U.S. patent application number 13/895805 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-28 for decompression mechanism, puncturing apparatus, and blood analysis apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to PANASONIC CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is PANASONIC CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Masaki FUJIWARA, Yohei HASHIMOTO.
Application Number | 20130317323 13/895805 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42242499 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130317323 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FUJIWARA; Masaki ; et
al. |
November 28, 2013 |
DECOMPRESSION MECHANISM, PUNCTURING APPARATUS, AND BLOOD ANALYSIS
APPARATUS
Abstract
Provided are a decompression mechanism capable of performing a
desired pressure reduction by simple operation and having improved
operability, a puncture device, a blood analysis device, and a
sensor mounting mechanism. A needle puncturing device includes: a
piston having at one end thereof an end part for forming a part of
a sensor mounting mechanism and at the other end an end part for
slidably supporting a rod of a lancet section; a cylinder for
slidably containing therein the end section of the piston; and
packing mounted to the inner periphery of the end part of the
piston and maintaining the air-tightness of the outer periphery of
the rod. When the piston is moved in the direction toward the
cylinder with a skin contact part in contact with the skin, the
volumes of an internal space and a pressure reduction chamber are
increased to produce a reduced pressure.
Inventors: |
FUJIWARA; Masaki; (Ehime,
JP) ; HASHIMOTO; Yohei; (Ehime, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PANASONIC CORPORATION |
Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
PANASONIC CORPORATION
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
42242499 |
Appl. No.: |
13/895805 |
Filed: |
May 16, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13133258 |
Jun 7, 2011 |
8469881 |
|
|
PCT/JP2009/005380 |
Oct 15, 2009 |
|
|
|
13895805 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/309 ;
600/573; 600/583 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/15194 20130101;
A61B 5/150358 20130101; A61B 5/151 20130101; A61B 5/15111 20130101;
A61B 5/1519 20130101; A61B 5/15136 20130101; A61B 5/150503
20130101; A61B 5/150198 20130101; A61B 5/15117 20130101; A61B
5/150412 20130101; A61B 5/150022 20130101; A61B 5/157 20130101;
A61B 5/14532 20130101; A61B 5/150236 20130101; A61B 5/150221
20130101; A61B 5/150099 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/309 ;
600/573; 600/583 |
International
Class: |
A61B 5/15 20060101
A61B005/15; A61B 5/157 20060101 A61B005/157; A61B 5/145 20060101
A61B005/145; A61B 5/151 20060101 A61B005/151 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 9, 2008 |
JP |
2008-313644 |
Dec 12, 2008 |
JP |
2008-317341 |
Claims
1. A decompression mechanism, comprising: a cylinder having a
bottom; a piston having a first end part projecting from the bottom
and a second end part that is located in the cylinder and slides
along an axis of the cylinder; a first sealing section that seals
between the bottom and an outer of the piston; a second sealing
section that seals between the second end part and an inner of the
cylinder; and an air chamber that is sealed with the first and
second sealing sections and surrounded by the outer surface of the
piston and the inner surface of the cylinder, wherein the piston
has a connection hole that connects the air chamber with a hollow
space opening in the first end part.
2. The decompression mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the
first sealing section or second sealing section is packing.
3. The decompression mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the
first sealing section is a convex part that makes the bottom
tightly contact the outer surface of the piston.
4. The decompression mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the
second sealing section is a convex part that makes the second end
part tightly contact the inner surface of the cylinder.
5. A puncturing apparatus comprising: a housing; a puncturing
section that is provided in the housing and punctures skin; and a
puncturing mechanism that operates the puncturing section; and a
decompression mechanism including: a cylinder having a bottom; a
piston that is provided in the cylinder and slides along an axis of
the cylinder; a first sealing section that seals between an end
part in the piston and an inner surface of the cylinder; a second
sealing section that seals an opening in the cylinder and an outer
surface of the piston; an air chamber that is sealed with the first
and second sealing sections and surrounded by the outer surface of
the piston and the inner surface of the cylinder; and a connection
hole connecting the air chamber with a space targeted for pressure
reduction in the puncturing mechanism.
6. The puncturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the
puncturing mechanism and the decompression mechanism are provided
in parallel.
7. The puncturing apparatus according to claim 5, further
comprising a removing mechanism that moves the puncturing mechanism
in a direction of an outside of the housing and exposes the
puncturing section to an outside of the housing.
8. A blood analysis apparatus that analyzes blood exuding by
puncturing using a sensor, comprising: a housing; a puncturing
section that is provided in the housing and punctures skin; a
puncturing mechanism that operates the puncturing section; a
cylinder having a bottom; a piston having a first end part
projecting from the bottom and a second end part that is provided
in the cylinder and slides along an axis of the cylinder; a first
sealing section that seals between the bottom and an outer surface
of the piston; a second sealing section that seals between the
second end part and an inner surface of the cylinder; a third
sealing section that is located in a joint between the piston and
the puncturing mechanism and seals between a hollow space opening
in the first end part and the puncturing mechanism; and an air
chamber that is sealed with the first and second sealing sections
and surrounded by the outer surface of the piston and the inner
surface of the cylinder, wherein: the piston has a connection hole
connecting the air chamber with the hollow space; and the first end
part has a contacting part that can contact skin and a holding part
that holds a sensor.
9. The blood analysis apparatus according to claim 8, further
comprising a sensor mounting mechanism including: a support part
slidably projecting from a housing edge; a sensor holding part that
is slidably supported by the support part and holds a sensor; a
skin contacting part that is provided on a tip of the support part
and can contact skin; a first spring that biases to keep a
predetermined distance between the sensor holding part slidably
held by the support part and the skin contacting part with a first
stretching strength; a second spring that biases to keep a
predetermined distance between the sensor holding part slidably
held by the support part and the housing edge with a second
stretching strength; a first sealing section that seals between the
sensor held by the sensor holding part and the skin contacting part
when the skin contacting part is pushed toward the housing edge;
and a second sealing section that seals between the sensor held by
the sensor holding part and the housing edge when the skin
contacting part is pushed toward the housing edge.
10. A blood analysis apparatus that analyzes blood exuding by
puncturing using a sensor, comprising: a housing; a puncturing
section that is provided in the housing and punctures skin; a
puncturing mechanism that operates the puncturing section; and a
decompression mechanism including: a cylinder having a bottom; a
piston that is provided in the cylinder and slides along an axis of
the cylinder; a first sealing section that seals between an end
part of the piston and an inner surface of the cylinder; a second
sealing section that seals an opening in the cylinder and an outer
surface of the piston; an air chamber that is sealed with the first
and second sealing sections and surrounded by the outer surface of
the piston and the inner surface of the cylinder; and a connection
hole connecting the air chamber and space targeted for pressure
reduction in the puncturing mechanism.
11. The blood analysis apparatus according to claim 10, further
comprising a sensor mounting mechanism including: a support part
slidably projecting from a housing edge; a sensor holding part that
is slidably held by the support part and holds a sensor; a skin
contacting part that is provided on a tip of the support part and
can contact skin; a first spring that biases to keep a
predetermined distance between the sensor holding part slidably
held by the support part and the skin contacting part with a first
stretching strength; a second spring that biases to keep a
predetermined distance between the sensor holding part slidably
held by the support part and the housing edge with a second
stretching strength; a first sealing section that seals between the
sensor held by the sensor holding part and the skin contacting part
when the skin contacting part is pushed toward the housing edge;
and a second sealing section that seals between the sensor held by
the sensor holding part and the housing edge when the skin
contacting part is pushed toward the housing edge.
12. The blood analysis apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the
sensor mounting mechanism is configured to be removably mounted in
the housing.
13. The blood analysis apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: the
housing edge has a mounting surface on which the sensor mounting
mechanism is removably mounted; and the sensor mounting mechanism
has a removing surface that can adhere to the mounting surface, the
blood analysis apparatus further comprising a third sealing section
that seals between the mounting surface and the removing
surface.
14. The blood analysis apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the
third sealing section is packing.
15. The blood analysis apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the
third sealing section is a convex part projecting from the mounting
surface or the removing surface.
16. The blood analysis apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the
puncturing section is a laser emitting device that punctures skin
with laser light.
17. The blood analysis apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the
puncturing section is a needle puncturing device that punctures
skin with a puncturing needle.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is division of application Ser. No.
13/133,258, filed Jun. 7, 2011, which was the national stage of
International Application No. PCT/JP2009/005380, filed Oct. 15,
2009.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a decompression mechanism,
a puncturing apparatus, blood analysis apparatus and a sensor
mounting mechanism used in a puncturing device to sample blood in
blood measurement such as blood sugar level measurement.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Conventionally, various puncturing devices to sample blood
from skin of human and animals have been invented for blood
analysis, and in recent years, a puncturing device has been
invented that accumulates biasing force for puncturing at the same
time as a puncturing needle is mounted in the puncturing device
(see, for example, Patent Literature 1). This puncturing device
performs operation including puncturing and removing, by means of
two compression springs, that is, a first compression spring for
puncturing and a second compression spring for removing. In
addition, a puncturing needle has been developed, in which the part
having contacted skin is entirely discarded in order to prevent
infection due to adhesion of blood.
[0004] Patent Literature 2 discloses a puncturing device including
a first biasing means for biasing a puncturing plunger toward the
tip and a sucking plunger that has an airtight sealing member and
reduces pressure in a housing by moving toward the base end.
[0005] Patent literature 3 discloses an apparatus that samples
blood from patients in a painless manner, in order to monitor
glucose.
[0006] FIGS. 1A-1D show a decompression and blood sampling
mechanism by means of a spring, used in a conventional puncturing
device.
[0007] As shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, decompression and blood sampling
mechanism 1 is configured to include piston 2, cylinder 3 that
slidably accommodates piston 2, spring 4 that biases to push piston
2 outward, and packing 5 mounted on the outer surface of end part
2a of piston 2.
[0008] Packing 5 keeps sealed space 7 airtight, which is formed by
bottom surface 2b of end part 2a of piston 2, inner surface 3a of
cylinder 3 and skin 6 contacting.
[0009] FIG. 1A shows a usual state in which puncturing operation is
not performed with the above-described configuration. Now,
decompression operation in a puncturing device using decompression
and blood sampling mechanism 1 will be described.
[0010] First, as shown in FIG. 1B, while spring 4 is compressed in
advance, skin 6 contacts inner surface 3a of cylinder 3 to create
sealed space 7.
[0011] Next, as shown in FIG. 1C, pressing piston 2 is stopped.
Then, compressed spring 4 returns to the original state to increase
the volume of sealed space 7. By this means, the pressure in sealed
space 7 reduces and skin 6 is lifted up, and therefore blood is
easily sampled by a puncturing device (not shown) from lifted skin
6.
[0012] Next, as shown in FIG. 1D, piston 2 is pressed again to
adjust the pressure to the atmospheric pressure, and then skin 6 is
removed.
[0013] Here, in a case in which the operation shown in FIG. 1D is
not performed, when skin 6 is removed when blood is sampled
(reduced pressure state: see FIG. 1C), the air rapidly flows in and
therefore blood scatters in the puncturing device.
[0014] In order to prevent this state, it is necessary to push
piston 2 into cylinder 3 again after blood is sampled, as shown in
FIG. 1D.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the blood sampling
apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 3. In FIG. 2, the housing
of the apparatus is open.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, blood drawing device 1100 has housing
1102, and housing 1102 has receiving part 1102a and projecting part
1102b. Gasket 1104 seals between receiving part 1102a and
projecting part 1102b in housing 1102 and separates receiving part
1102a from projecting part 1102b. Projecting part 1102b is tightly
fitted into receiving part 1102a by friction. Projecting elements
1102c and 1102d are used to guide projecting part 1102b to
receiving part 1102a. A vacuum pump (not shown), incising assembly
1108, a buttery (not shown) and an electronic device (not shown)
are provided in housing 1102. Switch 1109 is provided to activate
the electronic device.
[0017] During blood sampling, projecting part 1102b is tightly
fitted into receiving part 1102a. Receiving part 1102a to contact
skin is provided with seal 1110, in housing 1102 of device 1100.
Opening 1112 in receiving part 1102a is surrounded by seal 1110. A
blood drawing chamber nearby glucose detector 1114 communicates
with the surface of skin through opening 1112 in receiving part
1102a. Device 1100 is placed on a region on the surface of skin
from which incising assembly 1108 samples blood. In order to sample
blood, receiving part 1102a in hosing 1102 of device 1100 is put on
skin, and a vacuum is created using seal 1110.
[0018] The vacuum pump is operated by pressing switch 1109 to
produce sucking action. Skin surrounded by seal 1110 is engorged
with blood by sucking action of the vacuum pump. By stretching and
lifting skin up to opening 1112, the skin is engorged with blood.
After an appropriate period of time usually preset by a programmer
who programs electronic devices has passed, incising assembly 1108
is launched to make lancet 1116 penetrate skin which has been
lifted up to opening 1112 and engorged with blood. It is preferred
to automatically launch lancet 1116 using a solenoid valve (not
shown) with a vacuum piston (not shown).
[0019] Glucose detector 1114 is inserted in slot 1118 in projecting
part 1102b in housing 1102. Receiving part 1102a in housing 1102
moves glucose detector 1114 to a position suitable for testing. The
result obtained from glucose detector 1114 is displayed on screen
1120. Receiving part 1102a is separated from projecting part 1102b
when lancet 1116 or glucose detector 1114 is replaced. In the
process of blood sampling, projecting part 1102b is tightly fitted
into receiving section 1102a.
[0020] As described above, in device 1100, a sensor (glucose
detector 1114) is provided in space in which pressure is reduced.
In order to reduce pressure, it is essential that the entire sensor
is placed in predetermined space and measured.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0021] PTL 1 [0022] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2000-245717 [0023] PTL 2 [0024] Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open No. HEI11-206742 [0025] PTL 3 [0026] Japanese Patent
Application Laid-Open No. 2004-000459
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0027] However, a conventional manual decompression and blood
sampling apparatus requires manual decompression operation several
times, including pushing piston 2 into cylinder 3. This results
from that operation is performed several times in order to obtain a
reduced pressure space having a large volume and a desired
decompression value because a puncturing device is incorporated in
the reduced pressure space in the housing of the apparatus.
[0028] In addition, these several times of decompression operation
is likely to induce timing errors when the reduced pressure is
released to return to the atmospheric pressure. If the reduced
pressure is not successfully released to return to the atmosphere
pressure at an appropriate timing, blood scatters due to rapid air
inflow, so that not only the apparatus is contaminated but also it
is likely to introduce an infection due to contamination.
[0029] In addition, it is very difficult to maintain the apparatus
because reduced pressure space is large and operation is complex.
If satisfactory maintenance is not performed, not only it is not
possible to satisfactorily prevent the above-described adhesion of
blood, but also the apparatus is prone to fail. Moreover, troubles
and cost increase because maintenance is required frequently.
[0030] In view of the above-described problems, it is therefore an
object of the present invention to provide a decompression
mechanism, a puncturing apparatus, a blood analysis apparatus and a
sensor mounting mechanism that can desirably reduce pressure by
easy operation, improve operability and provide ease of
maintenance.
Solution to Problem
[0031] The decompression mechanism according to the present
invention adopts a configuration to include: a cylinder having a
bottom; a piston having a first end part projecting from the bottom
and a second end part that is located in the cylinder and slides
along an axis of the cylinder; a first sealing section that seals
between the bottom and an outer surface of the piston; a second
sealing section that seals between the second end part and an inner
surface of the cylinder; and an air chamber that is sealed with the
first and second sealing sections and surrounded by the outer
surface of the piston and the inner surface of the cylinder,
wherein the piston has a connection hole that connects the air
chamber with a hollow space opening in the first end part.
[0032] The puncturing apparatus according to the present invention
adopts a configuration to include: a housing; a puncturing section
that is provided in the housing and punctures skin; a puncturing
mechanism that operates the puncturing section; a cylinder having a
bottom; a piston having a first end part projecting from the bottom
and a second end part that is located in the cylinder and slides
along an axis of the cylinder; a first sealing section that seals
between the bottom and an outer surface of the piston; a second
sealing section that seals between the second end part and an inner
surface of the cylinder; a third sealing section that is located in
a joint between the piston and the puncturing mechanism and seals
between a hollow space opening in the first end part and the
puncturing mechanism; and an air chamber that is sealed with the
first and second sealing sections and surrounded by the outer
surface of the piston and the inner surface of the cylinder,
wherein the piston has a connection hole that connects the air
chamber with the hollow space.
[0033] The puncturing apparatus according to the present invention
adopts a configuration to include: a housing; a puncturing section
that is provided in the housing and punctures skin; and a
puncturing mechanism that operates the puncturing section; and a
decompression mechanism including: a cylinder having a bottom; a
piston that is provided in the cylinder and slides along an axis of
the cylinder; a first sealing section that seals between an end
part in the piston and an inner surface of the cylinder; a second
sealing section that seals an opening in the cylinder and an outer
surface of the piston; an air chamber that is sealed with the first
and second sealing sections and surrounded by the outer surface of
the piston and the inner surface of the cylinder; and a connection
hole connecting the air chamber with a space targeted for pressure
reduction in the puncturing mechanism.
[0034] The blood analysis apparatus according to the present
invention that analyzes blood exuding by puncturing using a sensor
adopts a configuration to include: a housing; a puncturing section
that is provided in the housing and punctures skin; a puncturing
mechanism that operates the puncturing section; a cylinder having a
bottom; a piston having a first end part projecting from the bottom
and a second end part that is provided in the cylinder and slides
along an axis of the cylinder; a first sealing section that seals
between the bottom and an outer surface of the piston; a second
sealing section that seals between the second end part and an inner
surface of the cylinder; a third sealing section that is located in
a joint between the piston and the puncturing mechanism and seals
between a hollow space opening in the first end part and the
puncturing mechanism; and an air chamber that is sealed with the
first and second sealing sections and surrounded by the outer
surface of the piston and the inner surface of the cylinder,
wherein: the piston has a connection hole connecting the air
chamber with the hollow space; and the first end part has a
contacting part that can contact skin and a holding part that holds
a sensor.
[0035] The blood analysis apparatus according to the present
invention that analyzes blood exuding by puncturing using a sensor
adopts a configuration to include: a housing; a puncturing section
that is provided in the housing and punctures skin; a puncturing
mechanism that operates the puncturing section; and a decompression
mechanism including: a cylinder having a bottom; a piston that is
provided in the cylinder and slides along an axis of the cylinder;
a first sealing section that seals between an end part of the
piston and an inner surface of the cylinder; a second sealing
section that seals an opening in the cylinder and an outer surface
of the piston; an air chamber that is sealed with the first and
second sealing sections and surrounded by the outer surface of the
piston and the inner surface of the cylinder; and a connection hole
connecting the air chamber and space targeted for pressure
reduction in the puncturing mechanism.
[0036] The blood analysis apparatus according to the present
invention including a housing, a sensor having an opening and a
puncturing section that is accommodated in the housing and
punctures skin with a puncturing needle or laser light. The blood
analysis apparatus analyzes blood by passing the puncturing needle
or laser light through the opening to puncture skin and introduces
blood exuding from the skin by puncturing into the sensor. The
blood analysis apparatus adopts a configuration to include: a
supporting section that slidably projects from a housing edge,
which is one end of the housing; a sensor holding part that is
slidably supported by the support part and holds the sensor; a skin
contacting part that is provided on a tip of the support part and
can contact skin; a first spring that biases to keep a
predetermined distance between the sensor holding part slidably
supported by the support part and the skin contacting part with a
first stretching strength; a second spring that biases to keep a
predetermined distance between the sensor holding part slidably
supported by the support part and the housing edge with a second
stretching strength; a first sealing section that seals between the
opening in the sensor held by the sensor holding part and the skin
contacting part when the skin contacting part is pushed toward the
housing edge; and the second sealing section that seals the opening
in the sensor held by the sensor holding part and the housing edge
when the skin contacting part is pushed toward the housing
edge.
[0037] The sensor mounting mechanism according to the present
invention adopts a configuration to include: a support part
slidably projecting from a housing edge; a sensor holding part that
is slidably supported by the support part and holds a sensor; a
skin contacting part that is provided on a tip of the support part
and can contact skin; a first spring that biases to keep a
predetermined distance between the sensor holding part slidably
supported by the support part and the skin contacting part with a
first stretching strength; a second spring that biases to keep a
predetermined distance between the sensor holding part slidably
supported by the support part and the housing edge with a second
stretching strength; a first sealing section that seals between the
sensor held by the sensor holding part and the skin contacting part
when the skin contacting part is pushed toward the housing edge;
and a second sealing section that seals between the sensor held by
the sensor holding part and the housing edge when the skin
contacting part is pushed toward the housing edge.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0038] According to the present invention, airtightness between a
decompression and blood sampling mechanism and a puncturing
operation activating mechanism is maintained, so that it is
possible to reduce pressure only by pushing a skin contacting part
to the apparatus body side.
[0039] In addition, air pressure adjustment to make pressure
similar to the atmosphere pressure is performed in a series of
operation, so that it is possible to adequately separate skin from
the apparatus, and therefore it is possible to prevent blood from
scattering due to rapid air inflow.
[0040] Moreover, at the time of puncturing, a sensor holding part,
a skin contacting part and a housing edge are sealed through first
and second sealing sections, so that it is possible to desirably
reduce pressure, improve operability and provide ease of
maintenance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0041] FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D show a decompression and blood
sampling mechanism by spring used in a conventional puncturing
device;
[0042] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a conventional blood
sampling apparatus;
[0043] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C each show the principle of a
decompression and blood sampling mechanism according to the present
invention;
[0044] FIGS. 3D, 3E and 3F each show the principle of a
decompression and blood sampling mechanism according to the present
invention;
[0045] FIGS. 4A and 4B are a cross sectional view showing a
configuration of a laser puncturing device having the decompression
and blood sampling mechanism according to the present
invention;
[0046] FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are a cross sectional view showing a
configuration of a puncturing and blood sampling apparatus having
the decompression and blood sampling mechanism according to the
present invention;
[0047] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing a configuration of
a needle puncturing device having the decompression and blood
sampling mechanism according to the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing a puncturing device
according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
[0049] FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D each explain puncturing operation of
a needle puncturing device according to Embodiment 1;
[0050] FIGS. 8E, 8F, 8G, 8H and 8I each explain puncturing
operation of a needle puncturing device according to Embodiment
1;
[0051] FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C each explain decompression operation of
the decompression and blood sampling mechanism according to
Embodiment 1;
[0052] FIGS. 9D, 9E and 9F each explain decompression operation of
the decompression and blood sampling mechanism according to
Embodiment 1;
[0053] FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C show a configuration example of the
packing configuration of a piston in a puncturing device according
to Embodiment 1;
[0054] FIGS. 11A and 11B show an anti-shake puncturing needle guide
attached to the piston in the puncturing device according to
Embodiment 1;
[0055] FIGS. 12A and 12B show the anti-shake puncturing needle
guide attached to the piston in the puncturing device according to
Embodiment 1;
[0056] FIG. 13 shows the shape of a packing fixed to a puncturing
needle holder in the puncturing device according to Embodiment
1;
[0057] FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D each show the shape of a packing
fixed to a puncturing needle holder in the puncturing device
according to Embodiment 1;
[0058] FIGS. 15A and 15B show a conceptual diagram explaining the
difference in the configuration between Embodiment 1 and Embodiment
2 according to the present invention;
[0059] FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view showing a puncturing
device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;
[0060] FIG. 17A explains puncturing operation of the puncturing
device according to Embodiment 2;
[0061] FIG. 17B explains puncturing operation of the puncturing
device according to Embodiment 2;
[0062] FIG. 17C explains puncturing operation of the puncturing
device according to Embodiment 2;
[0063] FIG. 17D explains puncturing operation of the puncturing
device according to Embodiment 2;
[0064] FIG. 17E explains puncturing operation of the puncturing
device according to Embodiment 2;
[0065] FIGS. 18A and 18B each show a puncturing device according to
Embodiment 3 of the present invention;
[0066] FIGS. 19A and 19B each show mounting and removing operation
of the puncturing device according to Embodiment 3;
[0067] FIG. 20A shows a puncturing device according to Embodiment 4
of the present invention;
[0068] FIG. 20B shows the puncturing device according to Embodiment
4;
[0069] FIGS. 21A, 21B and 21C are a plan view showing a
configuration of a sensor mounting mechanism in a blood analysis
apparatus according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention;
[0070] FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view showing a sensor holding
part in the sensor mounting mechanism in the blood analysis
apparatus according to Embodiment 5;
[0071] FIG. 23 shows a state in which a sensor is held by the
sensor holding part in the sensor mounting mechanism in the blood
analysis apparatus according to Embodiment 5;
[0072] FIGS. 24A, 24B and 24C each explain operation of the sensor
mounting mechanism in the blood analysis apparatus according to
Embodiment 5;
[0073] FIG. 25 shows a configuration example of a sensor inserting
part in a sensor holding part in the blood analysis apparatus
according to Embodiment 5;
[0074] FIG. 26 shows another configuration example of the sensor
inserting part in the sensor holding part in the blood analysis
apparatus according to Embodiment 5; and
[0075] FIGS. 27A and 27B are cross sectional views each showing a
blood analysis apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0076] Now, embodiments of the present invention will be described
in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0077] (Explanation of the Principle)
[0078] First, the principle of a decompression and blood sampling
mechanism according to the present invention will be explained.
[0079] FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, FIG. 3D, FIG. 3E and FIG. 3F
(hereinafter, collectively refer to as FIG. 3) each explain the
principle of the decompression and blood sampling mechanism
according to the present invention.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 3, decompression and blood sampling
mechanism 10 is configured to include: piston 11 having skin
contacting part 11a to contact skin in one end and end part 11b in
the other end; cylinder 12 that has opening part 12a to allow
piston 11 pass through, projects skin contacting part 11a in piston
11 from opening part 12a and slidably accommodates end part 11b in
piston 11 inside; packing 13 attached to the outer surface of end
part 11b in piston 11; and packing 14 attached to the inner surface
of opening part 12a in cylinder 12.
[0081] Piston 11 has connection hole 11d that connects cylindrical
internal space 16 with sealed space 17 formed by inner surface 12b
of cylinder 12 that faces opening part 12a, bottom surface 11c of
end part 11b in piston 11 and the outer surface of piston 11.
Connection hole 11d is open in a position to connect to sealed
space 17 always sealed with packing 13 and packing 14 regardless of
sliding states of piston 11. Therefore, connection hole 11d is open
nearby end part 11b in piston 11. It is preferable to open a
plurality of connection holes 11d.
[0082] Packing 13 and packing 14 maintain airtightness of sealed
space 17. In addition, when skin 18 contacts skin contacting part
11a in piston 11, packing 13 and packing 14 maintain airtightness
between cylindrical internal space 16 closed by contacting skin 18
and sealed space 17 connecting to this cylindrical internal space
16 via connection hole 11d.
[0083] In addition, as shown in FIG. 3F, it is preferable to
provide spring 15 that biases piston 11 to return to the original
state at all times.
[0084] In this way, decompression and blood sampling mechanism 10
has cylinder 12 having opening part 12a; piston 11 in cylinder 12
having skin contacting part 11a projecting from opening 12a and end
part 11b sliding along the axis of cylinder 12; packing 14 that
seals between opening part 12a and the outer surface of piston 11;
packing 13 that seals between end part 11b and the inner surface of
cylinder 12; and sealed space 17 surrounded by packing 13, packing
14, the outer surface of piston 11 and the inner surface of
cylinder 12. Piston 11 has connection hole 11d to connect sealed
space 17 and cylindrical internal space 16 opening in skin
connecting part 11a.
[0085] FIG. 3A shows a usual state in which puncturing operation is
not performed (initial state) with the above-described
configuration. Now, operation to reduce pressure in a puncturing
device using decompression and blood sampling mechanism 10.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 3B, when puncturing is attempted, skin 18
is approached by the entire decompression and blood sampling
mechanism 10 to contact skin contacting part 11a in piston 11. The
bottom of cylindrical internal space 16 in piston 11 is open in the
initial state (the state shown in FIG. 3A), and then, becomes
initial sealed space 1 for the following reason. That is, skin
contacting part 11a contacts skin 18, so that cylindrical internal
space 16 becomes sealed space 16A, and piston 11 is pushed toward
skin 18, and therefore sealed space 17 sealed with packing 13 and
packing 14 is expanded to create a negative pressure. This negative
pressure passes through connection hole 11d to reduce the pressure
in sealed space 16A. That is, piston 11 is pushed up into cylinder
12 (see the arrow indicating the upward direction in FIG. 3B), so
that the volume of sealed space 17 increases and the pressure in
sealed space 16A connecting to sealed space 17 is reduced.
[0087] FIG. 3C shows a state in which piston 11 is pushed up into
cylinder 12 more deeply and the pressure in sealed space 17 and
sealed space 16A is further reduced. In this state, force of piston
11 to return to its original state acts on.
[0088] FIG. 3D shows the same state as in FIG. 3C and shows the
force of piston 11 to return to the original state (see the arrows
indicating the downward direction in FIG. 3D).
[0089] As shown in FIG. 3E, when the force to push up piston 11 is
reduced, the force to return from the negative pressure state to
the atmosphere pressure state acts on as described above, and
therefore piston 11 returns to the original state and skin
contacting part 11a in piston 11 separates from skin 18 when the
pressure is around the atmosphere pressure.
[0090] Here, the relationship between skin and the adhesion of the
skin contacting part is as follows. That is, when a decompression
value is greater, pushing force increases and also adhesion
increases, but the adhesion is small at the point skin separates
from the skin contacting part. As a result of this, due to the
relationship in the sliding friction and the leakage of air between
piston 11 and cylinder 12, it is difficult to completely return
piston 11 to the original state. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3F, it
is preferable to provide spring 15 in cylinder 12 to offset piston
11 to return to the original state at all times. This spring 15
provides an effect of improving the adhesion between skin 18 and
skin contacting part 11a at the time in early pressure
reduction.
[0091] In this way, it is possible to realize a decompression
mechanism only by pushing skin contacting part 11a in piston 11 to
the apparatus body side.
[0092] Particularly, decompression and blood sampling mechanism 10
according to the present invention reduces pressure and samples
blood only by pushing the part having been punctured against piston
11 and pushing piston 11 toward the apparatus body side, and, when
the required amount of blood is obtained, air pressure adjustment
to make the pressure similar to the atmosphere pressure is
performed by weakening the pushing force to separate skin 18 from
the apparatus in a series of operation, and therefore blood does
not scatter due to rapid air inflow.
[0093] It is possible to apply decompression and blood sampling
mechanism 10 according to the above-described principle, to a
puncturing apparatus having any puncturing means.
[0094] Hereinafter, a puncturing device having a laser puncturing
means will be shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, and a puncturing device
having a needle puncturing means will be shown in FIG. 6.
[0095] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B (hereinafter, collectively referred to
as FIG. 4) are cross sectional views each showing a configuration
of a laser puncturing device having decompression and blood
sampling mechanism 10A. The same components as in FIG. 3 are
assigned the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions
will be omitted.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 4, laser puncturing device 20 has laser
puncturing apparatus 21 that punctures skin with laser light
without contacting and decompression and blood sampling mechanism
10A.
[0097] Decompression and blood sampling mechanism 10A is the same
as decompression and blood sampling mechanism 10 except for the
configuration of end part 11b in piston 11.
[0098] Piston 11 in decompression and blood sampling mechanism 10A
is provided with laser light passing member 11e at the center of
end part 11b that allows laser light from laser puncturing
apparatus 21 to pass through.
[0099] As shown in FIG. 4A, when puncturing is attempted, skin 18
is approached by the entire decompression and blood sampling
mechanism 10A to contact skin contacting part 11a in piston 11.
[0100] As shown in FIG. 4B, piston 11 contacting skin 18 is pushed
up into cylinder 12 to reduce the pressure in sealed space 17 and
sealed space 16A. The pressure in sealed space 16A is reduced to
lift up skin 18, and therefore puncturing is easily performed.
Laser light emitted from laser puncturing apparatus 21 passes
through laser light passing member 11e, passes through sealed space
16A and arrives at skin 18, and then, puncturing is
accomplished.
[0101] FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C (hereinafter collectively
referred to as FIG. 5) are cross sectional views each showing a
configuration of a puncturing and blood sampling apparatus having
decompression and blood sampling mechanism 10B. The same components
as in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are assigned the same reference numerals,
and overlapping descriptions will be omitted.
[0102] As shown in FIG. 5, laser puncturing device 30 has laser
puncturing apparatus 21 that punctures skin with laser light
without contacting, decompression and blood sampling mechanism 10B
and holder 31 that holds a blood sensor (hereinafter "sensor").
[0103] Decompression and blood sampling mechanism 10B is the same
as decompression and blood sampling mechanism 10A shown in FIG. 4
except for the configuration of skin contacting part 11a in piston
11.
[0104] Piston 11 in decompression and blood sampling mechanism 10B
has holder mounting part 11f, instead of skin contacting part 11a
in piston 11 shown in FIG. 3. Holder mounting part 11f is provided
with packing 11g in the outer surface and holding claw 11h in the
bottom surface facing holder 31.
[0105] Holder 31 and holder mounting part 11f sandwich and hold
sensor 32 placed on holder 31.
[0106] Decompression operation of decompression and blood sampling
mechanism 10B is the same as in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, so that
descriptions will be omitted.
[0107] Laser light emitted from laser puncturing apparatus 21
passes through opening 32a in sensor 32 and arrives at skin 18.
[0108] Part of the surface of skin 18 is evaporated with laser
light, and therefore blood exuding from the surface of skin 18
flows into sensor 32 through opening 32a. Reagent (not shown) (for
example, reagent used to measure blood sugar levels, lactate values
and cholesterol levels) is placed in sensor 32. Upon arriving at
blood analysis reagent, blood reacts on the reagent, so that it is
possible to know the result of the analysis.
[0109] Sensor 32 may be integrated with the holder, or used by
itself. Here, a configuration in which sensor 32 is used by itself,
will be described later with an embodiment.
[0110] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing a configuration of
a needle puncturing device having decompression and blood sampling
mechanism 10C. The same components as in FIG. 3 are assigned the
same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions will be
omitted.
[0111] As shown in FIG. 6, needle puncturing device 40 has
puncturing needle 41, mechanism section 42 that ejects and retracts
puncturing needle 41 and decompression and blood sampling mechanism
10C.
[0112] Decompression and blood sampling mechanism 10C operates
according to the same principle as of decompression and blood
sampling mechanism 10 shown in FIG. 3. Decompression and blood
sampling mechanism 10C holds puncturing needle 41 in reduced
pressure space (equivalent to reduced pressure space 16A shown in
FIG. 3).
[0113] Mechanism section 42 is placed outside the above-described
reduced pressure space and makes puncturing needle 41 perform
puncturing.
[0114] Here, the detailed configuration of needle puncturing device
40 will be explained with the following embodiment.
Embodiment 1
[0115] With Embodiments 1 to 4, "decompression and blood sampling
mechanism" will be explained.
[0116] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view showing a puncturing device
based on the above-described basic principle, according to
Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The present embodiment is an
example in which a decompression and blood sampling mechanism based
on the above-described basic principle is applied to a needle
puncturing device.
[0117] As shown in FIG. 7, needle puncturing device 100 is
configured to mainly include: housing 101; puncturing operation
activating mechanism 110 (equivalent to mechanism section 42 shown
in FIG. 6) that is provided in housing 101 and located outside the
decompression and blood sampling mechanism to allow puncturing
needle 160 (equivalent to puncturing needle 41 shown in FIG. 6) to
perform puncturing; decompression and blood sampling mechanism 120
(equivalent to decompression and blood sampling mechanism 10C shown
in FIG. 6) that holds sensor 170 and reduces the pressure in the
space formed by contacting skin; and sensor mounting mechanism
130.
[0118] First, puncturing operation activating mechanism 110 will be
explained.
[0119] Puncturing operation activating mechanism 110 is placed out
of decompression and blood sampling mechanism 120, and has lancet
section 111 that allows puncturing needle 160 to perform puncturing
operation and rod 112 that transfers puncturing operation of lancet
section 111 to puncturing needle 160. Lancet section 111 has base
plate 111a to which plunger 111b, lever 111c, and pull spring 111d
are attached. Rod 112 is connected to plunger 111b, and can slide
in a predetermined range in piston 121 in decompression and blood
sampling mechanism 120 described later, in conjunction with
operation of plunger 111b. Plunger 111b returns to the natural
state by rotation of lever 111c biased by pull spring 111d.
[0120] In addition, puncturing operation activating mechanism 110
is placed in decompression and blood sampling mechanism 120, and
has packing 113 provided in end part 112a of rod 112 and puncturing
needle holder 114 attached to packing 113 to mount puncturing
needle 160.
[0121] In addition, puncturing operation activating mechanism 110
has eject knob 115 also used as a puncturing depth adjusting
section. After finishing puncturing operation, eject knob 115 is
pushed. By this means, an eject rod (not shown) biased by an eject
rode spring (not shown) pushes puncturing needle holder 114 forward
in housing 101, and therefore, it is possible to remove puncturing
needle holder 114 from the puncturing device without touching a
puncturing needle by hand. Meanwhile, when a puncturing depth is
adjusted, eject knob 115 is rotated.
[0122] Eject knob 115 has a spiral groove (not shown) and
protrusion 116 fitted into this spiral groove, where protrusion 116
is connected to lock plate 117. In the above-described puncturing
depth adjustment, the position of protrusion 116 in the axial
direction is changed by rotating eject knob 115, and therefore it
is possible to move the position of lock plate 117 forward and
backward in housing 101.
[0123] Here, lancet section 111 and cylinder 122 in decompression
and blood sampling mechanism 120 described later, are connected
through rod 118.
[0124] Next, decompression and blood sampling mechanism 120 will be
explained.
[0125] Decompression and blood sampling mechanism 120 is a
decompression mechanism based on the same basic principle as of
decompression and blood sampling mechanisms 10, 10A to 10C
described with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 6. Here, although the
basic principle is the same, the detailed configuration is
different between them, from the viewpoint of implementation. With
the present embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the main different point is
that puncturing operation activating mechanism 110 allows a
puncturing needle to perform puncturing in piston 121 in
decompression and blood sampling mechanism 120. Now, detailed
descriptions will be explained.
[0126] Decompression and blood sampling mechanism 120 has a
configuration to include: piston 121 having one end part 121a
forming part of sensor mounting mechanism 130 and the other end
part 121b slidably supporting rod 112 in lancet section 111;
cylinder 122 that has opening 122a to allow piston 121 to pass
through, projects end part 121a in piston 121 from opening 122a and
slidably accommodates end part 121b in piston 121 inside; packing
123 attached to the outer surface of end part 121b in piston 121;
packing 124 attached to the inner surface of opening 122a in
cylinder 122; packing 125 attached to the inner surface of end part
121b in piston 121 to maintain airtightness around rod 112; and
spring 126 that biases to return piston 121 to the original
position at all times.
[0127] Piston 121 has a cylindrical shape and includes internal
space 140 inside the cylindrical shape body. Puncturing needle
holder 114 in which puncturing needle 160 is mounted, and packing
113 slidably moves in this cylindrical internal space 140 following
puncturing operation of rod 112.
[0128] Piston 121 has connection hole 121c that connects the
above-described cylindrical internal space 140 with sealed space
(hereinafter "reduced pressure chamber") 150 formed by packing 123
attached to the outer surface of piston 121 and packing 124
attached to opening 122a in cylinder 122. Connection hole 121c is
open in the position to connect to decompression chamber 150 always
sealed with packing 123 and packing 124 regardless of sliding
states of piston 121. Therefore, connection hole 121c is open
between packing 123 and packing 124 in the natural state. It is
preferable to open a plurality of connection holes 121c. The outer
surface of end part 121a in piston 121 is folded to return to
housing 101 to form insertion part 121d. Insertion part 121d is
slidably inserted in limiting section 101a (not shown) that is open
in housing 101. The entire outer surface of end part 121a in piston
121 serves as a guide, which is insertion part 121d inserted in
limiting section 101a in housing 101, so that it is possible to
prevent piston 121 from being wobbling at the time of puncturing
and so forth.
[0129] Packing 123 and packing 124 maintain airtightness of reduced
pressure chamber 150. When skin contacts skin contacting part 131
in sensor mounting mechanism 130, packing 123 and packing 124
maintain the airtightness of cylindrical internal space 140 closed
by contacting skin and reduced pressure chamber 150 connecting to
this cylindrical internal space 140 via connection hole 121c.
[0130] Packing 125 tightly adheres to packing 113 at the time of
pressure reduction to more securely maintain the reduced pressure
state.
[0131] Next, sensor mounting mechanism 130 will be explained.
[0132] Sensor mounting mechanism 130 has a configuration to
include: skin contacting part 131; sensor holding part 132 to hold
sensor 170 in a predetermined position; end part 121a in piston
121, which is the main part of sensor mounting mechanism 130; first
spring 133 that biases between skin contacting part 131 and sensor
holding part 132 at a first stretching strength; second spring 134
that biases between sensor holding part 132 and end part 121a at a
second stretching strength; first packing 135 that seals between
skin contacting part 131 and sensor 170 at the time of puncturing;
second packing 136 that seals between end part 121a and sensor 170
at the time of puncturing; and movable holding support 137 (shown
in FIG. 21A described later) that movably holds skin contacting
part 131, sensor holding part 132 and end part 121a.
[0133] Sensor mounting mechanism 130 sandwiches and holds sensor
170 placed on holder 132 between the inner surface of skin
contacting part 131 and end part 121a in piston 121. In addition,
in this state, first packing 135 and second packing 136 adhere to
sensor 170 to close the gap between sensor 170 and skin contacting
part 131 and the gap between sensor 170 and end part 121a.
[0134] Here, with Embodiment 1, "decompression and blood sampling
mechanism" will be explained. Sensor mounting mechanism 130 will be
explained again with Embodiment 5 described later, with reference
to FIG. 7.
[0135] Now, puncturing operation of needle puncturing device 100
having the above-described configuration will be explained.
[0136] First, basic puncturing operation will be explained.
[0137] FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, FIG. 8C, FIG. 8D, FIG. 8E, FIG. 8F, FIG.
8G, FIG. 8H and FIG. 8I (hereinafter collectively referred to as
FIG. 8) each explain puncturing operation of needle puncturing
device 100.
[0138] FIG. 8A shows a state in which only puncturing needle 160 is
mounted (this state is referred to as "initial state").
[0139] As shown in FIG. 8B, sensor 170 is mounted in sensor
mounting mechanism 130.
[0140] Next, as shown in FIG. 8C, lancet section 111 in puncturing
operation activating mechanism 110 is drawn into housing 101
(puncturing needle 160 is moved upward in FIG. 8C) and charged to
allow puncturing. To be more specific, pull spring 111d in lancet
section 111 is charged to adhere packing 113 to packing 125.
[0141] As shown in FIG. 8D, skin 180 of a finger (or palm, upper
arm) is pushed to skin contacting part 131 in sensor mounting
mechanism 130 to secure the airtightness of cylindrical internal
space 140 in piston 121. By this means, it is possible to secure
the airtightness in decompression chamber 150 connecting skin
contacting part 131 through connection hole 121c.
[0142] After that, while pushing skin 180 to skin contacting part
131, skin contacting part 131 is continuously pushed (moved forward
in FIG. 8D), so that the pressure in decompression chamber 150 is
reduced as shown in hatching in FIG. 8E. At the time of pressure
reduction, packing 125 tries to sink into decompression chamber
150, but fixed to packing 113, and therefore tightly adhere to
packing 113.
[0143] FIG. 8F shows a state in which puncturing has been
performed. At the time of puncturing, packing 125 sinks into
decompression chamber 150 and moves puncturing needle 160 by this
sinking force. Puncturing needle 160 further projects by inertia.
Here, it is possible to adjust the length of puncturing needle 160
projecting with a depth adjustment mechanism by rotating eject knob
115 as described above.
[0144] After puncturing needle 160 punctures skin 180, blood
exuding from the surface of skin 180 is introduced into sensor 170
as shown in FIG. 8G, and then measurement starts. In addition, a
cam mechanism (not shown) in lancet section 111 returns puncturing
needle 160 to the position before charging.
[0145] As shown in FIG. 8H, after finishing measurement, skin 180
pushed onto skin contacting part 131 is returned (moved downward in
FIG. 8H), and therefore the pressure in decompression chamber 150
returns to the atmosphere pressure.
[0146] As shown in FIG. 8I, a finger (or palm, upper arm) separates
from skin contacting part 131, so that puncturing and blood
sampling are completed. Then, sensor 170 is discharged.
[0147] Next, decompression operation of decompression and blood
sampling mechanism 120 will be described in detail.
[0148] FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, FIG. 9C, FIG. 9D, FIG. 9E and FIG. 9F
(hereinafter collectively referred to as FIG. 9) each explain
decompression operation of decompression and blood sampling
mechanism 120.
[0149] FIG. 9A shows a usual state (initial state).
[0150] FIG. 9B shows a puncturing stand-by state, where puncturing
needle 160 is charged in needle puncturing device 100 to allow
puncturing needle 160 to perform puncturing, and packing 113 fixed
to puncturing needle holder 114 adheres to packing 125. More
preferably, packing 113 is pushed into packing 125 to the extent
that packing 125 slightly distorts. This effect early in pressure
reduction is as follows.
[0151] If packing 125 does not distort, the airtightness in
decompression chamber 150 is maintained only by rod 112 and packing
125.
[0152] As shown by the arrows in FIG. 9B (pointing to the right in
FIG. 9B), when packing 125 distorts, it is possible to reduce the
adhesion between rod 112 and packing 113 by adhesion between
packing 125 adhering to the inner wall of decompression chamber 150
and packing 113, in addition to the above-described adhesion, and
therefore it is possible to easily slide rod 112.
[0153] FIG. 9C shows a state in which the pressure in cylinders 121
and 122 are reduced. As shown by the arrows in FIG. 9C (pointing to
the left in FIG. 9C), force to push packing 125 into decompression
chamber 150 generates. This force allows packing 125 to more
tightly adhere to packing 113 fixed to puncturing needle holder 114
to prevent air from entering decompression chamber 150. In this
case, the airtightness is maintained by not the adhesion between
packing 125 and rod 112 but by the adhesion between packing 125
adhering to the inner wall of decompression chamber 150 and packing
113. Adhesion between packing materials (here packing 125 and
packing 113) provides strong airtightness. When pressure reduces,
airtightness increases.
[0154] FIG. 9D shows a state in which puncturing is being
performed. As shown by the arrows in FIG. 9D, two kinds of force,
force to push packing 125 into decompression chamber 150 and the
force of a spring (not shown) in needle puncturing device 100, are
applied to puncturing needle 160 to be moved.
[0155] FIG. 9E shows a state in which puncturing needle 160
maximally extends. As shown in FIG. 9E, puncturing needle holder
114 slides in only the distance to which puncturing needle 160
extends. This uses the inertia force produced by moving puncturing
needle 160 and puncturing needle holder.
[0156] FIG. 9F shows a state in which puncturing needle returns to
a predetermined position. As shown by the arrows in FIG. 9F,
puncturing needle 160 returns to the initial position by means of a
needle return mechanism in needle puncturing device 100 (cam
mechanism using pull spring 111d: see FIG. 7).
[0157] Puncturing operation of needle puncturing device 100 and
decompression operation of decompression and blood sampling
mechanism 120 have been explained.
[0158] Now, variations of components in decompression and blood
sampling mechanism 120 will be explained.
[0159] FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C (hereinafter collectively
referred to as FIG. 10) each show another configuration example of
the packing configuration of piston 121.
[0160] FIG. 10A shows the same packing configuration as in piston
121 shown in FIG. 7. Piston 121 has packing 123 on the outer
surface and packing 125 on the inner surface.
[0161] In addition, as shown in FIG. 10B, a configuration is
possible where packing 123 and packing 125 are combined and made of
the same member to make packing 125A.
[0162] Moreover, as shown in FIG. 10C, another configuration is
possible where packing 123 and packing 125 are combined and made of
the same member to make packing 125B. Packing 125B is attached to
the end part of piston 121B. As compared to piston 121, piston 121B
does not have a step part projecting outward, and therefore has an
advantage that it is easily introduced. Here, packing 125B needs to
have a sufficient area to adhere to the outer surface of piston
121B in order not to drop due to force applied in the sliding
direction.
[0163] FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B (hereinafter collectively referred to
as FIG. 11) and FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B (hereinafter collectively
referred to as FIG. 12) are cross sectional views each showing an
anti-shake puncturing needle guide attached to piston 121.
[0164] FIG. 11A is a cross sectional view parallel to the axial
direction of rod 112, and FIG. 11B is a cross sectional view
vertical to the axial direction of rod 112, in anti-shake
puncturing needle guide 127 and its nearby parts.
[0165] As shown in FIG. 11B, piston 121 has grooves 121e along the
sliding direction of puncturing needle 160. Grooves 121e are
provided evenly on the left, right, top and bottom of the inner
surface of piston 121. Convex parts 114a are provided on the left,
right, top and bottom of puncturing needle holder 114, which are
slidably fitted into those grooves 121e. Grooves 121e in piston 121
and convex parts 114a on puncturing needle holder 114 constitute
anti-shake puncturing needle guides 127, respectively. By providing
anti-shake puncturing needle guides 127, it is possible to prevent
puncturing needle 160 from shaking at the time of puncturing.
[0166] In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, piston 121C has upper
groove 121e and lower grooves 121f along the sliding direction of
puncturing needle 160. Upper groove 121e is provided in a
predetermined position (referred to as "top" for ease of
explanation) in the inner surface of piston 121C. Lower grooves
121f are notch parts and provided in two predetermined positions
(referred to as "bottoms" for ease of explanation) in the inner
surface of piston 121C. Upper groove 121e and lower grooves 121f
are provided in the positions in the inner surface of piston 121C
at even intervals resulting from dividing the inner surface by
3.
[0167] Puncturing needle holder 114 has spring-like convex part 114
slidably fitted into upper groove 121e and protrusions 114c
slidably fitted into lower grooves 121f.
[0168] Upper groove 121e in piston 121C and spring-like convex
parts 114b in puncturing needle holder 114 constitute upper
anti-shake puncturing needle guide 127a, and lower grooves 121f in
piston 121C and protrusions 114c on puncturing needle holder 114
constitute lower anti-shake puncturing needle guide 127b.
[0169] Upper anti-shake puncturing needle guide 127a prevents
puncturing needle 160 from shaking at the time of puncturing, and,
as shown by the arrows in FIG. 12B, allows spring-like convex part
114b to always generate downward force. This downward force is
uniformly applied to a plurality of lower anti-shake puncturing
needle guides 127b arranged evenly.
[0170] By providing upper anti-shake puncturing needle guide 127a
and lower anti-shake puncturing needle guides 127b, it is possible
to prevent puncturing needle 160 from shaking at the time of
puncturing.
[0171] Here, although a case is shown in FIG. 12B where grooves are
provided in three positions, the present invention is not limited
to this naturally. If the number of positions is more than 4, it is
possible to prevent shaking.
[0172] FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 (collective name of FIG. 14A, FIG. 14B,
FIG. 14C and FIG. 14D) each explain the shape of packing 113 fixed
to puncturing needle holder 114.
[0173] FIG. 13 shows a comparative example to explain a variation
of the shape of packing 113 shown in FIG. 14, and shows the same
components as in the above-described FIG. 7.
[0174] As shown in FIG. 13, basically, the side surface of packing
113 adheres to the side surface of packing 125 to maintain the
airtightness at the time of pressure reduction. The side surface of
packing 113 or the side surface of packing 125 has an innovative
shape, so that it is possible to effectively improve adhesion
(airtightness) at the time of pressure reduction.
[0175] As shown in FIG. 14A, packing 113a fixed to puncturing
needle holder 114 has ring-like semicircular protrusions around rod
112. Likewise, although illustration is omitted, ring-like
semicircular protrusions may be provided on the side surface of
packing 125. With this configuration, it is possible to further
improve the adhesion between packing 113a and packing 125.
[0176] Next, as shown in FIG. 14B, packing 125a has ring-like
semicircular protrusions around rod 112, on the side surface facing
packing 113a. With this configuration, it is possible to further
improve the adhesion between packing 113a and packing 125.
[0177] Here, packing 113a may not be made of an elastic material,
but may be made of the same material as puncturing needle holder
114.
[0178] As shown in FIG. 14C, packing 113b fixed to puncturing
needle holder 114 has sucker-like protrusions on the outer surface,
which adsorb to the side surface of packing 125. Packing 113b has a
sucker-like structure and packing 125 has a planar side surface,
and therefore, when packing 113b adheres to packing 125, it is
possible to improve adhesion even if pressure cannot be
satisfactorily reduced.
[0179] Here, the surface of packing 125 attaching to packing 113b
may not necessarily be made of an elastic material.
[0180] As shown in FIG. 14D, packing 113c fixed to puncturing
needle holder 114 has ring-like concave parts around rod 112.
Meanwhile, packing 125b has ring-like convex parts to fit into the
concave parts in packing 113c. Each convex part on packing 125b has
an end surface that slides on rod 112 and is thicker than other
parts. In the present example, packing 125b is also provided with
the same convex parts in the back side as the ring-like convex
parts fitting into the concave parts in packing 113c. The part
contacting between packing 113c and rod 112 is slightly thicker
than other parts for the purpose of sliding.
[0181] By the way, in a state in which pressure is reduced, force
of air to flow in is applied to generate force to raise the
decompression chamber side 150. As shown in FIG. 14D, the side
surface of packing 125b and the side surface of packing 113c hold
the relationship of convex and concave in shape, so that it is
possible to prevent the above-described rising. In addition, when
puncturing needle 160 returns to the original position by a needle
return mechanism (cam mechanism using pull spring 111d shown in
FIG. 7) in needle puncturing device 100, an advantage of minimizing
air inflow is provided.
[0182] As described above in detail, according to the present
embodiment, needle puncturing device 100 has piston 121 having one
end part 121a forming part of sensor mounting mechanism 130 and the
other end part 121b that slidably supports rod 112 in lancet
section 111; cylinder 122 that slidably accommodates end part 121b
in piston 121 inside; and packing 125 that is attached to the inner
surface of end part 121b in piston 121 and maintains the
airtightness around rod 112. When piston 121 moves toward cylinder
122 while skin contacting part 131 contacts skin, the volume of
internal space 140 and decompression chamber 150 sealed with
packing 123 and packing 124 increases to reduce pressure, and at
this time, packing 125 uses force applied to the inside of
decompression chamber 150 to operate rod 112. By this means, it is
possible to desirably reduce pressure with simple operation, and
consequently improve operability. Now, advantages will be described
in detail.
[0183] Conventionally, in a decompression and blood sampling method
used in needle puncturing, a lancet system is generally provided in
a decompression chamber. That is, in a system in which a puncturing
needle is operated to perform puncturing, it is necessary to
smoothly move a puncturing needle, and, when a puncturing mechanism
is provided out of a decompression chamber, it is necessary to move
a needle while a constant sealed state is made between the
decompression chamber and a moving section. The relationship
between sealing force and the resistance of a moving section is
that, when sealing force is greater, the resistance of a moving
section increases. A lancet system requires a considerably large
power to move a puncturing needle to the position in which
puncturing can be performed.
[0184] With the present embodiment, needle puncturing device 100
(see FIG. 7) has decompression and blood sampling mechanism 120
(see FIG. 7), and packing 125 maintains the airtightness between
decompression mechanism 120 and puncturing operation activating
mechanism 110 (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8). That is, even if
decompression and blood sampling mechanism 120 reduces the pressure
inside, the pressure in puncturing operation activating mechanism
110 does not reduce, so that the parts in which pressure is reduced
are only internal space 140 in decompression and blood sampling
mechanism 120 and decompression chamber 150, and therefore the
volume in which pressure is reduced is small. This provides a
specific effect that it is possible to reduce pressure only by
pushing skin contacting part 131 to the apparatus body side.
[0185] In addition, packing designed to apply force to the inside
of decompression chamber 150 at the time of pressure reduction, is
provided on a part connecting decompression chamber 150 with an
external part (lancet section 111), and the force of packing 125
trying to sink into decompression chamber 150 is used to move
lancet section 111 (see FIG. 7) and to maintain airtightness. By
using this method, it is possible to perform puncturing without
strengthening puncturing spring 111d (see FIG. 7) provided in
lancet section 111.
[0186] Moreover, with the present embodiment, it is possible to
reduce pressure and sample blood only by pushing the part having
been punctured to skin puncturing part 131 in piston 121 and
pushing piston 121 into the apparatus body side, and, when the
required amount of blood is obtained, air pressure adjustment to
make the pressure similar to the atmosphere pressure is performed
by weakening the pushing force to separate skin 18 from the
apparatus in a series of operation, and therefore blood does not
scatter due to rapid air inflow.
Embodiment 2
[0187] FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram explaining the difference in
the configuration between Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2. FIG. 15A
is a cross sectional view schematically showing needle puncturing
device 100 according to Embodiment 1, and FIG. 15B is a cross
sectional view schematically showing needle puncturing device 200
according to Embodiment 2.
[0188] As shown in FIG. 15A, decompression and blood sampling
mechanism 120 according to Embodiment 1 is direct acting type in
which "puncturing mechanism" and "decompression mechanism" are
provided concentrically. Meanwhile, with Embodiment 2, puncturing
mechanism 220 and decompression mechanism 230 are provided in
parallel. The dimension (especially, thickness) of needle
puncturing device 200 according to Embodiment 2 can be smaller than
that of needle puncturing device 100 according to Embodiment 1.
[0189] FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view showing a puncturing
device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The same
components as in FIG. 7 are assigned the same reference numerals,
and overlapping descriptions will be omitted.
[0190] As shown in FIG. 16, needle puncturing device 200 has a
configuration to mainly include: housing 201; puncturing operation
activating mechanism 210 that is provided in housing 201 and
outside a decompression and blood sampling mechanism and allows
puncturing needle 160 to perform puncturing; puncturing mechanism
220 that punctures skin through held sensor 170; decompression
mechanism 230 that is provided in parallel with puncturing
mechanism 220 and reduces the pressure in space formed by
contacting skin; and sensor mounting mechanism 130.
[0191] First, puncturing operation activating mechanism 210 will be
explained.
[0192] Puncturing operation activating mechanism 210 is provided
out of puncturing mechanism 220 and decompression mechanism 230,
and has lancet section 111 that allows puncturing needle 160 to
perform puncturing; rod 112 that transfers puncturing operation of
lancet section 111 to puncturing needle 160; and knob 215 that
transfers charging operation of lancet section 111 to rod 112 and
transfers decompression operation of decompression mechanism 230 to
rod 211.
[0193] Lancet section 111 has base plate 111a to which plunger
111b, lever 111c and pull spring 111d are attached. Rod 112 is
connected to plunger 111b and can slide in a predetermined range of
puncturing mechanism cylinder 241 (described later) in puncturing
mechanism 220 in conjunction with movement of plunger 111b. Plunger
111b returns to the natural state by rotating lever 111c biased by
pull spring 111d.
[0194] Knob 215 is formed in hollow to cover the entire lancet
section 111. When pull spring 111d is charged, one end part 215a of
knob 215 engages with protrusion 111e on plunger 111b and pulls
lancet section 111 outside housing 201 (puncturing needle 160 is
moved to the right in FIG. 16) to charge lancet section 111 to be
able to perform puncturing. In addition, the other end part 215b of
knob 215 is connected to rod 211 and pushes rod 211 into housing
201 (moves rod 211 to the left hand in FIG. 16) to allow
decompression mechanism 230 to reduce pressure at the time of
pressure reduction. In operation at the time of pressure reduction,
end part 215b in knob 215 moves to the direction in which end part
215a separates from protrusion 111e on plunger 111b. In addition,
lancet section 111 does not contact the inner surface of knob 215
in end part 215b. Therefore, knob 215 does not influence charging
operation.
[0195] Moreover, puncturing operation activating mechanism 210 is
provided in puncturing mechanism 220, and has packing 113 provided
on end part 112a of rod 112 and puncturing needle holder 114
attached to packing 113 to mount puncturing needle 160.
[0196] Next, puncturing mechanism 220 and decompression mechanism
230 will be explained.
[0197] Each of puncturing mechanism 220 and decompression mechanism
230 is a decompression mechanism based on basically the same
principle as of decompression and blood sampling mechanism 120
described with reference to FIG. 7. With Embodiment 2,
decompression and blood sampling mechanism 120 (FIG. 7) is divided
into "puncturing mechanism" and "decompression mechanism", and
these are provided in parallel.
[0198] Puncturing mechanism 220 has puncturing mechanism cylinder
241 in the sensor mounting mechanism 130 side in housing 201.
Meanwhile, decompression mechanism 230 has decompression mechanism
cylinder 242 provided parallel to puncturing mechanism cylinder
241. With the present embodiment, puncturing mechanism cylinder 241
and decompression mechanism cylinder 242 are integrally formed as
cylinder block 240. Here, puncturing mechanism cylinder 241 and
decompression mechanism cylinder 242 may be separately formed as
long as these are provided in parallel in housing 201.
[0199] [Puncturing Mechanism 220]
[0200] In puncturing mechanism 220, puncturing operation activating
mechanism 210 operates a puncturing needle in puncturing mechanism
cylinder 241.
[0201] Puncturing mechanism cylinder 241 has one end part 241a
forming part of sensor mounting mechanism 130, the other end part
241b slidably supporting rod 112 in lancet section 111 and
connection hole 241c that supplies the pressure reduced by
decompression mechanism 230 into puncturing mechanism cylinder
241.
[0202] Second packing 136 is attached to end part 241a to seal
between sensor 170 and puncturing mechanism 220. When skin contacts
skin contacting part 131 in sensor mounting mechanism 130, second
packing 136 maintains the airtightness of cylindrical internal
space 140 closed by contacting skin.
[0203] Packing 125 to maintain the airtightness around rod 112 is
attached to the inner surface and opening in end part 241b.
[0204] Connection hole 241c connects the sealed space formed by
packing 125 that maintains the airtightness between the inner
surface of tubular end part 241b and the outer surface of rod 112
and packing 113 provided in end part 112a in rod 112 with
decompression chamber 250 (see FIG. 17C and FIG. 17D) in
decompression mechanism 230. As seen from the puncturing mechanism
220 side, connection hole 241c is always sealed with packing 125
and packing 113 and is open in the position to connect to
decompression chamber 250, regardless of the sliding state of rod
112. Therefore, connection hole 241c is open between packing 125
and packing 113 in the natural state. Here, packing 125 more
securely maintains the reduced pressure state by adhering to
packing 113 at the time of pressure reduction.
[0205] Puncturing mechanism 220 has spring 126 that biases cylinder
block 240 to return to the original state at all times.
[0206] [Decompression Mechanism 230]
[0207] Decompression mechanism 230 reduces the pressure in
decompression mechanism cylinder 242 by movement of rod 211 in
conjunction with decompression operation by pushing knob 215.
[0208] Decompression mechanism cylinder 242 has one end part 242a
that forms part of sensor mounting mechanism 130 and the other end
part 242b that slidably supports rod 211 moving at the same time as
knob 215 is pushed. In addition, a vent (not shown) is open in end
part 242a to remove air in decompression mechanism cylinder 242 at
the time of pressure reduction.
[0209] End part 211a of rod 211 has a circular disk shape and
slides following movement of rod 211 in decompression mechanism
cylinder 242. Packing 212 is attached to the outer surface of end
part 211a.
[0210] Packing 213 to maintain the airtightness between
decompression chamber 250 and the outer surface of rod 211 is
attached to the opening and inner surface of end part 242b.
[0211] Sealed space formed by packing 213 attached to the inner
surface of tubular decompression mechanism cylinder 242 and the
inner surface of end part 242b and packing 212 attached to the
outer surface of end part 211a in rod 211 forms decompression
chamber 250 that reduces pressure.
[0212] As seen from the decompression mechanism 230 side,
connection hole 241c is open in a position to connect decompression
camber 250 always sealed with packing 212 and packing 213
regardless of the sliding state of end part 211a in rod 211.
Therefore, connection hole 241c is open between packing 212 and
packing 213 in the natural state.
[0213] Now, puncturing operation of needle puncturing device 200
configured as described above, will be explained.
[0214] First, basic puncturing operation will be explained.
[0215] FIG. 17A, FIG. 17B, FIG. 17C, FIG. 17D and FIG. 17E
(hereinafter collectively referred to as FIG. 17) each explain
puncturing operation of needle puncturing device 200.
[0216] As shown in FIG. 17A, sensor 170 is mounted in sensor
mounting mechanism 130.
[0217] Next, as shown in FIG. 17B, lancet section 111 in puncturing
operation activating mechanism 210 is pulled out of housing 201
(puncturing needle 160 is moved to the right in FIG. 17B) to be
charged to be able to perform puncturing. To be more specific, end
part 215a in knob 215 engages with protrusion 111e on plunger 111b
and lancet section 111 is pulled out of housing 201 to charge pull
spring 111d in lancet section 111. Packing 113 adheres to packing
125.
[0218] As shown in FIG. 17C, skin 180 of a finger (or palm, upper
arm) is pushed against skin contacting part 131 in sensor mounting
mechanism 130 to secure the airtightness in cylindrical internal
space 140 in puncturing mechanism cylinder 241. By this means, it
is possible to secure also the airtightness in the sealed space
formed by packing 125 to maintain the airtightness between the
inner surface of tubular end part 241b and the outer surface of rod
112 and packing 113 attached to end part 112a in rod 112.
[0219] In this state, the user pushes knob 215 into housing 201 by,
for example, pressing operation with the thumb (rod 211 is moved to
the left in FIG. 17C). End part 211a in rod 211 slides in
decompression mechanism cylinder 242 to reduce the pressure in
decompression chamber 250 in decompression mechanism cylinder 242.
Decompression chamber 250 is connected to puncturing mechanism
cylinder 241 through connection hole 241c. Therefore, the pressure
in the sealed space formed by the inner surface of tubular end part
241b in puncturing mechanism cylinder 241, packing 125 and packing
113, is also reduced. This pressure reduction allows packing 125
and packing 113 to more tightly adhere to one another. The pressure
in the above-described sealed space in puncturing mechanism
cylinder 241 is reduced, and therefore the pressure in cylindrical
internal space 140 is reduced.
[0220] The above-described sealed space formed by the inner surface
of tubular end part 241b in puncturing mechanism cylinder 241,
packing 125 and packing 113, and cylindrical internal space 140
connecting to the sealed space constitute space targeted for
pressure reduction in puncturing mechanism 220. That is,
decompression mechanism 230 reduces the pressure in the
above-described sealed space through connection hole 241c in
decompression chamber 250, and reduces the pressure in cylindrical
internal space 140 at the same time. The above-described sealed
space may be referred to as narrowly defined space targeted for
pressure reduction.
[0221] FIG. 17D shows puncturing operation. At the time of
puncturing, packing 125 sinks into the above-described sealed space
in puncturing mechanism cylinder 241 and moves puncturing needle
160 by this sinking force. In addition, puncturing needle 160
further projects by inertia.
[0222] After puncturing needle 160 punctures skin 180, blood
exuding from the surface of skin 180 is introduced into sensor 170
as shown in FIG. 17E, and then measurement starts. In addition, a
cam mechanism (not shown) in lancet section 111 returns puncturing
needle 160 to the position before charging.
[0223] Needle puncturing device 200 according to the present
embodiment is compact and light, and has a shape to help the user's
grasp.
[0224] When the user holds needle puncturing device 200 according
to the present embodiment by hand, it is possible to reduce
pressure by moving the thumb up and down. This decompression
operation by moving the thumb up and down provides an advantage
that the user can intuitively and easily operate the device.
[0225] In addition, needle puncturing device 200 has puncturing
mechanism 220 and decompression mechanism 230 provided in parallel,
and therefore can reduce its size (especially, thickness).
Embodiment 3
[0226] Embodiment 3 is an example of a puncturing device having a
puncturing needle removing mechanism.
[0227] FIG. 18A is a cross sectional view showing a puncturing
device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and FIG.
18B is a side view of FIG. 18A from the direction of the arrow.
FIG. 19A is a cross sectional view showing the puncturing device at
the time of removing operation, and FIG. 19B is a side view of FIG.
19A from the direction of the arrow. The same components as in FIG.
16 are assigned the same reference numerals, and overlapping
descriptions will be omitted.
[0228] As shown in FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B, needle puncturing device
300 is provided in housing 201, and has puncturing operation
activating mechanism 210 that is provided out of a decompression
and blood sampling mechanism and allows puncturing needle 160 to
perform puncturing, and puncturing needle removing mechanism 350
that removes puncturing needle 160.
[0229] Puncturing operation activating mechanism 210 has knob 315
that transfers charging operation of lancet section 111 to rod 112
and transfers decompression operation of decompression mechanism
230 to rod 211. Knob 315 is formed in hollow to cover the entire
lancet section 111 and accommodates lancet section 111 in the
space.
[0230] Puncturing needle removing mechanism 350 is realized by the
following components provided in knob 315.
[0231] As shown in FIG. 18B and FIG. 19B, knob 315 has a
cylindrical shape with a bottom and can rotate around the central
axis of the cylindrical body. Knob 315 has semicircular opening
315b and arc opening 315c in bottom 315a of the cylindrical body.
End part 316a in rod 316 is fixedly provided toward the central
axis from any position in opening 315b in bottom 315a. As shown in
FIG. 18A and FIG. 19A, one end part 316a in rod 316 is fixed to
bottom 315a and the other end 316b contacts the bottom of lancet
section 111 at the time a puncturing needle is removed. That is,
knob 315 has rod 316 that is apart from the central axis by a
predetermined distance in parallel with the central axis. End part
316b in rod 316 rotates to be apart from the bottom of lancet
section 111 when a puncturing needle is mounted as shown in FIG.
18B, and, on the other hand, rotates to contact the bottom of
lancet section 111 when a puncturing needle is removed as shown in
FIG. 19B.
[0232] In addition, as shown in FIG. 18B and FIG. 19B, rod 211 is
accommodated in arc opening 315c such that bottom surface 211a of
rod 211 is exposed. Rod 211 is accommodated in arc opening 315b, so
that the rotating range of knob 315 is limited. In addition, it is
possible to check if a puncturing needle is removed or mounted,
based on the position of bottom surface 211a of rod 211 exposed to
opening 315c.
[0233] Here, although illustration is omitted, it is preferable to
show, for example, carve a message indicating whether a puncturing
needle is mounted or removed, on bottom 315a. Moreover, bottom
surface 211a of rod 211 may be colored with a distinct color.
[0234] As shown in FIG. 18A and FIG. 18B, when a puncturing needle
does not need to be removed, the user does not rotate knob 315.
Bottom surface 211a of rod 211 is apart from the bottom of lancet
section 111, and therefore, lancet section 111 is not influenced by
rod 211, like puncturing operation of needle puncturing device 200
according to Embodiment 2 (see FIG. 17).
[0235] As shown in FIG. 19A and FIG. 19B, when a puncturing needle
is removed, the user rotates knob 315. To be more specific, the
user rotates knob 315 until bottom surface 211a of rod 211 moves
from one end of arc opening 315c to the other end. As shown in FIG.
19B, end part 316b in rod 316 contacts the bottom of lancet section
111.
[0236] In this state, the user pushes knob 315 deeply into housing
201 as shown in FIG. 19A. Lancet section 111 contacting rod 316
moves puncturing needle 160 widely to the left, and therefore
puncturing needle 160 is pushed out of housing 201. By this means,
it is possible to remove puncturing needle 160.
[0237] As described above, according to the present embodiment,
needle puncturing device 300 has puncturing needle removing
mechanism 350 formed by components of knob 315 and components of
rod 316, and therefore provides an advantage that it is possible to
easily and quickly remove puncturing needle 160. The user can
easily set mount or removal of a puncturing needle in puncturing
needle removing mechanism 350 only by rotating knob 315.
[0238] Here, although with the present embodiment, a configuration
has been explained where end part 316b in rod 316 contacts the
bottom of lancet section 111 by rotating knob 315, another
configuration is possible where rod 316 slides to the bottom of
lancet section 111.
Embodiment 4
[0239] Embodiment 4 is a configuration example in which a sensor
holding part can be removed from the apparatus body.
[0240] FIG. 20A is a cross sectional view showing a puncturing
device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, and FIG.
20B is a cross sectional view showing the puncturing device at the
time of removing operation. The same components as in FIG. 16 are
assigned the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions
will be omitted.
[0241] As shown in FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B, needle puncturing device
400 has a configuration to mainly include: housing 401; puncturing
operation activating mechanism 210 that is provided in housing 401
and outside a decompression and blood sampling mechanism, and
allows puncturing needle 160 to perform puncturing; puncturing
mechanism 420 that punctures skin through held sensor 170;
decompression mechanism 230 that is provided parallel to puncturing
mechanism 220 and reduces the pressure in the space formed by
contacting skin; and sensor mounting mechanism 430 that can be
removed from housing 401.
[0242] Here, in order to make the size of needle puncturing device
400 smaller than needle puncturing device 200 shown in FIG. 16, the
entire length of housing 401, the length of rod 112 and the length
of rod 211 are shorter than in needle puncturing device 200 (FIG.
16). The same reference numerals as in FIG. 16 are assigned for
ease of explanation.
[0243] In addition to the components of sensor mounting mechanism
130 shown in FIG. 16, sensor mounting mechanism 430 further
includes mounting part 431 that removably mounts a puncturing
needle in puncturing mechanism 420. Mounting part 431 constitutes a
cylindrical half part (the left half in FIG. 20A and FIG. 20B) of
puncturing mechanism cylinder 241 in puncturing mechanism 220 shown
in FIG. 16. Mounting part 431 has a step formed by reducing the
thickness of opening 431a in the cylindrical body.
[0244] Puncturing mechanism 420 has mounting part 421 that engages
with mounting part 431 in sensor mounting mechanism 430. Packing
422 is attached to the outer surface of the cylindrical body of
mounting part 421 facing opening 431a in mounting part 431 in
sensor mounting mechanism 430. Packing 422 maintains the
airtightness between sensor mounting mechanism 430 and puncturing
mechanism 420.
[0245] As shown in FIG. 20A, sensor mounting mechanism 430 can be
removed from housing 401.
[0246] In addition, as shown in FIG. 20B, sensor mounting mechanism
430 can be integrated with housing 401 by engaging mounting part
431 with mounting part 421 in puncturing mechanism 420.
[0247] As shown in FIG. 20B, when sensor mounting mechanism 430 is
mounted in housing 401, puncturing mechanism 420 has the same
function as puncturing mechanism 220 in needle puncturing device
200 shown in FIG. 16.
[0248] As described above, according to the present embodiment,
needle puncturing device 400 has a configuration in which sensor
mounting mechanism 430 is removably mounted in housing 401, and
therefore, it is possible to produce the following effects. (1) It
is possible to simplify a puncturing needle removing mechanism. (2)
It is possible to improve ease of maintenance when blood adheres to
sensor mounting mechanism 430. (3) It is possible to reduce the
size of an apparatus.
[0249] Here, with the present embodiment, a configuration has been
adopted where packing 422 is attached to the outer surface of the
cylindrical body which faces opening 431a in mounting part 431 in
sensor mounting mechanism 430, but, instead of or in addition to
this configuration, a packing may be attached to the inner surface
of opening 431a in sensor mounting mechanism 430.
[0250] Moreover, another configuration may be adopted where a
convex part is attached to at least either a mounting surface of
mounting part 421 in puncturing mechanism 420 to which mounting
part 431 in sensor mounting mechanism 430 is mounted, or a removing
surface of mounting part 431 in sensor mounting mechanism 430,
which can adhere to the above-described mounting surface. By this
means, it is possible to make the mounting surface and the removing
surface tightly contact one another, and consequently maintain the
airtightness between sensor mounting mechanism 430 and puncturing
mechanism 420. In this case, the above-described packing may be
used together.
Embodiment 5
[0251] With Embodiments 5 and 6, a sensor mounting mechanism will
be explained.
[0252] With embodiment 5, sensor mounting mechanism 130 in needle
puncturing device 100 (FIG. 7) according to Embodiment 1 is used as
an example for explanation. Likewise, sensor mounting mechanism 430
according to Embodiment 4 is used as an example.
[0253] FIG. 21A, FIG. 21B and FIG. 21C (hereinafter collectively
referred to as FIG. 21) are top plan views each showing the
configuration of sensor mounting mechanism 130 shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 21 shows a state in which skin contacting part 131 (FIG. 21A),
sensor holding part 132 (FIG. 21B) and end part 121a (FIG. 21C) are
laid out in a plane.
[0254] As shown in FIG. 7, sensor mounting mechanism 130 has a
configuration to include: skin contacting part 131; sensor holding
part 132 to hold sensor 170 in a predetermined position; end part
121a in piston 121 which is the main body of sensor mounting
mechanism 130; first spring 133 that biases between skin contacting
part 131 and sensor holding part 132 at a first stretching
strength; second spring 134 that biases between sensor holding part
132 and end part 121a at a second stretching strength; first
packing 135 that seals between skin contacting part 131 and sensor
170 at the time of puncturing; second packing 136 that seals
between end part 121a and sensor 170 at the time of puncturing; and
moving section holding support 137 (FIG. 21A) that moves and holds
skin contacting part 131, sensor holding part 132 and end part
121a.
[0255] Moving part holding support 137 (FIG. 21A) is a support part
slidably projecting from housing edge 121a, and integrated with rod
118 (FIG. 7). Through-holes 138 (FIG. 21B and FIG. 21C) are open to
allow moving part holding support 137 (i.e. rod 118) to slidably
pass through in end part 121a and sensor holding part 132,
respectively. Moving part holding support 137 (i.e. rod 118) slides
through these through-holes 138. In addition, skin contacting part
131 shown in FIG. 21A is attached to the tip of this moving part
holding support 137 (rod 118).
[0256] End part 121a in piston 121 constitutes sensor mounting
mechanism 130.
[0257] The end part of skin connecting part 131 is connected to the
tip of rod 118 projecting from the apparatus body side. Rod 118
slidably supports sensor 170 by sandwiching and compressing first
spring 133 between skin contacting part 131 and sensor holding part
132 and sandwiching and compressing second spring 134 between
sensor holding part 132 and end part 121a.
[0258] Skin contacting part 131 is made of soft resin (e.g. rubber)
in order to improve adhesion to skin.
[0259] Spring 126 biases piston 121 at a third stretching strength
to return piston 121 to the original state.
[0260] Respective stretching strengths of first spring 133, second
spring 134 and spring 126 are set as follows.
[0261] Spring 126 (third stretching strength)>second spring 134
(second stretching strength).gtoreq.first spring 133 (first
stretching strength) As shown in FIG. 21A, skin contacting part 131
has opening 131a for puncturing, and ring-like first packing 135 is
attached to surround opening 131a.
[0262] Sensor holding part 132 shown in FIG. 21B has connector 132a
to mount sensor 170, sensor inserting guide 132b that receives
sensor 170 and guides it to connector 132a and notch part 132c that
cuts out part of sensor holding part 132 in the direction to insert
a sensor.
[0263] Sensor inserting guide 132b has a function to smoothly mount
and remove sensor 170 and prevent measured blood from adhering to a
measurement device.
[0264] In addition, opening 132d for puncturing is provided in
approximately the center part of sensor inserting guide 132b.
[0265] Notch part 132c is a cutout part to prevent blood having
adhered to sensor 170 from adhering to the inside of a measurement
device after measurement.
[0266] End part 121a shown in FIG. 21C has opening 121b for
puncturing, and ring-like second packing 136 is attached to
surround opening 121b.
[0267] FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view from the side surface of
sensor holding part 132 shows a state in which sensor holding part
132 holds sensor 170.
[0268] As shown in FIG. 22, sensor holding part 132 has upper side
132e and lower side 132f sandwiching sensor 170. Lower side 132f is
made to be thinner as much as possible. Meanwhile, upper side 132e
is formed with a thickness for compensating for decrease in
rigidity because lower side 132f is made to be thinner. Lower side
132f of sensor holding part 132 is made to be thinner as much as
possible, so that it is possible to suppress unevenness of skin
contacting part 131 as much as possible. By this means, skin
contacting part 131 can more tightly adhere to skin to improve the
reliability of blood sampling, and is applicable to skin of an arm
and the back of a hand.
[0269] FIG. 23 is a top plan view showing a state in which sensor
170 is held in sensor holding part 132. FIG. 23 shows a state in
which lower end part of sensor 170 is seen through.
[0270] As shown in FIG. 23, sensor 170 is inserted and mounted in
connector 132a, from notch section 132c (see FIG. 21B) along sensor
inserting guide 132b. At this time, sensor 170 moves while being
sandwiched between upper side 132e and lower side 132f of sensor
holding part 132. This operation is performed by the user holding
one end of sensor 170 by hand.
[0271] Next, operation of sensor mounting mechanism 130 will be
explained.
[0272] FIG. 24A to FIG. 24C are cross sectional views each showing
operation of sensor mounting mechanism 130 at the time of
puncturing. In FIG. 24A to FIG. 24C, puncturing operation
activating mechanism 110 and sensor mounting mechanism 130 shown in
FIG. 7 are simplified.
[0273] As shown in FIG. 24A, sensor 170 is mounted in sensor
mounting mechanism 130. To be more specific, after checking that
sensor mounting mechanism 130 is in the initial state, the user
holds one end of sensor 170 by hand and puts the other end of
sensor 170 on notch part 132c (see FIG. 21B). Then, the user
inserts the other end of sensor 170 from notch part 132c along
sensor inserting guide 132b. One end of sensor 170 is placed
outside the measurement device and only a reaction part of sensor
170 is inserted.
[0274] The other end of sensor 170 is inserted until contacting
connector 132a (see FIG. 22), so that mounting sensor 170 in sensor
mounting mechanism 130 is completed. Completion of insertion is
checked based on the contact between the other end and connector
132a.
[0275] Next, as indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 24B, skin 180
of such as a finger (or palm, upper arm) contacts and pushes skin
contacting part 131 in sensor mounting mechanism 130 upward in the
direction of the arrow (upward in FIG. 24B).
[0276] Here, respective stretching strength of first spring 133,
second spring 134 and spring 126 are as follows. Spring 126 (third
stretching strength)>second spring 134 (second stretching
strength).gtoreq.first spring 133 (first stretching strength)
Therefore, first spring 133 (first stretching strength), second
spring 134 (second stretching strength), and spring 126 (third
stretching strength) shrink in this order. Particularly, the
stretching strength of each spring is set such that spring 126
(third stretching strength) starts shrinking after first spring 133
(first stretching strength) and second spring 134 (second
stretching strength) almost have shrunk. In this case, it is
possible to contact skin 180 with sensor 170 more quickly by
setting the first stretching strength of first spring 133 to the
minimum, in addition to the reason that lower side 132f in sensor
holding part 132 is thin. Sensor 170 contacts skin 180 more
quickly, so that airtightness is reliably secured more quickly, and
therefore it is possible to start puncturing more quickly and
improve operability.
[0277] Skin contacting part 131 and end part 121a sandwich sensor
170 held in sensor holding part 132 from above and below. First
packing 135 and second packing 136 are provided in skin contacting
part 131 and end part 121a, and first packing 135 and second
packing 136 adhere to sensor 170 following the above-described
sandwiching operation. First packing 135 and second packing 136
adhere to sensor 170, so that a part formed by these is tightly
sealed. In addition, skin 180 contacting skin contacting part 131
closes opening 131a in skin contacting part 131, so that the
airtightness in cylindrical internal space 140 in piston 121 is
secured. Moreover, the airtightness in decompression chamber 150
connecting to cylindrical internal space 140 through connection
hole 121c is also secured.
[0278] Next, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 24C, skin contacting
part 131 is further pushed in the direction of the arrow (upward in
FIG. 24C). By this means, the volume of decompression chamber 150
increases and a negative pressure is created in internal space 140,
so that it is possible to lift up skin 180.
[0279] Next, a variation of each component of sensor mounting
mechanism 130 will be explained.
[0280] FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 each show another configuration example
of a sensor inserting part in sensor holding part 132. The same
components as in FIG. 21 are assigned the same reference numerals,
and overlapping descriptions will be omitted.
[0281] As shown in FIG. 25, sensor holding part 132A has guide
inlet 132g that guides sensor 170 for ease insertion of sensor 170.
With the present embodiment, guide inlet 132g is a linear edge
part, but may be a curved edge part.
[0282] Guide inlet 132g is formed to have a wide area for ease
insertion of sensor 170. For example, guide inlet 132g has faces
resulting from cutting off corners, which broaden outward at an
angle meeting tangents to the outer periphery of virtual circle 175
indicated by a broken line shown in FIG. 25. Here, virtual circle
175 is greater than the width (in the vertical direction in FIG.
25) of sensor 170, and therefore, guide inlet 132g broadens outward
at a certain angle. Here, the maximum width is set to be greater
than the width of sensor 170 to ease insertion of sensor 170. The
line extending from the above-described certain angle meets a
tangent to the outer periphery of virtual circle 175.
[0283] In addition, it is preferable to prevent the size of guide
inlet 132g from varying until a part to which blood adheres exits a
measurement device after sensor 170 is removed from sensor holding
part 132A. Here, sensor 170 has puncturing hole 171 and analysis
window 172 that allows blood to penetrate through. When puncturing
is performed, blood is likely to scatter around these parts.
[0284] In addition, as shown in FIG. 26, sensor holding part 132B
has convex part 132h in which sensor inserting guide 132b including
guide inlet 132g projects outward from the sensor holding part 132B
body. By this means, even if the user is a sight-impaired person,
it is possible to identify the position to insert sensor 170 by
tracing the outer shape of a sensor holding part and consequently
correctly mount sensor 170. That is, operability is improved.
[0285] As described above, according to the present embodiment,
sensor mounting mechanism 130 has a three-layer structure composed
of skin contacting part 131, sensor holding part 132 to hold sensor
170 and end part 121a that is the main part of sensor mounting
mechanism 130, and includes: first spring 133 that biases between
skin contacting part 131 and sensor holding part 132 at a first
stretching strength; second spring 134 that biases between sensor
holding part 132 and end part 121a at a second stretching strength;
first packing 135 that seals between skin contacting part 131 and
sensor 170 at the time of puncturing; and second packing 136 that
seals between end part 121a and sensor 170 at the time of
puncturing. At the time of puncturing, skin 180 contacts skin
contacting part 131, and this skin contacting part 131 is pushed up
against the biasing force of first spring 133 and second spring
134. By this means, skin contacting part 131, sensor holding part
132 and end part 121a adhere to each other through first packing
135 and second packing 136 to seal internal space 140. After that,
skin contacting part 131 is further pushed up against the biasing
force of spring 126, so that piston 121 moves into the housing to
reduce the pressure in internal space 140.
[0286] With the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24A to FIG.
24C, reduced pressure space is only internal space 140 connecting
to the space surrounded by first packing 135 and second packing 136
in sensor mounting mechanism 130, and therefore the volume of the
pressure reduced space is significantly smaller than in
conventional examples. Therefore, it is possible to overcome all
defects in conventional examples.
[0287] To be more specific, reduced pressure space is small, so
that it is possible to desirably reduce pressure only by one
action, that is, pushing skin contacting part 131. Only one action
is required to reduce pressure, so that it is possible to improve
operability and ease maintenance. In addition, it is possible to
avoid releasing the reduced pressure to return to the atmosphere
pressure at an incorrect timing, and therefore, it is possible to
prevent blood from scattering due to the unsuccessful pressure
release. It is possible to prevent the apparatus from being
contaminated and also prevent infection due to the contaminated
apparatus.
[0288] Moreover, with the present embodiment, sensor 170 can easily
be mounted in and removed from sensor mounting mechanism 130, so
that it is possible to improve operability for puncturing.
Embodiment 6
[0289] FIG. 27A and FIG. 27B are cross sectional views each showing
a blood analysis apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present
invention. The present embodiment is an example in which sensor
mounting mechanism 130 is applied to a blood analysis apparatus
with an electric negative pressure pump. In addition, laser
puncturing apparatus 510 is applied instead of puncturing operation
activating mechanism 110 shown in FIG. 7. The same components as in
FIG. 7 are assigned the same reference numerals, and overlapping
descriptions will be omitted.
[0290] As shown in FIG. 27A and FIG. 27B, blood analysis apparatus
500 has a configuration to mainly include laser puncturing device
510 that punctures skin with laser light without contacting and
sensor mounting mechanism 130.
[0291] Laser puncturing apparatus 510 has a laser rod that emits
laser light, lens 512 that collects laser light for puncturing and
bottom 513 facing sensor 170. Second packing 136 surrounding a
laser light axis is attached to bottom 513.
[0292] Negative pressure pump 520 sucks air in internal space 140
via connection path 521 to reduce the pressure in internal space
140.
[0293] As indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 27A, sensor 170 is
mounted in sensor mounting mechanism 130. One end of sensor 170 is
inserted to contact connector 132a (see FIG. 22), so that sensor
170 is completely mounted in sensor mounting mechanism 130. It is
possible to check completion of insertion by contact between one
end of sensor 170 and connector 132a.
[0294] As indicated by the arrow shown in FIG. 27B, skin 180 of a
finger (or palm, upper arm) contacts skin contacting part 131 and
pushes it up.
[0295] Skin contacting part 131 and end part 513 sandwich sensor
170 held in sensor holding part 132 from above and below. First
packing 135 and second packing 136 are provided on skin contacting
part 131 and bottom 513, and first packing 135 and second packing
136 adhere to sensor 170 by the above-described sandwiching
operation. In addition, skin 180 contacting skin contacting part
131 closes opening 131a in skin contacting part 131. Moreover,
negative pressure pump 520 creates a negative pressure in internal
space 140 to lift up skin 180.
[0296] As described above, sensor mounting mechanism 130 can be
applied to blood analysis apparatus 500 with an electric negative
pressure pump, and therefore, it is possible to provide the same
effect as in Embodiment 5.
[0297] The above description is illustration of preferred
embodiments of the present invention and the scope of the invention
is not limited to this.
[0298] For example, although with the present embodiment, a needle
puncturing device that performs puncturing with a puncturing needle
is used as a puncturing means, the present invention is not limited
to this, and it is possible to use a laser puncturing device as a
puncturing means.
[0299] Although the name "puncturing device" is used in the
embodiments for ease of explanation, "puncturing equipment",
"puncturing apparatus" and so forth are possible naturally.
[0300] Moreover, the type, the number, the connection method and so
forth of components constituting the above-described puncturing
device are not limited.
[0301] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
2008-313644, filed on Dec. 9, 2008 and Japanese Patent Application
No. 2008-317341, filed on Dec. 12, 2008 including the
specifications, drawings and abstracts, are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0302] The decompression mechanism, puncturing apparatus, blood
analysis apparatus and sensor mounting mechanism according to the
present invention, are useful for a disposal puncturing device
having a replaceable puncturing needle for a puncturing device used
in blood sampling and a puncturing needle holder that movably
accommodates the puncturing needle inside and can be replaced
together with the puncturing needle.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0303] 100, 200, 300, 400 Needle puncturing device [0304] 101, 201,
401 Housing [0305] 110, 110A, 110B, 110C Puncturing operation
activating mechanism [0306] 111 Lancet section [0307] 112, 118,
211, 316 Rod [0308] 113, 123, 124, 125, 125A, 125B, 134, 212, 213,
422 Packing [0309] 114 Puncturing needle holder [0310] 120
Decompression and blood sampling mechanism [0311] 121, 121A, 121B
Piston [0312] 122 Cylinder [0313] 130, 430 Sensor mounting
mechanism [0314] 131 Skin contacting part [0315] 150, 250
Decompression chamber [0316] 160 Puncturing needle [0317] 170
Sensor [0318] 210 Puncturing operation activating mechanism [0319]
215, 315 Knob [0320] 220, 420 Puncturing mechanism [0321] 230
Decompression mechanism [0322] 240 Cylinder block [0323] 241
Puncturing mechanism cylinder [0324] 242 Decompression mechanism
cylinder [0325] 241a, 241b, 242a, 242b, 316a, 316b End part [0326]
241c Connection hole [0327] 315a Bottom [0328] 315b, 315c, 431a
Opening [0329] 350 Puncturing needle removing mechanism [0330] 421,
431 Mounting part [0331] 500 Blood analysis apparatus
* * * * *