JP7417991B2 - liquid collection equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to fluid collection devices.

Patent Document 1 discloses a holding member that holds liquid using capillary phenomenon. The holding member is characterized in that a cylindrical liquid holding part with an axial slit and an open end is formed at the tip of the rod-shaped body.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-79098

The liquid collection device according to the present disclosure can collect liquid more easily than in the prior art.

A liquid collection device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes:
a main body having a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface;
A slit that penetrates the main body from the front surface to the back surface and extends in a plane direction that intersects the penetration direction,
This is a liquid sampling device that retains liquid in the slit by capillary action.
The slit is
a curved portion curved to have a U-shape in plan view;
a first straight portion extending from one end of the curved portion so as to be smoothly connected to the curved portion in plan view;
a second straight portion extending from the other end of the curved portion so as to be smoothly connected to the curved portion in plan view;
The main body includes a groove recessed from the back surface toward the front surface between the first linear portion and the second linear portion of the slit on the back surface, and the groove is recessed in the direction in which the first linear portion extends. Extends to.

With the liquid collection device according to the present disclosure, liquid can be collected more easily than in the prior art.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a liquid collection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below of the fluid collection device of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the fluid collection device of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a front view of the fluid collection device of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a rear view of the fluid collection device of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a right side view of the fluid collection device of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the fluid collection device of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid sampling device taken along the direction VIII-VIII in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the liquid sampling device taken along the direction IX-IX in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid sampling device taken along the XX direction in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid sampling device taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 3; 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a liquid sampling method using the liquid sampling device of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of a liquid sampling method using the liquid sampling device of FIG. 1. FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a detailed example of the liquid collection method shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a detailed example of the liquid collection method shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a detailed example of the liquid collection method shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a detailed example of the liquid collection method shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a detailed example of the liquid collection method shown in FIG. 13. FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a test kit using immunochromatography. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining how blood is discharged from the slit of the liquid sampling device of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining how blood is discharged from the slit of the liquid sampling device of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining how blood is discharged from the slit of the liquid sampling device of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining how blood is discharged from the slit of the liquid sampling device of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining how blood is discharged from the slit of the liquid sampling device of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining how blood is discharged from the slit of the liquid sampling device of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining how blood is discharged from the slit of the liquid sampling device of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a comparative example of a liquid sampling device. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a comparative example of a liquid sampling device. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a comparative example of a liquid sampling device. FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a liquid sampling device according to a first modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a liquid sampling device according to a second modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a liquid sampling device according to a third modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another example of a liquid sampling device according to a third modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another example of a liquid sampling device according to a third modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another example of a liquid sampling device according to a third modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a liquid sampling device according to a fourth modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another example of a liquid sampling device according to a fourth modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another example of a liquid sampling device according to a fourth modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a liquid sampling device according to a fifth modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. 40 is a perspective view of a test kit 150 for explaining an example of use of the liquid sampling device of FIG. 39. FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an example of a liquid sampling device according to a sixth modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another example of a liquid sampling device according to a sixth modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

(The circumstances that led to this disclosure)
Immunochromatography (also called immunochromatography, immunochromatography, or lateral flow immunoassay), which is a means of conducting immunological tests, is a simple method that allows you to visually check the test results by dropping a predetermined amount of the sample onto a test kit. It is a powerful immunological test method. For example, the antibodies required for a test kit for diagnosing the presence or absence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (for example, Dynascreen (registered trademark) by Abbott Diagnostics Medical, Inc.) can be obtained from 50 μL of plasma, serum, or It is whole blood. In order to collect 50 μL of whole blood, etc., liquid sampling instruments such as micropipettes and capillaries that utilize capillary action have conventionally been used.

One of the advantages of a test kit using immunochromatography, which is a simple test method, is that it can be handled by the person being tested, such as a patient. When a test subject who is not a medical professional performs the test himself, it is more practical to use a disposable capillary than to use a micropipette, which is a specialized and expensive tool.

However, conventional capillary tubes have a certain thickness, and the lower end of the capillary that comes into contact with blood gets wet with blood. Therefore, after drawing up the blood and pulling the bottom end of the capillary away from the droplet, the blood within the capillary may be pulled by the droplet and hang down from the outside diameter of the capillary to the bottom end of the capillary. As a result, blood may be collected that greatly exceeds the predetermined amount (for example, 50 μL) by the amount of blood that has sagged. Furthermore, the upper end of the blood inside the capillary may also move up or down from a desired position depending on the condition of the internal surface of the capillary (irregularity, presence of wetness, etc.). Due to the above, the amount of blood collected by the capillary varies, causing a problem that a predetermined amount of blood cannot be collected accurately. If a test is performed using an amount of blood different from the predetermined amount, correct test results may not be obtained.

Furthermore, if the inner diameter of the capillary for collecting a predetermined amount of blood, for example 50 μL, is large, the amount of blood hanging down to the lower end of the capillary increases, and the amount of blood tends to vary. On the other hand, if the inner diameter is small, the user cannot collect a predetermined amount of blood without tilting the capillary, making it difficult for a user who is not accustomed to operating the capillary to accurately collect a predetermined amount of blood. Furthermore, if the inner diameter is small, it takes time for the sampled blood to be sucked into the water-absorbing sample adding part of the test kit such as glass fiber and then discharged, which causes the problem of blood coagulation.

Furthermore, the contact area between the tip of the capillary and liquid such as blood is small, and in order to collect the desired amount of liquid, the operator must manipulate the capillary to suck up the liquid sufficiently to a high position. . If air bubbles entered the capillary tube during liquid collection, a situation could occur in which the air bubbles interfered and the liquid collection could not be continued.

The inventors discovered the above-mentioned problems, and in order to solve these problems, they constructed the following liquid sampling device.

A first aspect of the present disclosure includes:
a main body having a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface;
A slit that penetrates the main body from the front surface to the back surface and extends in a plane direction that intersects the penetration direction,
A liquid collection device that retains liquid in the slit by capillary action,
The slit is
a curved portion curved to have a U-shape in plan view;
a first straight portion extending from one end of the curved portion so as to be smoothly connected to the curved portion in plan view;
a second straight portion extending from the other end of the curved portion so as to be smoothly connected to the curved portion in plan view;
The main body includes a groove recessed from the back surface toward the front surface between the first linear portion and the second linear portion of the slit on the back surface, and the groove is recessed in the direction in which the first linear portion extends. A fluid collection device is provided that extends into a fluid collection device.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the groove is formed such that the thickness of the wall between the slit and the groove in the surface direction gradually decreases from the front surface toward the back surface. A liquid collection device according to a first aspect is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, the liquid collection according to the first aspect or the second aspect, wherein the main body has a notch that cuts out a wall between the slit and the groove from the back surface side in the surface direction. Provide equipment.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the notch extends between the groove and at least one of the first linear portion of the slit and the second linear portion of the slit in the planar direction. A third aspect of the present invention provides a liquid sampling device in which a cutout is made from the back surface side.

According to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the notch is located at or near the end of the first straight portion of the slit on the side not connected to the curved portion, and at the first straight portion of the slit in the plane direction. The liquid sampling device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the wall between the groove and at least one of the end or the vicinity of the end on the side not connected to the curved part of the two straight parts is cut out from the back side. I will provide a.

According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the liquid sampling device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the width of the slit is constant in plan view.

According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the liquid collection device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the slit has a tapered shape whose width gradually decreases from the front surface to the back surface. .

According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the liquid collection device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the slit has an inverted tapered shape whose width gradually increases from the front surface to the back surface. do.

According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the first to eighth aspects are configured such that when placed on a placement surface, the back surface can maintain a state in contact with the placement surface and stand on its own. A liquid collection device according to any one of the following is provided.

According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the liquid collection device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, including a handle protruding from the surface.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the liquid sampling device of the tenth aspect, in which the handle is provided at a position away from the slit in plan view.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the liquid collection device according to the eleventh aspect, wherein the handle has a plate-like shape extending in a radial direction of a circle centered on the center of the slit in plan view.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided the liquid sampling device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein the liquid sampling device is a liquid sampling device for blood sampling.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a liquid sampling device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each of the following embodiments, similar components are given the same reference numerals. For convenience of explanation, the drawings may show an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis that are orthogonal to each other. The z-axis is parallel to the vertical direction. For illustrative purposes, the dimensions of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated and not necessarily drawn to scale.

[Configuration example]
The configuration of a liquid collection device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid sampling device 100 according to the present embodiment, viewed from above. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the liquid collection device 100 of FIG. 1 viewed from below. 3-7 are a top view, a front view, a back view, a right side view, and a bottom view of the liquid collection device 100 of FIG. 1, respectively. Since the liquid sampling device 100 is bilaterally symmetrical, the left side view of the liquid sampling device 100 is substantially the same as the right side view of FIG. 6, and is therefore omitted. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid collection device 100 taken along the direction VIII-VIII in FIG. 3. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid sampling device 100 taken along the direction IX-IX in FIG. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid sampling device 100 as viewed in the XX direction of FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid collection device 100 taken along the line XI-XI in FIG.

The liquid sampling device 100 includes a main body 10, a slit 20, a handle 30, and legs 40 and 41. The main body 10 has a plate-like shape whose longitudinal direction is the y-axis direction, and has a front surface 11 and a back surface 12 opposite to the front surface 11. The -y side end of the main body 10 is called a distal end 13, and the +y side end opposite to the distal end 13 is called a proximal end 14.

The slit 20 penetrates the main body 10 from the front surface 11 to the back surface 12, and extends from one end 25 to the other end 26 in a plane direction intersecting the penetration direction (z direction). In the illustrated example, the penetration direction and the surface direction are perpendicular to each other. The slit 20 has a curved portion 23 between an end portion 25 and an end portion 26 that is bent back to form a U-shape in a plan view. The first straight portion 21 between the curved portion 23 and the end 25 of the slit 20 and the second straight portion 22 between the curved portion 23 and the end 26 extend substantially in parallel. In other words, the first straight part 21 extends from one end of the curved part 23, and the second straight part 22 extends from the other end of the curved part 23. The first straight part 21, the curved part 23, and the second straight part 22 of the slit 20 are connected continuously, that is, smoothly, so that no liquid remains in discontinuous parts such as uneven parts during discharge. .

"The first straight part 21, the curved part 23, and the second straight part 22 of the slit 20 are smoothly connected" means that the slit 20 has a curved shape in plan view. Alternatively, "the first straight part 21, the curved part 23, and the second straight part 22 of the slit 20 are smoothly connected" means a curve representing the connection point between the first straight part 21 and the curved part 23, This means that the curve representing the connection point between the second straight portion 22 and the curved portion 23 is differentiable in plan view. Note that the first straight portion 21 is an example of the “first portion” of the present disclosure, and the second straight portion 22 is an example of the “second portion” of the present disclosure.

The curved portion 23 of the slit 20 is located near the distal end 13 of the body 10. The curve representing the curved portion 23 is convex downward in the xy plane. In other words, the slit 20 has a U-shape drawn with the +y direction facing upward in plan view.

The volume of the slit 20 depends on the amount of liquid required for a desired use such as testing, but is, for example, 5 μL or more, preferably 5 μL to 500 μL, for example 30 μL to 100 μL. For example, the volume of the slit 20 is designed to be 53±5 μL. The width of the slit 20 is designed such that the slit 20 can draw up and retain liquid by capillary action. The width of the slit 20 is, for example, 0.05 mm to 5.0 mm, for example 0.5 mm or 1.0 mm. In the illustrated example, the width of the slit 20 is constant from the end 25 to the end 26, but it is constant if the liquid can be sucked up and retained by capillary action and a predetermined volume can be obtained. There's no need. The depth D of the slit 20 (see FIG. 10) depends on the height at which the liquid is sucked up by capillary action. This height varies depending on the material of the main body 10. For example, when the outside gas is air, this height can be approximately calculated based on the contact angle of the material of the main body 10 and the width of the slit 20 if the density and surface tension of the liquid to be sucked up are known. .

The handle 30 projects upward from the surface 11 of the main body 10. The handle 30 is configured so that it can be easily held by an operator who collects liquid. In the illustrated example, the handle 30 has a plate-like shape parallel to the yz plane. Moreover, the handle 30 is provided at a position away from the slit 20 in plan view. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the operator's fingers from touching the liquid when holding the handle 30 and moving the liquid sampling device 100. Therefore, by providing the handle 30, the liquid sampling device 100 can prevent impurities such as finger oil from being mixed into the liquid. If the liquid is blood, it is possible to prevent the blood of another person in the slit 20 from adhering to the operator's finger and causing blood infection.

Furthermore, the handle 30 has a plate-like shape extending in the radial direction of a circle centered on the center of the slit 20 in plan view. With this configuration, when the operator holds the handle 30, the slit 20 is not hidden by the operator's hand. Therefore, the operator can easily visually check whether the slit 20 is filled with liquid without being obstructed by his/her hands.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 7 to 10, the back surface 12 of the main body 10 is provided with a groove 15 that is recessed in the direction of the front surface 11 (z direction) and extends in the longitudinal direction (y direction). The groove 15 is arranged between the first straight part 21 and the second straight part 22. The groove 15 extends in the direction in which the first straight portion 21 extends. Due to the presence of the groove 15, a wall 16 is formed between the slit 20 and the groove 15. The height H of the top of the groove 15 from the back surface 12 (see FIG. 10) is smaller than the depth D of the slit 20. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cross section of the groove 15 when viewed in the y direction has a smooth arched shape. Therefore, the cross section of the wall 16 viewed in the y direction has a tapered shape in which the thickness gradually decreases toward the bottom. This improves the drainage of the liquid when the main body 10 is separated from the liquid, and it is possible to reduce variations in the amount of liquid collected by the liquid collection device 100. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the cross section of the groove 15 when viewed in the x direction also has a smooth shape. This makes it possible to prevent liquid from remaining in uneven areas such as uneven portions after the liquid held in the grooves 15 is discharged.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 7, 9 to 11, the main body 10 has cutouts 18 and 19 on the back surface 12 that connect the slit 20 and the groove 15. As shown in FIGS. The notch 18 cuts out a part of the wall 16 so as to connect the first straight portion 21 of the slit 20 and the groove 15. The notch 19 cuts out a part of the wall 16 so as to connect the second straight portion 22 of the slit 20 and the groove 15. In the illustrated example, the cutouts 18 and 19 are provided at or near the ends of the wall 16, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The legs 40 and 41 protrude downward from the back surface 12 of the main body 10. The legs 40 and 41 support the main body 10 with the bottom of the slit 20 in contact with the ground. For example, when using a blood test kit using immunochromatography, the legs 40 and 41 connect the bottom of the slit 20 to the water-absorbing sample addition part 151 of the test kit 150 (see FIG. 19), which is made of filter paper, glass fiber, etc. ) The main body 10 is supported in a state where it is grounded. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the height L from the bottom of the legs 40, 41 to the surface 11 of the main body 10 is determined by the depth D of the slit 20 and the thickness T of the sample addition part 151. is designed to be substantially equal to the sum.

The liquid collection device 100 is integrally formed, for example, by injection molding. The liquid collection device 100 is made of, for example, polymethyl methacrylate resin (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC), polyethylene (PE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene (PS). ), and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), or may be formed by injection molding using two or more materials.

The liquid collection device 100 is formed by, for example, valve gate type hot runner injection molding. In this case, the advantages of hot runner injection molding, such as saving materials, reducing waste, and shortening the molding cycle, can be obtained, so that manufacturing costs can be reduced.

The area around the slit 20 that sucks up the liquid by capillary action is formed of a hydrophilic material if the liquid to be collected is aqueous, or of a lipophilic material if the liquid is oil-based. In addition, in order to improve the drainage of the liquid when moving the liquid collection device 100 after sucking up the liquid, the back surface 12 of the main body 10 is made of a hydrophobic (water repellent) material when the liquid is aqueous, and when the liquid is oil-based. If so, it may be formed of an oleophobic (oil-repellent) material.

Alternatively, the liquid collection device 100 may have a shape formed by injection molding, with a hydrophilic/hydrophobic material on a surface that should be hydrophilic/hydrophobic, or a hydrophilic/hydrophobic material on a surface that should be lipophilic/hydrophobic. The structure may be coated with an oily/oleophobic material.

Furthermore, the liquid collection device 100 uses a processing technique such as a surface modification technique to process a surface that should be hydrophilic/hydrophobic to be hydrophilic/hydrophobic, or a surface that should be lipophilic/hydrophobic. It may be formed by processing to make it lipophilic/oleophobic.

The material of the liquid sampling device 100 is not limited to those mentioned above, and may be materials such as glass, metal, and ceramic. In addition, the liquid sampling device 100 is formed by not only the injection molding described above, but also a known glass molding method, or a known metal processing method such as cutting, drilling, welding, or a combination thereof.

A portion of the main body 10 around the slit 20 may be coated with a blood anticoagulant to prevent the sucked blood from coagulating.

[Example of usage]
Next, an example of a liquid sampling method using the liquid sampling device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 26. Note that although the liquid sampling device 100 for collecting blood will be described as an example here, the liquid is not limited to blood. For example, the liquid may be a body fluid other than blood, a drug solution, an aqueous solution, a colloid solution, an emulsion, or the like. First, as shown in FIG. 12, the operator punctures the skin of the test subject's finger 90 using a skin puncture needle (lancet) 80 to draw blood. The operator of the liquid sampling device 100 and the person to be tested may be the same person. That is, the liquid sampling device 100 can be used by the person to be tested. However, the liquid collection device 100 may also be used by medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, etc. Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the operator grasps the handle 30 of the liquid collection device 100 and brings the back surface 12 of the main body 10 into contact with the blood. As a result, the bottom of the slit 20 comes into contact with the blood, and the blood is sucked up into the slit 20 by capillary action.

14 to 18 are schematic cross-sectional views for explaining a detailed example of the liquid collection method shown in FIG. 13. 14 to 18 are cross-sectional views of the liquid sampling device 100 viewed from the −y direction, and show the same cross-section as FIG. 8.

First, the operator grasps the handle 30 of the liquid collection device 100 and brings the main body 10 close to the blood on the test subject's finger 90 (FIG. 14). When the back surface 12 of the body 10 comes into contact with blood, the blood is drawn up into the slits 20 and grooves 15 by capillary action (FIG. 15). The operator confirms that the slit 20 is filled with blood (FIG. 16), and lifts the liquid collection device 100 away from the finger 90 (FIGS. 17 and 18). Note that there may be a case where the amount of blood exposed on the finger 90 is small and the slit 20 is not filled with blood just by bringing the main body 10 of the liquid sampling device 100 into contact with the blood once. In such a case, the operator pulls the liquid collection device 100 away from the finger 90, then presses the finger 90 to squeeze out the blood, and performs the blood collection operation described above again.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing an example of a test kit 150 using immunochromatography. After collecting the blood, the operator brings the bottom of the slit 20 of the liquid collection device 100 filled with blood into contact with the specimen addition section 151 of the test kit 150. The sample addition section 151 is made of a water-absorbing material such as filter paper or glass fiber, for example. The blood in the slit 20 of the liquid collection device 100 is discharged to the specimen addition section 151 of the test kit 150.

20 to 26 are schematic cross-sectional views for explaining how blood is discharged from the slit 20 of the liquid collection device 100. 20 to 26 illustrate the liquid collection device 100,
(a) A cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 10 (cross-sectional view seen in the XX direction of FIG. 3),
(b) A sectional view similar to FIG. 11 (a sectional view seen in the XI-XI direction of FIG. 3), and (c) a sectional view similar to FIG. 9 (a sectional view seen in the IX-IX direction of FIG. 3) ,
are shown respectively.

FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the state of blood discharge when the liquid collection device 100 is placed on the test kit 150. At this point, the blood has not yet moved to the specimen addition section 151 of the test kit 150, and the slit 20 of the liquid collection device 100 is filled with blood. Therefore, the height h of the blood level within the slit 20 is substantially equal to the depth D of the slit.

When the liquid collection device 100 is placed on the test kit 150, blood begins to move to the specimen addition section 151 of the test kit 150, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the height h of the liquid level begins to decrease. FIG. 21 shows a state where depth D of slit 20>height h of liquid level>height H of groove 15. At this point, the inside of groove 15 is filled with blood.

As time passes further from the point in FIG. 21, the height h of the liquid level becomes lower than the height H of the groove 15, and as shown in FIG. 22(c), the slit 20 and the groove 15 are connected. Air begins to enter the notches 18 and 19. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 23, the air that has entered through the notches 18 and 19 reaches the groove 15.

24 and 25 show the state of blood discharge after a further period of time has elapsed from the time point shown in FIG. 23. FIG. 25 shows the state after the point in time in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the air that enters through the notches 18 and 19 and reaches the groove 15 moves from the proximal side to the distal side so as to displace the blood in the groove 15. At this point, most of the blood in the slit 20 has been drained.

FIG. 26 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the situation after the blood in the slit 20 and groove 15 of the liquid collection device 100 has been completely drained. When the air in the groove 15 further advances from the proximal side to the distal side from the state shown in FIG. 25, the state shown in FIG. 26 is reached. Since the inside of the groove 15 has a smooth shape with no discontinuous parts such as corners and uneven parts, a situation where liquid remains in the non-smooth parts does not occur.

The above blood draining operation can be performed hands-free. That is, when the liquid collection device 100 is placed on a placement surface such as the surface of the specimen addition section 151 of the test kit 150, the liquid collection device 100 is configured so that it can stand on its own with the back surface 12 kept in contact with the placement surface. has been done. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 19, since the back surface 12 of the main body 10 is flat, the liquid collection device 100 stands on its own with the bottom surface of the slit 20 in contact with the specimen addition section 151 of the test kit 150. can. In particular, in the illustrated example, the distance L from the surface 11 of the main body 10 to the bottom surfaces of the legs 40 and 41 is substantially equal to the thickness T of the specimen addition section 151 of the test kit 150, so the liquid collection device 100 is , can stably stand on its own in this state. Therefore, the operator does not need to wait while holding the handle 30 of the liquid collection device 100 in order to maintain the state in which the liquid collection device 100 is in contact with the specimen addition section 151 of the test kit 150. In this way, after blood is collected, the operator only has to place the liquid collection device 100 on the specimen adding section 151 of the test kit 150 and leave it there, and there is no need to wait until the blood is completely drained.

Since the evacuation operation is performed hands-free as described above, the operator can, for example, drop a developing solvent (chaser) from above the slit 20 to accelerate blood evacuation.

In addition, in conventional tests using capillaries, it is necessary for the operator to keep the capillary containing blood in contact with the sample addition section of the test kit and wait until the blood has been completely drained. According to the liquid sampling device 100, the burden of such waiting on the operator can be reduced. Furthermore, particularly in the case of an HIV self-check in which the operator is the test subject himself, the operator's testing actions may be influenced by psychological biases such as "I want the test result to be negative." As a result, it is said that the operator may give up and cancel the self-check itself, or may unconsciously lead to a test failure. Since the liquid sampling device 100 can reduce troublesome work such as waiting until the blood is completely drained, it is possible to prevent the above-mentioned test cancellation and failure.

[Effects etc.]
As described above, the liquid sampling device 100 according to the present embodiment includes the main body 10 and the slit 20. The main body 10 has a front surface 11 and a back surface 12 opposite to the front surface 11. The slit 20 penetrates the main body 10 from the front surface 11 to the back surface 12 and extends in a plane direction intersecting the penetration direction. The slit 20 includes a curved portion 23 that is curved to have a U-shape in a plan view, and a first straight portion 21 that extends from one end of the curved portion 23 so as to be smoothly connected to the curved portion 23 in a plan view. It has a second straight portion 22 extending from the other end of the curved portion 23 so as to be smoothly connected to the curved portion 23 in plan view. The main body 10 includes a groove 15 recessed from the back surface 12 toward the front surface 11 between the first straight section 21 and the second straight section 22 of the slit 20 on the back surface 12 . The groove 15 extends in the direction in which the first straight portion 21 extends.

With this configuration, the contact area between the liquid and the slit 20 can be increased compared to conventional techniques such as a capillary. When using a capillary, if air bubbles enter the capillary tube while liquid is being collected, the bubbles may interfere with the process and prevent continued liquid collection, resulting in a situation where the desired amount of liquid cannot be collected. Ta. On the other hand, since the liquid sampling device 100 has a large contact area between the liquid and the slit 20, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a desired amount of liquid cannot be sampled due to air bubbles.

Moreover, with this configuration, the liquid can be easily drained when the main body 10 is separated from the liquid, and the liquid collection device 100 can reduce variations in the amount of liquid to be collected. This effect will be explained in comparison with a comparative example without grooves. 27 to 29 are schematic cross-sectional views showing the state of liquid collection using the liquid collection device 100a without the groove 15. 27 can be compared with FIG. 16, FIG. 28 with FIG. 17, and FIG. 29 with FIG. 18. That is, the operator confirms that the slit 20 is filled with blood (FIG. 27), and lifts the liquid collection device 100a away from the finger 90 (FIGS. 28 and 29).

Unlike the liquid sampling device 100, a flat portion 12a exists between the first linear portion 21 and the second linear portion 22 of the slit 20 on the back surface of the liquid sampling device 100a. As a result, as shown in FIG. 29, after the liquid collection device 100a is lifted and separated from the finger 90, blood flows from the first linear portion 21 and second linear portion 22 of the slit 20 through the flat portion 12a due to surface tension. pulls up. Due to the weight of the suspended blood, when the liquid collection device 100a is lifted and separated from the finger 90, the slit 20 will not be completely filled with blood. Thus, although the slit 20 was filled with blood at the time point in FIG. 27, the slit 20 is not filled with blood at the time point in FIG. 29 after the liquid collection device 100a is lifted and separated from the finger 90. Therefore, when the liquid collection device 100a without the groove 15 is used, even if the slit 20 is designed to have a desired volume, the designed amount of blood cannot be collected. Furthermore, compared to the amount of blood when the slit 20 is filled, the amount of blood collected when the device is suspended tends to vary depending on how and the speed at which the liquid sampling device 100a is pulled apart. Therefore, it is difficult to predict in advance the amount of blood that will be suspended, and it is not possible to design the amount of blood to be collected accurately. The liquid sampling device 100 of the present embodiment solves such problems when there is no groove, and can reduce variations in the amount of liquid to be sampled.

In the liquid sampling device 100 according to the present embodiment, the groove 15 is formed so that the thickness of the wall 16 between the slit 20 and the groove 15 in the surface direction gradually decreases from the front surface 11 toward the back surface 12. may be done.

With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the area over which the liquid hangs when the main body 10 is separated from the liquid, and therefore it is possible to reduce variations in the amount of liquid collected by the liquid collection device 100.

In the liquid sampling device 100 according to the present embodiment, the main body 10 may have notches 18 and 19 that cut out the wall 16 between the slit 20 and the groove 15 from the back surface 12 side in the surface direction. The notches 18 and 19 are for cutting out the wall 16 between the groove 15 and at least one of the first linear portion 21 and the second linear portion 22 of the slit 20 from the back surface 12 side in the surface direction. You can. Preferably, the notches 18 and 19 are formed at or near the end 25 of the first straight portion 21 of the slit 20 on the side not connected to the curved portion 23 and at the second end of the slit 20 in the planar direction. The wall between the groove 15 and at least one of the end 26 of the straight part 22 that is not connected to the curved part 23 or the vicinity of the end 26 is cut out from the back surface side.

With this configuration, air enters the groove 15 from the slit 20 via the notches 18 and 19 when the liquid is discharged. This air acts to displace the liquid in the groove 15 and aids in its drainage. Therefore, the notches 18 and 19 can prevent liquid from remaining inside the groove 15. When the notches 18, 19 are at or near the ends 25, 26, air enters from one end of the groove 15, and the air flows from one end to the other end of the liquid in the groove 15. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably prevent liquid from remaining inside the groove 15.

In the liquid sampling device 100 according to the present embodiment, the width of the slit 20 may be constant in plan view.

With this configuration, compared to a case where the width of the slit 20 is not constant from the end portion 25 to the end portion 26, the problem that liquid remains in the portion where the width of the slit 20 changes does not occur when the liquid is discharged.

The liquid sampling device 100 according to the present embodiment is configured so that when it is placed on a placement surface of a test kit 150 or the like, the back surface 12 of the main body 10 is maintained in contact with the placement surface and can stand on its own. may be done.

With this configuration, the operator does not have to keep the bottom of the slit 20 in contact with the mounting surface and wait while holding the liquid sampling device 100 until the liquid is completely drained.

The liquid collection device 100 according to the present embodiment may include a handle 30 protruding from the surface 11 of the main body 10.

With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the operator's fingers from touching the liquid when moving the liquid sampling device 100. Therefore, by providing the handle 30, the liquid sampling device 100 can prevent impurities such as finger oil from being mixed into the liquid. If the liquid is blood, it is possible to prevent the blood of another person in the slit 20 from adhering to the operator's finger and causing blood infection.

The handle 30 may be provided at a position away from the slit 20 in plan view. The handle 30 may have a plate-like shape extending in the radial direction of a circle centered on the center of the slit 20 in plan view.

With this configuration, when the operator grasps the handle 30, it is possible to prevent the slit 20 from being hidden by the operator's hand. Therefore, the operator can easily visually check whether the slit 20 is filled with liquid without being obstructed by his/her hands.

(Modified example)
Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, these descriptions are merely examples of the present disclosure. Various improvements and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments described above. For example, the following changes are possible. The following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

<First modification example>
In the above embodiment, an example in which the width of the slit 20 is constant in the depth direction (z direction) has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. FIG. 30 is a sectional view showing a liquid collection device 200a according to a first modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 30 shows a cross section corresponding to FIG. As shown in FIG. 30, the first straight part 21a and the second straight part 22a of the slit 20a of the liquid sampling device 200a have a tapered shape whose width gradually decreases from the front surface to the back surface of the main body 10.

Since liquid tends to accumulate in narrow areas, this configuration allows the liquid sampling device 200a to drain the liquid in the slit 20a faster than the liquid sampling device 100. Therefore, the inspection efficiency can be improved and the burden on the operator and the person to be inspected can be reduced.

<Second modification example>
FIG. 31 is a sectional view showing a liquid collection device 200b according to a second modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 31 shows a cross section corresponding to FIGS. 8 and 30. As shown in FIG. 31, the first straight part 21b and the second straight part 22b of the slit 20b of the liquid sampling device 200b have a tapered shape whose width gradually increases from the front surface to the back surface of the main body 10.

With this configuration, the liquid sampling device 200b can quickly suck up the liquid that has come into contact with the bottom surface of the slit 20b, compared to the liquid sampling device 100. Therefore, the inspection efficiency can be improved and the burden on the operator and the person to be inspected can be reduced.

<Third modification example>
In the embodiments described above, the liquid collection device 100 includes the U-shaped slit 20 having the curved portion 23 on the distal end 13 side of the main body 10. The liquid sampling device 100 having such a U-shaped slit 20 has a simple shape and can be easily molded. However, the slit only needs to be capable of sucking up and retaining a desired amount of liquid by capillary action, and the shape of the slit is not limited to the above-described one. 32 to 35 are perspective views respectively showing liquid sampling instruments 300a, 300b, 300c, and 300d according to a third modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. The slit 320a of the liquid collection device 300a in FIG. 32 is U-shaped with a curved portion 323a on the proximal end 14 side of the main body 10, contrary to the liquid collection device 100.

Further, in the above embodiment, the U-shaped slit 20 having only one curved portion 23 has been described, but there may be a plurality of curved portions. For example, slit 320b of liquid collection device 300b in FIG. 33 has two curved sections. The slit 320c of the liquid collection device 300c in FIG. 34 has six curved parts.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the U-shaped slit 20 that allows writing from one end 25 to the other end 26 with a single stroke has been described, but there may be a branch point in the middle of the slit. For example, the slit 320c of the liquid sampling device 300c in FIG. 35 is provided with branch-like or fold-like unevenness. Thereby, the surface area of the slit 320c can be increased, and a large amount of liquid can be held even in a small space.

<Fourth variation>
In the embodiments described above, the liquid collection device 100 has been described which includes the slit 20 at the front (distal end 13 side) of the main body 10 and the handle 30 at the rear (proximal end 14 side). Such a shape has the advantage that it is easy to use when placing the liquid collection device 100 on the specimen addition section 151 of the test kit 150 as shown in FIG. However, the positional relationship between the main body and the handle is not limited to that described above, and may be as shown in FIGS. 36 to 38.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing a liquid collection device 400a according to a fourth modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. In plan view, the direction in which the handle 430a of the liquid sampling device 400a extends and the direction in which the straight portions 421, 422 of the slit 420 extend form an angle of 45 degrees. When the direction in which the handle 430a extends is viewed from the proximal end 414 of the main body 410, the direction in which the straight portions 421 and 422 of the slit 420 extend is bent 45 degrees to the left. This configuration is advantageous when the operator grasps the handle 430a with his left hand in a case where the plurality of specimen addition units 151 of the test kit 150 are arranged side by side when viewed from the operator as shown in FIG. be. In this case, for example, when using the liquid sampling device 100 shown in FIG. 1, it is necessary to place the liquid sampling device 100 on the test kit 150 with the longitudinal direction of the handle 30 extending back and forth when viewed from the operator. . However, since the range of motion of the wrist is narrow, if the operator holds the handle 30 and turns the longitudinal direction of the handle 30 so that it extends back and forth when viewed from the operator, the operability may decrease or strain may be placed on the wrist. do. On the other hand, in the liquid sampling device 400a according to the fourth modification, when the operator grasps the handle 430a with his left hand, the straight portions 421 and 422 of the slit 420 are at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal direction of the handle 430a. Since it is bent to the left, the operator can place the liquid collection device 400a on the specimen addition section 151 of the test kit 150 more easily than when using the liquid collection device 100. Therefore, this configuration is advantageous when the operator is left-handed. Although not shown, a configuration may be adopted in which the straight portion of the slit is bent to the right with respect to the longitudinal direction of the handle, which is advantageous when the operator is right-handed.

Further, a configuration as shown in FIG. 37 may be adopted as a configuration that makes it easy to place the test kit 150 on the specimen addition section 151 when held by the handle. In the liquid sampling device 400b of FIG. 37, the handle 430b is located at a position different from the extension line in the direction in which the slit 420b extends. As a result, in the above case where a plurality of sample addition units 151 are lined up from the front to the back, whether the operator is right-handed or left-handed, the handle 430b can be grasped easily. A liquid collection device 400b can be placed on the specimen addition section 151.

In the liquid sampling device 400c shown in FIG. 38, the handle 430c is provided above the slit 420c. With such a configuration, whether the operator is right-handed or left-handed, the operator can grasp the handle 430b and easily place the liquid collection device 400c on the sample addition section 151.

In addition to the liquid sampling devices 400a, 400b, and 400c illustrated as the fourth modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure, liquid sampling devices are designed in consideration of the dominant hand of the operator, the range of motion of the wrist, the configuration of the test kit, etc. , can be designed into various shapes.

<Fifth modification example>
FIG. 39 is a perspective view showing a liquid collection device 500 according to a fifth modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. The liquid collection device 500 includes a main body 510, a slit 520, a handle 530, a leg portion 540, and a clip portion 550. As described above, the liquid sampling device 500 is characterized in that it further includes a clip portion 550 compared to the liquid sampling device 100.

There is a gap between the leg portion 540 and the handle 530 in the z direction, and this gap functions as the clip portion 550. A thin object such as a mount for the test kit 150 can be inserted into the clip portion 550 in the y direction.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the test kit 150 for illustrating an example of how the liquid collection device 500 is used. The test kit 150 shown in FIG. 40 is similar to that shown in FIG. 19. As shown by the arrow in FIG. 40, the operator inserts the clip portion 550 of the liquid collection device 500 into the mount 152 of the test kit 150. As a result, the liquid collection device 500 is fixed with the bottom of the slit 520 in contact with the specimen addition section 151 of the test kit 150. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the liquid collection device 500 from falling over while discharging liquid such as blood, and thereby preventing the liquid from getting mixed into the adjacent sample adding section 151. Therefore, since the liquid sampling device 500 includes the clip portion 550, the accuracy of the test can be ensured.

<Sixth variation>
FIG. 41 is a perspective view showing a liquid collection device 600 according to a sixth modification of the embodiment of the present disclosure. The liquid collection device 600 of FIG. 41, compared to the liquid collection device 100 of FIG. 1, further comprises a bridge 601 disposed on the surface 11 of the body 10. Bridge 601 is placed above slit 20. The bridge 601 may be adhered to the surface 11 of the main body 10 with an adhesive or the like, or may be formed integrally with the main body 10 by injection molding or the like. The bridge 601 can improve the bending strength of the main body 10. Further, the bridge 601 has a function of reinforcing the slit 20 so as to maintain its shape. This can prevent, for example, the main body 10 itself from being bent and damaged during the distribution stage of the liquid sampling device 600, and the slit 20 from being crushed and changing its shape.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a liquid collection device 650 having bridges 651-653 in another configuration. Compared to the liquid collection device 600 of FIG. 41, in the liquid collection device 650 of FIG. Even with such a configuration, it is possible to improve the strength of the main body 10 against bending and to reinforce the slit 20 so as to maintain its shape.

10 Main body 11 Front surface 12 Back surface 13 Distal end 14 Proximal end 15 Groove 16 Wall 20 Slit 21 First straight section 22 Second straight section 23 Curved section 30 Handle 40 Leg section 41 Leg section 100 Fluid collection instrument 150 Test kit 151 Sample addition section

Claims (13)

a main body having a front surface and a back surface opposite to the front surface;
A slit that penetrates the main body from the front surface to the back surface and extends in a plane direction that intersects the penetration direction,
A liquid collection device that retains liquid in the slit by capillary action,
The slit is
a curved portion curved to have a U-shape in plan view;
a first straight portion extending from one end of the curved portion so as to be smoothly connected to the curved portion in plan view;
a second straight portion extending from the other end of the curved portion so as to be smoothly connected to the curved portion in plan view;
The main body includes a groove recessed from the back surface toward the front surface between the first linear portion and the second linear portion of the slit on the back surface, and the groove is recessed in the direction in which the first linear portion extends. A fluid collection device that extends into the. 2. The liquid sampling device according to claim 1, wherein the groove is formed so that the thickness of a wall between the slit and the groove in the surface direction gradually decreases from the front surface toward the back surface. 3. The liquid sampling device according to claim 1, wherein the main body has a notch that cuts out a wall between the slit and the groove from the back surface side in a surface direction. 3. The notch cuts out a wall between the groove and at least one of the first linear portion of the slit and the second linear portion of the slit from the back surface side in the surface direction. Fluid collection device as described in . The notch is connected to the curved part of the first straight part of the slit at or near the end of the first straight part of the slit on the side not connected to the curved part, and to the curved part of the second straight part of the slit in the plane direction. 5. The liquid sampling device according to claim 4, wherein a wall between the groove and at least one of the end portion or the vicinity of the end portion on the side not cut out is cut out from the back surface side. The liquid sampling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the width of the slit is constant in plan view. The liquid sampling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the slit has a tapered shape whose width gradually decreases from the front surface to the back surface. The liquid sampling device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the slit has a reverse tapered shape whose width gradually increases from the front surface to the back surface. The liquid sampling device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, configured to be able to stand on its own with the back side in contact with the placement surface when placed on the placement surface. . A liquid collection device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising a handle projecting from the surface. The liquid sampling device according to claim 10, wherein the handle is provided at a position away from the slit in plan view. The liquid sampling device according to claim 11, wherein the handle has a plate-like shape extending in a radial direction of a circle centered on the center of the slit in plan view. The liquid sampling device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the liquid sampling device is a liquid sampling device for blood sampling.

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