JPH0448242A - Method and device for sample capture - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To capture a sample cleanly in safety by supplying the sample onto the top surface of a filter which separates and captures the sample and moving an extraction body which is arranged nearby the reverse surface of the filter in one direction or both directions. CONSTITUTION:A small sample W is to pass through filter holes 13', but the diameter of the holes 13' is small, so a high-consistency sample W such as phlegm is easy to cause a clogging phenomenon quickly. The extraction plate 25, however, faces the reverse surface of the filter 13 in a relative movable state and is driven as shown by an arrow, so the sample W is drawn out by the movement of the extraction plate 25 and the motion of the extraction plate 25 gives preferable vibration to the filter 13 at the same time to accelerate the movement of the sample W, thereby separating and processing the sample forcibly. Consequently, only a desired sample W is left and captured on the filter 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a method and device for capturing a specimen for cytodiagnosis using a microscopic examination means, and more preferably a highly viscous specimen (separated and captured). The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for accomplishing the capture of specimens that are considered difficult.

[Prior art 1] Conventionally, when collecting sputum or bile for cytodiagnosis and using it as a preparation, separating the sample using a filter means takes a short time due to its high viscosity. Since the filter means would become clogged within minutes, and it was difficult to effectively deal with the problem, the rubbing method was mainly used.

For example, in the case of sputum capture work, sputum is collected in advance and stored in a container such as a pointed bottom centrifuge tube and stored for several days (preferably about 3 to 5 days) to collect the required amount of cells. Securing the liquid, distinguishing its bloody, purulent, and viscous properties by visual inspection, and collecting a pea-sized amount using a bottle set or glass rod, or sedimenting it using a centrifuge. The cells are collected using a vipeo, or the mucus-like specimen is stirred using a magnetic stirrer, and the cells are collected using a centrifuge in the same way.The cells are attached to a slide glass and the slide glass is This was attached to the top and subjected to dyeing and other treatments to create a preparation.

[Problem to be solved by the invention 1] As mentioned above, it is difficult and impractical to separate a highly viscous sample using a filter, and it is difficult to separate a highly viscous sample using a filter. The work of smearing a sample in a uniform thickness on the surface requires skill and is truly inefficient, and it is not desirable for the worker as there is a risk of contamination, and it is not safe and clean.・
The provision of something that could easily capture specimens was long awaited.

[Means for Solving Problems 9 Effects] This invention has been completed with originality in order to meet the above-mentioned demands, and the capture processing in its configuration is described in the claims. As shown,
To summarize this and explain it, a filter is provided at the bottom of the container, a sample is supplied onto the filter together with a processing agent, and while applying pressure force to the top surface and suction force to the bottom surface, the filter is placed at the bottom of the container. Since the extractant on the bottom surface can be moved relative to the filter, even highly viscous samples can be separated powerfully and effectively using the filter body, making it possible to capture the sample. It is.

(Example 1) Next, the contents of the present invention will be explained based on drawings showing examples.

A first embodiment is shown in FIG.
A container 20 is fitted around the outer periphery of the filter 13 with a seal 14 interposed therebetween, and the enlarged lower edge 2OA of the container 20 is removably screwed into the cup portion 11A. The filter 13 is fixed by attaching the extraction plate 2 to the bottom surface of the filter 13 in surface contact with the bottom surface of the filter 13.
5 is integrally connected to a connecting disk 26A at the upper end of a driven shaft 26 rotatably mounted in a through hole 11B in the frame 11, and a bearing connected to a transparent bearing 27 and a seal body 28 of the shaft 26. A torque receiving part 26B is recessed in the lower end supported by the drive means 30, and the engaging element 30B of the output shaft 30A of the drive means 30 and the torque receiving part 26B can be freely engaged and disengaged. , the driven shaft 26 is driven reciprocally in one direction or in the direction shown by the arrow.

Further, a set of bypass means 35 is provided in the through hole 11B of the frame 1, and this is connected to the suction means 40.

Regarding the bypass means 35, a one-way valve 35D biased by a spring 35C is disposed in the large-diameter hole 35B of the bypass hole 35A to freely open and close the bypass hole 35A.

On the other hand, a sealing cap 4 is provided on the top of the container 20.
5 is screwed onto the cap 45 so that it can be opened and closed freely, and a processing liquid supply means 50 and a pressurized air supply means 60 are installed on the cap 45 to ensure the safe survival of the fixative, enzyme, culture solution, and other specimens. It is.

Regarding the treatment liquid supply means 50, a nozzle 50A inserted through the cap 45 is connected to a supply source 50G via a hose 50B, and an on-off valve 5 is connected to the hose 50B.
0D is attached, and the pressurized air supply means 60 is
The injection pipe 60A is connected to an air source 60C via a hose 60B, and an on-off valve 60D is installed in the middle of the hose 60B. In addition, W in the figure is the specimen, 13'
, 25' and 26A' all indicate a filter hole, an extraction hole, and a disk hole.

Next, the function of capturing a specimen using this embodiment will be explained.

Regarding the processing procedure for a highly viscous sample W, such as sputum, in order to separate and capture it to create a preparation, it is detected by the sensor 50E and the required amount of processing liquid is supplied into the container 20 in advance. with the sealing cap 4
5 is opened to supply the sample W into the container 20, the cap 45 is closed, the engager 30B of the output shaft 30A is engaged with the torque receiving portion 26B of the driven shaft 26, and the drive means 30. When the suction means 40, the processing liquid supply means 50, and the pressurized air supply means 60 are started simultaneously or at different predetermined timings, the sample W in the processing liquid is transferred to the filter 13 by the pressurized air and suction force. It is strongly urged in the direction of , and is separated by the filter hole 13'.

At this time, if we pay attention to the filter 13, as can be seen in the enlarged view of FIG. 2, the small sample W tries to pass through the filter hole 13', but the hole 13' has a small diameter. Therefore, especially with highly viscous sample W, there is a risk of rapid clogging phenomenon.

However, as shown in the figure, the extraction plate 25 faces the lower surface of the filter 13 so as to be able to move relative to it, and is driven in the direction of the arrow. At the same time, the movement of the extraction plate 25 gives a favorable vibration to the filter 13,
This facilitates the movement of the specimen W, and as a result, forced separation processing can be performed. As a result, the /h-type separated product passes through the extraction hole 25' and the disk hole 268',
It is introduced into the through hole 11B, the bypass hole 35A, and the one-way valve 3.
5D, is led out in the direction of the suction means 40,
While being discharged to a drain (not shown), only the desired specimen W remains and is captured on the filter 13.

During this time, the sensor 50E opens and closes the opening/closing valve 50D as appropriate to replenish the processing liquid to ensure the survival of the specimen and to stably perform the capture processing.

Thus, after capturing the sample W on the filter 13,
All the operating means 30 to 60 are stopped, the container 20 is removed, the sample W is taken out together with the filter 13, and washed and washed.
Preparations are prepared on glass slides by staining and other necessary treatments.

The extraction holes 25' formed in the extraction plate 25 have been described as having circular or non-circular holes of equal area uniformly provided over the entire surface of the extraction plate 25. The circumferential speed during the rotational movement of the extraction plate 25 is higher at the outer circumference than at the inner circumference, and there is a tendency for the specimen W to scatter from the outer circumference of the extraction plate 25 due to centrifugal force during separation processing. It existed.

A modified example that has been improved in this respect is shown in FIG.

That is, in (a), there are two sets of rectangular pores 2 in orthogonal directions.
5A has been opened, and the (mouth) has a triangular hole 25B.
However, in (c), oval holes 25C are opened respectively, and these non-uniformly provided extraction hole means prevent the specimen W from scattering.
D) Each side of (E) has a shape in which the extraction holes 25D and 25E expand toward the center of the extraction plate as shown in the figure, so that when the extraction plate 25 rotates, A strong suction force acts on the specimen WV toward the center of the extraction plate 25, and the specimen W is forcibly moved inward by itself, thereby effectively achieving separation processing. .

In particular, as shown in the enlarged sectional view taken along line D-D in FIG. 3(D) in FIG. , the specimen W can be introduced into the extraction plate 25D more effectively, and it can be said that the efficiency of the sorting process can be improved.

da Next, a second embodiment will be explained with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

This embodiment is equipped with a large number of capturing devices and is intended to be automated.

That is, the capture device A1. A2. A s, . . . are electromagnetic clutches F +, F 2. It is connected to the rotating drive means E of the extractor via F s,-, and the solenoid valves V, .
Similarly, electromagnetic valves V, , V5 . V6 is interposed to freely communicate with the pressurized air supply means C, and the solenoid valves V, , V, , V.

The solenoid valves (1 to 3) are connected to the suction means through the sensor sl+.
The opening/closing is controlled by the processing liquid detection signal from s,, s,,...- and the electromagnetic clutches F,,F,,F,,...- and the electromagnetic valve Vl. '=V*... can be controlled sequentially by a normal control means (not shown).

That is, the trappers A, , A, , A8 . . . . After appropriately supplying the specimen, all the electromagnetic valves (1 to 9) are opened simultaneously or by changing the timing as appropriate, and the rotary drive means E is started, and the electromagnetic clutches F, F2 are opened. ．．
F3. -- When activated, each trapper A,,A2
．． A3. . . . Inside, the sample is pressurized on one side, and a biasing force is applied on the other side to suck it. Furthermore, the extraction plate (μs in Figure 1) is in close contact with the bottom surface of the filter and reciprocates (or in one direction). This will apply extraction power to the specimen, and part of the specimen will be captured on the filter, while the other part will be suctioned and sorted.

During this time, the starting and stopping of each part can be controlled individually by the operator by visually checking the state of sample capture, but for example, by installing a timer, the work can be done at regular intervals. It goes without saying that this may be performed in a repeated cycle.

[Effect of the invention 1 Since the present invention is as explained above, a filter means is adopted even for highly viscous specimens such as sputum, and moreover, it is possible to effectively filter the specimen without clogging. It is capable of separation and capture processing, and the processing does not require a special flow line, and it is possible to capture the specimen safely and cleanly, and to obtain something that can contribute to the preparation of slides.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partially longitudinal front view of the device according to the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is an enlarged sectional view of a part of the filter, Figure 3 (A) ~
(E) is a plan view showing a modified example of the extraction plate, FIG. 4 is a DD sectional view of FIG. 3(D), and FIG. 5 is a block diagram. 1 , A , , A , , A , ... Specimen capture device 13 ... Filter 20 ... Container 25 ... Extraction plate 30 ... Drive means E ... Rotation drive means 40D ...・Suction means 50, B... Processing liquid supply means 60, C... Pressurized air supply means Patent attorney Oka 1) Kazuyuki Figure 2 (A) Figure 3 (B) (C) (D) ) (e)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A method of capturing a sample by supplying the sample to the upper surface of a filter that separates and captures the sample, and moving an extractor disposed close to the lower surface of the filter in one direction or both directions. . 2. The method for capturing a sample according to claim 1, wherein the sample is captured while applying pressure to the upper surface of the sample. 3. The method for capturing a sample according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sample is captured while applying a suction force to the lower surface of the filter. 4. The method for capturing a specimen according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the specimen is captured while intermittently supplying a processing agent to the specimen trap to ensure the survival of the specimen and prevent its alteration and deterioration. 5. A method of trapping and processing a specimen by operating an extractor near the filter using a driving means while pressurizing air, sucking air, and supplying a processing agent to a plurality of specimen traps simultaneously or at a desired time difference. 6. A specimen capture device, in which a filter is arranged in series at the bottom of the container, and an extractor that can move in at least one direction is arranged in close proximity to the back side of the filter. 7. The specimen capturing device according to claim 6, wherein pressurized air can be freely supplied to the container. 8. The specimen capturing device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the suction force can be freely applied from the lower surface of the filter. 9. The specimen capturing device according to claim 6 or 8, wherein the processing agent can be additionally supplied to the container by being controlled by a signal from a sensor that detects the remaining amount of the filling in the container. 10. The specimen capturing device according to claim 6, wherein the extracting body has a group of through holes formed in a shape capable of urging the specimen toward the center of the extracting body during rotational movement of the extracting body.