Disease diagnosis support system and disease diagnosis support method

Abstract

To provide a pathological condition diagnosis support system and a pathological condition diagnosis support method capable of supporting highly reliable diagnosis of a pathological condition by suppressing clouding and staining of a stretchable sheet.SOLUTION: The pathological diagnosis support system 1 includes an extension device 10 for extending a tissue section P of a cell, an imaging device 30 for acquiring image data by imaging the tissue section P, and an image analysis device 40 for calculating an index of morbidity based on a mode of cracks generated in the tissue section P due to extension by analyzing the image data, and the extension device 10 supports a stretchable sheet 60 provided with the tissue section P and extends the tissue section P together with the stretchable sheet 60. The stretchable sheet 60 has at least the first sheet surface 61 provided with the tissue section P, and the number of micropores having a maximum width of 100 μm or less per predetermined area in the first sheet surface 61 is smaller than that of the polyurethane gel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for supporting pathological diagnosis that use tissue sections of cells to support the diagnosis of a pathological condition. [Background technology]

[0002] The standard method for diagnosing a patient's pathology is to observe tissue sections of cells obtained from the patient under an optical microscope and make a diagnosis based on the morphology of the cells at the microscopic level. However, even when observing tissue sections under a microscope, it is often difficult to distinguish whether a tumor contained in the tissue section is benign or malignant. Furthermore, even within the term "malignant," there are various types of malignancies, ranging from highly differentiated, slow-growing tumors that are close to benign to less differentiated, fast-growing tumors that are highly malignant. Therefore, determining the degree of malignancy is extremely important for the patient's prognosis. Therefore, there is a need for a simple pathological diagnosis support system and method that can assist in the diagnosis of pathological conditions.

[0003] Patent document 1 describes a pathological diagnosis support system that is characterized by comprising a stretching device that stretches tissue slices of cells, a photographing device that acquires image data by photographing the tissue slices, and an image analysis device that analyzes the image data to calculate an index of pathological condition based on the pattern of cracks that occur in the tissue slices due to stretching.

[0004] Patent document 1 also describes that the stretching device sandwiches a stretchable sheet on which a tissue slice is provided and stretches the tissue slice by pulling the stretchable sheet, and that the stretchable sheet is formed from polyurethane gel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6962534 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Although polyurethane gel has excellent adhesiveness, self-retention, and extensibility, it becomes cloudy when exposed to solvents such as Pasoclean®, ethanol, and pure water, which are used to prepare tissue sections for staining. This makes it difficult to analyze image data or observe visually during pathological diagnosis. Furthermore, polyurethane gel is stained by the penetration of staining solutions, such as those used in hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining of tissue sections, which may adversely affect the analysis of image data after staining and the observation of tissue sections for pathological diagnosis.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pathological condition diagnosis support system and a pathological condition diagnosis support method that can suppress clouding and staining of a stretch sheet and support highly reliable diagnosis of pathological conditions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the pathological diagnosis support system of the present invention comprises a stretching device that stretches tissue slices of cells, a photographing device that photographs the tissue slices to obtain image data, and an image analysis device that analyzes the image data to calculate an index of pathological condition based on the pattern of cracks that occur in the tissue slices due to the stretching, wherein the stretching device supports a stretchable sheet on which the tissue slices are provided and stretches the tissue slices together with the stretchable sheet, and is characterized in that the stretchable sheet has at least a first sheet surface on which the tissue slices are provided, and the number of micropores per given area on the first sheet surface that have a maximum width of 100 μm or less is smaller than that of polyurethane gel.

[0009] In the above configuration, the number of the micropores having a depth greater than the maximum width per a predetermined area is 100 / mm 2 The following is the result.

[0010] In the above configuration, the first sheet surface of the stretchable sheet is formed from an acrylic gel.

[0011] In the above configuration, the second sheet surface of the stretchable sheet that faces the first sheet surface is formed of a gel that is different from acrylic gel.

[0012] In addition, in the above configuration, the stretchable sheet has a second sheet surface opposing the first sheet surface formed from acrylic gel, and an intermediate layer formed from a gel different from acrylic gel between the first sheet surface and the second sheet surface.

[0013] In the above configuration, the stretch sheet has a compressive modulus of elasticity of 22 kPa or more and a tensile modulus of elasticity of 2000 kPa or less.

[0014] In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the pathological diagnosis support method of the present invention comprises a preparation preparation step of placing a tissue slice of cells on a stretchable sheet to create a preparation; a tissue slice extension step of stretching the tissue slice together with the stretchable sheet; an image data acquisition step of acquiring image data of the tissue slice using an imaging device; and an index calculation step of calculating an index of pathological condition based on the state of cracks caused in the tissue slice by the extension by analyzing the image data using an image analysis device, wherein the stretchable sheet used in the preparation preparation step has at least a sheet surface on which the tissue slice is placed, and is characterized in that the number of micropores per specified area on the sheet surface having a maximum width of 100 μm or less is smaller than that of polyurethane gel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pathological condition diagnosis support system and a pathological condition diagnosis support method that can suppress clouding and staining of a stretch sheet and support highly reliable diagnosis of a pathological condition. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a pathological condition diagnosis support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a pathological condition diagnosis support method according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a flowchart of a slide preparation process. [Figure 4] (A) to (D) are differential interference contrast images of the surface of the gel sheet. [Figure 5] 10(A) and 10(B) are schematic diagrams of a stretch sheet according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic configuration of a pathological condition diagnosis support system 1 according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, a pathological condition diagnosis support system 1 supports the diagnosis of a pathological condition using a slide 2 including a tissue slice P of cells. The pathological condition diagnosis support system 1 includes a stretching device 10, a microscope 20, an imaging device 30, an image analysis device 40, and an output device 50. The slide 2 is composed of the tissue slice P and a stretchable sheet 60 on which the tissue slice P is placed.

[0018] The stretching device 10 is composed of a tensioning device equipped with an actuator. The stretching device 10 sandwiches and supports a stretchable sheet 60 on which a tissue slice P is provided, and stretches the tissue slice P by pulling the stretchable sheet 60 in the planar direction X (stretching direction) of the stretchable sheet 60. The stretching device 10 is composed of a first fixing part 11 to which one end of the stretchable sheet 60 is fixed, a second fixing part 12 to which the other end of the stretchable sheet 60 is fixed, and a linear actuator 13 that changes the distance between the first fixing part 11 and the second fixing part 12. The stretching device 10 stretches the stretchable sheet 60 and the tissue slice P by increasing the distance between the first fixing part 11 and the second fixing part 12 with the linear actuator 13. After the stretching of the tissue slice P is completed, the stretching device 10 contracts the stretchable sheet 60 and the tissue slice P by decreasing the distance between the first fixing part 11 and the second fixing part 12 with the linear actuator 13. A biometal helix can be used as the linear actuator 13. The linear actuator 13 made of a biometal helix can stretch / contract the stretchable sheet 60 and tissue slice P by turning on / off the supply of current to the biometal helix.

[0019] The microscope 20 is configured as an optical microscope, and the photographing device 30 is configured as a digital camera for a microscope. The photographing device 30 photographs the tissue slice P through the microscope 20. The photographing device 30 is equipped with an image sensor which is a photoelectric conversion element, and photographs the tissue slice P with the image sensor to obtain image data of the tissue slice P.

[0020] The image analysis device 40 is configured by a personal computer, which is a general-purpose personal computer. The image analysis device 40 acquires image data of the tissue slice P from the imaging device 30, and by analyzing the image data, calculates an index of the pathological condition based on the state of cracks that have occurred in the tissue slice P due to stretching.

[0021] The output device 50 is configured as a display that visually presents the image of the tissue slice P captured by the imaging device 30 and the indices calculated by the image analysis device 40. A doctor can refer to the image and pathological condition indices output by the output device 50 to diagnose the pathological condition according to the state of the cracks in the tissue slice P.

[0022] The stretchable sheet 60 has a first sheet surface 61 on which the tissue slice P is provided and a second sheet surface 62 opposite the first sheet surface 61, and is made of a transparent, stretchable resin material. The stretchable sheet 60 of this embodiment is an acrylic gel sheet made entirely of the same material, with the sheet surfaces 61, 62 being made of acrylic gel. The stretchable sheet 60 has self-adhesive properties (stickiness), and when the tissue slice P is placed on the first sheet surface 61, the tissue slice P becomes stretchable together with the stretchable sheet 60.

[0023] The stretch sheet 60 has micropores on the first sheet surface 61 with a maximum width (diameter) of 100 μm or less, and the number of these micropores per given area is smaller than that of polyurethane gel. Furthermore, among the micropores (with a maximum width of 100 μm or less) on the first sheet surface 61, the number of micropores with a depth greater than the maximum width per given area is 100 pores / mm 2 It is preferable that the following conditions are satisfied: It is preferable to use an acrylic gel sheet as the stretchable sheet 60 having such micropores on the first sheet surface 61.

[0024] Furthermore, if the compressive modulus of the stretch sheet 60 is less than 22 kPa, the stretch sheet 60 will have poor self-holding ability and will be prone to sagging, so it is preferable that the compressive modulus be 22 kPa or greater. Furthermore, when the stretching device 10 applies a pulling force of about 50 N to the stretch sheet 60, and the stretch sheet 60 has a thickness of 1 mm and a maximum width of 25 mm, if the tensile modulus exceeds 2000 kPa, stretching will be difficult, so it is preferable that the tensile modulus be 2000 kPa or less. In other words, it is preferable that the stretch sheet 60 has a compressive modulus of 22 kPa or greater and a tensile modulus of 2000 kPa or less.

[0025] The flow of the pathological condition diagnosis support method will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the method for supporting pathological diagnosis supports the diagnosis of a pathological condition through a slide preparation step S1, a tissue slice spreading step S2, an image data acquisition step S3, an index calculation step S4, and an output step S5 in this order.

[0026] In the preparation step S1, a tissue slice P is placed on a stretchable sheet 60, which is an acrylic gel sheet, and the tissue slice P is stained to prepare a preparation 2. Next, in the tissue slice extension step S2, the stretchable sheet 60 is pulled by the extension device 10, thereby stretching the tissue slice P together with the stretchable sheet 60 so that it undergoes elastic deformation. The stretched stretchable sheet 60 and tissue slice P contract after the tissue slice extension step S2.

[0027] Next, in an image data acquisition step S3, the tissue slice P after stretching is photographed by the imaging device 30, thereby acquiring image data of the tissue slice P by the imaging device 30. Next, in an index calculation step S4, the image data acquired in step S3 is analyzed by the image analysis device 40, thereby calculating an index of the pathological condition based on the state of cracks that have occurred in the tissue slice P due to stretching.

[0028] Then, in an output step S5, the image data acquired in step S3 (i.e., the image of the tissue slice P) and the index calculated in step S4 are output by the output device 50. A doctor can refer to the image and index output in step S5 to diagnose a pathological condition according to the state of the cracks in the tissue slice P, and in this way, the pathological condition diagnosis support method according to this embodiment supports a doctor in diagnosing a pathological condition.

[0029] The slide preparation step S1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3, the slide preparation process S1 includes a pre-staining process T1 and a staining process T2. Both the pre-staining process T1 and the staining process T2 are performed in a state where the tissue slice P is provided on the stretchable sheet 60.

[0030] The pre-staining step T1 is performed for the purpose of removing paraffin from the tissue section P, which is an embedded specimen. The pre-staining step T1 includes a Pasoclean treatment step T11, an ethanol treatment step T12, and a water washing treatment step T13.

[0031] In the Pasoclean treatment step T11, Pasoclean, an organic solvent and a substitute for xylene, is dripped onto the tissue section P in multiple batches. Specifically, after the first drip, Pasoclean is left to stand for 5 minutes, after the second drip, Pasoclean is left to stand for 4 minutes, after the third drip, Pasoclean is left to stand for 2 minutes, and after the fourth drip, Pasoclean is left to stand for 1 minute.

[0032] Next, in the ethanol treatment step T12, ethanol, an organic solvent, is dropped onto the tissue slice P in multiple batches. Specifically, the dropping of ethanol followed by leaving it for one minute is repeated three times. The first and second drops of ethanol use an ethanol solution with a concentration of 99.5%, and the third drop of ethanol uses an ethanol solution with a concentration of 95.0%.

[0033] Then, in the water washing process step T13, pure water, which is an inorganic solvent, is dropped onto the tissue slice P in multiple batches. That is, a process is performed to replace the ethanol solution contained in the tissue slice P with pure water. Specifically, the process of dropping pure water and then leaving it for 5 minutes is repeated twice.

[0034] The staining step T2 is a step of HE staining the tissue section P, and is performed for the purpose of staining nuclei and the like contained in the tissue section P. The staining step T2 includes a hematoxylin treatment step T21, a water washing treatment step T22, an eosin treatment step T23, and a dehydration and drying treatment step T24.

[0035] In the hematoxylin treatment step T21, the tissue section P is stained with hematoxylin, which is a staining solution. Specifically, the tissue section P is immersed in the hematoxylin solution for 10 minutes. Then, in the water washing treatment step T22, the tissue section P is washed with pure water.

[0036] Next, in an eosin treatment step T23, the tissue slice P is stained with eosin, which is a staining solution. Specifically, the tissue slice P is immersed in an eosin solution for 10 minutes. Then, in a dehydration and drying treatment step T24, the tissue slice P is dehydrated with ethanol and dried together with the stretchable sheet 60.

[0037] The present embodiment provides the following effects. (1) The number of micropores per given area on the first sheet surface 61, each having a maximum width of 100 μm or less, is smaller than that of polyurethane gel. This configuration allows less solvent or dye to penetrate the micropores than conventional methods, suppressing clouding and staining of the stretch sheet 60. This makes it possible to analyze image data in which the crack pattern is clear and visually observe tissue slices P in which the crack pattern is clear, thereby supporting reliable diagnosis of pathological conditions.

[0038] (2) The number of micropores whose depth is greater than their maximum width (i.e., micropores that satisfy the condition "maximum width < depth") per specified area is 100 / mm 2 According to this configuration, the number of micropores that are deeper than their maximum width, i.e., micropores that allow a large amount of solvent or dye solution to enter, is significantly reduced compared to conventional methods, and clouding and dyeing of the stretch sheet 60 can be effectively suppressed.

[0039] (3) The first sheet surface 61 of the stretch sheet 60 is formed from an acrylic gel. This configuration allows the first sheet surface 61 to be formed with excellent transparency, self-supporting properties, stretchability, solvent resistance, and stain resistance.

[0040] (4) The stretch sheet 60 has a compressive modulus of elasticity of 22 kPa or more and a tensile modulus of elasticity of 2000 kPa or less. This configuration provides a stretch sheet 60 with excellent self-holding properties and stretchability.

[0041] (5) The method for supporting pathological diagnosis includes step S1 of preparing a preparation 2 by placing a tissue slice P of cells on a stretchable sheet 60, step S2 of stretching the tissue slice P by pulling the stretchable sheet 60, step S3 of acquiring image data of the tissue slice P using an imaging device 30, and step S4 of calculating an index of pathological condition based on the pattern of cracks that have occurred in the tissue slice P due to the stretching by having an image analysis device 40 analyze the image data. The stretchable sheet 60 used in step S1 has the configuration described in (1) to (4) above, and therefore has the same effects as those of (1) to (4) above.

[0042] [Solvent resistance test of gel sheets that can be used as stretch sheets] To confirm the solvent resistance of the gel sheets, gel sheets (1 mm thick, maximum width 25 mm or less) described in the following (Example 1) to (Example 3), (Conventional Example 1), (Comparative Example 1), and (Comparative Example 2) were prepared. The solvents used in the pre-staining step T1 (Pasoclean, ethanol, and pure water) were dripped onto each gel sheet in order, and the gel sheets were stretched and contracted to evaluate the Pasoclean resistance, ethanol resistance, and clouding of the gel sheets. The evaluation results for Pasoclean resistance, ethanol resistance, and clouding are shown in Table 1 below.

[0043] Example 1 As the gel sheet, a transparent medical acrylic gel sheet was prepared, which was made of acrylic gel and had a compressive elastic modulus of 235 kPa, which showed self-retaining properties, and a tensile elastic modulus of 100 kPa, which showed stretchability.

[0044] Example 2 As the gel sheet, an ultraviolet-curable acrylic gel sheet was prepared, which was made of acrylic gel and had a compressive modulus of elasticity of 84 kPa, a tensile modulus of elasticity of 74 kPa, and a transparency of 92.1%.

[0045] Example 3 As the gel sheet, a clear acrylic gel sheet was prepared which was made of acrylic gel and had a compressive modulus of elasticity of 270 kPa, a tensile modulus of elasticity of 296 kPa, and a transparency of 92.1%.

[0046] (Conventional Example 1) As the gel sheet, an earthquake-resistant polyurethane gel sheet was prepared, which was made of polyurethane gel and had a compressive modulus of elasticity of 480 kPa, a tensile modulus of elasticity of 660 kPa, and a transparency of 92.7%.

[0047] (Comparative Example 1) As the gel sheet, an optical silicone gel sheet made of silicone gel, having a compressive modulus of elasticity of 22 kPa, a tensile modulus of elasticity of 29 kPa, and a transparency of 99% was prepared.

[0048] (Comparative Example 2) A transparent, earthquake-resistant isobutylene gel sheet was prepared as the gel sheet. The gel sheet was made of isobutylene gel, had self-retaining properties, and had a tensile modulus of 1500 kPa. The compressive modulus of this gel sheet was unknown because it could not be measured, but because it had higher self-retaining properties than the gel sheet of Comparative Example 1, it is estimated to be 22 kPa or more.

[0049] [Table 1]

[0050] The "Evaluation of Pasoclean resistance" item in Table 1 indicates whether or not the gel sheet was changed by the dropping of Pasoclean, an organic solvent, with "○" indicating no change and "×" indicating a change.

[0051] Furthermore, the item "Evaluation of ethanol resistance" in Table 1 indicates whether or not the gel sheet was changed by dropping ethanol, an organic solvent, with "○" indicating no change, "△" indicating a small change, and "×" indicating a change.

[0052] Furthermore, the item "Evaluation of cloudiness" in Table 1 indicates whether or not a change occurred in the gel sheet due to the dropping of pure water, which is an inorganic solvent, with "○" indicating that there was no change and "×" indicating that there was a change.

[0053] As shown in Table 1, none of the acrylic gel sheets of Examples 1 to 3 showed any change when the solvents (Pasoclean, ethanol, and pure water) used in the pre-dyeing step T1 were dropped on them. This shows that the acrylic gel sheets have resistance (solvent resistance) to the solvents used in the pre-dyeing step T1.

[0054] On the other hand, the polyurethane gel sheet of (Conventional Example 1) underwent slight swelling after ethanol was dripped onto it, and became cloudy after pure water was dripped onto it. Therefore, it is clear that the polyurethane gel sheet is not suitable as the stretchable sheet 60 on which the tissue slice P is placed when analyzing and visually checking the state of cracks in the tissue slice P, because the light transmittance of the polyurethane gel sheet is reduced by the solvent in the pre-staining step T1.

[0055] Furthermore, although the silicone gel sheet of (Comparative Example 1) had significantly high transparency, it wrinkled after Pasoclean was dripped on it and swelled significantly after ethanol was dripped on it, making it unsuitable as a stretchable sheet 60 for placing tissue slices P on it.

[0056] Furthermore, the isobutylene gel sheet of (Comparative Example 2) cracked when stretched under tension due to damage caused by dripping ethanol, and therefore had low ethanol resistance and was not suitable as a stretch sheet 60.

[0057] [Gel sheet staining test] To confirm the stain resistance of the gel sheet, gel sheets described above in (Example 3) and (Conventional Example 1) were prepared and each gel sheet was stained using the staining solution (hematoxylin and eosin) used in the staining step T2 to check whether the gel sheet was stained. As a result, the acrylic gel sheet of (Example 3) was not stained, but the polyurethane gel sheet of (Conventional Example 1) was stained by the staining solution that penetrated it. This shows that the acrylic gel sheet is resistant (stain resistance) to the staining solution used in the staining step T2, and that the polyurethane gel sheet is not suitable as the stretch sheet 60.

[0058] Figures 4(A) and (B) show differential interference contrast images of the acrylic gel sheet of Example 3, and Figures 4(C) and (D) show differential interference contrast images of the polyurethane gel sheet of Conventional Example 1. Figures 4(A) and (C) are images showing the state before the solvent used in the pre-dyeing step T1 is dropped, and Figures 4(B) and (D) are images showing the state after the solvent used in the pre-dyeing step T1 is dropped.

[0059] As shown in Figures 4(A) and (C), the acrylic gel sheet and polyurethane gel sheet each have micropores on their surfaces with a maximum width of 100 μm or less, but the number of micropores on the acrylic gel sheet is significantly smaller than the number of micropores on the polyurethane gel sheet. Analysis of a magnified differential interference contrast image of the acrylic gel sheet revealed that the number of micropores with a depth greater than the maximum width was 100 / mm. 2 The results were as follows. As such, since the acrylic gel sheet has fewer micropores and is denser than the polyurethane gel sheet, it is assumed that various solvents do not penetrate as easily and that the various problems that occur with polyurethane gel sheets do not occur. Furthermore, Figures 4(B) and (D) show that the acrylic gel sheet swells less than the polyurethane gel sheet.

[0060] [Image evaluation of tissue sections] The gel sheets described above in (Example 3) and (Conventional Example 1) were prepared, and tissue slices P prepared from rat liver were placed on each gel sheet. After the preparation step S1, the tissue slice spreading step S2, and the image data acquisition step S3, the images of each tissue slice P were evaluated. As a result, clouding and penetration of the staining solution were observed in the polyurethane gel sheet, making it difficult to observe the tissue slice P on the polyurethane gel sheet. On the other hand, the acrylic gel sheet was clear and not cloudy, so the image of the tissue slice P on the acrylic gel sheet was clear and easy to observe.

[0061] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the above configuration can be modified. For example, in the above embodiment, the entire stretchable sheet 60 is made of acrylic gel, but the stretchable sheet may be made of a combination of acrylic gel and another gel, as long as at least the first sheet surface 61 on which the tissue slice P is provided is made of acrylic gel.

[0062] For example, as shown in Fig. 5(A), a stretch sheet 60 may have a first layer 60A constituting a first sheet surface 61 and a second layer 60B constituting a second sheet surface 62, with the first layer 60A being made of acrylic gel and the second layer 60B being made of a gel other than acrylic gel. That is, in the stretch sheet 60 of this modified example, the second sheet surface 62 is formed of a gel other than acrylic gel. With this configuration, the properties of the stretch sheet 60 can be adjusted by combining acrylic gel with another gel.

[0063] 5(B), the stretch sheet 60 may further include an intermediate layer 60C sandwiched between a first layer 60A and a second layer 60B, with the first layer 60A and the second layer 60B made of acrylic gel and the intermediate layer 60C made of a gel other than the acrylic gel. That is, the stretch sheet 60 of this modification has a second sheet surface 62 made of acrylic gel, and an intermediate layer 60C made of a gel other than the acrylic gel between the first sheet surface 61 and the second sheet surface 62. With this configuration, the properties of the stretch sheet 60 can be adjusted by combining the acrylic gel with another gel, and the intermediate layer 60C can be protected by the acrylic gel.

[0064] Furthermore, a layer (not shown) made of a material different from that of the intermediate layer 60C may be sandwiched between the first layer 60A and the second layer 60B. That is, the stretch sheet 60 may have multiple intermediate layers between the first layer 60A and the second layer 60B.

[0065] The stretching device 10 may also support the stretch sheet 60 by a method other than clamping. The stretching device 10 may also stretch the tissue slice P, for example, by applying a force to the stretch sheet 60 that is perpendicular to the plane direction X of the stretch sheet 60. That is, the stretching device 10 may be capable of supporting the stretch sheet 60 and stretching the tissue slice P together with the stretch sheet 60. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1. Pathological diagnosis support system 2. Preparation 10 Extension device 20. Microscope 30 Imaging equipment 40 Image analysis equipment 50 Output Device 60 Stretch Sheet 60A 1st layer 60B 2nd layer 60C middle layer 61 First seat surface 62 Second seat surface P tissue section

Claims

1. a stretching device for stretching a tissue slice of cells; an imaging device for acquiring image data by photographing the tissue slice; an image analysis device that analyzes the image data to calculate an index of a pathological condition based on the state of cracks generated in the tissue slice due to the stretching, In a pathological condition diagnosis support system, the stretching device supports a stretchable sheet on which the tissue slice is provided and stretches the tissue slice together with the stretchable sheet, The stretchable sheet has at least a first sheet surface on which the tissue slice is provided, and the number of micropores having a maximum width of 100 μm or less per predetermined area on the first sheet surface is smaller than that of polyurethane gel. A pathological diagnosis support system characterized by:

2. The number of micropores per predetermined area that are deeper than the maximum width is 100 / mm ２ is 2. The pathological diagnosis support system according to claim 1.

3. The stretchable sheet has the first sheet surface formed of acrylic gel.

3. The pathological diagnosis support system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The stretchable sheet has a second sheet surface facing the first sheet surface, the second sheet surface being formed of a gel different from the acrylic gel.

4. The pathological diagnosis support system according to claim 3.

5. The stretchable sheet has a second sheet surface opposed to the first sheet surface formed of an acrylic gel, and an intermediate layer formed of a gel different from the acrylic gel between the first sheet surface and the second sheet surface.

4. The pathological diagnosis support system according to claim 3.

6. The stretch sheet has a compressive modulus of elasticity of 22 kPa or more and a tensile modulus of elasticity of 2000 kPa or less.

3. The pathological diagnosis support system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. a preparation preparation step of providing a tissue slice of cells on a stretchable sheet to prepare a preparation; a tissue slice stretching step of stretching the tissue slice together with the stretchable sheet; an image data acquisition step of acquiring image data of the tissue slice using an imaging device; and an index calculation step of calculating an index of a pathological condition based on the state of cracks generated in the tissue slice due to the stretching by having an image analysis device analyze the image data, The stretchable sheet used in the preparation step has at least a sheet surface on which the tissue slice is provided, and the number of micropores having a maximum width of 100 μm or less per predetermined area on the sheet surface is smaller than that of polyurethane gel. A pathological diagnosis support method comprising:

Images