Control cuvette

Abstract

To provide a control cuvette capable of being used for managing measurement accuracy in a measurement apparatus in which a tangible component contained in a liquid sample is precipitated on a bottom surface of a cuvette and the tangible component is observed.SOLUTION: In a measurement apparatus for observing a tangible component 52 by precipitating the tangible component 52 contained in a liquid sample 50 on a bottom surface 28 of a cuvette 15, a control cuvette 10 is used for measurement accuracy management, and an observation pattern P imitating a shape of the tangible component 52 contained in the liquid sample 50 is attached to an observation surface 30 corresponding to the bottom surface 28 of the cuvette 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control cuvette used for measurement accuracy control in a measuring instrument that observes formed elements contained in a liquid sample by allowing the formed elements to settle on the bottom of a cuvette. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, when examining the amount and type of formed elements contained in a liquid sample of biological origin using a microscopic examination method in which an examiner visually inspects the sample using a microscope, a commercially available liquid sample (hereinafter referred to as a "control substance") in which formed elements are dispersed at a known content is used, and the control substance and the liquid sample to be examined are each photographed, and the photographed images are compared to perform the examination.

[0003] In addition, in measuring instruments that automatically test for formed elements in liquid samples, control substances are used to manage the measurement accuracy of the measuring instruments by comparing the amount of formed elements detected based on image data obtained by imaging the control substance with the known content described above.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 below explains that quality control is necessary for a urinary sediment analyzer to correctly detect samples, and that some of the sediment samples found in urine (red blood cells, white blood cells, crystals, etc.) are commercially available as quality control materials. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2020-531852 (

[0003] ,

[0020] ) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when a control substance is used for quality control of a measuring device that observes formed components in a liquid sample by allowing the formed components to settle to the bottom of a cuvette, the formed components of the control substance in the container must be thoroughly dispersed in the liquid sample before the control substance is collected from the container. If the formed components in the liquid sample are not sufficiently dispersed, there may be variation in the amount of formed components detected based on the image data obtained by capturing the image.

[0007] Furthermore, when a liquid sample contains many types of formed elements, it is necessary to prepare control substances for use in quality control of the measuring device according to the number of types.

[0008] Furthermore, when the formed elements contained in the liquid sample are rare components, it is difficult to obtain control substances used for quality control of the measuring equipment.

[0009] Furthermore, when the control substance is a liquid derived from a living body, it may be difficult to store it for a long period of time.

[0010] An embodiment of the present disclosure aims to provide a control cuvette that can be used to manage measurement accuracy in a measuring instrument that observes formed elements contained in a liquid sample by allowing the formed elements to settle to the bottom of a cuvette. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The control cuvette of the first aspect of the present disclosure is a control cuvette used for measurement accuracy control in a measuring instrument that observes formed components contained in a liquid sample by allowing the formed components to settle on the bottom surface of the cuvette, and an observation pattern that imitates the shape of the formed components contained in the liquid sample is applied to an observation surface that corresponds to the bottom surface of the cuvette. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, there is provided a control cuvette used for controlling measurement accuracy in a measuring instrument that observes formed components contained in a liquid sample by allowing the formed components to settle on the bottom of a cuvette. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a control cuvette according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a control cuvette according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a plan view showing a cuvette used to obtain an observation pattern of formed components to be attached to a control cuvette in an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a cuvette used to obtain an observation pattern of formed components to be attached to a control cuvette of an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a cuvette used to obtain an observation pattern of formed elements to be attached to a control cuvette of an embodiment, in which (A) shows a liquid sample containing formed elements being supplied to the cuvette, (B) shows the formed elements settling as the cuvette is centrifuged, and (C) shows the formed elements settling to the bottom after the cuvette is centrifuged. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a cuvette used to obtain an observation pattern of particles to be attached to a control cuvette in an embodiment, and is a diagram showing how particles are measured by an instrument. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the procedure for producing a control cuvette according to an embodiment, illustrating how an observation pattern of formed components is transferred onto an observation surface by photolithography. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An example of an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent components and parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, since each drawing is a schematic drawing, the actual dimensions may differ.

[0015] In addition, the arrow H shown in each figure indicates the vertical upward direction of the control cuvette 10 at the time of imaging, the arrow W indicates the horizontal direction, or width direction, of the control cuvette 10 at the time of imaging, and the arrow D indicates the horizontal direction, or depth direction, of the control cuvette 10 at the time of imaging.

[0016] (10 control cuvettes) Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a control cuvette 10 according to the present disclosure, and Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 1A-1A in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the control cuvette 10 according to the present disclosure is, for example, a hollow container that is substantially rectangular in plan view and is molded from a light-transmitting material (resin, glass, etc.) and has a housing 18 having a light entrance section 27 on its lower surface in the vertical direction at the time of imaging and an observation window 20 on its upper surface, an observation section 26 formed inside the housing 18 at the time of imaging, a first flow path 22, and a second flow path 23.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the observation section 26 is a part inside the housing 18 that has height and width, and is a part (space) that is surrounded by the housing 18 in the horizontal direction, the observation window 20 above in the vertical direction, and the light entrance section 27 below in the vertical direction.

[0018] Furthermore, the light entrance part 27, the observation part 26, and the observation window 20 are parts through which light irradiated from a light source 62 passes during imaging, which will be described later. More specifically, as shown in Fig. 2, during imaging using a measuring instrument, light irradiated from a light source 62 disposed below a mounting base 64 of the measuring instrument passes through the light entrance part 27, the observation part 26, and the observation window 20 in that order, and is observed by an imaging device 60 disposed above the control cuvette 10. Furthermore, the bottom of the observation part 26 serves as an observation surface 30. Details of this observation surface 30 will be described later.

[0019] The housing 18 is, for example, 22 mm wide, 20 mm deep, and 3 mm vertically, and the observation unit 26 is, for example, 15 mm wide, 10 mm deep, and 1 mm vertically.

[0020] As an example, the first flow path 22 is a portion that communicates a supply port 24 that opens upward when the control cuvette 10 is imaged, with the observation unit 26 .

[0021] The second flow path 23 is connected to the observation section 26 in the same manner as the first flow path 22, and is, for example, a part that connects the observation section 26 to an air vent hole 25 that is opened upward when imaging the control cuvette 10.

[0022] The supply port 24 is, for example, a hole with a diameter of 0.7 mm, and the air vent hole 25 is, for example, a hole with a diameter of 0.5 mm.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, in the control cuvette 10 according to the present disclosure, an observation surface 30 having an observation pattern P imitating the shape of a formed element 52 is disposed at the bottom of the observation portion 26.

[0024] As an example, the observation surface 30 corresponds to the width and depth directions of the observation section 26, and in the vertical direction, has unevenness formed from a photocurable resin that is formed within the range of the focal depth F of the imaging device 60 during imaging, as described below.

[0025] That is, in the control cuvette 10 according to one embodiment, light emitted from the light source 62 passes through the observation surface 30 of the observation section 26 and reaches the imaging device 60, whereby an observation pattern P that resembles the shape of the tangible elements 52 attached to the observation surface 30 is imaged by the imaging device 60. The formation procedure and specific shape of this observation surface 30 will be described later.

[0026] Furthermore, it is preferable that the shape of the control cuvette 10 be the same as the shape of the cuvette 15 for measuring a liquid sample that is used in the imaging device 60, as will be described later. By making the shape of the control cuvette 10 the same as the cuvette 15, components of the measurement device, such as the mounting table 64, that are used to image the cuvette 15 can also be used to image the control cuvette 10, thereby simplifying the configuration of the imaging device 60. The shape of the control cuvette 10 does not need to be exactly the same as that of the cuvette 15, and for example, the first flow path 22, the second flow path 23, the supply port 24, the air vent 25, etc. may not be provided.

[0027] Next, a procedure for producing the control cuvette 10 according to the present disclosure will be described. The procedure for producing the control cuvette 10 includes a procedure for capturing an image of the formed components 52 in the liquid sample 50 using the cuvette 15, and a procedure for transferring an observation pattern P that imitates the shape of the formed components 52 captured using the cuvette 15 onto the observation surface 30.

[0028] (Procedure for imaging formed elements 52 in a liquid sample 50 using a cuvette 15) Fig. 3 is a plan view of the cuvette 15, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3A-3A in Fig. 3. In this description, the same components of the cuvette 15 as those of the control cuvette 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0029] 3 and 4, the cuvette 15 has the same configuration as the control cuvette 10 according to the present disclosure, except that the observation pattern P is not provided on the bottom surface 28 of the observation portion 26. In other words, the control cuvette 10 according to the present disclosure can be said to be a cuvette 15 in which the portion corresponding to the bottom surface 28 is the observation surface 30, or a cuvette 15 in which the observation pattern P is provided on the bottom surface 28.

[0030] A liquid sample 50 containing formed components 52 is supplied to the observation section 26 of the cuvette 15 , and the image of the formed components 52 contained in the liquid sample 50 inside the observation section 26 is captured by the imaging device 60 .

[0031] FIG. 5 shows how a liquid sample 50 is supplied to the observation portion 26 of the cuvette 15 and preparations for observation are made.

[0032] 5(A), a liquid sample 50 containing formed elements 52 is supplied to the cuvette 15 through the supply port 24, and the observation section 26 is filled with the liquid sample 50. When the liquid sample 50 is supplied through the supply port 24, the air that has filled the observation section 26 is discharged through the air vent hole 25. The liquid sample 50 may be any liquid, but examples thereof include liquids derived from living organisms, such as human urine and blood.

[0033] 5(B), the cuvette 15 is centrifuged with the axis of rotation being above the cuvette 15. As a result of this centrifugation, formed elements 52 contained in the liquid sample 50 are precipitated to the bottom surface 28 of the observation section 26 by centrifugal force, as shown in FIG.

[0034] The time and rotation speed for which the cuvette 15 is centrifuged are determined appropriately depending on the amount and type of the liquid sample 50 to be observed, the type of formed components 52, and the like.

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a state in which the cuvette 15 is placed on a table 64, light is irradiated from a light source 62, and the formed elements 52 are observed by an imaging device 60.

[0036] 6, the formed component 52 is located within the range of the focal depth F of the imaging device 60 while settling to the bottom of the observation section 26, and therefore the imaging device 60 can capture an image of the shape of the formed component 52 located at the bottom of the observation section 26. Here, the shape of the formed component 52 captured by the imaging device 60 is converted into electronic data, for example.

[0037] (Procedure for transferring the observation pattern P, which mimics the shape of the formed element 52 imaged using the cuvette 15, onto the observation surface 30) Next, with reference to FIG. 7 as needed, a procedure for transferring the observation pattern P, which imitates the shape of the formed element 52 imaged using the cuvette 15, onto the observation surface 30 will be described.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a procedure for forming an observation pattern P imitating the shape of the tangible component 52 on the observation surface 30 using a photolithography device.

[0039] First, as shown in FIG. 7, the photolithography apparatus includes an irradiation device 70 that generates light, a condensing lens 72 that condenses the light emitted from the irradiation device 70, a photomask 74 that blocks a portion of the light that has passed through the condensing lens 72, and a projection lens 76 that projects the light that has passed through the photomask 74 onto the observation surface 30.

[0040] 7, the photomask 74 is printed with light-shielding ink with the above-mentioned electronic data, i.e., an observation pattern P that imitates the shape of the formed elements 52 in the liquid sample 50 imaged in FIG. 6. In other words, the photomask 74 is coated with light-shielding ink in areas other than the area corresponding to the observation pattern P. Any type of light-shielding ink may be used as long as it blocks the light emitted from the irradiation device 70.

[0041] 7, a photocurable resin that hardens in response to light emitted from the irradiation device 70 is applied to the observation surface 30. The photocurable resin hardens only in the area irradiated with light emitted from the irradiation device 70.

[0042] 7, the photocurable resin applied to the observation surface 30 is cured by exposure light from the photomask 74, and then the observation surface 30 is washed, so that the photocurable resin remains only in the area corresponding to the observation pattern P and is removed in the other areas. As a result, the observation pattern P that resembles the shape of the formed component 52 is transferred to the observation surface 30. Because the layer of photocurable resin is thicker in the area where the photocurable resin remains than in the area where the photocurable resin has been removed, the amount of light that passes through the area where the photocurable resin remains and passes from the back surface to the front surface of the observation surface 30 is less than the amount of light that passes through the area where the photocurable resin has been removed and passes from the back surface to the front surface of the observation surface 30.

[0043] The amount of light-shielding ink applied to the observation pattern P formed on the photomask 74 may be appropriately set according to the shade of the shape obtained by imaging the tangible component 52.

[0044] Furthermore, in the above description, a pattern imitating the shape of the formed component 52 was formed on the observation surface 30 of the control cuvette 10, but this is not limited to this as long as the pattern of the observation pattern P imitating the shape of the formed component 52 can be observed by light that passes through the observation surface 30.

[0045] For example, in the above description, a photocurable resin is applied to the observation surface 30, but instead, a photodegradable resin may be applied. In this case, the photodegradable resin is decomposed and removed only in the area irradiated with the exposure light from the photomask 74.

[0046] In addition, by attaching a film having a pattern imitating the shape of the formed element 52 to the observation surface 30, an observation pattern P imitating the shape of the formed element 52 can be observed when the control cuvette 10 is examined under a microscope.

[0047] In this way, any number of observation patterns P imitating the shapes of any formed components 52 can be transferred onto the observation surface 30 of the control cuvette 10. Then, by capturing an image of the observation pattern P imprinted on the observation surface 30 of the control cuvette 10 with a measuring device, the shapes of the formed components 52 captured using the cuvette 15 shown in FIG.

[0048] (Example of using control cuvette 10) Next, as an example of using the control cuvette 10 according to the present disclosure, a procedure will be shown in which the control cuvette 10 according to the present disclosure is used for quality control of a measuring device that tests formed elements 52 in a liquid sample 50.

[0049] First, the examiner selects a control cuvette 10 having an observation pattern P of a formed element 52 that is presumed to be contained in the liquid sample 50.

[0050] Next, the examiner uses the measuring device to capture an image of the observation pattern P of the formed elements 52 in the control cuvette 10, as shown in Fig. 2. Then, the examiner checks whether the measuring device recognizes the observation pattern P included in the image data of the captured control cuvette 10 as the formed elements 52 in the liquid sample 50.

[0051] At this point, if the measuring instrument does not recognize the shape of the observation pattern P contained in the image data of the control cuvette 10 as the shape of the formed elements 52 in the liquid sample 50, or if it recognizes the shape as a different type of formed element 52 from the formed elements 52 in the liquid sample 50 attached to the control cuvette 10, or if the measured value of the density of the formed elements 52 output by the measuring instrument after measuring the control cuvette 10 does not correspond to the density of the formed elements 52 in the liquid sample 50 (i.e., the density of the observation pattern P attached to the control cuvette 10), the examiner will determine that the sensitivity of the measuring instrument to measure the formed elements 52 in the liquid sample 50 supplied to the cuvette 15 has changed.

[0052] Furthermore, if the examiner determines that the sensitivity of the measuring device to detect formed elements 52 in liquid sample 50 has changed, the examiner takes measures such as adjusting the measurement sensitivity of the measuring device. If the examiner determines that the sensitivity has not changed, the examiner determines that the adjustment of the measuring device has been completed.

[0053] Next, the examiner again captures an image of the observation pattern P of the formed elements 52 attached to the control cuvette 10, and repeatedly adjusts the measuring equipment so that the observation pattern P contained in the image data of the control cuvette 10 captured by the measuring equipment is recognized as the pattern of the formed elements 52 in the liquid sample 50.

[0054] After the adjustment of the measuring device is completed, the examiner supplies the liquid sample 50 into the cuvette 15 and measures the formed elements 52 contained in the liquid sample 50 in the cuvette 15 using the adjusted measuring device.

[0055] In this way, the tester uses the control cuvette 10 according to the present disclosure to check or adjust the sensitivity when the measurement device measures the formed elements 52 in the liquid sample 50. Note that the control cuvette 10 in the above description is not limited to one, and multiple control cuvettes 10 may be prepared and selected as appropriate depending on the type and concentration of the formed elements 52 contained in the liquid sample 50 to be tested.

[0056] (effect) According to the control cuvette 10 according to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.

[0057] The control cuvette 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a control cuvette 10 used for controlling the measurement accuracy of a measuring instrument that observes formed components 52 contained in a liquid sample 50 by allowing the formed components 52 to settle on the bottom surface 28 of the cuvette 15, and has the same shape as the cuvette 15, and an observation pattern P that imitates the shape of the formed components 52 contained in the liquid sample 50 is attached to the observation surface 30 corresponding to the bottom surface 28 of the cuvette 15.

[0058] According to this control cuvette 10, an observation pattern P imitating the shape of formed components 52 contained in a liquid sample 50 is attached to the observation surface 30 observed by a measuring device, and therefore, by imaging the observation pattern P of the control cuvette 10, it is possible to obtain image data similar to that obtained by imaging formed components 52 in a cuvette 15. Therefore, this control cuvette 10 can be used to manage the measurement accuracy of a measuring device that settles formed components 52 on the bottom surface of a cuvette 15 and images the formed components 52.

[0059] Furthermore, according to the control cuvette 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, by preparing a plurality of control cuvettes 10 each bearing a pattern of a formed element 52 contained in a liquid sample 50, it is possible to arbitrarily select and use for quality control control cuvettes 10 bearing the pattern of a desired type of formed element 52 in the desired number. In other words, when measuring a liquid sample 50 containing a plurality of formed elements 52 to be observed, an examiner can reduce the cost required for the test by preparing control cuvettes 10 bearing observation patterns P each imitating the shape of the target formed element 52.

[0060] Furthermore, the control cuvette 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can be repeatedly used to manage the measurement accuracy even for rare formed elements 52. In other words, even when measuring rare formed elements 52 for which it is difficult to obtain a control substance, by preparing a control cuvette 10 having an observation pattern P imitating the shape of the target formed element 52, it is possible to manage the measurement accuracy in measuring the rare formed element 52.

[0061] Furthermore, the control cuvette 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is easy to store because it is not easily deteriorated. In other words, it is possible to reduce the cost required for testing in managing the measurement accuracy of formed elements 52 compared to when using cuvettes 15 and control substances.

[0062] Furthermore, the observation surface 30 of the control cuvette 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with an observation pattern P imitating the shape of the formed element 52, which is formed based on image data obtained by capturing an image of a liquid sample 50 containing the formed element 52 using a cuvette 15. Since the observation surface 30 of the control cuvette 10 corresponds to the bottom surface 28 of the cuvette 15, the density of the observation pattern P imprinted on the observation surface 30 of the control cuvette 10 corresponds to the density of the formed element captured in the liquid sample 50. Therefore, by using this control cuvette 10, the measurement accuracy of the measurement device can be determined in terms of shape and density.

[0063] Furthermore, the control cuvette 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure allows obtaining similar observation results even when different examiners perform the microscopic examination.

[0064] As a result, the control cuvette 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can be used as a sample to show the shape of the formed elements 52 observed in the cuvette 15 to an examiner who has little experience in observing the size and shape of formed elements and identifying the type and number of formed elements, or as a training sample for testing formed elements.

[0065] Furthermore, according to the control cuvette 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, an observation pattern P imitating the shape of formed elements 52 contained in urine or blood as the liquid sample 50 is applied to the observation surface 30.

[0066] This control cuvette 10 is provided with an observation pattern P of formed elements 52 contained in urine or blood, and therefore can be used for quality control of a liquid sample 50 derived from a living organism.

[0067] (Variation) In the above description, the cuvette 15 is used to microscopically observe the formed elements 52 contained in the liquid sample 50, but the technology according to the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0068] For example, even when the instrument used for microscopy is changed to a cuvette 15 and microscopy is performed using a glass slide, the same effect as the control cuvette 10 disclosed herein can be obtained by attaching an observation pattern P that imitates the shape of formed elements 52 to the observation portion of the glass slide, as with the control cuvette 10 described above.

[0069] The above describes an embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is clear that a person with ordinary knowledge in the field of technology to which the present disclosure pertains can conceive of various modifications or applications within the scope of the technical ideas set forth in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0070] Further preferred aspects of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0071] (Appendix 1) A control cuvette used for measurement accuracy control in a measuring device that observes formed elements contained in a liquid sample by allowing the formed elements to settle on the bottom of a cuvette, comprising: an observation pattern imitating the shape of the formed component contained in the liquid sample is applied to an observation surface corresponding to the bottom surface of the cuvette; Control cuvette.

[0072] (Appendix 2) The observation pattern imitates the shape of the formed elements contained in urine or blood. Control cuvettes as described in Appendix 1.

[0073] (Appendix 3) 3. The control cuvette of claim 1 or 2, wherein the control cuvette has the same shape as the cuvette.

[0074] (Appendix 4) the observation pattern is applied to the observation surface at a density corresponding to the density at which the formed components contained in the liquid sample are observed; A control cuvette as described in any of Appendix 1 to Appendix 3. [Industrial Applicability]

[0075] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used to manage measurement accuracy in a measuring device that observes formed components contained in a liquid sample by allowing the formed components to settle on the bottom of a cuvette. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 10 control cuvettes 15 cuvettes 18. Cabinet 20 Observation window 22 First Channel 23 Second flow path 24 Supply port 25 Air vent 26 Observation Section 27 Light receiving part 28 bottom 30 Observation Surface 50 liquid samples 52 Physical components 60 Imaging device 62 Light source 64 Mounting table 70 Irradiation device 72 Condenser Lens 74 Photomask 76 Projection Lens

Claims

1. A measuring device for observing formed elements contained in a liquid sample by allowing the formed elements to settle on the bottom surface of a cuvette, comprising: a control cuvette used for measurement accuracy control, the control cuvette having the same shape as the cuvette and an observation surface corresponding to the bottom surface of the cuvette; an observation pattern imitating the shape of the formed component estimated to be contained in the liquid sample is applied to the observation surface; Control cuvette.

2. The observation pattern mimics the shape of the formed element estimated to be contained in urine or blood.

2. The control cuvette of claim 1.

3. the observation pattern is applied to the observation surface at a density corresponding to the density at which the formed components estimated to be contained in the liquid sample are observed; 3. The control cuvette according to claim 1 or 2.

Images