Biological sample measuring apparatus and biological sample measuring method

Abstract

To provide a compact and low-cost biological sample measuring device capable of determining properties and a liquid amount of a biological sample stored in a labeled container.SOLUTION: The present invention provides a biological sample measurement device including a camera that generates a captured image of a labeled container, and an image processing unit that specifies a region of a biological sample accommodated in the container from the captured image and acquires information on a color or a height of the biological sample, the biological sample measurement device further including a mirror that photographs a back surface side of the container with respect to the camera, and a light source that irradiates the biological sample in the container with light from an exposed surface to which the label is not attached, wherein the mirror reflects the light emitted from the light source toward the back surface side of the container, the camera generates the captured image including the front side of the container and the back side of the container reflected by the mirror.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a biological sample measurement device and a biological sample measurement method. [Background technology]

[0002] To improve the efficiency of biological sample testing, there is a need for a biological sample measurement device that automates the pre-opening (pre-dispensing) sample check, which has traditionally been performed visually. In particular, blood samples are separated into multiple layers by centrifugation or other methods. If the properties and volume of the layer to be analyzed could be automatically checked, it would be possible to sort the sample for further analysis, potentially improving testing efficiency and quality. However, containers containing biological samples may have labels, such as barcodes, affixed to them, which can partially obstruct the field of view. Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, a technology is known that uses multiple cameras to capture images from different viewpoints, allowing the biological sample to be observed through gaps in the labels. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2019-504997 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technology of providing multiple cameras, as in Patent Document 1, has the problem that it is difficult to reduce the size and cost of the biological sample measuring device.

[0005] The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and aims to realize a small, low-cost biological sample measuring device that can determine the properties and liquid volume of a biological sample contained in a labeled container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a biological sample measurement device that includes a camera that generates an image of a labeled container, and an image processing unit that identifies the area of ​​the biological sample contained in the container from the image and acquires information regarding the color or height of the biological sample, and further includes a mirror that reflects the back side of the container to the camera, and a light source that irradiates light that illuminates the biological sample in the container from the exposed, unlabeled surface, wherein the mirror reflects the light irradiated from the light source toward the back side of the container, and the camera generates the image that includes the front side of the container and the back side of the container reflected by the mirror. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a small, low-cost biological sample measuring device that is capable of determining the properties and liquid volume of a biological sample contained in a labeled container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the general configuration of a biological sample measuring device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating the principle of capturing an image of the entire periphery of a container. [Figure 3A] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of captured images when the exposed surface is on the front side of the camera. [Figure 3B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a captured image when the exposed surface is on the rear side (left side) of the camera. [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the case where an image of a container is captured using only illumination from the rear side. [Figure 4B] 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a case where a container is imaged with illumination from the front side as well as the back side. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the case where an image of a container is captured using illumination only from the front side. [Figure 5B] 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the case where a container is imaged with illumination from both the front and rear sides. [Figure 6A]10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of illumination of an exposed surface when the exposed surface is located in front of the camera. [Figure 6B] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of lighting for an exposed surface when the exposed surface is on the rear side (left side) of the camera. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing processing in an image processing unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the general configuration of a biological sample measuring device according to this embodiment.

[0011] The container 101 is for containing a biological sample, and is, for example, a cylindrical blood collection tube containing a blood specimen as the biological sample. A label 102 is affixed to the outer circumferential surface of the container 101 along the shape of the outer circumferential surface. Examples of the label 102 include a barcode for identifying the biological sample, as well as a pre-label that is pre-affixed to the blood collection tube. The container 101 also has an exposed surface on at least a portion of its periphery where the label 102 is not affixed, allowing the biological sample to be seen from the outside. In this specification, the term "exposed surface" refers to an area where the label 102 is not present in the vertical direction, and does not refer to gaps that occur only above and below the label 102.

[0012] After the biological sample has been centrifuged or otherwise processed, the container 101 is placed in a container holder (not shown) and transported to the vicinity of the biological sample measuring device by a transport device (not shown). Then, for example, a container gripping mechanism (not shown) grips the container 101 placed in the container holder and moves it into the field of view of camera 104 of the biological sample measuring device. The biological sample measuring device determines the properties and liquid volume of the biological sample. Containers 101 containing biological samples determined to be normal are opened, divided into portions, and transported to an automated analyzer that analyzes the various components of the biological sample. While biological samples can be blood samples as well as urine samples, the following explanation will use a blood sample as an example.

[0013] Before opening (analysis), the blood sample is separated by centrifugation or the like into multiple component layers, for example, three layers of blood clot, separation material, and serum or plasma, or two layers of blood clot and serum or plasma. Of these, serum or plasma becomes the measurement target 103 of the biological sample measuring device according to this embodiment. However, a single unseparated layer may also be used as measurement target 103. Note that blood clots are formed in the bottom layer when a biological sample is centrifuged, and the separation material is mixed in to separate the blood clot from measurement target 103.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the biological sample measuring device according to this embodiment comprises a camera 104, mirrors (left mirror 106a, right mirror 106b), light source 107, background sections (first background section 108, right second background section 108a, left second background section 108b), and image processing section 105.

[0015] The camera 104 generates a captured image of the container to which the label 102 is attached, and is an imaging device such as a CCD camera, a CMOS camera, or an InGaAs camera. The camera 104 generates a two-dimensional color image (captured image) of the container 101 and outputs the captured image to the image processing unit 105. The camera 104 can also be used to read information (e.g., a barcode) on the label 102 attached to the container 101.

[0016] The left mirror 106a and the right mirror 106b reflect the rear side of the container 101 to the camera 104. The left mirror 106a is disposed behind and to the left of the container 101 as viewed from the camera 104, and the right mirror 106b is disposed behind and to the right of the container 101 as viewed from the camera 104. Note that, although the present embodiment will be described taking as an example a case where two flat mirrors are used, the number of mirrors is not limited to two, and the mirrors may have a curved surface such as a convex surface in addition to a flat surface.

[0017] The light source 107 emits light from the exposed surface to illuminate the biological sample in the container 101, and is configured using, for example, a white LED. The light source 107 is disposed on the same side (front side) as the camera 104 with respect to the container 101, and is driven and controlled by a control unit (not shown). By using illumination from the light source 107 instead of natural light, it is possible to reduce variations due to the influence of external light and improve the accuracy of analysis.

[0018] The first background section 108, the right-side second background section 108a, and the left-side second background section 108b illuminate the measurement target 103 from the back side in order to accurately determine the color and height even if the measurement target 103 is transparent; their functions will be described in detail below. The first background section 108 is positioned opposite the camera 104 across the container 101, the right-side second background section 108a is positioned opposite the left-side mirror 106a across the container 101, and the left-side second background section 108b is positioned opposite the right-side mirror 106b across the container 101. The first background section 108, the right-side second background section 108a, and the left-side second background section 108b may be white surface-emitting lighting (backlights) that emit light separately from the light source 107, or they may be plain white diffusers or retroreflectors that utilize light received from the light source 107. By irradiating the object with uniform light, such as with surface-emitting lighting, it is possible to ensure uniform brightness of the object to be measured without color unevenness.

[0019] The image processing unit 105 extracts the exposed surface from the captured image generated by the camera 104, and then identifies a measurement target (e.g., serum) region from within the exposed surface, and then acquires information regarding the color or height of the measurement target 103. The image processing unit 105 also determines the liquid volume and properties (e.g., normal, hemolysis, chyle, jaundice, etc.) of the biological sample based on the information regarding the color or height. Note that information necessary to determine the properties from the color of the measurement target 103 (e.g., color feature values ​​for each serum state) and information necessary to convert the height of the measurement target 103 into the liquid volume (e.g., inner diameter of a blood collection tube) are stored in advance in a storage unit (not shown) or the like.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a plan view illustrating the principle of capturing an image of the entire periphery of a container. As shown in Fig. 2, the captured image generated by camera 104 includes three ranges: a range in which the front side of container 101 is directly captured, a range in which the left side of the back side of container 101 is indirectly captured via left mirror 106a, and a range in which the right side of the back side of container 101 is indirectly captured via right mirror 106b.

[0021] By appropriately adjusting the positioning (distance from camera 104, angle) and size of left mirror 106a and right mirror 106b, it is possible to cover the entire circumferential direction of container 101 within the three ranges mentioned above. However, because first background portion 108 is disposed on the rear side of container 101, left mirror 106a and right mirror 106b need to be disposed away from first background portion 108 so as not to overlap with said first background portion 108.

[0022] FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of a captured image when the exposed surface is on the front side of the camera, and FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an example of a captured image when the exposed surface is on the rear side (to the left) of the camera. Note that FIGS. 3A and 3B are arranged by extracting the imaging range of the front of the container, the imaging range of the left rear side of the container (left mirror surface), and the imaging range of the right rear side of the container (right mirror surface) from an actual image captured by camera 104. In this way, it is possible to obtain an image including the exposed surface regardless of the orientation of container 101, and there is no need to rotate container 101 or prepare multiple cameras 104. In other words, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the biological sample measuring device.

[0023] Here, camera 104 has an angle of view that covers the front, left mirror surface, and right mirror surface, so a single captured image can cover the entire periphery of container 101. In other words, a single image taken by camera 104 can reliably obtain an image that includes the exposed surface, so there is no need to rotate container 101 relative to camera 104 or rotate camera 104 relative to container 101 to obtain an image of the entire periphery, making it possible to improve the throughput of the biological sample measuring device.

[0024] However, since the working distance is different between the front and the left and right mirror surfaces, there is a possibility that one of them will be out of focus, resulting in a blurred image. Therefore, for example, camera 104 may capture images twice separately, focusing on the front once and on the left and right mirror surfaces the second time.

[0025] As described above, in order to generate a captured image including the front and mirror surfaces and analyze the height and color of the measurement target 103, it is also necessary to illuminate the exposed surface and brightly illuminate the measurement target 103 regardless of the orientation of the container 101. Below, the functions of illumination from the front side of the exposed surface and illumination from the back side of the exposed surface will be explained separately.

[0026] First, the effect of illumination from the front side on the exposed surface will be explained using Figures 4A and 4B. Figure 4A is a conceptual diagram illustrating the case where an image of a container is captured using only illumination from the back side, and Figure 4B is a conceptual diagram illustrating the case where an image of a container is captured using illumination from the front side as well as the back side.

[0027] In the area where the label 102 is not attached (the area below the container 101), the illumination by the first background portion 108 passes through the container 101 and the measurement object 103 from the back side of the camera 104 and reaches the front side of the container 101, so that the brightness of the measurement object 103 can be ensured. However, in the area where the label 102 is attached (the area above the container 101), the illumination by the first background portion 108 is attenuated by the label 102. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A, if the illumination is only from the back side, it is difficult to ensure the brightness of the measurement object 103 located on the front side of the label 102.

[0028] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, if light source 107 is placed on the same side as camera 104, illumination from the front side is scattered by label 102 (see dashed line in FIG. 4B). Therefore, brightness can be ensured for measurement target 103 located in front of label 102. As a result, color differences are less likely to occur between areas with and without label 102 on the back side of container 101, making it possible to prevent erroneous determinations when determining properties based on color. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent erroneous determinations when determining the liquid volume based on the liquid height, since it is possible to prevent erroneous determinations when determining the liquid volume based on the liquid height.

[0029] Next, the effect of rear illumination on the exposed surface will be described with reference to Figures 5A and 5B. Figure 5A is a conceptual diagram illustrating the case where a container is imaged using only front illumination, and Figure 5B is a conceptual diagram illustrating the case where a container is imaged using both front and rear illumination.

[0030] In the area where the label 102 is attached (the area above the container 101), the illumination from the front side by the light source 107 is scattered by the label 102, so that the brightness of the measurement target 103 on the front side of the label 102 can be ensured. However, in the area where the label 102 is not attached (the area below the container 101), the illumination from the front side passes through the container 101 and the measurement target 103. Therefore, when the illumination is only from the front side as shown in FIG. 5A, it is difficult to ensure the brightness of the measurement target 103 in the area where the label 102 is not attached on the back side.

[0031] On the other hand, when the first background portion 108 is placed on the opposite side of the camera 104 as shown in FIG. 5B, the illumination from the back side passes through the container 101 and the measurement object 103 and reaches the front side of the container 101. This ensures brightness even for the measurement object 103 in an area where there is no label 102 on the back side. As a result, color differences are less likely to occur between areas where there is a label 102 on the back side of the container 101 and areas where there is no label 102, making it possible to prevent erroneous determinations of the properties and liquid level.

[0032] 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B, the first background portion 108 is used as an example of the background portion, but the background portion may be the second right background portion 108a or the second left background portion 108b. Also, in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B, the illumination from the front side is described as light arriving directly from the light source 107, but it may be light reflected by the left mirror 106a or the right mirror 106b. Furthermore, in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B, the description is based on the assumption that the measurement object 103 is transparent (such as serum). However, if the measurement object 103 is opaque (such as a chyle sample) and light from the back side does not pass through, illumination from the back side is unnecessary, regardless of whether the area has the label 102 on the back side or not.

[0033] Fig. 6A is a diagram showing an example of illumination of the exposed surface when the exposed surface is on the front side of the camera, and Fig. 6B is a diagram showing an example of illumination of the exposed surface when the exposed surface is on the back side (left side) of the camera. Note that the side surface of container 101 has gaps above and below it where no label 102 is present, in addition to the exposed surface, but Figs. 6A and 6B show horizontal cross sections at the height where label 102 is present.

[0034] First, as shown in Fig. 6A, when the exposed surface is on the front side of the camera 104, the illumination from the front side is light that arrives directly from the light source 107, and the illumination from the back side is light that arrives from the first background portion 108. Therefore, the measurement object at a height where the label 102 exists on the opposite side of the exposed surface is illuminated by light that arrives directly from the light source 107. On the other hand, the measurement object at a height where the label 102 does not exist on the opposite side of the exposed surface is illuminated by light that arrives from the first background portion 108.

[0035] Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the exposed surface is on the rear side (to the left) of camera 104, illumination from the front side is light emitted from light source 107 reflected by left mirror 106a toward the rear side of container 101, and illumination from the rear side is light arriving from right-side second background portion 108a. Therefore, the measurement object at a height where label 102 exists on the opposite side of the exposed surface is illuminated by light arriving from left mirror 106a. On the other hand, the measurement object at a height where label 102 does not exist on the opposite side of the exposed surface is illuminated by light arriving from right-side second background portion 108a. Note that when the exposed surface is on the rear side (to the right) of camera 104, the measurement object is illuminated by light arriving from right mirror 106b and light arriving from left-side second background portion 108b.

[0036] In this way, the front, left mirror surface, and right mirror surface are all illuminated from the front and back sides, ensuring sufficient brightness for the measurement target regardless of the imaging range. Furthermore, by setting the illumination angle of light source 107 to be equivalent to the range of the camera 104's angle of view in which the container 101 is imaged and narrowing the angle like a spotlight to illuminate only the required area, it is possible to suppress stray light and improve analysis accuracy. "Equal" here refers not only to a completely equal state, but also to a state in which the illumination angle of light source 107 is slightly wider than the range of the camera 104's angle of view in which the container 101 is imaged, and the influence of stray light is within a certain range.

[0037] It should be noted that the optical system configuration described above is not necessary as long as the entire periphery of container 101 can be uniformly illuminated regardless of location. For example, a housing may be provided to cover camera 104, left mirror 106a, and right mirror 106b, the inner wall of the housing may be formed with a diffuser plate or a reflector, and lighting disposed on the side of camera 104 or on the top of the housing may be used to illuminate the entire interior of the housing, so that the entire periphery of container 101 is illuminated by diffused light.

[0038] Next, the processing performed in the image processing unit 105 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing in the image processing unit.

[0039] First, the image processing unit 105 acquires one captured image generated by the camera 104, the image capture ranges of the front, the left mirror surface, and the right mirror surface (step S1).

[0040] Next, the image processing unit 105 identifies each imaging range that includes an exposed surface (step S2). For example, in the case of FIG. 3A, the imaging range of the front surface is identified, and in the case of FIG. 3B, the imaging range of the left mirror surface is identified. If there are multiple imaging ranges that include exposed surfaces, the image processing unit 105 extracts the exposed surfaces included in each imaging range and identifies the imaging range with the largest exposed surface. When extracting the exposed surfaces, color features of the label 102 and the container 101, edge detection, barcode detection, etc. are used to identify the boundaries of the label 102 and the container 101. When comparing the exposed surfaces of each imaging range, correction is performed taking into account the difference in resolution between the imaging ranges. This is because the mirror surface is located at a longer working distance from the camera 104 than the front surface, and is therefore captured at a reduced size. Instead of identifying the imaging range with the largest exposed surface, the imaging range that includes the largest number of pixels corresponding to the color features of the measurement object 103 may be identified.

[0041] Thereafter, the image processing unit 105 identifies the region of the measurement target 103 in the biological sample on the exposed surface (step S3). At this time, the boundary between the measurement target region (for example, serum region, etc.) and other regions (blood clot region, air layer region, etc.) is identified by edge detection or the like.

[0042] Next, the image processing unit 105 acquires information about the color or height of the measurement target 103 (step S4). The height of the measurement target 103 is calculated based on the number of pixels between the upper and lower boundaries of the measurement target area and a conversion coefficient that converts the number of pixels into length. The conversion coefficient differs between the front surface and the mirror surface, and is stored in advance in a storage unit.

[0043] Thereafter, the image processing unit 105 determines the properties and liquid volume of the measurement target 103 based on the information about the color or height (step S5).

[0044] A method for determining the property will now be described. The correspondence between the property classification of the measurement target 103 and the range (threshold value) of color feature values ​​corresponding to each classification is stored in advance in the storage unit. Therefore, the image processing unit 105 can determine the property of the measurement target 103 by comparing the acquired color information (color feature values) with the correspondence values ​​stored in the storage unit. For example, if the measurement target 103 is serum, the serum color has characteristics depending on the serum state (normal, hemolysis, chyle, jaundice, etc.), so if the correspondence values ​​are stored in advance, it is possible to determine the serum state. Note that the reflectance of the left mirror 106a and / or right mirror 106b can cause a color difference between the mirror surface and the exposed surface of the measurement target 103 in front of the camera. However, by storing a color correction coefficient in advance in the storage unit and performing color correction before property determination, the color difference caused by the mirror reflectance can be reduced, improving the accuracy of property classification.

[0045] Furthermore, the color of the measurement object 103 of the same biological sample may differ depending on the positional relationship between the lighting and the exposed surface, such as when the exposed surface is in front of the camera or when it is sideways relative to the camera 104. In such cases, color correction coefficients corresponding to the position (horizontal coordinate) of the exposed surface in the captured image are stored in advance in a storage unit, and color correction is performed according to the position of the measurement object 103 in the image detected during measurement, thereby reducing color variation due to the position of the exposed surface and improving the accuracy of property classification.

[0046] A method for determining the amount of liquid will now be described. Information on the inner diameter of the container 101 is stored in advance in the storage unit. The information on the inner diameter of the container 101 is stored in the storage unit, for example, when the user inputs the model number of the container using an input / output interface (not shown) or inputs it directly. Therefore, the image processing unit 105 can determine the amount of liquid in the measurement target 103 based on information on the height of the measurement target 103 and the information on the inner diameter of the container 101 stored in the storage unit.

[0047] In this embodiment, the image processing unit 105 identifies one of the imaging ranges that includes the exposed surface (step S2 described above), and then performs analysis by focusing on the exposed surface included in that imaging range. This has the advantage of making the analysis process relatively simple. However, if the exposed surface is captured across multiple imaging ranges, analyzing only one of the imaging ranges may result in low analysis accuracy because the exposed surface is small and little information can be obtained.

[0048] Therefore, the image processing unit 105 may extract areas of the container 101 from each of the imaging ranges of the front, left mirror surface, and right mirror surface, and integrate these areas to generate an integrated image (a developed image of the entire periphery) that is continuous in the circumferential direction of the container 101. If the analysis from step 3 onwards is performed based on this integrated image, the exposed surface is wide and a lot of information can be obtained, resulting in high analytical accuracy.

[0049] When integrating the container 101 area on the front side and the container 101 area on the mirror side, correction is performed taking into account the difference in resolution of each area. Also, there may be an overlap between the area of ​​the container 101 reflected on the front side and the area of ​​the container 101 reflected on the mirror side, but as this overlap increases, more information can be obtained, improving the accuracy of the analysis. Furthermore, by detecting the tilt of the container 101 from each image of the front side and the mirror side, and then performing tilt correction before integrating the images, a more accurate integrated image can be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 101...container, 102...label, 103...measurement object, 104...camera, 105...image processing unit, 106a...left mirror, 106b...right mirror, 107...light source, 108...first background portion, 108a...right second background portion, 108b...left second background portion

Claims

1. a camera for generating an image of the labeled container; an image processing unit that identifies the area of ​​the biological sample contained in the container from the captured image and acquires information regarding the color or height of the biological sample, a mirror that reflects the rear side of the container to the camera; a light source that emits light that illuminates the biological sample in the container from the exposed, unlabeled surface; the mirror reflects the light emitted from the light source toward a rear side of the container, A biological sample measuring device wherein the camera generates the captured image that includes the front side of the container and the rear side of the container reflected by the mirror.

2. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 1 , The biological sample has a transparent measurement target, a first background unit disposed at a position facing the camera across the container; a second background unit disposed opposite the mirror across the container, A biological sample measuring device characterized in that the first background section and second background section reflect or scatter the light that has passed through the measurement object and reached the measurement object, thereby illuminating the measurement object.

3. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 2, the mirrors include a left mirror arranged on the left side of the first background portion at a distance, and a right mirror arranged on the right side of the first background portion at a distance, A biological sample measuring device characterized in that the second background section has a right-side second background section arranged in a position facing the left-side mirror across the container, and a left-side second background section arranged in a position facing the right-side mirror across the container.

4. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 1 , The biological sample has a transparent measurement target, a first background unit disposed at a position facing the camera across the container; a second background unit disposed opposite the mirror across the container, A biological sample measuring device characterized in that the first background section and second background section emit light themselves separately from the light source to illuminate the measurement object.

5. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 1 , a housing that covers the camera and the mirror; A biological sample measuring device characterized in that the inner wall of the housing is formed from a diffusing plate or a reflecting plate, and the periphery of the container is illuminated with diffused light.

6. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 1 , the light source is located on the same side of the container as the camera; A biological sample measuring device characterized in that the illumination angle of the light source is the same as the range of the camera's angle of view in which the image of the container is captured.

7. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 1 , The biological sample measuring device is characterized in that the image processing unit identifies the measurement target area of ​​the biological sample from an imaging range that includes the exposed surface, among an imaging range on the front side of the container and an imaging range on the back side of the container reflected by the mirror.

8. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 1 , A biological sample measuring device wherein the image processing unit performs color correction according to the horizontal coordinate of the measurement target area in the captured image.

9. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 1 , When both the imaging range of the front side of the container and the imaging range of the back side of the container reflected by the mirror include the exposed surface, A biological sample measuring device wherein the image processing unit identifies the measurement target region of the biological sample from the imaging range where the exposed surface has the largest area.

10. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 1 , The image processing unit generating a continuous integrated image in a circumferential direction of the container using an image of the front side of the container and an image of the rear side of the container captured by the mirror; A biological sample measuring device characterized in that a measurement target region of the biological sample is identified from the integrated image.

11. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 1 , A biological sample measuring device characterized in that the camera separately takes images focused on the front side of the container and images focused on the mirror.

12. a camera for generating an image of the labeled container; an image processing unit that identifies an area of ​​the biological sample contained in the container from the captured image and acquires information regarding the color or height of the biological sample, a light source irradiating light that illuminates the biological sample in the container through the exposed, unlabeled surface; A step in which a mirror that reflects the back side of the container to the camera reflects the light emitted from the light source toward the back side of the container; A biological sample measurement method characterized by comprising a step in which the camera generates an image that includes the front side of the container and the back side of the container reflected by the mirror.

Images