U.S. patent application number 11/435933 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for blood testing unit and blood testing method and apparatus.
Invention is credited to Yoshihide Iwaki, Kentarou Nakamura, Yoshiki Sakaino, Hideaki Tanaka, Kaoru Terashima, Ichizou Toya.
Application Number | 20060211127 11/435933 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27800522 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060211127 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Iwaki; Yoshihide ; et
al. |
September 21, 2006 |
Blood testing unit and blood testing method and apparatus
Abstract
A blood testing unit comprises a closed vessel having a blood
introducing section formed at a certain area of the closed vessel.
A blood constituent separating section is located within the closed
vessel to separate plasma and/or serum from the blood sample
introduced through the blood introducing section into the closed
vessel. A reagent layer is located within the closed vessel, such
that the reagent layer can be seen from the exterior. The reagent
layer comprises a region for spreading the plasma and/or the serum,
which has been separated by the blood constituent separating
section from the blood sample, and a reagent supported on or in the
spreading region, the reagent undergoing a reaction with the plasma
and/or the serum and forming a color as a result of the
reaction.
Inventors: |
Iwaki; Yoshihide;
(Saitama-ken, JP) ; Nakamura; Kentarou;
(Saitama-ken, JP) ; Tanaka; Hideaki; (Saitama-ken,
JP) ; Sakaino; Yoshiki; (Saitama-ken, JP) ;
Terashima; Kaoru; (Saitama-ken, JP) ; Toya;
Ichizou; (Kanagawa-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
27800522 |
Appl. No.: |
11/435933 |
Filed: |
May 18, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10400585 |
Mar 28, 2003 |
|
|
|
11435933 |
May 18, 2006 |
|
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
436/169 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01L 2300/0816 20130101;
G01N 33/491 20130101; B01L 3/50825 20130101; B01L 2300/047
20130101; B01L 3/50273 20130101; B01L 3/5082 20130101; B01L 3/5027
20130101; B01L 2300/0681 20130101; B01L 2400/0633 20130101; B01L
3/502 20130101; B01L 2300/044 20130101; B01L 2400/049 20130101;
B01L 2200/082 20130101; B01L 2400/0406 20130101; B01L 3/502753
20130101; B01L 2300/042 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
436/169 |
International
Class: |
G01N 21/00 20060101
G01N021/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 28, 2002 |
JP |
092231/2002 |
Claims
1. A blood testing method, in which a blood test is performed by
use of a blood testing unit comprising: i) a closed vessel provided
with a blood introducing section, which is formed at a certain area
of the closed vessel and through which a blood sample is capable of
being introduced into the closed vessel, ii) a blood constituent
separating section, which is located within the closed vessel and
separates blood plasma and/or blood serum from the blood sample
having been introduced through the blood introducing section into
the closed vessel, and iii) a reagent layer, which is located
within the closed vessel, such that the reagent layer is capable of
being seen from the exterior, the reagent layer comprising a region
for spreading the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, which has
been separated by the blood constituent separating section from the
blood sample, and a reagent, which is supported on or in the region
for spreading the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, the reagent
being capable of undergoing a reaction with the blood plasma and/or
the blood serum and forming a color as a result of the reaction,
the method comprising the steps of: i) irradiating measuring light
to a reagent area of the reagent layer, which reagent area has
formed the color as a result of the reaction with the blood plasma
and/or the blood serum, ii) detecting an intensity of the light
having been reflected from the reagent area, and iii) detecting an
optical density of the reagent area in accordance with the thus
detected intensity of the light having been reflected from the
reagent area.
2. A blood testing method as defined in claim 1, wherein the
measuring light is irradiated to the reagent area of the reagent
layer of the blood testing unit, which reagent area has formed the
color as a result of the reaction with the blood plasma and/or the
blood serum, and to a mark area, which is provided with a mark
representing information concerning the blood testing unit, the
intensity of the light, which has been reflected from the reagent
area, and the intensity of the light, which has been reflected from
the mark area, are detected, the optical density of the reagent
area is detected in accordance with the thus detected intensity of
the light, which has been reflected from the reagent area, and the
information represented by the mark is read out in accordance with
the thus detected intensity of the light, which has been reflected
from the mark area.
3. A blood testing method as defined in claim 2, wherein a common
photodetector is utilized for both the detection of the optical
density of the reagent area and the readout of the information
represented by the mark.
4. A blood testing method as defined in claim 2, wherein the region
for spreading the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, which region
constitutes the reagent layer of the blood testing unit, is
provided with the mark representing the information concerning the
blood testing unit, and the detection of the optical density of the
reagent area and the readout of the information represented by the
mark are performed simultaneously.
5. A blood testing method as defined in claim 2, wherein a dummy
testing unit, which is provided with the mark representing the
information concerning the blood testing unit, is located at a
predetermined position, at which the blood testing unit is to be
located, and the detection of the optical density of the reagent
area from the blood testing unit and the readout of the
information, which is represented by the mark, from the dummy
testing unit are performed one after the other at a certain time
interval.
6. A blood testing method as defined in claim 2, wherein the
irradiation of the measuring light to the reagent area of the
reagent layer and the detection of the intensity of the light
having been reflected from the reagent area are performed from the
side of one surface of the reagent layer opposite to the other
surface of the reagent layer, on which other surface the blood
plasma and/or the blood serum has been supplied to the reagent
area.
7. A blood testing method as defined in claim 1, wherein a
plurality of independent light intensity detecting operations are
performed with respect to a plurality of subareas of the reagent
area of the reagent layer, each of the independent light intensity
detecting operations being performed for one of the plurality of
the subareas of the reagent area, results of the plurality of the
independent light intensity detecting operations performed with
respect to the plurality of the subareas of the reagent area are
subjected to statistical processing, a light intensity value
representative of the reagent area being obtained from the
statistical processing, and the thus obtained light intensity value
representative of the reagent area is taken as the intensity of the
light having been reflected from the reagent area.
8. A blood testing method, in which a blood test is performed by
use of a blood testing unit comprising: i) a closed vessel provided
with a blood introducing section, which is formed at a certain area
of the closed vessel and through which a blood sample is capable of
being introduced into the closed vessel, ii) a blood constituent
separating section, which is located within the closed vessel and
separates blood plasma and/or blood serum from the blood sample
having been introduced through the blood introducing section into
the closed vessel, and iii) a reagent layer, which is located
within the closed vessel, such that the reagent layer is capable of
being seen from the exterior, the reagent layer comprising a region
for spreading the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, which has
been separated by the blood constituent separating section from the
blood sample, and a reagent, which is supported on or in the region
for spreading the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, the reagent
being capable of undergoing a reaction with the blood plasma and/or
the blood serum and forming a color as a result of the reaction,
wherein a plurality of different kinds of reagents are supported at
different positions on the reagent layer, the method comprising the
steps of: i) irradiating measuring light to each of reagent areas
of the reagent layer, each of which reagent areas has formed the
color as a result of the reaction with the blood plasma and/or the
blood serum, the measuring light having a wavelength adapted to the
reagent contained in each of the reagent areas, ii) detecting an
intensity of the light having been reflected from each of the
reagent areas, the detection of the intensity of the reflected
light being performed with respect to each of the reagent areas,
and iii) detecting an optical density of each of the reagent areas
in accordance with the thus detected intensity of the light having
been reflected from each of the reagent areas.
9. A blood testing method as defined in claim 8, wherein the
measuring light irradiated to each of the reagent areas of the
reagent layer is a light component, which has been obtained through
light separation so as to have the wavelength corresponding to the
reagent contained in each of the reagent areas.
10. A blood testing method as defined in claim 8, wherein light,
which contains the measuring light having the wavelength
corresponding to the reagent contained in each of the reagent
areas, is irradiated to each of the reagent areas of the reagent
layer, and the light having been reflected from each of the reagent
areas is detected through light separation into light components,
the light separation being performed with respect to each of the
reagent areas.
11. A blood testing method as defined in claim 8, wherein a
plurality of independent measuring light irradiating operations are
performed with respect to the blood testing unit, each of the
independent measuring light irradiating operations being performed
for one of the plurality of the reagent areas of the blood testing
unit.
12. A blood testing method as defined in claim 8, wherein the
intensity of the light having been reflected from each of the
reagent areas is detected with a photodetector, which has been
divided into pixels, and with respect to each of the reagent
areas.
13. A blood testing method as defined in claim 12, wherein the
light having been reflected from each of the reagent areas is
collected by at least one lens, which is located so as to have a
correspondence relationship with each of the reagent areas, and the
thus collected light is guided to the photodetector, which has been
divided into the pixels.
14. A blood testing method as defined in claim 8, wherein the
irradiation of the measuring light to each of the reagent areas of
the reagent layer and the detection of the intensity of the light
having been reflected from each of the reagent areas are performed
from the side of one surface of the reagent layer opposite to the
other surface of the reagent layer, on which other surface the
blood plasma and/or the blood serum has been supplied to the
reagent areas.
15. A blood testing method as defined in claim 8, wherein a
plurality of independent light intensity detecting operations are
performed with respect to a plurality of subareas of each of the
reagent areas of the reagent layer, each of the independent light
intensity detecting operations being performed for one of the
plurality of the subareas of each of the reagent areas, results of
the plurality of the independent light intensity detecting
operations performed with respect to the plurality of the subareas
of each of the reagent areas are subjected to statistical
processing, a light intensity value representative of each of the
reagent areas being obtained from the statistical processing, and
the thus obtained light intensity value representative of each of
the reagent areas is taken as the intensity of the light having
been reflected from each of the reagent areas.
16. A blood testing apparatus, in which a blood test is performed
by use of a blood testing unit comprising: i) a closed vessel
provided with a blood introducing section, which is formed at a
certain area of the closed vessel and through which a blood sample
is capable of being introduced into the closed vessel, ii) a blood
constituent separating section, which is located within the closed
vessel and separates blood plasma and/or blood serum from the blood
sample having been introduced through the blood introducing section
into the closed vessel, and iii) a reagent layer, which is located
within the closed vessel, such that the reagent layer is capable of
being seen from the exterior, the reagent layer comprising a region
for spreading the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, which has
been separated by the blood constituent separating section from the
blood sample, and a reagent, which is supported on or in the region
for spreading the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, the reagent
being capable of undergoing a reaction with the blood plasma and/or
the blood serum and forming a color as a result of the reaction,
the apparatus comprising: i) means for irradiating measuring light
to a reagent area of the reagent layer, which reagent area has
formed the color as a result of the reaction with the blood plasma
and/or the blood serum, ii) means for detecting an intensity of the
light having been reflected from the reagent area, and iii) means
for detecting an optical density of the reagent area in accordance
with the thus detected intensity of the light having been reflected
from the reagent area.
17. A blood testing apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein the
measuring light is irradiated to the reagent area of the reagent
layer of the blood testing unit, which reagent area has formed the
color as a result of the reaction with the blood plasma and/or the
blood serum, and to a mark area, which is provided with a mark
representing information concerning the blood testing unit, the
intensity of the light, which has been reflected from the reagent
area, and the intensity of the light, which has been reflected from
the mark area, are detected, the optical density of the reagent
area is detected in accordance with the thus detected intensity of
the light, which has been reflected from the reagent area, and the
information represented by the mark is read out in accordance with
the thus detected intensity of the light, which has been reflected
from the mark area.
18. A blood testing apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein a
common photodetector is utilized for both the detection of the
optical density of the reagent area and the readout of the
information represented by the mark.
19. A blood testing apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the
region for spreading the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, which
region constitutes the reagent layer of the blood testing unit, is
provided with the mark representing the information concerning the
blood testing unit, and the detection of the optical density of the
reagent area and the readout of the information represented by the
mark are performed simultaneously.
20. A blood testing apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein a
dummy testing unit, which is provided with the mark representing
the information concerning the blood testing unit, is located at a
predetermined position, at which the blood testing unit is to be
located, and the detection of the optical density of the reagent
area from the blood testing unit and the readout of the
information, which is represented by the mark, from the dummy
testing unit are performed one after the other at a certain time
interval.
21. A blood testing apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein the
irradiation of the measuring light to the reagent area of the
reagent layer and the detection of the intensity of the light
having been reflected from the reagent area are performed from the
side of one surface of the reagent layer opposite to the other
surface of the reagent layer, on which other surface the blood
plasma and/or the blood serum has been supplied to the reagent
area.
22. A blood testing apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein a
plurality of independent light intensity detecting operations are
performed with respect to a plurality of subareas of the reagent
area of the reagent layer, each of the independent light intensity
detecting operations being performed for one of the plurality of
the subareas of the reagent area, results of the plurality of the
independent light intensity detecting operations performed with
respect to the plurality of the subareas of the reagent area are
subjected to statistical processing, a light intensity value
representative of the reagent area being obtained from the
statistical processing, and the thus obtained light intensity value
representative of the reagent area is taken as the intensity of the
light having been reflected from the reagent area.
23. A blood testing apparatus, in which a blood test is performed
by use of a blood testing unit comprising: i) a closed vessel
provided with a blood introducing section, which is formed at a
certain area of the closed vessel and through which a blood sample
is capable of being introduced into the closed vessel, ii) a blood
constituent separating section, which is located within the closed
vessel and separates blood plasma and/or blood serum from the blood
sample having been introduced through the blood introducing section
into the closed vessel, and iii) a reagent layer, which is located
within the closed vessel, such that the reagent layer is capable of
being seen from the exterior, the reagent layer comprising a region
for spreading the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, which has
been separated by the blood constituent separating section from the
blood sample, and a reagent, which is supported on or in the region
for spreading the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, the reagent
being capable of undergoing a reaction with the blood plasma and/or
the blood serum and forming a color as a result of the reaction,
wherein a plurality of different kinds of reagents are supported at
different positions on the reagent layer, the apparatus comprising:
i) means for irradiating measuring light to each of reagent areas
of the reagent layer, each of which reagent areas has formed the
color as a result of the reaction with the blood plasma and/or the
blood serum, the measuring light having a wavelength adapted to the
reagent contained in each of the reagent areas, ii) means for
detecting an intensity of the light having been reflected from each
of the reagent areas, the detection of the intensity of the
reflected light being performed with respect to each of the reagent
areas, and iii) means for detecting an optical density of each of
the reagent areas in accordance with the thus detected intensity of
the light having been reflected from each of the reagent areas.
24. A blood testing apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein the
measuring light irradiated to each of the reagent areas of the
reagent layer is a light component, which has been obtained through
light separation so as to have the wavelength corresponding to the
reagent contained in each of the reagent areas.
25. A blood testing apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein
light, which contains the measuring light having the wavelength
corresponding to the reagent contained in each of the reagent
areas, is irradiated to each of the reagent areas of the reagent
layer, and the light having been reflected from each of the reagent
areas is detected through light separation into light components,
the light separation being performed with respect to each of the
reagent areas.
26. A blood testing apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein a
plurality of independent measuring light irradiating operations are
performed with respect to the blood testing unit, each of the
independent measuring light irradiating operations being performed
for one of the plurality of the reagent areas of the blood testing
unit.
27. A blood testing apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein the
intensity of the light having been reflected from each of the
reagent areas is detected with a photodetector, which has been
divided into pixels, and with respect to each of the reagent
areas.
28. A blood testing apparatus as defined in claim 27, wherein the
light having been reflected from each of the reagent areas is
collected by at least one lens, which is located so as to have a
correspondence relationship with each of the reagent areas, and the
thus collected light is guided to the photodetector, which has been
divided into the pixels.
29. A blood testing apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein the
irradiation of the measuring light to each of the reagent areas of
the reagent layer and the detection of the intensity of the light
having been reflected from each of the reagent areas are performed
from the side of one surface of the reagent layer opposite to the
other surface of the reagent layer, on which other surface the
blood plasma and/or the blood serum has been supplied to the
reagent areas.
30. A blood testing apparatus as defined in claim 23, wherein a
plurality of independent light intensity detecting operations are
performed with respect to a plurality of subareas of each of the
reagent areas of the reagent layer, each of the independent light
intensity detecting operations being performed for one of the
plurality of the subareas of each of the reagent areas, results of
the plurality of the independent light intensity detecting
operations performed with respect to the plurality of the subareas
of each of the reagent areas are subjected to statistical
processing, a light intensity value representative of each of the
reagent areas being obtained from the statistical processing, and
the thus obtained light intensity value representative of each of
the reagent areas is taken as the intensity of the light having
been reflected from each of the reagent areas.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional of co-pending application
Ser. No. 10/400,585, filed on Mar. 28, 2003, the entire contents of
which are hereby incorporated by reference and for which priority
is claimed under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a blood testing unit for use in
performing a test of blood of humans and other animals. This
invention also relates to a blood testing method and apparatus
using the blood testing unit.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] As blood testing units for use in performing tests of blood
of humans and other animals, blood testing units comprising a
slide-shaped support and a reagent layer carried on the
slide-shaped support, which reagent layer is capable of undergoing
a reaction with blood plasma or blood serum and forming a
predetermined color, have heretofore been proposed. The blood
testing units are proposed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No.
5,051,901.
[0006] In cases where the blood testing units described above are
utilized, blood plasma or blood serum is spotted onto the reagent
layer of the blood testing unit. Thereafter, light is irradiated to
the reagent layer having formed a color, and an intensity of light
reflected from the reagent layer is measured. In this manner, a
concentration of a specific substance contained in the blood plasma
or the blood serum, or the like, is capable of being quantitatively
analyzed in accordance with the intensity of the reflected light.
An example of an analysis apparatus for performing the blood tests
in the manner described above is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,051,901.
[0007] In cases where the aforesaid blood testing units comprising
the slide-shaped support and the reagent layer carried on the
slide-shaped support are utilized, the blood plasma or the blood
serum is exposed on the blood testing unit to the exterior all the
time during the blood test. Therefore, there is the risk that
persons in charge of the blood tests will come in touch with the
blood plasma or the blood serum by mistake and will catch an
infectious disease, such as HIV.
[0008] Accordingly, in order to eliminate the problems described
above, a blood testing unit comprising a transparent tubular vessel
and a reagent fixed within the tubular vessel has been proposed in,
for example, European Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1018648. In
cases where the proposed blood testing unit is utilized, whole
blood is introduced into the tubular vessel and is subjected to a
centrifugal separation process. Also, the blood plasma or the blood
serum, which has been separated from solid constituents, is brought
into contact with the reagent having been fixed within the tubular
vessel, and results of reaction of the reagent, such as color
formation, are inspected visually or with measurement of intensity
of reflected light. Therefore, with the proposed blood testing
unit, after the whole blood has been introduced into the tubular
vessel, the blood test is capable of being performed such that the
person in charge of the blood test may not come in touch with blood
constituents.
[0009] However, in cases where the blood testing unit proposed in
European Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1018648 is utilized,
after a blood sample has been introduced into the tubular vessel,
the tubular vessel must be set on a centrifugal separator and must
then be taken out of the centrifugal separator. Therefore,
considerable time and labor are required to perform the blood
test.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a
blood testing unit, which enables a blood test to be performed with
a simple operation, such that a person in charge of the blood test
may not come in touch with blood plasma or blood serum at the time
of the blood test.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
blood testing method, wherein a blood test is capable of being
performed such that a person in charge of the blood test may not
come in touch with blood plasma or blood serum.
[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
apparatus for carrying out the blood testing method.
[0013] The present invention provides a blood testing unit,
comprising:
[0014] i) a closed vessel provided with a blood introducing
section, which is formed at a certain area of the closed vessel and
through which a blood sample is capable of being introduced into
the closed vessel,
[0015] ii) a blood constituent separating section, which is located
within the closed vessel and separates blood plasma and/or blood
serum from the blood sample having been introduced through the
blood introducing section into the closed vessel, and
[0016] iii) a reagent layer, which is located within the closed
vessel, such that the reagent layer is capable of being seen from
the exterior, the reagent layer comprising a region for spreading
the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, which has been separated
by the blood constituent separating section from the blood sample,
and a reagent, which is supported on or in the region for spreading
the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, the reagent being capable
of undergoing a reaction with the blood plasma and/or the blood
serum and forming a color as a result of the reaction.
[0017] The blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention should preferably be modified such that the closed vessel
has a structure such that the area of the closed vessel other than
the blood introducing section is constituted so as to keep the
interior of the closed vessel in a water-tight state with respect
to the exterior, and such that at least a certain area of the
closed vessel is formed as a transparent area, and
[0018] the reagent layer is located such that the reagent layer is
capable of being seen through the transparent area of the closed
vessel from the exterior.
[0019] Also, the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention should preferably be modified such that the closed vessel
comprises an outer vessel body, which has a bottom wall, and an
inner vessel body, which has a bottom wall, and
[0020] the outer vessel body and the inner vessel body are combined
with each other, such that the outer vessel body and the inner
vessel body are capable of sliding with respect to each other,
while a space defined by the outer vessel body and the inner vessel
body is being kept in an approximately hermetically sealed state,
the outer vessel body and the inner vessel body thus defining an
enclosed space at the interior in a manner such that a pressure in
the enclosed space is capable of being reduced.
[0021] In such cases, the bottom wall of the outer vessel body may
be formed at an end area of the outer vessel, and the bottom wall
of the inner vessel body may be formed at an end area of the inner
vessel body, which end area is remote from the bottom wall of the
outer vessel body, such that the bottom wall of the outer vessel
body and the bottom wall of the inner vessel body may be remotest
from each other (i.e., such that the volume of the enclosed space
defined at the interior by the outer vessel body and the inner
vessel body may become largest) However, particularly, the position
of the bottom wall of the inner vessel body is not limited to the
position at the end area of the inner vessel body, which end area
is remote from the bottom wall of the outer vessel body. For
example, alternatively, the bottom wall of the inner vessel body
may be formed at the other end area of the inner vessel body, which
end area is close to the bottom wall of the outer vessel body. As
another alternative, the bottom wall of the inner vessel body may
be formed at an intermediate area of the inner vessel body.
[0022] Also, in cases where the closed vessel is constituted of the
outer vessel body and the inner vessel body described above, the
blood testing unit in accordance with the present invention should
more preferably be modified such that the blood introducing section
is formed at the bottom wall of either one of the outer vessel body
and the inner vessel body. Further, in such cases, the blood
testing unit in accordance with the present invention should more
preferably be modified such that the blood introducing section is
formed at the bottom wall of the outer vessel body, and
[0023] the bottom wall of the inner vessel body is formed at an end
area of the inner vessel body, which end area is remote from the
bottom wall of the outer vessel body.
[0024] Furthermore, in cases where the blood introducing section is
formed at the bottom wall of either one of the outer vessel body
and the inner vessel body, the blood testing unit in accordance
with the present invention should more preferably be modified such
that a blood constituent separating membrane, which acts as the
blood constituent separating section, is secured to the one vessel
body having the bottom wall at which the blood introducing section
is formed, such that the blood constituent separating membrane
stands facing the bottom wall of the one vessel body.
[0025] Also, in cases where the blood constituent separating
membrane is secured to the one vessel body having the bottom wall
at which the blood introducing section is formed, the blood testing
unit in accordance with the present invention may be modified such
that the reagent layer is located such that the reagent layer is in
contact with a surface of the blood constituent separating
membrane, which surface is opposite to the surface that stands
facing the blood introducing section.
[0026] Alternatively, in cases where the blood constituent
separating membrane is secured to the one vessel body having the
bottom wall at which the blood introducing section is formed, the
blood testing unit in accordance with the present invention may be
modified such that the reagent layer is fitted to the other vessel
body that is other than the one vessel body to which the blood
constituent separating membrane is secured, such that the reagent
layer is capable of being brought into contact with the blood
constituent separating membrane. In such cases, the blood testing
unit in accordance with the present invention may further be
modified such that the region for spreading the blood plasma and/or
the blood serum, which region constitutes the reagent layer, is a
membrane-shaped region, which is located approximately in parallel
with the blood constituent separating membrane. Alternatively, in
such cases, the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention may further be modified such that the region for
spreading the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, which region
constitutes the reagent layer, is a rod-shaped or plate-shaped
region, which extends along an axial direction of the outer vessel
body and the inner vessel body and is located such that an end area
of the rod-shaped or plate-shaped region is capable of being
brought into contact with the blood constituent separating
membrane.
[0027] Further, the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention should more preferably be modified such that the
blood constituent separating section is secured tightly to an inner
peripheral surface of either one of the outer vessel body and the
inner vessel body, to which one vessel body the blood constituent
separating section is secured, without any gap being formed between
the blood constituent separating section and the inner peripheral
surface of the one vessel body over an entire perimeter of the
blood constituent separating section.
[0028] Furthermore, in cases where the closed vessel is constituted
of the outer vessel body and the inner vessel body described above,
the blood testing unit in accordance with the present invention
should more preferably be modified such that at least either one of
the outer vessel body and the inner vessel body is provided with a
hole, through which air is capable of being introduced from the
exterior to the interior of the one vessel body, and
[0029] the one vessel body is provided with a sealing member for
closing the hole.
[0030] In such cases, the sealing member may be a sheet-shaped
member, which is adhered to the one vessel body. Alternatively, the
sealing member may be a plug-shaped member, which is fitted into
and close the hole, or the like.
[0031] Also, in cases where the closed vessel is constituted of the
outer vessel body and the inner vessel body described above, the
blood testing unit in accordance with the present invention should
more preferably be modified such that an O-ring is fitted onto an
outer peripheral wall of the inner vessel body, the O-ring being
capable of keeping the space, which is defined by the outer vessel
body and the inner vessel body, in an approximately hermetically
sealed state, and
[0032] the outer vessel body and the inner vessel body are capable
of sliding with respect to each other, while the O-ring fitted onto
the outer peripheral wall of the inner vessel body is being in
contact with an inner peripheral wall of the outer vessel body.
[0033] Further, in cases where the closed vessel is constituted of
the outer vessel body and the inner vessel body described above,
the blood testing unit in accordance with the present invention
should more preferably be modified such that an outer peripheral
wall of the inner vessel body is provided with an engagement
section, which projects outwardly from outer peripheral wall of the
inner vessel body,
[0034] an inner peripheral wall of the outer vessel body is
provided with an engagement section, which projects inwardly from
the inner peripheral wall of the outer vessel body, and the
engagement section of the inner vessel body and
[0035] the engagement section of the outer vessel body are capable
of engaging with each other in order to prevent the inner vessel
body and the outer vessel body from separating from each other.
[0036] Furthermore, the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention should more preferably be modified such that the
outer vessel body and the inner vessel body are provided with
locking means for keeping the states of the outer vessel body and
the inner vessel body when at least either one of the outer vessel
body and the inner vessel body has been moved with respect to the
other in a direction which increases a volume of the enclosed space
defined at the interior by the outer vessel body and the inner
vessel body, and the pressure in the enclosed space has thus been
set at a negative pressure.
[0037] Also, the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention may be modified such that the closed vessel is a
bag-shaped vessel made from a flexible sheet material, and
[0038] a permeation member is accommodated within the bag-shaped
vessel, the permeation member allowing the blood sample, which has
been introduced through the blood introducing section into the
bag-shaped vessel, to permeate through the permeation member toward
the blood constituent separating section, and allowing the blood
plasma and/or the blood serum, which has been separated by the
blood constituent separating section from the blood sample, to
permeate through the permeation member toward the reagent
layer.
[0039] In such cases, the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention should preferably be modified such that a frame
member is located so as to surround an outer periphery of the
bag-shaped vessel, the frame member being adapted to draw and send
the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, which has permeated
through the permeation member, toward the reagent layer.
[0040] Further, the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention may be modified such that the closed vessel is
constituted of a plate-shaped member, and
[0041] a fine path is formed within the plate-shaped member, the
fine path causing the blood sample, which has been introduced
through the blood introducing section into the plate-shaped member,
to move by capillary action through the fine path toward the blood
constituent separating section, and causing the blood plasma and/or
the blood serum, which has been separated by the blood constituent
separating section from the blood sample, to move by capillary
action through the fine path toward the reagent layer.
[0042] Furthermore, the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention should preferably be modified such that the blood
introducing section is constituted of a high-elasticity member
capable of acting such that the high-elasticity member ordinarily
closes the closed vessel, and such that, when a blood sampling
needle is stuck into the high-elasticity member, the
high-elasticity member allows a tip of the blood sampling needle to
penetrate through the high-elasticity member into the closed
vessel, while a region between an outer peripheral wall of the
blood sampling needle and the high-elasticity member is being kept
in an approximately hermetically sealed state.
[0043] In such cases, the high-elasticity member should preferably
be made from rubber.
[0044] Also, the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention should preferably be modified such that a plurality of
different kinds of reagents are supported at different positions on
the reagent layer.
[0045] Further, the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention should preferably be modified such that the blood
constituent separating section is constituted of a porous structure
material, which allows the blood plasma and/or the blood serum to
pass therethrough and obstructs solid constituents from passing
therethrough. The porous structure material should preferably
consist of a polysulfone membrane. In such cases, the polysulfone
membrane should preferably have a pore diameter falling within the
range of 0.5 .mu.m to 50 .mu.m. Also, in such cases, the
polysulfone membrane should more preferably have a minimum pore
diameter falling within the range of 1 .mu.m to 5 .mu.m.
[0046] Furthermore, the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention should preferably be modified such that the
region for spreading the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, which
region constitutes the reagent layer, contains a substance capable
of generating heat in the presence of water. Preferable examples of
the substances capable of generating heat in the presence of water
include an alumino-silicate, such as zeolite; slaked lime; and a
mixture of iron powder and an oxidizing agent.
[0047] Also, the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention should preferably be modified such that the region for
spreading the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, which region
constitutes the reagent layer, is provided with a mark representing
information concerning the blood testing unit.
[0048] Further, the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention should preferably be modified such that an area
of the reagent layer, which area is free from the reagent, is
formed as a black plane, a plane of a color close to black, or a
mirror plane.
[0049] The present invention also provides a first blood testing
method, in which a blood test is performed by use of the blood
testing unit in accordance with the present invention, the method
comprising the steps of:
[0050] i) irradiating measuring light to a reagent area of the
reagent layer, which reagent area has formed the color as a result
of the reaction with the blood plasma and/or the blood serum,
[0051] ii) detecting an intensity of the light having been
reflected from the reagent area, and
[0052] iii) detecting an optical density of the reagent area in
accordance with the thus detected intensity of the light having
been reflected from the reagent area.
[0053] The first blood testing method in accordance with the
present invention should preferably be modified such that the
measuring light is irradiated to the reagent area of the reagent
layer of the blood testing unit, which reagent area has formed the
color as a result of the reaction with the blood plasma and/or the
blood serum, and to a mark area, which is provided with a mark
representing information concerning the blood testing unit,
[0054] the intensity of the light, which has been reflected from
the reagent area, and the intensity of the light, which has been
reflected from the mark area, are detected,
[0055] the optical density of the reagent area is detected in
accordance with the thus detected intensity of the light, which has
been reflected from the reagent area, and
[0056] the information represented by the mark is read out in
accordance with the thus detected intensity of the light, which has
been reflected from the mark area.
[0057] In such cases, a common photodetector should preferably be
utilized for both the detection of the optical density of the
reagent area and the readout of the information represented by the
mark.
[0058] Also, the first blood testing method in accordance with the
present invention should preferably be modified such that the
region for spreading the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, which
region constitutes the reagent layer of the blood testing unit, is
provided with the mark representing the information concerning the
blood testing unit, and
[0059] the detection of the optical density of the reagent area and
the readout of the information represented by the mark are
performed simultaneously.
[0060] Alternatively, in lieu of the blood testing unit provided
with the mark being utilized in the manner described above, the
first blood testing method in accordance with the present invention
may be modified such that a dummy testing unit, which is provided
with the mark representing the information concerning the blood
testing unit, is located at a predetermined position, at which the
blood testing unit is to be located, and
[0061] the detection of the optical density of the reagent area
from the blood testing unit and the readout of the information,
which is represented by the mark, from the dummy testing unit are
performed one after the other at a certain time interval.
[0062] Further, the first blood testing method in accordance with
the present invention should preferably be modified such that the
irradiation of the measuring light to the reagent area of the
reagent layer and the detection of the intensity of the light
having been reflected from the reagent area are performed from the
side of one surface of the reagent layer opposite to the other
surface of the reagent layer, on which other surface the blood
plasma and/or the blood serum has been supplied to the reagent
area.
[0063] Furthermore, the first blood testing method in accordance
with the present invention should preferably be modified such that
a plurality of independent light intensity detecting operations are
performed with respect to a plurality of subareas of the reagent
area of the reagent layer, each of the independent light intensity
detecting operations being performed for one of the plurality of
the subareas of the reagent area,
[0064] results of the plurality of the independent light intensity
detecting operations performed with respect to the plurality of the
subareas of the reagent area are subjected to statistical
processing, a light intensity value representative of the reagent
area being obtained from the statistical processing, and
[0065] the thus obtained light intensity value representative of
the reagent area is taken as the intensity of the light having been
reflected from the reagent area.
[0066] The present invention further provides a second blood
testing method, in which a blood test is performed by use of the
blood testing unit in accordance with the present invention,
wherein the plurality of the different kinds of the reagents are
supported at different positions on the reagent layer, the method
comprising the steps of:
[0067] i) irradiating measuring light to each of reagent areas of
the reagent layer, each of which reagent areas has formed the color
as a result of the reaction with the blood plasma and/or the blood
serum, the measuring light having a wavelength adapted to the
reagent contained in each of the reagent areas,
[0068] ii) detecting an intensity of the light having been
reflected from each of the reagent areas, the detection of the
intensity of the reflected light being performed with respect to
each of the reagent areas, and
[0069] iii) detecting an optical density of each of the reagent
areas in accordance with the thus detected intensity of the light
having been reflected from each of the reagent areas.
[0070] The second blood testing method in accordance with the
present invention may be modified such that the measuring light
irradiated to each of the reagent areas of the reagent layer is a
light component, which has been obtained through light separation
so as to have the wavelength corresponding to the reagent contained
in each of the reagent areas.
[0071] Alternatively, the second blood testing method in accordance
with the present invention may be modified such that light, which
contains the measuring light having the wavelength corresponding to
the reagent contained in each of the reagent areas, is irradiated
to each of the reagent areas of the reagent layer, and
[0072] the light having been reflected from each of the reagent
areas is detected through light separation into light components,
the light separation being performed with respect to each of the
reagent areas.
[0073] Also, the second blood testing method in accordance with the
present invention should preferably be modified such that a
plurality of independent measuring light irradiating operations are
performed with respect to the blood testing unit, each of the
independent measuring light irradiating operations being performed
for one of the plurality of the reagent areas of the blood testing
unit.
[0074] Further, the second blood testing method in accordance with
the present invention should preferably be modified such that the
intensity of the light having been reflected from each of the
reagent areas is detected with a photodetector, which has been
divided into pixels, and with respect to each of the reagent areas.
In such cases, the intensity of the light having been reflected
from one reagent area may be detected with one pixel among the
pixels of the photodetector. Alternatively, the intensity of the
light having been reflected from one reagent area may be detected
with one group of pixels among the pixels of the photodetector.
[0075] Also, in such cases, the second blood testing method in
accordance with the present invention should particularly
preferably be modified such that the light having been reflected
from each of the reagent areas is collected by at least one lens
(such as a distributed index lens), which is located so as to have
a correspondence relationship with each of the reagent areas,
and
[0076] the thus collected light is guided to the photodetector,
which has been divided into the pixels.
[0077] In such cases, one of a plurality of lenses may be located
so as to have a correspondence relationship with one reagent area.
Alternatively, particularly, in cases where distributed index
lenses are utilized as the plurality of the lenses, a group of
lenses may be located so as to have a correspondence relationship
with one reagent area.
[0078] Furthermore, the second blood testing method in accordance
with the present invention should preferably be modified such that
the irradiation of the measuring light to each of the reagent areas
of the reagent layer and the detection of the intensity of the
light having been reflected from each of the reagent areas are
performed from the side of one surface of the reagent layer
opposite to the other surface of the reagent layer, on which other
surface the blood plasma and/or the blood serum has been supplied
to the reagent areas.
[0079] Also, the second blood testing method in accordance with the
present invention should preferably be modified such that a
plurality of independent light intensity detecting operations are
performed with respect to a plurality of subareas of each of the
reagent areas of the reagent layer, each of the independent light
intensity detecting operations being performed for one of the
plurality of the subareas of each of the reagent areas,
[0080] results of the plurality of the independent light intensity
detecting operations performed with respect to the plurality of the
subareas of each of the reagent areas are subjected to statistical
processing, a light intensity value representative of each of the
reagent areas being obtained from the statistical processing,
and
[0081] the thus obtained light intensity value representative of
each of the reagent areas is taken as the intensity of the light
having been reflected from each of the reagent areas.
[0082] The present invention still further provides a first blood
testing apparatus for carrying out the first blood testing method
in accordance with the present invention. Specifically, the present
invention still further provides a first blood testing apparatus,
in which a blood test is performed by use of the blood testing unit
in accordance with the present invention, the apparatus
comprising:
[0083] i) means for irradiating measuring light to a reagent area
of the reagent layer, which reagent area has formed the color as a
result of the reaction with the blood plasma and/or the blood
serum,
[0084] ii) means for detecting an intensity of the light having
been reflected from the reagent area, and
[0085] iii) means for detecting an optical density of the reagent
area in accordance with the thus detected intensity of the light
having been reflected from the reagent area.
[0086] The first blood testing apparatus in accordance with the
present invention should preferably be modified such that the
measuring light is irradiated to the reagent area of the reagent
layer of the blood testing unit, which reagent area has formed the
color as a result of the reaction with the blood plasma and/or the
blood serum, and to a mark area, which is provided with a mark
representing information concerning the blood testing unit,
[0087] the intensity of the light, which has been reflected from
the reagent area, and the intensity of the light, which has been
reflected from the mark area, are detected,
[0088] the optical density of the reagent area is detected in
accordance with the thus detected intensity of the light, which has
been reflected from the reagent area, and
[0089] the information represented by the mark is read out in
accordance with the thus detected intensity of the light, which has
been reflected from the mark area.
[0090] In such cases, a common photodetector should preferably be
utilized for both the detection of the optical density of the
reagent area and the readout of the information represented by the
mark.
[0091] Also, the first blood testing apparatus in accordance with
the present invention should preferably be modified such that the
region for spreading the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, which
region constitutes the reagent layer of the blood testing unit, is
provided with the mark representing the information concerning the
blood testing unit, and
[0092] the detection of the optical density of the reagent area and
the readout of the information represented by the mark are
performed simultaneously.
[0093] Alternatively, in lieu of the blood testing unit provided
with the mark being utilized in the manner described above, the
first blood testing apparatus in accordance with the present
invention may be modified such that a dummy testing unit, which is
provided with the mark representing the information concerning the
blood testing unit, is located at a predetermined position, at
which the blood testing unit is to be located, and
[0094] the detection of the optical density of the reagent area
from the blood testing unit and the readout of the information,
which is represented by the mark, from the dummy testing unit are
performed one after the other at a certain time interval.
[0095] Further, the first blood testing apparatus in accordance
with the present invention should preferably be modified such that
the irradiation of the measuring light to the reagent area of the
reagent layer and the detection of the intensity of the light
having been reflected from the reagent area are performed from the
side of one surface of the reagent layer opposite to the other
surface of the reagent layer, on which other surface the blood
plasma and/or the blood serum has been supplied to the reagent
area.
[0096] Furthermore, the first blood testing apparatus in accordance
with the present invention should preferably be modified such that
a plurality of independent light intensity detecting operations are
performed with respect to a plurality of subareas of the reagent
area of the reagent layer, each of the independent light intensity
detecting operations being performed for one of the plurality of
the subareas of the reagent area,
[0097] results of the plurality of the independent light intensity
detecting operations performed with respect to the plurality of the
subareas of the reagent area are subjected to statistical
processing, a light intensity value representative of the reagent
area being obtained from the statistical processing, and
[0098] the thus obtained light intensity value representative of
the reagent area is taken as the intensity of the light having been
reflected from the reagent area.
[0099] The present invention also provides a second blood testing
apparatus for carrying out the second blood testing method in
accordance with the present invention. Specifically, the present
invention also provides a second blood testing apparatus, in which
a blood test is performed by use of the blood testing unit in
accordance with the present invention, wherein the plurality of the
different kinds of the reagents are supported at different
positions on the reagent layer, the apparatus comprising:
[0100] i) means for irradiating measuring light to each of reagent
areas of the reagent layer, each of which reagent areas has formed
the color as a result of the reaction with the blood plasma and/or
the blood serum, the measuring light having a wavelength adapted to
the reagent contained in each of the reagent areas,
[0101] ii) means for detecting an intensity of the light having
been reflected from each of the reagent areas, the detection of the
intensity of the reflected light being performed with respect to
each of the reagent areas, and
[0102] iii) means for detecting an optical density of each of the
reagent areas in accordance with the thus detected intensity of the
light having been reflected from each of the reagent areas.
[0103] The second blood testing apparatus in accordance with the
present invention may be modified such that the measuring light
irradiated to each of the reagent areas of the reagent layer is a
light component, which has been obtained through light separation
so as to have the wavelength corresponding to the reagent contained
in each of the reagent areas.
[0104] Alternatively, the second blood testing apparatus in
accordance with the present invention may be modified such that
light, which contains the measuring light having the wavelength
corresponding to the reagent contained in each of the reagent
areas, is irradiated to each of the reagent areas of the reagent
layer, and
[0105] the light having been reflected from each of the reagent
areas is detected through light separation into light components,
the light separation being performed with respect to each of the
reagent areas.
[0106] Also, the second blood testing apparatus in accordance with
the present invention should preferably be modified such that a
plurality of independent measuring light irradiating operations are
performed with respect to the blood testing unit, each of the
independent measuring light irradiating operations being performed
for one of the plurality of the reagent areas of the blood testing
unit.
[0107] Further, the second blood testing apparatus in accordance
with the present invention should preferably be modified such that
the intensity of the light having been reflected from each of the
reagent areas is detected with a photodetector, which has been
divided into pixels, and with respect to each of the reagent areas.
In such cases, the intensity of the light having been reflected
from one reagent area may be detected with one pixel among the
pixels of the photodetector. Alternatively, the intensity of the
light having been reflected from one reagent area may be detected
with one group of pixels among the pixels of the photodetector.
[0108] Also, in such cases, the second blood testing apparatus in
accordance with the present invention should particularly
preferably be modified such that the light having been reflected
from each of the reagent areas is collected by at least one lens
(such as a distributed index lens), which is located so as to have
a correspondence relationship with each of the reagent areas,
and
[0109] the thus collected light is guided to the photodetector,
which has been divided into the pixels.
[0110] In such cases, one of a plurality of lenses may be located
so as to have a correspondence relationship with one reagent area.
Alternatively, particularly, in cases where distributed index
lenses are utilized as the plurality of the lenses, a group of
lenses may be located so as to have a correspondence relationship
with one reagent area.
[0111] Furthermore, the second blood testing apparatus in
accordance with the present invention should preferably be modified
such that the irradiation of the measuring light to each of the
reagent areas of the reagent layer and the detection of the
intensity of the light having been reflected from each of the
reagent areas are performed from the side of one surface of the
reagent layer opposite to the other surface of the reagent layer,
on which other surface the blood plasma and/or the blood serum has
been supplied to the reagent areas.
[0112] Also, the second blood testing apparatus in accordance with
the present invention should preferably be modified such that a
plurality of independent light intensity detecting operations are
performed with respect to a plurality of subareas of each of the
reagent areas of the reagent layer, each of the independent light
intensity detecting operations being performed for one of the
plurality of the subareas of each of the reagent areas,
[0113] results of the plurality of the independent light intensity
detecting operations performed with respect to the plurality of the
subareas of each of the reagent areas are subjected to statistical
processing, a light intensity value representative of each of the
reagent areas being obtained from the statistical processing,
and
[0114] the thus obtained light intensity value representative of
each of the reagent areas is taken as the intensity of the light
having been reflected from each of the reagent areas.
[0115] With the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention, the blood constituent separating section and the reagent
layer, which contains the reagent capable of undergoing the
reaction with the blood plasma and/or the blood serum and forming
the color as a result of the reaction, are located within the
closed vessel. Therefore, with the blood testing unit in accordance
with the present invention, the blood test is capable of being
performed by introducing the blood sample into the closed vessel,
irradiating the measuring light from the exterior of the closed
vessel to the reagent layer, which has formed the color as a result
of the reaction, and measuring the intensity of the light having
been reflected from the reagent layer, the measurement being made
from the exterior of the closed vessel. Specifically, the blood
test is capable of being performed such that, after the blood
sample has been introduced into the closed vessel, a person in
charge of the blood test may not come in touch with the blood
constituents, which are present within the closed vessel.
Accordingly, with the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention, the problems are capable of being prevented from
occurring in that the person in charge of the blood test comes in
touch with the blood sample and catches an infectious disease.
[0116] As described above, the blood testing unit in accordance
with the present invention is constituted such that there is
substantially no risk of persons coming in touch with the blood
sample from the exterior of the blood testing unit. Therefore,
after the blood testing unit has been used for the blood test, the
blood testing unit may be processed with, for example, an
autoclave, and may then be scrapped. Accordingly, the blood testing
unit in accordance with the present invention is capable of being
utilized as a disposable blood testing unit.
[0117] With the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention, ordinarily, the blood test is capable of being performed
on whole blood. The blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention is also applicable to the blood test on a blood
sample, which contains at least either one of the blood plasma and
the blood serum.
[0118] Also, with the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention, the blood plasma and/or the blood serum is
separated from the blood sample by the blood constituent separating
section, which is located within the closed vessel. Therefore, with
the blood testing unit in accordance with the present invention,
particular operations for setting the blood testing unit on a
centrifugal separator in order to separate the blood plasma and/or
the blood serum from the blood sample, which operations require
considerable time and labor, need not be performed, and the blood
test is capable of being performed with a simple operation.
[0119] The blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention may be modified such that the closed vessel comprises the
outer vessel body, which has the bottom wall, and the inner vessel
body, which has the bottom wall, and the outer vessel body and the
inner vessel body are combined with each other, such that the outer
vessel body and the inner vessel body are capable of sliding with
respect to each other, while the space defined by the outer vessel
body and the inner vessel body is being kept in the approximately
hermetically sealed state, the outer vessel body and the inner
vessel body thus defining the enclosed space at the interior in the
manner such that the pressure in the enclosed space is capable of
being reduced. In such cases, at least either one of the outer
vessel body and the inner vessel body is capable of being moved
with respect to the other in the direction heading away from each
other, and the pressure in the enclosed space is thus capable of
being set at a negative pressure. In cases where the pressure in
the enclosed space is thus set at the negative pressure, and the
blood sampling needle, or the like, is then stuck in the blood
introducing section, the blood sample is capable of being suck
strongly into the enclosed space of the closed vessel.
Alternatively, the blood sampling needle, or the like, may be stuck
in the blood introducing section, and the pressure in the enclosed
space may then be set at the negative pressure. Also, in this case,
the blood sample is capable of being suck strongly into the
enclosed space of the closed vessel. As a result, a predetermined
amount of the blood sample is capable of being sampled quickly into
the closed vessel, and the efficiency with which the blood test is
performed is capable of being enhanced.
[0120] Also, in cases where the closed vessel is constituted of the
outer vessel body and the inner vessel body described above, the
blood testing unit in accordance with the present invention may be
modified such that the blood introducing section is formed at the
bottom wall of either one of the outer vessel body and the inner
vessel body. In such cases, for example, the closed vessel may be
held in a state in which the blood introducing section is located
on the side remote from the person in charge of the blood test, and
the vessel body which is not provided with the blood introducing
section, i.e. the vessel body which is located on the side close to
the person in charge of the blood test, may be pulled toward the
person in charge of the blood test. With the holding and pulling
operation described above, the pressure in the enclosed space of
the closed vessel is capable of being set at the negative pressure.
The holding and pulling operation described above is markedly easy
to perform, and therefore the introduction of the blood sample into
the closed vessel is capable of being performed easily and reliably
with the holding and pulling operation described above.
[0121] Further, in such cases, the blood testing unit in accordance
with the present invention may be modified such that the blood
introducing section is formed at the bottom wall of the outer
vessel body, and the bottom wall of the inner vessel body is formed
at the end area of the inner vessel body, which end area is remote
from the bottom wall of the outer vessel body. In such cases, the
holding and pulling operation described above is capable of being
performed such that the outer vessel body is held by one of the two
hands of the person in charge of the blood test, and the inner
vessel body is pulled by the other hand of the person in charge of
the blood test. The holding and pulling operation is thus capable
of being performed with a high efficiency. Also, since the bottom
wall of the inner vessel body is formed at the end area of the
inner vessel body, which end area is remote from the bottom wall of
the outer vessel body, the distance between the bottom wall of the
outer vessel body and the bottom wall of the inner vessel body is
capable of being set to be comparatively long, and the volume of
the enclosed space defined by the outer vessel body and the inner
vessel body is capable of being set to be comparatively large.
Therefore, in cases where it is assumed that the volume of the
enclosed space is to be set at a predetermined value, the entire
size of the outer vessel body and the inner vessel body is capable
of being set to be comparatively small. As a result, the size of
the blood testing unit is capable of being set to be small.
[0122] Furthermore, in cases where the blood introducing section is
formed at the bottom wall of either one of the outer vessel body
and the inner vessel body, the blood testing unit in accordance
with the present invention may be modified such that the blood
constituent separating membrane, which acts as the blood
constituent separating section, is secured to the one vessel body
having the bottom wall at which the blood introducing section is
formed, such that the blood constituent separating membrane stands
facing the bottom wall of the one vessel body. In such cases, the
blood sample having been introduced through the blood introducing
section is capable of being supplied immediately to the blood
constituent separating membrane.
[0123] Also, in cases where the blood constituent separating
membrane is secured to the one vessel body having the bottom wall
at which the blood introducing section is formed, the blood testing
unit in accordance with the present invention may be modified such
that the reagent layer is located such that the reagent layer is in
contact with the surface of the blood constituent separating
membrane, which surface is opposite to the surface that stands
facing the blood introducing section. In such cases, the blood
plasma and/or the blood serum having been separated from the blood
sample is capable of being supplied immediately to the reagent
layer.
[0124] Alternatively, in cases where the blood constituent
separating membrane is secured to the one vessel body having the
bottom wall at which the blood introducing section is formed, the
blood testing unit in accordance with the present invention may be
modified such that the reagent layer is fitted to the other vessel
body that is other than the one vessel body to which the blood
constituent separating membrane is secured, such that the reagent
layer is capable of being brought into contact with the blood
constituent separating membrane. With the modification described
above, in cases where at least either one of the outer vessel body
and the inner vessel body is moved with respect to the other in the
direction heading toward each other, the reagent layer is capable
of being brought into contact with the blood constituent separating
membrane, and the blood plasma and/or the blood serum is thus
capable of being supplied to the reagent layer.
[0125] Further, the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention may be modified such that the blood constituent
separating section is secured tightly to the inner peripheral
surface of either one of the outer vessel body and the inner vessel
body, to which one vessel body the blood constituent separating
section is secured, without any gap being formed between the blood
constituent separating section and the inner peripheral surface of
the one vessel body over the entire perimeter of the blood
constituent separating section. With the modification described
above, the problems are capable of being prevented from occurring
in that the blood sample (e.g. the whole blood), from which the
blood plasma and/or the blood serum has not yet been separated,
leaks through a gap between the blood constituent separating
section and the inner peripheral surface of the outer vessel body
or the inner vessel body toward the reagent layer. Therefore, the
problems are capable of being prevented from occurring in that the
blood sample adheres to the reagent layer and obstructs the blood
test, or an inaccurate blood test is made due to the blood sample
adhering to the reagent layer.
[0126] Furthermore, in cases where the closed vessel is constituted
of the outer vessel body and the inner vessel body described above,
the blood testing unit in accordance with the present invention may
be modified such that at least either one of the outer vessel body
and the inner vessel body is provided with the hole, through which
air is capable of being introduced from the exterior to the
interior of the one vessel body, and the one vessel body is
provided with the sealing member for closing the hole. With the
modification described above, in cases where oxygen is necessary
for the reaction of the reagent with the blood plasma and/or the
blood serum, the sealing member may be removed from the hole in
order to introduce air into the vessel, and oxygen is thus capable
of being supplied to the reagent layer. In cases where the hole is
closed with the sealing member after air has been introduced into
the vessel, there is no risk that the person in charge of the blood
test will come in touch with the blood constituents within the
vessel.
[0127] Also, in cases where the closed vessel is constituted of the
outer vessel body and the inner vessel body described above, the
blood testing unit in accordance with the present invention may be
modified such that the O-ring is fitted onto the outer peripheral
wall of the inner vessel body, the O-ring being capable of keeping
the space, which is defined by the outer vessel body and the inner
vessel body, in the approximately hermetically sealed state, and
the outer vessel body and the inner vessel body are capable of
sliding with respect to each other, while the O-ring fitted onto
the outer peripheral wall of the inner vessel body is being in
contact with the inner peripheral wall of the outer vessel body.
With the modification described above, in cases where at least
either one of the outer vessel body and the inner vessel body is
moved with respect to the other in the direction heading away from
each other, and the pressure in the enclosed space is thus set at
the negative pressure, the state of the negative pressure is
capable of being set more reliably. Also, since the O-ring
described above is provided, the problems are capable of being
prevented from occurring in that the blood constituents leak
through a gap between the outer vessel body and the inner vessel
body to the exterior of the closed vessel.
[0128] Further, in cases where the closed vessel is constituted of
the outer vessel body and the inner vessel body described above,
the blood testing unit in accordance with the present invention may
be modified such that the outer peripheral wall of the inner vessel
body is provided with the engagement section, which projects
outwardly from outer peripheral wall of the inner vessel body, the
inner peripheral wall of the outer vessel body is provided with the
engagement section, which projects inwardly from the inner
peripheral wall of the outer vessel body, and the engagement
section of the inner vessel body and the engagement section of the
outer vessel body are capable of engaging with each other in order
to prevent the inner vessel body and the outer vessel body from
separating from each other. With the modification described above,
the problems are capable of being prevented from occurring in that
the outer vessel body and the inner vessel body separate by
accident from each other, and the blood constituents leak from the
outer vessel body and the inner vessel body to the exterior.
[0129] Furthermore, the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention may be modified such that the outer vessel body
and the inner vessel body are provided with the locking means for
keeping the states of the outer vessel body and the inner vessel
body when at least either one of the outer vessel body and the
inner vessel body has been moved with respect to the other in the
direction which increases the volume of the enclosed space defined
at the interior by the outer vessel body and the inner vessel body,
and the pressure in the enclosed space has thus been set at the
negative pressure. With the modification described above, the
problems are capable of being prevented from occurring in that the
outer vessel body and the inner vessel body naturally return to the
original states, i.e. the pressure in the enclosed space returns
from the negative pressure to the atmospheric pressure. Therefore,
the outer vessel body and the inner vessel body need not be held
with the tips of the fingers of the person in charge of the blood
test such that the two vessel bodies do not return to the original
states. Accordingly, the operation for introducing the blood sample
into the closed vessel is capable of being performed easily.
[0130] Also, the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention may be modified such that the closed vessel is the
bag-shaped vessel made from the flexible sheet material, and the
permeation member is accommodated within the bag-shaped vessel, the
permeation member allowing the blood sample, which has been
introduced through the blood introducing section into the
bag-shaped vessel, to permeate through the permeation member toward
the blood constituent separating section, and allowing the blood
plasma and/or the blood serum, which has been separated by the
blood constituent separating section from the blood sample, to
permeate through the permeation member toward the reagent layer.
With the modification described above, a plurality of bag-shaped
vessels are capable of being laid up one upon another with little
gap intervening between adjacent bag-shaped vessels. Therefore,
effects of keeping the space for conveyance or storage of the
bag-shaped vessels small are obtained.
[0131] In such cases, the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention may be modified such that the frame member is
located so as to surround the outer periphery of the bag-shaped
vessel, the frame member being adapted to draw and send the blood
plasma and/or the blood serum, which has permeated through the
permeation member, toward the reagent layer. With the modification
described above, the blood plasma and/or the blood serum is capable
of being reliably supplied to the reagent layer by use of the frame
member.
[0132] Further, the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention may be modified such that the closed vessel is
constituted of the plate-shaped member, and the fine path is formed
within the plate-shaped member, the fine path causing the blood
sample, which has been introduced through the blood introducing
section into the plate-shaped member, to move by capillary action
through the fine path toward the blood constituent separating
section, and causing the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, which
has been separated by the blood constituent separating section from
the blood sample, to move by capillary action through the fine path
toward the reagent layer. With the modification described above,
the blood testing unit is capable of being formed so as to have a
size and a thickness approximately identical with the size and the
thickness of, for example, a credit card. In this manner, a blood
testing unit, which is free from a risk of breakage and is capable
of being carried easily, is capable of being obtained.
[0133] Furthermore, the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention may be modified such that the blood introducing
section is constituted of the high-elasticity member, such as a
rubber member, capable of acting such that the high-elasticity
member ordinarily closes the closed vessel, and such that, when the
blood sampling needle is stuck into the high-elasticity member, the
high-elasticity member allows the tip of the blood sampling needle
to penetrate through the high-elasticity member into the closed
vessel, while the region between the outer peripheral wall of the
blood sampling needle and the high-elasticity member is being kept
in the approximately hermetically sealed state. With the
modification described above, when the blood sampling needle is
stuck into the high-elasticity member in order to introduce the
blood sample into the closed vessel and is then pulled out from the
high-elasticity member, the hole perforated by the blood sampling
needle through the high-elasticity member closes naturally by the
elasticity of the high-elasticity member. Therefore, in cases where
the blood introducing section is constituted of the high-elasticity
member, the blood constituents within the closed vessel are capable
of being prevented from leaking from the blood introducing section
to the exterior, and the infection preventing effects described
above are capable of being enhanced.
[0134] Also, the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention may be modified such that the plurality of the different
kinds of the reagents are supported at the different positions on
the reagent layer. With the modification described above, measuring
light beams, each of which has a wavelength adapted to one of the
reagents, may be irradiated simultaneously or successively to the
reagent layer. In this manner, the tests with respect to different
substances contained in the blood plasma and/or the blood serum are
capable of being performed quickly.
[0135] Further, the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention may be modified such that the blood constituent
separating section is constituted of the porous structure material,
which allows the blood plasma and/or the blood serum to pass
therethrough and obstructs solid constituents from passing
therethrough. With the modification described above, the structure
for the separation of the blood plasma and/or the blood serum from
the blood sample is capable of being kept simple. Therefore, the
modification described above is advantageous for keeping the size
of the blood testing unit small.
[0136] The porous structure material should preferably consist of
the polysulfone membrane, which has a pore diameter falling within
the range of 0.5 .mu.m to 50 .mu.m and should particularly
preferably have a minimum pore diameter falling within the range of
1 .mu.m to 5 .mu.m. In such cases, the effects of separating the
blood plasma and/or the blood serum from the blood sample, such as
whole blood, are capable of being obtained more reliably, and the
reliability of the blood test is capable of being enhanced.
[0137] Furthermore, the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention may be modified such that the region for
spreading the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, which region
constitutes the reagent layer, contains the substance capable of
generating heat in the presence of water. With the modification
described above, when the blood plasma and/or the blood serum
containing water spreads through the region for spreading the blood
plasma and/or the blood serum, the reagent layer is heated with
heat generated by the aforesaid substance. Ordinarily, in cases
where the blood test of this kind is performed, the blood testing
unit is kept at a predetermined temperature by use of an incubator,
and the blood plasma and/or the blood serum is caused to react with
the reagent at a predetermined temperature higher than room
temperature, e.g. at a temperature of approximately 37.degree. C.
In cases where the reagent layer is capable of being heated
preliminarily with heat generated by the aforesaid substance in the
manner described above, the time required for the blood testing
unit to reach the predetermined temperature in the incubator is
capable of being kept short, and therefore the blood test is
capable of being performed with a high efficiency.
[0138] Also, the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention may be modified such that the region for spreading the
blood plasma and/or the blood serum, which region constitutes the
reagent layer, is provided with the mark representing information
concerning the blood testing unit. In such cases, the means for
measuring the intensity of the light having been reflected from the
reagent layer, which has formed the color as a result of the
reaction with the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, is capable
of being utilized also for the readout of the information
represented by the mark, and the information concerning the blood
testing unit is thus capable of being detected.
[0139] Further, the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention may be modified such that the area of the reagent
layer, which area is free from the reagent, is formed as the black
plane, the plane of a color close to black, or the mirror plane. In
such cases, the problems are capable of being prevented from
occurring in that the measuring light having been scattered by the
area of the reagent layer, which area is free from the reagent, is
detected by the photo detecting means, and the accuracy of the
blood test is affected adversely.
[0140] With the first blood testing method and apparatus in
accordance with the present invention, in which the blood test is
performed by use of the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention, the blood test is capable of being performed
such that the problems are capable of being prevented from
occurring in that the person in charge of the blood test comes in
touch with the blood sample and catches an infectious disease.
[0141] The first blood testing method and apparatus in accordance
with the present invention may be modified such that the measuring
light is irradiated to the reagent area of the reagent layer of the
blood testing unit, which reagent area has formed the color as a
result of the reaction with the blood plasma and/or the blood
serum, and to the mark area, which is provided with the mark
representing information concerning the blood testing unit, and the
intensity of the light, which has been reflected from the reagent
area, and the intensity of the light, which has been reflected from
the mark area, are detected. Also, the optical density of the
reagent area is detected in accordance with the thus detected
intensity of the light, which has been reflected from the reagent
area, and the information represented by the mark is read out in
accordance with the thus detected intensity of the light, which has
been reflected from the mark area. With the modification described
above, for example, the optical density of the reagent area is
capable of being corrected in accordance with the results of the
readout of the information represented by the mark. Therefore, the
blood test is capable of being performed with a high accuracy.
[0142] In such cases, the common photodetector may be utilized for
both the detection of the optical density of the reagent area and
the readout of the information represented by the mark. In this
manner, the problems are capable of being prevented from occurring
in that the cost becomes high due to the provision of mark read-out
functions.
[0143] Also, the first blood testing method and apparatus in
accordance with the present invention may be modified such that the
region for spreading the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, which
region constitutes the reagent layer of the blood testing unit, is
provided with the mark representing the information concerning the
blood testing unit, and the detection of the optical density of the
reagent area and the readout of the information represented by the
mark are performed simultaneously. With the modification described
above, the time required to read out the information represented by
the mark is capable of being kept short, and the time required to
perform the blood test is capable of being kept short.
[0144] Further, the first blood testing method and apparatus in
accordance with the present invention may be modified such that the
irradiation of the measuring light to the reagent area of the
reagent layer and the detection of the intensity of the light
having been reflected from the reagent area are performed from the
side of one surface of the reagent layer opposite to the other
surface of the reagent layer, on which other surface the blood
plasma and/or the blood serum has been supplied to the reagent
area. With the modification described above, the means for
irradiating the measuring light to the reagent area of the reagent
layer and the means for detecting the intensity of the light having
been reflected from the reagent area do not interfere with the
system for supplying the blood plasma and/or the blood serum.
Therefore, the layout of the means for irradiating the measuring
light and the means for detecting the intensity of the reflected
light becomes easy.
[0145] Furthermore, the first blood testing method and apparatus in
accordance with the present invention may be modified such that the
plurality of the independent light intensity detecting operations
are performed with respect to the plurality of the subareas of the
reagent area of the reagent layer, each of the independent light
intensity detecting operations being performed for one of the
plurality of the subareas of the reagent area. Also, the results of
the plurality of the independent light intensity detecting
operations performed with respect to the plurality of the subareas
of the reagent area are subjected to the statistical processing,
the light intensity value representative of the reagent area being
obtained from the statistical processing, and the thus obtained
light intensity value representative of the reagent area is taken
as the intensity of the light having been reflected from the
reagent area. With the modification described above, in cases where
nonuniformity occurs with the reaction of the reagent with the
blood plasma and/or the blood serum within the reagent area, or in
cases where fine dust, or the like, is present within the reagent
area, adverse effects of specific results of the light intensity
detection due to the nonuniformity in reaction, the fine dust, or
the like, are capable of being eliminated, and the blood test is
capable of being performed accurately.
[0146] With the second blood testing method and apparatus in
accordance with the present invention, the blood test is performed
by use of the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention, wherein the plurality of the different kinds of the
reagents are supported at different positions on the reagent layer.
Also, the measuring light is irradiated to each of reagent areas of
the reagent layer, each of which reagent areas has formed the color
as a result of the reaction with the blood plasma and/or the blood
serum, the measuring light having the wavelength adapted to the
reagent contained in each of the reagent areas, the intensity of
the light having been reflected from each of the reagent areas is
detected, the detection of the intensity of the reflected light
being performed with respect to each of the reagent areas, and the
optical density of each of the reagent areas is detected in
accordance with the thus detected intensity of the light having
been reflected from each of the reagent areas. Therefore, the
measuring light beams, each of which has a wavelength adapted to
one of the reagents, may be irradiated simultaneously or
successively at short time intervals to the reagent layer. In this
manner, the tests with respect to different substances contained in
the blood plasma and/or the blood serum are capable of being
performed quickly.
[0147] The second blood testing method and apparatus in accordance
with the present invention may be modified such that the measuring
light irradiated to each of the reagent areas of the reagent layer
is the light component, which has been obtained through light
separation so as to have the wavelength corresponding to the
reagent contained in each of the reagent areas. Alternatively, the
second blood testing method and apparatus in accordance with the
present invention may be modified such that the light, which
contains the measuring light having the wavelength corresponding to
the reagent contained in each of the reagent areas, is irradiated
to each of the reagent areas of the reagent layer, and the light
having been reflected from each of the reagent areas is detected
through light separation into light components, the light
separation being performed with respect to each of the reagent
areas. With each of the two modifications described above, the
light beams having been reflected from the reagent areas are
capable of being detected by being clearly discriminated from one
another. Therefore, the blood tests with respect to a plurality of
test purposes are capable of being performed accurately.
[0148] Further, the second blood testing method and apparatus in
accordance with the present invention may be modified such that the
intensity of the light having been reflected from each of the
reagent areas is detected with the photodetector, which has been
divided into the pixels, and with respect to each of the reagent
areas. With the modification described above, the intensities of
the light beams having been reflected from the reagent areas are
capable of being detected accurately by being clearly discriminated
from one another.
[0149] Also, in such cases, the second blood testing method and
apparatus in accordance with the present invention may be modified
such that the light having been reflected from each of the reagent
areas is collected by at least one lens (such as the distributed
index lens), which is located so as to have the correspondence
relationship with each of the reagent areas, and the thus collected
light is guided to the photodetector, which has been divided into
the pixels. With the modification described above, the light beams
having been reflected from the reagent areas are capable of being
collected efficiently by the plurality of the independent lenses.
Therefore, the intensities of the light beams having been reflected
from the reagent areas are capable of being detected more
accurately by being clearly discriminated from one another.
[0150] Furthermore, the second blood testing method and apparatus
in accordance with the present invention may be modified such that
the irradiation of the measuring light to each of the reagent areas
of the reagent layer and the detection of the intensity of the
light having been reflected from each of the reagent areas are
performed from the side of one surface of the reagent layer
opposite to the other surface of the reagent layer, on which other
surface the blood plasma and/or the blood serum has been supplied
to the reagent areas. With the modification described above, the
means for irradiating the measuring light to each of the reagent
areas of the reagent layer and the means for detecting the
intensity of the light having been reflected from each of the
reagent areas do not interfere with the system for supplying the
blood plasma and/or the blood serum. Therefore, the layout of the
means for irradiating the measuring light and the means for
detecting the intensity of the reflected light becomes easy.
[0151] Also, the second blood testing method and apparatus in
accordance with the present invention may be modified such that the
plurality of the independent light intensity detecting operations
are performed with respect to the plurality of the subareas of each
of the reagent areas of the reagent layer, each of the independent
light intensity detecting operations being performed for one of the
plurality of the subareas of each of the reagent areas. Also, the
results of the plurality of the independent light intensity
detecting operations performed with respect to the plurality of the
subareas of each of the reagent areas are subjected to statistical
processing, the light intensity value representative of each of the
reagent areas being obtained from the statistical processing, and
the thus obtained light intensity value representative of each of
the reagent areas is taken as the intensity of the light having
been reflected from each of the reagent areas. With the
modification described above, in cases where nonuniformity occurs
with the reaction of the reagent with the blood plasma and/or the
blood serum within each of the reagent areas, or in cases where
fine dust, or the like, is present within each of the reagent
areas, adverse effects of specific results of the light intensity
detection due to the nonuniformity in reaction, the fine dust, or
the like, are capable of being eliminated, and the blood test is
capable of being performed accurately.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0152] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first
embodiment of the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention,
[0153] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view showing the blood
testing unit of FIG. 1,
[0154] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a reagent layer of the blood
testing unit of FIG. 1,
[0155] FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view showing the blood
testing unit of FIG. 1 in a state in which a blood sample is
introduced into the blood testing unit,
[0156] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of
the blood testing apparatus in accordance with the present
invention,
[0157] FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway side view showing the blood
testing unit of FIG. 5,
[0158] FIG. 7 is a partially cutaway side view showing a second
embodiment of the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention,
[0159] FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway side view showing a third
embodiment of the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention and a second embodiment of the blood testing apparatus in
accordance with the present invention,
[0160] FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway side view showing a third
embodiment of the blood testing apparatus in accordance with the
present invention,
[0161] FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway side view showing a fourth
embodiment of the blood testing apparatus in accordance with the
present invention,
[0162] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of
the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention,
[0163] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a major part of a
fifth embodiment of the blood testing apparatus in accordance with
the present invention,
[0164] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a major part of a
sixth embodiment of the blood testing apparatus in accordance with
the present invention,
[0165] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a fifth embodiment of
the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention,
[0166] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a sixth embodiment of
the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention,
[0167] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the blood testing unit
of FIG. 15 in a different state,
[0168] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a seventh embodiment
of the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention,
[0169] FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a different example of the
reagent layer constituting the blood testing unit in accordance
with the present invention,
[0170] FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a further different
example of the reagent layer constituting the blood testing unit in
accordance with the present invention,
[0171] FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing an eighth embodiment
of the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention,
[0172] FIG. 21 is a front view showing a major part of a seventh
embodiment of the blood testing apparatus in accordance with the
present invention,
[0173] FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing examples of dummy
units, which may be utilized in the blood testing apparatus in
accordance with the present invention,
[0174] FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a different example of
a dummy unit, which may be utilized in the blood testing apparatus
in accordance with the present invention,
[0175] FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a major part of an
eighth embodiment of the blood testing apparatus in accordance with
the present invention, and
[0176] FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a major part of a
ninth embodiment of the blood testing apparatus in accordance with
the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0177] The present invention will hereinbelow be described in
further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0178] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a blood
testing unit 10, which is a first embodiment of the blood testing
unit in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2 is a
partially cutaway side view showing the blood testing unit 10 of
FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the blood testing unit
10 comprises a circular cylinder-shaped outer vessel body 11, whose
lower end area in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is open, and a circular
cylinder-shaped inner vessel body 21, which has a bottom wall 23 at
a lower end area in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. By way of example, each of
the outer vessel body 11 and the inner vessel body 21 is made from
a transparent synthetic resin. The outer vessel body 11 has a size
of, for example, an outer diameter of 15 mm.times.a height of 30
mm. The inner vessel body 21 has a size of, for example, an outer
diameter of 10 mm.times.a height of 30 mm. Alternatively, each of
the outer vessel body 11 and the inner vessel body 21 may be made
from glass, or the like.
[0179] The outer vessel body 11 has an upward-facing bottom wall 14
at an end area on the upper side in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The
upward-facing bottom wall 14 is provided with a circular opening
13. Ordinarily, the opening 13 is closed with a rubber film 15,
which is adhered to an inner surface of the upward-facing bottom
wall 14. As will be described later, the rubber film 15 constitutes
the blood introducing section. Also, a circular blood constituent
separating membrane 16 is formed with an insert molding process and
held within the outer vessel body 11. The blood constituent
separating membrane 16 is constituted of a porous structure
material. The porous structure material acts such that, when a
blood sample is supplied to the porous structure material, the
porous structure material allows the blood plasma and/or the blood
serum to pass therethrough and obstructs solid constituents from
passing therethrough. In this embodiment, by way of example, a
polysulfone membrane having a pore diameter falling within the
range of 0.5 .mu.m to 50 .mu.m is utilized as the porous structure
material. Further, an annular engagement section 17 is formed on an
inner peripheral wall of the outer vessel body 11. The annular
engagement section 17 projects inwardly from the inner peripheral
wall of the outer vessel body 11 and at a position close to an open
end of the outer vessel body 11, which open end is formed at the
lower end of the outer vessel body 11 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
[0180] A lower end of the inner vessel body 21 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2
is closed by the bottom wall 23. An upper end of the inner vessel
body 21 is open, and a reagent layer 24 is fitted to the upper end
of the inner vessel body 21. Also, an O-ring 25 is fitted onto an
outer peripheral wall of the inner vessel body 21 and at a position
comparatively close to the upper end of the inner vessel body 21.
Further, an air introducing hole 26, which communicates the
interior of the inner vessel body 21 and the exterior of the inner
vessel body 21 to each other, is formed through the peripheral wall
of the inner vessel body 21. The air introducing hole 26 is closed
by a sealing member 27, which is adhered to the outer peripheral
wall surface of the inner vessel body 21.
[0181] By way of example, the reagent layer 24 comprises a
nitrocellulose porous membrane having a pore diameter of 0.45 .mu.m
(supplied by Millipore Corporation), two glucose detecting spots,
which are of the pigment types and have the absorption
characteristics such that the maximum absorption wavelength is in
the vicinity of 505 nm, and two uric acid detecting spots, which
are of the pigment types and have the absorption characteristics
such that the maximum absorption wavelength is in the vicinity of
650 nm, the four detecting spots being formed on the nitrocellulose
porous membrane. The reagent layer 24 may be prepared in the manner
described below. Specifically, for example, an MES buffer solution,
which contains glucose oxidase, peroxidase, 1,7-dihydroxy
naphthalene, and 4-amino antipyrine and has been adjusted to a pH
value falling within the range of 5.5 to 6.5, is spotted to two
positions on the nitrocellulose porous membrane. Also, a buffer
solution, which contains uricase, peroxidase, and a diallyl
imidazole type of leuco-pigment, is spotted to two positions on the
nitrocellulose porous membrane. In this manner, four spots (i.e.,
two spots arrayed in the vertical direction.times.two spots arrayed
in the horizontal direction) are formed on the nitrocellulose
porous membrane. The thus formed four spots are then dried, and the
reagent layer 24 is thus obtained. Since the support of the reagent
layer 24 is formed from the nitrocellulose porous membrane
described above, when the blood plasma and/or the blood serum is
supplied to the reagent layer 24, the blood plasma and/or the blood
serum spreads in the spread direction of the reagent layer 24.
[0182] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the reagent layer 24. In FIG.
3, reference numerals 24a, 24a represent the two glucose detecting
spots, and reference numerals 24b, 24b represent the two uric acid
detecting spots. In this embodiment, the reagent layer 24 is also
provided with a bar code 24c acting as a mark, which represents
information concerning the blood testing unit 10, i.e. a production
serial number of the blood testing unit 10, a kind of the blood
testing unit 10, or the like. The bar code 24c will later be
described in detail.
[0183] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the outer vessel body 11 and the
inner vessel body 21 are combined with each other in order to
constitute the blood testing unit 10. When the inner vessel body 21
is accommodated within the outer vessel body 11, the O-ring 25 of
the inner vessel body 21 and the annular engagement section 17 of
the outer vessel body 11 interfere slightly with each other.
However, in cases where the inner vessel body 21 is pushed slightly
forcibly into the outer vessel body 11, the peripheral wall of the
outer vessel body 11 and the O-ring 25 of the inner vessel body 21
undergo elastic deformation, and the O-ring 25 is thus capable of
passing over the annular engagement section 17.
[0184] In the state shown in FIG. 2, the inner vessel body 21 is
capable of moving in the major axis direction, i.e. vertically in
FIG. 2, within the outer vessel body 11. At this time, the inner
vessel body 21 slides on the inner peripheral wall of the outer
vessel body 11 with the O-ring 25 intervening therebetween.
Therefore, an enclosed space defined by the inner vessel body 21
and the outer vessel body 11 is formed. Specifically, in this
embodiment, the outer vessel body 11 and the inner vessel body 21
co-operate to constitute a closed vessel, such that the interior of
the closed vessel is kept in a water-tight state with respect to
the exterior.
[0185] Also, particularly, the enclosed space described above is
kept in an approximately hermetically sealed state with respect to
the exterior by the effects of the O-ring 25. Therefore, when the
inner vessel body 21 is pulled downwardly, i.e. in the direction
heading away from the upward-facing bottom wall 14 of the outer
vessel body 11, from the state shown in FIG. 2, the pressure within
the enclosed space is reduced to a negative pressure. When the
inner vessel body 21 is thus pulled and moved downwardly by a
predetermined distance, the O-ring 25 of the inner vessel body 21
and the annular engagement section 17 of the outer vessel body 11
come into engagement with each other. Therefore, the inner vessel
body 21 is prevented from separating from the outer vessel body
11.
[0186] How a blood test is performed by use of the blood testing
unit 10 described above will be described hereinbelow. Firstly, how
an operation for taking a blood sample is performed will be
described hereinbelow. In order for the blood sample to be taken,
the inner vessel body 21 is pulled in the direction heading away
from the upward-facing bottom wall 14 of the outer vessel body 11
in the manner described above, and the pressure within the enclosed
space, which is defined by the inner vessel body 21 and the outer
vessel body 11, is thus set at a negative pressure. The thus set
state is illustrated in FIG. 4. Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG.
4, one tip of a blood sampling needle 30, whose other tip has been
stuck in, for example, the upper arm of a human body, is stuck
through the rubber film 15 of the outer vessel body 11 into the
enclosed space described above. As a result, since the pressure
within the enclosed space has been set at the negative pressure,
whole blood 31 passes through the blood sampling needle 30 and is
thus introduced into the enclosed space. As illustrated in FIG. 4,
the whole blood 31 spreads over the blood constituent separating
membrane 16. Solid constituents of the whole blood 31 are caught on
the surface of the blood constituent separating membrane 16, and
the blood plasma and/or the blood serum passes through the blood
constituent separating membrane 16.
[0187] There is a correlation between the amount of the whole blood
31, which is taken into the blood testing unit 10 in the manner
described above, and the distance by which the inner vessel body 21
is pulled downwardly from the state shown in FIG. 2. The
correlation has been confirmed with blood sampling experiments,
which were conducted under conditions having been set to be uniform
with the cases where the whole blood 31 is taken by use of the
blood testing unit 10 in the manner described above. Specifically,
for example, in cases where the distance by which the inner vessel
body 21 is pulled downwardly is set at 1 cm, 2 cm, and 4 cm, the
amount of the whole blood 31 taken into the blood testing unit 10
is capable of being set at 10 .mu.l (microliter), 20 .mu.l, and 40
.mu.l, respectively.
[0188] In this embodiment, as described above, the pressure within
the enclosed space defined by the inner vessel body 21 and the
outer vessel body 11 is set at the negative pressure, and
thereafter the blood sampling needle 30 is stuck through the rubber
film 15. Alternatively, after the blood sampling needle 30 has been
stuck through the rubber film 15, the inner vessel body 21 may be
pulled downwardly, and the pressure within the enclosed space may
thus be set at the negative pressure.
[0189] After the whole blood 31 has been supplied into the blood
testing unit 10 in the manner described above, the blood sampling
needle 30 is pulled out from the rubber film 15. At this time, the
hole made by the blood sampling needle 30 remains in the rubber
film 15. However, since the rubber film 15 has a high elasticity,
in so far as the hole is left as it is, the hole is kept in the
closed state by the high elasticity of the rubber film 15, and
therefore the problems do not occur in that the whole blood 31
leaks through the hole to the exterior of the blood testing unit
10. Also, when the blood sampling needle 30 is being stuck through
the rubber film 15, the boundary between the outer peripheral wall
of the blood sampling needle 30 and the rubber film 15 is kept in
an approximately hermetically sealed state by the high elasticity
of the rubber film 15. Therefore, the region within the blood
testing unit 10 is kept in the negative pressure state until the
whole blood 31 has been introduced into the blood testing unit 10.
When the whole blood 31 has been introduced into the blood testing
unit 10, the pressure within the blood testing unit 10 returns to
the atmospheric pressure.
[0190] How a photometric operation is performed will be described
hereinbelow. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a blood testing
apparatus 40, which is a first embodiment of the blood testing
apparatus in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 6 is a
partially cutaway side view showing the blood testing unit 40 of
FIG. 5. As illustrated in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the blood testing
apparatus 40 comprises a unit receiving section 42 constituted of a
circular cylinder-shaped hole for receiving the blood testing unit
10, which hole is open at a casing top surface 41. The blood
testing unit 10 is accommodated in the unit receiving section 42
with the inner vessel body 21 facing down. Thereafter, the outer
vessel body 11 is slightly pushed down and moved with respect to
the inner vessel body 21. As a result, the blood constituent
separating membrane 16 of the outer vessel body 11 comes into
contact with the reagent layer 24 of the inner vessel body 21. This
state is illustrated in FIG. 6. Since the reagent layer 24 has been
formed in parallel with the blood constituent separating membrane
16, the entire area of the reagent layer 24 and the entire area of
the blood constituent separating membrane 16 come into contact with
each other.
[0191] As described above, solid constituents 31a of the whole
blood 31 are caught on the upper side of the blood constituent
separating membrane 16, and the blood plasma and/or the blood serum
passes through the blood constituent separating membrane 16.
Therefore, when the reagent layer 24 of the inner vessel body 21
comes into contact with the blood constituent separating membrane
16 in the manner described above, the blood plasma and/or the blood
serum spreads over the reagent layer 24. Each of the buffer
solutions (i.e., the reagents) of the glucose detecting spots 24a,
24a and the uric acid detecting spots 24b, 24b, which have been
formed on the reagent layer 24, undergoes a reaction with the blood
plasma and/or the blood serum and forms a color as a result of the
reaction.
[0192] As illustrated in detail in FIG. 6, the blood testing
apparatus 40 comprises a light source unit 44 for producing
measuring light 43. The blood testing apparatus 40 also comprises a
light guide member 45 for guiding the measuring light 43 having
been produced by the light source unit 44. The light guide member
45 may be constituted of, for example, an optical fiber. The blood
testing apparatus 40 further comprises a filter unit 46, which is
located at an intermediate point of the light guide member 45 and
selects the wavelength of the measuring light 43. The blood testing
apparatus 40 still further comprises a light intensity measuring
section 47, which is located within the light guide member 45 at a
position in the vicinity of a light radiating end area of the light
guide member 45.
[0193] The light source unit 44 comprises a light emitting diode,
which produces light having wavelengths in the vicinity of 505 nm,
and a light emitting diode, which produces light having wavelengths
in the vicinity of 650 nm. Either one of the two light emitting
diodes is actuated selectively. The filter unit 46 comprises a
filter, which transmits only light having a wavelength of 505 nm,
and a filter, which transmits only light having a wavelength of 650
nm. Either one of the two filters is selectively inserted into an
optical path within the light guide member 45. In lieu of the two
light emitting diodes described above being utilized, a white light
emitting diode for producing white light, which contains light
having wavelengths in the vicinity of 505 nm and light having
wavelengths in the vicinity of 650 nm, may be utilized.
[0194] The filter selecting operation of the filter unit 46 and the
light emitting diode selecting and actuating operation are
controlled by a common control section 53 in a manner interlocked
with each other. Specifically, in cases where the light emitting
diode for producing the light having the wavelengths in the
vicinity of 505 nm is actuated, the filter, which transmits only
the light having the wavelength of 505 nm, is inserted into the
optical path. Also, in cases where the light emitting diode for
producing the light having the wavelengths in the vicinity of 650
nm is actuated, the filter, which transmits only the light having
the wavelength of 650 nm, is inserted into the optical path.
[0195] The light guide member 45 is located such that the light
radiating end area of the light guide member 45 stands facing the
inner vessel body 21 of the blood testing unit 10, which has been
accommodated in the unit receiving section 42 of the blood testing
apparatus 40.
[0196] The light intensity measuring section 47 comprises an
objective lens 48 for operating such that, when the measuring light
43 is irradiated to the reagent layer 24 of the inner vessel body
21 and is reflected as reflected light 43R from the reagent layer
24, the objective lens 48 collects the reflected light 43R. The
light intensity measuring section 47 also comprises an image
forming lens 49 for forming an image of the reflected light 43R,
which has been collected by the objective lens 48. The light
intensity measuring section 47 further comprises a two-dimensional
photodetector 50 located at the position at which the image of the
reflected light 43R is formed. The two-dimensional photodetector 50
may be constituted of a CCD image sensor, or the like.
[0197] How the blood testing apparatus 40 having the constitution
described above operates will be described hereinbelow. When the
blood testing unit 10 has been accommodated in the unit receiving
section 42, the light source unit 44 and the filter unit 46 are
controlled by the control section 53 in the manner described above,
and the measuring light 43 having the wavelength of 505 nm and the
measuring light 43 having the wavelength of 650 nm are irradiated
alternately at intervals of, for example, 0.1 second through the
light guide member 45 to the reagent layer 24 of the inner vessel
body 21. In FIG. 6, of the measuring light 43 radiated out in a
divergent light state from the light radiating end area of the
light guide member 45, only the light components traveling toward
the areas of the reagent layer 24, at which areas the glucose
detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting spots 24b, 24b
have been formed, are illustrated. The intensity of the reflected
light 43R having been reflected from the reagent layer 24 is
detected by the two-dimensional photodetector 50.
[0198] Each of the buffer solutions (i.e., the reagents) of the
glucose detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting spots
24b, 24b, which have been formed on the reagent layer 24, has
formed the color as a result of the reaction with the blood plasma
and/or the blood serum to be tested. The optical density of each of
the glucose detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting
spots 24b, 24b is measured at intervals of 0.1 second.
Specifically, the two-dimensional photodetector 50 has been divided
into pixels and is capable of detecting the intensity of the
reflected light 43R with respect to each of fine points on the
reagent layer 24. Therefore, the optical density of each of the
glucose detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting spots
24b, 24b, which optical density changes with the passage of time,
is capable of being measured in accordance with a photo detection
signal S obtained from the two-dimensional photodetector 50.
[0199] In order for the optical density of each of the glucose
detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting spots 24b, 24b
to be measured in accordance with the photo detection signal S
obtained from the two-dimensional photodetector 50, it is necessary
that a correspondence relationship between the positions on a photo
detecting surface of the two-dimensional photodetector 50 and the
positions on the reagent layer 24 is specified. For such purposes,
the inner vessel body 21 may be accommodated always in a
predetermined orientation in the unit receiving section 42.
Specifically, for example, a position matching mark may be attached
to one position on the outer peripheral wall of the inner vessel
body 21, and a position matching mark may be attached to one
position on the inner peripheral wall of the unit receiving section
42. Also, the blood testing unit 10 may be accommodated in the unit
receiving section 42 such that the positions of the two position
matching marks coincide with each other.
[0200] The photo detection signal S, which represents the intensity
of the reflected light 43R with respect to each of the glucose
detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting spots 24b,
24b, is fed into a signal processing section 51. In accordance with
the intensity of the reflected light 43R, the signal processing
section 51 calculates the optical density of each of the glucose
detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting spots 24b,
24b. Also, the signal processing section 51 previously stores
information representing calibration curves, which have been formed
in accordance with results of experiments and represent
relationships between concentrations of glucose and uric acid and
the optical densities of the glucose detecting spots 24a, 24a and
the uric acid detecting spots 24b, 24b. In accordance with the
calibration curves, the signal processing section 51 calculates the
concentrations of glucose and uric acid from the optical densities
of the detecting spots, which optical densities change with the
passage of time. Further, the signal processing section 51 feeds a
signal Sd, which represents the concentrations of glucose and uric
acid having thus been calculated, into a displaying section 52. In
the displaying section 52, the concentrations of glucose and uric
acid represented by the signal Sd are displayed as the test
results. The conversion of the intensity of the reflected light 43R
into the optical density is made by utilizing optical calculation
techniques, such as a Lambert-Beer's law and a diffuse reflection
formula.
[0201] Certain kinds of reagents constituting the detecting spots
of the reagent layer 24 require supply of oxygen, such that the
reagents are capable of undergoing reactions with substances to be
detected, or such that the reagents are capable of completing the
reactions with substances to be detected within a predetermined
reaction time. In cases where such kinds of reagents are utilized,
after the whole blood 31 has been introduced into the blood testing
unit 10 in the manner described above, the sealing member 27 having
been adhered to the outer peripheral wall surface of the inner
vessel body 21 is removed from the outer peripheral wall surface of
the inner vessel body 21. As a result, the air introducing hole 26
having been closed by the sealing member 27 is opened, and oxygen
contained in air is supplied through the air introducing hole 26 to
the region within the inner vessel body 21, i.e. to the reagent
layer 24. In cases where the air introducing hole 26 is again
closed by the sealing member 27 after air has been introduced into
the inner vessel body 21, the problems are capable of being
prevented from occurring in that the person in charge of the blood
test comes in touch with the blood constituents within the blood
testing unit 10.
[0202] In lieu of the sheet-shaped sealing member 27 described
above being utilized, a plug-shaped sealing member for closing the
air introducing hole 26 may be utilized. In such cases, after air
has been introduced into the inner vessel body 21, the air
introducing hole 26 may again be closed by the plug-shaped sealing
member. In this manner, the problems are capable of being prevented
from occurring in that the person in charge of the blood test comes
in touch with the blood constituents within the blood testing unit
10.
[0203] Ordinarily, in cases where the blood test is performed, the
blood testing unit 10 is kept at a predetermined temperature by use
of an incubator (not shown), and the blood plasma and/or the blood
serum is caused to react with the reagent at a predetermined
temperature higher than room temperature, e.g. at a temperature of
37.degree. C. In such cases, a substance capable of generating heat
in the presence of water should preferably be added to the
aforesaid nitrocellulose porous membrane, which constitutes the
reagent layer 24 and allows the blood plasma and/or the blood serum
to spread. In such cases, when the blood plasma and/or the blood
serum containing water spreads through the reagent layer 24, the
reagent layer 24 is heated with heat generated by the aforesaid
substance. In cases where the reagent layer is capable of being
heated preliminarily with heat generated by the aforesaid substance
in the manner described above, the time required for the blood
testing unit 10 to reach the predetermined temperature in the
incubator is capable of being kept short, and therefore the blood
test is capable of being performed with a high efficiency.
[0204] As the substance capable of generating heat in the presence
of water, an alumino-silicate, such as zeolite, slaked lime, a
mixture of iron powder and an oxidizing agent, or the like, may be
employed.
[0205] In the first embodiment of the blood testing apparatus in
accordance with the present invention, the light guide member 45 is
located such that the light radiating end area of the light guide
member 45 is in contact with a lower surface 42a of a bottom plate
of the unit receiving section 42. Therefore, the distance between
the objective lens 48 of the light intensity measuring section 47
and the reagent layer 24, the distance between the image forming
lens 49 of the light intensity measuring section 47 and the reagent
layer 24, and the distance between the two-dimensional
photodetector 50 of the light intensity measuring section 47 and
the reagent layer 24 are kept at predetermined values.
[0206] In the first embodiment of the blood testing apparatus in
accordance with the present invention, the concentrations of the
specific constituents of the blood plasma and/or the blood serum
are calculated in accordance with the calibration curves in the
manner described. Alternatively, instead of the concentrations of
the specific constituents of the blood plasma and/or the blood
serum being calculated, the signal processing section 51 may
perform only the processing for calculating the optical density of
each of the glucose detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid
detecting spots 24b, 24b of the reagent layer 24, and the
calculated optical densities may be displayed in the displaying
section 52. As another alternative, the signal processing section
51 may feed out a signal, which represents the calculated optical
densities, to the exterior.
[0207] As described above, the blood testing unit 10, which is the
first embodiment of the blood testing unit in accordance with the
present invention, comprises the closed vessel, which is
constituted of the outer vessel body 11 and the inner vessel body
21, the blood constituent separating membrane 16, and the reagent
layer 24, which are located within the closed vessel. Therefore,
with the blood testing unit 10, the blood test is capable of being
performed by introducing the whole blood 31 into the closed vessel,
irradiating the measuring light 43 from the exterior of the closed
vessel to the reagent layer 24, which has formed the color as a
result of the reaction, and measuring the intensity of the
reflected light 43R having been reflected from the reagent layer
24, the measurement being made from the exterior of the closed
vessel. Specifically, the blood test is capable of being performed
such that, after the blood sample has been introduced into the
closed vessel, the person in charge of the blood test may not come
in touch with the blood constituents, which are present within the
closed vessel. Accordingly, with the blood testing unit 10, the
problems are capable of being prevented from occurring in that the
person in charge of the blood test comes in touch with the blood
sample and catches an infectious disease.
[0208] As described above, the blood testing unit 10 is constituted
such that there is substantially no risk of persons coming in touch
with the blood sample from the exterior of the blood testing unit
10. Therefore, after the blood testing unit 10 has been used for
the blood test, the blood testing unit 10 may be processed with,
for example, an autoclave, and may then be scrapped. Accordingly,
the blood testing unit 10 is capable of being utilized as a
disposable blood testing unit.
[0209] Whether the blood testing unit 10 has already been used or
has not yet been used for the blood test is capable of being
confirmed by investigating whether each of the glucose detecting
spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting spots 24b, 24b of the
reagent layer 24 has formed or has not formed the predetermined
color, or whether a mark due to the blood sampling needle 30 is or
is not left on the rubber film 15. Alternatively, such that it is
capable of being confirmed more accurately whether the blood
testing unit 10 has already been used or has not yet been used for
the blood test, the reagent capable of undergoing the reaction with
the blood sample and forming the color as a result of the reaction
may be utilized such that letters, such as "used," may appear on
the reagent layer 24 as a result of the reaction.
[0210] Also, with the blood testing unit 10, the blood plasma
and/or the blood serum is separated from the whole blood 31 by the
blood constituent separating membrane 16, which is located within
the closed vessel. Therefore, with the blood testing unit 10,
particular operations for setting the blood testing unit 10 on a
centrifugal separator in order to separate the blood plasma and/or
the blood serum from the whole blood 31, which operations require
considerable time and labor, need not be performed, and the blood
test is capable of being performed with a simple operation.
[0211] Particularly, with the blood testing unit 10, as described
above, at least either one of the outer vessel body 11 and the
inner vessel body 21 may be moved with respect to the other in the
direction heading away from each other, and the pressure in the
enclosed space is thus capable of being set at the negative
pressure. In cases where the pressure in the enclosed space within
the blood testing unit 10 is thus set at the negative pressure, and
the blood sampling needle 30 is then stuck through the rubber film
15, the whole blood 31 is capable of being suck strongly into the
enclosed space of the closed vessel. Alternatively, the blood
sampling needle 30 may be stuck through the rubber film 15, and the
pressure in the enclosed space may then be set at the negative
pressure. Also, in this case, the blood sample is capable of being
suck strongly into the enclosed space of the closed vessel. As a
result, a predetermined amount of the whole blood 31 is capable of
being sampled quickly into the closed vessel, and the efficiency
with which the blood test is performed is capable of being
enhanced.
[0212] Further, with the blood testing unit 10, the blood
constituent separating membrane 16 is constituted of the porous
structure material, which allows the blood plasma and/or the blood
serum to pass therethrough and obstructs the solid constituents
from passing therethrough. Therefore, the structure for the
separation of the blood plasma and/or the blood serum from the
whole blood 31 is capable of being kept simple. Accordingly, the
blood testing unit 10 is advantageous for keeping the size of the
blood testing unit small. Furthermore, particularly, the
polysulfone membrane, which has the pore diameter falling within
the range described above, is utilized as the porous structure
material. In such cases, the effects of separating the blood plasma
and/or the blood serum from the whole blood 31 are capable of being
obtained more reliably, and the reliability of the blood test is
capable of being enhanced.
[0213] Also, with the blood testing unit 10, the blood constituent
separating membrane 16 is formed with the insert molding process
and is thus combined with the outer vessel body 11 into an integral
body. Therefore, the blood constituent separating membrane 16 is
secured tightly to the inner peripheral surface of the outer vessel
body 11 without any gap being formed between the blood constituent
separating membrane 16 and the inner peripheral surface of the
outer vessel body 11 over the entire perimeter of the blood
constituent separating membrane 16. In such cases, the problems are
capable of being prevented from occurring in that the whole blood
31, from which the blood plasma and/or the blood serum has not yet
been separated, leaks through a gap between the blood constituent
separating membrane 16 and the inner peripheral surface of the
outer vessel body 11 toward the reagent layer 24. Accordingly, the
problems are capable of being prevented from occurring in that the
whole blood 31 adheres to the reagent layer 24 and obstructs the
blood test, or an inaccurate blood test is made due to the whole
blood 31 adhering to the reagent layer 24.
[0214] Further, with the blood testing unit 10, the rubber film 15
constituting the blood introducing section is formed at the
upward-facing bottom wall 14 of the outer vessel body 11. In such
cases, for example, the blood testing unit 10 may be held in a
state in which the rubber film 15 is located on the side remote
from the person in charge of the blood test, and the inner vessel
body 21 may be pulled toward the person in charge of the blood
test. With the holding and pulling operation described above, the
pressure in the enclosed space of the blood testing unit 10 is
capable of being set at the negative pressure. The holding and
pulling operation described above is markedly easy to perform, and
therefore the introduction of the blood sample into the blood
testing unit 10 is capable of being performed easily and reliably
with the holding and pulling operation described above.
[0215] Furthermore, with the blood testing unit 10, the bottom wall
23 of the inner vessel body 21 is formed at the end area of the
inner vessel body 21, which end area is remote from the
upward-facing bottom wall 14 of the outer vessel body 11.
Therefore, the distance between the upward-facing bottom wall 14 of
the outer vessel body 11 and the bottom wall 23 of the inner vessel
body 21 is capable of being set to be comparatively long, and the
volume of the enclosed space defined by the outer vessel body 11
and the inner vessel body 21 is capable of being set to be
comparatively large. Accordingly, in cases where it is assumed that
the volume of the enclosed space is to be set at a predetermined
value, the entire size of the outer vessel body 11 and the inner
vessel body 21 is capable of being set to be comparatively small.
As a result, the size of the blood testing unit is capable of being
set to be small.
[0216] Also, with the blood testing unit 10, the blood constituent
separating membrane 16 is secured to the outer vessel body 11, in
which the rubber film 15 acting as the blood introducing section is
secured to the upward-facing bottom wall 14, such that the blood
constituent separating membrane 16 stands facing the upward-facing
bottom wall 14 of the outer vessel body 11. Therefore, the whole
blood 31 having been introduced through the rubber film 15 is
capable of being supplied immediately to the blood constituent
separating membrane 16.
[0217] Further, with the blood testing unit 10, the outer vessel
body 11 and the inner vessel body 21 are capable of sliding with
respect to each other, while the O-ring 25 fitted onto the outer
peripheral wall of the inner vessel body 21 is being in contact
with the inner peripheral wall of the outer vessel body 11.
Therefore, in cases where the inner vessel body 21 is moved with
respect to the outer vessel body 11 in the direction heading away
from the outer vessel body 11, and the pressure in the enclosed
space is thus set at the negative pressure, the state of the
negative pressure is capable of being set more reliably. Also,
since the O-ring 25 described above is provided, the problems are
capable of being prevented from occurring in that the blood
constituents leak through a gap between the inner vessel body 21
and the outer vessel body 11 to the exterior of the blood testing
unit 10.
[0218] Furthermore, with the blood testing unit 10, the O-ring 25
of the inner vessel body 21 and the annular engagement section 17
of the outer vessel body 11 are capable of engaging with each other
in order to prevent the inner vessel body 21 from separating from
the outer vessel body 11. Therefore, the problems are capable of
being prevented from occurring in that the inner vessel body 21 and
the outer vessel body 11 separate by accident from each other, and
the blood constituents leak from the inner vessel body 21 and the
outer vessel body 11 to the exterior. In this embodiment, the
O-ring 25 is utilized as the engagement section for engaging with
the annular engagement section 17 of the outer vessel body 11.
Alternatively, a projecting section may be formed on the outer
peripheral surface of the inner vessel body 21 and at a position
lower than the position of the O-ring 25 in FIG. 2 and may be
utilized as the engagement section of the inner vessel body 21.
[0219] Also, with the blood testing unit 10, the plurality of the
different kinds of the reagents, each of which is capable of
undergoing the reaction with the blood plasma and/or the blood
serum and forming the color as a result of the reaction, are
supported at the different positions as the glucose detecting spots
24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting spots 24b, 24b on the reagent
layer 24. Therefore, in cases where the operation for supplying the
blood plasma and/or the blood serum to the reagent layer 24 is
performed only one time, the blood plasma and/or the blood serum is
capable of being supplied to the plurality of the glucose detecting
spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting spots 24b, 24b.
Accordingly, the efficiency with which the blood test is performed
is capable of being enhanced.
[0220] Further, in this embodiment of the blood testing unit 10,
the reagent layer 24 is provided with the multiple kinds of the
glucose detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting spots
24b, 24b, which are capable of undergoing reactions with different
substances contained in the blood plasma and/or the blood serum.
Also, the blood testing apparatus 40, which is the first embodiment
of the blood testing apparatus in accordance with the present
invention, is constituted such that the measuring light beams, each
of which has a wavelength adapted to one of the reagents contained
in the glucose detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting
spots 24b, 24b, are irradiated successively to the glucose
detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting spots 24b,
24b. Therefore, with the blood testing apparatus 40, the tests with
respect to the different substances (in this case, glucose and uric
acid) contained in the blood plasma and/or the blood serum are
capable of being performed quickly. Alternatively, the blood
testing apparatus 40 may be constituted such that the measuring
light beams are irradiated simultaneously to the multiple kinds of
the glucose detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting
spots 24b, 24b, and the intensities of the light beams having been
reflected from the glucose detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric
acid detecting spots 24b, 24b are measured simultaneously. The
alternative constitution of the blood testing apparatus 40 is
advantageous for enhancing the efficiency of the blood test.
[0221] Also, with the blood testing apparatus 40, the
two-dimensional photodetector 50, which detects the image of the
reagent layer 24 of the blood testing unit 10, is employed as the
means for detecting the optical densities of the glucose detecting
spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting spots 24b, 24b. Further,
the bar code 24c attached to the reagent layer 24 as illustrated in
FIG. 3 is capable of being read out by the two-dimensional
photodetector 50. Therefore, in cases where the photo detection
signal S, which has been obtained from the two-dimensional
photodetector 50, is processed appropriately in the signal
processing section 51, and the signal having been obtained from the
processing is fed into the displaying section 52, the information
concerning the blood testing unit 10, i.e. the production serial
number of the blood testing unit 10, the kind of the blood testing
unit 10, or the like, which information is represented by the bar
code 24c, is capable of being displayed in the displaying section
52. Furthermore, correction of the test results is capable of being
made in accordance with correction information with respect to each
of production lots of blood testing units 10, 10, . . . , which
correction information may be represented by the bar code 24c.
[0222] Besides the production serial number of the blood testing
unit 10 and the kind of the blood testing unit 10, the information
represented by the bar code 24c may also contain information
representing the production lot number, information representing
the calibration curves, information for correction with respect to
interfering substances, information for correction with respect to
temperature, information for correction with respect to liquid
quantity, and the like.
[0223] The bar code 24c may be an ordinary one-dimensional bar
code. Alternatively, the bar code 24c may be a two-dimensional bar
code, or the like. Also, as the mark representing the information
concerning the blood testing unit 10, a mark other than the bar
code 24c may be employed.
[0224] In order for an accurate calculation of the optical density
to be made from the photo detection signal S, which represents the
intensity of the reflected light 43R having been reflected from
each of the glucose detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid
detecting spots 24b, 24b, in the manner described above, it is
necessary to perform a correcting operation, wherein values of the
photo detection signal S detected in cases where the reflectivity
is set at 100% and 0% are obtained, and the photo detection signal
S, which represents the intensity of the reflected light 43R having
been reflected from each of the glucose detecting spots 24a, 24a
and the uric acid detecting spots 24b, 24b, is corrected in
accordance with the aforesaid values of the photo detection signal
S. FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing examples of dummy units,
which may be utilized for the correcting operation described
above.
[0225] Specifically, in this case, a dummy unit 10W and a dummy
unit 10K, each of which has a shape identical with the shape of the
blood testing unit 10 and is capable of being accommodated in the
unit receiving section 42 of the blood testing apparatus 40, are
utilized. The dummy unit 10W comprises an outer vessel body 11W, an
inner vessel body 21W, and a white plate 23W, which is located at
the position corresponding to the position of the reagent layer 24
of the blood testing unit 10. Also, the dummy unit 10K comprises an
outer vessel body 11K, an inner vessel body 21K, and a black plate
23K, which is located at the position corresponding to the position
of the reagent layer 24 of the blood testing unit 10. Each of the
dummy unit 10W and the dummy unit 10K is accommodated in the unit
receiving section 42 of the blood testing apparatus 40, and a
photometric operation is performed in the same manner as in the
photometric operation for the blood testing unit 10. In this
manner, the values of the photo detection signal S detected in
cases where the reflectivity is set at 100% and 0% are capable of
being obtained. The thus obtained values of the photo detection
signal S may be stored in storage means (not shown) and utilized
for the correcting operation described above.
[0226] As illustrated in FIG. 22, it is also possible to utilize a
dummy unit 10D comprising an outer vessel body 11D, an inner vessel
body 21D, and a bar code surface 23D, on which a bar code of the
same type as the bar code 24c shown in FIG. 3 has been recorded and
which is located at the position corresponding to the position of
the reagent layer 24 of the blood testing unit 10. Specifically,
for example, one piece of the dummy unit 10D may be accommodated in
each pack containing a plurality of blood testing units 10, 10, . .
. Also, before each of the blood testing units 10, 10, . . .
contained in the pack is used for the blood test, the information
represented by the bar code of the dummy unit 10D may be read out
and stored in storage means (not shown). In such cases, the
information represented by the bar code of the dummy unit 10D may
be read from the storage means at the time of the photometric
operation for each of the blood testing units 10, 10, . . . Also,
the thus read information may be displayed in the manner described.
Alternatively, the results of the blood test may be corrected in
accordance with the thus read information.
[0227] Each of the dummy unit 10W, the dummy unit 10K, and the
dummy unit 10D need not necessarily have the shape identical with
the shape of the blood testing unit 10. For example, a dummy unit
210D having a shape illustrated in FIG. 23 may be utilized. The
dummy unit 210D illustrated in FIG. 23 comprises a rod-shaped knob
221 and a circular plate 220, which is secured to one end of the
rod-shaped knob 221. The surface of the circular plate 220
constitutes a bar code surface 223D, on which a bar code 224 has
been recorded. By way of example, in cases where the dummy unit
210D having the shape different from the shape of the blood testing
unit 10 is utilized, the unit receiving section 42 of the blood
testing apparatus 40 may be provided with a step-like area for
supporting the circular plate 220. In this manner, the dummy unit
210D may be supported in the unit receiving section 42 of the blood
testing apparatus 40, such that the position of the bar code
surface 223D coincides with the position of the reagent layer 24 of
the blood testing unit 10.
[0228] In the blood testing apparatus 40 illustrated in FIG. 6, the
two-dimensional photodetector 50 constituted of the CCD image
sensor, or the like, operates such that the intensity of the
reflected light 43R having been reflected from one detecting spot,
which is among the glucose detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric
acid detecting spots 24b, 24b of the reagent layer 24, is detected
with a plurality of pixels (preferably, with at least 100 pixels).
Specifically, with the plurality of the pixels of the
two-dimensional photodetector 50 described above, a plurality of
independent light intensity detecting operations are performed with
respect to a plurality of subareas of the one detecting spot, which
is among the glucose detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid
detecting spots 24b, 24b of the reagent layer 24. Each of the
independent light intensity detecting operations is performed for
one of the plurality of the subareas of each of the glucose
detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting spots 24b,
24b. Also, the signal processing section 51 performs statistical
processing on the results of the plurality of the independent light
intensity detecting operations performed with respect to the
plurality of the subareas of each of the glucose detecting spots
24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting spots 24b, 24b. From the
statistical processing, a light intensity value, which is
representative of each of the glucose detecting spots 24a, 24a and
the uric acid detecting spots 24b, 24b, is obtained. The thus
obtained light intensity value, which is representative of each of
the glucose detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting
spots 24b, 24b, is taken as the intensity of the reflected light
43R having been reflected from each of the glucose detecting spots
24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting spots 24b, 24b and is utilized
for the calculation of the optical density described above.
[0229] As the statistical processing described above, for example,
processing for calculating a mean value, processing for calculating
a median value, or processing for calculating a normal distribution
of the detected light intensity values and calculating a mean value
of the detected light intensity values, which fall within the range
of +2SD (where SD represents the standard deviation) around a
detected light intensity value that is associated with the maximum
frequency of occurrence, may be employed.
[0230] In the manner described above, the light intensity value,
which is representative of each of the glucose detecting spots 24a,
24a and the uric acid detecting spots 24b, 24b, is obtained. Also,
the optical density of each detecting spot is calculated in
accordance with the thus obtained light intensity value. Therefore,
in cases where nonuniformity occurs with the reaction of the
reagent with the blood plasma and/or the blood serum within each of
the glucose detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting
spots 24b, 24b, or in cases where fine dust, or the like, is
present within each of the detecting spots, adverse effects of
specific results of the light intensity detection due to the
nonuniformity in reaction, the fine dust, or the like, are capable
of being eliminated, and the blood test is capable of being
performed accurately.
[0231] As described above, in the blood testing apparatus 40, the
region, for which one pixel of the two-dimensional photodetector 50
performs the light intensity detection, is taken as one subarea of
each of the glucose detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid
detecting spots 24b, 24b. Alternatively, a region, for which a
group of a plurality of pixels of the two-dimensional photodetector
50 perform the light intensity detection, may be taken as one
subarea of each of the glucose detecting spots 24a, 24a and the
uric acid detecting spots 24b, 24b. Specifically, for example, a
region, for which a group of four adjacent pixels of the
two-dimensional photodetector 50 perform the light intensity
detection, may be taken as one subarea of each of the glucose
detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting spots 24b,
24b. Also, for example, a mean value of the light intensity values
having been detected with the group of the four adjacent pixels may
be subjected to the statistical processing described above.
[0232] Also, in the blood testing apparatus 40 illustrated in FIG.
6, the measuring light 43 irradiated to each of the glucose
detecting spots 24a, 24a and the uric acid detecting spots 24b, 24b
is the light component, which has been obtained through light
separation so as to have the wavelength corresponding to the
reagent contained in each of the glucose detecting spots 24a, 24a
and the uric acid detecting spots 24b, 24b. Therefore, the light
beams having been reflected from the glucose detecting spots 24a,
24a and the uric acid detecting spots 24b, 24b are capable of being
detected by being clearly discriminated from one another.
Therefore, the blood tests with respect to a plurality of test
purposes are capable of being performed accurately.
[0233] Further, in the blood testing apparatus 40 illustrated in
FIG. 6, the irradiation of the measuring light 43 to the reagent
layer 24 and the detection of the intensity of the reflected light
43R having been reflected from the reagent layer 24 are performed
from the side of one surface of the reagent layer 24 opposite to
the other surface of the reagent layer 24, on which other surface
the blood plasma and/or the blood serum has been supplied to the
reagent layer 24. Therefore, the light intensity measuring section
47 for the detection of the reflected light 43R and the light guide
member 45 do not interfere with the blood constituent separating
membrane 16 for supplying the blood plasma and/or the blood serum.
Accordingly, flexibility in layout of the light intensity measuring
section 47 and the light guide member 45 is capable of being kept
high. Particularly, in this case, the reagent layer 24 is
accommodated in the closed vessel constituted of the outer vessel
body 11 and the inner vessel body 21, and the layout of the light
intensity measuring section 47 and the light guide member 45 is
ordinarily not easy. Therefore, the effect of keeping the
flexibility in layout of the light intensity measuring section 47
and the light guide member 45 high is markedly advantageous in
practice. The effect described above is also obtained with the
blood testing apparatuses shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10,
which will be described later.
[0234] A blood testing unit 10A, which is a second embodiment of
the blood testing unit in accordance with the present invention,
will be described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 7. In FIG. 7
(and those that follow), similar elements are numbered with the
same reference numerals with respect to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6.
[0235] The blood testing unit 10A illustrated in FIG. 7 is
constituted basically in the same manner as that in the blood
testing unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, except that the reagent
layer 24 is not formed on the side of an inner vessel body 21A and
is formed on the side of an outer vessel body 11A. The reagent
layer 24 is formed such that the reagent layer 24 is in contact
with the back surface of the blood constituent separating membrane
16 located within the outer vessel body 11A, which back surface is
opposite to the surface that stands facing the rubber film 15.
[0236] In cases where the blood testing unit 10A constituted in the
manner described above is utilized, the blood test is capable of
being performed basically in the same manner as that described
above by use of the blood testing apparatus 40 shown in FIG. 5 and
FIG. 6. However, in this case, after the whole blood 31 has been
introduced into the blood testing unit 10A, the outer vessel body
11A need not necessarily be pushed toward the inner vessel body
21A, and the blood plasma and/or the blood serum having been
separated by the blood constituent separating membrane 16 from the
whole blood 31 is capable of spreading through the reagent layer
24. Specifically, with the blood testing unit 10A, the supply of
the blood plasma and/or the blood serum to the reagent layer 24 is
performed more quickly than with the blood testing unit 10
described above.
[0237] A blood testing unit 10B, which is a third embodiment of the
blood testing unit in accordance with the present invention, and a
blood testing apparatus 40A, which is a second embodiment of the
blood testing apparatus in accordance with the present invention,
will be described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 8. The blood
testing unit 10B illustrated in FIG. 8 is constituted basically in
the same manner as that in the blood testing unit 10 shown in FIG.
1 to FIG. 6, except that a bottom wall 23B of an inner vessel body
21B is not formed at an end area of the inner vessel body 21B and
is formed at an intermediate area of the inner vessel body 21B.
Also, the blood testing apparatus 40A illustrated in FIG. 8 is
constituted basically in the same manner as that in the blood
testing apparatus 40 shown in FIG. 6, except that a light guide
member 45A is formed such that a light radiating end area of the
light guide member 45A is capable of passing through an opening 42b
of the bottom plate of the unit receiving section 42 and entering
into the inner vessel body 21B of the blood testing unit 10B. A
light radiating end face of the light guide member 45A comes into
contact with the bottom wall 23B of the inner vessel body 21B.
Therefore, the distance between the objective lens 48 of the light
intensity measuring section 47 and the reagent layer 24, the
distance between the image forming lens 49 of the light intensity
measuring section 47 and the reagent layer 24, and the distance
between the two-dimensional photodetector 50 of the light intensity
measuring section 47 and the reagent layer 24 are kept at
predetermined values.
[0238] In cases where the blood testing unit 10B and the blood
testing apparatus 40A having the constitutions described above are
utilized, the blood test is capable of being performed basically in
the same manner as that in cases where the blood testing unit 10
and the blood testing apparatus 40 shown in FIG. 6 are
utilized.
[0239] A blood testing apparatus 40B, which is a third embodiment
of the blood testing apparatus in accordance with the present
invention, will be described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 9.
The blood testing apparatus 40B illustrated in FIG. 9 is
constituted basically in the same manner as that in the blood
testing apparatus 40A shown in FIG. 8, except for a constitution of
a light intensity measuring section 55. Specifically, the light
intensity measuring section 55 comprises the two-dimensional
photodetector 50 and an image forming lens 56. Also, in the blood
testing apparatus 40B, the light radiating end face of the light
guide member 45A comes into contact with the bottom wall 23B of the
inner vessel body 21B. Therefore, the distance between the image
forming lens 56 of the light intensity measuring section 55 and the
reagent layer 24 and the distance between the two-dimensional
photodetector 50 of the light intensity measuring section 55 and
the reagent layer 24 are kept at predetermined values. In the blood
testing apparatus 40B, as the blood testing unit 10B, the blood
testing unit 10B illustrated in FIG. 8 is utilized.
[0240] In cases where the blood testing unit 10B and the blood
testing apparatus 40B having the constitutions described above are
utilized, the blood test is capable of being performed basically in
the same manner as that in cases where the blood testing unit 10
and the blood testing apparatus 40 shown in FIG. 6 are
utilized.
[0241] A blood testing apparatus 40C, which is a fourth embodiment
of the blood testing apparatus in accordance with the present
invention, will be described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 10.
The blood testing apparatus 40C illustrated in FIG. 10 is
constituted basically in the same manner as that in the blood
testing apparatus 40 shown in FIG. 6, except that a light intensity
measuring section 47C has a shape longer than the shape of the
light intensity measuring section 47, and a rear end area of the
light intensity measuring section 47C extends from the light guide
member 45 to the exterior. In the light intensity measuring section
47C, as the blood testing unit 10, the blood testing unit 10
illustrated in FIG. 6 is utilized.
[0242] In cases where the blood testing apparatus 40C constituted
in the manner described above is utilized, the blood test is
capable of being performed basically in the same manner as that in
cases where the blood testing apparatus 40 shown in FIG. 6 is
utilized.
[0243] A blood testing unit 60, which is a fourth embodiment of the
blood testing unit in accordance with the present invention, will
be described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 11. The blood
testing unit 60 illustrated in FIG. 11 comprises a rectangular
box-shaped outer vessel body 61, which has a bottom wall at an end
area and is made from a transparent member. The blood testing unit
60 also comprises a rectangular box-shaped inner vessel body 62,
which is combined with the outer vessel body 61 for slide movement
within the outer vessel body 61. The blood testing unit 60 further
comprises a rubber film 65, which acts as the blood introducing
section and closes a circular opening 64 formed through a side wall
63 of the outer vessel body 61. The blood testing unit 60 still
further comprises a plate-shaped blood constituent separating
membrane 66, which is located within the outer vessel body 61 so as
to extend along the axial direction of the outer vessel body 61.
The blood testing unit 60 also comprises a plate-shaped reagent
layer 67, which is secured to a lower surface of the blood
constituent separating membrane 66 in FIG. 11. In FIG. 11, as an
aid in facilitating the explanation, the reagent layer 67 is
illustrated at a position spaced away from the blood constituent
separating membrane 66.
[0244] As in the cases of the outer vessel body 11 and the inner
vessel body 21 of the blood testing unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 6,
the outer vessel body 61 and the inner vessel body 62 of the blood
testing unit 60 define an enclosed space at the interior. Also, in
cases where the inner vessel body 62 is moved in the direction
heading away from the outer vessel body 61 (i.e., toward the
right-hand side in FIG. 11), the pressure in the enclosed space is
set at the negative pressure.
[0245] The blood constituent separating membrane 66 is constituted
basically in the manner as that in the blood constituent separating
membrane 16 of the blood testing unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 6,
except that the blood constituent separating membrane 66 has a
thickness larger than the thickness of the blood constituent
separating membrane 16 and has the plate-like shape.
[0246] By way of example, the reagent layer 67 comprises a
plate-shaped nitrocellulose porous membrane, which has a pore
diameter of 0.45 .mu.m and acts as the support. Also, detecting
spots 67a, 67b, 67c, 67d, 67e, and 67f, each of which contain one
of a plurality of different kinds (by way of example, six kinds) of
reagents, have been formed with a spotting process on the
nitrocellulose porous membrane. Each of the plurality of the
different kinds of the reagents is capable of undergoing a reaction
with one of a plurality of different substances contained in the
blood plasma and/or the blood serum and is capable of forming a
color as a result of the reaction. As described above, the reagent
layer 67 is secured to the blood constituent separating membrane
66. Therefore, the reagent layer 67 also extends along the axial
direction of the outer vessel body 61.
[0247] How a blood test is performed by use of the blood testing
unit 60 described above will be described hereinbelow. Firstly, how
an operation for taking a blood sample is performed will be
described hereinbelow. In order for the blood sample to be taken,
the inner vessel body 62 is operated in the manner described above,
and the pressure within the enclosed space in the blood testing
unit 60 is thus set at the negative pressure. In this state, one
tip of the blood sampling needle 30, whose other tip has been stuck
in, for example, the upper arm of a human body, is stuck through
the rubber film 65 of the outer vessel body 61 into the enclosed
space described above. As a result, since the pressure within the
enclosed space has been set at the negative pressure, the whole
blood 31 passes through the blood sampling needle 30 and is thus
introduced into the enclosed space. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the
whole blood 31 spreads over the blood constituent separating
membrane 66. Solid constituents of the whole blood 31 are caught on
the surface of the blood constituent separating membrane 66, and
the blood plasma and/or the blood serum passes through the blood
constituent separating membrane 66. The blood plasma and/or the
blood serum, which has passed through the blood constituent
separating membrane 66, spreads over the reagent layer 67. Each of
the detecting spots 67a to 67f of the reagent layer 67 undergoes
the reaction with one of the specific substances, which are
contained in the blood plasma and/or the blood serum and are to be
tested. As a result of the reaction, each of the detecting spots
67a to 67f forms the color.
[0248] The inner vessel body 62 of the blood testing unit 60 is
provided with the air introducing hole 26, and the sealing member
27 for closing the air introducing hole 26 is adhered to the inner
vessel body 62. Therefore, with the air introducing hole 26 and the
sealing member 27, the same effects as those described above are
capable of being obtained.
[0249] How the optical densities of the detecting spots 67a to 67f
are measured will be described hereinbelow. FIG. 12 is a
perspective view showing a major part of a blood testing apparatus
40D, which is a fifth embodiment of the blood testing apparatus in
accordance with the present invention. In the blood testing
apparatus 40D, the blood testing unit 60 is subjected to the
photometric operation. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the blood testing
apparatus 40D comprises a pair of light guide members 70, 70 for
irradiating the measuring light 43 to the detecting spots 67a, 67b,
67c, 67d, 67e, and 67f of the reagent layer 67 from the side of a
back surface (i.e., the lower surface in FIG. 11) of the reagent
layer 67 of the blood testing unit 60. The blood testing apparatus
40D also comprises six distributed index lenses 71a, 71b, 71c, 71d,
71e, and 71f, which are located at positions corresponding to the
positions of the detecting spots 67a, 67b, 67c, 67d, 67e, and 67f.
The blood testing apparatus 40D further comprises the
two-dimensional photodetector 50, such as a CCD image sensor, which
is located so as to stand facing all of the distributed index
lenses 71a, 71b, 71c, 71d, 71e, and 71f.
[0250] One side wall of the outer vessel body 61 of the blood
testing unit 60 intervenes between the blood testing apparatus 40D
and the reagent layer 67. In FIG. 12, as an aid in facilitating the
explanation, the one side wall of the outer vessel body 61 is not
shown.
[0251] In the blood testing apparatus 40D having the constitution
described above, when the measuring light 43 is irradiated to the
reagent layer 67, light beams having been reflected from the
detecting spots 67a, 67b, 67c, 67d, 67e, and 67f of the reagent
layer 67 are efficiently collected respectively by the distributed
index lenses 71a, 71b, 71c, 71d, 71e, and 71f. Therefore, the
intensity of the reflected light beam is measured with respect to
each of the distributed index lenses 71a to 71f, i.e. with respect
to each of the detecting spots 67a to 67f. Accordingly, with the
blood testing apparatus 40D, the optical density of each of the
detecting spots 67a to 67f having formed the colors is capable of
being detected in accordance with the photo detection signal S,
which is obtained from the two-dimensional photodetector 50.
[0252] In order for the concentrations of the specific substances,
which have reacted with the detecting spots 67a to 67f, to be
calculated from the optical densities of the detecting spots 67a to
67f, which optical densities change with the passage of time,
basically the same technique as the technique utilizing the
calibration curves, which technique is employed in the blood
testing apparatus 40 of FIG. 6, may be employed.
[0253] Also, in the blood testing apparatus 40D described above,
the irradiation of the measuring light 43 to the reagent layer 67
and the detection of the intensities of the light beams having been
reflected from the reagent layer 67 are performed from the side of
the back surface of the reagent layer 67 of the blood testing unit
60 opposite to the other surface of the reagent layer 67, which
other surface stands facing the blood constituent separating
membrane 66 for supplying the blood plasma and/or the blood serum
to the reagent layer 67 as illustrated in FIG. 11. Therefore, the
light guide members 70, 70, the distributed index lenses 71a to
71f, and the two-dimensional photodetector 50 do not interfere with
the blood constituent separating membrane 66. Accordingly, the
layout of the light guide members 70, 70, the distributed index
lenses 71a to 71f, and the two-dimensional photodetector 50 becomes
easy. Particularly, in the blood testing apparatus 40D, wherein the
distributed index lenses 71a to 71f are located such that each of
the distributed index lenses 71a to 71f corresponds to one of the
detecting spots 67a to 67f, the flexibility in layout of the
distributed index lenses 71a to 71f is ordinarily not high.
Therefore, the effect of keeping the layout of the light guide
members 70, 70, the distributed index lenses 71a to 71f, and the
two-dimensional photodetector 50 easy is markedly advantageous in
practice. The effect described above is also obtained with the
blood testing apparatuses shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 21, and FIG. 25,
which will be described later.
[0254] Further, in the blood testing apparatus 40D, the distributed
index lenses 71a to 71f are located such that each of the
distributed index lenses 71a to 71f stands facing one of the
detecting spots 67a to 67f. Therefore, the problems are capable of
being prevented from occurring in that the measuring light having
been scattered by areas of the reagent layer 67 other than the
detecting spots 67a to 67f is detected by the two-dimensional
photodetector 50, and the accuracy of the blood test is affected
adversely.
[0255] Experiments were conducted for confirmation of the effect
described above. In the experiments, an aqueous Bromophenol Blue
solution acting as a reagent was spotted onto a nitrocellulose
membrane, and a reagent layer was thus formed. Diameters of
detecting spots were set at 500 .mu.m, and pitches of the detecting
spots were set at 1 mm, such that the detecting spots having formed
colors may be arrayed at predetermined intervals. In this manner,
four detecting spots (i.e., two detecting spots arrayed in the
vertical direction.times.two detecting spots arrayed in the
horizontal direction) were formed. Halogen lamps were employed as
light sources for producing measuring light beams, and R-60
(supplied by Hoya Corp.) was employed as optical filters. By use of
the halogen lamps and the optical filters, the measuring light
beams were irradiated to the detecting spots described above. Light
beams having been reflected from the detecting spots were collected
by distributed index lenses, each of which was located with respect
to one of the detecting spots, and the intensities of the reflected
light beams were detected. A mean value of the thus detected
intensities of the light beams having been reflected from the
detecting spots was taken as 100. Also, an experiment was conducted
by use of a unit for experiment, in which the areas of the reagent
layer 67 other than the detecting spots 67a to 67f had been set as
black areas. In the experiment using the unit for experiment, a
mean value of the detected intensities of the light beams having
been reflected from the detecting spots was equal to 100. If the
light collecting optical system comprising the distributed index
lenses also collected the light having been scattered from the
areas of the reagent layer 67 other than the detecting spots 67a to
67f, the mean value of the detected intensities of the light beams
having been reflected from the detecting spots would be smaller
than 100 in the experiment using the unit for experiment. However,
since the mean value of the detected intensities of the light beams
having been reflected from the detecting spots was equal to 100 in
the experiment using the unit for experiment, it was confirmed that
the light collecting optical system did not collect the scattered
light. The effect described above is also obtained in cases where a
one-dimensional photodetector is employed as the photodetector in
lieu of the two-dimensional photodetector 50.
[0256] A blood testing apparatus 40F, which is a sixth embodiment
of the blood testing apparatus in accordance with the present
invention, will be described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 13.
The blood testing apparatus 40F illustrated in FIG. 13 is
constituted for the cases where a reagent layer 67F is provided
with a plurality of (by way of example, four) detecting spots 67a,
67b, 67c, and 67d, which are arrayed in one row. The blood testing
apparatus 40F is constituted basically in the same manner as that
in the blood testing apparatus 40D illustrated in FIG. 12, except
that four distributed index lenses 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d are
arrayed in one row, and a one-dimensional photodetector 72
constituted of a CCD linear sensor, or the like, is employed as the
photodetector.
[0257] In the blood testing apparatus 40F, when the measuring light
43 is irradiated to the reagent layer 67F, the light beams having
been reflected from the detecting spots 67a, 67b, 67c, and 67d of
the reagent layer 67F are efficiently collected respectively by the
distributed index lenses 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d. Therefore, the
intensity of the reflected light beam is measured with respect to
each of the distributed index lenses 71a to 71d, i.e. with respect
to each of the detecting spots 67a to 67d. Accordingly, with the
blood testing apparatus 40F, the optical density of each of the
detecting spots 67a to 67d having formed the colors is capable of
being detected in accordance with the photo detection signal S,
which is obtained from the one-dimensional photodetector 72.
[0258] In order for the concentrations of the specific substances,
which have reacted with the detecting spots 67a to 67d, to be
calculated from the optical densities of the detecting spots 67a to
67d, which optical densities change with the passage of time,
basically the same technique as the technique utilizing the
calibration curves, which technique is employed in the blood
testing apparatus 40 of FIG. 6, may be employed.
[0259] A blood testing unit 80, which is a fifth embodiment of the
blood testing unit in accordance with the present invention, will
be described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 14. The blood
testing unit 80 illustrated in FIG. 14 is constituted basically in
the same manner as that in the blood testing unit 60 shown in FIG.
11, except that a blood constituent separating membrane 66G is
located in parallel with a bottom wall 68 of an outer vessel body
61G, the opening 64 is formed through the bottom wall 68, and a
rod-shaped reagent layer 67G extends along the axial direction of
the outer vessel body 61G. By way of example, the reagent layer 67G
is provided with five detecting spots 67a, 67b, 67c, 67d, and 67e,
which are arrayed in one row.
[0260] With the blood testing unit 80, the blood sampling needle 30
is stuck through the rubber film 65, which closes the opening 64,
and the whole blood is introduced through the blood sampling needle
30 into the enclosed space in the outer vessel body 61G. The whole
blood having been introduced into the outer vessel body 61G spreads
over the blood constituent separating membrane 66G. The solid
constituents of the whole blood are caught on the surface of the
blood constituent separating membrane 66G, and the blood plasma
and/or the blood serum passes through the blood constituent
separating membrane 66G. The blood plasma and/or the blood serum,
which has passed through the blood constituent separating membrane
66G, spreads over the reagent layer 67G in the longitudinal
direction of the reagent layer 67G. Each of the detecting spots 67a
to 67e of the reagent layer 67G undergoes the reaction with one of
the specific substances, which are contained in the blood plasma
and/or the blood serum and are to be tested. As a result of the
reaction, each of the detecting spots 67a to 67e forms the
color.
[0261] In order for the optical densities of the detecting spots
67a to 67e having formed the colors to be detected, a blood testing
apparatus having a constitution basically similar to the
constitution of, for example, the blood testing apparatus 40F shown
in FIG. 13 may be utilized.
[0262] The inner vessel body 62 of the blood testing unit 80 is
provided with the air introducing hole 26, and the sealing member
27 for closing the air introducing hole 26 is adhered to the inner
vessel body 62. Therefore, with the air introducing hole 26 and the
sealing member 27, the same effects as those described above are
capable of being obtained.
[0263] A blood testing unit 90, which is sixth embodiment of the
blood testing unit in accordance with the present invention, will
be described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 15. The blood
testing unit 90 illustrated in FIG. 15 comprises a bag-shaped
vessel 73, which is made from a transparent flexible sheet material
and constitutes the closed vessel. The blood testing unit 90 also
comprises a cover member 75, which is made from a material having a
high rigidity and closes an open end area of the bag-shaped vessel
73. The cover member 75 is provided with a blood introducing
opening 74. The blood testing unit 90 further comprises a
permeation member 76, which is accommodated within the bag-shaped
vessel 73. The blood testing unit 90 still further comprises a
blood constituent separating membrane 77, which is located at an
intermediate area of the permeation member 76. The blood testing
unit 90 also comprises a reagent layer 67H, and a frame member 78,
which is fitted onto the bag-shaped vessel 73 so as to surround the
outer periphery of the bag-shaped vessel 73.
[0264] The permeation member 76 is constituted of a porous
structure material. The permeation member 76 is located such that
one end area of the permeation member 76 stands facing the blood
introducing opening 74 of the cover member 75, and the other end
area of the permeation member 76 is in contact with the reagent
layer 67H. The blood constituent separating membrane 77 is made
from a material basically similar to the material of the blood
constituent separating membrane 16 of the blood testing unit 10
illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, or the like. Also, as in the cases
of the reagent layer 67 shown in FIG. 11, and the like, the reagent
layer 67H comprises the plate-shaped nitrocellulose porous
membrane, and detecting spots 67a, 67b, 67c, and 67d, each of which
contain one of a plurality of different kinds (by way of example,
four kinds) of reagents, have been formed with a spotting process
on the nitrocellulose porous membrane. Each of the plurality of the
different kinds of the reagents is capable of undergoing a reaction
with one of a plurality of different substances contained in the
blood plasma and/or the blood serum and is capable of forming a
color as a result of the reaction.
[0265] How a blood test is performed by use of the blood testing
unit 90 described above will be described hereinbelow. Firstly, how
an operation for taking a blood sample is performed will be
described hereinbelow. In order for the blood sample to be taken,
for example, a small cut is formed in the finger F of a human body
by use of a lancet, or the like, and the whole blood 31 oozing from
the small cut in the finger F is supplied through the blood
introducing opening 74 to the permeation member 76. The whole blood
31 having been supplied to the permeation member 76 permeates
through the permeation member 76 toward the center area of the
bag-shaped vessel 73 and arrives at the blood constituent
separating membrane 77. The solid constituents of the whole blood
31 are caught on an end surface of the blood constituent separating
membrane 77, and the blood plasma and/or the blood serum passes
through the blood constituent separating membrane 77. The blood
plasma and/or the blood serum, which has passed through the blood
constituent separating membrane 77, spreads over the reagent layer
67H. Each of the detecting spots 67a to 67d of the reagent layer
67H undergoes the reaction with one of the specific substances,
which are contained in the blood plasma and/or the blood serum and
are to be tested. As a result of the reaction, each of the
detecting spots 67a to 67d forms the color.
[0266] In order for the optical densities of the detecting spots
67a to 67d having formed the colors to be detected, a blood testing
apparatus having a constitution basically similar to the
constitution of, for example, the blood testing apparatus 40D shown
in FIG. 12 may be utilized.
[0267] The frame member 78 is made from a material having a certain
degree of rigidity. The frame member 78 may be pushed with the
fingers from above and below and may thus be moved in the direction
indicated by the arrow Q in FIG. 16. In cases where the frame
member 78 is thus moved after the whole blood 31 has been
introduced into the bag-shaped vessel 73, the whole blood 31, which
permeates through the permeation member 76, is capable of being
drawn and sent to the blood constituent separating membrane 77.
Also, the blood plasma and/or the blood serum, which has been
separated by the blood constituent separating membrane 77 from the
whole blood 31 and permeates through the permeation member 76, is
capable of being drawn and sent to the reagent layer 67H.
Therefore, the blood plasma and/or the blood serum is capable of
being reliably supplied to the reagent layer 67H. Also, the time
required from the blood sampling to the spreading of the blood
plasma and/or the blood serum over the reagent layer 67H is capable
of being kept short.
[0268] In the blood testing unit 90, the closed vessel is
constituted of the bag-shaped vessel 73 made from the flexible
sheet material. Therefore, a plurality of bag-shaped vessels are
capable of being laid up one upon another with little gap
intervening between adjacent bag-shaped vessels. Accordingly,
effects of keeping the space for conveyance or storage of the
bag-shaped vessels small are obtained.
[0269] A blood testing unit 100, which is a seventh embodiment of
the blood testing unit in accordance with the present invention,
will be described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 17. The blood
testing unit 100 illustrated in FIG. 17 comprises a transparent
plate-shaped member 85. A straight-line fine path 81 acting as the
enclosed space is formed within the plate-shaped member 85. The
blood testing unit 100 also comprises a blood constituent
separating membrane 82, which is located at an intermediate area of
the fine path 81. The blood testing unit 100 further comprises a
reagent layer 67J, which is located at an end area of the fine path
81 within the plate-shaped member 85.
[0270] The fine path 81 has an opening 84 at an end surface 83 of
the plate-shaped member 85. The opening 84 constitutes the blood
introducing section. Also, as in the cases of the reagent layer 67G
shown in FIG. 14, and the like, the reagent layer 67J comprises the
rod-shaped nitrocellulose porous membrane, and the detecting spots
67a, 67b, 67c, and 67d, each of which contain one of a plurality of
different kinds (by way of example, four kinds) of reagents, have
been formed with a spotting process on the nitrocellulose porous
membrane. Each of the plurality of the different kinds of the
reagents is capable of undergoing a reaction with one of a
plurality of different substances contained in the blood plasma
and/or the blood serum and is capable of forming a color as a
result of the reaction.
[0271] How a blood test is performed by use of the blood testing
unit 100 described above will be described hereinbelow. Firstly,
how an operation for taking a blood sample is performed will be
described hereinbelow. In order for the blood sample to be taken,
for example, a small cut is formed in the finger F of a human body
by use of a lancet, or the like, and the cut area of the finger F
is pushed against the opening 84. As a result, the whole blood 31
oozing from the small cut in the finger F is supplied into the
opening 84. The whole blood 31 moves by capillary action through
the fine path 81 toward the center area of the fine path 81 and
arrives at the blood constituent separating membrane 82. The solid
constituents of the whole blood 31 are caught on an end surface of
the blood constituent separating membrane 82 (which end surface
stands facing the opening 84), and the blood plasma and/or the
blood serum passes through the blood constituent separating
membrane 82. The blood plasma and/or the blood serum, which has
passed through the blood constituent separating membrane 82,
spreads over the reagent layer 67J. Each of the detecting spots 67a
to 67d of the reagent layer 67J undergoes the reaction with one of
the specific substances, which are contained in the blood plasma
and/or the blood serum and are to be tested. As a result of the
reaction, each of the detecting spots 67a to 67d forms the
color.
[0272] In order for the optical densities of the detecting spots
67a to 67d having formed the colors to be detected, a blood testing
apparatus having a constitution basically similar to the
constitution of, for example, the blood testing apparatus 40F shown
in FIG. 13 may be utilized.
[0273] In order for the capillary action to be achieved, the fine
path 81 is open to the exterior of the plate-shaped member 85 via a
fine communication path 86. The communication path 86 is provided
with a trapping material 87, which allows air to pass therethrough
and traps water. Therefore, from the view point in that the blood
constituents are not allowed to leak to the exterior, it may be
regarded that the fine path 81 is closed with respect to the
exterior, except for the opening 84.
[0274] With the blood testing unit 100, the plate-shaped member 85
is capable of being formed so as to have a size and a thickness
approximately identical with the size and the thickness of, for
example, a credit card. Therefore, the blood testing unit 100 is
free from a risk of breakage and is capable of being carried
easily.
[0275] FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a different example of a
reagent layer 124 constituting the blood testing unit in accordance
with the present invention. In this example of the reagent layer
124, the area of the reagent layer 124, which area is other than
the detecting spots 24a, 24a and the detecting spots 24b, 24b
carrying the reagents, is formed as a black plane 124B. In cases
where the reagent layer 124 is formed in this manner, the problems
are capable of being prevented from occurring in that the measuring
light having been scattered by the area of the reagent layer, which
area is other than the detecting spots 24a, 24a and the detecting
spots 24b, 24b carrying the reagents, is detected by the photo
detecting means, and the accuracy of the blood test is affected
adversely. In lieu of the area of the reagent layer 124, which area
is other than the detecting spots 24a, 24a and the detecting spots
24b, 24b carrying the reagents, being formed as the black plane
124B, the area may be formed as a dark plane of a color close to
black, or a mirror plane. In such cases, the same effect as that
described above is capable of being obtained.
[0276] Experiments were conducted for confirmation of the effect
described above. In the experiments, an aqueous Bromophenol Blue
solution acting as a reagent was spotted onto a nitrocellulose
membrane, and a reagent layer was thus formed. Diameters of
detecting spots were set at 500 .mu.m, and pitches of the detecting
spots were set at 1 mm, such that the detecting spots having formed
colors may be arrayed at predetermined intervals. In this manner,
four detecting spots (i.e., two detecting spots arrayed in the
vertical direction.times.two detecting spots arrayed in the
horizontal direction) were formed. A halogen lamp was employed as a
light source for producing the measuring light, and R-60 (supplied
by Hoya Corp.) was employed as an optical filter. By use of the
halogen lamp and the optical filter, the measuring light was
irradiated to the detecting spots described above. Light having
been reflected from the detecting spots was guided to a CCD image
sensor. A mean value of the detected intensities of the light
having been reflected from the detecting spots was taken as 100.
Also, an experiment was conducted by use of a reagent layer, in
which the area of the reagent layer other than the detecting spots
had been set as a black area. In the experiment using the thus set
reagent layer, a mean value of the detected intensities of the
light having been reflected from the detecting spots was equal to
97. From the results of the experiments described above, it was
confirmed that the adverse effects of the scattered light coming
from the area other than the detecting spots could be
suppressed.
[0277] FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a further different
example of a reagent layer 167 constituting the blood testing unit
in accordance with the present invention. In this example of the
reagent layer 167, detecting areas 167a, 167b, 167c, and 167d
carrying the reagents are formed in a long strip-like shape.
[0278] A blood testing unit 110, which is an eighth embodiment of
the blood testing unit in accordance with the present invention,
will be described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 20. The blood
testing unit 110 illustrated in FIG. 20 is constituted basically in
the same manner as that in the blood testing unit 10 shown in FIG.
1, except that the blood testing unit 110 is provided with locking
means for keeping the states of an outer vessel body 11C and an
inner vessel body 21C when the pressure in the enclosed space
defined at the interior by the outer vessel body 11C and the inner
vessel body 21C has been set at the negative pressure. The locking
means comprises an L-shaped engagement groove 111, which is formed
in the inner peripheral wall surface of the outer vessel body 11C,
and an engagement protrusion 121, which protrudes from the outer
peripheral wall surface of the inner vessel body 21C and is
accommodated within the engagement groove 111.
[0279] In cases where the blood testing unit 110 is utilized for
the blood test, the inner vessel body 21C is pulled in the
direction heading away from the outer vessel body 11C, i.e.
downwardly in FIG. 20. (At this time, the engagement protrusion 121
moves downwardly in a vertical groove area of the outer vessel body
11C.) In this manner, the pressure in the enclosed space defined at
the interior by the outer vessel body 11C and the inner vessel body
21C is set at the negative pressure. Thereafter, the inner vessel
body 21C is rotated slightly in the direction indicated by the
arrow T in FIG. 20. As a result, the engagement protrusion 121 is
thus guided into a horizontal groove area of the outer vessel body
11C, and the inner vessel body 21C is prevented from moving in the
axial direction of the inner vessel body 21C. Therefore, the
problems are capable of being prevented from occurring in that the
outer vessel body 11C and the inner vessel body 21C naturally
return to the original states, i.e. the pressure in the enclosed
space returns from the negative pressure to the atmospheric
pressure. Accordingly, the outer vessel body 11C and the inner
vessel body 21C need not be held with the tips of the fingers of
the person in charge of the blood test such that the two vessel
bodies do not return to the original states. Accordingly, the
operation for introducing the blood sample into the closed vessel
is capable of being performed easily.
[0280] A seventh embodiment of the blood testing apparatus in
accordance with the present invention will be described hereinbelow
with reference to FIG. 21. FIG. 21 is a front view showing a light
receiving optical system of the seventh embodiment of the blood
testing apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The
seventh embodiment of the blood testing apparatus in accordance
with the present invention is utilized for performing the blood
test by use of, for example, the blood testing unit having the
reagent layer 67F shown in FIG. 13. In this embodiment, as the
light collecting optical system for collecting the beams of the
reflected light 43R, which beams have been reflected from the
detecting spots 67a, 67b, 67c, and 67d, and guiding the collected
beams of the reflected light 43R to the one-dimensional
photodetector 72, a lens array 170 comprising a plurality of
distributed index lenses 171, 171, . . . , which are arrayed in one
row, is employed.
[0281] With the constitution shown in FIG. 21, a beam of the
reflected light 43R, which beam has been reflected from one of the
detecting spots 67a, 67b, 67c, and 67d, is efficiently collected by
a group of a plurality of (in this example, four) distributed index
lenses 171, 171, . . . and guided to the one-dimensional
photodetector 72.
[0282] In the constitution shown in FIG. 21, as described above,
the beams of the reflected light 43R are collected by the plurality
of the lenses, which are arrayed in the one-dimensional direction.
Alternatively, the beams of the reflected light 43R may be
collected by a plurality of lenses, which are arrayed in
two-dimensional directions.
[0283] An eighth embodiment of the blood testing apparatus in
accordance with the present invention will be described hereinbelow
with reference to FIG. 24. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing a
light sending optical system of the eighth embodiment of the blood
testing apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The
eighth embodiment of the blood testing apparatus in accordance with
the present invention comprises four light emitting diodes 244a,
244b, 244c, and 244d, which produce the measuring light beams 43,
43, . . . having different wavelengths. The measuring light beam
43, which has been produced by the light emitting diode 244a, is
collimated by a collimator lens 245a, and the thus collimated
measuring light beam 43 is transmitted through a band pass filter
246a. In the same manner, the measuring light beams 43, 43, 43,
which have been produced by the light emitting diodes 244b, 244c,
and 244d, are collimated respectively by collimator lenses 245b,
245c, and 245d, and the thus collimated measuring light beams 43,
43, 43 are transmitted respectively through band pass filters 246b,
246c, and 246d.
[0284] The light emitting diodes 244a, 244b, 244c, and 244d, the
collimator lenses 245a, 245b, 245c, and 245d, and the band pass
filters 246a, 246b, 246c, and 246d are supported on a moving base
240. The moving base 240 is capable of being moved by driving means
250 in the array direction of the light emitting diodes 244a, 244b,
244c, and 244d, i.e. in the direction indicated by the arrow M in
FIG. 24. Also, the eighth embodiment of the blood testing apparatus
in accordance with the present invention comprises the light guide
member 45 for guiding the measuring light 43 in the same manner as
that in the light guide member 45 illustrated in FIG. 6. A chopper
251 is located in front of the light entry end face of the light
guide member 45.
[0285] With the constitution illustrated in FIG. 24, the moving
base 240 is moved, and one of the four light emitting diodes 244a,
244b, 244c, and 244d is selectively located at the position which
stands facing the light entry end face of the light guide member
45. In this manner, the moving base 240 is intermittently moved at
predetermined time intervals, and the four measuring light beams
43, 43, . . . having different wavelengths are successively
irradiated from the light radiating end face of the light guide
member 45 to the reagent layer of the blood testing unit (not shown
in FIG. 24).
[0286] With the constitution illustrated in FIG. 24, the chopper
251 is capable of being rotated and set in a state in which the
chopper 251 blocks the measuring light 43. Therefore, when the
chopper 251 is being set in this state, the operation for storing
the photo detection signal S, which is obtained from a
photodetector (not shown in FIG. 24), e.g. the two-dimensional
photodetector 50 illustrated in FIG. 6, may be performed. The thus
stored photo detection signal S is capable of being utilized as the
photo detection signal, which is obtained in cases where the
reflectivity of the reagent layer with respect to the measuring
light 43 is 0%. Therefore, the thus stored photo detection signal S
is capable of being utilized for the correction of the optical
density described above.
[0287] A blood testing apparatus 40H, which is a ninth embodiment
of the blood testing apparatus in accordance with the present
invention, will be described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 25.
The blood testing apparatus 40H illustrated in FIG. 25 is
constituted basically in the same manner as that in the blood
testing apparatus 40F illustrated in FIG. 13, except that, in lieu
of the single, comparatively large light guide member 70, four
light guide members 70a, 70b, 70c, and 70d are utilized. The four
light guide members 70a, 70b, 70c, and 70d irradiate the measuring
light beams 43, 43, . . . respectively to the four detecting spots
67a, 67b, 67c, and 67d of the reagent layer 67F.
[0288] The light guide members 70a, 70b, 70c, and 70d constitute
four independent light sending optical systems. Therefore, with the
constitution illustrated in FIG. 25, the measuring light beams,
which have been separated from one another such that each of the
measuring light beams has a wavelength adapted to one of the
reagents contained in the four detecting spots 67a, 67b, 67c, and
67d, are capable of being irradiated to the detecting spots 67a,
67b, 67c, and 67d as the independent measuring light irradiating
operations. Accordingly, the accuracy of the blood test is capable
of being enhanced.
[0289] Elements constituting the blood testing unit in accordance
with the present invention will hereinbelow be described in more
detail. As for several elements, how the elements are produced, and
the like, will also be described hereinbelow.
[0290] Firstly, an example of the porous structure material
constituting the reagent layer will be described hereinbelow. In
this example, the porous structure material was formed with a
calendering process from a nitrocellulose membrane or a polysulfone
membrane. Specifically, a 100 .mu.m-thick stainless steel flat
plate having 64 holes (i.e., eight holes arrayed in the vertical
direction.times.eight holes arrayed in the horizontal direction),
which had a diameter of 300 .mu.m and were arrayed such that the
distance between center points of adjacent holes was equal to 500
.mu.m, was prepared. A nitrocellulose membrane having a pore
diameter of 15 .mu.m (STHF, supplied by Millipore Corporation) was
then hot-pressed to the stainless steel flat plate at a temperature
of 140.degree. C. and a pressure of 500 kg/cm.sup.2 for two
minutes. In this manner, the porous structure material was formed
in each of the holes of the stainless steel flat plate. At the
region of the nitrocellulose membrane located on the side outward
from the holes of the stainless steel flat plate, the porous
structure of the nitrocellulose membrane was lost due to the hot
pressing, and the white membrane changed to a transparent film. In
this manner, a structure (a barrier), which was not permeable to
water, was formed on the side outward from the holes of the
stainless steel flat plate.
[0291] In lieu of the nitrocellulose membrane described above, a
nitrocellulose membrane having a pore diameter of 0.45 .mu.m (HA,
supplied by Millipore Corporation) may be employed. As another
alternative, a polysulfone membrane having a pore diameter falling
within the range of 0.5 .mu.m to 50 .mu.m (minimum pore diameter: 1
.mu.m to 2 .mu.m, supplied by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) may be
employed in lieu of the nitrocellulose membrane described above. As
a further alternative, a porous membrane constituted of acetyl
cellulose, cellulose, a nylon, or the like, may be employed in lieu
of the nitrocellulose membrane described above. Further, in lieu of
the stainless steel flat plate described above, a metal plate
constituted of nickel, copper, silver, gold, platinum, or the like,
may be employed. As another alternative, a resin plate constituted
of Teflon (trade name), a polystyrene, a polyethylene, or the like,
may be employed in lieu of the stainless steel flat plate described
above.
[0292] The porous structure material formed in the manner described
above is capable of being utilized for the formation of the reagent
layer 24, 67, 67F, 67G, 67H, or 67J in each of the embodiments
described above.
[0293] A different example of the porous structure material
constituting the reagent layer will be described hereinbelow. In
this example, the porous structure material was formed with a
coating process. Specifically, a 100 .mu.m-thick stainless steel
flat plate having 64 holes (i.e., eight holes arrayed in the
vertical direction.times.eight holes arrayed in the horizontal
direction), which had a diameter of 300 .mu.m and were arrayed such
that the distance between center points of adjacent holes was equal
to 500 .mu.m, was prepared. Styrene-butadiene rubber was then
coated on the stainless steel flat plate and dried. Thereafter, a
nitrocellulose solution (a 10 wt % solution in ethyl acetate) was
coated on the stainless steel flat plate. The nitrocellulose
solution, which remained at the region other than the holes of the
stainless steel flat plate, was then squeezed out, and the
nitrocellulose solution within the holes was dried. In this manner,
the porous structure material was formed in each of the holes of
the stainless steel flat plate.
[0294] The porous structure material formed in the manner described
above is capable of being utilized for the formation of the reagent
layer 24, 67, 67F, 67G, 67H, or 67J in each of the embodiments
described above.
[0295] In order for the reagent to be supported on the porous
structure material described above, for example, a predetermined
amount, e.g. approximately 1 nl (nanoliter), of the reagent may be
spotted onto the porous structure material by use of a commercially
available spotter, and the spotted reagent may then be dried to
form a detecting spot.
[0296] Also, in cases where the detecting spot is formed in the
manner described above, a barrier should preferably be formed
previously, such that the water-soluble reagent may not permeate
through the area other than the area acting as the detecting spot
of the porous structure material. As described above, in cases
where the porous structure material is formed with the technique
for the hot pressing described above, the barrier is formed
automatically with the hot pressing. Alternatively, the barrier may
be formed with heat fusion after the porous structure material has
been formed.
[0297] As another alternative, circular pieces of the
nitrocellulose membrane or the polysulfone membrane, which have a
diameter of 300 .mu.m and have been impregnated with reagents, may
be attached to a different nitrocellulose membrane or a different
polysulfone membrane, such that the circular pieces of the
nitrocellulose membrane or the polysulfone membrane may be located
at a predetermined spacing from one another and constitute
independent reagent areas. In this manner, a structure through
which the water-soluble reagent does not permeate is capable of
being formed around the reagent areas.
[0298] As for the blood constituent separating membrane, such as
the blood constituent separating membrane 16 illustrated in FIG. 2,
in cases where the reagent layer is pushed against the blood
constituent separating membrane, a protective membrane for
preventing the blood constituent separating membrane from being
damaged should preferably be overlaid on the surface of the blood
constituent separating membrane, which surface comes into contact
with the reagent layer. In order for the effect of the protective
membrane to be confirmed, the experiments described below were
performed. Specifically, a nylon mesh, which had a thickness
falling within the range of 300 .mu.m to 400 .mu.m and through
which a plurality of holes having a diameter falling within the
range of 200 .mu.m to 400 .mu.m had been perforated at 1 mm
pitches, was laminated with a blood constituent separating membrane
constituted of a polysulfone membrane. A circular piece having a
diameter of 10 mm was then punched out from the resulting laminate
and fitted in a plastic circular cylinder having an inner diameter
of 10 mm. Thereafter, 50 .mu.l (microliter) of whole blood was
spotted onto the circular piece of the laminate from the side of
the nylon mesh. Also, a plastic circular cylinder having an outer
diameter of 6 mm, in which a nitrocellulose membrane having a
diameter of 6 mm had been fitted to a bottom surface, was inserted
into the aforesaid plastic circular cylinder from the side of the
polysulfone membrane and brought into contact with the polysulfone
membrane at a pressure falling within the range of 300 kg/m.sup.2
to 500 kg/m.sup.2. A comparative experiment was conducted in the
same manner as that described above, except that the nylon mesh was
not laminated with the polysulfone membrane.
[0299] As a result, it was found that the polysulfone membrane
which had not been laminated with the nylon mesh suffered from
damage, and the polysulfone membrane which had been laminated with
the nylon mesh did not suffer from any damage.
[0300] A further different example of the reagent layer
constituting the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention will be described hereinbelow.
[0301] In this example, a nitrocellulose porous membrane having a
pore diameter of 0.45 .mu.m (supplied by Millipore Corporation) was
attached to slide glass for microscopic observation, which had a
size of 1 inch.times.3 inches. Also, an MES buffer solution, which
contained glucose oxidase, peroxidase, 1,7-dihydroxy naphthalene,
and 4-amino antipyrine and had been adjusted to a pH value falling
within the range of 5.5 to 6.5, was spotted onto the nitrocellulose
porous membrane by use of a micro spotter. More specifically, 24
spots (i.e., four spots arrayed in the vertical direction.times.six
spots arrayed in the horizontal direction) of the MES buffer
solution, each of which had a diameter of approximately 200 .mu.m,
were formed at intervals of 600 .mu.m on the nitrocellulose porous
membrane. The thus formed spots were then dried. In this manner,
glucose detecting spots, which were of the pigment types and had
the absorption characteristics such that the maximum absorption
wavelength was in the vicinity of 505 nm, were formed.
[0302] A halogen lamp was utilized as a light source, and light
having a predetermined intensity was produced by the halogen lamp.
The light having been produced by the halogen lamp was passed
through an optical filter for transmitting light having a
wavelength of 505 nm, and monochromatic light for use as the
measuring light was thus obtained. Also, a sample support base was
secured at a position spaced by a distance falling within the range
of 10 cm to 30 cm from the light source, and it was set such that
the distance between the nitrocellulose porous membrane placed on
the sample support base and the light source was kept at a
predetermined value. Further, an optical system for guiding the
reflected light, which was reflected from the glucose detecting
spots of the nitrocellulose porous membrane when the measuring
light was irradiated to the glucose detecting spots, through a lens
system having a 10-power magnification to a CCD detector was
located.
[0303] Within a photometric system blocked from external light, the
intensity of light, which was received by each of devices
constituting the CCD detector when the measuring light was blocked,
was measured. The thus measured light intensity was stored as the
light intensity at the time of 0% reflectivity. Thereafter, a white
plate was located at the same position as the position of the
nitrocellulose porous membrane, and the intensity of light, which
was received by each of devices constituting the CCD detector, was
measured. The thus measured light intensity was stored as the light
intensity at the time of 100% reflectivity.
[0304] The nitrocellulose porous membrane was secured at a
predetermined position, and human blood serum was spotted such that
the 24 detecting spots of the nitrocellulose porous membrane were
reliably wetted with the human blood serum. Also, while the light
having a wavelength of 505 nm was being irradiated to the
nitrocellulose porous membrane, the intensity of the reflected
light coming from the nitrocellulose porous membrane was measured
one time per 10 seconds. The thus measured intensity of the
reflected light was converted into an optical density of each of
the detecting spots having formed the colors. The value of the
optical density of each of the detecting spots reached a
predetermined value within approximately one minute after the blood
serum was spotted. The value of the optical density obtained at
this time was taken as an end point. In the same manner as that
described above, a plurality of blood serums, in which the glucose
concentrations were adjusted at different values, were spotted, and
a calibration curve of the optical density with respect to the
glucose concentration was thereby formed. In accordance with the
thus formed calibration curve, a glucose concentration of an
arbitrary human blood serum was capable of being calculated.
[0305] A still further different example of the reagent layer
constituting the blood testing unit in accordance with the present
invention will be described hereinbelow. In this example, 36 holes
(i.e., six holes arrayed in the vertical direction.times.six holes
arrayed in the horizontal direction), each of which had a diameter
of falling within the range of 200 .mu.m to 500p133m, were formed
at intervals two times as large as the hole diameter through a
polyethylene plate, which was colored in black, or a stainless
steel plate having a black surface. A nitrocellulose membrane was
then embedded in the holes. Also, an MES buffer solution, which
contained glucose oxidase, peroxidase, 1,7-dihydroxy naphthalene,
and 4-amino antipyrine and had been adjusted to a pH value falling
within the range of 5.5 to 6.5, was spotted onto the nitrocellulose
membrane by use of a micro spotter. The spotted solution was then
dried.
[0306] As for the thus formed reagent layer, in the same manner as
that described above, it had been confirmed that the glucose
concentration of human blood serum is capable of being
measured.
[0307] Elements constituting the blood testing apparatus in
accordance with the present invention will hereinbelow be described
in more detail.
[0308] As the light source for producing the measuring light,
besides the aforesaid light emitting diode for producing the
monochromatic light or the white light, a white light source, such
as a halogen lamp or a xenon lamp, may be employed. Also, as the
means for converting the measuring light into monochromatic light,
an optical filter, which transmits the light having wavelengths
falling within a range of approximately a center wavelength.+-.3
nm, is capable of being utilized appropriately. Alternatively, a
filter having comparatively bad monochromatic characteristics and
transmitting the light having wavelengths falling within a range of
approximately a center wavelength.+-.30 nm, which wavelengths fall
within the range of the absorption wavelengths of the reagents
having formed the colors, may be utilized. As another alternative,
a light emitting diode, a semiconductor laser, or the like, which
has good monochromatic characteristics and transmits only the light
having a wavelength falling within the range of the absorption
wavelengths of the reagents having formed the colors, may be
utilized alone without being combined with a filter.
[0309] As the means for detecting the light having been reflected
from the reagent layer, besides the aforesaid CCD detector, means
capable of performing simultaneous multiple-point detection, such
as a photodiode array or an optical multi-analyzer, may be
utilized. Alternatively, a plurality of devices, each of which is
capable of performing single-point detection, such as
photomultipliers, may be arrayed and utilized.
[0310] In order to obtain the photo detection signal S in cases
where the reflectivity of the reagent layer with respect to the
measuring light is 0%, besides the dummy unit 10K shown in FIG. 22
and the chopper 251 shown in FIG. 24, one of various other means
capable of blocking the measuring light, which travels toward the
reagent layer, or the light, which has been reflected from the
reagent layer and travels toward the photodetector, may be
utilized. As such means, besides the means for simply blocking the
light, the means, which changes the intensity of the light or the
direction of the optical path of the light by the utilization of
light interference, refraction, or diffraction, may be employed.
Alternatively, instead of the light being blocked optically,
electric power supplied to the light source for producing the
measuring light may be blocked, and the photo detection signal S
obtained from the photodetector at this time may be taken as the
photo detection signal obtained in cases where the reflectivity is
0%.
[0311] In order to obtain the photo detection signal S in cases
where the reflectivity of the reagent layer with respect to the
measuring light is 100%, besides the white plate 23W of the dummy
unit 10W shown in FIG. 22, operation may be performed, wherein the
measuring light is irradiated to a gray plate, a blue plate, a
green plate, a yellow plate, and a red plate, whose optical
densities are known. From the photo detection signal S obtained at
this time, the photo detection signal S at the time of 100%
reflectivity may be calculated.
[0312] Also, a black plate, which is of the same type as the black
plate 23K of the dummy unit 10K described above, and a white plate,
which is of the same type as the white plate 23W of the dummy unit
10W, may be formed at certain areas of the reagent layer 24. The
measuring light may be irradiated to the black plate and the white
plate. In this manner, the photo detection signal S at the time of
the 0% reflectivity and the photo detection signal S at the time of
the 100% reflectivity may be obtained.
[0313] Further, the technique, with which the blood testing
apparatus makes a judgment as to the start point of the color
forming reaction of the reagent layer, is not limited to the
technique for measuring the intensity of the light reflected from
the reagent layer. Specifically, a certain region or the entire
region of the blood testing unit may be brought into direct or
indirect contact with the blood testing apparatus, and the judgment
as to the start point of the color forming reaction of the reagent
layer may thus be made. As another alternative, a signal
representing the start of the color forming reaction may be fed
into the blood testing apparatus with a manual operation, which is
performed simultaneously with the loading of the blood testing unit
into the blood testing apparatus.
* * * * *