JP2020030115A - Specimen collection kit - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a new type of retention of a cap and a collection tool in a test kit.SOLUTION: A container 1 includes an opening 10 having an opening end 11, and a male screw 12 formed on an outer peripheral surface of the opening 10. A cap 2 includes a female screw 22 formed on an inner peripheral surface of a cylindrical part 20. The cap 2 is attached to the opening 10 by the screwing of the male screw 12 and the female screw 22. A collection tool 3 includes a stick 30 and a specimen acquisition unit 31. A locking tool 4 is provided on the collection tool 3. The locking tool 4 includes a plurality of locking ends 42. When the collection tool 3 is inserted into the container 1, the locking end 42 is locked to the open end 11, and projects to the outside of the container 1 from the open end 11. When the cap 2 is turned and attached to the opening 10 in that state, the locking end 42 relatively moves along a groove of the female screw 22 and then enters the cap 2. Thereafter, when the cap 2 is removed from the opening 10, the locking tool 4 is locked to the female screw 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample collection kit used for collecting a sample.

  Various sample collection kits have been developed as disclosed in Patent Literatures 1-3 and the like. For example, a sample collection kit includes a collection tool, a container having an opening, and a cap removably attached to the opening. The collection tool includes a stick and a sample obtaining unit attached to one end of the stick. The sample acquiring unit is a brush, a cotton ball, a sponge, or the like.

  The subject holds the stick of the collection tool and collects the sample in the sample obtaining unit. Next, the subject puts the sampling tool into the container, attaches the cap to the opening, and closes the container. Thereafter, the subject sends the sample collection kit to a laboratory technician by mail or the like. The laboratory technician receives the sample collection kit.

  The laboratory technician removes the cap from the opening of the container, removes the sampling tool from the container, and then proceeds to test the sample. At this time, since the collection tool has entered the container, there is an inconvenience that the collection tool must be picked up with tweezers or the like and removed from the container.

  In order to eliminate this inconvenience, a sample collection kit in which a cap (plug) and a collection tool are integrated has been proposed. According to this configuration, when the cap is removed from the opening and lifted, the sampling tool is lifted together with the cap and taken out of the container.

  Incidentally, some sample collection kits contain liquids such as a sample extract and a buffer in a container. After the subject has collected the sample in the sample acquisition section of the sample collection tool, puts the sample collection tool in the container and immerses the sample acquisition section in the liquid in the container, and the sample is extracted or eluted into the liquid.

  Of course, the cap must be provided to the subject with the cap attached to the opening so that the liquid does not leak from the container. In addition, the sample acquisition section (brush, cotton ball, sponge, etc.) of the collection tool is usually provided to the subject in a sterilized state, and it is necessary to prevent the specimen from being immersed in the liquid in the container before collecting the sample. There is. In this case, in a configuration in which the cap and the collection tool are integrated, they cannot be compatible.

  Thus, it may not be preferable to integrate the cap and the sampling tool. Under such circumstances, it is still necessary to remove the collection tool from the container using tweezers or the like after the sample is collected.

Registered Utility Model No. 3169659 JP 2017-026554 A JP-A-07-260778

  The present invention provides a novel type of retention of the cap and collection tool in a sample collection kit.

The present invention is a sample collection kit,
An opening, a container having an external thread formed on the outer peripheral surface of the opening,
A cylindrical portion, and a cap having a female screw formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion,
A stick, and a collection tool having a sample acquisition unit provided at one end of the stick,
The cap is attached to the opening by screwing the male screw and the female screw.
The sample collection kit,
Further comprising a locking member provided on the collection tool on the side opposite to the sample acquisition unit,
A plurality of locking ends that are locked to an open end of the opening and protrude outward from the container from the open end when the sampling tool is inserted into the container through the opening; With
When the cap is turned and attached to the opening in a state where the plurality of locking ends are locked to the open end and project from the open end to the outside of the container, the plurality of locks are provided. The end moves relatively along the groove of the female screw and enters the cap, and then, when the cap is removed from the opening, the locking tool is locked by the female screw.
It is characterized by the following.

The stick has a cylindrical shape,
The locking device,
A bar having a longitudinal direction and being pressed into the stick;
A plurality of locking pieces extending from one end of the bar in the radial direction of the bar,
The locking end may be formed by a tip of the locking piece.

The cap is
A top surface portion provided at one end of the cylindrical portion and closing the one end of the cylindrical portion;
A ring-shaped rubber packing provided on an inner surface of the top surface portion and in close contact with the opening end when the cap is attached to the opening portion.

  The sample obtaining unit is, for example, a brush, a cotton ball, or a sponge.

  The sample collection kit according to the present invention provides a novel form of retention of the cap and the collection tool.

FIG. 1A shows a container, and FIG. 1B shows a longitudinal section of the container. 2A shows the cap, FIG. 2B shows the inside of the cap, FIG. 2C shows an enlarged vertical end face of the cap, and FIG. 2D shows the cap attached to the container. FIG. 3A shows the sampling tool, FIG. 3B shows the sampling tool with the locking tool attached, and FIGS. 3C and 3D show the locking tool in detail. It is a figure explaining use of a sample collection kit. It is a figure explaining use of a sample collection kit. It is a figure explaining use of a sample collection kit.

  Hereinafter, a sample collection kit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The sample collection kit is used for collecting samples such as saliva, urine, sweat, tears, and stool.

  Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the sample collection kit includes a container 1. The container 1 has an elongated shape. The container 1 has one end open and the other end closed. Therefore, the container 1 is provided with the opening 10 at one end. The opening 10 has a cylindrical shape. The opening 10 has an opening end 11.

  Further, the container 1 includes a male screw 12 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the opening 10. One male screw 12 is formed in a spiral shape so as to make the outer peripheral surface of the opening 10 one or more rounds (two or more rounds in the embodiment).

  The container 1 further includes a main body 13 defining an accommodation space therein. In the present embodiment, the liquid L (buffer solution) is contained in the container 1.

  Referring to FIG. 2A, the sample collection kit further includes cap 2. The cap 2 includes a cylindrical portion 20 having a cylindrical shape, and a top surface portion 21 provided at one end of the cylindrical portion 20 and closing one end of the cylindrical portion 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the cap 2 includes a female screw 22 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 20. One female screw 22 is screwed with the male screw 12 of the opening 10 of the container 1 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 20 is made at least one turn (two or more turns in the embodiment). Are formed in a spiral shape. The cap 2 further includes a ring-shaped rubber packing 23 provided on the inner surface of the top surface 21. The rubber packing 23 has the same diameter as the open end 11 of the container 1.

 The cap 2 is attached to the opening 10 by tightening the female screw 22 while screwing the female screw 22 into the male screw 12 of the container 1, whereby the container 1 is closed by the cap 2 as shown in FIG. 2D. At this time, the container 1 is sealed by the cap 2 because the rubber packing 23 is in close contact with the opening end 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the sample collection kit further includes a collection tool 3. The collection tool 3 is used by a subject to collect a sample. The collection tool 3 includes a stick 30 and a sample obtaining unit 31 provided at one end of the stick 30 for obtaining and holding a sample.

  In the embodiment, the stick 30 has a cylindrical shape. The sample obtaining section 31 is a brush, and is attached to the stick 30 by inserting its base end into the stick 30. The specimen obtaining unit 31 may be, for example, a cotton ball, a sponge, or the like instead of the brush.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the sample collection kit further includes a locking device 4 provided on the collection device 3 on the side opposite to the sample obtaining section 31. In the embodiment, the locking tool 4 is attached to the other end of the stick 30. The use of the locking tool 4 will be described later in detail.

  As shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, the locking device 4 includes a bar 40 having a longitudinal direction, and a plurality of locking pieces 41 extending at least in the radial direction of the bar 40 from one end of the bar 40.

  When the bar 40 is pressed into the stick 30 as shown in FIG. 3B, the locking tool 4 is attached to the sampling tool 3. With this configuration, the locking tool 4 can be attached to the existing sampling tool 3. Alternatively, the locking device 4 may be formed integrally with the sampling device 3.

  In the embodiment, two locking pieces 41 are provided. The locking pieces 41 are preferably provided at equal angular intervals, and in the embodiment, the two locking pieces 41 extend in opposite directions. The locking piece 41 extends from one end of the bar 40 in a radial direction of the bar 40 and in a direction away from the bar 40 in the axial direction of the bar 40. Therefore, the locking tool 4 of the embodiment has a substantially Y-shape.

  The locking device 4 further includes a plurality of locking ends 42. Each locking end 42 is formed by the tip of each locking piece 41. The tip of the locking piece 41 is formed such that its thickness is thinner than other portions, whereby the locking end 42 is formed in a claw shape.

  The material of the locking tool 4 is, for example, ABS resin, but the material of the locking tool 4 is not limited to this. For example, the locking member 4 is preferably formed of a material having a certain hardness of the locking end 42 thereof.

  The distance d4 (FIG. 3C) from the center line of the locking device 4 (that is, the axis of the stick 30 to which it is attached) to the tip of the locking end 42 is the outer radius d1 at the open end 11 of the container 1 (FIG. 1B). Greater than. The distance d4 is larger than the radius d2 (FIG. 2C) of the female screw 22 of the cap 2 and smaller than the radius d2 '(FIG. 2C) of the groove of the female screw 22 of the cap 2.

Hereinafter, an example of use of the sample collection kit will be described.
The container 1 is provided with the cap 2 attached as shown in FIG. 2D. The container 1 contains a liquid L (buffer solution). The sampling tool 3 is provided to the subject in a sterilized state without being stored in the container 1. The locking tool 4 may be provided in a state where it is attached to the sampling tool 3 in advance, or may be provided in a state where the locking tool 4 is separated from the sampling tool 3.

  The subject uses the collection tool 3 to collect a sample. That is, the subject holds the stick 30 and causes the sample obtaining unit 31 to collect and hold the sample. For example, when the sample collection kit is for examination of periodontal disease and the sample obtaining unit 31 is a brush, the subject inserts the brush into his / her own mouth, wipes the gingival sulcus with a brush, and brushes the sample with the brush. To be held.

  Thereafter, the sampling tool 3 is inserted into the container 1 through the opening 10 by the subject with the locking tool 4 attached as shown in FIG. 3B, and the sample acquiring unit (brush) 31 is placed in the liquid (buffer solution) L. Upon immersion, the specimen elutes into the liquid L. As shown in FIG. 4, when the sampling tool 3 is concentrically inserted into the container 1, each locking end 42 is locked by the open end 11 of the container 1, and the outside of the container 1 is opened from the open end 11. Protruding slightly toward This is based on d4> d1. In this way, the locking tool 4 is locked to the opening end 11 at the locking end 42, so that the sampling tool 3 is located in the container 1.

  Next, the cap 2 is turned and attached to the opening 10 by screwing the male screw 12 and the female screw 22. At this time, the locking end 42 is pressed by the cap 2 toward the opening end 11, and thus remains at the fixed position of the opening end 11. The locking end 42 protrudes from the opening end 11 and relatively moves while sliding along the groove of the female screw 22 (actually the cap 2 is actually moving). Get inside 2. This is based on d2 <d4 <d2 '.

  When the cap 2 is completely inserted into the opening 10 as shown in FIG. 5, the locking end 42 is located between the female screw 22 and the top surface 21 at the back inside the cap 2.

  At this time, the locking end 42 is sandwiched between the opening end 11 and the rubber packing 23, as best shown in the enlarged view of FIG. In the embodiment, the sealing property between the open end 11 and the rubber packing 23 is sufficiently ensured by the fact that the locking end 42 is formed thin and the elasticity of the rubber packing 23.

  Then, the sample collection kit is sent to the laboratory technician by the subject in the form of mail or the like in the state of FIG.

  Thereafter, the cap 2 is turned and removed from the opening 10 by an inspection technician, and is lifted as shown in FIG. At this time, the locking end 42 is not pressed against the opening end 11 by the cap 2, and thus remains in the cap 2 even when the cap 2 is turned. As a result, the locking tool 4 is locked by the female screw 22 (its crest), does not fall from the cap 2, and the sampling tool 3 is held by the cap 2 via the locking tool 4. Therefore, the sampling tool 3 is lifted together with the cap 2 and taken out of the container 1.

  Thus, the container 1 containing only the liquid L from which the sample has been eluted is obtained. Thereafter, the laboratory technician starts working on the specimen.

  As described above, this sample collection kit can provide a novel holding of the cap 2 and the collection tool 3. That is, before the sample is collected, the collection tool 3 is not held by the cap 2. However, if the cap 2 is attached to the opening 10 in a state where the sampling tool 3 to which the locking tool 4 is attached is inserted into the container 1, when the cap 2 is removed from the opening 10, the sampling tool 3 It is held by the cap 2 via the locking tool 4.

  Before sample collection, the cap 2 is attached to the opening 10 so that the liquid L does not leak from the container 1, and the sample acquisition unit 31 of the collection tool 3 is not immersed in the liquid L such as a buffer solution. The sample collection kit can be provided to the subject in a sterilized state. After the specimen is collected, the laboratory technician can remove the sampling tool 3 from the container 1 by removing the cap 2 from the opening 10 and lifting it. Therefore, there is no trouble of taking out the sampling tool 3 from the container 1 using tweezers or the like.

  As described above, a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container 10 Opening part 11 Open end 12 Male screw 2 Cap 20 Cylindrical part 21 Top surface part 22 Female screw 23 Rubber packing 3 Sampling tool 30 Stick 31 Sample acquisition part 4 Locking tool 40 Bar 41 Locking piece 42 Locking end L Liquid

Claims (4)

An opening, a container having an external thread formed on the outer peripheral surface of the opening,
A cylindrical portion, and a cap having a female screw formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion,
A stick, and a collection tool having a sample acquisition unit provided at one end of the stick,
The cap is attached to the opening by screwing the male screw and the female screw,
A sample collection kit,
Further comprising a locking member provided on the collection tool on the side opposite to the sample acquisition unit,
A plurality of locking ends that are locked to an open end of the opening and protrude outward from the container from the open end when the sampling tool is inserted into the container through the opening; With
When the cap is turned and attached to the opening in a state where the plurality of locking ends are locked to the open end and project from the open end to the outside of the container, the plurality of locks are provided. The end moves relatively along the groove of the female screw and enters the cap, and then, when the cap is removed from the opening, the locking tool is locked by the female screw.
A sample collection kit, comprising: The stick has a cylindrical shape,
The locking device,
A bar having a longitudinal direction and being pressed into the stick;
A plurality of locking pieces extending from one end of the bar in the radial direction of the bar,
The locking end is formed by a tip of the locking piece.
The sample collection kit according to claim 1, wherein: The cap is
A top surface portion provided at one end of the cylindrical portion and closing the one end of the cylindrical portion;
A ring-shaped rubber packing provided on the inner surface of the top surface portion and in close contact with the opening end when the cap is attached to the opening portion;
The sample collection kit according to claim 1 or 2. The specimen acquisition unit is a brush, a cotton ball, or a sponge,
The sample collection kit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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