Component measuring apparatus and component collecting apparatus

• US 6,083,460 A
• Filed: 12/31/1997
• Issued: 07/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha (Terumo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Terumo Kabushiki Kaisha (Terumo Corporation)
• Inventors: Morikawa, Naoki, Oomori, Tooru
• Primary Examiner(s): LUDLOW, JAN M
• Application Number:
  US09/001,660
• Time in Patent Office: 916 Days
• Field of Search: 422/56, 422/57, 422/58, 422/61, 422/82.05, 422/82.09
• US Class Current: 422/404
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/027 for microfluidic devices
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0832 cylindrical, tube shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5023 with a sample being transported to, and subsequently stored in an absorbent for analysis

Abstract

A liquid specimen collection device includes a main body provided with a passage extending between opposite ends of the main body that defines a capillary tube liquid specimen flow path. One end of the passage opens at a tip end of the body member that is positionable adjacent a liquid specimen for introducing the liquid specimen into the passage while the opposite end of the passage opens at a body surface of the body which surrounds and extends outwardly from the opposite end of the passage. A test paper soaked in reagent is secured to the main body adjacent the opposite end of the passage. A liquid sample introduced into the passage at the tip end of the body member flows by capillary action along the passage to the opposite end of the passage where the specimen is then absorbed by the test paper. The test paper is secured to the body member at a plurality of spaced apart securement locations along a peripheral portion of the test paper with gaps being located between adjacent securement locations through which air is permitted to flow during liquid specimen flow along the liquid specimen flow path. The test paper includes a centrally located protuberance and an annular protuberance extending around the outer circumferential portion of the test paper. The end surface of the tip end of the body member can be provided with a groove extending between the outer peripheral surface of the tip end and the passage in the body member.

Claims

1. A liquid specimen collection device mountable on a reading unit which measures a characteristic of a liquid specimen, comprising:

a body member including a recessed portion at one end for receiving the reading unit and a specimen introduction portion at the opposite end for placement adjacent a liquid specimen, the body member being provided with a hole defining a capillary tube specimen flow path that is open at oppositely located first and second ends, the first end of the hole opening to the specimen introduction portion and the second end of the hole opening into the recessed portion, the body member including a body surface that surrounds and extends outwardly from the second end of the hole; and

a test paper carrying a chromatic reagent and having oppositely located first and second surfaces, the test paper being mounted within the recessed portion of the body member with the first surface of the test paper facing the body surface so that a liquid specimen introduced into the hole at the first end flows by capillary action through the capillary tube liquid specimen flow path towards the second end of the hole and contacts the test paper, the test paper possessing a flat shape lying in a plane, the test paper including an axially extending annular protuberance extending around an outer circumferential portion of the test paper, said annular protuberance extending out of the plane of the test paper in a direction towards the body surface of the body member.

2. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 1, wherein the specimen introduction portion has an end surface and an outer peripheral surface, the end surface of the specimen introduction portion being provided with at least one groove extending between the outer peripheral surface of the tip end and the hole in the body member.

3. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 1, wherein the test paper is secured to the body member at a plurality of spaced apart securement locations along a peripheral portion of the test paper with gaps being located between adjacent securement locations through which air is permitted to flow during liquid specimen flow along the capillary tube liquid specimen flow path.

4. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 1, wherein the test paper possesses a flat shape which lies in a plane, said test paper having a center portion provided with an axially extending protuberance that extends out of said plane.

5. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 4, wherein said protuberance extends into the hole in the body member.

6. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 1, wherein said body member includes an annular specimen reservoir formed in the body surface of the body member, said annular protuberance extending into the specimen reservoir.

7. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 1, including at least one protuberance extending axially away from the body surface and located radially outwardly of the hole for spacing an end face of a reading unit from the test paper when the collection device is mounted on an end of the reading unit.

8. A liquid specimen collection device mountable on a reading unit which measures a characteristic of a liquid specimen, comprising:

a body member provided with a hole defining a capillary tube specimen flow path that extends between opposite ends of the body member and that is open at both ends, one end of the hole opening at a tip end of the body member that is positionable adjacent a liquid specimen for introducing the liquid specimen into the hole, the opposite end of the hole opening at a body surface of the body which surrounds and extends outwardly from the opposite end of the hole, the tip end of the body member having an end surface and an outer peripheral surface, the end surface of the tip end of the body member being provided with at least one groove extending between the outer peripheral surface of the tip end and the hole in the body member; and

a test paper carrying a chromatic reagent and having oppositely located first and second surfaces, the test paper being mounted on the body member with the first surface of the test paper facing the body surface of the body member so that a liquid specimen introduced into the hole at the tip end flows by capillary action along the capillary tube liquid specimen flow path towards the opposite end and contacts the test paper.

9. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 8, wherein the test paper is secured to the body member at a plurality of spaced apart securement locations along a peripheral portion of the test paper with gaps being located between adjacent securement locations through which air is permitted to flow during liquid specimen flow along the capillary tube liquid specimen flow path.

10. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 8, wherein the test paper possesses a flat shape which lies in a plane, said test paper having a center portion provided with an axially extending protuberance that extends out of said plane.

11. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 10, wherein said protuberance extends into the hole in the body member.

12. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 8, wherein the test paper possesses a flat shape which lies in a plane, the test paper including an axially extending annular protuberance extending around an outer circumferential portion of the test paper, said annular protuberance extending out of the plane of the test paper in a direction towards the body surface of the body member.

13. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 12, wherein said body member includes an annular specimen reservoir formed in the body surface of the body member, said annular protuberance extending into the specimen reservoir.

14. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 8, including at least one protuberance extending axially away from the body surface and located radially outwardly of the hole for spacing an end face of a reading unit from the test paper when the collection device is mounted on an end of the reading unit.

15. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 8, wherein said body member is provided with a recess that receives an end of a reading unit, said recess having a bottom surface defined by the body surface.

16. A liquid specimen collection device mountable on a reading unit which measures a characteristic of a liquid specimen, comprising:

a body member provided with a hole defining a capillary tube specimen flow path that extends between opposite ends of the body member and that is open at both ends, one end of the hole opening at a tip end of the body member that is positionable adjacent a liquid specimen for introducing the liquid specimen into the hole, the opposite end of the hole opening at a body surface of the body which surrounds and extends outwardly from the opposite end of the hole; and

a test paper carrying a chromatic reagent and having oppositely located first and second surfaces, the test paper being secured to the body member with the first surface of the test paper facing the body surface of the body member so that a liquid specimen introduced into the hole at the tip end flows by capillary action along the capillary tube liquid specimen flow path towards the opposite end and contacts the test paper, the test paper being secured to the body member at a plurality of spaced apart securement locations along a peripheral portion of the test paper with gaps being located between adjacent securement locations through which air is permitted to flow during liquid specimen flow along the capillary tube liquid specimen flow path, the test paper possessing a flat shape which lies in a plane, said test paper having a center portion provided with an axially extending protuberance that extends out of said plane.

17. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 16, wherein said protuberance extends into the hole in the body member.

18. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 16, wherein the test paper possesses a flat shape which lies in a plane, the test paper including an axially extending annular protuberance extending around an outer circumferential portion of the test paper, said annular protuberance extending out of the plane of the test paper in a direction towards the body surface of the body member.

19. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 16, wherein the opposite end of the hole extending through the body member is surrounded by a protruding portion, said protruding portion being provided with a groove for permitting a liquid specimen to flow radially outwardly from the opposite end of the hole.

20. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 16, wherein the tip end of the body member has an end surface and an outer peripheral surface, the end surface of the tip end being provided with at least one groove extending between the outer peripheral surface of the tip end and the hole in the body member.

21. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 16, including at least one protuberance extending axially away from the body surface and located radially outwardly of the hole for spacing an end face of a reading unit from the test paper when the collection device is mounted on an end of the reading unit.

22. A liquid specimen collection device mountable on a reading unit which measures a characteristic of a liquid specimen, comprising:

a body member provided with a hole defining a capillary tube specimen flow path that extends between opposite ends of the body member and that is open at both ends, one end of the hole opening at a tip end of the body member that is positionable adjacent a liquid specimen for introducing the liquid specimen into the hole, the opposite end of the hole opening at a body surface of the body which surrounds and extends outwardly from the opposite end of the hole; and

a test paper carrying a chromatic reagent, the test paper being provided with an axially extending protuberance, the test paper being secured to the body surface of the body member with the protuberance of the test paper being aligned with the hole in the body member so that a liquid specimen introduced into the hole at the tip end flows by capillary action along the capillary tube liquid specimen flow path towards the opposite end of the hole where the liquid specimen contacts the protuberance of the test paper and is absorbed into the test paper.

23. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 22, wherein said axially extending protuberance extends into the hole in the body member.

24. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 22, wherein the test paper includes an axially extending annular protuberance extending around an outer circumferential portion of the test paper, said annular protuberance extending towards the body surface of the body member.

25. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 22, wherein the test paper is secured to the body member at a plurality of spaced apart securement locations along a peripheral portion of the test paper with gaps being located between adjacent securement locations through which air is permitted to flow during liquid specimen flow along the capillary tube liquid specimen flow path.

26. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 22, wherein the tip end of the body member has an end surface and an outer peripheral surface, the end surface of the tip end being provided with at least one groove extending between the outer peripheral surface of the tip end and the hole in the body member.

27. A liquid specimen collection device mountable on a reading unit which measures a characteristic of a liquid specimen, comprising:

a body member provided with a hole defining a capillary tube specimen flow path that extends between opposite ends of the body member and that is open at both ends, one end of the hole opening at a tip end of the body member that is positionable adjacent a liquid specimen for introducing the liquid specimen into the hole, the opposite end of the hole opening at a body surface of the body which surrounds and extends outwardly from the opposite end of the hole; and

a test paper carrying a chromatic reagent and having oppositely located first and second surfaces, the test paper being secured to the body member with the first surface of the test paper facing the body surface of the body member so that a liquid specimen introduced into the hole at the tip end flows by capillary action along the capillary tube liquid specimen flow path towards the opposite end and contacts the test paper, the test paper possessing a flat shape which lies in a plane, said test paper being provided with an axially extending protuberance that extends out of said plane of said test paper.

28. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 27, wherein the opposite end of the hole extending through the body member is surrounded by a protruding portion, said protruding portion being provided with a groove for permitting a liquid specimen to flow radially outwardly from the opposite end of the hole.

29. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 27, wherein the tip end of the body member has an end surface and an outer peripheral surface, the end surface of the tip end being provided with at least one groove extending between the outer peripheral surface of the tip end and the hole in the body member.

30. A liquid specimen collection device as recited in claim 27, including at least one protuberance extending axially away from the body surface and located radially outwardly of the hole for spacing an end face of a reading unit from the test paper when the collection device is mounted on an end of the reading unit.