U.S. patent application number 12/224753 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-23 for method of sampling specimen, test method and dropping pipette and specimen sampler to be used therein.
This patent application is currently assigned to ARKRAY, Inc.. Invention is credited to Daisuke Matsumoto, Yasunori Shiraki.
Application Number | 20090100915 12/224753 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38475018 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090100915 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shiraki; Yasunori ; et
al. |
April 23, 2009 |
Method of Sampling Specimen, Test Method and Dropping Pipette and
Specimen Sampler to be Used Therein
Abstract
A method for taking a sample according to the present invention
includes the steps of drawing blood B1 into a vacuum blood
collection tube Cn and transferring at least part of the blood B1
from the vacuum blood collection tube Cn to a sample storage space
10a of a dropper A1. The vacuum blood collection tube Cn includes a
sample storage portion Sr and a stopper St sealing the sample
storage portion, and the drawing is performed by stabbing a hollow
needle into the stopper St. The dropper A1 includes an internal
space 10 at least part of which is the sample storage space 10a for
storing a sample and which includes a volume changeable space 10b
defined by an elastically deformable portion 12 having flexibility.
The dropper further includes an insertion portion 21 including a
through-hole 21a connected to the internal space 10, and the
transfer of the sample is performed by inserting the insertion
portion 21 into a through-hole H1 formed in the stopper by the
stabbing of the hollow needle into the stopper. With this method,
hygiene in taking a sample is properly maintained.
Inventors: |
Shiraki; Yasunori; (Kyoto,
JP) ; Matsumoto; Daisuke; (Kyoto, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAMRE, SCHUMANN, MUELLER & LARSON, P.C.
P.O. BOX 2902
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0902
US
|
Assignee: |
ARKRAY, Inc.
Kyoto-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
38475018 |
Appl. No.: |
12/224753 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
March 9, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2007/054650 |
371 Date: |
September 5, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
73/64.56 ;
73/864.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01L 3/5635 20130101;
G01N 35/1079 20130101; B01L 2200/026 20130101; B01L 3/0272
20130101; B01L 2400/0481 20130101; B01L 3/50825 20130101; B01L
3/0282 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
73/64.56 ;
73/864.01 |
International
Class: |
G01N 1/28 20060101
G01N001/28; G01N 1/18 20060101 G01N001/18; G01N 33/00 20060101
G01N033/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 9, 2006 |
JP |
2006-064030 |
Claims
1. A method for taking a sample, the method comprising the steps
of: drawing a sample into a sample container, the sample container
including a sample storage portion and a stopper sealing the sample
storage portion, the drawing being performed by stabbing a hollow
needle into the stopper; and transferring at least part of the
sample from the sample container to a sample storage space of a
dropper, the dropper including an internal space at least part of
which is the sample storage space for storing the sample and which
includes a volume changeable space defined by an elastically
deformable portion, the dropper further including an insertion
portion including a through-hole connected to the internal space,
the transfer of the sample being performed by inserting the
insertion portion into a through-hole formed in the stopper by the
stabbing of the hollow needle into the stopper.
2. A method for testing a sample, the method comprising the step of
testing the sample stored in the sample storage space after the
sample taking method as set forth in claim 1 is performed.
3. A dropper comprising an internal space at least part of which is
a sample storage space for storing a sample and which includes a
volume changeable space defined by an elastically deformable
portion having flexibility; and an insertion portion including a
through-hole connected to the internal space; wherein the insertion
portion is capable of being inserted into a through-hole formed in
a stopper by stabbing a hollow needle into the stopper.
4. The dropper according to claim 3, wherein the insertion portion
includes a portion whose cross sectional area reduces as
progressing toward an end of the insertion portion.
5. The dropper according to claim 3, wherein the insertion portion
includes an end having a periphery comprising a curved surface.
6. The dropper according to claim 3, wherein the insertion portion
includes an end formed with a surface inclined with respect to an
axial direction of the through-hole.
7. The dropper according to claim 3, wherein the insertion portion
includes a large-cross-section portion which is larger in cross
sectional area than adjacent portions in an axial direction of the
through-hole.
8. The dropper according to claim 3, wherein dimension of the
insertion portion in a cross section perpendicular to an axial
direction of the through-hole is not more than 3 mm.
9. The dropper according to claim 3, wherein the insertion portion
has a length of not more than 30 mm.
10. The dropper according to claim 3, wherein the insertion portion
is made of resin.
11. The dropper according to claim 10, wherein the resin is
polypropylene, polystyrene-based resin or nylon-based resin.
12. The dropper according to claim 10, wherein the resin is a
self-lubricating material such as polyacetal or polyamide (nylon 6,
nylon 66, nylon 11 or nylon 12) or a material containing
silicone.
13. A dropper comprising an internal space at least part of which
is a sample storage space for storing a sample and which includes a
volume changeable space defined by an elastically deformable
portion having flexibility; and an insertion portion including a
through-hole connected to the internal space; wherein the dropper
further includes a rigid portion defining part of the internal
space, located between the insertion portion and the elastically
deformable portion and formed integrally with at least the
elastically deformable portion.
14. The dropper according to claim 13, wherein the rigid portion
comprises a portion formed with a plurality of grooves extending in
a direction along a central axis of the through-hole.
15. The dropper according to claim 13, wherein the insertion
portion includes a portion whose cross sectional area reduces as
progressing toward an end of the insertion portion.
16. The dropper according to claim 13, wherein the insertion
portion includes an end having a periphery comprising a curved
surface.
17. The dropper according to claim 13, wherein the insertion
portion includes an end formed with a surface inclined with respect
to an axial direction of the through-hole.
18. The dropper according to claim 13, wherein the insertion
portion includes a large-cross-section portion which is larger in
cross sectional area than adjacent portions in an axial direction
of the through-hole.
19. The dropper according to claim 13, wherein dimension of the
insertion portion in a cross section perpendicular to an axial
direction of the through-hole is not more than 3 mm.
20. The dropper according to claim 13, wherein the insertion
portion has a length of not more than 30 mm.
21. The dropper according to claim 13, wherein the insertion
portion is made of resin.
22. The dropper according to claim 21, wherein the resin is
polypropylene, polystyrene-based resin or nylon-based resin.
23. The dropper according to claim 21, wherein the resin is a
self-lubricating material such as polyacetal or polyamide (nylon 6,
nylon 66, nylon 11 or nylon 12) or a material containing
silicone.
24. A sample collecting tool comprising: a dropper as set forth in
claim 3; and a guide which is generally cylindrical and capable of
being fitted to the dropper to accommodate the insertion portion on
a central axis in an internal space thereof.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for taking a
sample such as blood to be collected in a vacuum blood collection
tube, and a test method of the sample, while also relating to a
dropping pipette and a sample collecting tool used for such
purposes.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Tests for checking the blood components are widely performed
to grasp the condition of a human body. To perform such a test,
blood as a sample is drawn from a human body and collected in e.g.
a vacuum blood collection tube (see e.g. Patent document 1). The
blood collected in the vacuum blood collection tube is subjected to
a test for hemoglobin (hereinafter referred to as "Hb") or
C-reactive protein (hereinafter referred to as "CRP") by an optical
technique or a test for counting white blood cells, red blood cells
and blood platelets, for example.
[0003] FIG. 16 shows an example of stopper remover to be used
before transferring the blood (now shown) from a vacuum blood
collection tube Cn to a test apparatus. Specifically, the
illustrated stopper remover X is used for pulling out the stopper
St from the vacuum blood collection tube Cn, with the sample
storage portion Sr held. The stopper remover X includes a rod 91
and a pair of levers 92. The rod 91 includes an end 91a, which may
be made of rubber, and is vertically movable. The paired levers 92
include ends formed with pawls 92a. The levers are vertically
movable and can open and close. Firstly, to pull out the stopper
St, the rod 91 is moved down to press the end 91a against the
stopper St. Then, the paired levers 92 are closed to bring the
pawls 92a into engagement with the lower end of the stopper St. In
this state, the rod 91 and the levers 92 are moved upward. As a
result, the stopper St is removed from the sample storage portion
Sr. Thereafter, the sample storage portion Sr is set to the test
apparatus for testing the blood as the sample.
[0004] However, to improve the airtightness of the vacuum blood
collection tube Cn, the stopper St is strongly pressed into the
sample storage portion Sr. Thus, to pull out the stopper St, a
large force is required. Thus, in reaction to the pulling force,
the blood adhering to the stopper St may be scattered. Since the
scattered blood can be a source of infection, the works such as
properly wiping off the blood and sterilizing need to be performed.
The scattering of blood may occur even when the stopper St is
manually removed without using the above-described stopper remover
X. In this way, the operation to pull out the stopper St from the
vacuum blood collection tube has a hygiene problem.
[0005] Patent Document 1: JP-A-2005-224366
[0006] Patent Document 2: JP-A-5-228379
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An object of the present invention, which is proposed under
the circumstances described above, is to provide a method for
taking a sample, a method for testing a sample, and a dropper and a
sample collecting tool used for such purposes, which are capable of
properly maintaining hygiene.
[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method for taking a sample comprising the steps of
drawing a sample into a sample container and transferring at least
part of the sample from the sample container to a sample storage
space of a dropper. The sample container includes a sample storage
portion and a stopper sealing the sample storage portion, and the
drawing is performed by stabbing a hollow needle into the stopper.
The dropper includes an internal space at least part of which is
the sample storage space for storing the sample and which includes
a volume changeable space defined by an elastically deformable
portion having flexibility. The dropper further includes an
insertion portion including a through-hole connected to the
internal space, and the transfer of the sample is performed by
inserting the insertion portion into a through-hole formed in the
stopper by the stabbing of the hollow needle into the stopper.
[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method for testing a sample. The method comprises
testing the sample stored in the sample storage space after the
sample taking method as set forth in claim 1 is performed.
[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a dropper comprising an internal space at least part of
which is a sample storage space for storing a sample and which
includes a volume changeable space defined by an elastically
deformable portion having flexibility, and an insertion portion
including a through-hole connected to the internal space. The
insertion portion is capable of being inserted into a through-hole
formed in a stopper by stabbing a hollow needle into the
stopper.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the insertion portion includes a
portion whose cross sectional area reduces as progressing toward
the end of the insertion portion.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the insertion portion includes an
end having a periphery comprising a curved surface.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the insertion portion includes an
end formed with a surface inclined with respect to an axial
direction of the through-hole.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the insertion portion includes a
large-cross-section portion which is larger in cross sectional area
than adjacent portions in an axial direction of the
through-hole.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the dimension of the insertion
portion in a cross section perpendicular to an axial direction of
the through-hole is not more than 3 mm.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the insertion portion has a
length of not more than 30 mm.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the insertion portion is made of
resin.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the resin is polypropylene,
polystyrene-based resin or nylon-based resin.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the resin is a self-lubricating
material such as polyacetal or polyamide (nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon
11 or nylon 12) or a material containing silicone.
[0020] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention; there
is provided a dropper comprising an internal space at least part of
which is a sample storage space for storing a sample and which
includes a volume changeable space defined by an elastically
deformable portion having flexibility, and an insertion portion
including a through-hole connected to the internal space. The
dropper further includes a rigid portion defining part of the
internal space, located between the insertion portion and the
elastically deformable portion and formed integrally with at least
the elastically deformable portion.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the rigid portion comprises a
portion formed with a plurality of grooves extending in a direction
along a central axis of the through-hole.
[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the insertion portion includes a
portion whose cross sectional area reduces as progressing toward an
end of the insertion portion.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the insertion portion includes an
end having a periphery comprising a curved surface.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the insertion portion includes an
end formed with a surface inclined with respect to an axial
direction of the through-hole.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the insertion portion includes a
large-cross-section portion which is larger in cross sectional area
than adjacent portions in an axial direction of the
through-hole.
[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the dimension of the insertion
portion in a cross section perpendicular to an axial direction of
the through-hole is not more than 3 mm.
[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the insertion portion has a
length of not more than 30 mm.
[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the insertion portion is made of
resin.
[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the resin is polypropylene,
polystyrene-based resin or nylon-based resin.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the resin is a self-lubricating
material such as polyacetal or polyamide (nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon
11 or nylon 12) or a material containing silicone.
[0031] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a sample collecting tool comprising a dropper provided
according to the third or fourth aspect of the present invention
and a guide which is generally cylindrical and capable of being
fitted to the dropper to accommodate the insertion portion on a
central axis in an internal space thereof.
[0032] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become more apparent from the detailed description given below with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a dropper and a sample
collecting tool according to the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the dropper
and the sample collecting tool according to the present
invention.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a front view, partially in section, showing the
main body of the dropper according to the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a sectional view-taken along lines IV-IV in FIG.
3.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a front view, partially in section, showing the
cap of the dropper according to the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 6 is a front view, partially in section, showing the
guide of a sample collecting tool according to the present
invention.
[0039] FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the step of drawing blood
into a vacuum blood collection tube in a method for testing a
sample according to the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the step of mounting a
sample collecting tool to a vacuum blood collection tube in the
method for testing a sample according to the present invention
[0041] FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the step of pressing the
elastically deformable portion in the method for testing a sample
according to the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the step of taking the
blood in the method for testing a sample according to the present
invention.
[0043] FIG. 11 is a front view, partially in section, showing the
cap of another example of dropper according to the present
invention.
[0044] FIG. 12 is a front view, partially in section, showing the
cap of another example of dropper according to the present
invention.
[0045] FIG. 13 is a front view, partially in section, showing the
cap of another example of dropper according to the present
invention.
[0046] FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing another example of
dropper according to the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing another example of
dropper according to the present invention.
[0048] FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing a stopper remover used
for a conventional method for testing a sample.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0049] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0050] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of sample collecting tool
according to the present invention. The illustrated sample
collecting tool C includes a dropper A1 and a guide. B. The sample
collecting tool is used for taking blood B1, which is an example of
sample, from a vacuum blood collection tube Cn. The vacuum blood
collection tube Cn is an example of sample container of the present
invention and includes a sample storage portion Sr and a stopper
St.
[0051] The dropper A1 comprises a main body 1 and a cap 2, and
includes an internal space 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 1
and the cap 2 are connected to each other by screwing, fitting or
bonding, for example. The dropper A1 is designed to take the blood
B1 from the sample storage portion Sr without pulling out the
stopper St.
[0052] The main body 1 is made of a translucent, appropriately soft
resin such as low-density polyethylene and includes a holder 11 and
an elastically deformable portion 12. The holder 11 is generally
cylindrical. In connecting the main body 1 and the cap 2 to each
other, the holder is held. The holder 11 is an example of rigid
portion of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the
holder 11 is formed with a plurality of grooves 11a. The grooves
11a enhance the rigidity of the holder 11. Thus, even when e.g. a
force to screw the main body 1 into the cap 2 is applied, the
holder 11 is hardly deformed.
[0053] The elastically deformable portion 12 comprises a
cylindrical portion connected to the holder 11 and a dome-shaped
portion connected to the cylindrical portion. The elastically
deformable portion 12 easily deforms elastically by such a force as
that applied in pinching it with fingers, for example. The
elastically deformable portion 12 defines therein a volume
changeable space 10b which is part of the inner space 10. When the
elastically deformable portion 12 is deformed, the volume of the
volume changeable space 10b changes.
[0054] The elastically deformable portion 12 is formed with a
groove 12a. The groove 12a extends around the elastically
deformable portion 12 and is used as a mark for taking the blood B1
by an amount suitable for the test. In this embodiment, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 3, the portion of the inner space 10 which is lower
than the groove 12a serves as a sample storage space 10a for
storing a sample such as blood B1. For instance, the sample storage
space 10a is capable of storing 200 to 300 .mu.l of blood B1.
[0055] A flange 13 is formed at an end of the holder 11. The flange
13 has a diameter which is larger than that of the holder 11 and
the elastically deformable portion 12 and is utilized for
controlling the mounting depth of the main body 1 to the cap 2. The
flange 13 is also utilized for mounting the main body 1 to a
centrifugal separator after the blood sampling is performed.
Specifically, a centrifugal separator of this type generally
includes a port in the form of a deep hole for mounting the main
body 1. By bringing the flange 13 into engagement with the edge of
the port, the main body 1 is prevented from entering the port too
deeply.
[0056] The cap 2 is made of an appropriately hard resin such as
polypropylene and includes an insertion portion 21 and a flange 22.
The insertion portion 21 is a portion to be inserted into a hole H1
formed in the stopper St and thinner than other portions of the cap
2 and the main body 1. The insertion portion 21 is formed with a
through-hole 21a. The through-hole 21a is used for transferring
part of the blood B1 from the sample storage portion Sr to the
inner space 10 of the main body 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the
cross-section of the insertion portion 21 becomes smaller as
progressing toward the end. The periphery of the end of the
insertion portion 21A comprises a curved surface 21b. In this
embodiment, the insertion portion 21 has a length L of about 10 mm,
an outer diameter Do of about 1 mm and an inner diameter Di of
about 20 .mu.m. The dimensions of the insertion portion are not
limited to these values, but it is preferable that the length L is
not more than 30 mm, the outer diameter Do is not more than 3 mm,
and the inner diameter Di is not less than 10 .mu.m.
[0057] The flange 22 is provided at the end of the cap 2 which is
opposite from the insertion portion 21. The flange 22 is used for
fitting the cap 2 to the guide B. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the
flange 22 is formed with two projections 22a. The two projections
22a are brought into engagement with part of the guide B.
[0058] The guide B is used for arranging the dropper A1 generally
coaxially with the vacuum blood collection tube Cn. The guide
includes two cylindrical portions 61 and 62, and a stepped portion
63 connecting the two cylindrical portions 61 and 62 to each other.
As shown in FIG. 1, the cylindrical portion 61 serves to
accommodate the stopper St of the vacuum blood collection tube Cn.
As shown in FIG. 6, the cylindrical portion 61 is formed with a
plurality of recesses 61a. The recesses 61a enhance the rigidity of
the cylindrical portion 61. The lower end of each recess 61a can be
utilized for controlling the mounting depth of a vacuum blood
collection tube having a shape which is different from that of the
vacuum blood collection tube Cn shown in FIG. 1. The stepped
portion 63 is to engage the stopper St to control the mounting
depth of the vacuum blood collection tube Cn. The guide B is made
of an appropriately hard resin such as polypropylene,
polystyrene-based resin or nylon-based resin. By the use of these
materials, the guide B has such a high rigidity that it hardly
deforms due to the force applied in mounting the dropper A1 or the
vacuum blood collection tube Cn. Instead of the cylindrical portion
61 of this embodiment, the guide B may include a plurality of legs
extending from the cylindrical portion 62. Preferably, the legs are
arranged to flare from the cylindrical portion 62, i.e., the
distance between adjacent legs increases as separating from the
cylindrical portion 62. With this arrangement, various kinds of
vacuum blood collection tubes Cn having different sizes can be
mounted properly.
[0059] The cylindrical portion 62 is a portion to which the dropper
A1 is mounted. The cylindrical portion 62 is smaller in diameter
than the cylindrical portion 61. As shown in FIG. 2, the
cylindrical portion 62 is formed with two cutouts 62a and two eaves
62b. The two cutouts 62a are formed at an end of the cylindrical
portion 62 to be arranged across the central axis of the
cylindrical portion 62 and generally rectangular. Each of the two
eaves 62b is provided between the two cutouts 62a and extends from
the edge of the cylindrical portion 62 toward the central axis of
the cylindrical portion 62.
[0060] To mount the dropper A1 to the guide B, with the two
projections 22a of the dropper A1 aligned with the two cutouts 62a
of the guide B, the insertion portion 21 of the dropper A1 is put
into the guide B. Then, after the two projections 22a are received
in the two cutouts 62a, respectively, the dropper A1 is rotated
around the central axis relative to the guide B. As a result, the
two projections 22a of the dropper A1 engage the two eaves 62b of
the guide B. Thus, the dropper A1 is mounted to the guide B. As
shown in FIG. 1, by this mounting, the flange 22 of the dropper A1
is fitted to the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 62 of the
guide B. Thus, the insertion portion 21 is arranged coaxially with
the cylindrical portions 61, 62.
[0061] A method for testing a sample according to the present
invention will be described below.
[0062] FIG. 7 shows the step of drawing blood B1 into the sample
storage portion Sr of a vacuum blood collection tube Cn. First, a
vacuum blood collection tube Cn kept at a room temperature and a
blood collection holder Hd including a needle Nd are prepared. A
tourniquet (not shown) is put around an arm (not shown) of a
patient whose blood B1 is to be tested. Then, an upper portion of
the needle Nd is stabbed into the arm. In this state, the blood
collection holder Hd is fixed. Then, the vacuum blood collection
tube Cn is inserted into the blood collection holder Hd. By this
insertion, the lower portion of the needle Nd is stabbed into the
substantial center of the stopper St. As a result, blood B1 starts
to flow from the arm of the patient into the sample storage portion
Sr of the vacuum blood collection tube Cn. When a predetermined
amount of blood B1 is collected in the sample storage portion Sr,
the vacuum blood collection tube Cn is pulled out from the blood
collection holder Hd. By the above-described stabbing of the needle
Nd, a hole H1 is formed in the stopper St. However, since the
stopper St is generally made of rubber and pressed into the sample
storage portion Sr, the hole H1 immediately closes when the needle
Nd is pulled out.
[0063] Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the sample collecting tool C is
mounted to the vacuum blood collection tube Cn. Specifically, for
instance, the mounting is performed by turning the vacuum blood
collection tube Cn upside down from the state shown in FIG. 7 and
inserting the stopper St into the cylindrical portion 61 of the
holder B. When the end of the stopper St enters the cylindrical
portion 61, the cylindrical portion 61 and the stopper St are
coaxial with each other. Thus, the insertion portion 21 of the
dropper A1 is positioned directly under the hole H1 of the stopper
St. When the vacuum blood collection tube Cn is further
moved-downward, the insertion portion 21 enters the hole H1 while
spreading the hole H1. The stopper St is inserted until it engages
the stepped portion 63, so that the insertion portion 21 penetrates
the stopper St, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0064] Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the elastically deformable portion
12 of the dropper A1 is pressed with fingers Fg. Since the
elastically deformable portion 12 is made of low-density
polyethylene which is an appropriately soft resin, it can be easily
pressed manually. By pressing the elastically deformable portion
12, the volume of the volume changeable space 10b reduces, and the
air corresponding to the decrement of the volume is released into
the vacuum blood collection tube Cn.
[0065] Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the fingers Fg are opened to
release the elastically deformable portion 12. When the force
applied by the fingers Fg is removed, the elastically deformable
portion 12 returns to its original shape, so that the volume of the
volume changeable space 10b increases. As a result, the pressure in
the internal space 10 becomes lower than that in the sample storage
portion Sr. Thus, part of the blood B1 stored in the sample storage
portion S4 is transferred into the internal space 10 of the dropper
A1 through the insertion portion 21. This transfer of the blood B1
is continued until the blood fills the sample storage space 10a to
reach the groove 12a. In this way, the blood B1 of the amount
necessary for the test is taken from the vacuum blood collection
tube Cn into the dropper A1.
[0066] Thereafter, the vacuum blood collection tube Cn is pulled
out from the sample collecting tool C. The dropper A1 may be
removed from the guide B as required. Then, the blood B1 is
transferred from the dropper A1 into a test apparatus (not shown).
In the test apparatus, a test for Hb or CRP by an optical
technique, a test for counting white blood cells, red blood cells
and blood platelets and so on may be performed.
[0067] The advantages of the dropper A1, the sample collecting tool
C and the method for testing a sample using these will be described
below.
[0068] According to this embodiment, the blood B1 is taken from the
vacuum blood collection tube Cn by inserting the insertion portion
21 of the dropper A1 into the hole H1 formed in the stopper St.
Thus, it is possible to take the blood B1 without pulling out the
stopper St from the vacuum blood collection tube Cn. Thus, there is
no possibility that the blood B1 scatters, which may occur in
pulling out the stopper St. Thus, the place where the work of
taking blood B1 from the vacuum blood collection tube Cn is
performed and the test apparatus for testing the blood B1 are kept
hygienic.
[0069] Unlike the permanent part of an apparatus designed to
automatically take blood B1 from the vacuum blood collection tube
Cn, the dropper A1 used for taking the blood B1 from the vacuum
blood collection tube Cn has a manually-operable, simple structure.
Further, a common resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene is
employed as the material. Thus, the dropper A1 can be manufactured
at a relatively low cost, so that the dropper A1 is suitable for
use as a disposable part. The use of a disposable dropper is
convenient, because cleaning or sterilization is not necessary.
Further, the use of a disposable dropper is advantageous for
keeping the place where the work of taking blood B1 from the vacuum
blood collection tube Cn is performed and the test apparatus to
test the blood B1 hygienic.
[0070] The end of the insertion portion 21 of the dropper A1 is
formed with the curved surface 21b. Thus, when the insertion
portion 21 is pressed against the hole H1 of the stopper St, the
end of the insertion portion 21 is not caught on the edge of the
hole H1. Thus, the insertion portion 21 smoothly enters the hole
H1. Further, since the cross section of the insertion portion 21 is
smaller at a portion closer to the end, the insertion portion 21
spreads the hole H1 in entering the hole H1. Thus, the insertion
portion 21, which is relatively thin and long, is inserted into the
hole H1 continuously and smoothly.
[0071] The insertion portion 21 is made of polypropylene and hence
appropriately hard. Thus, the insertion portion 21 is unlikely to
break in entering the hole H1 of the stopper St, which is generally
made of rubber. To set the outer diameter of the insertion portion
21 to not more than 3 mm is particularly suitable for achieving
both the smooth insertion and the prevention of breakage of the
insertion portion 21. Further, when the length of the insertion
portion 21 is not more than 30 mm, the insertion portion 21 is
prevented from buckling due to the manual insertion. Moreover,
since the end of the insertion portion 21 is formed with the curved
surface 21b and the cap 2 is made of polypropylene which is a
resin, the end of the insertion portion 21 does not hurt the body
of the user of the dropper A1 or sample collecting tool C. The
material of the insertion portion 21 is not limited to
polypropylene and may be other materials as long as they are
suitable for the insertion into the hole H1 of the stopper St,
which may be made of rubber. For instance, polystyrene-based resin
or nylon-based resin may be employed. With the use of these
materials, an appropriately hard insertion portion 21 is obtained.
Alternatively, the insertion portion 21 may be made of a
self-lubricating material (e.g. polyacetal or polyamide (e.g. nylon
6, nylon 66, nylon 11 or nylon 12)) or a material containing
silicone. With the use of these materials, the lubricity for the
stopper St enhances. The insertion portion 21 may be subjected to
surface modification by e.g. coating, heat treatment or infrared
irradiation.
[0072] By employing the structure made up of two parts, i.e., the
main body 1 and cap 2, the dropper A1 including the hard insertion
portion 21 and the soft elastically deformable portion 12 is
obtained. With this arrangement, the insertion portion 21 is
smoothly inserted into the hole H1 of the stopper St, while the
extent to which the elastically deformable portion 12 is pressed
with fingers Fg is easily adjusted. The same advantages may be
obtained by forming the dropper A1 as a single-piece part by using
e.g. resin. In this case, the portion corresponding to the
insertion portion 21 is made to have an appropriately large wall
thickness, while the portion corresponding to the elastically
deformable portion 12 is made to have a relatively small wall
thickness.
[0073] Polypropylene for forming the insertion portion 21 has an
appropriately high hydrophobicity and water repellency. Thus, the
sample such as blood B1 applied to the insertion portion 21 is
easily repelled, which is suitable for preventing the sample from
scattering or dripping.
[0074] In the sample collecting tool C, by mounting the dropper A1
to the guide B, the insertion portion 21 of the dropper A1 is
reliably positioned coaxially with the hole H1 of the stopper St.
Thus, the insertion portion 21 is inserted into the hole H1 without
the need for visually aligning the insertion portion 21 with the
hole H1. Moreover, the stopper St moves along the inner surface of
the cylindrical portion 61 of the guide B. Thus, the insertion
portion 21 and the hole H1 do not incline largely with respect to
each other.
[0075] The holder 11 has an appropriately high rigidity owing to
the provision of the grooves 11a. Thus, the holder 11 is not
deformed due to the force applied in connecting the main body 1 and
the cap 2 to each other or the force applied in pressing the
elastically deformable portion 12. Further, by forming the grooves
in a limited region, both of the holder 11 which has an
appropriately high rigidity and the elastically deformable portion
12 which is flexible are obtained while making the main body 1 as a
single-piece part. This is advantageous for reducing the number of
parts for forming the dropper A1.
[0076] Before the blood B1 is taken, a separating agent for
separating the blood B1 into blood plasma and blood cell components
may be put in the main body 1 in advance. When the blood B1 mixed
with the separating agent in the internal space 10 is centrifuged,
the blood is separated into blood cell components, the separating
agent and blood plasma in the mentioned order from the sample
storage space 10a toward the volume changeable space 10b. In this
state, when the elastically deformable portion 12 is pinched with
fingers, blood plasma, the separating agent and blood cell
components move in the mentioned order toward the insertion portion
21. The portion of the internal space 10 which is formed with
grooves 11a is smaller in cross section than the elastically
deformable portion 10a. Thus, when the separating agent reaches the
portion formed with the grooves 11a, the dimension of the
separating agent in the direction along the central axis of the
main body 1 increases. This prevents the blood cell components from
passing over the separating agent to mix with the blood plasma
within the internal space 10. When the separating agent contains a
coagulant, the blood B1 is separated into blood serum and protein
which is a clotting factor. In this case again, the protein is
prevented from passing over the separating agent to mix with the
blood serum.
[0077] Alternatively, glass fiber may be put in the main body 1 in
advance. Glass fiber is likely to adsorb red blood cells contained
in blood. Thus, in discharging blood from the main body 1 for
testing, the discharge of red blood cells is prevented. Generally,
in a biochemical test, an error is likely to occur when the sample
tested contains a large amount of red blood cells like that having
a high hematocrit. The use of glass fiber reduces the influence of
red blood cells, whereby the accuracy of the test is enhanced.
[0078] FIGS. 11-15 show other embodiments of the present invention.
In these figures, the elements which are identical or similar to
those of the foregoing embodiment are designated by the same
reference signs as those used for the foregoing embodiment.
[0079] FIG. 11 shows another example of insertion portion 21 of the
dropper A1. Unlike the foregoing embodiment, the insertion portion
21 shown in the figure includes a large-cross-section portion 21d.
The large-cross-section portion 21d has a cross sectional area
which is larger than the adjacent portions in the direction along
the central axis of the through-hole 21a, i.e., the longitudinal
direction of the insertion portion 21. In this embodiment, the end
surface of the large-cross-section portion 21d which is closer to
the end of the insertion portion 21 extends perpendicularly to the
longitudinal direction of the insertion portion 21. The cross
sectional area of the large-cross-section portion 21d increases as
progressing toward the end of the insertion portion 21.
[0080] According to this embodiment, in inserting the insertion
portion 21 into the hole H1 of the stopper St, the end surface of
the large-cross-section portion 21d engages the stopper St to
produce a high resistance. Due to the resistance, the insertion
portion 21 is prevented from entering too deeply into the hole H1.
The cross sectional area of the large-cross-section portion 21d
which increases as progressing toward the end of the insertion
portion 21 is suitable for producing a high resistance. With this
structure, the excessive insertion of the insertion portion 21 is
effectively prevented not only in taking the blood B1 using the
sample collecting tool C but also in taking the blood B1 using only
the dropper A1.
[0081] FIG. 12 shows another example of insertion portion 21. The
insertion portion 21 shown in the figure includes a
large-cross-section portion 21d which is different from that shown
in FIG. 11. Specifically, the large-cross-section portion 21d of
this embodiment has an annular shape which is semicircular in cross
section. In visually checking the insertion depth of the insertion
portion 21, the large-cross-section portion having this structure
is utilized as a mark indicating the proper insertion depth of the
insertion portion 21. Further, when the large-cross-section portion
21d is inserted into the hole H1, the hole H1 and the
large-cross-section portion 21 come into contact with each other at
a high pressure. Thus, an undesirable gap is not formed between the
hole H1 and the insertion portion 21, so that the blood B1 is
prevented from leaking.
[0082] FIG. 13 shows still another example of insertion portion 21.
Unlike the foregoing embodiments, the end of the insertion portion
21 shown in the figure is formed with an inclined surface 21c. The
surface 21c is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction
of the insertion portion 21. This structure ensures the smooth
insertion of the insertion portion 21 into the hole H1 of the
stopper St.
[0083] FIG. 14 shows another example of dropper according to the
present invention. The dropper A2 of this embodiment differs from
the foregoing embodiment in the manner in which the main body 1 and
the cap 2 come into contact with each other. Specifically, in this
example, the portion of the main body 1 which extends from the
flange 13 to the end thereof is longer than that of the foregoing
embodiment. With this structure, the end of the main body 1 is held
in contact with the inner surface of the cap 2. Thus, the main body
1 is held in contact with the cap 2 at two points, i.e., at the end
and the flange 13. By increasing the contact point between the main
body 1 and cap 2 in this way, the airtightness of the dropper A2 is
reliably maintained. This is suitable for preventing blood from
scattering and hence preventing infection.
[0084] FIG. 15 shows still another example of dropper according to
the present invention. The dropper A3 of this embodiment differs
from the foregoing embodiments in structure of the cap 2.
Specifically, the cap 2 of this embodiment is formed with an inner
rib 23. The inner rib 23 has a cylindrical shape extending from the
insertion portion 21 side toward the flange 22. A gap for receiving
the end of the main body 1 is defined between the inner rib 23 and
the outer cylindrical portion of the cap. By fitting the end of the
main body 1 into the gap, the end of the main body 1 and the inner
rib 23 or the outer cylindrical portion of the cap 2 come into
pressure contact with each other. Thus, the airtightness of the
dropper A3 is enhanced. The dropper 2 is further formed with an
annular projection 24. The annular projection 24 is arranged to
face the flange 13. Thus, when the main body 1 is fitted into the
cap 2, the flange 13 crushes the annular projection 24. The crushed
annular projection 24 functions as a sealing member. This also
enhances the airtightness of the dropper A3.
[0085] The sample test method, the dropper and the sample
collecting tool according to the present invention are not limited
to the foregoing embodiments. The specific structure of each part
of the sample test method, the dropper and the sample collecting
tool may be varied in design in many ways.
[0086] The dropper according to the present invention is not
limited to that made up of a main body and a cap. For instance, the
dropper may have a single-piece structure. Alternatively, the
holder and the elastically deformable portion of the
above-described main body may be separate parts. In the foregoing
embodiments, the sample storage space is included in the volume
changeable space. However, the present invention is not limited to
this, and the sample storage space and the volume changeable space
are provided individually via e.g. a contracted portion. Although
it is preferable that the dropper is made of resin, the present
invention is not limited to this. The sample container of the
present invention is not limited to a vacuum blood collection tube
but refers to various containers for storing sample such as blood.
The rigid portion of the present invention is not limited to one
obtained by forming a plurality of grooves, and it is only
necessary that the rigid portion has a rigidity higher than that of
the elastically deformable portion. For instance, the rigid portion
having such a high rigidity may be obtained by appropriately
selecting the thickness or material.
[0087] The sample test method according to the present invention is
not limited to one that uses a sample collecting tool made up of a
dropper and a guide. For instance, in a sample test method of the
present invention, sample may be taken from a sample container such
as a vacuum blood collection tube using only a dropper. The sample
in the present invention is not limited to blood but includes
various liquids as a target of various kinds of tests.
* * * * *