example of a pressing load detection unit, detects a load transmitted to the shaft 5 when pressing the specimen, and sends a detection signal to the control unit 303. The force detector 302 measures torque using, for example, a strain gauge.

  Based on the detection signal from the force detector 302, the control unit 303 controls the motor 301 so that the pressing load becomes a load arbitrarily set by the control unit 303.

  Further, as in the first embodiment, the specimen collecting member 2 is in a plane including the direction in which the load acts on the load control unit 3 (in the plane shown in FIG. 4), that is, a pressing load acts. It can be rotated in a plane defined by the direction. Although not shown, the side surface of the holding portion 4 has an opening having a predetermined shape (for example, a substantially rectangular shape) so that the sample collecting member 2 can be rotated via the shaft portion 5 and the connecting portion 6. 4a.

Next, a case where the sample collection device is pressed against the surface of the collection target will be described.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the sample is collected, the user holds the holding unit 4 and presses the sample collecting unit 1 against the surface 10 to be examined. The load control unit 3 detects the load transmitted to the shaft 5 with the force detector 302, and the control unit 303 controls the motor 301 so that the load set by the control unit 303 is obtained from the detection signal.

  Thereby, the fixed load set by the control part 303 can be generated as a pressing load. Moreover, since the set value of the constant load to be generated can be easily changed, a general-purpose sample collection device can be obtained.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 5 shows a specimen collecting apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The sample collection device of this embodiment includes a sample collection unit 1, a sample collection member 2, a load control unit 3, a holding unit 4, a shaft unit 5, and a rotating unit 400 that connects the shaft unit 5 and the sample collection member 2. Configured. Note that the description of the same parts as those of the sample collection device in the first embodiment is omitted or simplified.

  Compared with the sample collection device in the first embodiment, the difference is that a rotating unit 400 is provided instead of the connecting unit 6. The rotation unit 400 rotates the sample collection unit 1 and the sample collection member 2 around the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the load acts on the load control unit 3 (the arrow direction in FIG. 5 or the opposite direction). have. Note that the rotation mechanism is composed of, for example, a motor.

Next, a case where the sample collection device is pressed against the surface of the collection target will be described.
In the present embodiment, when the sample is collected, the user holds the holding unit 4, and the sample collection device rotates the sample collection unit 1 in a state where the sample collection unit 1 is pressed with a constant load by the rotation mechanism of the rotation unit 400. Collect. Thereby, it can collect | require easily only by taking the operation | movement which the sample collection device press-contacts the sample collection part 1. FIG.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 6 shows a specimen collecting apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The sample collection device of this embodiment includes a sample collection unit 1, a sample collection member 2, a load control unit 3, a holding unit 4, a shaft unit 5, and a connection unit 6. Note that the description of the same parts as those of the sample collection device in the first embodiment is omitted or simplified.

  Compared with the sample collection device in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, the sample collection unit 1 and the sample collection member 2 include an in-plane including a direction in which a load acts on the holding unit 4. Are arranged at a predetermined angle. The predetermined angle is, for example, an angle in a range where the angle θ of the axis of the specimen collecting member 2 with respect to the longitudinal direction of the holding unit 4 in FIG. 6A is larger than 0 degree and within 90 degrees. In addition, around 45 degrees is desirable.

  In the present embodiment, the holding unit 4 can be the holding unit of the first to third embodiments. That is, a configuration in which the pulleys 102, 102, etc. are provided in the holding unit 4, a configuration in which the elastic plate 200 is provided in the holding unit 4, and a configuration in which the motor 300, etc. are provided in the holding unit 4. . Moreover, it is good also as a structure which provides the rotation part 400 similarly to 4th Embodiment.

Next, a case where the sample collection device is pressed against the surface of the collection target will be described.
In the present embodiment, when the sample is collected, the user holds the holding unit 4 and presses the sample collecting unit 1 against the surface 10 to be examined. When the examiner (user) holds the holding unit 4 by hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, if the wrist angle θ1 is in the range of 0 degrees to 90 degrees, the sampling operation by the sample collecting apparatus is performed. It can be said that there is a natural angle to do.

(Comparative example)
In this comparative example, with reference to FIG. 7, when a sample is collected from a sample by a sample collecting unit in which a conventional sample collecting unit is fixed to a holding unit, and the sample collecting apparatus described in the first embodiment is used, The result of measuring the concentration of the bacteria as the collected sample when collected from the sample as a constant load will be described.

  First, the result measured using the conventional method is shown in FIG. The collection place is a portion from the circumpapillary nipple to the tip of the median tongue groove, and the sample collection device collects bacteria by the user rubbing the sample collection device three times. For example, the concentration of the bacteria is measured by an external device. This measurement is performed 4 times, and the maximum and minimum ratio of the measured bacterial concentration is calculated. This measurement and calculation were performed on a total of six subjects.

  Next, FIG. 7B shows the result of measurement using the sample collection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The place of ingestion was the same as in the case of using the conventional method, and three measurements were made for one subject and a total of eight subjects were measured.

  When using the sample collection device according to the first embodiment, the user collects bacteria by the sample collection unit 1 by rubbing the sample collection device three times, and measures the concentration of the bacteria using, for example, an external device. This measurement is performed three times, and the maximum and minimum ratio of the measured bacterial concentration is calculated.

  As a result, when the conventional method is used, the maximum / minimum ratio varies in the range of 1.31 to 3.97, whereas when the sample collection apparatus according to the first embodiment is used, the ratio is 1 It is in the range of .23 to 1.82. From this, the concentration of bacteria can be collected substantially constant by controlling the pressing load when the specimen collection device presses the bacteria so that the specimen collection unit 1 is pressed against the bacteria to be tested with a substantially constant load. I understand that.

  Thus, according to the sample collection device in the embodiment of the present invention, the sample collection unit for collecting the sample attached to the surface of the inspection target is pressed against the surface of the inspection target with a substantially constant load, By controlling the pressing load by the sample collection device, it is possible to suppress variations in the amount of sample collected.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful as a sample collection device for general testing equipment that can suppress variations in the amount of collected samples by collecting samples with a substantially constant load.

FIG. 1 is an example of a schematic view of a specimen collection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention viewed from the side. (A) An example of a cross-sectional view of the sample collecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the side, (b) An example of a cross-sectional view of the sample of the sample collecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the side. (A) An example of a cross-sectional view of the sample collecting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the side, (b) An example of a cross-sectional view of the sample of the sample collecting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the side. An example of a cross-sectional view of a specimen collecting apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention viewed from the side An example of the schematic diagram which looked at the sample collection device in a 4th embodiment of the present invention from the side (A) An example of a schematic view of the sample collection device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention viewed from the side, (b) An example of a schematic view of the sample collection device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention viewed from the side. (A) Measurement result explanatory drawing of the conventional method in a comparative example, (b) Measurement result explanatory drawing of the 1st Embodiment of this invention in a comparative example

Explanation of symbols

1 Sample collection part 2 Sample collection member
3 Load control part 4 Holding part 4a Opening part 5 Shaft part 6 Connecting part 7 Stopper 10 Surface to be inspected
20 Inspector's Hand 100 Rotating Shaft 101 First Pulley 102 Second Pulley 103 Constant Load Spring 200 Elastic Plate 300 Rotating Shaft 301 Motor 302 Force Detection Unit 303 Control Unit 400 Rotating Unit

Claims (8)

A sample collection member having a sample collection unit for collecting a sample at one end;
Supporting the sample collection member, and a holding unit to be held when collecting the sample;
A load control unit for controlling the pressing load so that the pressing load generated in the sample collecting unit due to the pressure on the surface of the sample becomes a substantially constant load when the sample is collected;
A sample collection device comprising: The specimen collecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The sample collecting member is detachable. The sample collection device according to claim 1 or 2,
The load control unit includes two pulleys and a constant load spring that connects the two pulleys. The sample collection device according to claim 1 or 2,
The load control unit includes an elastic plate, and controls the pressing load based on a spring load based on a spring constant of the elastic plate and a displacement of the elastic plate. The sample collection device according to claim 1 or 2,
The load controller is
A motor for controlling the pressing load;
A pressing load detection unit for detecting the pressing load;
A sample collection device comprising: a motor control unit that controls the motor based on a detection result by the pressing load detection unit. The sample collection device according to claim 1 or 2,
The sample collecting member rotates in a plane defined by a direction in which the pressing load acts. The sample collection device according to claim 1 or 2,
The sample collection device rotates around a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the pressing load acts on a surface defined by a direction in which the pressing load acts. The sample collection device according to claim 1 or 2,
The sample collection device, wherein the sample collection member is disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the holding unit within a plane defined by a direction in which the pressing load acts.

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