Patent Abstract:
The present invention pertains to a biological sample measurement device, which is intended to be easier to use. To achieve this object, the present invention comprises a main body case ( 1 ) having a sensor insertion opening into which a sensor for measuring biological samples is inserted, a connection terminal ( 20 ) provided within the main body case ( 1 ) behind the sensor insertion opening, ( 5 ) and a shutter  7  that is provided within the main body case ( 1 ) between the sensor insertion opening ( 5 ) and the connection terminal ( 20 ) and that opens and closes the sensor insertion opening ( 5 ). This configuration makes the device easy to use.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a measurement device for measuring biological information, such as a blood glucose level. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A conventional biological sample measurement apparatus of this kind was configured as follows. 
     Specifically, a conventional biological sample measurement device comprised a main body case having a sensor insertion opening, and a connection terminal provided behind the sensor insertion opening inside this main body case. 
     Also, a shutter that prevents the intrusion of dust through the sensor insertion opening portion is provided to the outer portion of the main body case of the sensor insertion opening (see Patent Literature 1 below, for example). 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     Patent Literature JP2009-501584 
     SUMMARY 
     Technical Problem 
     However, with the prior art discussed above, since the shutter is provided on the outside of the main body case to prevent the intrusion of dust through the sensor insertion opening, when the sensor is inserted into the sensor insertion opening, the user&#39;s hand touches the shutter provided to the outside of the main body case, and this makes the job of inserting the sensor more difficult and makes the device less convenient to use. 
     In view of this, it is an object of the present invention to provide a biological sample measurement device that takes the problems encountered in the past into account, and with which is more convenient to use because it is easier to insert a sensor. 
     Solution to Problem 
     To achieve the stated object, the biological sample measurement device pertaining to the present invention comprises a main body case having a sensor insertion opening into which a sensor for measuring biological samples is inserted, a connection terminal provided within the main body case and behind the sensor insertion opening, and a shutter that is provided within the main body case and between the sensor insertion opening and the connection terminal and that opens and closes the sensor insertion opening. 
     Consequently, the job of inserting the sensor is easier, and a biological sample measurement device that is more convenient to use can be provided. Specifically, since a shutter that can open and close is provided within the main body case, the user&#39;s hand will not inadvertently touch the shutter during use, which makes the device more convenient to use. In particular, the user&#39;s hand will not touch the shutter when the sensor is being inserted into this sensor insertion opening, which makes sensor insertion easier to do. 
     Also, the biological sample measurement device pertaining to the present invention further comprises a sensor ejection mechanism for ejecting the sensor mounted to the connection terminal to the outside of the main body case from the sensor insertion opening, wherein the shutter is driven open by the sensor ejection mechanism during sensor ejection by the sensor ejection mechanism. 
     Consequently, since the shutter is configured so that it is driven open by the sensor ejection mechanism, this shutter is opened up when the sensor is ejected, and the sensor can be ejected outside of the main body case through a sensor insertion component, and this also makes the device more convenient to use. 
     Also, the biological sample measurement device pertaining to the present invention further comprises a shutter drive mechanism that is provided inside the main body case and that opens and closes the shutter, and a manipulation body insertion component into which a manipulation body that drives the shutter drive mechanism is inserted from outside the main body case, wherein the manipulation body insertion component has an opening formed in the surface of the main body case, and the opening is covered by a portion of the manipulation body disposed outside the main body case when the manipulation body is inserted into the manipulation body insertion component. 
     Consequently, when the manipulation body is inserted into the manipulation body insertion component, the opening formed in the surface of the main body case is covered by the portion of the manipulation body disposed on the outside of the main body case, so not only the sensor insertion opening, but also the manipulation body insertion component is covered, and as a result it is less likely that a disinfectant solution, water, or the like will find its way into the main body case when the main body case is washed with disinfectant solution, water, or the like. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     With the present invention, the job of inserting a sensor is easier, and a biological sample measurement device that is more convenient to use can be provided. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an oblique view of a biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an oblique view of the lower face portion of an upper case of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3 a    is an exploded oblique view of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and  FIG. 3 b    is an oblique view of a spring in the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded oblique view of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5 a    is an exploded oblique view of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and  FIG. 5 b    is a detail see-through oblique view of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention as seen from the front; 
         FIG. 6 a    is an oblique view of a rotation component of a shutter in the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention,  FIG. 6 b    is an oblique view of the shutter,  FIG. 6 c    is a side view of the shutter, and  FIG. 6 d    is a cross section along the X-X′ line in  FIG. 6   b;    
         FIG. 7  is a cross section of the main components of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an oblique view in which part of the main components of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention has been cut away; 
         FIG. 9  is an oblique view of a state in which a sensor has been inserted into the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross section of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is an oblique view in which part of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention has been cut away; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross section of the main components of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram of an example of the layout of an ejection manipulation component of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 14 a  to 14 c    are detail cross sections schematically illustrating the state near the sensor insertion opening when a sensor has been inserted into the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 15 a  to 15 c    are detail cross sections schematically illustrating the state near the sensor insertion opening when a sensor has been ejected from the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a detail cross section of the main components of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a detail oblique view of the main components of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a detail plan view of the main components of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a detail plan view of the main components of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is an oblique view of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a see-through oblique view of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  is a detail see-through oblique view of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 23  is a detail cross section of the main components of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 24  is a detail cross section of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 25  is a see-through plan view of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 26  is a see-through detail plan view of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 27  is a detail cross section of the biological sample measurement device in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The biological sample measurement device in an embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail through reference to the drawings. 
     Embodiment 1 
     Configuration of Biological Sample Measurement Device 
     In  FIG. 1, 1  is a main body case with a cuboid shape. As shown in  FIG. 2 , this main body case  1  is constituted putting an upper case  2  that is open on the lower face side and a lower case  3  that is open on the upper face side together so that their openings are facing each other, and linking the two. 
     A display component  4  for displaying blood glucose level (an example of biological information), for example, is provided on the upper face side of the upper case  2 . A sensor insertion opening  5  that is wider than it is tall is provided on the distal end side of the upper case  2 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , a sensor insertion component  50 , which is the space into which a sensor is inserted, is formed behind the sensor insertion opening  5 . In Embodiment 1, the upper face side of the upper case  2  is referred to as “above” (the upper side), and the lower face side of the lower case  3  is referred to as “below” (the lower side). We will let the side on which the sensor insertion opening  5  is provided be the front (front side) of the main body case  1 , and the opposite side the rear (rear side). The lateral direction shall be a direction that is perpendicular to the direction in which the sensor is inserted, and a direction parallel to the upper face where the display unit  4  is provided. 
     An ejection manipulation component, which constitutes part of the sensor ejection mechanism, is disposed on the surface of the main body case  1 . 
       FIG. 13  shows an ejection manipulation component  6  as an example of the specific configuration of the ejection manipulation component. 
     Specifically, the ejection manipulation component  6 , which is able to slid in the longitudinal direction toward the sensor insertion opening  5 , is provided on the lower face side of the lower case  3 . This ejection manipulation component  6  may be provided to the upper case  2 . 
     Configuration of Shutter  7   
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in this embodiment a shutter  7  that can be opened and closed is provided behind the sensor insertion opening  5 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 to 6 , this shutter  7  is made up of a rotation component  70  that rotates during insertion and ejection of a sensor  19 , and a spring  11  attached to the rotation component  70 . The rotation component  70  has shaft components  8  and  9  disposed on both sides of the sensor insertion opening  5 , an opening and closing plate  10  that is wider than it is tall and is provided between the shaft components  8  and  9  on both sides, and a manipulated component  12  that is manipulated by the sensor ejection mechanism. As shown in  FIG. 7 , an opening and closing component  13 , which is disposed opposite the sensor insertion opening  5  so as to block off the sensor insertion opening  5  when the sensor insertion opening  5  has been closed, is formed on the opening and closing plate  10 . The spring  11  is attached to the shaft components  8  and  9  of the rotation component  70  so as to bias the opening and closing plate  10  in the direction of closing the sensor insertion opening  5 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 d    and  7 , an inclined face  13   a , which is inclined toward the inside of the sensor insertion opening  5 , is formed on the opening and closing component  13  of the opening and closing plate  10 . This inclined face  13   a  is inclined so as to approach the upper face of the upper case  2  as it moves inward in a state in which the sensor insertion opening  5  has been closed. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 d    and  7 , the manipulated component  12  is provided on the opposite side from the opening and closing component  13  of the opening and closing plate  10 , with a line linking the shaft components  8  and  9  (the axis of the rotation component  70 ) in between. 
     That is, as shown in  FIG. 7 , in this embodiment the shutter  7  is provided openably and closeably on the inside of the sensor insertion opening  5 , and the opening and closing component  13  is biased by the spring  11  in the direction of closing the sensor insertion opening  5 . 
     The shutter  7  portion will now be described in further detail. 
     First, as shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5   a , a shaft component  14  on which the shaft component  8  of the shutter  7  is mounted, and a shaft component  15  on which the shaft component  9  is mounted are provided on both sides of the inside of the sensor insertion opening  5  of the upper case  2 . Before the shaft components  8  and  9  of the shutter  7  are supported o these shaft components  14  and  15 , the spring  11  is mounted to the shaft components  8  and  9 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 . 
     Configuration of Spring  11   
     As shown in  FIG. 3 b   , this spring  11  has an engagement component  11   a  which is curved so as to engage with the shaft component  9  and which is formed at one end thereof, a straight portion  11   b  which is formed on the upper case  2  side along the lateral direction of the rotation component  70 , and a coil spring component  11   c  that is formed in a coil spring shape at the other end, that is, on the opposite side from the engagement component  11   a  with the straight portion  11   b  in between. The spring  11  is mounted to the rotation component  70  in a state in which the engagement component  11   a  is engaged with the shaft component  9  and the shaft component  8  has been passed through the center part of the coil spring component  11   c . More precisely, a straight portion  11   f , which is formed vertically toward the opposite side of the upper case  2  (downward) from the straight portion  11   b , is formed between the straight portion  11   b  and the engagement component  11   a , and a straight portion  11   d , which is formed toward the opposite side of the upper case  2  (downward) from the straight portion  11   b , is formed between the straight portion  11   b  and the coil spring component  11   c . Also, an engaged component  11   e  that is engaged with an engagement component  18  is formed at the distal end on the side of the spring  11  where the coil spring component  11   c  is formed. 
     Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the spring  11  is engaged at one end with the shaft component  9 , and the other end out of the straight portion on the upper case  2  side of the opening and closing plate  10  is formed in a coil spring shape, and is mounted to the rotation component  70  in a state in which the shaft component  8  has been passed through the center part thereof. 
     Mounting of Shutter  7   
     In the above configuration, when the shutter  7  is mounted to the shaft components  14  and  15 , first the spring  11  is mounted to the rotation component  70  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Then, in supporting the shaft component  8  on the shaft component  14 , as shown in  FIG. 5 b   , the other end (the shaft component  8  side) of the straight portion  11   b  of the spring  11  is passed between protrusions  16  and  17  provided on the upper case  2  side of the shaft component  14 , and is hooked on the upper case  2  side of the protrusion  17 , and then the shaft component  8  is supported on the shaft component  14 . Here, the shaft component  14  supports the shaft component  8  on the outside of the portion of the shaft component  8  where the coil spring component  11   c  is mounted. This portion of the shaft component  8  where the coil spring component  11   c  is mounted is shown by  8   a  in  FIG. 3 , and corresponds to an example of a coil spring mounting component. 
       FIG. 5 b    is a see-through diagram of  FIG. 5 a    as seen from the front, and is a simplified diagram in which the rotation component  70  has been omitted in order to illustrate the state of the spring  11  and the protrusions  16  and  17 . 
     The protrusions  16  and  17  will now be described. 
     First, the protrusion  16  is provided in the vertical direction of the upper case  2  and the lower case  3  (the thickness direction of the main body case  1 ), and as shown in  FIG. 5 b   , the straight portion  11   b  and the straight portion  11   d  of the spring  11  come into contact, which biases the shutter  7  in the direction of closing the sensor insertion opening  5 . As shown in  FIG. 6 b   , to bias the shutter  7  in this way, the other end of the spring  11 , that is, the engaged component  11   e , is engaged with the engagement component  18 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5   b , the protrusion  17  is formed protruding inward in the lateral direction of the sensor insertion opening  5  and above the sensor insertion opening  5 , and prevents the spring  11  from coming loose on the opposite side from the upper case  2  (downward) by interfering with the straight portion  11   b  of the spring  11 . 
     Finally, the shaft component  9  of the shutter  7  is supported on the shaft component  15 , and as shown in  FIG. 5 a   , the shutter  7  is mounted openably and closeably behind the sensor insertion opening  5 . A cross section of this state is shown in  FIG. 7 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , an inclination is provided to the opening on the inside of the main body case  1  where the sensor insertion opening  5  is formed so that the upper case  2  side will be to the rear and the lower case  3  side at the front. 
     Specifically, the inclination of the sensor insertion opening  5  means that the position of the upper edge  5   a  forming the sensor insertion opening  5  is farther to the inside than the location of the lower edge  5   b . The simplified diagram in  FIG. 14 a    shows the upper edge  5   a  and the lower edge  5   b  of the sensor insertion opening  5 . 
     The opening and closing component  13  of the shutter  7  openably and closeably covers the sensor insertion opening  5  thus inclined, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the opening and closing component  13  also has a shape provided with the inclined face  13   a  in which the upper case  2  side is to the rear and the lower case  3  side is at the front. That is, the sensor insertion opening  5  is closed by the opening and closing component  13  of the shutter  7 , so the configuration of the biological sample measurement device in this embodiment affords a reduction in unwanted intrusion of dust or liquid through the sensor insertion opening  5 . 
     Operation of Biological Sample Measurement Device 
       FIGS. 9 and 11  show a state in which the blood glucose level, for example, is measured by inserting the sensor  19  through the sensor insertion opening  5  in this configuration. 
     Operation During Sensor Insertion 
     First, when a side of an electrode component provided to the rear end of the sensor  19  is pushed into the main body case  1  through the sensor insertion opening  5 , the opening and closing component  13  of the shutter  7  that was covering the sensor insertion opening  5  is pushed open by the sensor  19  in the inclination direction of the opening and closing component  13 . More precisely, as shown in  FIGS. 14 a  and 14 b   , when the sensor  19  is inserted into the sensor insertion opening  5  (see the arrow A), the rear end of the sensor  19  hits the inclined face  13   a  of the opening and closing component  13 . Then, when the sensor  19  is pushed in along the inclination of the inclined face  13   a , as shown in  FIG. 14 c   , the opening and closing component  13  rotates (see the arrow B) and the sensor insertion opening  5  opens. The rotational axis of the rotation component  70  having the opening and closing component  13  is indicated by  70   a  in  FIGS. 14 a    to  14   c.    
     As a result, the electrode component of the sensor  19  is electrically connected to a connection terminal  20  provided behind the sensor insertion opening  5  inside the main body case  1 . The connection terminal  20  is an elastic member, and the connection terminal  20  is electrically connected to the electrode component of the sensor  19  by this elastic force. 
     In this state, if blood is deposited onto a deposition component (not shown) provided on the distal end side of the sensor  19 , the blood glucose level is measured and this value is displayed on the display component  4 . 
     Operation During Sensor Ejection 
     When this measurement of the blood glucose level is finished, the sensor  19  is ejected. This ejection of the sensor  19  is accomplished by pushing the ejection manipulation component  6  shown in  FIG. 13  forward (the sensor insertion opening  5  side; see the arrow H). The ejection manipulation component  6  is connected to a lever  21  by a linking component (not shown; see  FIG. 11 ). Therefore, when the ejection manipulation component  6  is pushed forward, the levers  21  and  21   a  that move in conjunction with it inside the main body case  1  move forward as shown in  FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 , and this operation of the levers  21  and  21   a  results in the ejection of the sensor  19 . Furthermore, as show in  FIGS. 10 to 12 , the lever  21  is formed so as to sandwich the lever  21   a , and when the lever  21  is moved forward, the lever  21   a  also moves forward at the same time. 
     More specifically, the manipulation component  22  of the lever  21   a  hits the rear end side of the sensor  19 , so when the manipulation component  22  of the lever  21   a  is moved forward by the ejection manipulation component  6 , the sensor  19  moves through the sensor insertion opening  5  and out of the main body case  1 , as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 12 . Also, as shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 , a slit  51  is formed in the longitudinal direction on the lower face of the sensor insertion component  50 , which is the space into which the sensor  19  is inserted. The manipulation component  22  (see  FIG. 11 ) is provided to the lever  21   a  so as to protrude from the lever  21   a , through the slit  51 , and into the sensor insertion component  50 . 
     In this embodiment, before the sensor  19  is ejected out of the main body case  1  from this state in  FIGS. 10 and 12 , the shutter  7  is opened up. That is, when the sensor  19  has been moved forward (see  FIGS. 10 and 12 ) from a state in which the sensor  19  was inserted through the sensor insertion opening  5  into the main body case  1  (see  FIG. 11 ), the result is a state in which the opening and closing component  13  of the shutter  7  is in contact with the lower face side of the sensor  19 . 
     Furthermore, as shown in  FIGS. 10, 12, and 14   c , the upper side of the opening and closing component  13  at this point hits the sensor  19 , resulting in an inclined state in which the lower side is located farther forward than the upper side. Accordingly, before the sensor  19  is ejected through the sensor insertion opening  5  out of the main body case  1  by moving the manipulation component  22  of the lever  21   a  forward, the opening and closing component  13  needs to be moved away from the sensor  19  to open up the opening and closing component  13  of the shutter  7 . That is, unless the shutter  7  is opened up, there is the risk that the ejection of the sensor  19  will be hampered, so an operation in which the shutter  7  is opened up is performed during this ejection. 
     In view of this, in this embodiment a manipulation component  23  is provided on the sensor insertion opening  5  side of the lever  21 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , when this manipulation component  23  pushes the manipulated component  12  of the shutter  7  forward, the opening and closing component  13  of the shutter  7  rotates counter-clockwise, and this opens up the shutter  7 . 
     Therefore, the sensor  19  can be easily ejected through the sensor insertion opening  5  and out of the main body case  1  by pushing the rear end of the sensor  19  forward with the manipulation component  22  of the lever  21   a.    
     To describe this in greater detail, as shown in  FIG. 15 a   , since the rotation component  70  is biased by the spring  11  (see  FIG. 4 ) in the direction of closing the sensor insertion opening  5  (the direction of the arrow C), the sensor  19  is pushed downward by the opening and closing component  13 . This keeps the sensor  19  from falling out of the sensor insertion opening  5 . In  FIG. 15 a   , the portion of the opening and closing component  13  that is in contact with the sensor  19  is indicated as the contact component  13   b . Meanwhile, when the ejection manipulation component  6  is moved forward in the ejection of the sensor  19 , the sensor  19  is moved forward by the manipulation component  23  of the lever  21   a . As the sensor  19  is thus moved forward, as shown in  FIG. 15 b   , the manipulation component  23  hits the manipulated component  12  of the shutter  7 . When the ejection manipulation component  6  is moved farther forward, as shown in  FIG. 15 c   , the manipulated component  12  of the rotation component  70  is pushed forward by the manipulation component  23  of the lever  21 , so the rotation component  70  rotates in the direction of the arrow B, and the pushing of the sensor  19  by the opening and closing component  13  is released. The sensor  19  can be ejected by further moving the ejection manipulation component  6  forward. 
     The timing at which the pushing of the sensor  19  is released is preferably after the sensor  19  has moved away from the connection terminal  20 . This is because the sensor  19  may shoot away from the main body case  1  under the elastic force of the connection terminal  20  when the sensor  19  is moving away from the connection terminal  20 , but if the sensor  19  is pressed on by the opening and closing component  13 , this shooting out of the sensor will be less likely to occur. 
     Other Features 
     Other features of this embodiment will now be described. 
     In this embodiment, as discussed above in reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the sensor insertion opening  5  is openably and closeably covered by the opening and closing component  13  of the shutter  7 . That is, the sensor insertion opening  5  has been closed by the opening and closing component  13  of the shutter  7 , so the biological sample measurement device in this embodiment is configured such that there is a reduction in unwanted intrusion of dust or liquid through the sensor insertion opening  5 . 
     In a state in which the sensor insertion opening  5  has been closed by the shutter  7 , as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , closing components D and E are formed when the upper case  2  and the opening and closing plate  10  of the shutter  7  come into contact or close proximity to the inside of the sensor insertion opening  5 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , these closing components D and E are formed in the lengthwise direction of the opening and closing plate  10 . The opening and closing plate  10 , which is wider than it is tall, is formed so that it is larger in the lateral direction than the sensor insertion opening  5 , which is also wider than it is tall. In  FIG. 18 , the length of the opening and closing plate  10  in the lateral direction is indicated by L 1 , and the length of the sensor insertion opening  5  in the lateral direction is indicated by L 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , the length L 1  of the opening and closing plate  10  in the lateral direction is greater than the dimension of the connection terminal  20  in the lateral direction. 
     In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 18 , the connection terminal  20  is configured such that three of the connection terminals  20  are disposed side by side in the lateral direction of the sensor insertion opening  5 , so the dimension of the connection terminal  20  in the lateral direction indicates the dimension between the left and right connection terminals  20 . This dimension of the connection terminal  20  in the lateral direction is indicated as L 3  in  FIG. 18 . 
     That is, the length L 1  in the lateral direction of the opening and closing plate  10  of the shutter  7  is greater than the length L 2  in the lateral direction of the sensor insertion opening  5 , which suppresses the inflow of liquid through the sensor insertion opening  5 . 
     Also, even though the inflow of liquid through the sensor insertion opening  5  is thus suppressed by the shutter  7 , since the opening and closing plate  10  of the shutter  7  has the closing components D and E that are formed in contact with or close proximity to the upper case  2  to the inside of the sensor insertion opening  5 , there may be situations in which some of the liquid that has flowed in through the sensor insertion opening  5  adheres to the capillary portion formed here. 
     Liquid adhering to the closing components D and E spreads out by capillary action on both sides in the lateral direction of the opening and closing plate  10 . As discussed above in reference to  FIG. 18 , the opening and closing plate  10  is formed so that the length L 1  in the lateral direction is greater than the length L 3  in the lateral direction of the connection terminal  20 , so any liquid that adheres to the closing components D and E and spreads out on both sides in the lateral direction of the opening and closing plate  10  will be guided to the outside of the connection terminal  20 . 
     That is, liquid adhering to the closing components D and E will be less likely to form drops that fall onto the connection terminal  20  portion. As a result, soiling of the connection terminal  20  can be reduced as much as possible, and a decrease in reliability of measurement accuracy can be suppressed. 
     Also, in this embodiment a decrease in reliability of measurement accuracy can also be suppressed from the following standpoints. 
     Specifically, some of the liquid that flows in through the sensor insertion opening  5  will spread outward through the closing components D and E of the opening and closing plate  10  as discussed above (see the directions of the arrows F and G in  FIG. 19 ), but this liquid that has spread outward can then be made to flow further outside along the spring  11  as shown in  FIGS. 18 and 19 . To describe this in more specific terms, the coil spring component  11   c  is formed on the spring  11 , and this coil spring component  11   c  is mounted around the outer periphery of the shaft component  8  of the shutter  7 . 
     That is, liquid that has spread outward along the closing components D and E then further spreads outward along the capillaries formed between the coil spring coils. The outer portion of the shaft component  8  where the spring  11  is mounted is supported by the shaft component  14 , and this configuration forms a capillary between the shaft component  14  and the shaft component  8 . 
     The liquid moves further outward along the capillary of the portion between the shaft component  14  and the shaft component  8 . As a result, this helps prevent liquid adhering to the closing components D and E from forming drops that fall onto the connection terminal  20  and soil the connection terminal  20 . Consequently, a decrease in reliability of measurement accuracy is also suppressed. 
     In this embodiment, the opening and closing plate  10  and the shaft components  8  and  9  are formed from a synthetic resin, but the spring  11  having the coil spring component  11   c  is formed from metal. 
     The surface of the spring  11  having this coil spring component  11   c  is configured so that the metal surface is exposed. 
     That is, for the capillary action of the spring  11  portion having the coil spring component  11   c  to be strongly manifested, in this embodiment the spring  11  is formed from a metal with better wettability than a resin, and this metal surface is exposed. This configuration results in better capillary action at the spring  11  portion. 
     Action and Effect 
     As discussed above, a biological sample measurement device that is convenient to use can be provided because the job of inserting the sensor  19  is made easier. 
     Specifically, since the openable and closeable shutter  7  is provided inside the main body case  1 , it is less likely that the user&#39;s hand will inadvertently touch the shutter  7  during use, and this makes the device more convenient to use. 
     Since opening drive is performed by a sensor ejection mechanism, during ejection of the sensor  19  the shutter  7  is opened up, and the sensor  19  can be ejected outside of the main body case  1  through the sensor insertion opening  5 , and this also makes the device more convenient to use. An example of this sensor ejection mechanism corresponds to the ejection manipulation component  6 , the levers  21  and  21   a , the linking component that links the lever  21  and the ejection manipulation component  6 , and so forth in this embodiment. 
     The opening and closing plate  10  is biased by the spring  11  in the direction of closing the sensor insertion opening  5 , so after the sensor  19  has been removed, the sensor insertion opening  5  automatically closes, preventing dust or the like from coming in. Thus, there is no need for the user to consciously close the shutter, which makes the device more convenient to use. 
     Since the sensor  19  is pressed upward by the opening and closing component  13  in its inserted state, it is less likely that the sensor  19  will accidentally fall out of the main body case  1 . 
     Since the sensor  19  is also pressed upward by the opening and closing component  13  when the sensor  19  is separated from the connection terminal  20  in the course of ejecting the sensor  19  from the main body case  1 , it is less likely that the elastic force of the connection terminal  20  will cause the opening and closing plate  10  to suddenly fly out of the sensor insertion opening  5 . 
     Furthermore, since the above-mentioned pressing by the sensor ejection mechanism is released in the ejection of the sensor  19  from the main body case  1 , the sensor  19  can smoothly ejected from the main body case  1 . 
     Because the opening and closing component  13  has the inclined face  13   a  that is inclined inward from the sensor insertion opening  5 , the opening and closing component  13  comes into contact with the sensor  19  and smoothly rotates when the sensor  19  is inserted, allowing the sensor insertion opening  5  to be opened up. In particular, in this embodiment the inclined face  13   a  is inclined so that its end on the outer peripheral side is positioned more on the rotation direction side of the rotation component  70  in the opening of the sensor insertion opening  5  than the end on the inner peripheral side, as viewed in the direction of the rotational axis  70   a.    
     Because the dimension of the opening and closing plate  10  in the lateral direction is greater than the dimension of the sensor insertion opening  5  in the lateral direction, liquid that has spread out to the left and right of the opening and closing plate  10  through capillary action will be less likely to form drops and fall onto the connection terminal  20 . 
     Because the coil spring component  11   c  is mounted to the outer periphery of the shaft component  8 , liquid that has spread out along the closing components D and E will spread further outward along the capillary formed between the coils of the coil spring component  11   c , which makes it less likely that the liquid will form drops and fall onto the connection terminal  20 . 
     The spring  11  formed from metal results in better capillary action, and having the metal surface exposed results in even better capillary action. 
     Embodiment 2 
     Configuration of Biological Sample Measurement Device 
     In  FIG. 20, 101  is a main body case with a cuboid shape. A sensor insertion opening  103  for inserting a sensor  102  is provided on the front face side of this main body case  101 . A display component  104  for displaying the measured blood glucose level (an example of biological information) is provided on the upper face of this main body case  101 . 
     With the main body case  101  in this Specification, the face of the main body case  101  where the display component  104  is provided is referred to as “above” (the upper side), the opposite side from the display component  104  is referred to as “below” (the lower side), the side on which the sensor insertion opening  103  is provided is referred to as the front (front side), and the opposite side the rear (rear side). The lateral direction shall be a direction that is perpendicular to the direction in which the sensor  102  is inserted, and a direction parallel to the upper face where the display unit  104  is provided. 
     Furthermore, a cylindrical jack  105  is provided as an example of a manipulation body insertion component to the side face of the main body case  101 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 , connection terminals  106  are provided behind the sensor insertion opening  103  inside the main body case  101 , and a controller (not shown) is connected to these connection terminals  106 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22 , a shutter  107  that opens and closes the sensor insertion opening  103  is provided between the connection terminals  106  and the sensor insertion opening  103  inside the main body case  101 . 
     Configuration of Shutter  107   
     As shown in  FIGS. 22, 23, and 26 , this shutter  107  is in the form of a flat member that has been bent in an approximate L shape in side view. 
     A concave component  107   a  that has the same shape as the sensor insertion opening  103  when the main body case  101  is seen from the front is provided. As shown in  FIG. 22 , when the sensor  102  is inserted into the sensor insertion opening  103 , the sensor insertion opening  103  and the concave component  107   a  fit together, and as a result the sensor  102  can be inserted toward the connection terminals  106 . An electrode component  102   a  is provided at one end of the sensor  102 . When the sensor  102  is inserted from the electrode component  102   a  side into the main body case  101 , the electrode component  102   a  is held down from above by the connection terminals  106 . Because the electrode component  102   a  is thus held down from above by the connection terminals  106 , the electrode component  102   a  and the connection terminals  106  are electrically connected, and the sensor  102  is held in the main body case  101 . 
     Configuration of Shutter  107  and Shutter Drive Mechanism  108   
     As shown in  FIGS. 21 to 26 , a shutter drive mechanism  108  that opens and closes the shutter  107  is provided inside the main body case  101 . 
     More specifically, as shown in  FIG. 22 , the shutter  107  is always biased upward by a leaf spring  109 , and in this state, a driver  110  of the shutter drive mechanism  108  comes into contact with the rear end of the shutter  107 . An inclined component  111  that is inclined upward from the rear toward the front is provided on the lower side at the distal end of the driver  110 , and in a normal usage state, the upper end of the inclined component  111  is in contact with the rear end of the shutter  107 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 23 , to describe this in further detail, the shutter  107 , which is L-shaped in side view, has a support component  122  that is disposed substantially parallel to the insertion direction of the sensor  102  and is supported from below by the spring  109  (discussed below), and an opening and closing component  123  that is disposed facing downward from the front end of the support component  122 . The driver  110  comes into contact with this support component  122 . The above-mentioned concave component  107   a  is formed at the lower end part of the opening and closing component  123 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 23 , a protrusion  120  that protrudes forward is formed at the upper end of the inclined component  111  on the distal side of the driver  110 . In a normal usage state, when the upper face  122   a  of the support component  122  of the shutter  107  comes into contact with the lower face  120   a  of this protrusion  120 , this restricts upward movement of the shutter  107  by the leaf spring  109 . Also, an inclined component  121  that is inclined upward from the rear toward the front is provided at the upper side of the rear end of the support component  122  of the shutter  107 , and the inclined component  111  comes into contact with this inclined component  121  from above. The term “normal usage state” refers to a state in which the measurement of blood glucose (an example of biological information) is carried out by inserting the sensor  102 . 
     That is, in this state, as shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 , the shutter  107  is biased upward by the leaf spring  109 , and as a result, the concave component  107   a  of the shutter  107  and the sensor insertion opening  103  fit together, which allows the sensor  102  to be smoothly inserted into the connection terminals  106 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 21, 25, and 26 , two levers  113  and  114  are linked via a shaft  112  to the rear end side of the driver  110 . These two levers  113  and  114  are able to rotate around the shaft  112 . Of the two, the rear end of the lever  113  is linked to a coil spring  115  via a linking member  124 . This coil spring  115  corresponds to an example of a biasing body that biases the shutter  107  in the opening direction, and is linked at one end to the linking member  124 , and is fixed at the other end to the inner peripheral face of the main body case  101 . Also, a manipulated component  117  that is pushed in the inside direction of the main body case  101  by the external power transmission pin  116  is linked to the rear end of the lever  114  when the jack  105  is inserted into an external power transmission pin  116  (discussed below). 
     With this configuration, as shown in  FIG. 26 , the lever  113  and a protrusion  113   a  are pulled in the compression direction of the coil spring  115 , and along with this, the distal end side of the driver  110  is pulled to the state in  FIG. 22  (rearward) via the shaft  112 . As a result, the sensor insertion opening  103  and the concave component  107   a  of the shutter  107  fit together as mentioned above. Consequently, the sensor  102  can be smoothly inserted into the connection terminals  106 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 21 , the protrusion  113   a  is provided to the upper surface of the lever  113 , for moving the coil spring  115  side of the lever  113  in a direction (lateral direction) that is perpendicular to the sensor insertion opening  103  and parallel to the upper face of the main body case  101 , and the protrusion  113   a  is configured so as to move through a guide groove  211   a  provided to the main body case  101 . Also, guide members  125  for guiding the manipulated component  117  in the lateral direction are provided on the front and rear sides of the manipulated component  117 . The manipulated component  117  moves perpendicular with respect to the insertion direction of the sensor  102 , and moves in a direction (lateral direction) that is parallel to the upper face of the main body case  101 . 
     Operation of Biological Sample Measurement Device 
     As shown in  FIG. 24 , the external power transmission pin  116  (an example of a manipulation body) for transmitting measurement data for this biological sample measurement device to the outside is inserted into the cylindrical jack  105  in this embodiment. 
     Since the measurement of blood glucose level by the sensor  102  is already finished at this point, the operation of inserting the external power transmission pin  116  into the jack  105  is performed in a state in which the sensor  102  has been taken out of the sensor insertion opening  103 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 24 , when the external power transmission pin  116  (an example of a manipulation body) for transmitting measurement data for this biological sample measurement device to the outside is inserted into the jack  105 , the distal end of the external power transmission pin  116  pushes on the manipulated component  117  linked to the lever  114  (see the arrow S). This pushed state is the state shown in  FIG. 26  (the external power transmission pin  116  is not depicted in order to keep the drawing from being too complicated), and as a result, the lever  114  is pushed, and at the same time the driver  110  is pushed forward as shown in  FIG. 26  (see the arrow T). At this point the coil spring  115  is extended. 
     Meanwhile, when the external power transmission pin  116  has been pulled out of the jack  105 , and the biasing of the manipulated component  117  by the external power transmission pin  116  has been released, the driver  110  is pulled back by the biasing force of the coil spring  115 . 
     That is, since the inclined component  111  is provided to the distal end of the driver  110 , and the inclined component  121  is provided to the rear end of the shutter  107 , when the driver  110  is pushed forward, the inclined component  111  causes the shutter  107  to move downward while compressing the leaf spring  109 . As a result, as shown in  FIG. 27 , the sensor insertion opening  103  is closed by the shutter  107 . The stroke of the shutter  107  in the opening and closing direction (up and down) is determined by the amount of movement of the driver  110  in the longitudinal direction. Specifically, with a configuration such that the amount of forward movement of the driver  110  increases when the external power transmission pin  116  is inserted into the jack  105 , there is more downward movement of the shutter  107 , and the stroke in the opening and closing direction is longer. 
     Also, as shown in  FIG. 24 , the opening  105   a  of the jack  105  of the main body case  101  is covered by the external power transmission pin  116  in this state. Specifically, the opening  105   a  is covered by a portion  116   a  of the external power transmission pin  116  that is disposed outside the main body case  101  in an inserted state. 
     Action and Effect 
     In this embodiment, since the shutter  107  is provided between the connection terminals  106  and the sensor insertion opening  103  inside the main body case  101 , when the sensor  102  is inserted into the sensor insertion opening  103 , it is less likely that the user&#39;s hand will touch the shutter  107 , and this facilitates sensor insertion and in turn makes the device more convenient to use. 
     Also, in this embodiment, since the jack  105  (an example of a manipulation body insertion component) is provided for inserting, from outside the main body case  101 , the external power transmission pin  116  (an example of a manipulation body) that drives the shutter drive mechanism  108  provided inside the main body case  101 , the job of closing the shutter  107  can be accomplished merely by inserting the external power transmission pin  116  (an example of a manipulation body) into the jack  105  (an example of a manipulation body insertion component), which makes the device more convenient to use in this respect as well. 
     Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the opening  105   a  of the jack  105  (an example of a manipulation body insertion component) outside the main body case  101  is covered by the portion  116   a  of the external power transmission pin  116  (an example of a manipulation body) inserted into this jack  105  (an example of a manipulation body insertion component) that is disposed on the outside of the main body case  101 , not only the sensor insertion opening  103 , but also the jack  105  (an example of a manipulation body insertion component) is covered. As a result, when the main body case  101  is washed with a disinfectant solution, it will be less likely that this disinfectant solution will find its way inside the main body case  101 . 
     Other Embodiments 
     An embodiment of the present invention was described above, but the present invention is not limited to or by the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention. 
     In Embodiment 1 above, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the manipulated component  12  was provided to the opening and closing plate  10 , but need not be configured in this way, and may be provided to the shaft components  8  and  9 , etc. 
     In Embodiment 2 above, the external power transmission pin  116  was given as an example of a manipulation body, but this is not limited to the external power transmission pin  116 . Specifically, this can be any member that can push the manipulated component  117  and has no external power transmission function, but is preferably a member capable of covering the opening  105   a . Also, a sealing member that seals the edges of the opening  105   a  may be provided to the portion of the manipulation body that covers the opening  105   a . Providing a sealing member makes it less likely that disinfectant solution or the like will find its way in. 
     Also, in Embodiment 2, the inclined component  121  was formed at the rear end of the shutter  107 , but need not be formed. However, it is preferable to form the inclined component  121  in order for the movement of the driver  110  and the shutter  107  to be smoother. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     As discussed above, with this biological sample measurement device, it is easier to insert a sensor, which makes the device more convenient to use, so the device is expected to find use as a way to measure the blood glucose level and so forth of biological samples. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               1  main body case 
               2  upper case 
               3  lower case 
               4  display component 
               5  sensor insertion opening 
               6  ejection manipulation component 
               7  shutter 
               8  shaft component 
               9  shaft component 
               10  opening and closing plate 
               11  spring 
               11   a  engagement component 
               11   b ,  11   d ,  11   f  straight portion 
               11   c  coil spring component 
               11   e  engaged component 
               12  manipulated component 
               13  opening and closing component 
               13   b  contact component 
               14  shaft support 
               15  shaft support 
               16  protrusion 
               17  protrusion 
               18  engagement component 
               19  sensor 
               20  connection terminal 
               21  lever 
               21   a  lever 
               22  manipulation component 
               23  manipulation component 
               50  sensor insertion component 
               51  slit 
               70  rotation component 
               70   a  rotational axis 
               101  main body case 
               102  sensor 
               102   a  electrode component 
               103  sensor insertion opening 
               104  display component 
               105  jack 
               105   a  opening 
               106  connection terminal 
               107  shutter 
               108  shutter drive mechanism 
               109  leaf spring 
               110  driver 
               111  inclined component 
               112  shaft 
               113 ,  114  lever 
               113   a  protrusion 
               115  coil spring 
               116  external power transmission pin (an example of a manipulation body) 
               117  manipulated component 
               120  protrusion 
               121  inclined component 
               122  support component 
               123  opening and closing component 
               124  linking member 
               125  guide member

Technology Classification (CPC): 6