JP7453682B2 - Specimen collection container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a specimen collection container for collecting and storing specimens such as saliva and stool.

Conventionally, this type of specimen collection container includes, for example, a saliva collection container 11 used when collecting saliva, a funnel 12, and a preservation solution containing a saliva preservation solution, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. There is one consisting of a storage container 13 (Patent Document 1).

To use the specimen collection container, as shown in FIG. 20, the saliva of the subject is collected into the saliva collection container 11 from the funnel 12 attached to the saliva collection container 11. Next, remove the funnel 12 from the saliva collection container 11, and in place of the funnel 12, as shown in FIG. .

In this way, the open end 11a of the saliva collection container 11 is inserted from the bottom surface of the storage solution storage container 13, the bottom surface of the storage solution storage container 13 is crushed, and the storage solution in the storage solution storage container 13 is removed from saliva. It flows into the collection container 11. Then, this preservation solution is mixed with the saliva in the saliva collection container 11, and the saliva and preservation solution are stored in an airtight state.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 22, for example, this type of specimen collection container includes a stool collection member 21 for collecting stool, and a container body 22 that has an entrance portion 22a on the top side and can accommodate stool. There is a container body 22 which includes a lid body 23 that can be attached to an inlet portion 22a of a container body 22, and the inside of the lid body 23 is filled with a preservation liquid (Patent Document 2).

To use the sample collection container, the stool collection member 21 is taken out from the container body 22, and the stool collection member 21 is held by the hand-held portion 21a to collect stool into the cup portion 21c of the stool collection portion 21b. Next, the stool collection part 21b of the stool collection member 21 is inserted through the entrance part 22a of the container body 22, and the fitting part 21d of the handheld part 21a is fitted inside the entrance part 22a of the container body 22. Subsequently, the lid 23 is attached by screwing into the threaded portion 22b below the inlet portion 22a of the container body 22.

In this way, the perforation part 24 of the stool collection member 21 comes into contact with the lower surface (not shown) of the lid body 23, and the perforation part 24 crushes the lower surface, creating a hole in the lower surface, thereby preserving the stool. As the liquid falls and flows into the inside of the container body 22 and accumulates, the feces at the tip of the cup part 21c of the stool collection part 21b dissolves into the preservation liquid and is stored in the container body 22 in an airtight state.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-194324 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-164002

However, in the specimen collection container described in Patent Document 1, the saliva collection container 11 and the storage solution storage container 13 are not combined, but are separated, which makes them bulky. , it is inconvenient to store and transport.

Furthermore, in the sample collection container described in Patent Document 1, the funnel 12 for collecting saliva is not housed in the saliva collection container 11 and is exposed before use, so during storage or transportation. It may become contaminated with dust and bacteria. Also, to prevent contamination, it is necessary to package them individually.

Furthermore, in the specimen collection container described in Patent Document 1, the funnel 12 attached to the saliva collection container 11 must be removed from the saliva collection container 11 when it is used. Therefore, the funnel 12 contaminated with saliva must be disposed of on the spot before the collected saliva is mailed to an analytical institution or the like, which may lead to problems of contact infection or waste contamination.

Furthermore, in the sample collection container described in Patent Document 2, the stool collection member 21 is taken out from inside the container body 22 and the hand-held portion 21a of the stool collection member 21 is directly held in the hand to collect stool. When a person's hands are dirty, the stool collection member 21 may become contaminated with germs or the like. Then, when this contaminated stool collection member 21 is stored again in the container body 22, the inside of this container body 22 may also be contaminated.

Therefore, the present invention solves the conventional problems by combining components corresponding to the saliva collection container, the funnel, and the preservation solution storage container described in Patent Document 1, instead of separating them separately. It is convenient to store and transport without being bulky, and even if the component corresponding to the funnel described in Patent Document 1 is not individually packaged, it can be easily stored or transported during storage or transportation. It is not contaminated with dust or germs, and the component corresponding to the stool collection member described in Patent Document 2 can be used without directly holding it in the hand, so that it is not contaminated during use. This was done with the aim of providing a highly safe specimen collection container that prevents erroneous operation during collection and is free from infection and contamination during and after collection.

The specimen collection container of the present invention includes a container 1 containing a specimen preservation solution L, an inner stopper 2 having an opening 2a at the upper end, a hollow interior, and a breakable bottom plate 2c, and a breakable bottom plate 2c. The lid body 3 has a member 6 hanging thereon. The inner stopper body 2 is housed in the housing body 1, and the lid body 3 is screwed into the opening of the housing body 1, so that these are combined into one body. When the lid 3 is screwed into the opening of the container 1 with a spacer S interposed between the inner plug 2 and the lid 3, the breakable member 6 of the lid 3 The screw can only be screwed in until the lower end approaches the bottom plate 2c of the inner plug body 2. Furthermore, when the lid 3 is screwed into the opening of the container 1 without interposing the spacer S between the inner plug 2 and the lid 3, the breaking member 6 of the lid 3 It is designed to be screwed in until the lower end breaks the bottom plate 2c of the inner plug body 2. The bottom plate 2c of the inner plug body 2 is connected to the lower end of the side wall through a thin wall portion around the periphery, so that a part of the thin wall portion remains connected even after being broken.

In the specimen collection container of the present invention, the opening 2a of the inner stopper 2 is wide-mouthed, and the opening of the container 1 is formed with an external thread 4, and the side wall of the lid 3 is provided with an internal thread. 5, the opening of the container 1 is folded back outward, the opening is widened, and the internally threaded portion 5 of the lid 3 is screwed into the externally threaded portion 4 of the container 1. .

In the sample collection container of the present invention, an outward flange 2b is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall of the inner stopper 2, and a rib 3a is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the side wall of the lid 3, and the lid 3 and the inner plug When the lid 3 is screwed into the opening of the container 1 with a spacer S interposed between the lid 3 and the lid 3, the rib 3a of the lid 3 is located above the outward flange 2b of the inner plug 2. , and when the lid 3 is screwed into the opening of the container 1 without intervening the spacer S between the lid 3 and the inner plug 2, the inner plug 2 is positioned outwardly. The flange 2b goes over the rib 3a of the lid 3 and is hooked onto the rib 3a.

The specimen collection container of the present invention is constructed by housing the inner plug body 2 in the container body 1 and screwing the lid body 3 into the opening of the container body 1, so that these are combined into one body, so it is not bulky. This makes it convenient to store and transport.

Furthermore, in the sample collection container of the present invention, the inner plug body 2 and the breakable member 6 are stored in the container 1 before and after use, and the inner stopper body 2 and the breakable member 6 are not exposed. In addition, the specimen collection container of the present invention can be collected by the subject himself/herself, even if he or she is not a medically qualified worker, so that the sample collection container of the present invention will not be contaminated by dust or germs during transportation. Infection can be avoided.

Furthermore, the sample collection container of the present invention is integrated into one unit, so that the test subject does not get confused about how to use it and does not make any erroneous operations.

Further, since the sample collection container of the present invention does not directly touch the breakable member 6 with the hands during use, the breakable member 6 is not contaminated with germs or the like.

Further, the sample collection container of the present invention can store a collected sample without touching the member to which the collected sample is attached, and can send it to an analytical institution, etc., so it is highly safe without causing secondary infection.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of a sample collection container of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion surrounded by a square frame in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the specimen collection container shown in FIG. 1 with the lid removed. 4 is a plan view of the specimen collection container shown in FIG. 3. FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the specimen collection container shown in FIG. 3 with a lid again placed on it. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion surrounded by a square frame in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the specimen collection container shown in FIG. 5 with the lid removed again. This is an enlarged cross-section of a portion surrounded by a rectangular frame in FIG. 7. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the sample collection container of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion enclosed by a square frame in FIG. 9 . 10 is a sectional view of the specimen collection container shown in FIG. 9 with the lid removed. FIG. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the specimen collection container shown in FIG. 11 with the lid again placed on it. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion surrounded by a square frame in FIG. 12. FIG. FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the specimen collection container shown in FIG. 12 with the lid removed again. 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion surrounded by a rectangular frame in FIG. 14. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of the sample collection container of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the specimen collection container shown in FIG. 16 with the lid removed. FIG. 18 is an explanatory cross-sectional view when the lid body is again placed on the specimen collection container shown in FIG. 17; FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the specimen collection container shown in FIG. 17 with the lid again placed on it. It is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional specimen collection container, with a saliva collection container and a storage solution storage container separated. FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the storage solution container shown in FIG. 20 when attached to a saliva collection container. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another example of a conventional sample collection container, which is exploded into a stool collection member, a container body, and a lid.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the form for implementing the sample collection container of this invention is demonstrated in detail based on drawing.

The specimen collection container of the present invention includes a container 1, an inner stopper 2, a lid 3, and a spacer S. The container 1 accommodates the inner plug 2, and the inner plug 2 and the lid 3 The lid body 3 is screwed into the opening of the container 1 with or without a spacer S interposed therebetween, and these are combined into one body.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container 1 has a bottomed inner tube 1b connected to the inside of a substantially cylindrical tube 1a made of synthetic resin through a hollow part. A specimen preservation solution L is contained in 1b. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 16, this container 1 has a specimen preservation solution L directly stored in a bottomed, substantially cylindrical tube 1a made of synthetic resin. Further, this container 1 has an externally threaded portion 4 formed in the opening, into which an internally threaded portion 5 formed on the side wall of the lid 3, which will be described later, can be screwed into. The inner tube 1b has an inclined wall G at its upper end, and is connected to the substantially cylindrical tube 1a via the inclined wall G.

The inner plug body 2 is made of synthetic resin, and has an opening 2a at the upper end, an outward flange 2b on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall, and a bottom plate 2c that is hollow inside and can be broken. As shown in FIGS. 1, 9, and 16, it is housed in the container 1, and the inner surface of the upper end of the side wall of the container 1 and the outer surface of the side wall of the inner plug body 2 are brought into close contact. That is, the inner plug body 2 shown in FIG. 1 has a short substantially cylindrical shape, and the outer surface of its side wall is brought into close contact with the inner surface of the upper end of the side wall of the container 1, as shown in FIG. The one shown in FIG. 16 has a substantially funnel shape, and the outer surface of the side wall is in close contact with the inner surface of the upper end of the side wall of the container 1. Furthermore, the one shown in FIG. 16 has a long substantially cylindrical shape, and the side wall The outer surface of the upper end is brought into close contact with the inner surface of the upper end of the side wall of the container 1. Further, in the case of the outward flange 2b shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the upper peripheral end is rounded in a rounded shape, and the lower peripheral end is squared at a right angle. It is located below a rib 3a provided on the inner circumferential surface and has a rounded outer surface, or is configured to climb over and be caught on the rib 3a.

Furthermore, in the inner plug body 2 shown in FIG. 1, the opening 2a is made wide, and in the one shown in FIG. 9, the opening 2a is cut off diagonally to make it oval. When the sample is saliva, etc., the saliva is made easy to enter through the opening 2a and temporarily stored in the hollow part.

The sample is preferably saliva when the inner stopper body 2 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 is used, and stool when the inner stopper body 2 as shown in FIG. 16 is used. is preferred, but various specimens such as sputum, ear, nose and throat swabs, blood, and urine can also be used.

The storage solution L may be a solution for virus inactivation, RNA extraction, or stable storage of RNA, or a solution for DNA extraction or stable storage of DNA, or it may be a solution for sterilizing or inactivating the target specimen and storing the substance to be measured. A wide variety of solutions can be used, including solutions that can be stably stored.

The bottom plate 2c of the inner plug body 2 is to be broken by being pressed by the lower end of the breaking member 6 of the lid body 3, which will be described later, and is connected to the lower end of the side wall through a thin part around the bottom plate 2c. Even after the bottom plate 2c is broken, a part of the thin wall portion remains connected to prevent the bottom plate 2c from falling into the container 1, as shown in FIGS. It can be done. Further, the bottom plate 2c may be made of a film welded or a honey plug.

The lid body 3 is made of synthetic resin, has a cylindrical body with a breakable member 6 suspended from the top plate 3b, and has an internal threaded portion 5 formed on the side wall connected to the opening of the container 1 as described above. It is designed so that it can be screwed into an external threaded portion 4 formed in the section. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the side wall of the lid body 3 is provided with the rib 3a having a rounded outer surface, and a spacer S is interposed between the lid body 3 and the inner plug body 2 as described later. When the lid 3 is screwed into the opening of the container 1, the rib 3a is located above the outward flange 2b of the inner plug 2, but the lid 3 and the inner When the lid 3 is screwed into the opening of the container 1 without interposing the spacer S with the plug 2, the outward flange 2b of the inner plug 2 climbs over the rib 3a, and this rib I try to catch it on 3a. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, when the opening 2a of the inner plug body 2 is made wide, the opening of the container 1 can be folded back outward to widen the opening. An internal thread 5 formed on the side wall of the lid 3 is screwed into an external thread 4 formed at the opening of the container 1.

The breakage member 6 shown in FIGS. 1 and 9 is a cylindrical body, and the breakage member 6 shown in FIG. 16 is a rod-shaped body having a sampling portion 6a formed at its tip and fitted into the cylinder. When the specimen is stool, the collection part 6a is preferably shaped like a spoon as shown in the figure, but when the specimen is ear, nose and throat swab, etc., it should be shaped according to the specimen. Can be done. The lower end of the breaking member 6 is preferably sharpened so that the bottom plate 2c of the inner plug body 2 can be easily broken, as will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 9, and 16, the sample collection container of the present invention has a spacer S interposed between the inner stopper 2 and the lid 3, and the opening of the container 1. When the lid 3 is screwed in, it can only be screwed in until the lower end of the breakable member 6 of the lid 3 comes close to the bottom plate 2c of the inner plug 2.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 5, 12, and 19, in the sample collection container of the present invention, the opening of the container 1 is not interposed between the inner stopper 2 and the lid 3. When the lid 3 is screwed in, it is screwed in until the lower end of the breaking member 6 of the lid 3 breaks the bottom plate 2c of the inner stopper 2.

The spacer S is a substantially cylindrical short tube made of synthetic resin, and the upper end of the short tube abuts against the top plate 3b of the lid body 3, and the lower end of the short tube abuts against the inner plug body 2. That's what I do. In the case shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the lower end of this short tube is brought into contact with a plurality of locking ribs 8 protruding radially within the opening of the inner plug body 2, and in the case shown in FIG. In this case, the inner plug body 2 is brought into contact with an outward flange 2b provided on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall of the inner plug body 2. Incidentally, if the spacer S has an inner flange portion Sa formed on the inner wall of the short pipe as shown in FIG. It can be interposed between the inner plug body 2 and the lid body 3 in this state.

Since the sample collection container of the present invention is constructed as described above, it is used in the following manner.

First, in the specimen collection container of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the lid 3 is removed from the container 1 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 11 from the state shown in FIGS. Remove the spacer S from 3 and discard this spacer S. In this case, since the sample has not yet been collected, the spacer S is not contaminated, and even if it is discarded as it is, there will be no problem of waste contamination.

Next, saliva is poured into the inner stopper 2 of the container 1 from which the lid 3 has been removed as shown in FIGS. Attach the lid 3 again. In this case, as the lid 3 is gradually screwed in, the breaking member 6 vertically disposed on the lid 3 gradually lowers, comes into contact with the bottom plate 2c of the inner plug 2, and breaks the bottom plate 2c. Then, the saliva contained in the inner plug body 2 flows down into the container 1 and mixes with the preservation liquid in the container 1. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 13, the outward flange 2b of the inner plug body 2 climbs over the rib 3a of the lid body 3, and the inner plug body 2 reaches close to the top plate 3b of the lid body 3. Being pushed up.

In addition, in the specimen collection container of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, when the container 1 is shaken or tilted in the state shown in FIG. Since it passes through the inclined wall G at the upper end of the inner tube 1b and enters the inner plug body 2 from the broken part of the bottom plate 2c, the saliva adhering to the side wall of the inner plug body 2 is washed away with this liquid mixture. Almost no saliva remains inside the inner plug body 2.

In the sample collection container of the present invention, the mixture of saliva and preservation solution is stored or transported in an airtight state with the lid 3 attached to the container 1. In this case, the bottom plate 2c of the inner plug body 2 shown in FIG. 1 remains connected to a part of the thin wall part as shown in FIG. 5, so it cannot fall into the container 1. There is no. Therefore, when the mixed liquid of saliva and preservation liquid in the container 1 is taken out with the syringe 9 or the like, as will be described later, the bottom plate 2c does not get in the way.

As shown in Figures 7 and 14, the specimen collection container is removed from the container 1 by an analytical laboratory, and the mixture of saliva and preservative solution in the container 1 is taken out with a syringe 9 or the like for analysis. In this case, the inner stopper 2 is pushed up close to the top plate 3b of the cover 3 as shown in Figures 6 and 13, and then lowered by its own weight. However, as shown in Figures 8 and 15, the lower end of the outward flange 2b of the inner stopper 2 is engaged with the rib 3a provided on the inner peripheral surface of the side wall of the cover 3, so that the inner stopper 2 does not fall from the removed cover 3 and the cover 3 can be discarded, and the inner stopper 2 contaminated with saliva will not be touched.

In addition, in the specimen collection container of the present invention, the lid 3 can be removed from the container 1 as shown in FIG. 17 from the state shown in FIG. Remove the spacer S from and discard this spacer S. In this case as well, since the sample has not yet been collected, the spacer S is not contaminated, and even if it is discarded as is, no problem of waste contamination will occur.

Next, holding the lid 3 shown in FIG. 17 in your hand, collect a specimen such as feces using the collection part 6a formed at the tip of the breakable member 6, and store this collection part 6a as shown in FIG. It is placed into the inner plug body 2 of the container 1, and the lid body 3 is attached to the container body 1 again as shown in FIG. In this case, as the lid 3 is gradually screwed in, the sampling part 6a of the breaking member 6 vertically disposed on the lid 3 gradually lowers and comes into contact with the bottom plate 2c of the inner stopper 2, causing the bottom plate 2c to break. Then, the sample such as feces in the collection part 6a is immersed in the preservation solution in the container 1 and mixed with the preservation solution in the container 1.

In the sample collection container of the present invention, a mixture of a sample such as stool and a preservation solution is stored or transported in an airtight state with the lid 3 attached to the container 1. In this case, since a part of the thin wall portion of the bottom plate 2c of the inner plug body 2 remains connected, it does not fall into the container 1. Therefore, the bottom plate 2c does not get in the way when the mixed liquid of feces and preservation liquid in the container 1 is taken out with the syringe 9 or the like, similar to the case described above.

Since the sample collection container of the present invention is configured as described above, it is convenient to store and transport, and is not contaminated with dust or germs during storage or transport. Become something.

Furthermore, since the specimen collection container of the present invention allows the specimen to be collected by the subject himself/herself, secondary infection to medical personnel can be avoided.

Furthermore, the sample collection container of the present invention is integrated into one unit, so that the test subject does not get confused about how to use it and does not make any erroneous operations.

Furthermore, since the sample collection container of the present invention does not directly touch the breakable member with hands during use, the breakable member is not contaminated with germs or the like.

Further, the sample collection container of the present invention can store a collected sample without touching the member to which the collected sample is attached and can send it to an analytical institution, etc., so it is highly safe without causing secondary infection.

1 Container 2 Inner stopper 2a Opening 2b Outward flange 2c Bottom plate 3 Lid 3a Rib 4 External thread 5 Internal thread 6 Breaking member S Spacer L Preservation liquid

Claims (3)

It comprises a container containing a preservation solution for a specimen, an inner stopper having an opening at the upper end and a hollow interior and a breakable bottom plate, and a lid having a breakable member hanging therein,
The inner plug body is housed in the housing body, and the lid body is screwed into the opening of the housing body, so that these are combined into one body,
When a spacer is interposed between the inner plug body and the lid body and the lid body is screwed into the opening of the container, the lower end of the breakable member of the lid body touches the bottom plate of the inner plug body. Be sure to screw in only until they are close together,
When the lid is screwed into the opening of the container without interposing a spacer between the inner plug and the lid, the lower end of the breakable member of the lid touches the bottom plate of the inner plug. Be sure to screw it in until it breaks ,
The bottom plate of the inner plug body is characterized in that its periphery is connected to the lower end of the side wall via a thin wall part, and a part of the thin wall part remains connected even after it is broken. Specimen collection container. The inner plug body has a wide opening, an external thread is formed at the opening of the housing, and an internal thread is formed on the side wall of the lid, and the opening of the housing faces outward. 2. The specimen collection container according to claim 1, wherein the container is folded back to widen the opening so that an internally threaded portion of the lid is screwed into an externally threaded portion of the container. An outward flange is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall of the inner plug body, a rib is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the side wall of the lid body, and a spacer is interposed between the lid body and the inner plug body. When the lid is screwed into the opening of the body, the rib of the lid is located above the outward flange of the inner plug 2, and no spacer is interposed between the lid and the inner plug. Claim 1, wherein when the lid body is screwed into the opening of the container, the outward flange of the inner plug body rides over a rib of the lid body and is caught on the rib. Specimen collection container described in .

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