Bio sample collection device

A bio sample collection device including: a housing; a cap part detachably fastened to the housing, and including a bio sample collector for collecting a bio sample; and a bio sample processing liquid storage unit storing bio sample processing liquid, the bio sample processing liquid storage unit being formed to be broken when the cap part is combined with the housing after bio sample is collected so that the bio sample processing liquid is mixed with the bio sample.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This application is a National Stage Patent Application of PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2017/011750 (filed on Oct. 24, 2017) under 35 U.S.C. § 371, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a sample collection device, and more particularly, to a bio sample collection device.

As the interest in health increases, a process of collecting and testing various bio samples in the vicinity is in progress. In addition to a process of collecting and inspecting sludge of the sewage treatment plant, as well as sampling the food samples for food poisoning test, samples of feces and the like for the health check is to proceed.

Since these bio samples are generally unhygienic, various studies are being conducted for hygienic collection. As a device for collecting such a bio sample, the Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-0473307, “Feces Sampling Device” and the Korean Utility Model Publication No. 20-2016-0001613, “Feces sampling and inspection container” are disclosed.

However, these bio sample collection devices are focused only on hygienic collection, which is insufficient for post-collection processing. For example, in the case of conventional bio sample collection devices, when the feces are collected for the intestinal microorganism test, the collected feces are exposed to the air, thereby causing a change in the distribution of the intestinal microorganisms immediately after the collection. That is, there are aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms in the intestinal microorganisms. When they are exposed to air during their collection, which affects the survival of anaerobic and aerobic microorganisms, thus changing their distribution. Therefore, when the collection time is delayed until the test, the intestinal microbial distribution and population changes, which makes it difficult to make an accurate test for disease diagnosis and microbial measurement of an individual.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a bio sample collection device that can more accurately perform the test for the bio sample.

A bio sample collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for solving this problem includes a housing, a cap part and a bio sample processing liquid storage unit. The cap part is detachably fastened to the housing, and includes a bio sample collector for collecting a bio sample. The bio sample processing liquid storage unit stores bio sample processing liquid. The bio sample processing liquid storage unit is formed to be broken when the cap part is combined with the housing after bio sample is collected so that the bio sample processing liquid is mixed with the bio sample.

For example, the cap part and the housing may have screw thread corresponding to each other, so that the cap part is detachable by rotation to the housing. A stopper may be formed on the screw thread of the cap part and the housing, and the cap part and the housing may be fastened only to the stopper before the bio sample is collected, and the cap part and the housing may be completely fastened to each other through the stopper, after the bio sample is collected by the bio sample collector.

The cap part may include a covering part and a cylinder part. The covering part may be formed with the screw thread and fastened to the housing. The cylinder part may have an upper portion connected to a lower portion of the covering part and a lower portion opened. The bio sample collector may be movably combined to the cylinder part, so that the bio sample collector may be movable along the outer surface of the cylinder part up and down.

The lower portion of the cylinder part, which is opened, may be sealed by a sealing film, so that the bio sample processing liquid may be contained in the cylinder part to configure the bio sample processing liquid storage unit.

In this case, the bio sample collector may include a puncher, so that the puncher may punch the sealing film when the cap part and the housing are completely engaged, thereby introducing the bio sample processing liquid into the housing.

Alternatively, a lower portion of the housing may be covered by a sealing film, so that the bio sample processing liquid may be contained in the lower portion of the housing to configure the bio sample processing liquid storage unit.

In this case, the bio sample collector may punch the sealing film when the cap part and the housing are completely engaged, so that the bio sample processing liquid may be introduced into the housing.

On the other hand, the bio sample collector may include a plurality of protruding parts protruding toward a bottom of the housing.

Further, a pipette inlet, which is capable of being punched by a pipette, may be formed at an upper surface of the cap part.

In this case, the pipette inlet may be formed by at least two line segments crossing each other, of which thickness is thinner than the other areas.

As described above, the bio sample collection device according to the present invention is damaged when the cap part is fastened to the housing after the bio sample has been collected, and formed to mix the bio sample processing liquid with the bio sample, thereby improving accuracy of the inspection of the bio sample.

In addition, it is possible to ensure the safety of the user by preventing the bio sample processing liquid is exposed to the user before the bio sample is collected.

In addition, by forming a stopper on the screw thread of the cap part and the housing, it is possible to prevent the cap part is completely fastened to the housing before the sample is collected to damage the bio sample processing liquid storage unit.

In addition, when the bio sample collector includes a plurality of protruding parts protruding toward the lower surface of the housing, the protruding parts is lowered to collect bio samples so that the bio samples is kept between the protruding parts, thereby improving hygiene in comparison to a conventional collector with a spoon. In addition, when the cap part is rotated to be combined with the housing, the bio samples can be mixed with the bio sample processing liquid more effectively.

In addition, by forming a pipette inlet to be punched by the pipette on the upper surface of the cap part, it is possible to take a bio sample without opening the cap part, thereby enabling a more hygienic inspection.

In addition, when the pipette inlet is formed by at least two or more line segment areas crossing each other, of which thickness is thinner than other areas, the pipette inlet may be formed in the forming process of the cap part without any additional process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Also, A and B are ‘connected’ and ‘coupled’ means that in addition to A and B being directly connected or bonded, another component C may be included between A and B.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. In addition, in the claims for the method invention, the steps may be reversed in order unless the steps are explicitly bound in order.

FIG.1is an exploded cross-sectional view of a bio sample collection device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, andFIG.2is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the cap part and the housing are fastened only to the stopper, before the bio sample collection device shown inFIG.1collects bio samples.FIG.3is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the cap part and the housing are completely fastened after the bio sample collection device illustrated inFIG.1collects bio samples,FIG.4is a conceptual view illustrating a stopper formed in a cap part and a housing of the bio sample collection device illustrated inFIG.1, andFIG.5is an exploded cut perspective view illustrating a cap part of the bio sample collection device illustrated inFIG.1.

Referring toFIG.1toFIG.5, a bio sample collection device100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a housing110, a cap part120, and a bio sample processing liquid storage unit130.

For example, the housing110may be formed in a cylindrical shape having a closed bottom, and the cap part120may also be formed in a cylindrical shape corresponding to the housing110. For example, the housing110and the cap part120may be formed of plastic.

The cap part120is detachably fastened to the housing110, and include a bio sample collector121for collecting a bio sample. The bio sample collector121is formed at, for example, a lower portion of the cap part120, and when the cap part120is fastened to the housing110, the bio sample collector121is inserted into the housing110not to be exposed to the outside. The bio sample collection device100with the bio sample collector121formed to the cap part120is more convenient, comparing to a bio sample collection device with a bio sample collector separately. That is, the bio sample collector121is separated by separating the cap part120from the housing110, and when the cap part120is fastened to the housing110after the bio sample is collected, the bio sample collector121is inserted into the housing110to be hygiene.

On the other hand, the cap part120and the housing110are each formed with a screw thread corresponding to each other, the cap part120may be formed to be detachable by rotation to the housing110.

The bio sample processing liquid storage unit130stores the bio sample processing liquid. The bio sample processing liquid may kill all of the microorganisms in the bio sample, or stop the activity of the microorganisms in order to ensure the accuracy of the test when the bio sample is examined. On the other hand, various kinds of bio sample processing liquid may be used depending on its purpose.

In this case, the bio sample processing liquid storage unit130is damaged when the cap part120is fastened to the housing110after the bio sample is collected by the bio sample collector121, so that the bio sample processing liquid is mixed with the bio sample.

As described above, in the bio sample collection device100according to the present invention, when the cap part120is fastened to the housing110after the bio sample is collected, the bio sample processing liquid storage unit130is damaged, so that the bio sample processing liquid is mixed with the bio sample, thereby improving the accuracy of the test of the bio sample. For example, by inhibiting the relative disappearance and proliferation of the anaerobic microorganisms and aerobic microorganisms of feces, it is possible to accurately detect the type and distribution of anaerobic microorganisms and aerobic microorganisms.

On the other hand, when the bio sample processing liquid is placed inside the housing without any treatment, for example, the bio sample processing liquid may leak out when the cap part120is separated. In this case, when the bio sample processing liquid is harmful to the human body, the human body may be damaged. However, in the present invention, after the bio sample is collected, when the cap part120is fastened to the housing110, the bio sample processing liquid storage unit130is broken, so that the bio sample processing liquid is mixed with the bio sample, thereby preventing the bio sample processing liquid from being exposed to a user before the bio sample is collected, thereby ensuring the safety of the user.

Meanwhile, as shown inFIG.4, a stopper122is formed on the screw thread of the cap part120and the housing110. As shown inFIG.2, the cap part120and the housing110are engaged only to the stopper122before bio samples are collected, and as shown inFIG.3, the cap part120and the housing110are completely engaged through the stopper122after bio samples are collected.

The stopper122may be formed in a linear shape, for example, as shown inFIG.4, so that the stopper122may be broken when a user strongly rotates the cap part120. Alternatively, the stopper122may be formed to have a locking step with rounded shape so as to pass through the locking step.

As such, when the stopper is formed on the screw thread of the cap part120and the housing110, it can be prevented that the cap part120is completely fastened to the housing110and the bio sample processing liquid storage unit130is damaged before collecting bio sample.

The cap part120may include a covering part123and a cylinder part124. The covering part123may be formed with the screw thread and may be fastened to the housing110.

The cylinder part124may have an upper portion connected to a lower portion of the covering part123and a lower portion thereof may be opened. For example, the cylinder part124may have an upper portion integrally formed with the covering part123, or may be separately formed and fastened to the covering part123. For example, the cylinder part124may be formed in a cylindrical shape with an open bottom.

In addition, the open bottom of the cylinder part124is sealed by a sealing film125, so that the bio sample processing liquid is contained in the cylinder part124so that the bio sample processing liquid storage unit130can be configured.

Meanwhile, the bio sample collector121may be movably engaged to the cylinder part124, so that the bio sample collector121may move upward or downward along the outer surface of the cylinder part124. To this end, an upper portion of the bio sample collector121may be formed in a cylindrical shape with open top, and a lower portion of the bio sample collector121may include a plurality of protruding parts127protruding toward the lower surface of the housing. As such, when the bio sample collector includes a plurality of protruding parts protruding toward the lower surface of the housing, the protruding parts is lowered to collect bio samples so that the bio samples is kept between the protruding parts, thereby improving hygiene in comparison to a conventional collector with a spoon. In addition, when the cap part is rotated to be combined with the housing, the bio samples can be mixed with the bio sample processing liquid more effectively.

On the other hand, the bio sample collector121includes a puncher126. When the cap part120and the housing110are fully engaged, the bio sample collector121ascends along an outer surface of the cylinder part124, so that the puncher126punches the sealing film125, thereby allowing the bio sample processing liquid to flow into the housing110. In this case, the bio sample processing liquid may flow through a gap between the outer surface of the cylinder part124and the inner surface of the bio sample collector121. Alternatively, a separate through hole may be formed in the bio sample collector121, and the bio sample processing liquid may flow out through the through hole.

FIG.6is an exploded perspective view illustrating a cap part of the bio sample collection device illustrated inFIG.1,FIG.7is a perspective view illustrating the concept of inserting a pipette, andFIG.8is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the pipette shown inFIG.7is inserted to perform an extraction process.

Referring toFIG.6, a pipette inlet128may be formed on an upper surface of the cap part120to be punched by the pipette. In more detail, the pipette inlet128is formed at the center of the covering part123of the cap part120.

For example, the pipette inlet128may be formed by at least two line segment regions crossing each other, which have relatively thinner thickness than other regions of the cap part120. That is, the pipette inlet128may be formed of three line segments that cross each other, as shown inFIG.6, and the thickness of the three line segment regions is thinner than other regions to form the pipette inlet128.

Alternatively, the pipette inlet128may be formed by a circular area with relatively thinner thickness than other regions of the covering part123as shown inFIG.7.

However, it is more preferable that the pipette inlet128is formed by at least two line segment regions crossing each other, which have relatively thinner thickness than other regions of the cap part120, because after the pipette (P) is inserted to collect the bio sample, and after the pipette (P) is separated from the cap part120, an open area of the cap part120can be minimized thereby minimizing an outflow of bio sample.

As such, when the pipette inlet128is formed on the upper surface of the cap part120to be punched by the pipette P, the bio sample can be collected without opening the cap part120, so that hygienic inspection is possible.

FIG.9is an exploded cross-sectional view illustrating a bio sample collection device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, andFIG.10is an exploded cut perspective view illustrating a cap part of the bio sample collection device illustrated inFIG.9. The bio sample collection device illustrated inFIGS.9to10is substantially the same except for the configuration of the bio sample processing liquid storage unit as compared to the bio sample collection device illustrated in the above embodiment. Therefore, the same or similar components bear the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

Referring toFIG.9andFIG.10, a bio sample collection device100according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a housing110, a cap part120, and a bio sample processing liquid storage unit130.

A lower portion of the housing110may be covered by a sealing film125to contain the bio sample processing liquid in the lower portion of the housing110to form the bio sample processing liquid storage unit130.

In this case, when the cap part120and the housing110are completely fastened, the bio sample collector121formed on the upper cap part120punches the sealing film125, thereby introducing the bio sample processing liquid into the housing110.

As described above, the bio sample collection device100according to the embodiments of the present invention is damaged when the cap part120is fastened to the housing110after the bio sample is collected, thereby mixing the bio sample processing liquid with the bio sample to improve the accuracy of the test of the bio sample.

Although the present invention has been described in the detailed description of the invention with reference to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.