Biological sample measuring device

Abstract

To provide a technique that can accurately specify a target part to measure, without using a large imaging mechanism, when a biological sample separated in a plurality of component regions is measured.SOLUTION: The biological sample measuring device of the present disclosure selects a taken image by which a user can identify a measurement target part of a biological sample the most clearly, by generating a taken image of the biological sample by using two wavelength components emitted from a light source and comparing taken images generated using the exposure times of imaging and at least two gains.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for measuring a biological sample separated into multiple component regions. [Background technology]

[0002] To improve the efficiency of clinical testing such as blood tests, there is a demand for technology to automate the task of checking the liquid volume of biological specimens before opening (dispensing), which has traditionally been done visually.In particular, biological specimens such as blood specimens before dispensing are composed of multiple layers separated by centrifugation or other methods, and a technology is needed to measure only the liquid volume of the sample to be analyzed.

[0003] As an example of such a biological sample measurement device, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for detecting the height of a specific region of a sample separated into multiple layers by irradiating the sample separated into multiple layers with pulsed light of two wavelengths, which is switched in a time-division manner, and measuring the transmitted light while scanning the sample vertically.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a liquid detection device that measures the amount of serum in a sample by irradiating a sample with infrared light, detecting the transmitted light with a line sensor, and determining the boundary of the liquid layer based on the first derivative value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] US2012 / 0013889 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-37322 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 relates to a liquid volume measurement technology that measures the liquid volume of a biological sample composed of multiple components by accurately identifying the boundary of a measurement target area from signals of transmitted light at two wavelengths that have different absorbances for the measurement target. However, Patent Document 1 requires that the sample (blood collection tube) be scanned vertically in the longitudinal direction during measurement, which poses a problem in that it is difficult to miniaturize the device due to the need for a scanning mechanism.

[0007] The technology described in Patent Document 2 measures the serum volume by detecting the upper and lower surfaces of the serum through signal processing based on differentiation of the infrared transmitted light signal. However, when the infrared light is absorbed or scattered by characters printed on the blood collection tube, blood cell components in the separating agent, colored characters on the label, etc., and the transmitted light is attenuated, it becomes difficult to separate this noise from the serum boundary, resulting in a problem of reduced accuracy in identifying the serum boundary and measuring the liquid volume.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technology that, when measuring a biological sample separated into multiple component regions, can accurately identify the target portion to be measured without using a large imaging mechanism. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The biological sample measurement device of the present disclosure generates an image of the biological sample using two wavelength components emitted by a light source, and by comparing the images generated using two or more exposure times or gains during imaging, selects the image that most clearly identifies the portion of the biological sample to be measured. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the biological sample measurement device of the present disclosure, when measuring a biological sample separated into multiple component regions, the target portion to be measured can be accurately identified without using a large imaging mechanism. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a biological sample measuring device 100 pertaining to embodiment 1. [Figure 2A] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the principle of identifying a measurement target area 109. FIG. [Figure 2B] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating the principle of identifying a measurement target area 109. FIG. [Figure 3A] An example is shown in which a label is attached to the container of the biological sample 101. [Figure 3B] An example is shown in which a label is attached to the container of the biological sample 101. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure in which the time division control driver 104 sets a plurality of light wavelengths and a plurality of exposure times. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image processing unit 105. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating details of S502. [Figure 7] An example of a process for identifying the measurement target region 109 will be described. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating details of S503. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing another procedure in which the time division control driver 104 sets a plurality of light wavelengths and a plurality of exposure times. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a liquid volume calculation unit 108. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a biological sample measuring device 100 pertaining to embodiment 2. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a biological sample measuring device 100 pertaining to embodiment 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] <First Embodiment> The biological sample to be measured in the first embodiment of the present disclosure is assumed to be a specimen before opening (before analysis) and separated into multiple component layers (typically 1 to 3 layers) by centrifugation or not. The measurement target is a portion of the specimen separated into multiple layers, such as plasma or serum.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a biological sample measuring device 100 pertaining to the first embodiment. Biological sample measuring device 100 is a device that measures a biological sample 101. Biological sample 101 is a sample configured as described above. Biological sample measuring device 100 identifies a measurement target region 109 of biological sample 101 and measures its liquid volume and components. Biological sample measuring device 100 comprises a surface illumination light source 102, an area camera 103, a time-division control driver 104, and an image processing unit 105.

[0014] The surface illumination light source 102 is configured to be able to switch the wavelength of the emitted light between two wavelengths, and uses that light to illuminate the biological sample 101. The light emitted by the surface illumination light source 102 can simultaneously illuminate two or more component layers constituting the biological sample 101 (i.e., across two or more component layers). Switching the wavelength of light does not necessarily require emitting light having only a single wavelength, but only requires being able to switch the wavelength component with the strongest intensity.

[0015] The area camera 103 captures the surface illumination light transmitted through the biological sample 101 to generate a two-dimensional image of the biological sample 101. The area camera 103 has sensitivity characteristics that enable it to detect light in the wavelength band emitted by the surface illumination light source 102. The area camera 103 can be configured, for example, by an InGaAs camera.

[0016] The time-division control driver 104 switches the wavelength of light emitted by the surface illumination light source 102 in a time-division manner. In synchronization with the wavelength switching, the time-division control driver 104 adjusts the exposure time (or gain) of the area camera 103 to a time suitable for that wavelength. The timing of capturing images by the area camera 103 is controlled by the time-division control driver 104 in synchronization with the wavelength emitted by the surface illumination light source 102. The time-division control driver 104 may receive processing results from the image processing unit 105 and control re-capture based on the results.

[0017] The image processing unit 105 extracts a measurement target area 109 from the captured images of each wavelength acquired by the area camera 103. The image processing unit 105 selects the most suitable analysis image from among the captured images with different exposure times, and uses that captured image to calculate the liquid volume in the measurement target area 109. The multiple captured images with different exposure times can be acquired by the time-division control driver 104 controlling the surface illumination light source 102 and the area camera 103.

[0018] The image processing unit 105 includes an image selection unit 106, a measurement target area specification unit 107, and a liquid volume calculation unit 108. The image selection unit 106 selects the most suitable image suitable for analysis from the images captured by the area camera 103. The measurement target area specification unit 107 specifies the measurement target area 109 by comparing the images captured at each wavelength. The liquid volume calculation unit 108 calculates the liquid volume in the measurement target area 109. The detailed operations of these units will be described later.

[0019] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the principle of identifying the measurement target region 109. FIG. 2A shows an example in which the biological sample 101 is separated into three layers. FIG. 2B shows an example in which the biological sample 101 is separated into two layers. The blood clot 202 is formed in the lower layer when the biological sample 101 is centrifuged. The separating agent 201 is mixed in to separate the blood clot 202 from the measurement target region 109.

[0020] Comparing the first wavelength (wavelength 1) and the second wavelength (wavelength 2) emitted by the surface illumination light source 102, the transmittance when wavelength 1 passes through the blood clot 202 is almost the same as the transmittance when wavelength 2 passes through the blood clot 202. Therefore, there is only a slight difference between the image of the blood clot 202 acquired using wavelength 1 and the image of the blood clot 202 acquired using wavelength 2. Similarly, with respect to the separating agent 201, the transmittance of wavelength 1 and the transmittance of wavelength 2 are almost the same, so there is only a slight difference between the two images.

[0021] In contrast, the transmittance when wavelength 1 passes through measurement target area 109 is significantly different from the transmittance when wavelength 2 passes through measurement target area 109. Therefore, there is a significant difference between the captured image of measurement target area 109 acquired using wavelength 1 and the captured image of measurement target area 109 acquired using wavelength 2. By identifying this difference, measurement target area 109 can be extracted from the captured image.

[0022] The wavelength bands used for wavelength 1 and wavelength 2 must be selected in advance so that a significant difference occurs between the wavelengths in the measurement target region 109, but almost no difference occurs in other areas, as illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B. As long as this condition is met, the specific wavelength values ​​can be arbitrary. That is, it is sufficient that at least the difference between the transmittance when wavelength 1 passes through measurement target region 109 and the transmittance when wavelength 2 passes through measurement target region 109 is greater than the difference between the transmittance when wavelength 1 passes through areas other than measurement target region 109 and the transmittance when wavelength 2 passes through areas other than measurement target region 109.

[0023] By using the above measurement principle, it is possible to identify the measurement target region 109 when the biological sample 101 is separated into multiple component layers. The measurement target region identifying unit 107 identifies the measurement target region 109 according to this principle. The number of component layers is not important, but typical biological samples such as plasma and serum are separated into one to three layers. In either case, the measurement target region 109 can be identified with high accuracy.

[0024] A label may be attached to the container of the biological sample 101. In this case, the label attenuates the transmitted light, but the attenuation occurs at both wavelengths 1 and 2. Therefore, if there is attenuation at both wavelengths, it can be assumed that a label is attached to that location. In other words, it is possible to distinguish between attenuation due to the label and attenuation due to the measurement target region 109.

[0025] 3A and 3B show an example in which a label is attached to a container for a biological sample 101. FIG. 3A is a side view of the container, and FIG. 3B is a top view. A barcode label, a pre-label, or the like may be attached to the container for the biological sample 101 (e.g., a blood collection tube). Even in such a case, it is necessary to accurately identify the measurement target region 109.

[0026] When comparing the case where light from the surface illumination light source 102 passes through the label 301 once, as shown in Figure 3B(1), with the case where light passes through the label 301 twice, as shown in Figure 3B(2), the latter case results in greater attenuation of light. When attenuation is large, the contrast difference between the measurement target area 109 and other areas decreases, which also reduces the accuracy of calculating the liquid volume.

[0027] Therefore, in this embodiment 1, the exposure time (or gain, hereinafter the same) of the area camera 103 is adjusted to obtain an optimal captured image regardless of the amount of light attenuation. If the attenuation is large, the exposure time is lengthened (or the gain is increased). However, the optimal exposure time differs depending on the orientation of the biological sample 101 (the number of times the light passes through the label). For example, if the exposure time is optimized under the conditions of Figure 3B(2), the exposure time will be too long and the transmitted light intensity will saturate under conditions of Figure 3B(1) or when there is no label. On the other hand, if the exposure time is optimized under the conditions of Figure 3B(1), the amount of light will be insufficient in Figure 3B(2).

[0028] In view of the above, in the first embodiment, captured images are acquired at different exposure times, and the image processing unit 105 compares the captured images to select the most suitable captured image for identifying the measurement target region 109. This makes it possible to obtain the most suitable captured image for calculating the liquid volume in the measurement target region 109, regardless of the orientation of the biological sample 101. Furthermore, a mechanism for rotating the biological sample 101 is not required. The procedure for selecting the optimal image will be described later.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the time-division control driver 104 to set a plurality of light wavelengths and a plurality of exposure times. The time-division control driver 104 switches the wavelength of the light emitted by the surface illumination light source 102 between two wavelengths. Further, the time-division control driver 104 sets a plurality of exposure times for each wavelength in order to specify the optimal exposure time for each wavelength. Each step of FIG. 4 will be described below.

[0030] (FIG. 4: Steps S401 to S404) The time-division control driver 104 controls the surface illumination light source 102 to emit wavelength 1 (S401). The time-division control driver 104 increases the exposure time of the area camera 103 in the order of t1, t2, t3 (t1 < t2 < t3), and acquires captured images of the biological sample 101 by the area camera 103 at each exposure time (S402 to S404).

[0031] (FIG. 4: Steps S405 to S408) The time-division control driver 104 stops wavelength 1 and controls the surface illumination light source 102 to emit wavelength 2 instead (S405). The time-division control driver 104 increases the exposure time of the area camera 103 in the order of t4, t5, t6 (t4 < t5 < t6), and acquires captured images of the biological sample 101 by the area camera 103 at each exposure time (S406 to S408).

[0032] (FIG. 4: Supplementary notes for Steps S406 to S408) t4 to t6 do not necessarily have to be the same time lengths as t1 to t3 respectively. However, in view of obtaining the differential images described in FIGS. 2A to 2B, it is desirable to set each exposure time so that the captured images obtained at wavelength 1 and the captured images obtained at wavelength 2 are generated with substantially the same amount of light. For the same reason, comparisons such as the exposure time t1 and t5 or the exposure time t1 and t6 are not desirable.

[0033] (Supplementary notes for FIGS. 4: Steps S402 to S404, S406 to S408) This flowchart shows an example in which three exposure times are used for each wavelength, but if at least two exposure times are used for each wavelength, it is possible to compare the captured images obtained with each exposure time and select the optimal captured image.

[0034] 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image processing unit 105. The image processing unit 105 acquires captured images for each wavelength captured by the area camera 103 (S501), and identifies the measurement target area 109 by comparing these captured images (S502). The image processing unit 105 selects a captured image suitable for calculating the liquid volume by comparing the captured images acquired at each exposure time (S503). The image processing unit 105 calculates the liquid volume in the measurement target area 109 (S504). Details of each step are described below.

[0035] 6 is a flowchart for explaining the details of S502. This flowchart is executed by the measurement target region specifying unit 107.

[0036] (Figure 6: Step S601) Measurement target area specifying unit 107 acquires images captured at wavelength 1 and wavelength 2. In this flowchart, it is sufficient to specify measurement target area 109 according to the procedure described in Figures 2A and 2B, and therefore the exposure time may be, for example, a predetermined value.

[0037] (Figure 6: Step S602) The measurement target area specifying unit 107 calculates a difference image between the image captured at wavelength 1 and the image captured at wavelength 2. This step calculates the difference image described in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and the difference image can be obtained by calculating the difference in pixel values ​​of each image. Examples of calculation procedures include: (a) wavelength 1 image - wavelength 2 image; (b) wavelength 2 image - wavelength 1 image; and (c) (wavelength 1 image - wavelength 2 image) / (wavelength 1 image + wavelength 2 image).

[0038] (Figure 6: Step S602: Supplement) The wavelength 1 image and wavelength 2 image are combined using the same exposure time. For example, images captured at exposure time t1 for wavelength 1 and exposure time t4 for wavelength 2 are combined. The same applies to exposure times t2 and t5, and t3 and t6. A difference image may be generated using all of these combinations of exposure times, or only one combination that allows the measurement target region 109 to be sufficiently identified on the difference image may be used.

[0039] (Figure 6: Step S603) The measurement target region specifying unit 107 sets a threshold value for detecting the measurement target region 109. The threshold value may be, for example, a pixel value of 0, or an appropriate threshold value may be set for each sample.

[0040] (Figure 6: Step S604) The measurement target region specifying unit 107 extracts, as the measurement target region 109, a portion of the difference image where the pixel value is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0041] (Figure 6: Step S605) The measurement target area identifying unit 107 detects the edges (height) of the measurement target area 109. The following methods can be used to detect edges: (a) an edge detection algorithm based on the vertical brightness gradient (slope) or differential value; (b) an edge detection algorithm that integrates the pixel values ​​of the extracted measurement target area 109 horizontally to make it one-dimensional, and identifies the vertical edge using the signal slope, differential value, variance value, etc. in the vertical direction. The identification results can be saved as coordinate values ​​on the captured image. In other words, the upper and lower edges of the measurement target area 109 can be identified by calculating the statistics of pixel values ​​in the horizontal direction as horizontal feature values ​​and comparing these feature values ​​along the vertical direction.

[0042] Fig. 7 shows an example of a process for identifying the measurement target region 109. The flowchart in Fig. 6 may be performed on a two-dimensional captured image as in Fig. 2, or may be performed using pixel values ​​that have been converted to one dimension by extracting a central region from the captured image and calculating the average value or median value in the horizontal direction as in Fig. 7.

[0043] 8 is a flowchart for explaining the details of S503. This flowchart is executed by the image selection unit 106.

[0044] (Figure 8: Step S801) The image selection unit 106 acquires pixel values ​​of the measurement target area 109 .

[0045] (Figure 8: Step S802) The image selection unit 106 calculates the contrast ratio between the measurement target region 109 and its adjacent portions in the captured image of the biological sample 101 for each exposure time of the area camera 103. Specifically, the contrast ratio between the measurement target region 109 and each of the regions adjacent above and below the measurement target region 109 is calculated.

[0046] (Figure 8: Step S802: Supplement) In the flowchart of Fig. 4, captured images are obtained using combinations of exposure times t1 and t4, t2 and t5, and t3 and t6, and these captured images can be used in this step. For example, the contrast ratios may be calculated for the captured images obtained using each of the exposure times t1, t2, and t3, or for all of the exposure times t1 to t6. Furthermore, the contrast ratios may be calculated using difference images obtained using combinations of exposure times t1 and t4, t2 and t5, and t3 and t6 (difference images output in step S602 in the flowchart of Fig. 6).

[0047] (Figure 8: Step S803) The image selection unit 106 checks whether pixel values ​​in areas adjacent to the measurement target area 109 are saturated for images captured with each exposure time. For example, if the exposure time is too long, brightness values ​​may become saturated. It may also be possible to check whether pixel values ​​in the measurement target area 109 itself are saturated.

[0048] (Figure 8: Step S804) The image selection unit 106 selects the captured image that has the highest contrast ratio between the measurement target area 109 and its adjacent area (i.e., the measurement target area 109 can be most clearly identified) and in which the pixel values ​​of the adjacent area are not saturated, as the image to be used for liquid volume analysis.

[0049] (Figure 8: Step S804: Supplement) In addition to selecting the captured image with the highest contrast ratio between the measurement target area 109 and its adjacent area above it, a captured image with the highest contrast ratio between the measurement target area 109 and its adjacent area below it may also be selected. This improves the accuracy of the liquid volume calculation. Alternatively, for simplicity, the contrast ratio may be determined for only one of the upper adjacent area or the lower adjacent area.

[0050] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing another procedure in which the time-division control driver 104 sets multiple light wavelengths and multiple exposure times. In Fig. 4, images are captured using multiple preset exposure times, and in Figs. 5 to 8, the image most suitable for liquid volume analysis is selected from these. In contrast, in this flowchart, the contrast ratio between the measurement target area 109 and its adjacent area is calculated each time an exposure time is set, and it is confirmed whether or not the image is suitable for liquid volume analysis.

[0051] (Figure 9: Step S901) The image processing unit 105 acquires captured images at wavelength 1 and wavelength 2. When this step is performed for the first time, a predetermined initial value is used as the exposure time. When this step is performed for the second time or later, the exposure time reset in S905 is used.

[0052] (Figure 9: Step S902) The measurement target region specifying unit 107 specifies the measurement target region 109 using the difference image between the image captured at wavelength 1 and the image captured at wavelength 2, as in S602.

[0053] (Figure 9: Step S903) The image selection unit 106 calculates the contrast ratio between the measurement target area 109 and its adjacent area, and further checks whether the brightness value in the adjacent area is saturated. Since these processes are the same as those in the flowchart of Figure 8, for the sake of convenience, this step is called the "analysis image selection" process.

[0054] (Figure 9: Step S904) The image processing unit 105 checks whether the contrast ratio calculated in S903 is equal to or greater than a threshold value. If the contrast ratio is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the process proceeds to S906; if not, the process proceeds to S905.

[0055] (Figure 9: Step S905) The image processing unit 105 resets the exposure time of the area camera 103 and recaptures an image of the biological sample 101. The reset exposure time may be determined in advance, or may be reset according to the contrast ratio calculated in S903. When the exposure time is determined in advance, for example, the shortest exposure time is set as the initial value and the exposure time is increased each time this step is performed. When the exposure time is reset according to the contrast ratio, for example, the extent to which the exposure time should be increased or decreased is determined according to the difference between the calculated contrast ratio and a threshold value.

[0056] (Figure 9: Step S906) The liquid volume calculation unit 108 calculates the liquid volume in the measurement target area 109 .

[0057] 9, unlike in FIG. 4, the process proceeds to S906 when it is determined that the measurement target area 109 can be sufficiently identified, so there is no need to acquire captured images for all exposure times. Therefore, the measurement time can be shortened compared to FIG. 4.

[0058] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the liquid volume calculation unit 108. This flowchart explains the details of S504 and S906.

[0059] (Figure 10: Step S1001) The liquid volume calculation unit 108 acquires the inner diameter of the container (for example, a blood collection tube) of the biological sample 101. Since the shape and size of the container are known in advance, the numerical value of the inner diameter may be stored in the image processing unit 105 in advance.

[0060] (Figure 10: Step S1002) The liquid volume calculation unit 108 acquires the pixel pitch (pixel / mm, i.e., the actual size of one pixel on the image) of the image captured by the area camera 103. There are two methods for obtaining the pixel pitch: one is to obtain it in advance by calibration, and the other is to obtain it from the captured image of the biological sample 101. Calibration is performed by analyzing the pixel size of an image of an object whose actual size is known in advance. When the captured image of the biological sample 101 is used, the width of the container is detected from the image and the pixel pitch is calculated by correlating it with the diameter of the blood collection tube.

[0061] (Figure 10: Steps S1003 to S1004) The liquid volume calculation unit 108 acquires an image of the measurement target area 109 (S1003). The liquid volume calculation unit 108 calculates the liquid volume of the measurement target area 109 using the pixel size and pixel pitch of the measurement target area 109 (S1004).

[0062] <First embodiment: Summary> The biological sample measurement device 100 according to the first embodiment identifies the measurement target area 109 using the two wavelength components emitted by the surface illumination light source 102, and by comparing captured images obtained using two or more exposure times, selects the captured image in which the measurement target area 109 can be most clearly identified. By comparing the contrast ratio for each exposure time, it is possible to obtain an optimal image without rotating the biological sample 101, even in cases where a label is attached to the biological sample 101. Furthermore, by using the surface illumination light source 102, a mechanism for scanning the illumination light in the vertical direction is not required. Therefore, the amount of liquid in the measurement target area 109 can be accurately calculated while miniaturizing the device.

[0063] <Embodiment 2> FIG. 11 is a diagram of the configuration of a biological sample measuring device 100 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. In this second embodiment, a surface illumination light source 1102 is used instead of the surface illumination light source 102. The surface illumination light source 1102 is configured from a white light source such as a halogen lamp or a light source of two wavelengths that are lit simultaneously. This second embodiment also includes a bandpass filter 1101. The bandpass filter 1101 passes light of the wavelength specified by the time-division control driver 104. Therefore, the surface illumination light source 1102 does not need to switch the wavelength it emits; instead, the time-division control driver 104 switches the pass wavelength band of the bandpass filter 1101. This makes it possible to compare images captured at two wavelengths, just as in the first embodiment. The rest is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0064] Based on the above assumptions, the surface illumination light source 1102 must irradiate light containing two wavelengths whose absorptances in the measurement target area 109 are different from each other (and whose absorptances in areas other than the measurement target area 109 are not significantly different from each other). The bandpass filter 1101 must be able to switch which of the two wavelengths to pass. Any element other than the bandpass filter 1101 may be used as long as it can achieve the same function.

[0065] <Third Embodiment> 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of a biological sample measuring device 100 pertaining to embodiment 3 of the present disclosure. In embodiment 3, an optical filter 1203 is provided in place of bandpass filter 1101, and two area cameras 1201 and 1202 are provided in place of area camera 103. The rest is the same as embodiment 2.

[0066] Optical filter 1203 transmits wavelength 1 and reflects wavelength 2. It is not necessary that wavelength 1 is completely transmitted and wavelength 2 is completely reflected; it is sufficient that the transmittance of wavelength 1 is higher than the transmittance of wavelength 2 and the reflectance of wavelength 2 is higher than the reflectance of wavelength 1. Area camera 1201 captures the light that has transmitted through optical filter 1203, and area camera 1202 captures the light that has been reflected from optical filter 1203. Time-division control driver 104 adjusts the exposure time of each camera. In this third embodiment, images of two wavelengths can be captured simultaneously, which has the advantage of shortening the measurement time.

[0067] <Modifications of the present invention> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the gain of the area camera 103 may be adjusted instead of or in addition to the exposure time of the area camera 103. In this case, in each flowchart, a process for increasing the gain may be performed instead of a process for increasing the exposure time.

[0069] The time-division control driver 104 and the image processing unit 105 can be configured by hardware such as a circuit device that implements these functions, or by a computing device that executes software that implements these functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 100: Biological sample measuring device 101: Biological samples 102: Area lighting light source 103: Area camera 104: Time-sharing control driver 105: Image processing unit 1101: Bandpass filter 1102: Area lighting light source 1201: Area camera 1202: Area camera 1203: Optical filter

Claims

1. A biological sample measurement device for measuring a biological sample separated into a plurality of component regions, a light source that irradiates the biological sample with light; an imager that generates a two-dimensional image of the biological sample using the light that has passed through the biological sample; an image processing unit that identifies a target portion to be measured in the component region from the captured image, the image processing unit is configured to identify the target portion using the captured images generated using two wavelength components emitted by the light source, the light source is configured to irradiate the light onto at least two of the component regions simultaneously; the imager generates a first captured image of the biological specimen using a first wavelength component of the light transmitted through the biological specimen; the imager generates a second captured image of the biological specimen using a second wavelength component of the light transmitted through the biological specimen; the image processing unit calculates a difference between a portion generated using the first wavelength component in the first captured image and a portion generated using the second wavelength component in the second captured image; The image processing unit identifies a portion where the difference is equal to or greater than a threshold value, thereby identifying the range of the target portion. A biological sample measuring device characterized by:

2. the image capture device generates the captured image using at least one of two or more exposure times or two or more gains; The image processing unit compares the captured images generated using the two or more exposure times or the two or more gains, and selects the captured image in which the boundary between the target portion and other portions can be most clearly identified as the image of the biological sample to be used for the measurement.

2. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 1.

3. A difference in transmittance between the first wavelength component and the second wavelength component in the target portion is greater than a difference in transmittance between the first wavelength component and the second wavelength component in a portion excluding the target portion.

2. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 1.

4. the image processing unit calculates a feature value of the captured image in the first direction by statistically processing pixel values ​​of the captured image in the first direction; The image processing unit identifies a boundary of the target portion in a second direction by comparing the feature values ​​along a second direction different from the first direction.

2. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 1.

5. the image processing unit specifies a range of the target portion in the captured image; the image processing unit identifies a boundary of the identified target portion according to a difference between the captured images; The image processing unit calculates the amount of the target portion using the identified boundary.

2. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 1.

6. The image processing unit selects the captured image in which the contrast between the target portion and other portions is the highest and in which pixel values ​​of regions adjacent to the target portion are not saturated as the image of the biological sample to be used for the measurement.

2. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 1.

7. the image capture device generates the first captured image using a first exposure time and a second exposure time longer than the first exposure time, or generates the first captured image using a first gain and a second gain larger than the first gain, when generating the first captured image using the first wavelength component; the image capture device generates the second captured image using a third exposure time and a fourth exposure time longer than the third exposure time, or generates the second captured image using a third gain and a fourth gain larger than the third gain, when generating the second captured image using the second wavelength component; The image processing unit compares the captured images generated using the respective exposure times to select the captured image in which the boundary can be most clearly identified, or compares the captured images generated using the respective gains to select the captured image in which the boundary can be most clearly identified.

3. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 2.

8. the image processing unit determines whether the boundary has a contrast equal to or greater than a threshold in the captured image generated by the image capture device using a first exposure time or a first gain; If the boundary does not have a contrast equal to or greater than the threshold, the imager regenerates the captured image using a second exposure time longer than the first exposure time or a second gain greater than the first gain; The image processing unit re-determines whether or not the boundary has a contrast equal to or greater than a threshold in the regenerated captured image.

3. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 2.

9. The image processing unit calculates the amount of the target portion using the pixel size of the captured image and the size of a container containing the biological sample.

2. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 1.

10. the light source is configured to be able to switch the strongest dominant wavelength component of the light between at least the first wavelength component and the second wavelength component, The biological sample measuring device further comprises a time-division control driver that switches the dominant wavelength component in a time-division manner; the image capture device generates the first captured image during a period in which the time division control driver sets the dominant wavelength component to the first wavelength component; The image capture device generates the second captured image during a period in which the time division control driver sets the dominant wavelength component to the second wavelength component.

2. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 1.

11. the light source is configured to emit the light having the first wavelength component and the second wavelength component simultaneously, the biological sample measuring device further comprises a filter that can switch the wavelength components that it passes through; the image capture device generates the first captured image during a period in which the filter passes the first wavelength component; The image capture device generates the second captured image during a period in which the filter passes the second wavelength component.

2. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 1.

12. the light source is configured to emit the light having the first wavelength component and the second wavelength component simultaneously, the biological sample measuring device further comprises an optical filter that passes the first wavelength component and reflects the second wavelength component; The image capturer includes a first image capture device that captures the first wavelength component that has passed through the optical filter, and a second image capture device that captures the second wavelength component that has been reflected from the optical filter.

2. The biological sample measuring device according to claim 1.

Images