JPH0712808A - Feces sampling container for transportation - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the scattering of a feces sample, resulting in the contamination of surroundings, when the inside of a container is pressurized at the time of taking out the sample by improving the operability and sealing performance of the container when a feces collecting rod is inserted into the container. CONSTITUTION:A feces sampling container for transportation is provided with a container main body 1 for housing a decal matter suspending liquid and feces collecting rod 6 inserted into the main body 1 and is composed of a cap body 2 which tightly covers one end section of the main body 1, separating wall 4 which is provided in the main body 1 so that the wall 4 can divide the inside of the main body 1 and can remove an excessive amount of feces when the rod 6 is passed through the wall 4, filter 7 for filtrating the liquid in which feces are suspended, and dropping section 5 which is inserted into the other end section of the main body 1 and drops the liquid filtrated through the filter 7. In addition, projecting parts 4A which are airtightly engaged with the outer peripheral surface of the rod 6 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the wall 4 and, at the same time, recessed parts 6B which are longer than the lengths of the projecting lines 4A on the wall 4 are provided on at least part of the peripheral surface of the rod 6 in a state where the parts 6B are counterposed to the wall 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a stool collection container, and more particularly to a stool collection container that can be sent and / or returned by means such as a mail envelope.

[0002]

Similar to urine, feces are suitable as a non-invasive test sample and are widely used as a sample in some tests.

Among the above-mentioned tests, the detection of occult blood in feces is known as a screening method for gastrointestinal diseases, especially gastrointestinal bleeding, and is very important for diagnosis of gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding diseases such as cancer. is there.

As a method for detecting occult blood in feces, a recently reported detection method based on the immunological reaction principle (see, for example, JP-A-59-125064) is a so-called test paper using a conventional guaiac reagent. It is superior in specificity and sensitivity to the detection method according to 1. and has attracted attention as a new screening method for the above-mentioned diseases.

By the way, in order to carry out the method for detecting occult blood in feces based on the immunological reaction principle, feces are quantitatively sampled to some extent in advance, and the feces are suspended in an appropriate liquid to give a predetermined feces. It is necessary to prepare a suspension.

[0006] Since the immunological detection reagent is preset so as to obtain sensitivity according to the expected amount of liquid, that is, the amount of feces, if the amount of feces to be tested is too small, the sensitivity is lowered. On the contrary, if the amount of feces to be inspected is too large, it is inconvenient for transportation, for example, by mail, and causes a bad odor. Furthermore, a problem arises when disposing of an extra sample (test feces) after the test is completed.

[0007] Various fecal collection containers have been conventionally proposed for the purpose of solving such a problem, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-17652 and Japanese Patent Application No. 4-35581.
6). For example, in the transportation / stool collection container described in Japanese Patent Application No. 4-355816, the rear end of the container body 11 containing the liquid S is sealed with a lid end 12 as shown in FIG. In a transport stool collection container having a stool collection rod 16 inserted into the container body 11, the container body 11 is formed into an elongated shape, and a concentric partition wall 14 is integrally provided inside the container body 11. A hole portion is provided in the central portion for inserting the stool collecting rod 16 in a rubbing state. The lid 12 and the container body 1
It is shaped so as to be pushed into 1 by the screwing portion 13, and a spiral groove 16A is provided at the tip of the stool collecting rod 16. Container body 1
1 is provided with a drip portion 15 at the front end thereof.
A filter unit 17 is provided in the.

A drip portion 15 is fitted to the lower end portion of the filter portion 17 of the container body 11, and a thin portion 15A which is easily perforated is formed in the lower portion thereof. A stopper ring 18 is fixed to a portion of the container body 11 above the filter portion 17, and the filter portion 1 is provided between the stopper ring 18 and the drip portion 15.
7 is fixed.

In the stool collection container shown in FIG. 6, the stool collection rod 16 is pierced into the stool of the subject to collect a certain amount of stool at the tip, and then the stool collection rod 16 is inserted into the hole of the separation wall 14. And is inserted into the container body 11. At this time, excess feces can be scraped off by the peripheral surface of the separation wall 14, and as a result, a certain amount of fecal sample can be easily collected in the spiral groove 16A and suspended in the liquid S to be a test sample. Can be

Since the outer diameter of the container body 11 is about 9 mm, the stool collection container can be sent and / or returned by a means such as a fixed size mail envelope.
However, it has been found that the stool collection container in which the shape and volume of the container body 11 are miniaturized in this way causes various problems in actual handling. For example, when the stool collection rod 16 is inserted in such a stool collection container, the outer peripheral surface of the stool collection slides airtightly over the entire axial length of the hole wall of the separation wall 14, so that sliding between the two members is performed. The resistance is large, and it is difficult to insert the stool collection rod 16 into the container body 11 while maintaining a sufficient sealing property.

Further, in the container body 11 shown in FIG.
When the stool collection rod 16 is penetrated through the hole of the separation wall 14, the peripheral surfaces of both members are airtightly slid to separate the liquid storage portion in the container body 11 from the upper portion by the separation wall 14. . When the stool collecting rod 16 is inserted into the container body 11 in this state, the internal pressure of the container body increases by about 15% in the mounted state shown in the figure by the volume of the inserted portion.

In the above-mentioned stool collection container, the thin portion 15A of the drip portion 15 of the container body 11 which is normally sealed is opened by a puncture tool or the like so that the inside of the container body 1 communicates with the outside. In this state, the liquid S does not immediately flow out due to the presence of the filter 17, but drops only when the cylindrical wall of the container body 11 having elasticity is squeezed.

However, as described above, when the pressure inside the container body 11 exceeds the normal pressure, the liquid S suddenly flows out of 15A and pollutes the surroundings when the drip portion 15 is punctured. Very unfavorable for work. Further, when a plurality of specimens are continuously handled, an accurate test result may not be obtained due to mutual contamination between the specimens due to such leakage.

In order to avoid such an overpressure condition in the container body 11, for example, the diameter of the stool collecting rod 16 is set to the container body 1.
It is possible to make it sufficiently smaller than 1.
It is not preferable in practice to make the stool collecting rod 16 extremely thin in terms of strength and difficulty in securing a required stool collecting amount in the spiral groove 16A.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a small stool collection container which can be easily handled while the stool suspension is hermetically sealed and can be mailed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an excellent container for transporting and collecting feces, which is excellent and which is free from the possibility that the suspension will be ejected or scattered by the operation at the time of inspection.

[0018]

[Technical Means for Achieving the Object] A cylindrical container main body capable of accommodating a liquid for suspending feces according to the present invention, and a feces collecting means for collecting feces near the tip are provided. And a lid body that is provided in the container body and is inserted into the container body in the direction of the cylinder axis and that can seal one end of the container body; and a lid body that is provided inside the container body to partition the interior of the container body and A separation wall capable of removing excess feces by airtightly engaging the peripheral surface when inserting the stool, a filter for filtering the liquid in which the stool is suspended, and the other end of the container body. In a transportation stool collection container comprising a dripping part that is inserted into the stool and is capable of dripping the liquid filtered by the filter, a stool scraper that hermetically engages the peripheral surface of the separation wall with the peripheral surface of the stool collection rod. In addition to providing a ridge for collecting, And also formed a longer recess than the axial length of the ridges of the separation wall in a part opposite the separating wall,
Before the insertion of the stool collecting rod into a predetermined position in the container body, the spaces are communicated with each other so that the inside of the container body partitioned by the separation wall is kept at normal pressure. The stool container purpose is achieved by:

[0019]

In the transporting / stool collection container of the present invention, feces are collected at the tip of the stool collection rod integrated with the lid, and then the tip is inserted toward the inside of the container body. Feces on the tip peripheral surface of the stool were scraped off when passing through the separation wall, and a predetermined amount of stool remaining in the spiral groove was suspended in the liquid in the sealed container body and the test sample. Become. As described above, the transportation and collection container can send the suspension in a sealed state by a mail envelope or the like. At the time of inspection, the thin portion of the dropping portion is punctured to drop the suspension through the filter to the outside.

In the present invention, the fecal sampling rod is inserted into the convex strip for scraping feces provided on the cylindrical peripheral surface of the separating wall while hermetically engaging the peripheral surface thereof. In this case, both members slide only on the tops of the ridges, so that the sliding resistance between them is extremely small, and the stool collection rod is inserted into the container body with a light resistance while smoothly scraping stool. Even if the contact area between the ridge of the separation wall and the peripheral surface of the stool collecting rod is small, the reaction force of the separation wall that is pushed in the radial direction by the ridge portion during sliding causes the contact with the outer surface of the stool collecting rod. Therefore, it is possible to improve the sealing property.

Further, in the present invention, when the stool collecting rod passes through the separation wall, the concave portion provided on the peripheral surface immediately before the insertion into the predetermined position opposes the convex stripe provided on the separation wall of the container body. . Here, since the axial length of the concave portion is longer than that of the convex strip, the space inside the container body partitioned by the separating wall is defined by the concave portion of the peripheral surface of the fecal sampling rod and the peripheral surface of the separating wall. They communicate with each other by the gap formed therebetween. At this point, the inside of the container body is in communication with the outside air and is in a normal pressure state. Therefore, even when the stool collecting rod is slightly inserted further to a predetermined position in the container body to form an airtight seal with the separation wall, the atmospheric pressure in the container body is kept almost normal pressure. . That is, the recess formed on the stool sampling rod functions as an air vent when it is inserted into the container body to maintain the pressure inside the container body at normal pressure, and the liquid is scattered from the drip portion due to the pressure at the same time as the puncture during the inspection. Contamination of the outside is prevented.

The ridge provided on the separation wall exerts a larger reaction force on the outer peripheral surface of the stool collecting rod when engaging and sliding with the stool collecting rod to improve the sealing performance. It is preferable to provide it at a position close to the free end of the.

It is preferable that the recess formed along the axial direction on the peripheral surface of the stool collecting rod has a length larger than the total axial length of the separation wall.

The recess may be formed by partially cutting the peripheral surface of the stool collecting rod parallel to the large diameter surface. The recess can also be obtained by cutting the peripheral surface of the stool collecting rod over the entire circumference by a length in the predetermined axial direction to form a reduced diameter portion. In any case, the stepped portion where the notch groove or the diameter-reduced portion axial end of the stool collecting rod and the original outer peripheral surface are adjacent to each other hits the recess and the separation wall when the stool collecting rod is inserted. It is preferable to perform taper processing so as to reduce the above.

The shape of the container body in the transport / stool collection container of the present invention is such that the volume of liquid required for suspending feces at a desired concentration can be stored, and when the lid is attached, There is no particular limitation as long as it has a length such that the stool collecting rod fixed to the above can not be used. Further, the size of the container body is set to a maximum diameter of 10 mm or less so that it can be sent and / or returned by means of a mail envelope (standard size). Furthermore, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride or the like can be used as the material of the container body. In particular, a flexible material such as polyethylene or polypropylene is convenient because the fecal suspension in the container body can be easily pushed out.

The material of the stool collecting rod provided in the lid may be synthetic resin, glass, metal, ceramic or the like, as long as it has a hardness such that it can be easily thrust into feces. However, the various synthetic resins used in the container body are preferable in order to form an airtight rubbed surface with the separation wall on the container body side.

As means for providing the container body and / or the lid body to seal one end of the container body with the lid body,
Conventional means such as a screwing type and a fitting type may be used. Further, it is preferable to form a stopper member on the stool collection rod provided on the lid so as to engage with the separation wall at a position where the lid is completely screwed or fitted to the container body.

As the liquid for suspending feces, any liquid can be used within the range where the object of the present invention can be achieved, and if necessary, a buffer, a stabilizer, a preservative, You may add additives, such as a pigment and a deodorant.

As the buffering agent, a buffering agent that maintains the pH in the neutral range, such as HEPES, PIPES, TES, MO.
PS or the like is used, and the pH is selected in consideration of the stability of the component to be analyzed. It is also possible to add NaCl to a concentration of 0.9% to make an isotonic solution. As the stabilizer, proteins such as bovine serum albumin, ovalbumin, and ovalbumin are added as stabilizers when the test subject is occult blood. The amount used is preferably about 0.1-10% W / V.

The amount of liquid between the container bodies is adjusted according to the required suspension concentration of feces. For example, 5 in the collection part of the stool collection stick
When mg feces are collected, a dilution ratio of 400 times can be obtained by adjusting the liquid volume to 2 ml.

It is convenient for the drip portion to be formed thin so that it can be easily drilled. In addition to forming the drip opening by perforation, it is also possible to scratch the projected portion and break it from the scratched portion.

The filter used in the container for transporting and collecting feces of the present invention is provided for the purpose of filtering undigested solid matter which is an obstacle at the time of inspection, and if it is inert to the substance to be analyzed, its material is There is no particular limitation. Specific examples thereof include porous materials such as polyurethane sponge and filter paper, and fibrous materials such as glass wool and absorbent cotton. It is more preferable to use a filter for aseptic filtration such as a glass wool filter or a membrane filter having a predetermined pore size. Further, the filter may be made of one type, or may be formed by laminating two or more types of filters.

The container body is preferably cylindrical in terms of strength and easiness of manufacture. In such a case, in order to prevent rolling of the transportation / stool collection container, the outer periphery of the container body is attached to the drip portion. You may form the flange which protrudes outward rather than the surface. The shape of the flange is not particularly limited as long as it can prevent the transportation of the feces container from rolling, and is, for example, a square shape, a pentagonal shape, a hexagonal shape, a star shape, etc. You can Further, a flange or knurl similar to the above may be provided on the lid. Furthermore, rolling prevention shapes may be provided on both the drip portion and the lid.

Since the container body has a considerably elongated shape, if the inner wall surface is water-repellent, the liquid for suspending feces does not wet the entire inner wall surface, and it partially stays so that the whole cannot be stirred well. Therefore, it is preferable that the inner wall surface is subjected to physical / chemical treatment or the container body material contains an antifogging agent in order to improve the water wettability of the inner wall surface.

[0035]

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following examples.

FIG. 1 shows a transportable stool collection container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a cylindrical container main body, 2 is a lid, 3 is a threaded portion between the container main body 1 and the lid 2, and 4 is a central hole provided concentrically on the inner peripheral wall of the container main body 1. Separation wall, 6 is a stool collection rod integrally provided on the lower surface of the lid 2, 6A is a spiral groove formed at the tip thereof for accommodating a certain amount of feces, and 4A is a cylinder of the separation wall 4. It is a ridge provided on the peripheral surface of the wall so as to be airtightly engaged with the peripheral surface of the stool collection rod 6. All of these are formed by molding a synthetic resin. Reference numeral 7 is a filter portion, which is a malt filter 7A.
And a glass wool filter 7B. Reference numeral 5 is a drip portion, 5A is a thin portion formed in the drip portion, 8 is a stopper ring for fixing the filter portion, and 9 is a stopper that regulates the descending position of the stool collecting rod 6. Separation wall 4 on the outer peripheral surface of the stool collecting rod 6
A notched groove 6B as a concave portion is formed along the axial direction at a position corresponding to the convex stripe 4A. The axial length of the notch groove 6B is set to be larger than the axial length of the entire separation wall 4 including the convex strip 4A.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the separation wall 4 of the transport / stool collection container according to the embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the separation wall 4 is formed as a concentric cylindrical wall by integral molding on the inner peripheral surface of the container body 1 made of synthetic resin, and the stool collecting rod 6 is formed in the center thereof.
It has a central hole portion for inserting and passing through. The cylindrical wall has a ridge 4A for scraping on its inner peripheral surface. On the other hand, on the outer peripheral surface of the stool collecting rod 6, a notch groove 6B is formed as a recess for air circulation along the axial direction thereof, and the axial length thereof is slightly smaller than the axial length of the separation wall 4. The length is made longer so that the air flow passage is surely formed between the spaces above and below the separation wall 4 of the container body 1 at the insertion position of the stool collecting rod 6 shown in FIG. The depth in the radial direction is determined by the reaction force generated when the ridge 4A of the separation wall 4 is engaged with the cutout groove 6B.
It is set so that it can be fully accommodated when it is displaced in the radial direction.

In the stool collection container of the present embodiment, 2.
Into the container body 1 filled with 0 cc of the aqueous solution, the stool collection rod 6 for collecting feces is inserted into the spiral groove 6A at the tip through the central hole of the separation wall 4. The stool attached to the tip is scraped off by the ridge 4A of the separation wall 4, and a predetermined amount of stool is left inside the spiral groove 6A.

When the stool collecting rod 6 is inserted to the position shown in FIG. 3, the ridge 4A formed on the cylindrical peripheral wall of the stool collecting rod 6 and the separating wall 4
And are airtightly slid under the elastic deformation of the separation wall 4,
The atmospheric pressure of the space containing the liquid S below the separation wall 4 of the container body 1 increases above atmospheric pressure in accordance with the volume of the portion into which the stool sampling rod 6 is inserted.

When the stool collecting rod 6 is further inserted from this state to the position shown in FIG. 4, the notch groove 6B of the stool collecting rod 6 corresponds to the ridge 4A of the separation wall 4. The axial length of the notch groove 6B is larger than the axial length of the ridge 4A of the separation wall 4 and the separation wall 4
Since a sufficient gap is left between the top of the ridge 4A and the bottom wall of the cutout groove 6B, an arrow p in the figure for communicating the upper and lower spaces of the separation wall 4 of the container body 1 between them. A directional air flow passage is formed. At this position, since the container body 1 is not completely screwed into the lid body 2, the overpressured air in the container body is released to the outside of the stool collection container and the pressure inside the container body 1 drops to normal pressure. To do.

Then, when the lid 2 is rotated with respect to the container body 1 along the screwing portion 3, the stool collecting rod 6 is further lowered to the position shown in FIG. The ridges 4A on the inner peripheral surface of the separation wall 4 are again airtightly fitted to each other, and the liquid S inside the container body 1 is completely sealed.

At this time, the stool collecting rod 6 further advances by the length of the screwed portion, but the increase in pressure due to this is slight. In this case, the stopper 9 provided on the stool collection rod 6 abuts the upper end of the separation wall 4 to prevent the stool collection rod 6 from further descending. There is no fear of excessively pushing it in and thereby deforming or damaging the screwing portion 3, the device wall, or the like.

Further, since the stool collecting rod 6 is in sliding contact with the cylindrical peripheral wall of the separating wall 4 only at the portion of the ridge 4A, the stool collecting rod 6 is provided.
The sliding resistance when inserting is relatively small, the scraping property is improved, and the sealing property between the separation wall 4 and the stool collecting rod 6 is significantly improved.

The stool collection container in which the stool suspension is sealed in the container body in this manner is delivered to a predetermined inspection agency by means such as mailing with a fixed-size envelope, and at the time of inspection, the thin wall 5A of the drip section 5 is used. Is pierced with a puncture tool or the like. Next, the inner wall S of the container body 1 made of a flexible synthetic resin is squeezed to drop the internal liquid S through the filter portion 7 to the outside for inspection.

[0045]

As described above, since the stool collection container of the present invention comprises the extremely small container body and the lid body with the stool collection rod which is hermetically fitted to the container body, the stool collection rod collects the stool collection rod. The feces can be easily handled as a suspension in a container body in a sealed state, and can be stored in an envelope or the like and mailed and / or returned.

Particularly, since a substantial sealing portion between the container body and the lid is formed between the ridge of the separation wall and the outer peripheral surface of the stool collecting rod, the insertion force of the stool collecting rod is reduced and the feces are collected. It is possible to improve the scraping property and the sealing property. In addition, since the outer peripheral surface of the stool collecting rod is formed with a recess as an air flow passage extending in the axial direction, the pressure of the space filled with the suspension when the stool collecting rod is inserted into the container body. The pressure can be reduced to normal pressure immediately before the completion of the insertion process, and when the drip portion is punctured, the suspension does not spout and scatter due to excessive pressure from the container body and contaminate the surroundings.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a transportation / stool collection container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing, in an enlarged manner, an engaging portion between a separation wall and a stool collection rod of the stool collection container shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a positional relationship between a separation wall and a stool collection rod of the transportation stool collection container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between a separation wall and a stool collection rod of the transport stool collection container shown in FIG. 1.

5 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between a separation wall and a stool collection rod of the transport stool collection container shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view showing an example of a conventional stool collection container.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Container main body 2 ... Lid body 3 ... Screwed portion 4 ... Separating wall 4A ... Scraping ridge 5 ... Drip portion 5A ... Thin portion 6 ... Stool collecting rod 6B ... Notched groove (Concave) 7 ... Filter section 7A ... Malt filter 7B ... Glass filter 8 ... Stopper ring 9 ... Stopper

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Yoshiharu Ichikawa 5-25-26 Oji, Kita-ku, Tokyo Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takeyoshi Urata 5-26-20 Oji, Kita-ku, Tokyo Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiromi Urano 5–26-20 Oji, Kita-ku, Tokyo Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinichiro Asano Oji 5-26-20, Kita-ku, Tokyo Eken Chemical Co., Ltd. (72) Invention Tatsunori Kikuchi 5-26-20 Oji, Kita-ku, Tokyo Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A cylindrical container main body capable of containing a liquid for suspending feces therein, and a fecal collection means for collecting feces near the tip thereof are provided in the container main body in a cylindrical axial direction. A lid body having a stool sampling rod to be inserted and capable of sealing one end of the container body, and a peripheral surface of the lid body provided inside the container body for partitioning the inside of the container body and inserting the stool sampling rod. A separation wall capable of airtightly engaging with and removing excess feces, a filter for filtering the liquid in which the feces are suspended, and the other end of the container body fitted and filtered by the filter In a transportation fecal sampling container comprising a drip part capable of dropping a liquid, a ridge for faeces scraping is provided on the peripheral surface of the separation wall for hermetically engaging the peripheral surface of the fecal sampling rod, and Axial direction of the ridge of the separation wall on at least a part of the peripheral surface of the post A recess longer than the length is formed so as to face the separation wall, and the inside of the container body partitioned by the separation wall is kept at normal pressure before the fecal sampling rod is inserted into a predetermined position in the container body. A feces collection container for transportation characterized in that the spaces are communicated with each other. 2. The container for transporting and collecting feces according to claim 1, wherein the ridge is formed in the vicinity of the free end of the separating wall. 3. The transportation stool collection container according to claim 1, wherein the recess formed in the peripheral surface of the stool collection rod is a notch groove formed in a part of the peripheral surface of the stool collection rod. 4. The transporting / stool collecting container according to claim 1, wherein the recess formed on the peripheral surface of the stool collecting rod is a reduced diameter portion in which the peripheral surface of the stool collecting rod is cut out along the entire peripheral surface.