Sample management method

Abstract

To provide a method with which specimens can be managed manually and efficiently while preventing human errors.SOLUTION: A two-dimensional code is added to a specimen and a bar code is added to an accommodation box. The accommodation box having the specimen accommodated therein is imaged by a reader, the identification information of the specimen and the accommodation box and the position information of the specimen in the accommodation box are read, and these information pieces are registered in a database in association with information on the storage location of the accommodation box. When the specimen is extracted from the storage location, a grid pattern corresponding to a specimen array in the relevant accommodation box is shown to a display on the basis of the result of search of the database, and a mark is added to the point corresponding to a target specimen. After the target specimen is removed from the accommodation box, the accommodation box is imaged by a reader, the respective identification information of the specimen and the accommodation box and the position information of specimen in the accommodation box are read. These pieces of information are compared with the result of search of the database, and a specimen removal error is shown to the display when it is determined that not all of the target specimens only have been removed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for managing specimens entrusted to a clinical testing institution by medical institutions and the like. Here, "specimen" refers to a sealed container containing a sample such as blood, urine, saliva, etc. The same applies below. [Background technology]

[0002] Typically, samples are prepared at medical institutions such as hospitals and clinics, but the medical institutions then outsource the testing of the samples to clinical testing institutions, and the results of the testing by the clinical testing institutions are reported to the medical institutions that have been entrusted with the testing.

[0003] In this case, one clinical testing institution is entrusted with testing specimens from multiple medical institutions, etc., and a large number of specimens are delivered to the clinical testing institution every day from multiple medical institutions, etc., so the clinical testing institution strictly manages the specimens to prevent errors such as sample mix-ups.

[0004] Sample management in clinical testing institutions is usually primarily done manually, with received samples being stored in sample racks (which have rows of insertion holes that support the samples in an upright position), and the sample racks containing the samples being stored temporarily or for a certain period in a storage location such as a freezer that is maintained at a constant low temperature.Whenever a request is received from a contracted medical institution, the relevant sample rack is removed from the storage location, the target samples are removed from the sample rack, and the testing process (testing, follow-up testing, re-testing, etc.) is carried out, and the sample rack is returned to its original storage location, and the test results are reported to the medical institution.

[0005] In clinical testing institutions, to prevent human errors such as mixing up samples, a sample ID and a rack ID are assigned to each sample and sample rack. When a sample is placed in a sample rack and the sample rack is stored in a storage location, the sample ID, rack ID, and positional information of the sample within the sample rack are read by an imager or ID reader, correlated with each other, and further correlated with information on the storage location of the sample rack and registered in a database.

[0006] When a clinical testing institution receives a request for sample testing from a contracted medical institution, the database is searched using the sample ID of the sample to be processed, and the corresponding sample rack, its storage location, and the position of the sample within the sample rack are identified.

[0007] Next, based on the database search results, a removal instruction is issued containing the sample ID of the sample to be processed, the rack ID of the corresponding sample rack, information about the storage location of the sample rack, and information about the sample's position within the sample rack.In accordance with the removal instruction, the corresponding sample rack is transported from the storage location, and the sample to be processed is removed from the sample rack.

[0008] During this time, when the sample rack is removed, the rack ID of the sample rack is read by the ID reader, and the rack ID data displayed on the ID reader is visually compared with the rack ID data written on the removal instruction.Furthermore, when the sample is removed from the sample rack, the sample ID is read by the ID reader, and the sample ID data displayed on the ID reader is visually compared with the sample ID data written on the removal instruction.

[0009] The removed samples are then processed, and after processing, the sample rack is returned to its original storage location.

[0010] Incidentally, most human errors, such as mixing up samples, occurred when retrieving samples to be processed from storage locations, and were caused by a lack of reliable visual verification of the information written on the retrieval instructions against the data displayed by the ID reader when the sample rack and sample were read by the reader.

[0011] Therefore, in order to prevent such human errors from occurring, conventional technologies have proposed devices that automatically transport specimens to and from storage locations (see, for example, Patent Document 1) and devices that automatically perform the entire management of specimens (see, for example, Patent Document 2) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0012] However, such devices are expensive, large-scale, and require installation costs, making them difficult to introduce. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0013] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-36731 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-116355 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0014] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for managing specimens manually, efficiently, and while preventing human error. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, (1) a storage box having an open top and capable of accommodating upright specimens in a grid-like arrangement is prepared, and two-dimensional codes representing at least identification information of the specimens are attached to the top surfaces of the specimens, while a barcode representing identification information of the storage box is attached to one side surface of the storage box; (2) based on image data obtained by photographing at least one two-dimensional code arranged in the grid-like arrangement and a barcode located outside the area of ​​the grid-like arrangement, data of each of the two-dimensional codes and data of the position of the two-dimensional code within the arrangement, and preparing a reader that outputs the barcode data together with the image data; (3) arranging a mirror facing diagonally upward on one side of the storage box in which the specimen is stored, and arranging the reader at a predetermined position above the storage box, and using the reader to photograph the specimen in the storage box and the barcode reflected in the mirror; and (4) based on the data output from the reader and information on the storage location of the storage box, acquiring at least identification information of the specimen, identification information of the storage box, position information of the specimen in the storage box, and (5) when the target specimen is removed from the storage location, the identification information of the relevant specimen, the storage location information of the specimen, the positional information of the specimen within the specimen, and the corresponding image data are extracted from the database using at least the identification information of the specimen, and the identification information of the specimen, the storage location information of the specimen, the positional information of the specimen within the specimen, and the corresponding image data are displayed on the display, and the identification information of the specimen, the storage location information, the image data, and the corresponding grid pattern are displayed on the display, and a mark is placed on the square in the grid pattern corresponding to the specimen of interest. (6) based on the storage location information of the specimen displayed on the display, the storage location is removed from the storage location. (7) when the target specimen is removed from the specimen based on the grid pattern displayed on the display, the identification information of the specimen, the storage location information of the specimen, the positional information of the specimen within the specimen, and the corresponding image data are extracted from the database using at least the identification information of the specimen of interest.(8) placing the mirrors facing each other diagonally upward on one side of the storage box, placing the reader at the predetermined position above the storage box, and using the reader to photograph the specimen in the storage box and the barcode reflected in the mirror; (9) correlating at least the identification information of the specimen, the identification information of the storage box, the position information of the specimen in the storage box, and the storage location information of the storage box based on the data output from the reader and the information of the storage location of the storage box, and recording the correlation information together with the image data obtained by the photographing in a temporary storage device; and (10) combining at least the identification information of the specimen, the identification information of the storage box, the position information of the specimen in the storage box, and the storage location information of the storage box extracted from the database in step (5) with the identification information of the specimen, the identification information of the storage box, the position information of the specimen in the storage box, and the information of the storage location of the storage box that have been recorded in the temporary storage device. and (10) after processing the target specimens removed from the storage box, if the target specimens are not to be returned to the storage box, the storage box is carried as is to the storage location and the process returns to step (5), but if at least one of the target specimens has been returned to the storage box, the process returns to step (3).

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in step (7), the process of removing the target specimen from the storage box comprises placing the target specimen from the storage box into a previously prepared removal box having the same configuration as the storage box at a position corresponding to the marked position of the storage box in step (5). [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, a two-dimensional code is attached to the sample, a barcode is attached to the storage box, the storage box containing the sample is photographed using a reader, and at least the identification information of the sample and the identification information of the storage box, as well as the location information of the sample within the storage box, are read, and the read information is registered in a database using a computer in association with information about the storage location of the storage box, and the storage box is then transported to the storage location.

[0018] This allows the specimens to be transported to the storage location and the information required for transport to be registered in the database efficiently and manually.

[0019] Furthermore, according to the present invention, when a sample is taken out from the storage location, a checkerboard pattern corresponding to the arrangement of the samples in the corresponding storage box is displayed on the display based on the results of a computerized database search, and a mark is placed on the square corresponding to the target sample.

[0020] This allows the operator to pick out the target sample while comparing the grid pattern on the display screen with the arrangement of the samples in the corresponding storage box, making it possible to manually pick out samples efficiently and reliably.

[0021] Furthermore, according to the present invention, when a target specimen is removed from a storage box, the storage box is photographed by a reader, and at least the specimen's identification information and the storage box's identification information, as well as the specimen's position information within the storage box, are read. This information is compared by a computer with the search results of a database, and if it is determined that not all of the target specimen has been removed, a specimen removal error is displayed on the screen, the removed specimen is returned to its original position, and the specimen removal process is carried out again while referring to the grid pattern on the display screen.

[0022] In this way, whether or not a mix-up of specimens has occurred is determined by comparing data using a computer, rather than by visual confirmation by an operator, thereby making it possible to reliably prevent human error when removing specimen 1. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a sample management method according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a flow chart of the sample management method (continued). [Figure 3] (A) is a perspective view of a specimen, and (B) is a perspective view of a storage box in which the specimen is stored. [Figure 4] (A) is a diagram showing the state when photographing by the reader as seen from above, and (B) is a diagram showing image data obtained by the reader. [Figure 5] (A) is a diagram showing the screen that appears on the display when registering data in the database, and (B) is a diagram showing the state when the mouse pointer is positioned over one of the squares in the checkerboard pattern on the display screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen showing the results of a database search that is displayed on a display when a sample is removed from a storage location. [Figure 7] (A) is a diagram illustrating an image of a storage box and the corresponding grid pattern on the database search result screen displayed on a display when a sample is removed from the storage box; (B) is a diagram illustrating an image of a storage box and the corresponding grid pattern when a sample is correctly removed from the storage box; and (C) is a diagram illustrating an image of a storage box and the corresponding grid pattern when a sample removal error occurs. [Figure 8](A) is a diagram illustrating an image of a storage box and the corresponding grid pattern on the database search result screen displayed on a display when a sample is removed from the storage box; (B) is a diagram illustrating an image of a storage box and the corresponding grid pattern when a sample is correctly removed from the storage box; and (C) is a diagram illustrating an image of a storage box and the corresponding grid pattern when a sample removal error occurs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described based on a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 and 2 are flow charts of a specimen management method according to the present invention.

[0025] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, according to the present invention, first, a storage box with an open top that can hold upright specimens in a checkerboard arrangement is prepared, and a two-dimensional code representing at least the specimen's identification information is attached to the top surface of the specimen, while a barcode representing the storage box's identification information is attached to one side of the storage box (step S1 in Figure 1).

[0026] Figures 3(A) and (B) show the specimen and the storage box, respectively. As shown in Figures 3(A) and (B), the specimen 1 consists of a tubular container 1a with a closed bottom opening, containing a sample 1b such as blood, urine, or saliva, and the top opening of the container is sealed with a cap 1c, and a two-dimensional code 2 representing at least identification information of the specimen 1 is attached to the top surface of the cap 1c.

[0027] The identification information of the sample 1 consists of the name, date of birth, age, and gender of the sample provider, and the data of the two-dimensional code 2 may include, in addition to the identification information of the sample 1, sample information such as the type of sample and the date the sample was collected.

[0028] In addition, a barcode 4 representing identification information of the storage box 3 is attached to one side of the storage box 3, and the identification information of the storage box 3 is made up of a series of numbers (box numbers) attached to the storage boxes 2.

[0029] According to the present invention, next, a reader 5 (in this example, a 1D / 2D code reader SR-2000 manufactured by Keyence Corporation) is prepared, which outputs data on each two-dimensional code 2, data on the position of the two-dimensional code 2 within the array (two-dimensional coordinates), and data on the barcode 4 together with image data, based on image data obtained by photographing at least one two-dimensional code 2 arranged in a grid pattern and a barcode 4 located outside the area of ​​the grid pattern arrangement (step S2 in Figure 1).

[0030] Then, as shown in Figure 4(A), a mirror 6 is placed diagonally upward facing the side of the storage box 3 containing the specimen 1, on which the barcode 4 is attached, and a reader 5 is placed at a predetermined position above the storage box 3, and the reader 5 photographs the specimen 1 in the storage box 3 and the barcode 4 reflected on the mirror 6 (step S3 in Figure 1). 4(B) shows the image data captured by the reader 5. In FIG. 4(B), 4' denotes the image of the barcode 4 reflected on the mirror 6.

[0031] The reader 5 reads the data of each two-dimensional code 2 and its two-dimensional coordinates (in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4(B), the storage box 3 is positioned so that the side with the barcode 4 attached is on the left side of the shooting screen, and with the position of the upper left square of the grid as the coordinate origin, x coordinates = 1,...,10 are assigned horizontally in the grid and y coordinates = A,...,J are assigned vertically in the grid), and the data of the barcode 4, and outputs them together with the acquired image data.

[0032] Furthermore, according to the present invention, based on the data output from the reader 5 and the information on the storage location of the storage box 3, a computer is used to correlate at least the identification information of the specimen 1, the identification information of the storage box 3, the position information of the specimen 1 within the storage box 3, and the information on the storage location of the storage box 3, and register these in a database together with the image data obtained by photography.In addition, the identification information and storage location information of the storage box 3, as well as a checkerboard pattern representing the arrangement of the specimens 1 within the storage box 3, and the image data are displayed on the display, and then the storage box 3 is transported to the storage location (step S4 in Figure 1).

[0033] For example, if the storage location is a plurality of freezers each having a plurality of shelves, the location information of the storage location is made up of identification information of the freezers and location information (shelf number) within the freezers. If the clinical laboratory has multiple branches in different locations, the identification information of the branch is also included in the storage location information.

[0034] When each piece of information and image data is registered in the database, the date and time of registration and the name of the worker are also registered.

[0035] FIG. 5(A) is a diagram showing the display screen when data is registered in the database. In Figure 5(A), information on the storage location is displayed in the "Site" column 7, "Storage" column 8 and "Storage area" column 9 on the display screen, and identification information of the storage box 3 is displayed in the "Box number" column 10.

[0036] In FIG. 5(A), 11 denotes an image captured by the reader 5, and 12 denotes a checkerboard pattern representing the arrangement of the specimens 1 in the storage box 3. In this case, a circle is displayed in the square of the checkerboard pattern 12 where the specimen 1 is contained, and as shown in Figure 5 (B), when the mouse pointer is placed over the square with the circle, at least the identification information of the specimen 1 contained at that position is displayed on a pop-up screen 13.

[0037] According to the present invention, when a target specimen 1 is removed from a storage location, a computer is used to extract from a database, based on at least the identification information of the target specimen 1, the identification information of the relevant storage box 3, information on the storage location of the storage box 3, the position information of the target specimen 1 within the storage box 3, and corresponding image data, and the identification information of the storage box 3, the information on the storage location, the image data, and the corresponding checkerboard pattern 12 are displayed on the display, and a mark is placed on the square in the checkerboard pattern 12 corresponding to the target specimen (step S5 in Figure 1).

[0038] The display screen at this time is shown in Figure 6. In FIG. 6, the square (coordinates (A, 01)) corresponding to the target specimen 1 in the grid pattern 12 on the screen is displayed in a color different from the other squares. In addition, in FIG. 6, the data of the two-dimensional code 2 of the target sample 1 (including the identification information of the sample 1) is displayed in a "sample code" field 14 on the display screen.

[0039] According to the present invention, the storage box 3 is further carried out from the storage location based on the information on the storage location of the storage box 3 displayed on the display (step S6 in FIG. 1).

[0040] Thereafter, when the target specimen 1 is removed from the storage box 3 based on the checkerboard pattern 12 displayed on the display, a mirror 6 is placed diagonally upward facing the side of the storage box 3 bearing the barcode 4, and a reader 5 is placed at a predetermined position above the storage box 3, and the reader 5 photographs the specimen 1 in the storage box 3 and the barcode 4 reflected on the mirror 6 (step S7 in Figure 2), just as was done in step S3.

[0041] In step S7, preferably, the process of removing the target specimen 1 from the storage box 3 comprises placing the target specimen 1 from the storage box 3 into a previously prepared removal box having the same configuration as the storage box 3 (each box having a two-dimensional coordinate indicated on it) at the position of the box that corresponds to the box marked with a mark on the storage box 3 in step S3.

[0042] Next, based on the data output from the reader 5 and the information on the storage location of the storage box 3, at least the identification information of the specimen 1, the identification information of the storage box 3, the position information of the specimen within the storage box 3, and the information on the storage location of the storage box 3 are correlated with each other and recorded in a temporary memory device together with the image data obtained by photography (step S8 in Figure 2).

[0043] Then, at least the identification information of the specimen 1, the identification information of the storage box 3, the position information of the specimen 1 within the storage box 3, and the storage location information of the storage box 3 recorded in the temporary memory device are compared with at least the identification information of the specimen 1, the identification information of the storage box 3, the position information of the specimen 1 within the storage box 3, and the storage location information of the storage box 3 extracted from the database in step S5, and if it is determined that only the target specimen 1 has been removed, the information and image data recorded in the temporary memory device are registered in the database and the next step is executed; if it is determined that this is not the case, a specimen removal error is displayed on the display, and the information and image data recorded in the temporary memory device are registered in the database along with information about the error occurrence, and the specimen 1 removed from the storage box 3 is returned to its original position, and then the process returns to step S7 (step S9 in Figure 2).

[0044] In this case, when each piece of information and image data is registered in the database, the date and time of registration and the name of the worker are also registered.

[0045] Step S9 will now be described in detail. Figure 7(A) is a diagram illustrating an image of the storage box 3 and the corresponding checkerboard pattern 12 on the database search result screen displayed on the display when the specimen 1 is removed from the storage box 3; Figure 7(B) is a diagram illustrating an image of the storage box 3 and the corresponding checkerboard pattern 12 when the specimen 1 is correctly removed from the storage box 3; and Figure 7(C) is a diagram illustrating an image of the storage box 3 and the corresponding checkerboard pattern 12 when an error occurs in removing the specimen 1.

[0046] As shown in Figure 7(A), for example, in step S5, as a result of searching the database, it is determined that there are three target specimens 1 in the corresponding storage box 3, and these specimens 1 are located at positions (B, 02), (D, 04), and (F, 06), respectively.

[0047] If the three specimens 1 are then correctly removed from the storage box 3 by the operator, the state inside the storage box 3 after the specimens 1 have been removed will be as shown in FIG. 7(B). In this case, it is determined that only the target specimen 1 has been completely removed, and the information and image data recorded in the temporary storage device are registered in the database.

[0048] In contrast, for example, as shown in Figure 7(C), if, among the three specimens 1, the specimen 1 at position (F,07) is mistakenly taken out instead of the specimen 1 at position (F,06), a specimen taking error message is displayed on the display, and the various information and image data recorded in the temporary memory device are registered in the database together with the error occurrence information.

[0049] Similarly, Figure 8(A) is a diagram illustrating an image of storage box 3 and the corresponding checkerboard pattern 12 on the database search result screen displayed on the display when sample 1 is removed from storage box 3, Figure 8(B) is a diagram illustrating an image of storage box 3 and the corresponding checkerboard pattern 12 when sample 1 is correctly removed from storage box 3, and Figure 8(C) is a diagram illustrating an image of storage box 3 and the corresponding checkerboard pattern 12 when an error occurs in removing sample 1.

[0050] As shown in Figure 8(A), for example, in step S5, as a result of searching the database, it is determined that there are six target specimens 1 in the corresponding storage box 3, and these specimens 1 are located at positions (E,05), (E,06), (E,07), (F,05), (F,06), and (F,07), respectively.

[0051] If the six specimens 1 are then correctly removed from the storage box 3 by the operator, the state inside the storage box 3 after the specimens 1 have been removed will be as shown in FIG. 8(B). In this case, it is determined that only the target specimen 1 has been completely removed, and the information and image data recorded in the temporary storage device are registered in the database.

[0052] In contrast, for example, as shown in Figure 8(C), if, among the six specimens 1, specimens 1 at positions (E,08) and (F,08) are mistakenly taken out instead of specimens 1 at positions (E,05) and (F,05), a specimen taking error message will be displayed on the display, and the various information and image data recorded in the temporary memory device will be registered in the database together with the error occurrence information.

[0053] According to the present invention, after processing the target specimens 1 taken out of the storage box 3, if the target specimens 1 are not returned to the storage box 3, the storage box 3 is brought into a storage location as is and the process returns to step S5, but if at least one of the target specimens 1 has been returned to the storage box 3, the process returns to step S3 (step S10 in Figure 2).

[0054] Thus, according to the present invention, a two-dimensional code 2 is attached to the specimen 1, a barcode 4 is attached to the storage box 3, the storage box 3 containing the specimen 1 is photographed by a reader 5, and at least the identification information of the specimen 1 and the identification information of the storage box 3, as well as the positional information of the specimen 1 within the storage box 3, are read, and the read information is registered in a database using a computer in association with information about the storage location of the storage box 3, and then the storage box 3 is brought into the storage location.

[0055] This allows the specimen 1 to be transported to the storage location and the information required for transport to be registered in the database efficiently and manually.

[0056] Furthermore, when the specimen 1 is taken out from the storage location, a checkerboard pattern 12 corresponding to the arrangement of the specimens 1 in the corresponding storage box 3 is displayed on the display based on the results of a computerized database search, and a mark is placed on the square corresponding to the specimen 1 in question.

[0057] In this way, the operator only needs to pick out the target specimen 1 while comparing the grid pattern 12 on the display screen with the arrangement of specimens 1 in the corresponding storage box 3, so that specimen 1 can be picked up manually efficiently and reliably.

[0058] Furthermore, when the target specimen 1 is removed from the storage box 3, the storage box 3 is photographed by the reader 5, and at least the identification information of the specimen 1 and the identification information of the storage box 3, as well as the position information of the specimen 1 within the storage box 3, are read, and this information is compared with the search results of the database by the computer.If it is determined that only the target specimen 1 has not been removed in its entirety, a specimen removal error is displayed on the screen, and the removed specimen 1 is returned to its original position in the storage box 3, and the specimen removal process is then carried out again while referring to the grid pattern 12 on the display screen.

[0059] In this way, whether or not a mix-up of specimens has occurred is determined by comparing data using a computer, rather than by visual confirmation by an operator, thereby making it possible to reliably prevent human error when removing specimen 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1 specimen 1a container 1b Sample 1c Cap 2. QR Code 3 Storage Box 4. Barcode 4' Barcode Statue 5. Leader 6. Mirror 7. "Site" column 8 “Storage” column 9 "Storage area" column 10. Box Number Column 11 Images taken by the leader 12 Grid Pattern 13 Pop-up screen 14 "Sample Code" column

Claims

1. (1) preparing a storage box having an open top and capable of accommodating upright specimens in a grid-like arrangement, attaching a two-dimensional code representing at least identification information of the specimens to the top surface of the specimens, and attaching a barcode representing identification information of the storage box to one side of the storage box; (2) preparing a reader that outputs, based on image data obtained by photographing at least one two-dimensional code arranged in a grid pattern and a barcode located outside the area of ​​the grid pattern, data on each of the two-dimensional codes, data on the position of the two-dimensional code within the array, and data on the barcode, together with the image data; (3) placing a mirror facing diagonally upward on the one side of the storage box in which the specimen is stored, and placing a reader at a predetermined position above the storage box, and using the reader to photograph the specimen in the storage box and the barcode reflected on the mirror; (4) based on the data output from the reader and the storage location information of the storage box, at least the identification information of the specimen, the identification information of the storage box, the position information of the specimen in the storage box, and the storage location information of the storage box are correlated with one another, and these are registered in a database together with the image data obtained by the photography, and the identification information of the storage box, the storage location information, and a checkerboard pattern representing the arrangement of the specimens in the storage box and the image data are displayed on a display, and then the storage box is carried into the storage location; (5) When taking out the plurality of target specimens from the storage location, using at least the identification information of the plurality of target specimens, extracting from the database the identification information of the related storage box, the storage location information of the storage box, the position information of the plurality of target specimens in the storage box, and the corresponding image data, and displaying on the display the identification information of the storage box, the storage location information, the image data, and the corresponding checkerboard pattern, and marking the squares in the checkerboard pattern that correspond to the plurality of target specimens; (6) a step of transporting the storage box from the storage location based on the information of the storage location of the storage box displayed on the display; (7) when the plurality of target specimens are removed from the storage box based on the grid pattern displayed on the display, the mirror is disposed on the one side of the storage box facing diagonally upward, the reader is disposed at the predetermined position above the storage box, and the reader photographs the specimens in the storage box and the barcodes reflected on the mirror; (8) based on the data output from the reader and the information on the storage location of the storage box, correlating at least the identification information of the specimen, the identification information of the storage box, the position information of the specimen in the storage box, and the information on the storage location of the storage box, and recording the correlating information together with the image data obtained by the photographing in a temporary storage device; (9) comparing at least the identification information of the specimen, the identification information of the storage box, the positional information of the specimen in the storage box, and the storage location information of the storage box recorded in the temporary storage device with at least the identification information of the specimen, the identification information of the storage box, the positional information of the specimen in the storage box, and the storage location information of the storage box extracted from the database in step (5); if it is determined that only the plurality of target specimens have been removed, registering the information and image data recorded in the temporary storage device in the database, and then executing the next step; if it is determined that the situation is not the case, displaying a specimen removal error in the grid pattern displayed on the display, registering the information and image data recorded in the temporary storage device in the database together with error occurrence information, returning the specimens removed from the storage box to their original positions, and then returning to step (7); (10) A sample management method characterized by including a step of, after processing the multiple target samples removed from the storage box, if the multiple target samples are not returned to the storage box, transporting the storage box as is to the storage location and returning to step (5), but if at least one of the multiple target samples has been returned to the storage box, returning to step (3).

2. The specimen management method according to claim 1, characterized in that in step (7), the process of removing the plurality of target specimens from the storage box comprises placing the plurality of target specimens from the storage box in a removal box prepared in advance and having the same configuration as the storage box, at positions corresponding to the marked positions of the storage box in step (5).

Images