Aggregate detecting device and aggregate detecting method

Abstract

To detect a solid such as an aggregate contained in a liquid specimen with high accuracy.SOLUTION: An aggregate detecting device includes a light source configured to irradiate light to a specimen sealing tube in which a liquid specimen is sealed, a light receiving unit configured to detect polarized light transmitted through the specimen sealing tube, and a processor, wherein the processor calculates a polarization intensity value from image data of the polarized light detected by the light receiving unit, and performs peak analysis from a distribution of the polarization intensity value to determine presence or absence of a solid material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aggregate detection device and an aggregate detection method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, advances in robotics and other fields have led to the automation of clinical specimen testing. With this technological innovation, specimens collected for medical diagnosis are now automatically measured using medical analyzers according to the test items.

[0003] For example, when performing a complete blood count using a blood testing device, blood is aspirated and collected from a blood collection tube to check the concentration and amount of formed elements and substances contained in the blood, and measurements are performed according to the blood count items. In the blood testing device, blood is aspirated and collected automatically.

[0004] The following are conventional techniques for detecting blood components coagulated in a blood collection tube before aspirating and collecting blood.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a blood coagulation detection device that irradiates light onto blood to be measured contained in a container, calculates the absorbance of the transmitted light over a predetermined wavelength range, takes a second derivative of the absorbance with respect to the wavelength, and detects coagulation of the blood to be measured based on the measured second-order derivative absorbance, which is the result of the second-order differentiation.

[0006] Patent Document 2 discloses a specimen property discrimination device that applies vibrations to a container that stores a specimen, irradiates it with at least one of ultraviolet light, infrared light, and visible light, photographs the light that passes through the specimen, and discriminates solid matter within the specimen based on at least one of the movement and shape change of a shadowed area in the acquired image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-61585 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-17921 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In blood testing equipment, blood is aspirated and collected automatically, but if there is coagulated blood in the blood collection tube being tested, the nozzle may become clogged during aspirating and collecting, causing the automated line to stop.

[0009] In such cases, the laboratory technician must visually check the blood collection tube for the presence or absence of blood coagulation before sending it to the blood testing device, which places a heavy burden on the laboratory technician.

[0010] Furthermore, when a label with a printed barcode is attached to the blood collection tube, the influence of the label can make it difficult to detect transmitted light, making it difficult to determine whether blood has coagulated.

[0011] The blood coagulation detection device described in Patent Document 1 detects coagulation of the blood to be measured using transmitted light. However, in this case, there is thought to be room for improvement in that it is affected by the label.

[0012] The specimen property determination device described in Patent Document 2 has a configuration in which vibration is applied to a container that stores a specimen. However, in this case, it is thought that there is room for improvement in that the device configuration and the testing process become complicated.

[0013] An object of the present disclosure is to detect solid matter such as aggregates contained in a liquid sample with high accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The aggregate detection device of the present disclosure includes a light source that irradiates light onto a specimen-enclosed tube in which a liquid specimen is sealed, a light-receiving unit that detects polarized light that has passed through the specimen-enclosed tube, and a processor. The processor calculates a polarization intensity value from image data of the polarized light detected by the light-receiving unit, and determines the presence or absence of solid matter by performing peak analysis on the distribution of the polarization intensity values. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present disclosure, solid matter such as aggregates contained in a liquid sample can be detected with high accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an aggregate detection device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing hardware of a calculation unit of the aggregate detection device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a blood collection tube containing blood. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating an aggregate detection method according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for detecting whether aggregates or the like have occurred in a test tube (a specimen-filled tube) in which a liquid specimen has been sealed. The detection of aggregates or the like is performed by determining the distribution of polarization intensity values ​​from an image acquired by a polarization camera or the like, and performing peak analysis on the distribution.

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The examples are illustrative for explaining the present disclosure, and for clarity of explanation, appropriate omissions and simplifications have been made. The present disclosure can also be implemented in various other forms. Unless otherwise specified, each component may be singular or plural.

[0019] To facilitate understanding of the invention, the position, size, shape, range, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may not represent the actual position, size, shape, range, etc. Therefore, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the position, size, shape, range, etc. disclosed in the drawings.

[0020] The following describes a case where the sample is blood and the aggregate is fibrin, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to this and can also be applied to cases where other solids, particularly substances with birefringent properties, are the target of the sample.

[0021] <Measurement principle> Anisotropic materials such as fibrin exhibit different refractive indices depending on the azimuthal plane, and when light passes through them, a phase difference (birefringence phase difference) occurs depending on the orientation of the vibration plane. A birefringent material changes the polarization state of the transmitted light.

[0022] By focusing on the property of anisotropic materials that changes the polarization state in this way, it is possible to visualize the polarization state using a polarization camera.

[0023] The visualization of the polarization state described above is used to determine whether or not aggregates such as fibrin are present before blood is aspirated and collected in a blood testing device. For example, if two peaks appear in the polarization intensity distribution (histogram) that shows the polarization state of the transmitted light, it is believed that anisotropic substances have been present.

[0024] (Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an aggregate detection device according to an embodiment.

[0025] The aggregate detection device 100 includes a light source 102, a light receiving unit 104, a calculation unit 106 (processor), a polarization detection unit 108, an output unit 110, and an input unit 112.

[0026] Light source 102 is, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED) that emits white light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, or the like. Alternatively, a window may be provided at a predetermined position on aggregate detection device 100 so that external light can be introduced into aggregate detection device 100. In this case, the light is a fluorescent lamp in the room (on the ceiling, etc.), an LED, or sunlight from outside. Therefore, light source 102 includes a window that introduces external light.

[0027] It is desirable for the light source 102 to be an infrared LED that generates light of a wavelength that easily passes through a resin label attached to the container of a blood collection tube, which will be described later. The light from the light source 102 may also pass through a polarizing plate.

[0028] A plurality of light sources 102 may be arranged, for example, on the top and back of the blood collection tube container, on the front and back, or on the top, front and back.

[0029] The light receiving unit 104 includes a predetermined lens. The lens may be a polarized lens. The polarization detection unit 108 is a polarization camera, a polarization sensor, or the like that detects transmitted light.

[0030] The calculation unit 106 performs processes such as controlling the light emission from the light source 102 and determining the presence or absence of solid matter such as aggregates from the polarization intensity distribution (distribution of polarization intensity values) obtained by the polarization detection unit 108, according to a predetermined program. Here, the predetermined program includes a step of determining the presence or absence of solid matter by performing peak analysis from the distribution of polarization intensity values.

[0031] The polarization detector 108 may be included in the calculator 106 .

[0032] The output unit 110 outputs the results of the above-mentioned determination, etc. Data such as the polarization intensity of the transmitted light may also be output.

[0033] The input unit 112 can input information about the specimen, the wavelength of the light source 102, the light intensity, and the like.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the hardware configuration of the calculation unit of the aggregate detection device according to this embodiment.

[0035] In this figure, the calculation unit 200 is realized by a computer and includes a display 202, an input device 204, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 206, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 208, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 210, a communication device 212, a media reader 214, and an auxiliary storage device 216. The display 202 corresponds to the output unit 110 in Figure 1, etc. The input device 204 corresponds to the input unit 112 in Figure 1, etc.

[0036] The CPU 206 is a device that executes various calculations and performs various processes by executing control programs and the like that are loaded from the auxiliary storage device 216 to the RAM 208.

[0037] Here, the control program is, for example, an application program that can be executed on an OS (Operating System) program. Note that in this embodiment, the control program is composed of multiple modules for each function, but it may also be realized by multiple independent programs for each function.

[0038] The control program may also be installed in the auxiliary storage device 216 from a portable storage medium via the media reader 214. In other words, the control program may be stored in a storage medium. The CPU 206 may also execute processing in accordance with a program other than the control program. In this case, it is desirable to store this program in the auxiliary storage device 216.

[0039] The RAM 208 is a memory that stores programs such as a control program executed by the CPU 206, and data necessary for executing the programs. The ROM 210 is a memory that stores programs and an OS necessary for starting the calculation unit 200. The communication device 212 is connected to a sensor such as a camera via a communication path. The communication path can be realized by a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, and may be wired or wireless.

[0040] The media reader 214 is a device that reads information from a portable storage medium such as a flash memory or a CD-ROM.

[0041] The auxiliary storage device 216 can be realized by, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or the like, and is a device that stores data and programs for executing various processes. The auxiliary storage device 216 may also be realized by a solid state drive (SSD) that uses a flash memory or the like.

[0042] The RAM 208, the ROM 210, and the auxiliary storage device 216 correspond to a database. The auxiliary storage device 216 stores control programs, various information, data, and the like.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a front view showing a blood collection tube containing blood.

[0044] The blood collection tube 300 shown in this figure includes a container 302 and a stopper 304. A label 306 is attached to the outer surface (side surface) of the container 302. A barcode 306a is printed on the label 306.

[0045] Blood 308, which is a specimen, is enclosed inside container 302. Here, the specimen may be separated blood that has been centrifuged to remove only the plasma component. Liquid level 308a of blood 308 is located lower than the upper edge of label 306. Fibrin 310, a protein aggregate, is generated in blood 308.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the aggregate detection method of this embodiment.

[0047] In this figure, polarization images of the blood collection tube 300 are captured from multiple polarization directions (step S400). In this case, multiple polarization images may be captured from one direction of the blood collection tube 300 while rotating the blood collection tube 300 around its central axis. Alternatively, multiple polarization images of the blood collection tube 300 may be captured using a polarization camera, polarization sensor, or the like that rotates around the central axis of the blood collection tube 300. Then, gaps in the label 306 are detected from the polarization images, and the serum region is extracted (step S402).

[0048] Instead of detecting the gaps in the label 306, infrared light or the like that easily penetrates resin may be used, and the serum region may be extracted from a polarized image of the light that has passed through the label 306.

[0049] Next, a high-contrast image is selected from the polarized images of multiple polarization directions (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) (step S404), and the contrast of the selected image is enhanced (step S406). Furthermore, peak analysis is performed on the polarization intensity distribution of the image (step S408), and the presence or absence of fibrin 310 is determined based on the results of the peak analysis (step S410). Specifically, if two peaks appear in the polarization intensity distribution (histogram), it is determined that fibrin 310 aggregates have occurred. On the other hand, if there is only one peak in the polarization intensity distribution, it is determined that fibrin 310 aggregates have not occurred.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, peak analysis is performed on the polarization intensity distribution of the image, but it is not necessary to use peak analysis. If the presence of solid matter such as aggregates is clear from the image, the results may be used to detect the occurrence of aggregates, etc.

[0051] The effects of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0052] According to the present disclosure, solid matter such as aggregates contained in a liquid sample can be detected with high accuracy.

[0053] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, even if a label is affixed to the specimen-containing tube, the influence of the label can be avoided and transmitted light can be detected without vibrating the specimen-containing tube. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 100: aggregate detection device, 102: light source, 104: light receiving unit, 106: calculation unit, 108: polarization detection unit, 110: output unit, 112: input unit, 200: calculation unit, 202: display, 204: input device, 206: CPU, 208: RAM, 210: ROM, 212: communication device, 214: media reading device, 216: auxiliary storage device, 300: blood collection tube, 302: container, 304: stopper, 306: label, 306a: barcode, 308: blood, 308a: liquid level, 310: fibrin.

Claims

1. a light source that irradiates light onto a specimen-enclosed tube in which a liquid specimen is enclosed; a light receiving unit that detects polarized light transmitted through the specimen sealed tube; a processor, The processor calculates polarization intensity values ​​from the image data of the polarized light detected by the light receiving unit, and determines the presence or absence of solid matter by performing peak analysis from the distribution of the polarization intensity values.

2. The aggregate detection device of claim 1 , wherein the light source is a white, infrared, or ultraviolet light emitting diode.

3. The aggregate detection device according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the light sources are arranged at any one of the top and rear surface, the front and rear surface, and the top, front and rear surfaces of the specimen-enclosed tube.

4. The aggregate detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the light receiving unit is a polarization camera or a polarization sensor.

5. The aggregate detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the processor determines that the solid matter is present when two peaks are detected in the peak analysis.

6. the image data of the polarization is for a plurality of polarization directions; The aggregate detection device of claim 1 , wherein the processor selects a high-contrast image from the image data of the plurality of polarization directions.

7. The aggregate detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the sample is blood or plasma.

8. The agglutinate detection device according to claim 1 , wherein the solid matter is a fibrin agglutinate.

9. 2. The aggregate detection device according to claim 1, wherein a label is attached to the specimen-enclosed tube.

10. A light source irradiates light onto a specimen-enclosed tube in which a liquid specimen is enclosed; a light receiving unit detecting polarized light transmitted through the specimen-enclosed tube; An aggregate detection method in which a processor calculates polarization intensity values ​​from the image data of the polarization detected by the light receiving unit and determines the presence or absence of solid matter by performing peak analysis from the distribution of the polarization intensity values.

11. The aggregate detection method according to claim 10 , wherein the processor determines that the solid is present if two peaks are detected in the peak analysis.

12. the image data of the polarization is for a plurality of polarization directions; The method of claim 10 , wherein the processor selects a high contrast image from the image data of the plurality of polarization directions.

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