STOOL SAMPLING TUBE SUITABLE FOR AUTOMATIC PROCESSING

摘要

This invention relates to a novel structure of a stool sampling tube including a container for storing a preservation solution or a medium, a cap for sealing the opening of the container and a stool sampling member fixed to the cap. The stool sampling member has a thinly elongated rod-like or bag-like shape and the surface of the area near its tip is so coarse that the coarse surface is rubbed against an object for sampling. Since the tip of the stool sampling member is tapered, the sample can be smeared thinly and narrowly on the medium. When a smear is obtained by rotating the stool sampling member on its longitudinal axis for automatic smearing, the smear can be obtained without interruption. The quantity of the sample and the concentration of the smear on the medium can be optimized by attaching a sheath to the rod-like or bag-like member and a deposition quantity of the sample can be further optimized by providing means for smoothening the coarse surface of the stool sampling member. If the opening of the container is cut aslant with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container, the area of the opening of the container can be increased and the insertion of the sampled stool into the container can be made more easily. At the same time, the sample adherent to the cap can be recovered in the container and the size of the sampling tube can be reduced. An expanded portion is disposed on the outer side surface of the opening of the container or a sealing member made of a flexible material is disposed inside the cap and the shape of the sealing member has a tapered surface projecting downward with the longitudinal axis of the stool sampling member being the center. In this manner the sample adherent to the cap can be recovered into the sample container more easily and the quantity of the sample adherent to the sampling member can be increased.