JP3872584B2 - Flexible specimen container - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention belongs to a container for containing a sample such as food, blood, water and the like containing fungi such as bacteria. This container can be suitably used for culture, transportation, and inspection of specimens.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventional containers used for culturing bacteria, testing bacteria, and transporting specimens were regular petri dishes, test tubes, or bottles made of a rigid material such as glass or hard resin. Examples of use of each container are shown below.
When culturing in a petri dish, pipette the specimen into a sterile petri dish, then add the agar medium before solidification kept at an appropriate temperature, cover the lid and shake the petri dish immediately, taking care not to spill the specimen or medium. Pour enough. Then, it culture | cultivates on suitable conditions in a thermostat. Thereafter, the colonies formed on the agar medium are observed.
[0003]
When culturing in a test tube, fill the test tube with a liquid medium that generates gas along with the growth of the bacteria. Desirably, a Durham tube that is much smaller than the test tube is evacuated and submerged in the medium. . When bacteria are present, the gas generated with the culture accumulates in the Durham tube. Thus, the presence or absence of bacteria is confirmed by the presence or absence of gas generation. Gas evolution may be carefully observed without looking away from the medium instead of sunk the Durham tube.
On the other hand, when cultivating in a bottle, as in the test tube culture, dip the Durham tube upside down and observe the state of gas generation, or fill with a medium that changes color with the growth of bacteria, and the presence or absence of bacteria depending on the degree of discoloration Confirm.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, because the volume and shape of a petri dish, a test tube, or a bottle cannot be changed, a large storage space is required regardless of whether or not it is used, and it is inconvenient to carry. .
[0005]
When culturing in a petri dish, the open area of the petri dish is large and cannot be completely sealed, so there is a risk of contamination and infection. In addition, when culturing in a test tube or bottle, the container can be sealed, but if a medium that generates gas due to the growth of bacteria is used, the pressure inside the container increases as the gas is generated, which may damage the container. There is. Therefore, in this case, in the screw cap slightly loosen the cap, must ensure the escape path for the gas by means such as previously pierce the needle into the cap in a rubber stopper cap. Therefore, it is impossible to cultivate the bacteria with the completely sealed after all, and it cannot escape from the risk of infection.
[0006]
Furthermore, there is a particular problem when testing bacteria in blood using a bottle. That is, the collected blood must be immediately inoculated into the culture medium. However, opening the bottle mouth at the medical site and putting the blood in may cause contamination of the culture medium. Then, insert the needle of the syringe that collected blood into the rubber stopper and put the blood into the bottle. At this time, if the inside of the bottle is positive pressure, the syringe and the injection needle will come off, and not only can the specified amount of blood be inoculated into the bottle, but also the blood in the syringe and the contents of the bottle will scatter. There is even a fear of infection. Therefore, an expensive device such as a decompressor for adjusting the inside of the bottle to a negative pressure in advance is necessary, and the operation is troublesome.
[0007]
When the sample collection site and the test site are different, it is necessary to transport the sample container. At this time, the sterilized state of the medium previously placed in the container must be maintained up to the collection site, and since the medium and the collected specimen should not be leaked, either a petri dish, a test tube, or a bottle can be used. It must be sealed and then individually wrapped with a shock absorber such as polystyrene foam. In addition, when collecting specimens outdoors such as in wells and rivers, it is necessary to carry specimen containers containing sterile medium, but petri dishes, test tubes, and bottles are all inconvenient to carry.
[0008]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sample container that has a small storage space, can be completely sealed during culture, does not fear damage, and can be easily operated, transported, and carried. It is in.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Sample container of the present invention, a transparent flexible material which does not pass bacteria, a housing space and container formed into a bag shape having a mouth which makes through its housing space with the outside, to binary the accommodating space As described above, the inner surfaces of the flexible material are bonded in a strip shape so as to be peeled from each other , and the band-shaped temporary bonding portion is used to partition a sealed space that is liquid-tight and sealed and an introduction space that introduces the specimen The opening is formed on the introduction space side, and opening and closing means for opening and closing the opening is provided .
[0010]
Since the sample container of the present invention is made of a flexible material, it can be easily changed in shape and is not damaged by impact or the like. Therefore, the storage space can be small and can be easily transported and carried without worrying about breakage due to an increase in atmospheric pressure in the container.
[0011]
Since the sample container of the present invention has means for opening and closing the mouth, the container can be sealed. Furthermore, in the sample container of the present invention, since the accommodation space is divided into the introduction space and the sealed space by the temporary bonding portion, the sealed space is double sealed by the means for opening and closing the mouth and the temporary bonding portion. Therefore, if the medium is stored in a sealed space until the time of inoculation of the specimen, it is possible to reliably maintain the medium in a sterile state and prevent the medium from leaking. In addition, since the inner surfaces of the flexible material are detachably bonded to each other at the temporary bonding portion, when the sample is put into the accommodation space from the mouth and inoculated into the culture medium, the flexible materials at the temporary bonding portion are separated from each other. The introduction space and the sealed space can be opened.
[0012]
As means for opening and closing the mouth, there are fasteners and bacteria-impermeable sheets. The bacteria-impermeable sheet is attached to the flexible material with an adhesive so as to cover the entire mouth. Then, the sheet is closed by sticking to the flexible material, and the sheet is opened by peeling from the flexible material.
[0013]
In the sample container of the present invention, when the means for opening and closing the mouth is a bacteria-impermeable sheet, the flexible material is temporarily bonded from the edge of the mouth to facilitate separation of the flexible materials at the temporary bonding portion. It is advisable to provide a cut leading to the part. In the specimen container having this notch, when the sheet is peeled from the flexible material in the direction from the mouth toward the temporary adhesive portion, the notch is opened at the same time as opening, so the slit of the notch extends and passes through the temporary adhesive portion, It extends to an enclosed space. As a result, the flexible materials can be easily separated from each other at the temporary bonding portion.
[0014]
Furthermore, if the sample container of the present invention is connected via a notch that is intermittently connected to a second container that can contain a cotton swab etc., the cotton swab etc. may be lost when the sample container is stored, transported, or carried. Because it is not, it becomes more convenient.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the sample container of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an XY sectional view of FIG. The sample container 1 of this embodiment is formed by superposing two rectangular flexible films 2. The inner surfaces of the film 2 are thermocompression bonded to each other at the upper end 21 and the side end 24. When the culture medium is put into the sample container 1, it is put from the bottom 25. As soon as the medium is added, the bottom 25 is thermocompression bonded.
[0016]
One of the two films 2 is provided with a linearly cut opening 22 at a position near the upper end and slightly spaced from both end portions 24. In addition, slightly below the mouth 22 is a belt-like temporary bonding portion 23 parallel to the mouth 22. Further, two straight cuts 26 that vertically connect the edge of the mouth 22 and the temporary bonding portion 23 are provided. And the bacteria impermeable sheet | seat 3 is affixed on the film 2 so that the opening | mouth 22, the temporary adhesion part 23, and the two notches 26 may be covered. On the surface of the sheet 3 on the film 2 side, an adhesive is applied to the entire surface except for the grip 31 where the paper is stuck.
[0017]
In the temporary bonding portion 23, the inner surfaces of the film 2 are bonded to each other so as to divide the accommodation space of the specimen container 1 into an introduction space continuous with the mouth 22 and a sealed space away from the mouth 22 by thermocompression bonding. I am letting. Therefore, it is peeled off when the specimen is inoculated into the culture medium, but before the specimen is inoculated, the temporary adhering portion 23 and the sheet 3 are combined to double-close the sealed space, thereby reliably preventing contamination of bacteria and leakage of the culture medium. can do.
[0018]
At the time of sample inoculation, the films 2 of the temporary bonding portion 23 are peeled off to open the introduction space and the sealed space. In the sample container 1 of the first embodiment, a cut 26 is provided, and the sheet 3 is attached to the film 2 so as to cover the mouth 22, the temporary bonding portion 23, and the two cuts 26. Therefore, when the sheet 3 is gradually peeled off from the grip 31, the opening 22 is opened and the cut 26 is opened at the same time, and the portion closed by the opening 22, the temporary bonding portion 23, and the two cuts 26 of the film 2 is opened. Tries to move away from the film 2 together with the sheet 3. Therefore, the slits of the two cuts 26 extend to the sealed space, and as a result, the films 2 are easily separated from each other in the region sandwiched between the two cuts 26 of the temporary bonding portion 23. That is, the notch 26 can be used as a guide to easily peel off the films 2 of the temporary bonding portion 23, and the work of inoculating the sample into the medium can be easily performed. In the case of the sample container not provided with the notch 26, the operator peels the film 2 by pulling it apart by hand.
[0019]
Since the adhesive is applied to the surface of the film 3 on the film 2 side, the sheet 3 can be repeatedly attached to or peeled off from the film 2. When the sheet 3 is peeled off from the film 2, the opening 22 is opened, and when the sheet 3 is attached again, it is closed. Therefore, the specimen can be taken in and out through the mouth 22, and the inside of the container can be completely sealed during the culture. In the sample container 1 of this embodiment, the rectangular portion formed by the mouth 22 and the two cuts 26 opens and closes.
[0020]
The material of the film 2 may be a transparent flexible material that does not allow bacteria to pass through, and may be appropriately selected depending on the type of specimen or culture conditions. For example, when culturing under an aerobic condition, a breathable synthetic resin film such as polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene is preferable, and when culturing under an anaerobic condition, a film or multi-layer that exhibits gas impermeability alone. A film is preferred. The sheet 3 is also made of a material that does not allow bacteria to pass through.
[0021]
When thermocompression bonding the inner surfaces of the film 2 is performed using a heat sealing machine. If the film 2 is thin at this time, an appropriate film such as polyethylene is laminated on the portion to be thermocompression bonded. Further, when the temporary bonding portion 23 is thermocompression bonded, the heat or pressure is adjusted so that the films 2 can be separated from each other and the liquid tightness in the container can be maintained.
[0022]
A second container 4 is connected to the sample container 1 of FIG. 1 through intermittently connected cuts 7. Similar to the sample container 1, the second container 4 is constituted by a flexible film 5 that does not allow two bacteria to pass through. At the opening 52, the side end 53, and the bottom 54, the inner surfaces of the film 5 are thermocompression bonded. The opening 52 is thermocompression-bonded so as to be peeled off. Since the upper end 51 is not thermocompression bonded, the films 5 in the opening 52 can be peeled off from each other. Further, if a sterilized cotton swab 6 is put before the inner surfaces of the film 5 are thermocompression bonded, the cotton swab 6 can be stored aseptically and can be used when inoculating a specimen into a culture medium. Of course, platinum ears, injection needles, pipettes and the like can be stored aseptically instead of cotton swabs. When the second container 4 is connected, the main body of the sample container 1 and the cotton swab 6 can be stored together, which makes it more convenient for storage, transportation and carrying. Further, since the second container 4 is connected by the intermittently connected cuts 7, the tear does not extend toward the sample container 1 when the film 5 of the opening 52 is peeled off and the cotton swab 6 is taken out. Therefore, the cotton swab 6 can be taken out while maintaining the liquid tightness of the sample container 1.
[0023]
When culturing bacteria on an agar medium using the specimen container 1 of FIG. 1, the agar previously placed in the container is dissolved by heating with a microwave oven or an autoclave, and then kept at an appropriate temperature until the specimen is inoculated. When inoculating the specimen, first, the films 5 in the opening 52 of the second container 4 are peeled off, the cotton swab 6 is taken out, and the specimen is adsorbed on the cotton portion. Subsequently, by peeling off the sheet 3 from the film 2, the mouth 22 is opened and at the same time, the films 2 of the temporary bonding portion 23 are peeled off, a cotton swab 6 is inserted, and the specimen is inoculated on the agar medium. After removing the cotton swab 6 and attaching the sheet 3 to the film 2 again, the sample container 1 is sufficiently mixed by hand swiping or tilting several times, and then placed in a thermostatic apparatus to coagulate the agar medium. In addition, the cells are cultured under appropriate conditions. After culture, the presence, size or number of colonies is examined.
[0024]
When culturing in a liquid medium that generates gas as the bacteria grow, the sample container 1 made of a gas-impermeable film may be used. When the sheet 3 after inoculation of the specimen is affixed to the film 2, it is possible to check the presence or absence of bacteria by the presence or absence of gas generation after culturing, so long as no gas remains inside. At this time, unlike the conventional fixed container, the shape of the sample container 1 changes as the internal pressure increases, so there is no fear of breakage.
[0025]
Since the sample container 1 of the present invention is made of a flexible material, the sample container 1 is not damaged, and can be easily stored in a different shape by folding it when not in use. Occupied volume is small. Furthermore, since it is made of a transparent material, observation of colonies, bubbles, and color changes can be performed in the same manner as when using a conventional container such as a petri dish, a test tube, or a bottle. Moreover, it can be easily discarded after use.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the sample container of the present invention. The sample container 8 in FIG. 3 is made by overlapping two transparent flexible films that are impermeable to bacteria, like the sample container 1 of the first embodiment. However, the upper end portion is not thermocompression-bonded, and this portion becomes the opening 10 that allows the accommodation space to communicate with the outside. A fastener 9 is used as means for opening and closing the mouth 10. Also in this case, there is a temporary bonding portion where the inner surfaces of the flexible film are detachably bonded so as to divide the accommodation space into an introduction space continuous with the mouth and a sealed space away from the mouth.
[0027]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the sample container of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a VW cross-sectional view of FIG. The sample container 11 of this embodiment also includes two transparent flexible films 12 that are impermeable to bacteria. The mouth 121 is an end portion of the film 12 that is not thermocompression-bonded as in the second embodiment. Further, it has a temporary bonding portion 122 and further has two notches 123 extending from the edge of the mouth 121 to the temporary bonding portion 122. The means for opening and closing the mouth 121 is the bacteria-impermeable sheet 13 whose surface is coated with an adhesive as in the first embodiment. The sheet 13 is attached to the film 12 so as to cover all of the mouth 121, the temporary bonding portion 122, and the notch 123.
[0028]
A second container 14 composed of two flexible films 15 is connected to the sample container 11 of the third embodiment via notches 17 that are intermittently connected. As with the main body of the specimen container 11, the second container 14 includes a mouth 151, a temporary adhesion portion 152, and two cuts 153 connecting them, so that all of them can be covered so that no bacteria are present. A transparent sheet 16 is attached to the film 15. Therefore, if a sterilized cotton swab or the like is placed in advance in the second container 14, it can be stored aseptically until use, and when removing the cotton swab or the like, the film 15 of the temporary bonding portion 152 is removed. It can be easily peeled off. Moreover, the cotton swab etc. which were used once can be put in the 2nd container 14 again, and can be sealed.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
The sample container of the present invention has a small storage space and can be easily operated, transported and carried. Furthermore, if the sample container of the present invention is used for culturing bacteria, it can be completely sealed and there is no fear of breakage. Moreover, even if a culture medium is put in advance, miscellaneous bacteria are not mixed and the culture medium does not leak.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a sample container of the present invention.
2 is an XY cross-sectional view of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the sample container of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the sample container of the present invention.
5 is a VW cross-sectional view of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 8, 11 Specimen container 2, 12 Film 21 Upper end portion, 22 ports, 23 Temporary bonding portion, 24 Side end portion, 25 Bottom portion, 26 Incision, 121 mouth, 122 Temporary adhesion portion, 123 Incision 3, 13 Sheet 31 4, 14 Second container 5, 15 Film 51 Upper end, 52 Opening, 53 Side end, 54 Bottom 151 Port, 152 Temporary bonding portion, 153 Cut 6 Cotton swab 7, 17 Cut 9 Fastener 10 Port 16 Sheet

Claims (5)

A specimen container formed in a bag shape having a storage space and a mouth that allows the storage space to communicate with the outside by a transparent flexible material that does not allow bacteria to pass through,
It said accommodating space to binary, adhered to the strip to be peeled off inner surfaces of the flexible material, by the temporary bonding portion of the strip, an enclosed space to specimens sealed retain the liquid-tightness A specimen container comprising a mouth opening / closing means for partitioning into an introduction space to be introduced, forming the mouth on the introduction space side, and opening and closing the mouth . The specimen container according to claim 1, wherein the mouth opening / closing means is a fastener . It said opening and closing means, the sample container according to claim 1 which is pasted bacterial impermeable sheet flexible material so as to seal the opening. Said flexible material, the sample container of claim 3 from the edges of the opening with a cut through to the temporary bonding portion. The specimen container according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the second container made of a flexible material that does not allow bacteria to pass through is connected through intermittently connected cuts.

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