JP4026166B2 - Urinalysis reagent cell and urinalysis container - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a urinalysis reagent cell and a urinalysis container capable of automatically reading and determining a color response of a urine test paper using an optical device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A urinalysis test in a clinical laboratory checks a health check to determine whether the patient is morbid or healthy, finds the name of the disease, investigates the cause of the disease, or what general general condition the patient is in It is usually used for the purpose. In particular, in screening tests and group screenings that are performed as initial diagnosis information for healthy populations, newborns, pregnant women, elderly populations, etc. in occupational areas, regions, schools, etc., urine test papers with various reagents partially arranged in advance After immersing it in the subject (urine to be examined), it is pulled up, the color response of various reagents is visually read, and the analysis result is judged against the standard color chart (color sample)・ The AND-READ method is adopted.
[0003]
The urine test paper used in this case is generally of a type in which each reagent is distributed on a plastic stick-shaped paper and a type in which each reagent is distributed on a strip-shaped paper. In this way, the subject determined to be positive or false positive in the screening test is transferred to a more precise quantitative test and used for the accurate detection of the disease and the cause investigation. Usually, in the screening test, about 30% of the whole is judged as positive or false positive, and the remaining specimens judged as about 70% are discarded as they are.
[0004]
On the other hand, at present, an inspection method has been developed in which a plastic urine test paper taken up by being immersed in a sample collected is set in an optical device and automatically analyzed and judged. Judgment of the inspection by this optical device is made by placing the surface of the urine test paper immersed in the subject facing upward, irradiating light from above, and capturing the reflected light with a CCD camera or the like. The color response is compared with the standard color tone table.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional dip-and-read method, as the number of subjects in the screening test increases, the number of workers required for the test increases, and the time for the test increases. The result was contrary to the demand of society to automate and speed up the inspection process.
Further, when the conventional optical device is applied to a dip-and-read method for screening inspection, it is extremely inefficient. That is, a stick-shaped urine test paper is immersed in each of a large number of subjects, and the taken urine test papers are set one by one in an optical device, waiting for the analysis result, and positive or false positive. Since it is necessary to sort the determined subject and the negatively determined subject, it takes time and effort.
[0006]
Therefore, the present applicant makes the container for collecting the specimen transparent, arranges urine test paper in the container in advance, moves the transparent container to the optical device after urine collection, and uses a CCD camera or the like through the bottom of the container. We developed an analytical method for analyzing and judging the color response of reagents on urine test strips. With this method, it is possible to carry out a continuous and quick automatic inspection by directly transporting a subject collected in a container to an optical device. However, in this case, the specimen in the container and the various reagents are in contact with each other for a long time, and the various reagents are eluted into the specimen, resulting in a poor color response due to the mutual reaction between the reagents. There was a risk of problems in accuracy and subsequent quantitative examination of the subject.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention further improves the technique of the inspection method using the optical device previously conceived by the present applicant, and is a urinalysis reagent cell and urinalysis in which various reagents do not elute into a subject. It is intended to provide a container.
[0008]
The means of claim 1 adopted by the present invention to solve the above problems is that the reagent part of the urine test paper is sealed in the sealed chamber and the non-reagent part of the urine test paper is led out from the sealed chamber to the outside. A urinalysis reagent cell characterized by
When the urine sample is immersed in the non-reagent portion of the urine test paper that is led out from the sealed chamber, the urine is drawn into the sealed chamber due to surface tension and infiltrated, and the reagent at the tip of the urine test paper is applied. Reach the part that was done. Then, it reacts with the reagent to cause color reaction. The air in the sealed chamber is pushed out of the sealed chamber by the amount of urine that has infiltrated, and the internal and external pressure (pressure) relationship is balanced. Therefore, while this balance is maintained, a certain amount of urine infiltrates into the test paper in the sealed chamber, and the infiltrated urine does not return from the sealed chamber. With such a urinalysis reagent cell, the entire cell can be immersed in urine for a long time, and even in such a case, there is no problem of reagent elution.
[0009]
The means of claim 2 adopted by the present invention is a urinalysis reagent cell characterized in that the urinalysis reagent cells of claim 1 are continuously connected.
Thereby, it is possible to create a urinalysis reagent cell to which a reagent for each necessary test item according to the purpose is applied.
[0010]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a urinalysis container in which the urinalysis reagent cell according to the first or second aspect is disposed at the bottom of a transparent container.
According to the present invention, the color response of the reagent in the sealed chamber is automatically detected from the outside on the bottom side of the transparent container using an optical device such as a CCD camera, and this is compared with the reference color tone table for inspection. It is possible to automatically analyze and judge the result.
[0011]
Further, the means of claim 4 adopted by the present invention is that urine test papers with different reagents are continuously arranged radially, and the reagent portions of each urine test paper are sealed in each sealed chamber, The non-reagent portion of the urine test paper was led out from the sealed chamber and interposed in the radial center portion, and the center portion was used as a urine collection space, and these were disposed at the bottom in a transparent container. This is a urinalysis container.
According to the present invention, it is possible to collect urine into a urine collection space in a container, convey it as it is to an optical device, and automatically analyze and judge the test results of a large number of items, and the screening test can be fully automated. . It is also a radial arrangement, and transparent containers are best suited for the most versatile cups.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The configuration of the present invention will be described below based on the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a urinalysis reagent cell 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 (A) is a longitudinal section showing a use state when the urinalysis reagent cell 1 has a single reagent 2. The figure and the figure (B) are longitudinal cross-sectional views which show the use condition in case there are a plurality of reagents 2. As shown in the figure, the urinalysis reagent cell 1 has a transparent urine test paper 3 to which a reagent 2 is applied and a transparent chamber forming a sealed chamber 4 by sealing at least a portion of the urine test paper 3 to which the reagent 2 is applied. It consists of a film body 5. The transparent film body 5 is suitably a transparent synthetic resin film having excellent chemical resistance such as chemical resistance, and having a strength that is not damaged by the impact of urine released from the human body during urine collection. Vinyl, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, acrylic and other resin materials are applicable. In the urinalysis reagent cell 1, the thickness of the urine test paper 3 is about 1.0 to 1.5 mm, and the total height is about 2 to 3 mm at most. Sealing of the transparent film body 5 should be performed using a welding technique or other welding technique using heat fusion, laser or ultrasonic waves, which is generally performed in a bagging operation with a resin film or the like. Is possible.
[0013]
Next, a usage mode of the urinalysis reagent cell 1 configured as described above will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 1A, the urinalysis reagent cell 1 is placed in a transparent container 6 made of synthetic resin, and the urine 7 of the subject is collected in the transparent container 6. The urine 7 in the transparent container 6 is infiltrated from a non-reagent portion of the urine test paper 3 exposed to the outside from the sealed chamber 4 and is drawn into the sealed chamber 4 side by the action of surface tension. The urine test paper 3 reaches the portion where the reagent 2 is applied. And it reacts with the reagent 2 and makes this color-responsive.
[0014]
At this time, the air in the sealed chamber 4 (including the air in the urine test paper 3) is pushed out of the sealed chamber 4 by the amount of the infiltrated urine, and the internal / external pressure (pressure) relationship is balanced. Therefore, while this balance is maintained, a certain amount of urine infiltrates the urine test paper 3 in the sealed chamber 4, but the infiltrated urine does not return from the sealed chamber 4. Further, after the urine infiltration reaches the reagent 2 portion at the tip of the urine test paper 3 sufficiently, the area of the test paper 3 to infiltrate disappears, so that the subsequent infiltration is not performed. That is, infiltration of the urine in an amount necessary for the color response of the reagent 2 is performed, but unnecessary unnecessary urine movement is eliminated. If it is such a urinalysis reagent cell 1, it is also possible to immerse the whole in the urine 7 in the transparent container 6 for a long time. Even in such a case, there is a problem of elution of the reagent 2 Is not possible.
[0015]
Thereafter, the color response of the reagent 2 of the urinalysis reagent cell 1 is detected from below the transparent container 6 using an optical device 8 such as a CCD camera, and the analysis result is judged by comparing with the reference color tone table. To do. This analysis result can be printed out at the same time as being displayed on a screen by a personal computer, for example. If the reagent 2 shown in FIG. 1B corresponds to a plurality of inspection items, it is possible to inspect a plurality of items at the same time. Therefore, in the screening examination or group examination in the workplace or school, after collecting the urine 7 in the transparent container 6, the urine 7 is collected and transported to the examination center where the inspection worker carries the automatic inspection system. It only needs to be placed on the device. Thereafter, during the conveyance, automatic detection and automatic analysis can be performed by the optical device or the like as described above. Of course, a subject whose analysis result is positive or false positive can be automatically distributed so as to be transported to a quantitative test.
[0016]
2A and 2B show a urinalysis container 9 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 2A is a horizontal sectional plan view and FIG. 2B is a longitudinal sectional view. As shown in the figure, the urinalysis container 9 is composed of a transparent container 6 and a donut-shaped urinalysis reagent cell 10 housed in the transparent container 6. The structure of the unit body, which is a basic component of the urinalysis reagent cell 10, is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Thus, the urinalysis reagent cell 10 has a sealed chamber 4 partitioned by the transparent film body 5 according to the number of examination items and the like, and the reagent 2 of the urine test paper 3 is applied in the sealed chamber 4. The sealed part is sealed. And the non-reagent part in which the reagent 2 is not given is derived | led-out toward the space 11 for urine collection formed in the donut-shaped center part. The height of the urinalysis reagent cell 10 in this case is at most about 2 to 3 mm as in the case of the urinalysis reagent cell 1 shown in FIG. One of the radially arranged sealed chambers 4 is provided with a mark 12 that can be read by an optical device 8 such as a CCD camera.
[0017]
Next, a usage mode of the urinalysis container 9 configured as described above will be described. First, the urine 7 of the subject is collected in the transparent container 6 of the urinalysis container 9. The collected urine 7 infiltrates into the urine collection space 11 formed at the center of the donut shape from the non-reagent portion of each urine test paper 3 where no reagent is applied, and is sealed by the action of surface tension. It is drawn into the chamber 4 side and moves to react with the reagent 2 at the tip. Then, each reagent 2 is caused to make a color response. At this time, the infiltrated urine does not reverse due to the balance between the pressure inside and outside the sealed chamber 4 and the infiltration of the urine in an amount necessary for the color response of the reagent 2 is performed. The elimination of urine entry is the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, also in this embodiment, the entire urinalysis reagent cell 10 can be immersed in the urine 7 in the transparent container 6 for a long time, and there is no problem of elution of the reagent 2.
[0018]
Thereafter, the color response of each reagent 2 of the urinalysis reagent cell 10 is detected from below the transparent container 6 using an optical device 8 such as a CCD camera, and the analysis result is compared with a reference color tone table. to decide. Here, the detection of the color response of each reagent 2 first detects the mark 12 as the reference position. Next, the color response of each reagent 2 corresponding to each test item is sequentially read from the position of the mark 12 in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, for example. The analysis result may be displayed on a screen by a personal computer and printed out, for example. With such an inspection method, it is possible to construct an automatic inspection system in screening inspections, group inspections, etc. in occupational areas or schools. That is, after collecting the urine 7 in the transparent container 6, the urine 7 is collected and transported to the inspection center. After the inspection worker places the urine 7 on the transfer device of the automatic inspection system, the optical urine is collected during the transfer. Automatic detection and automatic analysis are possible by the apparatus 8 and the like as described above. A subject whose analysis result is positive or false positive may be automatically distributed so as to be transported to a quantitative test.
[0019]
By the way, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and appropriate modifications can be made. For example, the urinalysis reagent cell may be one in which the unit bodies shown in FIG. 1 are connected in a straight line, may be linear and the directions of neighboring ones may be alternated, and in a petal shape. It may be arranged and connected. What is necessary is just to set a connection pattern etc. according to the ease of manufacture, the inspection objective, the number of inspection items, etc. Further, since the components of the urine test paper 3 and its filling density (void ratio) are related to the speed at which the urine is infiltrated, the entire inspection system is considered in accordance with the capability of the optical device, the inspection conditions, and the like. Just decide.
[0020]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, the reagent portion of the urine test paper is sealed in the sealed chamber of the transparent film body, and the non-reagent portion of the urine test paper is led out from the sealed chamber. It is possible to infiltrate urine, which is a subject, through the reagent portion and bring it into contact with the reagent at the tip to cause a color response. At this time, since the atmospheric pressure (pressure) relationship between the inside and outside of the sealed chamber is balanced, while this balance is maintained, a certain amount of urine infiltrates into the test paper in the sealed chamber, and the infiltrated urine is removed from the sealed chamber. It will not reverse. Therefore, with such a urinalysis reagent cell, the entire cell can be immersed in urine for a long time, and even in this case, there is no problem of reagent elution. The urinalysis reagent cell of the present invention can correspond to a plurality of examination items.
[0021]
Furthermore, in the present invention, a plurality of sealed chambers are formed radially with a transparent film body, a reagent portion is enclosed therein, and a non-reagent portion is radially spaced from the sealed chamber in a central urine collection space. Since these are all arranged at the bottom of the transparent container, it is possible to collect urine in the urine collection space and transport it to the optical device as it is to automatically analyze and judge the inspection results of many items Therefore, the screening test can be fully automated. Moreover, it is a radial arrangement, and the transparent container is the most suitable for the most versatile cup, and is easy to use.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 relates to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. (A) is a longitudinal sectional view showing a use state of a urinalysis reagent cell having a single reagent, and FIG. (B) is a plurality of reagents. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the use condition of the urinalysis reagent cell which has this.
FIG. 2 relates to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. (A) is a cross-sectional plan view of a urinalysis container, and FIG. (B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a use state.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Urine test reagent cell 2 ... Reagent 3 ... Urine test paper 4 ... Sealing chamber 5 ... Transparent film body 6 ... Transparent container 7 ... Urine 8 ... Optical apparatus 9 such as a CCD camera ... Urine test container 10 ... Urine test reagent cell 11 ... Urine collection Space 12 ... mark

Claims (4)

A urinalysis reagent cell in which a reagent portion of a urine test paper is enclosed in a sealed chamber and a non-reagent portion of the urine test paper is led out from the sealed chamber. A urinalysis reagent cell according to claim 1, wherein the urinalysis reagent cells are connected in a continuous manner. A urinalysis container, wherein the urinalysis reagent cell according to claim 1 or 2 is disposed at the bottom of a transparent container. The urine test strips with different reagents are continuously arranged in a radial pattern, and the reagent portion of each urine test strip is sealed in each sealed chamber, and the non-reagent portion of each urine test strip is transferred from the sealed chamber to the outside. A urinalysis container characterized in that it is led out and interposed in a radial central part, the central part is used as a space for urine collection, and the whole is disposed at the bottom of a transparent container.

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