JPS6378043A - Instrument for measuring component in liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce cost and to improve operability by mounting a capillary into which a liquid to be measured is held to an instrument body and providing injection means for exerting pressure to the capillary from one end thereof to inject the material to be measured in the capillary into a cell. CONSTITUTION:The means 40 for injecting the liquid to be measured is mounted to a cap-shaped member 32. The means 40 is constituted of a cylinder member 41, a pressurizing member 42 and a capillary holding member 43. A capillary insertion hole 43a is provided to the member 43. The capillary 11 is inserted into said hole until one end thereof arrives at the inside of the cylinder 41a and the other end of the capillary 11 arrives at the bottom of the cell 27 when the member 32 is closed. A pH buffer soln. in the cell 27 is stirred by a rotating member 29. A calibrating liquid is thereafter collected by the capillary 11 and the capillary 11 is inserted into the hole 43a until the front end thereof faces the inside of the cell 27. The member 42 is mounted thereto from above and while the suction hole 46a of the member 42 is closed, a pressing part 46 is pressed to inject the calibrating liquid into the cell 27. A sample liquid such as blood is then injected into the cell 27 in the same manner as in the case of the calibrating liquid, by which the material to be measured is measured.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring components in fluids such as body fluids.

[Background technology]

Conventionally, a sensor (for example, a biosensor in which an enzyme such as glucose oxidase is immobilized on the electrode surface) is composed of an electrode for measuring the components of a substance to be measured in a sample solution (for example, glucose or uric acid in blood). There are two types of in-liquid component measuring devices: batch type and flow type in-liquid component measuring devices.

In the flow type liquid component measuring device, as shown in FIG. 10, the pH buffer solution 6 flows through the channel 7 at a constant speed. In the figure, the arrow indicates the flow of pH buffer solution 6. At this time, the pump 8 is usually driven. Channel 7
A liquid to be measured inlet 10 and a sensor (for example,
An enzyme sensor, etc.) 9 is provided to measure the amount of the component to be measured contained in the liquid to be measured.

This flow-type liquid component measuring device is being put into practical use in hospitals and other facilities, but it requires a valve (not shown) and a pump to control the flow rate and amount of the pH 111 solution. However, the problem was that it was too expensive for patients to self-administer.

On the other hand, in a batch type liquid component measuring device, as shown in FIG. The pH buffer solution 1 is maintained at a constant temperature by using a constant-temperature water circulation path. A stirring bar 3 for stirring the pH buffer solution 1 is provided in the cell 2 . The stirring bar 3 is rotated by a stirring device 4 disposed below the cell 2. The stirring device 4 includes a magnet (not shown) disposed at a position corresponding to the stirring bar 3 and a motor (not shown) for rotating this magnet. In other words, the stirring bar 3 is rotated by the attraction and repulsion caused by the magnetic force of the magnet, and the pH buffer solution 1 is stirred.

A sensor 5 to which an appropriate voltage is applied is housed in the cell 2, and is immersed in a pH buffer solution 1. this cell 2
By injecting a substance to be measured (for example, body fluid such as blood) into the liquid, an electrode reaction occurs within the pHff1 street fluid.

Products of this electrode reaction (e.g. hydrogen peroxide, etc.)
In this method, a consumable substance (for example, oxygen, etc.) is extracted as a current output, and the substance to be measured in the liquid to be measured is measured according to the amount of the output. Therefore, it is small and inexpensive compared to the one with a flow set, and can be used for home use, but its accuracy is greatly influenced by the quantitative nature of the substance to be measured that is injected. Therefore, dispensing pipettes have been used to obtain quantitative results, but these pipettes are very expensive and are not suitable for home use.

To solve this problem, the inventors invented a dropper as shown in FIG. This dropper includes a cylindrical holder 12 as a body, and both ends thereof are open. A hollow operation receiving piece 13 with one end open is attached to one end of the holder 12 on the base side so that the open end thereof is placed over the outer periphery of the holder 12. This operation receiving piece 13 is made of a rubber bag, and is designed to contract when operated manually and then expand and return to its original state due to its elasticity. The operation receiving piece 13 is provided with a knob portion 13a, and a small opening/closing hole 16 is formed in the knob portion L3a. An insertion camp 14 made of a cylindrical rubber piece is fitted into the other end of the holder 12 due to its elasticity. An insertion hole 14a is formed through the center of the insertion cap, and one end of the base side of the capillary tube 11 is removably inserted through the insertion hole 14a. A cylindrical partition piece 15 made of a rubber material is fitted inside the one end of the holder 12 by utilizing its elasticity. A needle hole 15a is formed in the center of the partition piece 15 so as to pass through the partition piece 15, and this needle hole 15a serves as a restricting means. The needle-like hole 15a is configured to be easily closed by the elasticity of the partition piece 15 when no internal pressure is applied to the operation receiving piece 13, and
When the operating piece 13 is pinched in the direction of the arrow while blocking the opening/closing hole 16 with a finger and pressure is applied inside the operating piece 13, pressure is applied through the transmission hole 15b formed on the operating piece 13 side of the needle hole 15a. It is gradually opening up. This allows only a very small amount of discharge air to flow into the capillary tube 11 at very low pressure.

Although this dropper is cheaper than the dispensing pipette mentioned earlier, it is not easy to operate as it requires changing hands many times when using it, and it is easy to lose as it is separate from the measuring device itself. There was a problem.

[Purpose of the invention]

In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid component measuring device having a means for injecting a substance to be measured that is inexpensive, has good operability, and does not get lost. .

[Disclosure of the invention]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention includes a cell containing a sample liquid composed of a buffer solution and a liquid to be measured, and a cell which is immersed in this cell to detect the measured component contained in the liquid to be measured in the cell. An in-liquid component measuring device comprising a sensor for detection and a device main body to which these sensors are attached, wherein the device main body is fitted with a capillary tube holding the liquid to be measured in the tube. The gist of the present invention is an apparatus for measuring components in a liquid, characterized in that a liquid to be measured injection means is provided which applies pressure from one end of the capillary to inject the liquid to be measured inside the capillary into the cell.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the in-liquid component measuring device according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. is integrated into the device main body 20. The measuring section 21 sends an electric signal to the display section 22 according to the amount of the substance to be measured. The display unit 22 includes an arithmetic circuit (not shown), a display 23.
It is equipped with a display panel 25 having operation switches 24 and 24, and a power switch 26, and performs calculations based on the electrical signals.
The results are displayed on the display 23.

The measurement unit 21 includes a cell (reaction tank) 27 that stores a sample liquid consisting of a liquid to be measured and a pH buffer solution, a sensor 28 that detects a substance to be measured in the liquid to be measured, and agitates the sample liquid 30 in the cell 27. The zero-rotating body 29 and the sensor 28 are equipped with a lid-like member 32 that rotates on the device main body 20 via a hinge 31 and releasably covers the upper part of the cell 28 attached to the device main body 20. is attached to the lid-like member 32
When the cells are in the closed state, their tips face into the cells 28, respectively.

The sensor 29 is attached to the sensor cap 8 as shown in FIG.
2 using screws or the like.

This sensor cap 82 is inserted into an elongated sensor insertion opening (not shown) of the lid-like member 32 and a notch 85 of a support plate 84 that supports the connector 86 and the like, and is inserted along the length of the sensor insertion opening. By sliding it, it can be attached to the lid-like member and electrically connected to the connector 26. Note that the sensor cap 82 is not exposed in FIGS. 1 and 2 because it is covered with the sensor protection cover 33; however, by being connected to the connector 26 as described above, the sensor cap 82 does not emit light from the sensor 28. An electrical output corresponding to the amount of the substance to be measured is sent to an arithmetic circuit, and the arithmetic circuit calculates and displays the amount of the substance to be measured on the display 23.

The rotating body 29 includes a stirring section 29a and shaft sections 29' and 29b. The stirring part 29a has a cross-shaped cross section, has a magnet 29c embedded therein, and is adapted to be immersed in the sample liquid 30 of the cell 27. The shaft portion 29b has a cylindrical shape, and is inserted into the shaft hole of the support portion formed in the lid-like member 32 to be rotatable, and is prevented from falling out by the locking portion 29d. . A magnet 34 is disposed between the device main body 20 and the rotating body 29 via a cell 27. This magnet 34
is fixed to the rotating shaft of the motor 35, and
It is designed to rotate horizontally as the .

When the magnet 34 rotates, repulsive attraction occurs between it and the magnet 29c in the stirring section 29, and the rotating body 29 rotates, causing the sample liquid 30 to rotate.
It is designed to stir.

A liquid to be measured injection means (hereinafter simply referred to as "injection means") 40 is attached to the lid-like member 32. This injection means 40 is composed of a cylinder member 41, a pressure member 42 as a pressure means, and a capillary holding member 43. The cylinder member 41 is integrated with the lid-like member 32 and includes a cylinder 41a so that the lid-like member 32 faces the cell 27 in the closed state. Cylinder member 4
A capillary holding member 43 made of an elastic member such as rubber is fitted into the end facing the cell 27 of the capillary tube 1 . The capillary holding member 43 is provided with a through hole that becomes a capillary insertion hole 43a.
One end of the capillary tube 11 holding a certain amount of the liquid to be measured is inserted into the cylinder 41a.

The inserted capillary tube 11 is held as it is by the elastic force of the capillary tube holding member 41. The pressure member 42 is a cap-shaped member made of an elastic material such as rubber, and has a pressing part (operation receiving part) 46 at the tip.
and a cylinder part 44 constituting a part of the cylinder 41a, and the tip end of the cylinder part 44 is attached to the cylinder member 41 so as to cover it from the outside. Pressing part 46
A partition wall 45 having needle holes (fine holes for flow rate adjustment) is formed between the cylinder part 44 and the pressure part 41a, so that even if the pressing part 46 is pressed, the pressure inside the cylinder 41a does not rise suddenly. , the liquid to be measured held in the capillary tube 11 is
Slowly and firmly remove the cell 27 without leaving any residue on the wall.
It can be injected into the body. Pressing part 4
An intake hole (small opening/closing hole) 46a is formed at the tip of the cylinder 6, and when pressurizing the inside of the cylinder 41a, the intake hole 43a is closed with a finger. The outer wall of the portion of the cylinder portion 44 that constitutes a part of the cylinder 41a is thick, and when an external force such as pressure from the pressing portion 46 is applied, the cylinder portion 44 bends and the cylinder 41a is bent.
This prevents the capillary tube 11 inserted deeply into the tube from being damaged.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cell 27 should be a disposable one, which is filled with a certain amount of pH buffer 49 in advance and whose opening is sealed with a seal 48 made of resin or aluminum. Can be done. The seal 48 is the cell 27
It is fixed by thermal welding or the like to a flange 47 formed on the periphery of the flange. .

The method of using this in-liquid component measuring device is as follows.

The seal 48 of the cell 27 is peeled off, and the cell 27 is placed in the recess 21a formed in the measuring section 21, and the lid-like member 32 is closed. At this time, the pressure member 42 is removed from the cylinder member 41. Next, turn on the power switch 26 and check the initial display on the display 23. After checking, operate the operation switch 24 to rotate the rotating body 29 to remove the p inside the cell 27.
Stir the H buffer. Thereafter, a calibration solution is collected using the capillary tube 11, and this capillary tube is inserted into the capillary tube insertion hole 43a of the capillary tube holding member 43, so that the tip of the capillary tube 11 faces into the cell 27, and the pressurizing member 42 is attached from above. After mounting, the pressure part 46 is pressed with a finger while closing the intake hole 46a at the tip of the pressure member 42, and calibration liquid is injected into the cell 27 to perform calibration. After that, the pressure member 42 is removed and the used capillary tube 11 containing the calibration liquid is removed. Next, as in the case of the calibration liquid, a sample liquid such as blood is injected into the cell 27 and the amount of the substance to be measured in the sample liquid is measured.
The value is displayed on the display 23 of No. 1.

After the measurement is completed, the lid-like member 32 is opened, the cell 27 is taken out, and it is discarded. If the components in the liquid are to be measured continuously, each time a new cell 27 is attached to the measuring section 21 and the measurement is performed in the same manner as described above. When the measurement is completed, the power switch 26 is turned off. In this way, the amount of the substance to be measured contained in the liquid to be measured is measured.

In addition, in places such as hospitals where a large number of liquids must be measured, it is economical to wash and reuse used cells in appropriate quantities instead of discarding them. It is.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 (al) and (b) show a second embodiment of the in-liquid component measuring device according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the structure of the in-liquid component measuring device of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except for the injection means. In the injection means, a cylinder member 51 is formed along the inner wall surface of the lid-like member 32 so that the axis of the cylinder 51a is horizontal when the lid-like member 32 is in a closed state. Cylinder member 5
A capillary holding member 53 is fitted into the end of the cell 1 on the cell 27 side. The capillary holding member 53 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and has a penetrating capillary insertion hole 53a.
It is equipped with This capillary insertion hole 53a is connected to the lid-like member 3.
2 is inclined downward from the cylinder 51a side toward the cell 27 side in the closed state, so that the tip of the inserted capillary tube 11 faces into the cell 27. The pressure member 55 includes a piston 57 that slides inside the cylinder 51a.
and an operating lever 60 for operating the piston 57. The operating lever 60 includes a pair of locking pawls 61, 61 facing each other on the back surface, and a locking pawl 6 that fits into a groove 58 formed in the circumferential direction at the rear end of the piston 57 and locks from both sides.
A locking piece 62 having numbers 3 and 63 is provided. Lid-like member 3
2, there are guide grooves 64, 64 formed in parallel so as to sandwich the cylinder member 51, and a cylinder 51a.
A recess 65 with one end open is formed, and the locking claws 61, 61 of the operating lever 60 are inserted into the guide groove 64°64.
The locking pieces 62 are fitted into the recesses 65, respectively. As described above, the locking pawls 63 and 63 of the locking piece 62 of the operating lever 60 are fitted into the groove 58, so that the piston 57 can lock the operating lever 60 into the cylinder 51a.
By sliding it in the direction, it enters into the cylinder 51a and pressurizes the inside of the cylinder 51a. Note that the tip end (cylinder side) of the piston 57 is formed of a rubber-like sealing material 56, and the cylinder 51a
This prevents the air inside from leaking to the rear. 5 and 6 (in BL, 59 is a return spring, and 68 is a stopper for the piston 57. The return spring 59 usually always biases the piston 57 and the operating lever 60 in the opposite direction to the cylinder 51a. In the no-load state, the rear end of the piston 57 is in contact with the wall surface of the recess 65.The stopper 68 is a projection formed on the inner wall surface of the cylinder 51a, and the stopper 68 is a projection formed on the inner wall surface of the cylinder 51a. This is to prevent the capillary tube 11 from being damaged by entering too deep.

The method of operating the in-liquid component measuring device of this embodiment is to hold the capillary tube 11 holding the calibration liquid or the liquid to be measured horizontally, and then open the capillary insertion hole 53 from the front (cell side) of the capillary tube holding member 53.
The process is carried out in the same manner as in the first embodiment except that it is inserted into the position a. Note that when you release your hand after insertion, the capillary insertion hole 5
Since the capillary tube 3a is inclined, the tip of the capillary tube 11 is
Figures 7 and 8 (a) and (bl), which are tilted so as to touch the buffer solution 30, show a third embodiment of the in-liquid component measuring device according to the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the liquid component measuring device of this embodiment has a structure other than the pressure member 82 and the cylinder member 81.
This is similar to the embodiment. Similarly to the second embodiment, the cylinder member 81 is moved when the lid-like member 32 is in the closed state.
It is formed along the inner wall surface of the lid-like member 32 so that the axis of 1a is horizontal. A recess 88 is formed on the surface of the lid-like member 32.
is formed, and the cylinder 81a opens into this recess 88. The pressure member 82 is fitted into the recess 88 and attached. The pressure member 82 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or plastic, and has a cylindrical shape whose top and bottom are covered with lids.

This pressure member 82 is fitted into the recess 88 without any gaps.

The upper surface 84 of the protruding portion of the pressure member 82 from the lid-like member 32
has a thin wall, and an intake hole 84a is formed in the center thereof. On the other hand, a convex portion 83 that fits into the cylinder 81a is formed on the side surface of the portion that fits into the recess 88 facing the cylinder 81a, and a needle hole 83 is formed in the center of the convex portion 83 that fits into the cylinder 81a.
a is formed. This in-liquid component measuring device uses the pressing part 84 on the upper surface of the pressing member 82 while blocking the intake hole 84a with a finger.
By pressing , the inside of the cylinder 81a is pressurized, and the liquid to be measured in the capillary tube 11 is injected into the cell 27. Note that since the needle hole 83 is formed, the pressure applied by the pressure member 82 is buffered and the cylinder 81
It is designed to prevent sudden pressurization within a. 7th
In the figure, 81b is a stopper for preventing the capillary tube 11 from entering too much into the cylinder 81a. Further, the pressure member may be of the type shown in FIG. The pressing member 92 has a pressing portion 94 in a bellows shape.

The in-liquid component measuring device according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. In the embodiment, the rotating body and the sensor are attached to the lid-like member, but they may be separate bodies. The shape of the lid-like member is also not limited to that of the embodiment. There is no need for a lid-like member. It is only necessary that the liquid to be measured injection means be integrated into the main body of the apparatus.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, the in-liquid component measuring device according to the present invention has the following features:
A cell containing a sample liquid consisting of a buffer solution and a liquid to be measured, a sensor immersed in this cell to detect a component to be measured contained in the liquid to be measured in the cell, and a device body to which these are installed. The liquid component measuring device is equipped with a capillary tube that holds a certain amount of the liquid to be measured in the device body, and a pressure is applied from one end of the capillary tube to the liquid component. Since the liquid to be measured injecting means for dripping the liquid to be measured in the capillary tube into the cell is provided, the liquid to be measured is inexpensive, easy to operate, and will not be lost.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the liquid component measuring device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of its operation section, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of its sensor section, and FIG. The figure shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the cell, FIG. ) is a perspective view thereof, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the operating section showing the third embodiment of the in-liquid component measuring device according to the present invention, FIGS. 8(a) and (b) are perspective views thereof, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the pressure member, FIGS. 10 and 11 are explanatory diagrams of a conventional liquid component measuring device, and FIG. 12 is a conventional liquid to be measured injection means. It is a sectional view of a barrel dropper. 11... Capillary tube 20... Apparatus body 27... Cell 28... Sensor 31... Hinge 32... Lid-like member 40. 50... Liquid to be measured Injection means 41.51
．． 81... Cylinder member 41a, 51a, 81a.
...Cylinder 43.53...Capillary tube holding member 43
a. 53a... Capillary insertion hole 45... Partition wall 45a,
83a...acicular hole 45a, 84a...intake hole 5
7... Piston 60... Operating lever agent Patent attorney Takehiko Matsumoto Figure 3 Figure 4 (a) Figure 6 (b) Figure 8 Figure 10 Figure 11 Figure 12 Circle β thread six Ne 41 official document (self-proposal) ■October 27, 1961 3, Lineage with the amended case Patent application Colonel Address 1048 Oaza Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Name (583) Representative of Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd. (Sadao Fujii 4, Agent 5, Number of inventions increased by 6 amendments, Specification subject to amendment 7, Contents of amendments full) "Narusei" and " Insert the following words between "inserted". -Note 1: "In the figure, the other end of the capillary tube 11 is attached to the bottom of the cell 27 when the lid-like member 32 is closed." (2) On page 12, line 10 of the specification, “Capillary holding member 41
The text "J" is corrected to "capillary holding member 43."

Claims (7)

[Claims] (1) A cell containing a sample liquid consisting of a buffer solution and a liquid to be measured, a sensor immersed in this cell to detect the component to be measured contained in the liquid to be measured in the cell, and a device to which these are installed. An in-liquid component measuring device comprising a main body,
A capillary tube holding the liquid to be measured in the tube is attached to the main body of the device, and pressure is applied from one end of the capillary to inject the liquid to be measured inside the capillary into the cell. 1. An in-liquid component measuring device, characterized in that it is provided with a means for injecting a liquid to be measured. (2) The device body is provided with a lid-like member that rotates via a hinge and covers the upper part of the cell in an openable manner, and the lid-like member is provided with a means for injecting the liquid to be measured. The in-liquid component measuring device according to scope 1. (3) A liquid to be measured injection means is attached to a cylinder member in which a cylinder is formed, a capillary holding member attached to one end of this cylinder member and having a capillary insertion hole penetrating to the cylinder, and attached to the other end of the cylinder member. 3. The in-liquid component measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a pressurizing means for pressurizing the inside of the cylinder by manual operation. (4) The pressurizing means is composed of a cap-shaped hollow elastic material that is attached to cover the cylinder member from the outside, and when the tip of the hollow elastic material is pressed, the inside of the cylinder is pressurized. At the same time, a needle hole is formed between the tip end and the end of the capillary tube facing into the cylinder to prevent the pressure inside the cylinder from changing suddenly due to the pressing force. The in-liquid component measuring device according to claim 3, wherein a partition wall is provided. (5) An intake hole is formed in the tip of the hollow elastic material, and the pressurization is performed by pressing the tip while blocking the intake hole. 4. The in-liquid component measuring device according to item 4. (6) The in-liquid component measuring device according to claim 3, wherein the pressurizing means comprises a piston inserted into a cylinder, and an operating lever that operates the piston to pressurize the inside of the cylinder. (7) The cylinder is formed along the back surface of the lid-like member, and the capillary insertion hole of the capillary holding member is formed so as to be inclined diagonally downward when the lid-like member is in the closed state. The in-liquid component measuring device according to any one of items 6 to 6.