Patent Description:
In-vivo diagnosis has been widely used in the past to examine the inside of a human body and identify disease states using endoscopy, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance tomography (MRI), and the like. In recent years, in-vitro diagnostic technology for separating test materials such as blood, saliva, and feces (hereinafter referred to as specimen) from the human body and then examining human diseases based on these samples is mainly used.

In-vitro diagnosis includes the steps of collecting a sample from the human body by using a collection tool such as a pipette or a cotton swab <NUM>(refer to <FIG>); extracting the sample by immersing the collection tool in a sample diluent stored in a buffer <NUM>(refer to <FIG>); and passing the sample diluent containing the extracted sample through a filter cap <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) to drop it on a dripping site of a device <NUM> (refer to <FIG>).

The device <NUM> is usually configured to determine whether there is a disease by applying a qualitative or quantitative technique to the sample falling on the dripping site, and then display the disease state.

The filter cap <NUM> has a filter installed therein, and is detachably coupled to the upper end of the buffer <NUM>.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, at least one of the collection tool <NUM>, the buffer <NUM>, the filter cap <NUM>, and the device <NUM> used for in-vitro diagnosis is referred to as diagnosis item.

In the stage of performing the in-vitro diagnosis, a means for supporting the buffer <NUM> in an upright state is required so that the sample diluent is not spilled.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the means for supporting the buffer <NUM> in an upright state is referred to as buffer support means. Such buffer support means is not included in the diagnosis item.

A pouch has been devised and used to store the diagnosis item. Hereinafter, the pouch for storing the diagnosis item is referred to as pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items.

The diagnosis item stored in the pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items may be taken out and used before performing in-vitro diagnosis, and the used diagnosis item may be put back into the pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items and discarded.

Such a pouch stores the diagnosis item in the quantity required for one or multiple times in-vitro diagnoses.

<FIG> is a front view of a conventional pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items.

The conventional pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items has a pocket portion of the diagnosis item <NUM> with a storage space of the diagnosis item 110a formed therein, as shown in <FIG>.

The pocket portion of the diagnosis item <NUM> has a rectangular back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket (refer to reference number <NUM> in <FIG>) and a rectangular front sheet of the diagnosis item pocket coupled to the back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket (refer to reference number <NUM> in <FIG>).

A pair of cut-out grooves 110b are formed to face each other in the back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket and the front sheet of the diagnosis item pocket.

The front sheet of the diagnosis item pocket is superimposed on the back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket.

A bending member for forming supporter <NUM> is formed in a shape of a plate body where a buffer support hole 123a is formed penetratingly in the center along a thickness direction.

On the outer surface of the bending member for forming supporter <NUM> are marked a left bending position line 123b indicating the left bending motion position and a right bending position line 123c indicating the right bending motion position.

A method of manufacturing the conventional pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items having the above-described configuration is described as follows.

First, a back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket and a front sheet of the diagnosis item pocket are prepared. PET, PE, aluminum, etc. may be used for the back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket and the front sheet of the diagnosis item pocket.

Next, the diagnosis item and the bending member for forming supporter <NUM> are placed on an area where the storage space of the diagnosis item 110a is will be formed among the upper surface of the back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket.

Next, the front sheet of the diagnosis item pocket is placed on top of the back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket.

Next, the edge area of the front sheet of the diagnosis item pocket and the back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket are coupled by using thermal bonding technique.

Here, since the thermal bonding technique is widely known, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

A method of performing in-vitro diagnosis by using the conventional pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items is described as follows.

First, by using scissors the pocket portion of the diagnosis item <NUM> is cut off along the direction in which the cut-out grooves 110b are connected.

Next, the diagnosis item and the bending member for forming supporter <NUM> stored in the storage space of the diagnosis item 110a are taken out.

Next, the bending member for forming supporter <NUM> is bent along the left bending position line 123b and the right bending position line 123c to form a buffer supporter (refer to reference number <NUM> in <FIG>).

Next, in-vitro diagnosis is performed by using the diagnosis item.

During in-vitro diagnosis, the buffer <NUM> may be provided in an upright state on the buffer supporter.

The bending member for forming supporter <NUM> may be stored in a location other than the storage space of the diagnosis item 110a.

However, according to the conventional pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items, since the bending member for forming supporter <NUM> is stored in the storage space of the diagnosis item 110a together with the diagnosis item, the buffer supporter must be manufactured separately from the pouch. In addition, the buffer supporter must be accommodated in the pocket portion of the diagnosis item <NUM> when manufacturing the pouch, and the size of the storage space of the diagnosis item 110a is increased to accommodate the buffer supporter.

<CIT> discloses a pouch as defined in the preamble of claim <NUM>.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items that does not need to manufacture a buffer supporter separately from the pouch, to accommodate the buffer supporter in the pocket portion of the diagnosis item when manufacturing the pouch, and to increase the size of the storage space of the diagnosis item in order to accommodate the buffer supporter.

Additional embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

Therefore, according to the present invention, there is no need to manufacture the buffer supporter separately from the pouch, to accommodate the buffer supporter in the pocket portion of the diagnosis item when manufacturing the pouch, and to increase the size of the storage space of the diagnosis item in order to accommodate the buffer supporter.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items according to a first embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a perspective view of a bending member for forming supporter according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes, as shown in these drawings, a pocket portion of the diagnosis item <NUM> having a storage space of the diagnosis item 10a formed therein, and a buffer supporter formation portion <NUM> formed by extending in a plate shape from one side of the pocket portion of the diagnostic item <NUM>.

The pocket portion of the diagnosis item <NUM> has a rectangular back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket <NUM> and a rectangular front sheet of the diagnosis item pocket <NUM> coupled to the back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket <NUM>.

The front sheet of the diagnosis item pocket <NUM> is coupled to be superimposed on the back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket <NUM>.

The storage space of the diagnosis item 10a is formed between the back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket <NUM> and the front sheet of the diagnosis item pocket <NUM>.

A pair of cut-out grooves 10b are formed to face each other in the back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket <NUM> and the front sheet of the diagnosis item pocket <NUM>.

The buffer supporter formation portion <NUM> has a rectangular back sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM> formed by extending from one side of the back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket <NUM>, and a rectangular front sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM> formed by extending from the front sheet of the diagnosis item pocket <NUM>. and a bending member for forming supporter <NUM> provided between the inner surface of the back sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM> and the inner surface of front sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM>.

The front sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM> is coupled to be superimposed on the back sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM>.

On the outer surface of the front sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM> are marked a left bending position line 22a indicating a left bending motion position and a right bending position line 22b indicating a right bending motion position.

The bending member for forming supporter <NUM> is formed in a shape of a rectangular plate body.

In the bending member for forming supporter <NUM>, concave-shaped bending auxiliary grooves 23a are formed each at the point where a left bending motion occurs and at the point where a right bending motion occurs.

The bending auxiliary grooves 23a serve to assist in the bending of the bending member for forming supporter <NUM>.

A buffer support hole 20a is formed so as to penetrate the back sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM>, the front sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM> and the bending member for forming supporter <NUM> in a thickness direction.

A method of manufacturing the pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items according to the first embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration is described as follows. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the bending member for forming supporter <NUM> has been manufactured. The bending member for forming supporter <NUM> may be manufactured by using synthetic resin, paper, wire, metal sheet, or the like.

First, it is necessary to prepare a pouch back sheet in which the back sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM> is connected to the back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket <NUM> and a pouch front sheet in which the front sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM> is connected to the front sheet of the diagnosis item pocket <NUM>. A left bending position line 22a and a right bending position line 22b are marked at the front sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM>. The back sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM>, the front sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM>, the back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket <NUM>, and the front sheet of the diagnosis item pocket <NUM> may be manufactured by using PET, PE, aluminum, or the like. For example, the back sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM>, the front sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM>, the back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket <NUM> and the front sheet of the diagnosis item pocket <NUM> may be manufactured in a triple layer structure comprised of an aluminum film, a PET film coupled to the outer surface of the aluminum film and a PE coating layer formed on the inner surface of the aluminum film.

Next, the diagnosis item is placed on an area where the storage space of the diagnosis item 10a will be formed among the upper surface of the back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket <NUM>.

Next, the bending member for forming supporter <NUM> is placed on the upper surface of back sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM>.

Next, the edge area of the pouch back sheet and the pouch front sheet and the area between the bending member for forming supporter <NUM> and the diagnosis item are coupled together by using thermal bonding technique.

A method of performing in-vitro diagnosis by using the pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items according to the first embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> as follows.

First, by using scissors or the like, the pocket portion of the diagnosis item <NUM> is cut off along a direction in which the cut-out groove 10b is connected. After cutting off the pocket portion of the diagnosis item <NUM>, it is also desirable to cut off a pocket portion remaining in the buffer supporter formation portion <NUM>.

Next, the diagnosis item stored in the storage space of the diagnosis item 10a is taken out.

Next, the buffer supporter <NUM> is formed by bending the front sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM>, the back sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM>, and the bending member for forming supporter <NUM> along the left bending position line 22a and the right bending position line 22b. The buffer supporter <NUM> may be formed in a shape shown in <FIG> or <FIG>.

The buffer supporter <NUM> includes a buffer-mounted shelf <NUM> for mounting the buffer <NUM>, a left leg portion for supporting shelf <NUM> to support the left end of the buffer-mounted shelf <NUM> against the bottom surface, and a right leg portion for supporting shelf <NUM> to support the right end of the buffer-mounted shelf <NUM> against the bottom surface.

During in-vitro diagnosis, the buffer <NUM> may be provided in an upright state on the buffer supporter <NUM>.

When a plurality of buffers <NUM> are stored in the pocket portion of the diagnosis item <NUM>, each buffer <NUM> may be sequentially provided in an upright state on the buffer supporter <NUM>.

On the other hand, in the above embodiment, the bending member for forming supporter <NUM> is formed in a plate shape, but the present invention may be implemented by forming a bending member for forming supporter <NUM> in a straight shape as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a front view of a pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items according to a second embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a perspective view of a bending member for forming supporter according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of <FIG>.

In the case of the pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the bending member for forming supporter <NUM> is provided between the inner surface of the back sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM> and the inner surface of the front sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM>, the buffer support hole 40a is formed in the back sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM> and the front sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM>.

In the bending member for forming supporter <NUM>, bending auxiliary grooves 43a are formed.

And in the above embodiments, the bending member for forming supporter is provided between the inner surface of the back sheet of the buffer supporter and the inner surface of the front sheet of the buffer supporter, but the bending member for forming supporter may be provided on the outer surface of the back sheet of the buffer supporter or the outer surface of front sheet of the buffer supporter.

<FIG> is a rear view of a pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In the case of the pouch for the in-vitro diagnostic items according to the third embodiment of the present invention, a bending member for forming supporter <NUM> is provided on the outer surface of a back sheet of the buffer supporter. The bending member for forming supporter <NUM> may be fixed on the outer surface of the back sheet of the buffer supporter by using a fixing pad <NUM>.

Meanwhile, in the above embodiments, the bending member for forming supporter is formed in a shape of a plate body or straight line, but the bending member for forming supporter may be formed in another shape.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a bending member for forming supporter according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

A bending member for forming supporter <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is formed in a rectangular shape and bending auxiliary grooves 55a are formed in it.

In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the buffer supporter formation portion is configured to include the bending member for forming supporter, but, as shown in <FIG>, the present invention may be implemented by forming the buffer supporter formation portion in a structure not having the bending member for forming supporter.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of <FIG>.

A buffer support formation portion <NUM> of the pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention has a rectangular back sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM> formed by extending from one side of the back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket (refer to reference number <NUM> in <FIG>), and a rectangular front sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM> formed by extending from one side of the front sheet of the diagnosis item pocket (refer to reference number <NUM> in <FIG>).

A buffer support hole 60a is formed so as to penetrate the back sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM> and the front sheet of the buffer supporter <NUM> in a thickness direction.

Also, in the above-described embodiments, the buffer supporter formation portion is formed by extending from the horizontal side of the pocket portion of the diagnosis item <NUM>, but the present invention may be implemented by extending the buffer supporter formation portion from another side of the pocket portion of the diagnosis item <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front view of a pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

In the case of the pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, a buffer supporter formation portion <NUM> is formed by extending from a longitudinal side of the pocket portion of the diagnosis item <NUM>.

In addition, the present invention may be implemented by forming the buffer supporter formation portion so that the bending direction of the buffer supporter formation portion in a state connected to the pocket portion of the diagnosis item <NUM> is different from that described in the above embodiments.

<FIG> is a front view of a pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

The bending direction of a buffer supporter formation portion <NUM> according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention is perpendicular to that of the buffer supporter formation portion <NUM> according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In addition, although the above-described embodiments are configured to have one buffer supporter formation portion, it is possible to implement the present invention by configuring it to have a plurality of buffer supporter formation portions.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

The pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention has two buffer supporter formation portions <NUM>.

Even in the case of the pouch for in-vitro diagnostic items according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention, on either one of the outer surface of the back sheet of the buffer supporter and the outer surface of the front sheet of the buffer supporter, a left bending position line and a right bending position line may be marked at each buffer supporter formation portion <NUM>.

As described above, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the buffer supporter formation portion is formed by extending in a plate shape from one side of the pocket portion of the diagnosis item <NUM>, a buffer support hole is formed penetratingly in a thickness direction in one area of the buffer supporter formation portion, and the buffer supporter <NUM> is formed by bending motion in the buffer supporter formation portion separated from the pocket portion of the diagnosis item <NUM>, wherein the buffer supporter <NUM> includes the buffer-mounted shelf <NUM> for mounting the buffer <NUM>, the left leg portion <NUM> for supporting shelf to support the left end of the buffer-mounted shelf <NUM> against the bottom, and the right leg portion for supporting shelf <NUM> to support the right end of the buffer-mounted shelf <NUM> against the bottom. Therefore, there is no need to manufacture the buffer supporter separately from the pouch, to accommodate the buffer supporter means in the pocket portion of the diagnosis item <NUM> when manufacturing the pouch, and to increase the storage space of the diagnosis item 10a in order to accommodate the buffer supporter means.

In addition, by forming a plurality of buffer supporter formation portions, each buffer <NUM> may be individually supported at the same time when a plurality of buffers <NUM> are stored in the pocket portion of the diagnosis item <NUM>.

In addition, the buffer supporter formation portion is configured to include the back sheet of the buffer supporter formed by extending from one side of the back sheet of the diagnosis item pocket and the front sheet of the buffer supporter formed extending from one side of the front sheet of the diagnosis item pocket <NUM>. Therefore, the buffer formation portion may be easily formed by extending from the pocket portion of the diagnosis item <NUM>.

In addition, by marking a left bending position line indicating the left bending motion position and a right bending position line indicating the right bending motion position on either one of the outer surface of the back sheet of the buffer supporter and the outer surface of the front sheet of the buffer supporter, the bending member for forming supporter may be bent at the correct position.

In addition, by configuring the buffer supporter formation portion to further include the bending member for forming supporter provided between the inner surface of the back sheet of the buffer supporter and the inner surface of front sheet of the buffer supporter, or on either one of the outer surface of back sheet of the buffer supporter and the outer surface of the front sheet of the buffer supporter, the buffer <NUM> may be stably supported.

In addition, by forming concave-shaped bending auxiliary grooves in the bending member for forming supporter to assist the bending motion at the point where the left bending motion and the right bending motion occur, the bending member for forming supporter may be bent at the correct position and may be easily bent.

Claim 1:
A pouch for in-vitro diagnostics items (<NUM>) having a pocket portion with a storage space (10a) for the diagnostics items therein, comprising a buffer support formation portion (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>), characterized in that the buffer support formation portion (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) extends in a plate shape from one side of the pocket portion, one area of the buffer support formation portion (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) comprises a buffer support hole (20a; 40a;50a; 60a) penetrating in a thickness direction, the buffer support formation portion (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>) is configured to be separated from the pocket portion and to form a buffer support (<NUM>) by bending motion in the buffer support formation portion (<NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>; <NUM>), wherein the buffer support (<NUM>) comprises a shelf (<NUM>) for mounting the buffer (<NUM>), a left leg portion (<NUM>) configured to support the left end of the shelf (<NUM>) against a floor surface, and a right leg portion (<NUM>) configured to support the right end of the shelf (<NUM>) against a floor surface.