A sample image analysis device and a sample image analysis method

Abstract

This application discloses a sample image analysis device and a sample image analysis method. The sample image analysis device includes: a detection stage having a slide receiving portion configured to hold a slide to be tested; a buffer device having a first buffer receiving portion configured to buffer the slide to be tested; a slide transport device configured to transport the slide to be tested to the first buffer receiving portion of the buffer device; a slide loading device configured to load the slide to be tested from the first buffer receiving portion of the buffer device into the slide receiving portion of the detection stage; an imaging device including a camera and a lens group configured to capture an image of the sample on the slide to be tested located in the slide receiving portion of the detection stage; and an image analysis device configured to acquire an image of the sample of the slide to be tested from the imaging device and analyze the image.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of sample images, and more specifically to a sample image analysis device and a sample image analysis method. Background Technology

[0002] The sample image analysis device is an instrument that enables automatic loading of blood sample slides and automatic capture of images of the sample (e.g., images of blood membrane cells on the blood sample slide) according to the user-defined shooting mode, and performs morphological analysis.

[0003] Most current sample image analysis devices support loading blood slides in batches. The main method is to manually put multiple blood slides into a slide basket, and then the instrument automatically removes the blood slides one by one from the slide basket, takes pictures and analyzes them according to the set shooting mode, and then puts the blood slides that have been reviewed back into the slide basket one by one.

[0004] The current sample image analysis device places the slide directly onto the detection platform without a slide buffer, resulting in drawbacks such as sequential operation and long process time. Furthermore, for emergency cases or other samples requiring rapid results, samples can only be introduced through the regular sample entry channel, preventing queue jumping and leading to extended waiting times.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to improve the current sample image analysis device to solve the problems existing in the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The summary section introduces a series of simplified concepts, which will be further explained in detail in the detailed description section. This summary section is not intended to limit the key and essential technical features of the claimed technical solution, nor is it intended to determine the scope of protection of the claimed technical solution.

[0007] To overcome the existing problems, this application provides a sample image analysis device for capturing and analyzing images of samples on a glass slide to be tested. The sample image analysis device includes:

[0008] The testing stage has a slide receiving portion configured to hold the slide to be tested.

[0009] A buffer device having a first buffer accommodating portion configured to buffer a glass slide to be tested;

[0010] A slide transport device is configured to transport a slide to be tested into a first buffer receiving section of the buffer device;

[0011] A slide loading device is configured to load a slide to be tested from the first buffer accommodating part of the buffer device into the slide accommodating part of the detection stage;

[0012] An imaging device, comprising a camera and a lens group, configured to image a sample on a glass slide to be tested located in a slide receiving portion of the detection stage;

[0013] An image analysis device is configured to acquire an image of a sample of a glass slide to be tested from the imaging device and to analyze the image.

[0014] This application also provides a sample image analysis method, applied to a sample image analysis device, comprising:

[0015] The slide transport device transports the slide to be tested to the first buffer accommodating part of the buffer device;

[0016] The slide loading device loads the glass slide to be tested from the first buffer accommodating part of the buffer device into the slide accommodating part of the testing stage;

[0017] The imaging device captures an image of the sample on the glass slide to be tested, located in the slide receiving portion of the detection stage;

[0018] The image analysis device analyzes the image.

[0019] This application improves the sample image analysis device by incorporating a buffer device within it. The buffer device includes a first buffer accommodating section for buffering the glass slides to be tested. The buffer device acts as a transit station for the samples to be tested, serving the functions of transfer and temporary storage. The addition of a buffer function to the sample image analysis device allows other mechanisms to operate in parallel, saving process time. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The following drawings, which are incorporated herein by reference and are used to understand this application, illustrate embodiments of the invention and their descriptions to explain the principles of the invention.

[0021] In the attached image:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of the sample image analysis device described in one embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 2A This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the buffer device of the sample image analysis apparatus in one embodiment of this application when no sample to be tested is placed there;

[0024] Figure 2BThis is a schematic diagram of the structure of the buffer device of the sample image analysis apparatus described in one embodiment of this application when the sample to be tested is placed;

[0025] Figures 3A-3D This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the buffer device of the sample image analysis apparatus described in one embodiment of this application when it is moved to different positions;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the sample image analysis device described in one embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the sample image analysis device described in one embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the sample image analysis device described in one embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 7 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the sample image analysis device described in one embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 8 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the sample image analysis device described in one embodiment of this application;

[0031] Figure 9 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the sample image analysis device described in one embodiment of this application;

[0032] Figure 10 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the sample image analysis device described in one embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 11 This is a flowchart illustrating the sample image analysis method described in one embodiment of this application.

[0034] Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating the sample image analysis method described in another embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating the sample image analysis method described in another embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating the sample image analysis method described in another embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 15 This is a flowchart illustrating the sample image analysis method described in another embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application more apparent, exemplary embodiments according to this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments of this application. It should be understood that this application is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein. Based on the embodiments of this application described herein, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort should fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0039] The following description provides numerous specific details to offer a more thorough understanding of this application. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this application can be practiced without one or more of these details. In other instances, certain technical features well-known in the art have not been described to avoid confusion with this application.

[0040] It should be understood that this application can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, providing these embodiments will make the disclosure thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of this application to those skilled in the art.

[0041] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. When used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms “comprising” and / or “including,” when used in this specification, identify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups. When used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of the associated listed items. The terms first, second, third, etc., used herein are for ease of expression only and do not represent any limitation on order, etc.

[0042] To fully understand this application, detailed steps and structures will be presented in the following description to illustrate the technical solutions proposed in this application. Preferred embodiments of this application are described in detail below; however, in addition to these detailed descriptions, this application may have other implementation methods.

[0043] To better understand the setup and specific structure of the cache device described in this application, the following will first connect with... Figure 1 The overall structure of the sample image analysis device will be described and explained. It should be noted that... Figure 1 The sample image analysis device described herein is merely exemplary and is not limited to the structures and implementations listed therein.

[0044] The sample image analysis device described in this application is used to capture and analyze samples on a glass slide to be tested. The sample on the glass slide can be tissue, blood, body fluid, etc., and is not limited to any one of these. In one embodiment of this application, the glass slide to be tested is a blood-coated glass slide to analyze cell images in the blood.

[0045] In subsequent embodiments, the sample image analysis device and sample image analysis method will be described using a blood sample coated on the glass slide as an example.

[0046] The first aspect of this application provides a sample image analysis device, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the sample image analysis device 130 includes at least an imaging device 131, a detection stage 132, and an image analysis device 133. The imaging device 131 includes a camera 1312 and a lens group 1311 and is used to image cells in a sample smeared on a slide to be tested. The detection stage 132 has a slide receiving portion configured to hold the slide to be tested. The detection stage 132 is also configured to move the slide relative to the imaging device 131 so that the imaging device 131 can capture cell images of a specific area of ​​the slide. The image analysis device 133 is used to analyze the cell images of the slide to be tested; the image analysis device 133 is a processor capable of performing cell image analysis. The slide to be tested is a blood smear coated with a blood sample. Of course, the slide to be tested can also be a smear coated with a body fluid sample or other samples.

[0047] like Figure 1 As shown, lens group 1311 may include a first objective lens, a second objective lens, and an eyepiece. The first objective lens may be, for example, a 10x objective lens, and the second objective lens may be, for example, a 100x objective lens. Lens group 1311 may also include a third objective lens, for example, a 40x objective lens. Lens group 1311 may also include an eyepiece.

[0048] The sample image analysis device 130 further includes a buffer device 139, such as... Figure 2A As shown, the buffer device 139 has a first buffer accommodating portion 1391, which is configured to buffer the glass slide to be tested.

[0049] The sample image analysis device 130 further includes a slide transport device 135 and a slide loading device 138. The slide transport device 135 is configured to transport the slide to be tested to the first buffer receiving part 1391 of the buffer device; the slide loading device 138 is configured to load the slide to be tested from the first buffer receiving part 1391 of the buffer device 139 into the slide receiving part of the detection stage 132 for imaging the slide to be tested.

[0050] The sample image analysis device 130 further includes a slide identification device 134 and a slide recycling device 136. The slide identification device 134 is used to identify the identity information and / or front and back information of the slide to be tested. The slide transport device 135 is used to pick up the slide to be tested from the slide identification device 134 and place it into the first buffer receiving part 1391 of the buffer device; then, the slide to be tested in the first buffer receiving part 1391 of the buffer device 139 is loaded into the slide receiving part of the detection stage 132 by the slide loading device 138, and the slide is photographed on the detection stage 132. The slide recycling device 136 is used to place the tested slide.

[0051] The sample image analysis device also includes a controller, which is coupled to the imaging device 131, the detection stage 132, and the image analysis device 133, as well as the imaging device 131, the slide transport device 135, and the slide loading device 138. The controller controls the operation of these devices.

[0052] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in one embodiment of this application, the sample image analysis device 130 further includes a slide basket loading device 137 for loading a slide basket 200 containing a slide to be tested. The slide transport device 135 is further used to pick up the slide to be tested from the slide basket 200 loaded on the slide basket loading device 137 and place it into the slide identification device 134 for identity information identification and / or front / back identification. The slide basket loading device 137 is connected to a transport track so that the slide to be tested prepared by the slide preparation device can be transported to the sample image analysis device 130. Identity information identification can be determined by identifying the information code attached to the slide, and front / back identification can be determined by identifying the information code attached to the slide or by identifying the difference in the coating on the slide when it is placed upright and reversed.

[0053] It should be noted that the slide to be tested is not limited to being transported from the slide basket loading device 137 to the slide identification device 134 by the slide transport device 135 for identification information and / or front and back identification, and then transported to the first buffer storage unit 1391 after identification. For example, in some other embodiments, the slide transport device 135 is configured to transport the slide to be tested from the first buffer storage unit 1391 to the slide identification device 134 for identification information and / or front and back identification, and then transport it back to the first buffer storage unit 1391 after identification.

[0054] In one embodiment of this application, the slide identification device 134 includes a flipping assembly 1341, a flipping assembly driving mechanism 1342, and an identification device 1343. The flipping assembly 1341 has a slide receiving section, and the slide transport device 135 transports the slide to be tested to the slide receiving section for buffering. The flipping assembly driving mechanism 1342 is connected to the flipping assembly 1341 and is used to drive the flipping assembly 1341 to rotate. The identification device 1343 is disposed opposite to the flipping assembly 1341 and is used to identify the slide to be tested and / or identify its front and back sides.

[0055] Optionally, the flipping assembly 1341 is disposed between the slide basket loading device 137 and the buffer device 139. The flipping assembly 1341 is vertically arranged and can rotate in the horizontal plane. The identification device 1343 is spaced apart from the flipping assembly in the horizontal direction. The slide transport device 135 includes a gripper 1351 and a gripper drive mechanism 1352. The gripper drive mechanism 1352 can drive the gripper 1351 to translate in the horizontal and vertical directions and can rotate in the vertical plane. During operation, the gripper drive mechanism 1352 drives the gripper 1351 to pick up a glass slide from the slide basket 200 and place it into the slide receiving section of the flipping assembly 1341. The flipping assembly 1341 rotates horizontally to face the two sides of the glass slide with the identification device 1343. Of course, it may only rotate once. After the identification device 1343 completes the identification of the glass slide and / or the identification of the front and back sides, the gripper drive mechanism 1352 drives the gripper 1351 to pick up the glass slide in the slide receiving section, lift it up, flip it to a horizontal state, and then move it into the first buffer receiving section 1391.

[0056] It should be noted that the flipping component 1341 is not limited to being located between the slide basket loading device 137 and the buffer device 139; it can also be located in other positions, depending on the actual design requirements.

[0057] It should be noted that the flipping component 1341 is not limited to a vertical setting; it can also be set horizontally, depending on the actual design requirements.

[0058] It should be noted that the sample image analysis device 130 described in the above example is only used to illustrate the basic structure and working principle of the sample image analysis device 130, and the structure of the sample image analysis device 130 is not limited thereto.

[0059] The specific structure and configuration of the cache device will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 2A This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the buffer device of the sample image analysis apparatus in one embodiment of this application when no sample to be tested is placed there; Figure 2BThis is a schematic diagram of the structure of the buffer device of the sample image analysis apparatus described in one embodiment of this application when the sample to be tested is placed; Figures 3A-3D This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the buffer device of the sample image analysis apparatus described in one embodiment of this application when it is moved to different positions.

[0060] In this application, the sample image analysis device 130 may further include a driving device, wherein the driving device is connected to the buffer device 139 and configured to drive the buffer device 139 to move within the sample image analysis device 130.

[0061] Specifically, such as Figure 3B and Figure 3C As shown, the sample image analysis device 130 includes a first position A and a second position B, and the driving device is used to drive the buffer device 139 to move between the first position A and the second position B.

[0062] When the driving device drives the buffer device 139 to move to the first position A, the first buffer accommodating part 1391 receives the glass slide to be tested transported by the glass slide transport device 135.

[0063] Specifically, in one embodiment of this application, such as Figure 3B and Figure 6 As shown, when the driving device drives the buffer device 139 to move to the first position A, the first buffer receiving part 1391 of the buffer device 139 corresponds to the position of the slide transport device 135, and the slide transport device 135 clamps the slide to be tested into the first buffer receiving part 1391 of the buffer device.

[0064] For example, in another embodiment, the slide transport device 135 first picks up the slide to be tested from the slide basket loaded on the slide basket loading device 137 and places it into the slide identification device 134 for identification information and / or front and back identification. When the buffer device 139 moves to the first position A, the slide transport device 135 then picks up the slide to be tested from the slide identification device 134 and places it into the first buffer receiving part 1391 of the buffer device.

[0065] The slide transport device 135 can be a robotic arm, which picks up the slide to be tested and places it into the first buffer receiving part 1391 of the buffer device. It should be noted that the slide transport device 135 is not limited to a robotic arm.

[0066] Among them, such as Figure 3C and Figure 7As shown, when the driving device drives the buffer device 139 to move to the second position B, the first buffer accommodating part 1391 corresponds to the detection stage 132, and the slide loading device 138 loads the slide to be tested from the first buffer accommodating part 1391 onto the detection stage 132.

[0067] In one embodiment of this application, the slide loading device 138 can be a mechanical pusher. When the buffer device 139 moves to the second position B, the mechanical pusher is configured to push the slide to be tested in the first buffer accommodating part 1391 into the detection stage 132.

[0068] In one embodiment of this application, the driving device includes a driving component and a slide rail. The driving component drives the buffer device 139 to move. The buffer device 139 is fixed on the slide rail. The driving component drives the buffer device 139 to slide on the slide rail, so that the buffer device 139 moves at different positions of the sample image analysis device 130, for example, between the first position A and the second position B.

[0069] like Figures 8 to 10 As shown, the sample image analysis device 130 may further include a housing 141, which forms a receiving space, and the imaging device 131, the detection stage 132, the buffer device 139 and the image analysis device 133 are disposed in the receiving space formed by the housing.

[0070] The housing 141 is further provided with an opening 1411, and the buffer device 139 also has a single-slide sample introduction function. The buffer device 139 can receive manually placed slides for testing through the opening 1411. Manually placed slides can be emergency slides or other slides that need to be prioritized, so as to realize manual sample introduction of slides that need to be prioritized and emergency slides, reduce waiting time, and improve the ease of use of the machine.

[0071] In one embodiment of this application, a door 1412 may be provided on the opening 1411 to seal the opening 1411. When the buffer device 139 extends out of the housing 141 through the opening 1411, the door 1412 may be opened automatically or pushed open by the movement of the buffer device 139.

[0072] The buffer device 139 may be located inside the housing 141, but it can receive manually inserted glass slides through the opening 1411. The buffer device 139 may also extend out of the housing 141, either partially or completely, through the opening 1411, so as to receive manually inserted glass slides. This can be configured according to actual needs.

[0073] In one embodiment of this application, the buffer device 139 is moved to the third position D by the driving device, so that the first buffer receiving portion 1391 extends out of the housing 141 through the opening 1411 to receive manually inserted glass slides to be tested. That is, the first buffer receiving portion 1391 not only receives and buffers glass slides to be tested transported by the slide transport device, but also receives manually inserted glass slides to be tested.

[0074] In one embodiment of this application, the cache device 139 further includes a second cache receiving portion 1392, wherein, as Figure 3D As shown, the driving device moves the buffer device 139 to the third position D, so that the second buffer receiving portion 1392 passes through the opening 1411 and extends outside the housing 141 to receive manually inserted slides for testing. The first buffer receiving portion 1391 is typically used to buffer the slides for testing, and the second buffer receiving portion 1392 is typically used to extend outside the housing to receive manually inserted slides for testing. Of course, the first buffer receiving portion 1391 can have both the function of buffering and receiving manually inserted slides for testing; the second buffer receiving portion 1392 can also have both the function of buffering and receiving manually inserted slides for testing.

[0075] Specifically, after the second buffer accommodating section 1392 receives the manually placed glass slide to be tested, the manually placed glass slide to be tested can be moved to the first buffer accommodating section 1391, or the glass slide to be tested can be directly moved to the detection stage 132.

[0076] like Figure 8As shown, in one embodiment of this application, the sample image analysis device 130 further includes a sensor component 142, which is used to detect whether the buffer device 139 has moved to a preset position relative to the opening 1411. A controller is electrically connected to the sensor component 142 and the driving device. The controller is used to control the driving current of the driving device to decrease when the sensor component 142 detects that the buffer device 139 has moved to the preset position relative to the opening 1411, thereby reducing the driving force of the driving device. Since the buffer device 139 needs to pass through the opening 1411 and extend beyond the housing 141 when receiving a manually placed glass slide, if the driving device maintains a large driving force during this process, the driving device may injure the operator near the opening 1411 when driving the buffer device 139 through the opening. In this embodiment, by setting the controller to decrease the driving current of the driving device when the sensor component 142 detects that the buffer device has moved to the preset position relative to the opening, thereby reducing the driving force of the driving device, the potential harm to the operator when the buffer device 139 passes through the opening 1411 can be effectively reduced. Optionally, the preset position can be the position where the buffer device 139 is exactly abutting the door 1412. Alternatively, the preset position can be the position where the buffer device 139 is at a preset short distance from the door 1412.

[0077] For example, the sensor assembly 142 includes a photoelectric sensor 1421 and a baffle 1422. The photoelectric sensor includes a transmitter and a receiver. The baffle 1422 is mounted on the buffer device 139. When the buffer device 139 operates to the point where the baffle 1422 is between the transmitter and the receiver, the baffle 1422 blocks the signal emitted by the transmitter. The photoelectric sensor 1421 generates a detection signal indicating that the buffer device 139 has operated to a preset position.

[0078] Of course, the sensor component 142 is not limited to the above-described manner. For example, in some other embodiments, the sensor component 142 may be a distance sensor, which detects whether the buffer device 139 has moved to a preset position by detecting the position of the buffer device 139.

[0079] In one embodiment of this application, such as Figure 3D As shown, after the second buffer receiving portion 1392 extends out of the housing 141 and receives the manually inserted glass slide to be tested, the buffer device 139 moves from the third position D to the fourth position C, as... Figure 3A As shown, at this time, the second buffer accommodating part 1392 corresponds to the detection stage 132, and the slide loading device 138 loads the slide to be tested in the second buffer accommodating part onto the detection stage 132.

[0080] In another embodiment of this application, such as Figure 3D As shown, after the second buffer receiving portion 1392 extends outside the housing 141 and receives the manually inserted slide to be tested, the buffer device 139 moves from the third position D to the fifth position (not shown in the figure). In the fifth position, the second buffer receiving portion 1392 corresponds to the position of the slide transport device 135, and the slide transport device 135 picks up the manually inserted slide to be tested from the second buffer receiving portion 1392. Then, the driving device drives the buffer device 139 to move to the first position A, as shown in the figure. Figure 3B As shown, the slide transport device 135 picks up the manually placed slide to be tested and places it into the first buffer receiving part 1391 of the buffer device 139.

[0081] In another embodiment of this application, after the second buffer receiving portion 1392 extends out of the housing 141 and receives the manually inserted glass slide to be tested, the second buffer receiving portion 1392 moves into the housing 141, and then the buffer device 139 is kept stationary. The glass slide to be tested is picked up from the second buffer receiving portion 1392 by the glass slide transport device 135 and placed into the first buffer receiving portion 1391.

[0082] In another embodiment of this application, the slide transport device 135 picks up the slide to be tested from the second buffer accommodating part 1392 and places the picked-up slide to be tested between the first buffer accommodating part 1391. The slide transport device 135 is also used to pick up the slide to be tested to the slide identification device 134 for identification information recognition and / or front and back recognition. After the recognition is completed, it is picked up again and placed into the first buffer accommodating part 1391.

[0083] The sample image analysis device further includes a mode setting device for setting the sample injection mode of the sample image analysis device. The sample injection mode may include an automatic injection mode and a manual injection mode. When the manual injection mode is activated, the driving device drives the buffer device to move to the third position D to receive the manually placed glass slide to be tested. In the automatic injection mode, the glass slide transport device 135 picks up the glass slide to be tested from the glass slide basket 200 loaded on the glass slide basket loading device 137 and places it into the glass slide identification device 134 for identification information or directly picks it into the first buffer accommodating part 1391.

[0084] The mode setting device may include an operation panel on which the user can select between an automatic sample injection mode and a manual sample injection mode. In other variations, the mode setting device may also consist of a first button corresponding to the automatic sample injection mode and a second button corresponding to the manual sample injection mode. When the first button receives a press command, the automatic sample injection mode is activated or deactivated; similarly, the second button has the same function. The first and second buttons may be physical buttons or virtual buttons.

[0085] Among them, such as Figure 2A As shown, the first buffer accommodating portion 1391 has a first groove, and the second buffer accommodating portion 1392 has a second groove, configured to accommodate the glass slide to be tested.

[0086] Specifically, such as Figure 2A As shown, the first buffer receiving portion 1391 has a first end 13911 and a second end 13912 disposed opposite to each other. Both the first end 13911 and the second end 13912 of the first buffer receiving portion 1391 are configured as openings for placing the glass slide to be tested from the first end 13911 into the first buffer receiving portion 1391 at the first position, and for moving the glass slide to be tested from the first end 13911 to the second end 13912 and pushing it through the openings to the detection stage 132 at the second position B. Figure 2B As shown.

[0087] Wherein, the width of the first end 13911 of the first buffer accommodating part 1391 is greater than the width of the second end, so that the slide transporting device 135 can transport the slide to be tested into the first buffer accommodating part 1391, while preventing the positional deviation of the slide to be tested when the slide transporting device 135 places the slide to be tested.

[0088] Optionally, from the first end 13911 to the second end 13912, the width of the first groove gradually decreases (with a gradually narrowing structure designed at the tail), until the width of the second end is slightly greater than or equal to the width of the sample to be tested, so as to serve the function of tidying up the slide to be tested, so as to align the slide to be tested with the detection stage 132 during the process of moving the slide to be tested from the first end 13911 to the second end 13912, thereby more accurately pushing the slide to be tested from the first buffer accommodating part 1391 into the detection stage 132.

[0089] Optionally, the edge of the first groove sidewall is chamfered, configured so that the sample to be tested slides into the placement plane at the bottom of the groove along the chamfer.

[0090] Specifically, the first groove sidewall of the first buffer accommodating portion has a first chamfer 13913 and a second chamfer 13914 from top to bottom. The bevel of the first chamfer 13913 is inclined towards the inside of the first groove, and the bevel of the second chamfer 13914 is inclined towards the sidewall of the first groove. The second chamfer 13914 is configured to form a groove with the placement plane at the bottom of the first groove, and the sample to be tested is held in the groove.

[0091] In the first buffer accommodating part 1391, the placement plane at the bottom of the first groove is only provided at the second end 13912 of the first buffer accommodating part near the detection stage, and no placement plane is provided at the second end 13912 to facilitate the clamping of the glass slide to be tested.

[0092] Optionally, the second buffer accommodating portion 1392 has a third end 13921 and a fourth end 13922 disposed opposite to each other, and the sample to be tested moves from the third end 13921 to the fourth end 13922 and enters the second buffer accommodating portion 1392.

[0093] Among them, such as Figure 2A As shown, the third end 13921 is configured as an open end, meaning that no baffle is provided at the third end 13921, and it is in an open state, so that the glass slide to be tested can enter the second buffer receiving part 1392 from the third end 13921. The fourth end 13922 is configured as a closed end with sidewalls, meaning that a baffle is provided at the end of the fourth end 13922 to form a closed state.

[0094] Furthermore, the length of the sidewall near the first position in the second groove is greater than the length of the sidewall near the third position, so as to form a notch 20 at the third end to facilitate receiving a manually inserted glass slide.

[0095] In this application, the first cache accommodating portion 1391 and the second cache accommodating portion 1392 are arranged adjacent to each other. In one embodiment of this application, the first cache accommodating portion 1391 and the second cache accommodating portion 1392 are integrally arranged. For example, the cache device is provided with two grooves, namely the first cache accommodating portion 1391 and the second cache accommodating portion 1392.

[0096] In one embodiment of this application, the main function of the second buffer receiving portion 1392 is to receive a manually placed glass slide to be tested. Therefore, the second buffer receiving portion 1392 is configured to be closer to the housing opening so that the second buffer receiving portion 1392 extends at least partially through the opening out of the housing to receive the manually placed glass slide to be tested.

[0097] Specifically, the first cache accommodating part 1391 and the second cache accommodating part 1392 are sequentially arranged along the direction extending from the first position to the third position.

[0098] In embodiments of this application, the sample image analysis device includes a control device for controlling the shooting mode of the sample image analysis device. The control device is a controller.

[0099] In one embodiment of this application, the mode setting device may be set separately or may be set in the control device as part of the control device, which is not limited here.

[0100] In this application, the control device can automatically select the imaging mode based on the sample information on the slide to be tested. For example, the sample information can be obtained by scanning the slide information or by online information transmission. In one embodiment, the control device can obtain the preliminary screening results of the blood analyzer and select the corresponding imaging mode based on the preliminary screening results.

[0101] Among them, the manually placed glass slides can be flexibly set by the user to set the shooting mode, including at least one of the following: blood WBC analysis mode for capturing and analyzing images of white blood cells in blood sample smears, blood RBC analysis mode for capturing and analyzing images of red blood cells in blood sample smears, and blood PLT analysis mode for capturing and analyzing images of platelets in blood sample smears.

[0102] When selecting the imaging mode based on the slide information, blood samples typically undergo preliminary screening using a blood analyzer. Abnormal samples (such as uneven RBC size, abnormal white blood cells, PLT aggregation, etc.) are further prepared into blood test slides using a slide preparation machine, resulting in the test samples described in this application. These slides are then examined and diagnosed using a sample image analysis device (slide reader). During the blood test slide preparation process, abnormal sample information can be printed on the slide. When the slide enters the sample image analysis device, the instrument can acquire this information through scanning and then select the corresponding imaging mode. For example, for samples with abnormal PLT aggregation, the PLT PRO mode can be selected; for abnormal white blood cells, the instrument can select to image a larger number of white blood cells (e.g., 200), etc.

[0103] When there are no user settings or special information requirements, the default mode can be selected. The standard settings of the default mode can be, for example, blood WBC analysis mode (quantity 100) + RBC analysis mode + blood PLT analysis mode.

[0104] It should be noted that the control device can also select the shooting mode in the automatic mode as needed. The shooting mode and selection method can be the same as in the manual sample injection mode, and will not be described again.

[0105] This application improves the sample image analysis device by incorporating a buffer device within it. The buffer device includes a first buffer accommodating section for buffering the glass slides to be tested. The buffer device acts as a transit station for the samples to be tested, serving the functions of transfer and temporary storage. The addition of a buffer function to the sample image analysis device allows other mechanisms to operate in parallel, saving process time.

[0106] A second aspect of this application also provides a sample image analysis method, applied to the sample image analysis apparatus described above, such as... Figures 1 to 11 As shown, the sample image analysis method includes:

[0107] Step S1: The slide transport device 135 transports the slide to be tested to the first buffer accommodating section 1391 of the buffer device 139.

[0108] Step S2: The slide loading device 138 loads the slide to be tested from the first buffer accommodating part 1391 of the buffer device 139 into the slide accommodating part of the testing stage.

[0109] Step S3: The imaging device 131 takes a picture of the sample on the glass slide to be tested located in the glass slide receiving part of the detection stage to obtain an image of the sample on the glass slide to be tested.

[0110] Step S4: The image analysis device 133 analyzes the image.

[0111] In the sample image analysis device, as shown in Figure 3, the buffer device can be moved to at least the first position A, second position B, third position D, fourth position C, and fifth position (not shown) in the sample image analysis device under the drive of the driving device. It should be noted that the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth positions are not a limitation on the order of the first position A, second position B, third position D, fourth position C, and fifth position. For example, in one embodiment, the first position A, second position B, third position D, fourth position C, and fifth position can be arranged in the following manner: fifth position, fourth position C, and first position A side by side, second position B, and third position D.

[0112] When the driving device drives the cache device to move to the first position A, such as Figure 3BAs shown, the first buffer receiving portion 1391 of the buffer device 139 corresponds to the position of the slide transport device 135, and the slide transport device 135 clamps the slide to be tested into the first buffer receiving portion 1391 of the buffer device.

[0113] When the driving device drives the buffer device to move to the second position, such as Figure 3C As shown, the first buffer accommodating part 1391 corresponds to the detection stage 132, and the slide loading device 138 loads the slide to be tested from the first buffer accommodating part 1391 onto the detection stage 132.

[0114] When the driving device moves the buffer device to the third position, the buffer device receives the manually placed slide through the opening. The buffer device 139 may be located inside the housing, but it can receive the manually placed slide through the opening. The buffer device 139 may also extend partially or completely through the opening of the housing to receive the manually placed slide, and this can be configured according to actual needs.

[0115] In one embodiment of this application, the buffer device 139 is moved to the third position D by the driving device, so that the first buffer receiving portion 1391 extends out of the housing through the opening to receive a manually placed glass slide to be tested. That is, the first buffer receiving portion 1391 not only receives and buffers the glass slide to be tested transported by the slide transport device, but also receives a manually placed glass slide to be tested.

[0116] In one embodiment of this application, the cache device 139 further includes a second cache receiving portion 1392, wherein, as Figure 3D As shown, the driving device moves the buffer device 139 to the third position D, so that the second buffer receiving portion 1392 passes through the opening and extends outside the housing to receive manually inserted slides for testing. The first buffer receiving portion 1391 is typically used to buffer the slides for testing, and the second buffer receiving portion 1392 is typically used to extend outside the housing to receive manually inserted slides for testing. Of course, the first buffer receiving portion 1391 can have both the function of buffering and receiving manually inserted slides for testing; the second buffer receiving portion 1392 can also have both the function of buffering and receiving manually inserted slides for testing.

[0117] When the driving device drives the buffer device to move to the fourth position C, such as Figure 3A As shown, the second buffer accommodating part 1392 corresponds to the detection stage 132, and the slide loading device 138 loads the slide to be tested from the second buffer accommodating part onto the detection stage 132.

[0118] The driving device drives the buffer device to move to the fifth position (not shown in the figure), the second buffer accommodating part 1392 corresponds to the position of the slide loading device 138, and the slide loading device 138 picks up the slide to be tested that is manually placed in the second buffer accommodating part.

[0119] The method further includes: transferring the glass slide to be tested from the second buffer accommodating portion to the first buffer accommodating portion. Specifically, the method includes:

[0120] The driving device first drives the buffer device from the third position to the fifth position, causing the slide transport device to pick up the slide to be tested manually placed in the second buffer receiving section; the driving device then drives the buffer device to the first position, causing the first buffer receiving section of the buffer device to receive the slide to be tested picked up by the slide transport device. Alternatively, the slide transport device picks up the slide to be tested in the second buffer receiving section and places the picked-up slide into the first buffer receiving section.

[0121] In one embodiment of this application, the method further includes: determining whether the cache device 139 has reached a preset position relative to the opening 1411 of the housing 141; if the cache device 139 has reached the preset position relative to the opening 1411 of the housing 141, then controlling the drive current of the drive device to be reduced, so as to reduce the drive force of the drive device.

[0122] The sample image analysis method described in this application may include a manual mode and an automatic mode. The analysis methods under the different modes are described in detail below.

[0123] In the manual operation mode, the method for receiving manual sample introduction includes: if a manual sample introduction instruction is received, the driving device drives the first buffer receiving portion of the buffer device to a third position, such that at least a portion of the first buffer receiving portion extends through the opening of the housing to outside the housing to receive the manually placed slide to be tested. Alternatively, if a manual sample introduction instruction is received, the driving device drives the second buffer receiving portion of the buffer device to a third position, such that at least a portion of the second buffer receiving portion extends through the opening of the housing to outside the housing to receive the manually placed slide to be tested.

[0124] In one embodiment of this application, in automatic mode, the method includes the following steps:

[0125] The slide transport device picks up the slide to be tested from the slide basket loaded on the slide basket loading device and places it into the slide identification device for identification information.

[0126] The driving device drives the cache device to move to the first position, such as Figure 3B As shown, the first buffer receiving portion 1391 of the buffer device 139 corresponds to the position of the slide transport device 135. The slide transport device 135 picks up the slide to be tested from the slide identification device 134 and places it into the first buffer receiving portion 1391 of the buffer device.

[0127] The driving device drives the buffer device to move to the second position, such as Figure 3C As shown, the first buffer accommodating part 1391 corresponds to the detection stage 132. After the detection stage is ready, the slide loading device 138 loads the slide to be tested from the first buffer accommodating part 1391 onto the detection stage 132 for imaging.

[0128] In one embodiment of this application, in manual mode, the method includes the following steps:

[0129] If a manual sample injection instruction is received, the driving device drives the buffer device to move to the third position, and the first buffer receiving part 1391 extends out of the housing through the opening to receive the manually inserted glass slide to be tested.

[0130] The driving device drives the buffer device to move to the second position, such as Figure 3C As shown, the first buffer accommodating part 1391 corresponds to the detection stage 132. After the detection stage is ready, the slide loading device 138 loads the slide to be tested from the first buffer accommodating part 1391 onto the detection stage 132 for imaging.

[0131] In this embodiment, the step of loading the glass slide to be tested in the first buffer accommodating part 1391 into the glass slide identification device for identity information identification may be further included.

[0132] In one embodiment of this application, in manual mode, the method includes the following steps:

[0133] If a manual sample injection instruction is received, the driving device drives the buffer device to move to the third position, and the second buffer receiving part 1392 extends out of the housing through the opening to receive the manually inserted glass slide to be tested.

[0134] The driving device drives the buffer device to move from the third position to the fifth position (not shown in the figure). The second buffer receiving part 1392 corresponds to the position of the slide loading device 138. The slide loading device 138 picks up the slide to be tested that is manually placed in the second buffer receiving part.

[0135] The driving device drives the buffer device to move from the fifth position to the first position, such as... Figure 3B As shown, the first buffer receiving portion 1391 of the buffer device 139 corresponds to the position of the slide transport device 135. The slide transport device 135 transfers the slide to be tested from the second buffer receiving portion to the first buffer receiving portion 1391 of the buffer device.

[0136] The driving device drives the buffer device to move from the first position to the second position, such as... Figure 3C As shown, the first buffer accommodating part 1391 corresponds to the detection stage 132. After the detection stage is ready, the slide loading device 138 loads the slide to be tested from the first buffer accommodating part 1391 onto the detection stage 132 for imaging.

[0137] In one embodiment of this application, in manual mode, the method includes the following steps:

[0138] If a manual sample injection instruction is received, the driving device drives the buffer device to move to the third position, and the second buffer receiving part 1392 extends out of the housing through the opening to receive the manually inserted glass slide to be tested.

[0139] The driving device drives the buffer device to move from the third position to the fourth position C, such as... Figure 3A As shown, the second buffer accommodating part 1392 corresponds to the detection stage 132, and the slide loading device 138 loads the slide to be tested from the second buffer accommodating part onto the detection stage 132.

[0140] In another embodiment of this application, the buffer device can be kept stationary, and the slide to be tested can be transferred via the slide transport device, for example:

[0141] If a manual sample injection instruction is received, the driving device drives the buffer device to move to the third position, and the second buffer receiving part 1392 extends out of the housing through the opening to receive the manually inserted glass slide to be tested;

[0142] The slide to be tested is picked up from the second buffer accommodating part by the slide transport device and placed into the first buffer accommodating part.

[0143] Then the driving device drives the cache device to move to the second position, such as Figure 3CAs shown, the first buffer accommodating part 1391 corresponds to the detection stage 132. After the detection stage is ready, the slide loading device 138 loads the slide to be tested from the first buffer accommodating part 1391 onto the detection stage 132 for imaging.

[0144] In the above embodiments, the method may further include transporting the glass slide to be tested in the second buffer accommodating part to the glass slide identification device for identification by the glass slide transport device, and then transporting it from the glass slide identification device to the first buffer accommodating part or the second buffer accommodating part.

[0145] The following detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the analysis methods in the automatic and manual sample injection modes, using the first position A, second position B, third position D, fourth position C, and fifth position of the sample image analysis device, respectively, provide a comprehensive overview.

[0146] When the sample image analysis device is in automatic sample introduction mode:

[0147] In one embodiment of this application, such as Figures 1 to 10 and Figure 12 As shown, the sample image analysis method includes:

[0148] A1: The driving device drives the buffer device 139 to move to the first position A, so that the first buffer receiving part 1391 of the buffer device 139 can receive the glass slide to be tested transported by the glass slide transport device 135.

[0149] A2: The slide transport device 135 transports the slide to be tested to the slide identification device 134 for identification and / or front and back identification. After the slide to be tested completes identification and / or front and back identification, the slide transport device 135 transports the slide to be tested to the first buffer accommodating part 1391 of the buffer device 139.

[0150] Steps A1 and A2 can be performed separately or simultaneously. The preferred solution is that when the buffer device 139 moves to the first position A, the slide transport device 135 transports the slide to be tested that has completed the identification process, so that the buffer device 139 can transport the slide to be tested away.

[0151] A3: The driving device drives the buffer device 139 to move to the second position B. At the second position B, the first buffer accommodating part 1391 corresponds to the slide accommodating part of the testing stage, so that the slide loading device loads the slide to be tested from the first buffer accommodating part 1391 into the slide accommodating part of the testing stage.

[0152] A4: The slide loading device 138 loads the slide to be tested from the first buffer accommodating part 1391 of the buffer device 139 into the slide accommodating part of the testing stage.

[0153] A5: Imaging device 131 takes a picture of the sample on the glass slide to be tested located in the glass slide receiving part of the detection stage to obtain an image of the sample on the glass slide to be tested.

[0154] A6: Image analysis device 133 analyzes the image.

[0155] It should be noted that since the identification and / or front and back identification of the glass slide can be performed in other processes, the sample image analysis method in this embodiment may not include the steps of identifying and / or identifying the front and back of the glass slide. That is, after the buffer device 139 moves to the first position A, the glass slide transport device 135 directly runs the glass slide to be detected to the first buffer accommodating part 1391, and then performs operations A4 to A7.

[0156] When the sample image analysis device is in manual injection mode:

[0157] In one embodiment of this application, such as Figures 1 to 10 and Figure 13 As shown, the sample image analysis methods include:

[0158] B1: If a manual sample injection instruction is received, the drive device drives the buffer device 139 to move to the third position D. At the third position D, the drive device continues to drive at least a portion of the first buffer receiving portion 1391 of the buffer device 139 to extend out of the housing 141 through the opening 1411 of the housing 141 to receive the manually inserted glass slide to be tested.

[0159] B2: After receiving the manually placed glass slide to be tested, the driving device drives the buffer device 139 to move to the first position A. At the first position A, the first buffer accommodating part 1391 corresponds to the glass slide transporting device 135. After the first position A, the glass slide transporting device 135 transports the glass slide to be tested in the first buffer accommodating part 1391 to the glass slide identification device 134 for identification and / or front and back identification.

[0160] B3: After the glass slide to be tested completes the identification and / or front and back identification, the glass slide transport device 135 transports the glass slide to be tested from the glass slide identification device 134 back to the first buffer storage unit 1391.

[0161] B4: The driving device drives the buffer device 139 to move to the second position B, and the first buffer accommodating part 1391 corresponds to the slide accommodating part.

[0162] B5: Then the slide loading device 138 loads the slide to be tested from the first buffer accommodating part 1391 into the slide accommodating part.

[0163] B6: Imaging device 131 takes a picture of the sample on the glass slide to be tested located in the glass slide receiving part of the detection stage to obtain an image of the sample on the glass slide to be tested.

[0164] B7: Image analysis device 133 analyzes the image.

[0165] It should be noted that since the identification and / or front and back identification of the glass slide can be performed in other processes, the sample image analysis method in this embodiment may not include the steps of identifying and / or identifying the front and back of the glass slide. That is, after the first buffer accommodating part 1391 receives the manually placed glass slide to be tested, the glass slide transport device 135 directly moves the glass slide to be tested to the second position B, and then performs operations B5 to B7.

[0166] In another embodiment of this application, such as Figures 1 to 10 and Figure 14 As shown, the cache device 139 includes a second cache receiving section 1392 arranged side by side with the first cache receiving section 1391, and the sample image analysis method includes:

[0167] C1: If a manual sample injection instruction is received, the drive device drives the buffer device 139 to move to the third position D, such that at least a portion of the second buffer receiving portion 1392 of the buffer device 139 extends out of the housing 141 through the opening 1411 to receive the manually inserted glass slide to be tested.

[0168] C2: The driving device drives the buffer device 139 to move to the fifth position. In the fifth position, the second buffer receiving part 1392 corresponds to the slide transport device 135. Therefore, when the buffer device moves to the fifth position, the slide transport device 135 transports the slide to be tested in the second buffer receiving part 1392 to the slide identification device 134 for identification and / or front and back identification.

[0169] C3: After the glass slide to be tested completes the identification and / or front and back identification, the glass slide transport device 135 transports the glass slide to be tested from the glass slide identification device 134 back to the second buffer storage unit 1392.

[0170] C4: The driving device drives the buffer device 139 to move to the fourth position C, where the second buffer accommodating part 1392 corresponds to the slide accommodating part of the detection stage.

[0171] C5: Then the slide loading device 138 loads the slide to be tested from the second buffer accommodating part 1392 into the slide accommodating part of the testing stage.

[0172] C6: Imaging device 131 takes a picture of the sample on the glass slide to be tested located in the glass slide receiving part of the detection stage to obtain an image of the sample on the glass slide to be tested.

[0173] C7: Image analysis device 133 analyzes the image.

[0174] It should be noted that since the identification and / or front and back identification of the glass slide can be performed in other processes, the sample image analysis method in this embodiment may not include the steps of identifying and / or identifying the front and back of the glass slide. That is, after the second buffer accommodating part 1392 receives the manually placed glass slide to be tested, the glass slide transport device 135 directly moves the glass slide to be tested to the fourth position C, and then performs operations C5 to C7.

[0175] In another embodiment of this application, such as Figures 1 to 10 and Figure 15 As shown, the cache device 139 includes a second cache receiving section 1392 arranged side by side with the first cache receiving section 1391, and the sample image analysis method includes:

[0176] D1: If a manual sample injection instruction is received, the driving device drives the buffer device 139 to move to the third position D, so that at least a portion of the second buffer receiving portion 1392 of the buffer device 139 extends out of the housing through the opening of the housing to receive the manually inserted glass slide to be tested.

[0177] D2: The driving device drives the buffer device 139 to move to the fifth position, and the slide transport device 135 takes out the slide to be tested from the second buffer receiving part 1392. In the fifth position, the second buffer receiving part 1392 corresponds to the slide transport device 135.

[0178] D3: After the slide moving device 135 removes the slide to be tested, it immediately transports the slide to the slide identification device 134 for identification and / or front and back identification.

[0179] D4: The driving device drives the buffer device 139 to move to the first position A. At the first position A, the first buffer receiving part 1391 of the buffer device 130 can correspond to the slide transport device so that at the first position A, the slide to be tested after identification and / or front and back identification can be placed into the first buffer receiving part 1391 by the slide transport device 135.

[0180] D5: The driving device drives the buffer device 139 to move to the second position B, where the first buffer receiving part 1391 corresponds to the glass slide receiving part at the second position B.

[0181] D6: Then the slide loading device 138 loads the slide to be tested from the first buffer accommodating part 1391 into the slide accommodating part.

[0182] D7: Imaging device 131 takes a picture of the sample on the glass slide to be tested located in the glass slide receiving part of the detection stage to obtain an image of the sample on the glass slide to be tested.

[0183] D8: Image analysis device 133 analyzes the image.

[0184] It should be noted that since the identification and / or front and back identification of the slide can be performed in other processes, the sample image analysis method in this embodiment may not include the steps of identifying and / or identifying the front and back of the slide. That is, after the second buffer accommodating part 1392 receives the manually placed slide to be tested, the slide transport device 135 moves the slide to be tested to the fifth position. After the slide transport device 135 takes out the slide to be tested from the second buffer accommodating part 1392, it then performs operations D4 to D8.

[0185] In one embodiment of this application, such as Figures 1 to 10 As shown, the slide identification device 134 includes a flipping assembly 1341, a flipping assembly driving mechanism 1342, and an identification device 1343. The flipping assembly 1341 is provided with a slide receiving section. The flipping assembly driving mechanism 1342 is connected to the flipping assembly 1341. The identification device 1343 is arranged opposite to the flipping assembly 1341. The slide transport device 135 transports the slide to be tested to the slide identification device 134 for identification and / or front and back identification. The sample image analysis method includes:

[0186] The slide transport device 135 transports the slide to be tested to the slide receiving section.

[0187] The flipping component drive mechanism 1342 drives the flipping component 1341 to rotate so that one side of the glass slide to be tested is opposite to the identification device 1343.

[0188] The identification device 1343 performs identification and / or front and back identification on the glass slide to be tested.

[0189] In one embodiment of this application, the flipping component 1341 is vertically arranged, and the sample image analysis method further includes: after the identification device completes the identification of the glass slide to be tested and / or the identification of the front and back sides.

[0190] The slide transport device 135 takes out the slide to be tested from the slide receiving section and flips the slide to be tested into a horizontal position.

[0191] Then the slide transport device 135 transports the slide to be tested to the first buffer accommodating section 1391 or the second buffer accommodating section 1392.

[0192] In manual sample introduction mode, the drive device drives the buffer device 139 to extend at least partially through the opening 1411 of the housing 141 to receive the manually inserted slide. During this process, if the drive device exerts a large driving force, the buffer device 139 extending through the opening 1411 of the housing 141 may cause injury to the operator. Therefore, in one embodiment of this application, the sample image analysis method further includes:

[0193] Check whether the opening 1411 of the buffer device 139 relative to the housing 141 has moved to a preset position.

[0194] If the buffer device 139 is found to be in a preset position relative to the opening 1411 of the housing 141, the drive current of the control drive device is reduced to decrease the drive force of the drive device.

[0195] In the sample image analysis method described in this application, the slide transport device transports the slide to be tested to the first buffer accommodating part of the buffer device to buffer the slide to be tested. Through the buffer of the buffer device, the slide to be tested can be transferred and temporarily stored, so that other mechanisms can operate in parallel and save process time.

[0196] Although exemplary embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the above exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Various changes and modifications can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this application. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this application as claimed in the appended claims.

[0197] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0198] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some features may be ignored or not executed.

[0199] Numerous specific details are set forth in the specification provided herein. However, it will be understood that embodiments of this application may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this specification.

[0200] Similarly, it should be understood that, in order to streamline this application and aid in understanding one or more of the various inventive aspects, features of this application may sometimes be grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof in the description of exemplary embodiments of this application. However, this approach should not be construed as reflecting an intention that the claimed application requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as reflected in the corresponding claims, its inventive point lies in solving the corresponding technical problem with features fewer than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into that detailed description, wherein each claim itself is a separate embodiment of this application.

[0201] Those skilled in the art will understand that, apart from the mutual exclusion of features, all features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) and all processes or elements of any method or apparatus so disclosed can be combined in any combination. Unless otherwise expressly stated, each feature disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by an alternative feature serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose.

[0202] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that although some embodiments herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not others, combinations of features from different embodiments are intended to be within the scope of this application and form different embodiments. For example, in the claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0203] The various component embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware, or as software modules running on one or more processors, or a combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will understand that microprocessors or digital signal processors (DSPs) can be used in practice to implement some or all of the functions of some modules according to the embodiments of this application. This application can also be implemented as an apparatus program (e.g., a computer program and computer program product) for performing part or all of the methods described herein. Such an implementation of this application can be stored on a computer-readable medium, or can be in the form of one or more signals. Such signals can be downloaded from an Internet website, provided on a carrier signal, or provided in any other form.

[0204] It should be noted that the above embodiments are illustrative of this application and not limiting of it, and that those skilled in the art can devise alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses should not be construed as limiting the claims. This application can be implemented by means of hardware comprising several different elements and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the unit claims enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by the same item of hardware. The use of the words first, second, and third, etc., does not indicate any order. These words can be interpreted as names.

Claims

1. A sample image analysis device for capturing and analyzing images of samples on a glass slide to be tested, characterized in that, The sample image analysis device includes: The testing stage has a slide receiving portion configured to hold the slide to be tested. A buffer device having a first buffer accommodating portion configured to buffer a glass slide to be tested; A slide transport device is configured to transport a slide to be tested into a first buffer receiving section of the buffer device; A slide loading device is configured to load a slide to be tested from the first buffer accommodating part of the buffer device into the slide accommodating part of the detection stage; An imaging device, comprising a camera and a lens group, configured to image a sample on a glass slide to be tested located in a slide receiving portion of the detection stage; An image analysis device is configured to acquire an image of a sample of a glass slide to be tested from the imaging device and to analyze the image.

2. The sample image analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sample image analysis device includes: A driving device is used to drive the buffer device to move between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first buffer receiving part receives the glass slide to be tested transported by the glass slide transport device. In the second position, the first buffer receiving part corresponds to the detection stage, and the glass slide loading device loads the glass slide to be tested from the first buffer receiving part onto the detection stage.

3. The sample image analysis device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The sample image analysis device includes: A housing with an opening for accommodating at least the detection stage, the buffer device, and the slide loading device; A driving device is used to drive the buffer device to a third position, in which the buffer device can receive a manually placed glass slide to be tested through the opening.

4. The sample image analysis device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The driving device is used to drive the buffer device to the third position, such that at least a portion of the first buffer accommodating part extends through the opening out of the housing to receive a manually inserted glass slide to be tested.

5. The sample image analysis device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cache device further includes a second cache accommodating section; The driving device is used to drive the buffer device to the third position, such that at least a portion of the second buffer accommodating part extends through the opening out of the housing to receive a manually inserted glass slide to be tested.

6. The sample image analysis device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sample image analysis device includes: A sensor assembly is used to detect whether the buffer device has moved to a preset position relative to the opening; A controller, electrically connected to the sensor assembly and the drive device, is configured to reduce the drive current of the drive device to decrease the drive force of the drive device when the sensor assembly detects that the buffer device has moved to a preset position relative to the opening.

7. The sample image analysis device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The buffer device also includes a second buffer housing for buffering the glass slide to be tested.

8. The sample image analysis device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The driving device is also used to drive the buffer device to move to the fourth position so that the second buffer accommodating part corresponds to the detection stage when it is in the fourth position. The slide loading device is also used to load the slide to be tested in the second buffer accommodating part onto the detection stage.

9. The sample image analysis device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The slide transport device is also used to transfer the slide to be tested in the second buffer accommodating section to the first buffer accommodating section.

10. The sample image analysis device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sample image analysis device further includes: A slide identification device, wherein the slide transport device is used to transport the slide to be tested to the slide identification device for identification and / or front and back identification, and then transport it from the slide identification device to the first buffer storage section.

11. The sample image analysis device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The sample image analysis device further includes: A slide basket loading device, wherein the slide transport device is used to transport slides from the slide basket located in the slide basket loading device to the slide identification device for identification and / or front and back identification, and then transport them from the slide identification device to the first buffer storage section.

12. The sample image analysis device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sample image analysis device further includes: A slide identification device, wherein the slide transport device is used to first transport the slide to be tested in the first buffer accommodating part or the second buffer accommodating part to the slide identification device for identification and / or front and back identification, and then transport it from the slide identification device to the first buffer accommodating part or the second buffer accommodating part.

13. The sample image analysis device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The slide identification device includes: The flipping assembly is provided with a slide receiving section, and the slide transport device transports the slide to be tested to the slide receiving section for buffering; A flipping component drive mechanism is connected to the flipping component, and the flipping component drive mechanism is used to drive the flipping component to rotate; An identification device is disposed opposite to the flipping assembly, and the identification device is used to identify the glass slide to be tested and / or identify the front and back sides.

14. The sample image analysis device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sample image analysis device further includes: A mode setting device is used to set a manual sample injection mode. When the manual sample injection mode is set, the driving device drives the buffer device to move to the third position to receive the manually placed glass slide to be tested.

15. The sample image analysis device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first buffer accommodating portion has a first groove configured to accommodate the glass slide to be tested.

16. The sample image analysis device according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first buffer accommodating part is constructed as a first groove, the first groove having a first end and a second end that are oppositely arranged and open, and the slide loading device moves the slide to be tested from the first end to the second end through the opening of the first end and pushes it onto the detection stage through the opening of the second end.

17. The sample image analysis apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that, The width of the first end is greater than the width of the second end; and / or, The width of the second end is greater than or equal to the width of the glass slide to be tested.

18. The sample image analysis apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that, The width of the first groove gradually decreases along the direction extending from the first end to the second end.

19. The sample image analysis apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that, The edges of the sidewall of the first groove are chamfered, so that the glass slide to be tested can slide into the placement plane at the bottom of the first groove along the chamfer.

20. The sample image analysis device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second buffer accommodating part is constructed as a second groove to accommodate the glass slide to be tested.

21. The sample image analysis device according to claim 20, characterized in that, The second buffer accommodating portion has a third end and a fourth end disposed opposite to each other, the third end being an open end facing away from the detection stage.

22. The sample image analysis device according to claim 21, characterized in that, The length of the sidewall near the first position in the second groove is greater than the length of the sidewall near the third position, so as to form a notch at the third end, configured to receive a manually inserted glass slide to be tested.

23. The sample image analysis device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first cache accommodating portion and the second cache accommodating portion are arranged adjacent to each other, and are arranged sequentially along the direction extending from the first position to the third position.

24. A sample image analysis method, applied to a sample image analysis device, characterized in that, The sample image analysis method includes: The slide transport device transports the slide to be tested to the first buffer accommodating part of the buffer device; The slide loading device loads the glass slide to be tested from the first buffer accommodating part of the buffer device into the slide accommodating part of the testing stage; The imaging device captures an image of the sample on the glass slide to be tested, located in the slide receiving portion of the detection stage; The image analysis device analyzes the image.

25. The sample image analysis method according to claim 24, characterized in that, Prior to the step in which the slide transport device transports the slide to be tested into the first buffer container of the buffer device, the method includes: The driving device drives the buffer device to move to a first position so that the first buffer accommodating part of the buffer device receives the glass slide to be tested transported by the glass slide transport device.

26. The sample image analysis method according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that, Before the step of the slide loading device loading the slide to be tested from the first buffer container of the buffer device into the slide container of the detection stage, the method includes: The driving device drives the buffer device to move to the second position, so that the first buffer accommodating part corresponds to the slide accommodating part of the detection stage, so that the slide loading device loads the slide to be tested from the first buffer accommodating part into the slide accommodating part of the detection stage.

27. The sample image analysis method according to claim 26, characterized in that, The sample image analysis device includes a slide recognition device, and the method further includes, before the slide transport device transports the slide to be tested into the first buffer receiving section of the buffer device: The slide transport device transports the slide to be tested to the slide identification device for identification and / or front and back identification.

28. The sample image analysis method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The method includes: If a manual sample injection instruction is received, the driving device drives the buffer device to move to the third position, such that at least a portion of the first buffer receiving part of the buffer device extends out of the housing through the opening of the housing to receive the manually inserted glass slide to be tested. After the first buffer receiving portion receives the glass slide to be tested, the driving device drives the buffer device to move to a second position, where the first buffer receiving portion corresponds to the glass slide receiving portion. Then the slide loading device loads the slide to be tested from the first buffer accommodating section into the slide accommodating section.

29. The sample image analysis method according to claim 28, characterized in that, The sample image analysis device includes a slide recognition device. After the first buffer accommodating part receives the slide to be tested and before the driving device drives the buffer device to move to the second position, the method further includes: The driving device drives the buffer device to move to a first position, where the first buffer receiving part corresponds to the glass slide transport device. The driving device drives the slide transport device to transport the slide to be tested in the first buffer accommodating part to the slide identification device for identification and / or front and back identification; After the glass slide to be tested completes identification and / or front and back identification, the glass slide transport device transports the glass slide to be tested from the glass slide identification device back to the first buffer storage section.

30. The sample image analysis method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The cache device includes a second cache compartment located alongside the first cache compartment, and the method includes: If a manual sample injection instruction is received, the driving device drives the buffer device to move to a third position, in which at least a portion of the second buffer accommodating part of the buffer device extends out of the housing through the opening of the housing to receive the manually inserted glass slide to be tested; After the second buffer receiving portion receives the glass slide to be tested, the driving device drives the buffer device to move to the fourth position, where the second buffer receiving portion corresponds to the glass slide receiving portion; Then the slide loading device loads the slide to be tested from the second buffer accommodating section into the slide accommodating section.

31. The sample image analysis method according to claim 30, characterized in that, The sample image analysis device includes a slide recognition device. After the second buffer accommodating part receives the slide to be tested and before the driving device drives the buffer device to move to the fourth position, the method further includes: The driving device drives the buffer device to move to the fifth position, where the second buffer accommodating part corresponds to the slide transporting device. The slide transporting device transports the slide to be tested in the second buffer accommodating part to the slide identification device for identification and / or front and back identification. After the glass slide to be tested completes identification and / or front and back identification, the glass slide transport device transports the glass slide to be tested from the glass slide identification device back to the second buffer storage unit.

32. The sample image analysis method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The cache device includes a second cache compartment located alongside the first cache compartment, and the method includes: If a manual sample injection instruction is received, the driving device drives the buffer device to move to a third position, such that at least a portion of the second buffer receiving portion of the buffer device extends out of the housing through the opening of the housing to receive the manually inserted glass slide to be tested. After the second buffer accommodating part receives the glass slide to be tested, the glass slide transport device transfers the glass slide to be tested from the second buffer accommodating part to the first buffer accommodating part; The driving device drives the buffer device to move to a second position, where the first buffer receiving portion corresponds to the glass slide receiving portion. Then the slide loading device loads the slide to be tested from the first buffer accommodating section into the slide accommodating section.

33. The sample image analysis method according to claim 32, characterized in that, The slide transport device transfers the slide to be tested from the second buffer accommodating section to the first buffer accommodating section, including: The driving device drives the buffer device to move to the fifth position, where the second buffer receiving part corresponds to the slide transport device, and the slide transport device takes out the slide to be tested from the second buffer receiving part; The driving device drives the buffer device to move to a first position. At the first position, the first buffer accompanies the slide transport device, and the slide transport device places the retrieved slide to be tested into the first buffer accompanies.

34. The sample image analysis method according to claim 33, characterized in that, The sample image analysis device includes a slide recognition device. After the slide transport device removes the slide to be tested from the second buffer container and before the slide transport device places the removed slide to be tested into the first buffer container, the method further includes: The slide transport device transports the slide to be tested to the slide identification device for identification and / or front and back identification.

35. The sample image analysis method according to any one of claims 28 to 34, characterized in that, The method includes: Whether the cache device has moved to a preset position relative to the opening of the housing; If the buffer device is found to be in a preset position relative to the opening of the housing, the driving current of the driving device is reduced to decrease the driving force of the driving device.

36. The sample image analysis method according to claim 29, 31, or 34, characterized in that, The slide identification device includes a flipping assembly, a flipping assembly drive mechanism, and an identification device. The flipping assembly has a slide receiving section, the flipping assembly drive mechanism is connected to the flipping assembly, and the identification device is disposed opposite to the flipping assembly. The slide transport device transports the slide to be tested to the slide identification device for identification and / or front / back identification, including: The slide transport device transports the slide to be tested to the slide receiving section; The flipping component driving mechanism drives the flipping component to rotate so that one side of the glass slide to be tested is opposite to the identification device; The identification device performs identity recognition and / or front and back recognition on the glass slide to be tested.

37. The sample image analysis method according to claim 36, characterized in that, The flipping component is vertically arranged, and the method further includes: After the identification device completes the identification and / or front / back identification of the glass slide to be tested; The slide transport device takes the slide to be tested from the slide receiving part and flips the slide to be tested into a horizontal state; The slide transport device then transports the slide to be tested to the first buffer accommodating section or the second buffer accommodating section.

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