Examination cartridge determination method and device

Abstract

To provide a determination method that automatically determines whether an examination cartridge is opened or unopened.SOLUTION: A method for determining whether an encapsulation seal is peeled off by a user (opened) or not peeled off (unopened) when a pre-use examination cartridge with an encapsulation seal put on a top surface is stored in a device, comprises the steps of: photographing an image of the top surface of the examination cartridge by a photographing camera; converting the photographed image into a monochrome image; performing an image analysis of the monochrome image; and checking the presence or absence of the encapsulation seal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining a test cartridge.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in clinical tests, in order to perform measurements simply and quickly, POCT test devices have been becoming popular. In many POCT test devices, a test cartridge in which reagents and the like are stored in advance is used in order to perform tests simply.

[0003] In such a device, each time a measurement is performed, the cartridge is fixed to the storage unit of the device, and through a series of steps, absorbance and the like are measured (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] However, since the operations of the test cartridge performed before fixing it to the storage unit of the device differ from device to device, there is a possibility that the user may accidentally perform an incorrect operation. For example, it is whether or not to peel off a sealing seal for sealing a reagent in the test cartridge. If a device that uses the test cartridge after peeling off the sealing seal on the top surface of the cartridge starts measurement without peeling it off, it may have an adverse effect on the device and the measurement result.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a determination method and apparatus that automatically determine whether a test cartridge is opened or unopened.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventors have reached the present invention.

[0008] That is, the present invention is as follows. (1) A method for determining whether a sealing seal on the top surface of an inspection cartridge is peeled off (opened) or not peeled off (unopened) by a user when the inspection cartridge is stored in the apparatus, the sealing seal being sealed on the top surface before use, a step of taking an image of the top surface of the inspection cartridge with a photographing camera; a step of converting the taken image into a black-and-white image; a step of analyzing the black-and-white image; a step of checking the presence or absence of the sealing seal; The determination method having the above. (2) A method for determining whether a sealing seal on the top surface of an inspection cartridge is peeled off (opened) or not peeled off (unopened) by a user when the inspection cartridge is stored in the apparatus, the sealing seal being sealed on the top surface before use, a step of storing at least one of a black-and-white image of the opened state and a black-and-white image of the unopened state of the top surface of the inspection cartridge in a storage unit; a step of taking an image of the top surface of the inspection cartridge stored in the apparatus with a photographing camera; a step of converting the taken image into a black-and-white image; an image analysis step of comparing the stored black-and-white image with the black-and-white image converted after photographing; The determination method having the above. (3) The discrimination method according to (1) or (2), wherein the sealing seal is non-transparent and light-colored, a dark-colored chip is enclosed in the inspection cartridge, the sealing seal is converted to white, and the dark-colored chip is converted to black. (4) An apparatus for determining whether a sealing seal on the top surface of an inspection cartridge is peeled off (opened) or not peeled off (unopened) by a user when the inspection cartridge is stored in the apparatus, the sealing seal being sealed on the top surface before use, an imaging unit that captures an image of the top surface of the inspection cartridge with an imaging camera; a conversion unit that converts the captured image into a black and white image; and a control unit having an image analysis unit that performs image analysis on the monochrome image. (5) A device for determining whether a seal on the top surface of a test cartridge, which has a seal before use, has been peeled off (opened) by a user or not (unopened) when the test cartridge is stored in the device, a storage unit that stores at least one of a black-and-white image of the top surface of the inspection cartridge in an opened state and a black-and-white image of the top surface of the inspection cartridge in an unopened state; an imaging unit that captures an image of the top surface of the inspection cartridge stored in the device using an imaging camera; a conversion unit that converts the captured image into a black and white image; and a control unit having an image analysis unit that compares the stored black and white image with the captured and converted black and white image. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to automatically determine whether an inspection cartridge is opened or unopened. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] An embodiment of the determination method of the present invention will be described below. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and it is easily understandable to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention described in the claims.

[0012] An example of the apparatus for carrying out the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this apparatus, the top surface of the inspection cartridge 30 is photographed using the photographing camera 11 provided in the photographing unit 10 to determine whether it has been opened (without the sealing seal 40) or unopened (with the sealing seal 40).

[0013] The photographed image is converted into a black-and-white image. The black-and-white image conversion unit may be provided in the photographing unit 10 or may be provided in the control unit 20 described later.

[0014] The control unit 20 includes an image analysis unit 21 for analyzing the photographed image and a storage unit 22 for storing at least one of the black-and-white images of the opened state and the unopened state of the top surface of the inspection cartridge 30. The control unit 20 (image analysis unit 21, storage unit 22) may be provided anywhere as long as the image photographed by the photographing unit 10 can be received, and is not particularly limited. The control unit 20 is, for example, a computer, a microcomputer, or the like.

[0015] The inspection cartridge storage unit 50 is not particularly limited as long as it can store the inspection cartridge 30. In order for the user to easily store the inspection cartridge 30 in the inspection cartridge storage unit 50, a driving unit or the like can also be provided in the inspection cartridge storage unit 50.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the steps of the inspection cartridge determination operation in this embodiment.

[0017] First, before the process shown in FIG. 2, the inspection cartridge 30 is stored in the inspection cartridge storage unit 50. When a drive unit or the like is provided in the inspection cartridge storage unit 50, the imaging camera 11 is driven to a position where the inspection cartridge 30 can be imaged.

[0018] Next, the inspection cartridge determination shown in FIG. 2 is started (step S10). Specifically, the top surface of the inspection cartridge 30 is imaged by the imaging camera 11.

[0019] Next, black-and-white conversion of the captured image is performed (step S20). This black-and-white image conversion may be performed by the imaging unit 10 or by the control unit 20.

[0020] Next, image analysis is performed using the black-and-white converted image (step S30). Specifically, image analysis is performed on the image captured in step S10. During the image analysis, by comparing with the black-and-white image of the opened state or the unopened state of the top surface of the inspection cartridge 30 stored in the storage unit 22, it is possible to determine whether the sealing seal 40 on the top surface of the inspection cartridge 30 stored in the inspection cartridge storage unit 50 is opened or unopened. Or, it is also possible to determine based on the presence or absence of the sealing seal 40 on the top surface of the inspection cartridge 30. That is, if there is a sealing seal 40 on the top surface of the inspection cartridge 30, it can be determined that it is unopened, and if there is no sealing seal 40, it can be determined that it is opened.

[0021] The inspection cartridge 30 and the sealing seal 40 will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the inspection cartridge 40 includes one or a plurality of cuvettes, and a dark color chip 60 is enclosed therein.

[0022] The sealing seal 40 is opaque and light in color. When the test cartridge 30 is in an unopened state, it is sealed with the opaque sealing seal 40, and the dark-colored chip 60 cannot be seen from the top surface (see FIG. 4). When it is in an opened state, the dark-colored chip 60 can be seen from the top surface (see FIG. 5). In the black-and-white image conversion, it is desirable that the sealing seal 40 and the test cartridge 30 are converted to white, and the dark-colored chip is converted to black. An actual black-and-white image of the top surface of the unopened test cartridge 30 is as shown in FIG. 6, and a black-and-white image of the top surface of the opened test cartridge 30 is as shown in FIG. 7. If the sealing seal 40 were transparent, the dark-colored chip 60 would be visible even in the unopened state, so the sealing seal 40 needs to be opaque.

[0023] If the result of the judgment is that the condition of the top surface of the test cartridge 30 is not normal (a test cartridge that should be opened and used is unopened, or a test cartridge that should be used without opening has been opened), it is preferable to stop the measurement and, if necessary, provide a function to notify the user by displaying on the screen or sounding a buzzer, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0024] 10. Photography Department 11. Camera 20 Control Unit 21 Image analysis unit 22 Memory section 30 Test Cartridges 40 Sealing seal 50 Test cartridge storage section 60 chips

Claims

1. A method for determining whether the sealing seal on the top surface of an inspection cartridge, which is sealed before use, has been peeled off (opened) or not peeled off (unopened) by the user when the cartridge is stored in the apparatus, comprising: a step of taking an image of the top surface of the inspection cartridge with a photographing camera; a step of converting the taken image into a black-and-white image; a step of performing image analysis on the black-and-white image; a step of checking for the presence or absence of the sealing seal; The determination method having the above steps.

2. A method for determining whether the sealing seal on the top surface of an inspection cartridge, which is sealed before use, has been peeled off (opened) or not peeled off (unopened) by the user when the cartridge is stored in the apparatus, comprising: a step of storing at least one of a black-and-white image of the opened state and a black-and-white image of the unopened state of the top surface of the inspection cartridge in a storage unit; a step of taking an image of the top surface of the inspection cartridge stored in the apparatus with a photographing camera; a step of converting the taken image into a black-and-white image; an image analysis step of comparing the stored black-and-white image with the black-and-white image converted after photographing; The determination method having the above steps.

3. The sealing seal is non-transparent and light-colored, a dark-colored chip is enclosed in the inspection cartridge, the sealing seal is converted to white, the dark-colored chip is converted to black, The discrimination method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. An apparatus for determining whether the sealing seal on the top surface of an inspection cartridge, which is sealed before use, has been peeled off (opened) or not peeled off (unopened) by the user when the cartridge is stored in the apparatus, comprising: a photographing unit for taking an image of the top surface of the inspection cartridge with a photographing camera; a conversion unit for converting the taken image into a black-and-white image; and a control unit having an image analysis unit for performing image analysis on the black-and-white image.

5. An apparatus for determining whether the sealing seal on the top surface of an inspection cartridge, which is sealed before use, has been peeled off (opened) or not peeled off (unopened) by the user when the cartridge is stored in the apparatus, comprising: a storage unit for storing at least one of a black-and-white image of the opened state and a black-and-white image of the unopened state of the top surface of the inspection cartridge; a photographing unit for taking an image of the top surface of the inspection cartridge stored in the apparatus with a photographing camera; a conversion unit for converting the taken image into a black-and-white image; An apparatus comprising a control unit having an image analysis unit that compares a stored black-and-white image with a black-and-white image converted after shooting.

Images