JPH08101098A - Exhalation sampling device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To reduce the volume of the exhalation induction pump to reduce its size and reduce the burden on the subject. [Structure] An exhalation sampling tube 2 having an exhalation inlet 2d, an exhalation introducing tube 4 having one end connected to the exhalation sampling tube 2, and a sampling valve 17 connected to the other end of the exhalation introducing tube 4.
And a sample loop 19 connected to the sampling valve 17 to introduce the exhaled air blown into the exhalation sampling tube 2 and an exhalation exhaled into the exhalation sampling tube 2 connected to the sampling valve 17 via the exhalation suction tube 32. An exhalation introduction pump 9 that is introduced into the sample loop 19 via the introduction tube 4 is provided, and the inner diameter of the exhalation introduction tube 4 and the inner diameter of the exhalation suction tube 32 are made larger than the inner diameter of the sample loop 19.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an exhalation sampling device,
For example, the present invention relates to an exhalation sampling device suitable for sampling exhaled breath in a clinical test or exhaled breath in a drunk driving enforcement.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as described in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-58919, a breath sampling / analyzing device for sampling and analyzing the breath of a subject has been developed. This device is connected to the main body of the device, and an exhalation sampling tube having a length of about 1.5 [m] whose outer peripheral portion is covered with a heater and two ends of the exhalation sampling tube connected to each other through a four-way electromagnetic valve. Book carrier gas flow channel, air cylinder connected to four-way electromagnetic valve, sample metering section provided by partitioning a part of each carrier gas channel, and three-way electromagnetic valve on the downstream side of each sample metering section And an exhalation introduction pump (suction pump) connected via an exhaust pipe, and two separation columns connected to each three-way electromagnetic valve. in this case,
By heating the exhalation sampling tube with a heater, adsorption of exhalation components to the inner wall of the exhalation sampling tube and condensation of water are prevented.

When exhaled air is collected from a subject and analyzed, when the subject exhales exhaled air into the exhalation sampling tube,
The exhaled breath discharged to the exhaled breath collection tube is discharged to the outside of the device by the exhaled breath introduction pump, while a part of the exhaled breath is filled in each sample measuring unit as an exhaled breath sample. Next, when a carrier gas is sent from the air cylinder to each sample measuring unit, the exhaled breath sample filled in each measuring unit is sent to each separation column, and then each exhaled breath sample is different depending on the retention time of each component gas. To be separated. Thereafter, the breath analysis is performed by a predetermined calculation process.

On the other hand, in addition to the breath sampling analyzer having a structure in which a part of the carrier gas flow path connected to the electromagnetic valve is divided into a sample measuring section for filling the exhaled sample as described above, a carrier gas flow is applied to the electromagnetic valve. An exhalation sampling / analyzing device having a structure in which a loop-shaped tube is connected to a sample loop for filling an exhaled breath sample separately from the passage has been developed.

[0005]

By the way, in the conventional breath sampling analyzer as described above, the inner diameter of the breath introducing portion (exhalation sampling pipe) or the inner diameter of the exhaust pipe connected to the breath introducing pump is set to the carrier gas. The structure is generally smaller than the inner diameter of the sample measuring portion (or the inner diameter of the sample loop) that constitutes a part of the flow path. Therefore, when the subject exhales into the exhalation sampling tube, when the exhalation introducing pump is driven to allow the exhalation of the exhalation introducing part (exhalation sampling tube) to flow into the sample measuring unit (or sample loop), Since the inner diameter of the introduction part (exhalation sampling tube) and the inner diameter of the exhaust pipe connected to the exhalation introduction pump are smaller than the inner diameter of the sample metering part (or sample loop), there is a phenomenon that the inflow resistance of exhalation becomes large. .

Therefore, in order to allow the exhaled air collected in the exhaled air sampling tube to smoothly flow into the sample measuring section (or the sample loop), a breath introducing pump having a high suction ability must be used, and as a result, the exhaled breath is exhaled. It is necessary to increase the capacity of the introduction pump, the size of the exhalation introduction pump becomes larger, and the drive time (suction time) of the exhalation introduction pump is further increased.
Had to be long. On the other hand, if the drive time (suction time) of the exhalation introduction pump is lengthened, the time during which the subject is exhaling must also be lengthened, and the burden on the subject becomes large. .

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an exhalation sampling device which improves the disadvantages of the above-mentioned conventional examples, and in particular reduces the volume of the exhalation introducing pump to achieve miniaturization and reduces the burden on the subject. Is the purpose.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided an exhalation introducing tube having one end connected to an exhalation sampling tube having an exhalation inlet.
A valve having a plurality of connection ports to which the other end of the exhalation introduction tube is connected, an exhalation sample filling tube connected to the valve and filled with exhaled breath for analysis, and an exhalation aspiration tube having one end connected to the valve And an exhalation introducing pump that is connected to the other end of the exhalation aspirating tube and introduces the exhaled air blown into the exhalation sampling tube into the exhalation sample filling tube through the exhalation introducing tube and the valve. The configuration is such that the inner diameter of the tube is set larger than the inner diameter of the exhalation sample filling tube. This aims to achieve the above-mentioned object.

[0009]

According to the present invention, when exhaled air is blown from the exhalation inlet of the exhalation sampling tube, the exhaled breath is collected in the exhalation sampling tube. When the exhalation introduction pump is driven, the exhalation introduction pump performs a suction operation via the exhalation suction pipe connected to the valve. As a result, the exhaled air collected in the exhaled air sampling tube is introduced into the exhaled gas sample filling tube through the exhaled gas introduction tube and the valve whose one end is connected to the exhaled air sampling tube. The inner diameters of the exhalation introduction tube and the exhalation suction tube are set to be larger than the inner diameter of the exhalation sample filling tube. Therefore, the inflow resistance at the time of letting the exhalation of the exhalation sampling tube into the exhalation sample filling tube via the exhalation introduction tube is reduced.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The entire structure of the breath sampling / analyzing apparatus in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The breath analysis device in the present embodiment is, for example, breath analysis for clinical examination in the medical field, monitoring of the pathological condition of the patient, measurement of the working environment and indoor environment in the industrial field, drunk driving enforcement and drug enforcement in the police field, Fire cause investigation in the field of firefighting,
It can be used in a wide range of fields such as health management in the health industry field.

The exhalation sampling / analyzing device comprises an exhalation sampling tube 2 made of, for example, glass, to which a sterilized disposable mouthpiece 1 (hereinafter abbreviated as mouthpiece 1) is detachably mounted, and an exhalation exhalation sampling tube heater 3. , An exhalation introducing pipe 4 made of stainless steel, an exhalation introducing pipe heater 5, a heater controller 6, a pressure sensor 7, an analysis control unit 8, a sampling pump 9, a valve controller 10, a carrier gas cylinder 11, A carrier gas controller 12, a constant temperature bath 13, a detector 14,
The data processing unit 15 is generally included.

More specifically, the exhalation sampling tube 2 is for collecting exhaled breath exhaled from the subject H via the mouthpiece 1, and the mouthpiece mounting portion is the exhalation sampling tube heater 3. The main body portion is arranged inside the heater 3 for the exhalation sampling tube while being arranged so as to project to the outside. The exhalation sampling tube 2 includes a cylindrical exhalation inflow portion 2a,
The expiratory reservoir 2b has a spherical shape, and the expiratory discharge 2c is formed integrally with the expiratory discharge 2c which is tapered so that the inner diameter thereof gradually decreases toward the tip. The end of the expiratory inflow part 2a is configured as an expiratory air inlet 2d to which the mouthpiece 1 is attached, and the end of the expiratory discharge part 2c is opened to the outside of the exhalation sampling tube heater 3.

The exhaled air discharged from the subject H to the exhalation sampling tube 2 passes through the exhalation inflow section 2a and is partially stored in the exhalation storage section 2b, and also the exhalation sampling tube heater via the exhalation discharge section 2c. 3 is discharged to the outside. In this case, the subject H
The exhaled gas discharged to the exhaled gas sampling tube 2 is discharged to the outside of the exhaled gas sampling tube heater 3 by the next expiratory gas discharging operation of the subject, so that the expiratory gas sampling tube 2 need not be purged. The exhalation sampling tube heater 3 includes a pair of upper heaters 3a and lower heaters 3b each having a groove with which the exhalation sampling tube 2 engages.
(See FIG. 2) and heats the exhalation sampling tube 2 under the control of the heater controller 6. By heating the exhalation sampling tube 2, adsorption of exhalation components to the inner wall surface of the exhalation sampling tube 2 and condensation of water are prevented.

The exhalation introducing tube 4 is for introducing a part of the exhaled air collected in the exhalation collecting tube 2 into the sample loop 19 of the constant temperature tank 13, and the exhalation storing section 2b of the exhalation collecting tube 2 and the constant temperature tank 13. Is connected in communication with the sampling valve 17. The exhalation introducing tube heater 5 heats the exhalation introducing tube 4 under the control of the heater controller 6. By heating the exhalation introducing pipe 4, adsorption of exhalation components to the inner wall surface of the exhalation introducing pipe 4 and condensation of water are prevented.

The heater controller 6 controls energization of the exhalation sampling tube heater 3 and the exhalation introducing tube heater 5. The pressure sensor 7 detects the exhalation pressure of the exhaled air to the exhalation sampling tube 2 by the subject H and outputs a control start signal to the analysis control unit 8, and the exhalation storage section 2 b of the exhalation sampling tube 2 is detected. Are connected to each other via a pipe 16. As the pressure sensor 7, a highly sensitive sensor that can detect even a minute discharge pressure of the exhaled air exhaled from the subject H into the exhalation sampling tube 2 is used.

The analysis control unit 8 has a predetermined sequence control program built-in, and outputs a drive signal to the sampling pump 9 when the control start signal is supplied from the pressure sensor 7 so that the sampling pump 9 is controlled in a predetermined manner. Drive for only time. By driving the sampling pump 9, the exhaled breath of the exhaled breath storage section 2b of the exhaled breath collecting tube 2 is introduced into the sample loop 19 of the thermostatic chamber 13 via the exhalation introducing tube 4. That is, when the pressure sensor 7 detects the discharge of exhaled air into the exhalation sampling tube 2 by the subject H, the exhalation is automatically sent from the exhalation sampling tube 2 to the sample loop 19 of the thermostatic chamber 13 via the exhalation introducing tube 4. be introduced. The analysis control unit 8 also outputs a switching signal to the valve controller 10 and a data processing start signal to the data processing unit 15.

The sampling pump 9 is an exhalation suction tube 3
It is connected to the sampling valve 17 via 2.
The sampling pump 9 performs the suction operation via the exhalation suction tube 32, so that the exhalation reservoir 2 of the exhalation sampling tube 2 is
The exhaled air collected in b is supplied to the thermostatic chamber 13 via the exhalation introducing pipe 4.
It is introduced into the internal sample loop 19. The valve controller 10 appropriately switches the position (flow path) of the sampling valve 17 between the breath analysis standby state and the breath analysis state based on the switching signal supplied from the analysis control unit 8. Carrier gas is stored in the carrier gas cylinder 11. The carrier gas controller 12 connects the carrier gas stored in the carrier gas cylinder 11 to the pipe 33 and the pipe 2.
2, 23, and a sampling valve 17 to flow the sample loop 19, pre-column 20, separation column 21 as appropriate.

Inside the constant temperature bath 13, a sampling valve 17, a filter 18, a sample loop 19, a precolumn 20, a separation column 21, column holders 29 and 30 (see FIG. 1), a heater, a temperature controller, an electric fan (above shown). (Omitted) etc. are stored. Inside the constant temperature bath 13,
A heater keeps a predetermined temperature under the control of a temperature controller, and an electric fan circulates air.

The sampling valve 17 is equipped with a plurality of ports. To the sampling valve 17, the exhalation introducing pipe 4 connected to the exhalation sampling pipe 2 is connected via the filter 18, and the sampling pump 9 is connected via the exhalation suction pipe 32. A sampling loop 19 is connected to the sampling valve 17, and a carrier gas controller 12 is connected to the sampling valve 17 via a pipe 22 and a pipe 23. Further, the sampling valve 17 includes a pre-column 20, a separation column 21, and an exhaust pipe (not shown).
Are respectively connected.

A portion of the filter 18 connected to the exhalation introducing pipe 4 is formed of, for example, a stainless mesh, and traps dust and the like contained in exhalation introduced into the exhalation introducing pipe 4. The filter 18 catches dust and the like to prevent the dust and the like from entering the sampling valve 17. The sample loop 19 is filled with the exhalation introduced from the exhalation sampling tube 2 through the exhalation introducing tube 4 as an exhalation sample.

A feature of this embodiment is that the inner diameter of the expiratory air introduction tube 4 and the inner diameter of the expiratory suction tube 32 are set to be larger than the inner diameter of the sample loop 19.
Here, the inner diameter of the exhalation introduction tube 4 and the inner diameter of the exhalation suction tube 32 are arbitrarily set in advance within the range of 1 to 4 times the inner diameter of the sample loop 19.

Further, the pre-column 20 contains unnecessary components in the exhaled breath sample (in this embodiment, polar components such as water and acetone).
However, the components to be analyzed in the exhaled breath sample (hydrocarbons such as ethane in this example) are hardly retained and flow into the separation column 21. In this case, by switching the valve position (flow path) with the valve controller 10 before the polar components such as water and acetone flow into the separation column 21, the polar components such as water and acetone retained in the pre-column 20 are removed. Discharge out of the pre-column. Along with this, only the components to be analyzed (hydrocarbons in this example) in the exhaled breath sample flow into the separation column 21. The detector 14 detects the component flowing into the separation column 21 and outputs a signal based on the detection to the data processing unit 15. The data processing unit 15 performs predetermined breath analysis data processing based on the signal from the detector 14.

In the exhalation analysis standby state, the carrier gas is flowed through the pre-column 20 and the separation column 21 via the pipes 22 and 23 under the control of the carrier gas controller 12, and then discharged from the exhaust pipe 24. It In the exhaled breath sample introduction state, the sampling pump 9 is driven for a predetermined time to perform the suction operation via the exhaled breath suction pipe 32, so that the exhaled breath of the exhalation sampling pipe 2 is introduced into the sample loop 19 as the exhaled breath sample via the exhalation introduction pipe 4. And filled. In the breath analysis state, as a result of the carrier gas being supplied to the sample loop 19 via the pipe 22 under the control of the carrier gas controller 12, the breath sample in the sample loop 19 is swept to the precolumn 20 and the separation column 21.

Next, the configuration of each part centering on the arrangement of the exhalation sampling tube 2, the exhalation introducing tube 4, the exhalation suction tube 32, and the sampling valve 17 in the exhalation sampling / analyzing apparatus is shown in FIGS.
It will be explained based on. Figure 2 is a front view of the breath sampling analyzer
3 is a left side view of the breath sampling analyzer, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view in which a part of the door 26 of the breath sampling analyzer is omitted and a part of the outer wall is cut away.

A door 26 provided with a heat insulating material 25 is attached to the front side of the constant temperature bath 13 via hinges 27 and 28 so as to be openable and closable. The exhalation sampling tube heater 3 is fixed to the upper corner of the constant temperature bath 13, and the exhalation sampling tube heater 3 holds the exhalation sampling tube 2. Also, the constant temperature bath 13
The sampling pump 9 and the detector 14 are fixed to the upper surface of the outer wall of the. The sampling pump 9 is
It is connected to the sampling valve 17 via the exhalation suction pipe 32. Further, the valve controller 10 and the carrier gas controller 1 are provided on the side surface of the outer wall of the constant temperature bath 13.
2 is fixed. Further, a heater controller 6, an analysis control unit 8, and a data processing unit 15 are fixed to predetermined locations on the outer wall of the constant temperature bath 13 (not shown).

On the other hand, a sampling valve 17 is fixed above the side wall inside the constant temperature bath 13.
Further, a column holder 29 is attached to a mounting shaft 31 fixed to a base portion at a central portion inside the constant temperature bath 13. The column holder 29 includes three rod-shaped members 29a each having a claw at its tip end fixed to the mounting shaft 31, and an annular separation column winding member 29b supported by the three rod-shaped members 29a via the claws. Three rod-shaped members 29c having a claw at the tip end fixed to the mounting shaft 31, and three rod-shaped members 29
The pre-column winding member 29d is supported by c via a claw. In the separation column winding member 29b,
While the separation column 21 is wound with a curvature of a predetermined value or more,
The pre-column 20 is wound around the pre-column winding member 29d with a curvature of a predetermined value or more. And the separation column 21
Is connected to the detector 14 via the pipe 34.

Further, an L-shaped exhalation introducing pipe 4 is connected via a filter 18 between the exhalation reservoir 2b of the exhalation sampling pipe 2 and the sampling valve 17. Exhalation introducing tube 4 and exhalation introducing tube heater 5 covering the exhalation introducing tube 4
Is disposed in the hole formed in the wall portion of the constant temperature chamber 13 from the side surface of the heater 3 for the exhalation sampling tube to above the constant temperature chamber 13.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment constructed as described above will be described.

When the subject H discharges exhalation into the exhalation sampling tube 2, part of the exhalation is stored in the exhalation storage section 2b, and the rest of the exhalation is discharged via the exhalation discharge section 2c. Pressure sensor 7
When the exhalation exhalation pressure in the exhalation sampling tube 2 is detected,
The analysis control unit 8 drives the sampling pump 9 for a predetermined time. Further, the valve controller 10 switches the position of the sampling valve 17 to a state in which exhalation can be introduced into the sample loop 19. Then, since the sampling pump 9 performs the suction operation via the exhalation suction tube 32, the exhalation of the exhalation storage section 2b of the exhalation sampling tube 2 is introduced into the exhalation introduction tube 4, and then the sample loop 19 inside the constant temperature bath 13 Be introduced to.

Next, the valve controller 10 switches the position of the sampling valve 17 to a state in which the exhaled breath sample can flow from the sample loop 19 into the precolumn 20 and the separation column 21. Carrier gas controller 1
When the carrier gas is caused to flow into the sample loop 19 via the pipe 22 by 2, the exhaled breath sample in the sample loop 19 is pushed to the precolumn 20 and the separation column 21. The pre-column 20 holds unnecessary components in the exhaled breath sample (in this embodiment, polar components such as water and acetone), and the separation column 2
A component to be analyzed in the exhaled breath sample (hydrocarbons in the present example) flows into 1. The detector 14 is a separation column 21.
The component based on the detection is detected and a signal based on the detection is output to the data processing unit 15. The data processing unit 15 includes the detector 14
Predetermined exhalation analysis data processing is performed based on the signal from.

By the way, in the breath sampling analyzer, the inner diameter of the exhalation suction tube 32 and the inner diameter of the exhalation suction tube 32 are set to be larger than the inner diameter of the sample loop 19. Therefore, when the subject H discharges the exhaled air into the exhalation sampling tube 2,
When the sampling pump 9 is driven to allow the exhaled air in the exhaled gas sampling tube 2 to flow into the sample loop 19 via the exhalation introduction tube 4, the inflow resistance of the exhaled air is reduced. Further, due to the reduction of the inflow resistance of the exhaled breath, the driving time (suction time) of the sampling pump 9 can be shortened, and the exhaled breath discharge time by the subject can be shortened.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the inner diameter of the exhalation introducing pipe 4 connecting the exhalation sampling pipe 2 and the sampling valve 17, and the exhalation suction pipe connecting the sampling valve 17 and the sampling pump 9 to each other. 32 inner diameter,
Since it was set larger than the inner diameter of the sample loop 19,
By driving the sampling pump 9, it is possible to reduce the inflow resistance when the exhalation of the exhalation sampling tube 2 flows into the sample loop 19 via the exhalation introducing tube 4. As a result, the capacity of the sampling pump 9 can be reduced, and the sampling pump 9 can be downsized. Further, since the driving time (suction time) of the sampling pump 9 can be shortened by reducing the inflow resistance of the exhaled breath, the exhaled breath discharge time of the subject can also be shortened. As a result, the burden on the subject can be reduced.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the inner diameter of the exhalation introducing tube connected to the exhalation sampling tube and the inner diameter of the exhalation aspiration tube connected to the exhalation introducing pump are set to be larger than the inner diameter of the exhalation sample filling tube, the exhalation introducing pump is driven to exhale. It is possible to reduce the inflow resistance when the exhaled air of the sampling tube flows into the exhaled gas sample filling tube via the exhaled gas introduction tube, and as a result, the volume of the exhaled gas introduction pump can be reduced, and the exhaled gas introduction pump can be made compact. Can be realized. In addition, since the inflow resistance of the exhaled breath can be reduced, the driving time of the exhalation introduction pump can be shortened, so that the expiratory discharge time of the subject can be shortened, and as a result, the burden on the subject can be reduced. There is an effect that can be done.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exhalation sampling and analyzing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an exhalation sampling and analyzing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the breath sampling / analyzing device in the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view in which a part of a door of the exhalation sampling and analyzing apparatus in FIG. 3 is omitted and a part of an outer wall is cut away.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Exhalation sampling tube 2d Expiration inlet 4 Expiration introduction tube 9 Sampling pump as exhalation introduction pump 17 Sampling valve as valve 19 Sample loop as exhalation sample filling tube 32 Exhalation suction tube

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An exhalation introducing tube having one end connected to an exhalation sampling tube having an exhalation inlet, a valve having a plurality of connection ports and being connected to the other end of the exhalation introducing tube, and the valve. A breath sample filling tube connected and filled with breath for analysis, a breath suction tube having one end connected to the valve, and a breath breathed into the breath sampling tube connected to the other end of the breath suction tube And an exhalation introduction pump for introducing the exhalation sample into the exhalation sample filling tube through the exhalation introduction tube and valve, and the inner diameters of the exhalation introduction tube and the exhalation suction tube are set to be larger than the inner diameter of the exhalation sample filling tube. An exhalation sampling device characterized by the above.