Method of Sampling Specimen, Test Method and Dropping Pipette and Specimen Sampler to be Used Therein

Abstract

A method for taking a sample includes drawing blood into a vacuum blood collection tube and transferring at least part of the blood from the vacuum blood collection tube to a sample storage space of a dropper. The vacuum blood collection tube includes a sample storage portion and a stopper sealing the sample storage portion, and the drawing is performed by stabbing a hollow needle into the stopper. The dropper includes and internal space at least part of which is the sample storage space for storing a sample and which includes a volume changeable space defined by an elastically deformable portion having flexibility. The dropper further includes an insertion portion including a through-hole connected to the internal space, and the transfer of the sample is performed by inserting the insertion portion into a through-hole formed in the stopper by the stabbing of the hollow needl into the stopper.

1 . A method for taking a sample, the method comprising the steps of:
 drawing a sample into a sample container, the sample container including a sample storage portion and a stopper sealing the sample storage portion, the drawing being performed by stabbing a hollow needle into the stopper; and   transferring at least part of the sample from the sample container to a sample storage space of a dropper, the dropper including an internal space at least part of which is the sample storage space for storing the sample and which includes a volume changeable space defined by an elastically deformable portion, the dropper further including an insertion portion including a through-hole connected to the internal space, the transfer of the sample being performed by inserting the insertion portion into a through-hole formed in the stopper by the stabbing of the hollow needle into the stopper.   
     
     
         2 . A method for testing a sample, the method comprising the step of testing the sample stored in the sample storage space after the sample taking method as set forth in  claim 1  is performed. 
     
     
         3 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A sample collecting tool comprising a dropper and a guide;
 wherein the dropper includes a main body comprising a closed end and an open end opposite to the closed end, the main body defining an internal space at least part of which is a sample storage space located at the closed end of the main body for storing a sample and which includes a volume changeable space also located at the closed end of the main body and defined by an elastically deformable portion having flexibility;   wherein the dropper further comprises an insertion portion connected to the open end of the main body and including a through-hole communicating with the internal space;   wherein the guide comprises a diametrically larger cylindrical portion and a diametrically smaller cylindrical portion connected to the diametrically larger cylindrical portion via a stepped portion, the insertion portion of the dropper being fitted into the diametrically smaller cylindrical portion.   
     
     
         26 . A sample collecting tool comprising a sample container, a dropper and a guide;
 wherein the sample container comprises a first sample storage space and a stopper sealing the first sample storage space, the stopper being stabbed with a hollow needle for introducing a sample into the first sample storage;   wherein the dropper comprises an internal space at least part of which is a second sample storage space for storing at least part of the sample from the sample container and which includes a volume changeable space defined by an elastically deformable portion, the dropper further comprising an insertion portion including a through-hole communicating with the internal space, said at least part of the sample being transferred from the first sample storage space of the sample container to the second sample storage space by inserting the insertion portion into a through-hole formed in the stopper by the stabbing of the hollow needle into the stopper; and   wherein the guide includes a first cylindrical portion and a second cylindrical portion connected to the first cylindrical portion via a stepped portion, the stopper being fitted into the first cylindrical portion in engagement with the stepped portion, the insertion portion of the dropper being fitted into the second cylindrical portion.   
     
     
         27 . A sample collecting tool comprising a sample container and a dropper;
 wherein the sample container comprises a first sample storage space and a stopper sealing the first sample storage space, the stopper being stabbed with a hollow needle for introducing a sample into the first sample storage;   wherein the dropper comprises an internal space at least part of which is a second sample storage space for storing at least part of the sample from the sample container and which includes a volume changeable space defined by an elastically deformable portion, the dropper further comprising an insertion portion including a through-hole communicating with the internal space, said at least part of the sample being transferred from the first sample storage space of the sample container to the second sample storage space by inserting the insertion portion into a through-hole formed in the stopper by the stabbing of the hollow needle into the stopper.   
     
     
         28 . The sample collecting tool according to  claim 25 , wherein the insertion portion includes a portion whose cross sectional area reduces as progressing toward an end of the insertion portion. 
     
     
         29 . The sample collecting tool according to  claim 25 , wherein the insertion portion includes an end having a periphery comprising a curved surface. 
     
     
         30 . The sample collecting tool according to  claim 25 , wherein the insertion portion includes an end formed with a surface inclined with respect to an axial direction of the through-hole. 
     
     
         31 . The sample collecting tool according to  claim 25 , wherein the insertion portion includes a large-cross-section portion which is larger in cross sectional area than adjacent portions in an axial direction of the through-hole. 
     
     
         32 . The sample collecting tool according to  claim 25 , wherein the dropper further includes a rigid portion defining part of the internal space, located between the insertion portion and the elastically deformable portion and formed integrally with at least the elastically deformable portion. 
     
     
         33 . The dropper according to  claim 32 , wherein the rigid portion comprises a portion formed with a plurality of grooves extending in a direction along a central axis of the through-hole. 
     
     
         34 . The sample collecting tool according to  claim 27 , wherein the insertion portion includes a portion whose cross sectional area reduces as progressing toward an end of the insertion portion. 
     
     
         35 . The sample collecting tool according to  claim 27 , wherein the insertion portion includes an end having a periphery comprising a curved surface. 
     
     
         36 . The sample collecting tool according to  claim 27 , wherein the insertion portion includes an end formed with a surface inclined with respect to an axial direction of the through-hole. 
     
     
         37 . The sample collecting tool according to  claim 27 , wherein the insertion portion includes a large-cross-section portion which is larger in cross sectional area than adjacent portions in an axial direction of the through-hole. 
     
     
         38 . The sample collecting tool according to  claim 27 , wherein the dropper further includes a rigid portion defining part of the internal space, located between the insertion portion and the elastically deformable portion and formed integrally with at least the elastically deformable portion. 
     
     
         39 . The dropper according to  claim 38 , wherein the rigid portion comprises a portion formed with a plurality of grooves extending in a direction along a central axis of the through-hole.