JPH0395432A - Measuring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable execution of measurement only by making a specimen stick to a test material and setting the material in an apparatus as it is, by a method wherein a light is applied to the test material of a test piece which discolors in reaction with a component of the specimen and the concentration of the component of the specimen is determined on the basis of a detection signal of a reflected light. CONSTITUTION:When a blood sugar test piece 1 is inserted into an opening of an apparatus and set, a component of a specimen is measured through an opening 4 of the test piece 1 on the basis of the discoloration reaction of test paper 8 which discolors in reaction with the component of the specimen. On the occasion, a light L is applied to the test paper 8 by LED (light-emitting element) 30a and a reflected light therefrom is detected by a photosensor 30b. Based on a detection signal thereof, the concentration of the component of the specimen sticking to the test paper 8 is determined in a control unit.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a measuring device that attaches an analyte to a test material of a test piece, attaches the test piece, and measures the concentration of a specific component of the sample. be.

[Prior Art] Among the conventional measuring devices for measuring sample components, especially blood glucose measuring devices, after attaching the blood to be measured to the test material of the test piece, the excess blood is wiped off and then the sample is placed on the test piece. Wait for a predetermined period of time for the test material to react with the blood components, and
The test piece is attached to a measuring device. After the wearing is completed, the measurement of the blood sugar level is started by pressing a measurement start switch provided on the measuring device.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional example described above, it is up to the operator to measure the predetermined time until the test strip reacts, which is cumbersome to operate, and if the measurement time is incorrect, it may result in inaccurate measurement. There was a problem that blood sugar levels could not be measured. Also, after attaching the test piece, the measurement will not start unless you press the start switch again, so even if you take the time to accurately measure the time and attach the test piece to the device, you may forget to press the start switch. In some cases, accurate blood sugar levels could not be measured due to a delay in pressing the start switch.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and provides a measuring device that can easily and accurately measure a specific component of a specimen by simply attaching the specimen to a test material and immediately attaching it to the measuring device. The purpose is to

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the measuring device of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, it is a measuring device that measures the components of a specimen based on the discoloration reaction of a test material that changes color in response to the components of the specimen, and includes an irradiation means for irradiating the test material with light, and a method for irradiating light by the irradiation means. a detection means for detecting reflected light from the test material among the light emitted by the test material; and a measurement means for determining the component concentration of the specimen attached to the test material based on the detection signal from the detection means;
a test piece detecting means for detecting that a test piece including the test material is attached to the apparatus main body; and when the attachment of the test piece is detected by the test piece detecting means, measurement by the measuring means is started. and control means for controlling.

[Operation] In the above configuration, light is irradiated onto the test material of the test piece, which is provided with a test material that changes color in response to the precepts of the specimen, and the reflected light from the test material is detected. Based on this detection signal, the measuring device calculates the component concentration of the sample attached to the test material, and when it detects that the test piece is attached to the main body of the device, it automatically starts measurement.

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Overall Description (FIGS. 1 and 2)] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an automatic blood glucose measuring device 5o according to an embodiment.

In FIG. 1, 50 indicates the main body of the automatic blood glucose measuring device, and 51 indicates a display section such as a liquid crystal display for displaying measurement results and the like. 52 is a power switch, and when the power of the device 50 is turned off, pressing this switch 52 turns on the device 5.
0 is turned on, and if pressed while in the on state, the power of the device 50 is turned off. Reference numeral 53 denotes a memory recall switch, and each time this switch 53 is pressed, the measurement results stored in the memory built into the device are sequentially read out along with the measurement date and time and displayed on the display section 51. A blood glucose test strip 1 is inserted and attached to the opening 24 of the device 50, and the blood glucose level of the blood adhering to the test paper portion through the opening 4 of the test strip 1 is measured.

Reference numeral 54 denotes a memory cancel switch, and when this switch 54 is not pressed within a predetermined time after measurement when measuring blood sugar level,
The automatically measured blood sugar level is stored in the memory, but by pressing this switch 54 within a predetermined time after the end of the measurement, it is possible to prevent the blood sugar level measured immediately before from being stored in the memory. This makes it possible to prevent the value from being stored in the memory, for example, when the measured value becomes abnormal due to poor adhesion of blood to the test strip or other operational errors.

55 is a setting switch, and by pressing this switch 55, the values of (month, day, hour, minute) can be set. Reference numeral 56 denotes a change switch, which allows the date and time specified by the setting switch 55 to be changed and set. These setting switch 55 and change switch 5
6 is a switch that is rarely used after the time is set.

[Description of the configuration of the device (FIG. 2)] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the automatic blood glucose measuring device 50. Parts common to those in the first drawing are designated by the same numbers, and their explanation will be omitted.

In the figure, 70 is a control unit that controls the entire device, and is used as a work area for a CPU 2 such as a microprocessor, a ROM 73 that stores control programs and various data for the CPU 72 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, and a work area for the CPU 72. , a RAM 74 for storing measurement results, etc. together with measurement dates and times. This control unit 70 inputs the states of various connected switches and performs processing corresponding to the human power.
The blood sugar level can be determined by reading the signal value from 0b, and the measurement results and the contents of the memory (RAM 74) can be displayed on the liquid crystal display section 51.

36 is a switch that detects that the test piece 1 is inserted into the opening 24. When the test piece 1 is inserted, the switch is turned on, and when the power of the device 50 is on, the blood glucose level can be measured by this switch. Started automatically.

Reference numeral 75 denotes an LED driver, which lights and drives the LED 30a with a constant current according to instructions from the control unit 70. LED30
In a, the back side of the test piece 1 (the invisible part of the test piece 1 shown in FIG. 1) is irradiated, and the reflected light is reflected by the photo sensor 30.
b is detected, and the blood sugar level of the blood is determined based on the intensity of the reflected light. 76 is a signal detection circuit for converting the intensity of reflected light detected by the photo sensor 30b into a voltage value. The analog signal from the signal detection circuit 76 is input to the control section 70, A/D converted, and input to the CPU 72 as a digital signal corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light.

A battery 77 serves as a power source that supplies power to the entire device 50. 78 is a timer provided in the control unit 70;
A predetermined period of time is measured according to instructions from the CPU 72.

Reference numeral 79 denotes a buzzer, which notifies the operator of a warning, or the elapse of one second during a countdown display, which will be described later, the end of measurement, an error, and the like.

[Explanation of the insertion part of the test strip (Figs. 3 and 4)] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing details of the insertion part of the test piece 1 of the blood glucose measuring device 50 of the embodiment, which is shown in the above-mentioned drawings. Identical parts are indicated by the same numbers.

FIG. 3 shows the state in which the sub cover unit 22 is removed from the main body part 50, and the portion indicated by the dotted line of the spring body 26 that presses the opening 24 and the test piece 1 is in the state where the sub cover unit 22 is attached. The position of each part is shown. Test piece 1
The protrusion 4b provided in the opening 24 engages with the notch 24a of the opening 24, and prevents the test piece 1 from being inserted backwards. Device 5
The test piece 1 inserted and attached to the transparent plate 32 is pressed by the spring member 26 in the direction of the transparent plate 32. The light L from the LED (light emitting diode) 30a illuminates the opening 2a through the transparent plate 32, and the reflected light is transmitted to the photo sensor 30b.
is configured to reach. This configuration will be explained in detail with reference to FIG.

36 is a microswitch for detecting that the above-mentioned test piece 1 is attached; when the test piece 1 is attached, the test piece 1
The actuator 3 of the microswitch 36 is
6a is pushed down and turned on. Thereby, the control unit 30 can detect that the test piece 1 is attached to the main body 50 by inputting the signal from the switch 36.

Note that since this actuator 36a does not turn on the switch 36 unless the test piece 1 is properly attached, it is also possible to detect whether the test piece 1 is improperly attached based on the signal from the switch 36.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the test piece 1 attached to the main body 50, taken along line AA' in FIG.

The blood adhering through the opening 4 spreads through the liquid spreading layer 10 and penetrates into the reagent layer (test paper) 8. Reference numeral 12 denotes a liquid absorbing layer section for absorbing excess blood that is not absorbed by the liquid spreading layer section 10. 6 is a transparent light-transmitting layer portion through which light passes. The light L from the LED 30a passes through the transparent plate 32 and the light-transmitting layer 6 and is irradiated onto the test paper 8, and the photo sensor 30b, which is installed at a position making an angle of approximately 45 degrees with respect to the incident light, sends the reagent to the photo sensor 30b. The reflected light from the layer section (test paper) 8 reaches there. Thereby, the reaction color of the test strip 8 is read, and the blood sugar level of the blood is determined.

Here, blood is attached through the opening 4 and the liquid spreading layer 10
The time it takes for the reagent to penetrate into the reagent layer 8 and react is about 1 minute. Therefore, in this automatic blood sugar measuring device, after one minute has been counted since the test piece was inserted and worn,
I'm trying to take measurements. Note that 2 indicates the main body of the test piece 1.

[Explanation of operation of blood sugar measuring device (Figs. 1 to 5)] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the blood sugar measuring device of the embodiment.
It is stored in 3.

The process shown in FIG. 5 is started when the power switch 52 of the device 50 is pressed to turn on the power, and step S1
All the items that can be displayed are displayed on the display section 51 for about several seconds so that it can be confirmed whether the display section 51 is functioning normally. Next, the process proceeds to step S2, and it is checked whether the test piece 1 is attached by checking whether the switch 36 is turned on. If the switch 36 is not turned on (when the test piece 1 is not attached), the process proceeds to step S3. and check whether a predetermined period of time (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed. When the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S5, and the power of the device is turned off. If the predetermined time is not counted in step S3, step S
The process advances to step S4 to check whether the power switch 52 has been pressed, and if the switch 52 has been pressed, the process advances to step S5 to turn off the power.

When it is detected in step S2 that the test piece 1 has been attached, the process proceeds to step S6, where 60' seconds is displayed on the display section 51, and in step S7, it is waited for 1 second to elapse. Once the elapsed time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S8, in which the buzzer 79 sounds and the remaining time is displayed after counting down for 1 second.Incidentally, each of these times may be measured by the aforementioned timer 78, and the control stored in the ROM 73 may be used. The time may be measured by software using a program.

In this way, when one minute has passed in step Sll, step S
Proceed to step 12 to perform measurement processing. During this time, if it is detected in step 8 that the test piece 1 is attached or detached by a signal from the switch 36, the process proceeds to step S9, and the display section 5
1, an error message is displayed and the buzzer 79 sounds.

In step S12, a signal is output to the LED driver 75 to cause the LED 30a, which had been off until then, to emit light, and in step S13, the intensity of reflected light detected by the photo sensor 30b is read. The intensity of this reflected light is measured by the signal detection circuit 7.
6, is converted into a digital signal by the control unit 70, and is input to the CPU 7215 1 6 . When the reflected light intensity is input in this way, the process proceeds to step S14, where the LED 30a is turned off, and
The blood sugar level is determined based on the intensity of the reflected light. For example, a table storing reflected light intensity values corresponding to blood sugar levels is prepared in the ROM 72, and the blood sugar level is determined by referring to the table based on the input reflected light intensity. do it.

Once the blood sugar level has been determined in this way, the process proceeds to step S15.
The measurement results are displayed on the display section 51.

At this time, if the measured value is below a predetermined range, data indicating that, for example "LO", is displayed on the display 5.
1 and if it is above a predetermined range, for example ゛' H
i'' or the like may be displayed to inform the operator that the measured value is abnormal.

Next, in steps S16 and S17, a predetermined period of time (approximately 3 minutes)
It is checked whether the memory abort switch 54 is pressed within the same period. If the switch 54 is not pressed, the process advances to step S18, and the measurement results are stored in the RAM 74 along with the current date and time. On the other hand, when the memory cancel switch 54 is pressed in step S16, the process advances to step S19, where the display section 51 displays that the memory has been canceled, and the process returns to step S2.

As explained above, according to this embodiment, by attaching blood to the test strip 1 and immediately inserting the test strip 1 into the device 50, the blood glucose level of the blood to be sampled is automatically determined. This method allows anyone to measure blood sugar easily and accurately.

In the above explanation, only the case of blood sugar level measurement has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and can also be applied to, for example, an analyzer for uric acid, GT○, GPT, cholesterol, etc. In addition to blood, the specimen may be body fluids such as urine or saliva.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the concentration of a specific component of the sample can be easily and accurately measured by simply attaching the sample to the test material and immediately attaching it to the measuring device. There is an effect that can be done.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the automatic blood glucose level measuring device of this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the automatic blood glucose level measuring device, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of the test strip mounting section, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional shape taken along the line AA' in FIG. 3 with the test piece attached, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the measurement process in the blood glucose measuring device of the embodiment. In the figure, 1... test piece, 4... opening, 6... transparent layer part, 8... reagent layer part (test paper), 10... liquid developing layer part, 12...・Liquid absorption layer part, 22...Sub cover integrated, 2
4...Opening, 30a...LED (light emitting element). 3
0b... Photo sensor, 36... Micro switch, 50... Automatic blood sugar level measuring device, 52... Power switch, 53... Memory recall switch, 54... Memory cancel switch, 55... Setting Switch, 56... Change switch, 75... LED driver, 76... Signal detection circuit, 77... Battery, 78... Timer, 79...
...It's a buzzer.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A measuring device that measures the components of a specimen based on a color change reaction of a test material that changes color in response to the components of the specimen, comprising: an irradiation means for irradiating the test material with light; and irradiation by the irradiation means. a detection means for detecting reflected light from the test material among the reflected light; a measurement means for determining the component concentration of the specimen attached to the test material based on the detection signal from the detection means; and the test material. a test piece detection means for detecting that a test piece having a test piece is attached to the apparatus main body; and when the attachment of the test piece is detected by the test piece detection means, the measurement means is controlled to start measurement. A measuring device comprising: a control means for controlling; (2) The measurement according to claim 1, wherein the measuring means measures the specific component concentration of the specimen after a predetermined time has elapsed since the test piece was attached. Device.