Progress displaying apparatus and computer readable program

Abstract

The progress display device (1) is used to display the progress of processing of a collection of cells used for specimen analysis, and includes: a display unit (11); and a display control unit (12) for controlling the display on the display unit (11). The display control unit (12) causes the display unit (11) to display: a progress overview, which displays the progress related to at least one specimen in relation to each specimen; and a resolution field overview, which displays the progress of processing related to at least one resolution field set for each specimen in relation to each resolution field. The display control unit (12) updates the progress overview or the resolution field overview based on monitoring or input of information generated in relation to the processing.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a treatment of a collection of cells used in medical research and / or diagnostic procedures. [Reference to the relevant application] This application claims the benefit of priority to Japanese Patent Application JP2024-153810, filed on September 6, 2024, and the entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application JP2024-153810 is incorporated herein by reference. [Previous Technology]

[0002] In the past, medical and biological research has focused on elucidating disease mechanisms, biological mechanisms, and drug action mechanisms by analyzing single-cell units of biologically derived specimens such as tissue and / or cell specimens. This paper proposes a method for multiplex immunostaining analysis, which involves using machine learning and image processing to quantitatively analyze the presentation of biological substances in digital images of pathological tissue specimens.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-37567 discloses a technique that, when sequentially staining a specimen multiple times and determining the regions of cells, can identify individual cells even in cases of high cell density. On the other hand, International Patent Publication No. 2021 / 039889 discloses a technique that sets up preparation folders, diagnosis folders, additional staining-dependent folders, and processed folders in a WSI (Whole Slide Image) management system, and improves the collaboration between the LIS (Laboratory Information System) and the WSI management system.

[0004] However, specimen analysis involves various steps. For example, this is also done in multiplex immunostaining analysis: it is not the overall image of the specimen that is analyzed, but rather medically significant areas (hereinafter referred to as "analysis fields") are selected and analyzed. In this case, steps such as setting the analysis field, cell identification, analysis, and summarization are performed. Here, if the set locations and / or set values ​​(e.g., parameters for cell identification and / or threshold values ​​for analysis) are changed in each step, it becomes necessary to perform subsequent steps related to these actions again.

[0005] However, due to the differences in the units of input and output in each process, the work units in each process are different; furthermore, since there are processes that include manual operations, it is not easy to grasp the detailed work progress, including re-implementation. In particular, when multiple people perform each process, it becomes easy to cause work omissions. [Summary of the Invention]

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to achieve a progress display that allows for easy monitoring of the progress of specimen analysis.

[0007] Embodiment 1 of the present invention is a progress display device for displaying the progress of processing a collection of cells used for specimen analysis, and includes: a display unit; and a display control unit for controlling the display on the display unit; the display control unit causes the display unit to display: a progress overview, which displays the progress related to at least one specimen in relation to each specimen; and a resolution field overview, which displays the progress of processing related to at least one resolution field set in each of the specimens in relation to each resolution field; the display control unit updates the progress overview or the resolution field overview based on monitoring of information generated in relation to the processing or input of the information.

[0008] According to the present invention, a progress display is realized that allows for easy monitoring of the progress of specimen analysis.

[0009] The second state of the present invention is the progress display device as described in the first state, wherein the aforementioned analytical view includes a plurality of parts that have been processed at the aforementioned stage.

[0010] The present invention, version 3, is a progress display device as described in version 1 (or version 1 or version 2), wherein in the aforementioned specimens, in the case where the completion time of each step included in the aforementioned process is later than the completion time of the subsequent step, the aforementioned display control unit assigns a display to attract attention to the items used to display the aforementioned subsequent steps in the aforementioned progress overview or the aforementioned analytical view overview.

[0011] The present invention, version 4, is a progress display device as described in version 1 (or any one of versions 1 to 3), wherein at least one recipe is configured to display the analysis conditions respectively; in the case where a plurality of recipes are configured, the aforementioned analysis view is configured for each of the plurality of recipes.

[0012] The present invention, version 5, is a progress display device as described in version 4, wherein the aforementioned display control unit causes the aforementioned display unit to display a prescription overview, and the aforementioned prescription overview displays the progress of the processing related to the aforementioned at least one prescription.

[0013] Version 6 of the present invention is a progress display device as described in Version 5, wherein the aforementioned prescription overview includes the preparation time related to each of the aforementioned at least one prescription; in the case where the preparation time of the aforementioned prescription is updated by a change of a prescription, the aforementioned display control unit assigns an attention-grabbing display to the items of the process depending on the aforementioned prescription in the aforementioned progress overview or the aforementioned resolution view overview for displaying the processes included in the aforementioned process.

[0014] The present invention, version 7, is a progress display device as described in version 1 (or any one of versions 1 to 6), further comprising: an operation unit that receives input from an operator; in the case where the operator specifies an item for displaying a process related to the operator's work in the progress overview via the operation unit, the display control unit causes the display unit to display a work screen related to the item.

[0015] The present invention, version 8, is a progress display device as described in version 1 (or any one of versions 1 to 7), further comprising: an operation unit that receives input from an operator; in the case where the operator specifies the display of a summary condition setting screen for setting summary conditions for the analysis results via the operation unit, the display control unit causes the display unit to display the summary condition setting screen; the setting of the summary conditions includes a specification for dividing a plurality of specimens belonging to the at least one specimen or a plurality of analytical fields contained in the at least one specimen into a plurality of groups, the plurality of groups being used to compare the results of the analysis of the specimens.

[0016] The present invention, sample 9, is a progress display device as described in sample 1 (or any one of samples 1 to 7), wherein a plurality of samples belonging to the aforementioned at least one sample or a plurality of analytical fields contained in the aforementioned at least one sample are divided into a plurality of groups, which are used to compare the results of the aforementioned sample analysis.

[0017] The sample 10 of the present invention is a progress display device as recorded in any of the samples 1 to 9, wherein the aforementioned samples are pathological tissue samples.

[0018] Embodiment 11 of the present invention is a computer-readable program used to display on a computer the progress of processing of a collection of cells used for specimen analysis. The program is executed by the computer, thereby causing the computer to perform: step a, displaying a progress overview on the display, the progress overview being displayed in association with each specimen; step b, displaying a resolution field overview on the display, the resolution field overview being displayed in association with the progress of processing set in at least one resolution field of each specimen; and step c, updating the progress overview or the resolution field overview based on monitoring of information generated by operations related to the aforementioned processing or input of the aforementioned information.

[0019] The above-mentioned objects, as well as other objects, features, features, and advantages, will become clearer from the accompanying drawings and from the following detailed description of the invention.

Implementation Method

[0021] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a computer 5 that functions as a progress display device in one embodiment of the present invention. The progress display device is a device for displaying the progress of processing a set of cells used for specimen analysis; the progress display device is, for example, utilized in the field of image cytometry. In this embodiment, although the progress display device is configured to display the progress of multiplex immunostaining analysis, its application is not limited to this type of specimen analysis. The progress display device can easily monitor the progress even when displaying a list of steps involved in the processing applicable to specimen analysis and analyzing numerous analytical fields of numerous specimens in a study.

[0022] The computer 5 series has the general structure of a computer system, which includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 52, ROM (Read Only Memory) 53, RAM (Random Access Memory) 54, a hard disk 55, a display 56, an input unit 57, a reading device 58, a communication unit 59, and a bus 50. The CPU 51 performs various arithmetic operations. The GPU 52 performs various arithmetic operations related to image processing at high speed. The ROM 53 stores the basic program. The RAM 54 stores various information. The hard disk 55 stores information. The display 56 displays various information such as images.

[0023] The input unit 57 includes a keyboard 57a and a mouse 57b for receiving input from the operator. The reading device 58 reads information from a computer-readable recording medium 9 such as an optical disc, magnetic disk, optical disc drive, or memory card. The display 56, keyboard 57a, mouse 57b, and reading device 58 are connected to the bus 50 via an interface I / F. The communication unit 59 sends and receives signals between the computer 5 and external devices.

[0024] Bus 50 is a signal circuit used to connect CPU 51, GPU 52, ROM 53, RAM 54, hard disk 55, display 56, input unit 57, reading device 58 and communication unit 59.

[0025] In the computer 5, the program 91 is read from the recording medium 9 in advance via the reading device 58 and stored in the hard disk 55. The program 91 can also be stored in the hard disk 55 via a network. The CPU 51 and GPU 52 perform calculations using the RAM 54 and the hard disk 55, based on the program 91 that the computer can read. The CPU 91 and GPU 52 function as the computing unit in the progress display device. In addition to the CPU 51 and GPU 52, other configurations that function as computing units may also be used.

[0026] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the progress display device 1 implemented by the computer 5 described above performing calculations and processing according to program 91. All or part of each functional configuration can also be implemented by dedicated electrical circuits. Furthermore, these functional configurations can be implemented by multiple computers. Program 91 can also be a program used by the computer 5 to display the progress of processing the set of cells used for specimen analysis on the display unit 11.

[0027] In the functional configuration shown in FIG2, the display unit 11 mainly displays the functions of the display 56 of FIG1 and displays information for the operator. The display control unit 12 is implemented by the CPU 51, GPU 52, ROM 53, RAM 54, hard disk 55 and these peripheral components, and mainly controls the display of the display unit 11. The display control unit 12 may also include other functions. Although the functions of the display control unit 12 are shown in FIG2 as the procedures and / or functional configurations performed by the display control unit 12, detailed descriptions will be provided later. The operation unit 13 receives input from the operator and mainly performs the functions implemented by the input unit 57 of FIG1.

[0028] The work devices 81 and 82 shown in Figure 2 illustrate the functions of performing and analyzing processing-related procedures. Work devices 81 and 82 can also be set up as independent devices from the progress display device 1, or they can be functions implemented by the computer 5 belonging to the progress display device 1 through dedicated programs executed by the CPU 51 and GPU 52. Although two work devices 81 and 82 are illustrated in Figure 2, the number of work devices can be one or more. That is, the number of work devices can be one or more.

[0029] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the process of multiplex immunostaining analysis (processing), and shows that instead of analyzing the whole image of the specimen, medically significant areas are selected and analyzed as the analytical field of view.

[0030] First, the specimen data obtained by the external imaging device is input to the progress display device 1 via the communication unit 59, and is logged to the progress display device 1 by the operator (step S11). In this embodiment, the specimen data is image data of pathological tissue specimens, but includes ordinary color image data of the same specimen and / or multiple types of stained image data (multiple types of stained image data obtained by repeated staining and destaining). Hereinafter, one or more images displayed corresponding to the image data of a specimen will be referred to as a "specimen image group".

[0031] Next, a specimen image included in the specimen image group is displayed on the display unit 11. The operator selects at least one region (resolution field of view) of interest from the specimen image and obtains an image of that at least one region (hereinafter referred to as "resolution field of view image") (step S12). Furthermore, the operation of obtaining a resolution field of view image is precisely equivalent to the operation of obtaining resolution field of view images of the same location for each specimen image in the specimen image group; however, it is also an operation of setting a resolution field of view as the resolution field of view. The specimen image is an image that is relatively larger than the resolution field of view.

[0032] Next, the display control unit 12, following the operator's operation, uses the CPU 51 and GPU 52 to extract cell regions from at least one analytical field image (hereinafter referred to as "analytical field image group") of each analytical field in the specimen image group, thereby obtaining a cell region image (more precisely, at least one cell region image, hereinafter referred to as "cell region image group") displaying the cell region (step S13). Furthermore, the display control unit 12, following the operator's instructions, obtains the analysis result based on the numerical information such as the number of positive cells in each analytical field under predetermined conditions in the cell region image group (step S14). For example, if the characteristic value obtained by quantifying the staining status of each immunostaining unit at the single-cell unit is above a set threshold value, it is determined that the immunostaining of the cell relative to that cell is positive, and the number of subdivided cells is measured by combining the determination of multiple stainings.

[0033] The analysis results obtained from the analysis field image group and / or cell region image group are summarized by the display control unit 12 according to the operator's instructions. The units that meet the research content (specimen units, all specimen units involved in a study, group units specified based on the degree of disease, etc.) are further combined with the image data to summarize the results of a case into a folder (step S15).

[0034] Here, due to the differences in input and output units in each process described above, the unit for efficient operation in each process is different. Specifically, in step S12, data in specimen units is input and output as data in analytical field of view units. In steps S13 and S14, data is input in analytical field of view units and output in analytical field of view units. In step S15, data in analytical field of view units is input and data in arbitrarily specified units is output.

[0035] Furthermore, even from the perspective of automatic processing and manual operation, the analysis processing in step S13 is performed automatically; in contrast, in step S12, it is necessary to manually set appropriate threshold values ​​according to the research objectives. Thus, the action units that can be performed efficiently according to the process, regardless of whether manual operation is involved, are different. Such action units are, for example, case units, specimen units, field of view units, etc. As will be described later, the progress display device 1 displays a list at various granularities, i.e., the level of detail of the information, thereby making it easy to grasp the progress status and achieve a display that improves work efficiency.

[0036] Furthermore, when conditions change, such as changes in threshold values, occur at each stage, subsequent procedures need to be repeated. However, when analyzing a large number of analytical views, the operator's grasp of the entire progress is limited. In cases where multiple personnel are working, it is difficult to share progress, which can easily lead to oversights. For example, there are many cases where multiple specimens are used as objects in a single case, and multiple analytical views are used as objects from a single specimen, resulting in the analysis of dozens to hundreds of analytical views in total.

[0037] In this situation, when changes to threshold values ​​or other procedures are made after the summary in step S15, the numerical information obtained from each analytical field is output again (hereinafter also referred to as "export"), followed by summarization and collection of results. Therefore, it is necessary to export all analytical fields and perform subsequent operations in the latest state, or to perform operations while checking a large amount of information. As will be described later, in the progress display device 1, even in such re-operation, colors are added to areas that should attract the operator's attention and / or issue warnings, thereby reducing operational omissions and errors.

[0038] Figure 4 is an example of a progress overview 31 displayed on the display unit 11 by the progress overview display process 21 performed by the display control unit 12 (refer to Figure 2). The progress overview 31 displays the progress related to at least one specimen in association with each specimen of the at least one specimen. In this embodiment, each specimen is a pathological tissue specimen.

[0039] The progress overview 31 in Figure 4 shows a case containing five specimens, and is used to track the progress of each specimen. The column for "Specimen Name" displays "Specimen A", "Specimen B", "Specimen C", "Specimen a", and "Specimen b". The "Group" column shows "Group 1" and "Group 2" as follows: "Specimen A", "Specimen B", and "Specimen C" belong to "Group 1", and "Specimen a" and "Specimen b" belong to "Group 2".

[0040] When clusters are used to summarize analytical results, the following provides a specific example of a cluster. As an example of summarization in medical research, consider the following scenario (Scenario 1): In twenty specimens taken from twenty patients with the same disease, ten analytical fields are set up for each specimen and analyzed. Furthermore, in order to reduce the deviation of analytical results caused by the setting of analytical fields within each specimen, multiple analytical fields are usually set up for a single specimen.

[0041] In hypothetical case one, in order to grasp the characteristics of the disease, the types and quantities of cells visible in patients with the disease under investigation are analyzed, and all analytical fields of all specimens (two hundred analytical fields obtained by multiplying twenty specimens by ten analytical fields) are summarized. Alternatively, comparisons are made between patients with the same disease (between specimens) to classify the disease. In this case, the data is summarized in units of ten analytical fields per specimen, and comparisons are made between specimens that are grouped within each specimen.

[0042] Furthermore, as another example, ten specimens were taken from patients with the same disease before treatment and ten specimens were taken from patients after treatment. Each specimen was analyzed in groups of ten analytical fields (Scenario 2). Each group of ten specimens was then grouped together. That is, one hundred analytical fields (resulting from ten specimens multiplied by ten analytical fields) were grouped together as the pre-treatment specimens, and one hundred analytical fields (resulting from ten specimens multiplied by ten analytical fields) were grouped together as the post-treatment specimens. Then, the results were summarized by specimen group, and the analytical results were compared between groups to investigate the cells that affected the treatment.

[0043] Furthermore, as another example, specimens were taken from twenty patients with the same disease. Tumor sites were defined and analyzed in groups of five analytical fields from each specimen, and normal sites were defined and analyzed in groups of five analytical fields from each specimen (Scenario 3). That is, one hundred analytical fields (derived from twenty specimens multiplied by five analytical fields) were analyzed as a group of tumor sites, and one hundred analytical fields (derived from twenty specimens multiplied by five analytical fields) were analyzed as a group of normal sites. Then, the analytical results were summarized by site unit (i.e., group unit). In order to develop anticancer agents that efficiently attack only tumor cells, it was attempted to understand the characteristics of tumor sites that were not present in normal sites.

[0044] As explained above, the grouping of specimens or analytical fields of view is used when summarizing the analytical results in step S15 of FIG3. Furthermore, although grouping is performed on a specimen unit in FIG4, the matter of grouping on an analytical field of view unit will be described later (see FIG11).

[0045] The "Analysis Field Setting", "Cell Identification", and "Analysis" in Figure 4 show the steps involved in the specimen analysis process. Furthermore, the "Completed", "In Progress", and "New" columns for each specimen indicate the progress of each step. In the following description, the view showing "Completed", "In Progress", "New", and subsequent "R01", "R02", etc. (see Figure 5) will be referred to as a "cell".

[0046] "Completed" indicates that the corresponding process has been completed without problems. A dashed parallel line is added in Figure 4 to indicate "Completed" units as green. In specimen A, all processes are "Completed". "In Progress" indicates that the corresponding process has started but not yet completed. A dashed parallel line is added in Figure 4 to indicate "In Progress" units as yellow. Yellow is used to draw the operator's attention. In specimens B, C, and a, "Analysis Field Setting" and "Cell Identification" are "Completed", and "Analysis" is "In Progress". "New" indicates that the corresponding process has not yet started. No parallel line is added in Figure 4 to indicate "New" units as white. In specimen b, "Analysis Field Setting" is "In Progress", and "Cell Identification" and "Analysis" are "New".

[0047] Figure 5 is an example of a resolution field of view 32 displayed on the display unit 11 by the resolution field of view display process 22 performed by the display control unit 12 (refer to Figure 2). The resolution field of view 32 establishes a relationship between the progress of the processing related to at least one resolution field of view set for each specimen and each resolution field of view. The resolution field of view allows for a clear and easy overview of the number of resolution fields set and the progress of the operation for each resolution field of view, which is part of the specimen to be analyzed.

[0048] The example in Figure 5 shows the parsing view overview 32, which includes the tab for "parsing preparation process" and the tab for "parsing process". Figure 5 shows the state of the "parsing preparation process" tab selected and a partial overview of the parsing view overview 32.

[0049] The "Analysis Fields" field displays the identification numbers of the analysis fields set for each specimen. Five analysis fields (identification numbers) "R01" to "R05" are set in "Specimen A", three analysis fields (identification numbers) "R01" to "R03" are set in "Specimen B", four analysis fields (identification numbers) "R01" to "R04" are set in "Specimen C", three analysis fields (identification numbers) "R01" to "R03" are set in "Specimen a", and four analysis fields (identification numbers) "R01" to "R04" are set in "Specimen b".

[0050] In "Specimen A", "Specimen B", "Specimen C", and "Specimen a", except for "R02" in "Specimen C", the cells in each resolution field are green to indicate that the "resolution preparation process" has been completed. The completion of the "resolution preparation process" means that cell identification has been performed. In Figure 5, dashed parallel diagonal lines are attached to indicate that the cells in which the "resolution preparation process" has been completed are green. "R02" in "Specimen C" is grayed out to indicate that it belongs to the non-resolution object. For "Specimen b", "R01" to "R04" in the resolution field indicate that the "resolution preparation process" has not yet started, that is, cell identification has not yet been performed, and these cells are white because no parallel diagonal lines are attached.

[0051] Figure 6 shows the state of the "Analysis Process" selected in the Analysis View Overview 32 and a partial overview of the Analysis View Overview 32. In "R01" to "R05" for "Specimen A", "R01" and "R02" for "Specimen B", "R01" for "Specimen C", and "R01" and "R03" for "Specimen a", the cells for each analysis view are green to indicate that the "Analysis Process" has been completed. In Figure 6, the cells that indicate the completion of the "Analysis Process" are green by adding a dashed parallel diagonal line. The completion of the "Analysis Process" means that the prescription that belongs to the analysis conditions described later has been prepared and the analysis according to the prescription has been performed. "R02" for "Specimen C" is grayed out because it belongs to a non-analysis object by adding a dashed parallel diagonal line to the corresponding cell. Such non-analyzable objects are, for example, those removed from the analysis after the analysis field of view has been set due to specimen damage and / or non-specific staining.

[0052] The cells marked "R03" of "Specimen B", "R03" and "R04" of "Specimen C", "R02" of "Specimen a", and "R01" to "R04" of "Specimen b" are all white because the "analysis process" has not been started. The absence of parallel diagonal lines indicates that the "analysis process" has not been started.

[0053] By displaying the "Analysis Preparation Process" in the analysis field overview 32, it is easy to confirm the number of analysis fields set for each specimen and whether there are any omissions in the cell identification process. By displaying the "Analysis Process", it is easy to confirm whether there are any omissions in the application of the prescription, that is, it is easy to confirm whether there are any analysis omissions.

[0054] Next, the linkage between the progress view 31 and the resolution view 32 controlled by the display control unit 12 will be explained. In the basic operation of the linkage, when the operator uses a mouse or the like to select the unit where the column column of the specimen in the progress view 31 intersects with the row column of the process, the work screen of the specimen described above and the process described above is displayed on the display unit 11. When the work screen is closed after the work is completed, the display status of the progress view 31 or the resolution view 32 is updated. Furthermore, "updating the display status of the progress view 31 or the resolution view 32" includes the case of "updating the display status of both the progress view 31 and the resolution view 32".

[0055] For example, when the operator selects cell 301 of "Specimen b" in FIG4 with the "Resolution Field Setting" setting as "New" (or "In Operation"), the resolution field setting screen 33 illustrated in FIG7 is displayed. Immediately after "New" is displayed, only an organized image 331 is displayed on the resolution field setting screen 33. The operator uses the mouse to specify the range of resolution R01 to R04, thereby setting the resolution field of specimen b. In the resolution field setting screen 33, the operator can add, delete, and move any resolution field (displayed as a square in FIG7).

[0056] When the resolution field setting is completed and the resolution field setting screen 33 is closed, the display control unit 12 generates a data file for displaying the resolution field and displays the content of the resolution preparation process column in the resolution field overview 32, and displays resolution fields R01 to R04 in the column of specimen b. Furthermore, when the progress overview 31 is displayed, "Completed" is displayed in unit 301. When the resolution field overview 32 is displayed during the resolution field setting process, only the resolution fields that have been set are displayed; when the progress overview 31 is displayed, "In Progress" is displayed in unit 301. This is also true even if the resolution field setting is interrupted during the process.

[0057] The setting of the resolution view can be a function executed by the CPU 51 and / or GPU 52 of the progress display device 1, or it can be a function implemented by a computer independent of the progress display device 1 in cooperation with the progress display device 1. These functions are equivalent to the operating device 81 and / or operating device 82 shown in FIG. 2, hereinafter referred to as "operating device". The display control unit 12 monitors the information generated by the operating device (equivalent to the generation information 821 in FIG. 2, which is information used to display the number, position, size, etc. of the resolution view), and updates the progress view 31 or the resolution view view 32 based on whether the generation information is generated and / or the status of the generation information. The display control unit 12 can also update the progress view 31 or the resolution view view 32 based on the input of information from the operating device. The updating of the progress view 31 or the resolution view view 32 is performed by the display control unit 12 of FIG. 2 executing the update process 24. Furthermore, the term "input of information from the operating device" includes not only the input of generated information from the operating device, but also the input of information used to display matters that have been generated.

[0058] As a next example, when the operator selects cell 302 of "Cell Identification" in "Specimen a" of Figure 4 as "New" (or "In Operation"), the cell identification screen 34 illustrated in Figure 8 is displayed. Although the default resolution field is selected immediately after display, Figure 8 shows the case where the operator selects resolution field R03 from list 345. The image 341 on the left side of the cell identification screen 34 is the image of the resolution field R03 of the identified object, and the image 342 on the right side of the cell identification screen 34 is the image after cell identification. Furthermore, although image 341 can actually be selected from multiple staining images that correspond to each staining, this is omitted from the explanation.

[0059] The operator adjusts the threshold value of binarization and / or the value of edge extraction parameters during cell identification by clicking the cell identification button 343 repeatedly to perform cell identification, or clicks the result confirmation button 344 to display the overlay image (illustration omitted) obtained by superimposing the identified image (image 342) onto the original image (image 341), and confirms the values ​​of various parameters.

[0060] When the operation is completed and the operator closes the cell identification screen 34, a data file for displaying the cell identification results is generated under the control of the display control unit 12, and the content of the analysis preparation process column with the analysis field overview 32 is displayed. The cell of the analysis field R03 of specimen a is displayed in green to indicate that the operation is completed. In addition, when the progress overview 31 is displayed, if cell identification for all analysis fields of specimen a is completed, "Completed" is displayed in cell 302; if cell identification for only a part of the analysis fields of specimen a is completed, "In Progress" is displayed in cell 302.

[0061] The cell recognition process can be a function executed by the CPU 51 and / or GPU 52 of the progress display device 1, or it can be a function implemented by a computer independent of the progress display device 1 in cooperation with the progress display device 1. These functions are equivalent to the operating device 81 and / or operating device 82 shown in FIG. 2. The display control unit 12 monitors the information generated by the operating device (equivalent to the generated information 821 in FIG. 2, which is the information of the detailed recognition image here), and updates the progress view 31 or the resolution view 32 based on whether the generated information is present and / or the state of the generated information. The display control unit 12 can also update the progress view 31 or the resolution view 32 based on the input of information from the operating device. The updating of the progress view 31 or the resolution view 32 is performed by the display control unit 12 of FIG. 2 executing the update process 24.

[0062] As a next example, when the operator selects the cell with the mouse or other means in the state where the resolution field R03 of the "resolution" cell of "Specimen a" in Figure 4 is "new" (or "in operation"), the resolution screen 35 illustrated in Figure 9 is displayed. Although the default resolution field is selected immediately after display, Figure 9 shows the case where the resolution field R03 is selected from list 352 by the operator's operation. The resolution is automatically performed according to the preset "prescription" belonging to the resolution conditions or the "prescription" belonging to the resolution conditions set in the resolution screen 35. In the case where multiple prescriptions are set, the resolution field and prescription are selected, thereby automatically performing the resolution. The resolution result is displayed in the center of the resolution screen 35, and the image 351 on the right is an image that displays the resolution result superimposed on the image of the resolution field.

[0063] The row column for "Stain Name" on the resolution screen 35 displays images of "Stain 1", "Stain 2", "Stain 3", and "Stain 4" as the resolution field of view. That is, the images of "Stain 1", "Stain 2", "Stain 3", and "Stain 4" in the resolution field of view constitute a group of resolution field of view images. "Positive Criterion Threshold Value" is the threshold value used to determine the staining positivity in each of the staining images, and it is a set value included in the prescription. "Number of Positive Cells" is the number of cells that are determined to be positive from each staining image.

[0064] The "Combination" section of the analysis screen displays the analysis results for combinations of positive and negative stains from multiple stains. The stain combination is set to subdivide cell types. The "Stain 1+ / Stain 2+" field indicates whether stain 1 is positive or stain 2 is positive, and the "Number of Matching Cells" field displays the number of matching cells. In addition, the "Color" field displays the color of the matching cells in the image 351 on the right, and in Figure 9, parallel diagonal lines indicate that they are stained red.

[0065] The "Stain I+ / Stain II-" field indicates a case where Stain I is positive and Stain II is negative. The "Number of Matching Cells" field displays the number of matching cells. The "Color" field shows the color of the matching cells in image 351 on the right; in Figure 9, parallel diagonal lines indicate a blue stain. The "Stain I- / Stain II+" field indicates a case where Stain I is negative and Stain II is positive. The "Number of Matching Cells" field displays the number of matching cells. The "Color" field shows the color of the matching cells in image 351 on the right; in Figure 9, parallel diagonal lines indicate a green stain. The "Combination" condition is also set by the prescription.

[0066] When the analysis related to a specific prescription for a specific analytical field of view is completed and the operator closes the analysis screen 35, a data file for displaying the analysis results is generated under the control of the display control unit 12, and the content of the analysis process column with the analytical field of view overview 32 is displayed. In the example of Figure 9, the cell of analytical field of view R03 of specimen a in Figure 8 is displayed in green, and green indicates that the operation is completed. In addition, Figure 9 is the screen after starting from the screen of "Prescription 2" (refer to element symbol 323) in Figure 6; "Prescription 2" is selected as the prescription in Figure 9. In addition, when the progress overview 31 is displayed, if the analysis related to the prescriptions used for all analytical fields of specimen a (the prescriptions selected in the analytical field of view overview 32) is completed, "Completed" is displayed in cell 303; if the analysis for only a part of the analytical fields is completed, "In Operation" is displayed in cell 303.

[0067] Furthermore, the analytical conditions included in the prescription can also be preset by the operator via the prescription setting screen; in the case where the setting value (limit value and / or color combination, etc.) is made or modified on the analytical screen 35, a new prescription is automatically generated. In the latter case, the analysis related to the new prescription is automatically performed simultaneously with the prescription setting.

[0068] The parsing process can be a function executed by the CPU 51 and / or GPU 52 of the progress display device 1, or it can be a function implemented by a computer independent of the progress display device 1 in cooperation with the progress display device 1. These functions are equivalent to the operating device 81 and / or operating device 82 shown in FIG. 2. The display control unit 12 monitors the information generated by the operating device (equivalent to the generated information 821 in FIG. 2, which is the parsing result here), and updates the progress view 31 or the parsing view 32 based on whether the generated information exists and / or the state of the generated information. The display control unit 12 can also update the progress view 31 or the parsing view 32 based on the input of information from the operating device. The updating of the progress view 31 or the parsing view 32 is performed by the display control unit 12 of FIG. 2 executing the update process 24.

[0069] Although the progress overview 31 and the analysis view overview 32 described above use text and / or color to represent the completion of each step included in the analysis process, the completion time can also be recorded in these displays.

[0070] As explained above, in the progress display device 1, when the operator specifies an item (in the example described above) related to the operator's work in the progress overview 31 via the operation unit 13, the display control unit 12 causes the display unit 11 to display a work screen related to that item. This allows for precise execution of work while referring to the progress display device 1. The "item related to the work" is not limited to a unit; items can be displayed separately, or a work screen can be selected from an item in the work-related menu.

[0071] In the above description, although the progress display device 1 is provided as an interface for the operator to perform work in the work device, the work performed by the operator in the work device can also be independent of the progress display device 1.

[0072] Figure 10 is an example of a prescription list 36 displayed on the display unit 11 by the display control unit 12 performing the prescription list display process 23 (refer to Figure 2). The prescription list 36 displays the progress of each prescription related to at least one prescription.

[0073] In the example shown in Figure 10, there are three prescriptions with "Prescription Name" as "Prescription 1", "Prescription 2", and "Prescription 3". The "Prescription Creation Date and Time" column displays the date and time when each prescription was created. The date and time of "created" prescriptions include the date and time of "modified" prescriptions, that is, the date and time of "updated" prescriptions. The export date and time is the time when the analysis of all analytical perspectives of the case is performed according to the prescriptions of attention, and the results of all analytical perspectives are output. In addition, the export of analytical results is performed in the following manner: for each analytical perspective, the analytical perspective is selected and the export button 321 in Figure 6 is clicked.

[0074] The "Result Summary Date and Time" field in Figure 10 indicates the time when the following process ends: Clicking the Result Summary button 322 in Figure 6 summarizes the exported analysis results according to the preset conditions. The prescription menu 323 in Figure 6 is a drop-down menu, which allows selection of "Prescription 1", "Prescription 2" or "Prescription 3". When a prescription is selected, the progress related to that prescription is displayed in the analysis view. Thus, at least one prescription for displaying analysis conditions can be set in the progress display device 1 via the operating device; in the case of multiple prescriptions, an analysis view 32 (more precisely, an analysis view related to analysis) is created for each of the multiple prescriptions.

[0075] In the prescription overview 36 of Figure 10, each cell is colored to indicate progress. That is, the display control unit 12 executes the prescription overview display process 23 of Figure 2, thereby causing the display unit 11 to display the prescription overview 36, which displays the progress of processing related to at least one prescription. Different parallel diagonal lines are added in Figure 10 to represent different colors. In the example of Figure 10, the cell for "Prescription Creation Date and Time" of "Prescription 1" is green, the cell for "Export Date and Time" is red, and the cell for "Result Summary Date and Time" is red. The cell for "Prescription 2" for "Prescription Creation Date and Time" is yellow, the cell for "Export Date and Time" is yellow, and the cell for "Result Summary Date and Time" is white (blank). The cell for "Prescription 3" for "Prescription Creation Date and Time" is green, the cell for "Export Date and Time" is green, and the cell for "Result Summary Date and Time" is green.

[0076] When the cell in the "Prescription Date and Time" row is green, it indicates that the corresponding prescription has been set and analyzed for all views. When the cell in the "Prescription Date and Time" row is yellow, it indicates that the analysis of the corresponding prescription has not been completed in a part of the analysis view.

[0077] A green cell in the "Export Date and Time" row indicates that the analysis results have been exported for all views after the corresponding prescription was created (or modified). A yellow cell in the "Export Date and Time" row indicates that the analysis results have not been exported for a portion of the analysis views. A red cell in the "Export Date and Time" row indicates that the analysis results need to be exported again.

[0078] A green cell in the "Results Summary Date and Time" row indicates that the summary of the analysis results related to the corresponding prescription has been completed. A red cell in the "Results Summary Date and Time" row indicates that the summary needs to be performed again.

[0079] When the progress of the prescription overview 36 for each prescription description figure 10 is displayed, in "Prescription 1", matters requiring prescription changes and subsequent export after the summary of analysis results are shown in red. In "Prescription 2", matters not yet completed in a portion of the nineteen analysis fields of the five specimens are shown in yellow. In "Prescription 3", matters requiring the summary of results in all analysis fields are shown in green.

[0080] As explained above, the completion time of the task can be displayed even in the progress overview 31 and the analysis view overview 32 (illustrations omitted in Figures 4 to 6). The completion time is displayed in the progress overview 31, the analysis view overview 32 and the prescription overview 36, so that the operator can also obtain information such as the order in which the tasks were performed and what the most recent task was. Furthermore, the progress display device 1 displays the task sequence and task content in a way that makes it easy for the operator to recall them.

[0081] In the progress display device 1, a red display is used to indicate a warning and draw attention, thereby preventing oversights from requiring rework. The following describes the actions performed by the display control unit 12 to prompt rework.

[0082] In cases where additional analytical fields of view are added, the process following cell identification is repeated. The addition of analytical fields of view is performed, for example, in cases where the number of analytical fields of view is increased; or where, although analysis of the tumor site is performed, analysis of the normal site is also performed additionally.

[0083] The addition of analytical fields of view is performed in the analytical field of view setting screen 33 of Figure 7. Here, the file generated by setting the analytical field of view (equivalent to generation information 821 in Figure 2) becomes newer than the update date and time of the file generated after cell identification. When the operator closes the analytical field of view setting screen, the display control unit 12 compares the update dates and times of the generated files for each process and updates the progress overview 31 and other displays. In the progress overview 31, the column corresponding to "Analysis Field of View Setting" becomes "Completed," while the columns for "Cell Identification" and "Analysis" become "Requires Re-operation" and turn red. The analytical fields of view added to this specimen are additionally displayed in the analytical field of view overview 32.

[0084] In cases where additional staining types are added, the process after setting the analytical field of view is repeated. Adding staining types is, for example, performed in the following situations: after analysis with ten stains, the same specimen is stained with different antibodies, resulting in an analysis with eleven stains. Furthermore, it is also performed when staining is repeated and the same specimen is replaced. For example, in cases of poor staining, such as unclear staining of positive cells, staining is repeated and a different specimen is used.

[0085] When adding new staining types, the operator adds new staining images and / or re-staining images to the specimen data and registers them again. This generates a list of specimen data and / or a file with the registration date and time (equivalent to generation information 821 in Figure 2). As a result, the specimen data registration date and time becomes newer than the update date and time of the file generated using the resolution view setting. Furthermore, when the operator closes the specimen data registration screen, the display control unit 12 compares the specimen data registration date and time with the update date and time of the generated files for each process and updates the progress overview 31, etc.

[0086] Specifically, in the progress overview 31, all cell systems for the specimen's "resolution field setting," "cell identification," and "resolution" turn red, prompting the operator to restart the operation. In the resolution field overview 32, all cell systems for the specimen's resolution field corresponding to the "resolution preparation process" and "resolution process" overview turn red, prompting the operator to restart the operation.

[0087] In cases where cell identification is performed again, the subsequent analysis process is restarted. Cell identification is repeated, for example, in situations where some cells are missed and the cell identification parameters are adjusted and the process is repeated.

[0088] When cell identification is performed again, the operator first performs cell identification in the cell identification screen 34 of Figure 8. The file generated by cell identification (equivalent to the generation information 821 in Figure 2) becomes newer than the update date and time of the file generated by analysis. When the operator closes the cell identification operation screen, the display control unit 12 compares the update date and time of the generated files of each process and updates the display status of the progress overview 31, etc. Specifically, the "cell identification" cell of the specimen corresponding to the progress overview 31 becomes "complete," and the "analysis" cell becomes red, prompting the operation to be repeated. In the "analysis preparation process" of the analysis field overview 32, the analysis field of the corresponding specimen becomes green. In the "analysis process" of the analysis field overview 32, the analysis field of the corresponding specimen becomes red, prompting the operation to be repeated.

[0089] As explained above, when the completion time of each step in the analysis and processing of each specimen is later than the completion time of the subsequent step, the display control unit 12 assigns a noticeable item to the item used to display the subsequent step in the progress view 31 or the analysis view view 32. This prevents oversights during rework.

[0090] In cases where the prescription has been changed, the subsequent steps after analysis are repeated. The prescription change is made, for example, in the following situations: readjusting the threshold values ​​for positive and / or negative stains set for each stain (see Figure 9); or adding or editing the combination of stains to further subdivide the types of cells analyzed.

[0091] When making a prescription change, the operator first changes the prescription while referring to an analysis view. As a result, the "Prescription Creation Date and Time" in the prescription overview 36 becomes more recent than the "Export Date and Time" and "Result Summary Date and Time". When the operator closes the prescription change operation screen (for example, the screen shown in Figure 9, but also a dedicated screen for prescription changes), the display control unit 12 compares the update dates and times of the generated files (equivalent to the generation information 821 in Figure 2) related to each analysis view in the analysis process and updates the display status of the progress overview 31, etc.

[0092] Specifically, the "analysis" cell for the specimen corresponding to Progress Overview 31 becomes red. The cells for the analysis field of the specimen corresponding to "analysis preparation process" in Analysis Field Overview 32 remain green, and the cells for the analysis field of the specimen corresponding to "analysis process" in Analysis Field Overview 32 become green. Furthermore, the cells for "prescription creation date and time" of the prescription corresponding to Prescription Overview 36 are updated and become green (or yellow in cases where analysis has not been performed in some analysis fields), while the cells for "export date and time" and "result summary date and time" become red.

[0093] Furthermore, changing the prescription for one analytical field of view is equivalent to changing the prescriptions for all analytical fields of view within the same specimen, and the analysis of other analytical fields can also be performed automatically. Of course, the operator can also manually change the prescriptions for all analytical fields of view of the corresponding specimen.

[0094] As explained above, the prescription overview 36 includes the creation time associated with at least one prescription. In the event that the operator changes a prescription and updates its creation time, the display control unit 12 displays the items in the progress overview 31 or the resolution view overview 32 that are related to the specific steps in the processing steps to draw attention. This prevents oversights caused by prescription changes requiring rework.

[0095] When the operator exports the results of all analytical fields of the specimen, the "export date and time" of the corresponding prescription becomes more recent than the "prescription creation date and time," and the display control unit 12 updates the display status of the prescription list 36. Specifically, the cells corresponding to the "prescription creation date and time" and "export date and time" in the prescription list 36 become green, while the cell for "result summary date and time" remains red. This prompts the operator to re-implement the result summary.

[0096] As explained above, in the progress display device 1, the progress view is displayed with appropriate granularity switching, such as a progress view 31 and / or a resolution view view 32 plus a prescription view 36, and the progress status is distinguished by color. It can also display the work date and time, thus improving the operator's recognition. In this way, the necessary work can be easily grasped.

[0097] Furthermore, the progress overview 31 and the analytical field overview 32 complement each other, thus forming a system for easily monitoring the work status. The progress overview 31 shows the work status of each specimen in a case; the analytical field overview 32 easily displays the number of analytical fields and the work status of each field. This achieves a progress display that allows for easy monitoring of specimen analysis progress. Furthermore, by prompting repeat work, oversights are prevented. Progress sharing also becomes easier.

[0098] The automatic updates of the progress overview 31, the analysis view overview 32 and the prescription overview 36 described above are performed by the display control unit 12 in Figure 2 executing the update process 24.

[0099] Figure 11 is a diagram of the summary condition setting screen 37 displayed on the display unit 11 via the summary condition setting unit 41 of Figure 2. That is, when the operator specifies the display of the summary condition setting screen 37 for setting summary conditions via the operation unit 13, the summary condition setting unit 41 of the display control unit 12 performs the summary condition setting screen display process, causing the display unit 11 to display the summary condition setting screen 37. The summary conditions are as follows: after the analysis results obtained from each analysis view are exported to a predetermined memory space and stored, the conditions for summarizing by the summary unit 42 of Figure 2 are set.

[0100] In Figure 2, although the progress display device 1 has the function of summarizing, the summarizing device can also be implemented by a computer that is independent of the progress display device 1.

[0101] The summary conditions settings include: specifying multiple groups, which is used to compare the results of specimen analysis with multiple specimens or multiple analytical views contained in at least one specimen (in the case where each of the multiple specimens has one analytical view set). In the example of Figure 11, group names are set through "Group Name Setting". In Figure 11, "Group 1" and "Group 2" are set. In addition, "(Append)" is the input field when adding a new group name.

[0102] The "Group Setting Unit" can be specified using the radio button as either "Specimen" or "Resolution Field". When "Specimen" is specified, group distinctions are set at the specimen unit. In this case, the group can be specified below the "Specimen A", "Specimen B", ... cells in the "Specimen Name" row field. When "Resolution Field" is specified, group distinctions are set at the resolution field unit. In this case, the group can be specified below the "R01", "R02", ... cells of each specimen in the "Resolution Field". The example in Figure 11 shows the following situation: the group distinction is specified at the resolution field unit, and "Group 1" or "Group 2" is set below each resolution field.

[0103] In addition, the prescriptions used for summarizing can also be specified in the summarizing conditions; in the example of Figure 11, "Prescription 2" and "Prescription 3" are the summarizing objects in "Summary Prescriptions", while "Prescription 1" is excluded from the summarizing objects. The selection of summary prescriptions can also be omitted.

[0104] The summarization unit 42 of the display control unit 12 (see Figure 2) summarizes the analysis results of all analysis views that become the analysis object according to the summarization conditions. That is, the summarization unit 42 performs a summarization process. In this way, a summary result of a case is obtained.

[0105] The progress display device 1 can also be modified in various ways. For example, in the above description, although the resolution field overview 32 is displayed in a way that distinguishes between "resolution preparation" and "resolution", it can also be displayed as a single overview. Furthermore, the "resolution preparation" process corresponds to specimen registration (setting basic information), resolution field settings, and cell identification, and the "resolution" process corresponds to gating (setting positive threshold values) and / or the resolution processing itself. However, the resolution field overview 32 can also be displayed in a way that differs from this distinction. For a general presentation, the resolution field overview 32 is preferably displayed as an overview of multiple parts corresponding to the stages that have been processed. In this way, the progress of each resolution field can be easily monitored.

[0106] In the progress display device 1, although the unit is marked in red to draw attention to the need for rework, various other methods can also be used to "provide attention-grabbing display" for the process that needs to be reworked. For example, it is also possible to: change the intensity of the unit's color; set the color of the text used to display the process to a color used to draw attention (e.g., red); use flashing for the items used to display the process; or add a pop-up display to the item.

[0107] While multiplex immunostaining analysis was cited as an example in the above description, the progress display device 1 can also be used for other specimen analyses. The specimen does not need to be pathological tissue; it can be a collection of cells other than pathological tissue. For example, a plurality of cells existing in a liquid in a separated state can also be a specimen. Furthermore, organoids, spheroids, etc., can also be used as specimens. The specimen is derived from an organism.

[0108] The forms described above and the components in each variation example can be appropriately combined as long as they do not contradict each other.

[0109] Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, the above description is illustrative only and not limiting. Therefore, various changes and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0020] [Figure 1] is a diagram showing the configuration of a computer that functions as a progress display device. [Figure 2] is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the progress display device. [Figure 3] is a schematic diagram showing the process performed by multiplex immunostaining analysis. [Figure 4] is an example of a progress overview. [Figure 5] is an example of an analysis field of view overview. [Figure 6] is an example of an analysis field of view overview. [Figure 7] is an example of an analysis field of view setting screen. [Figure 8] is an example of a cell identification screen. [Figure 9] is an example of an analysis screen. [Figure 10] is an example of a prescription overview. [Figure 11] is an example of a summary condition setting screen.

Claims

1. A progress display device for displaying the progress of a process applied to a collection of cells used for specimen analysis, comprising: a display unit; and a display control unit for controlling the display on the display unit; the display control unit causing the display unit to display: a progress overview, which displays the progress related to at least one specimen in relation to each specimen; and a resolution field overview, which displays the progress of the process related to at least one resolution field set in each of the specimens in relation to each resolution field; the display control unit updates the progress overview or the resolution field overview based on monitoring of information generated in relation to the process or input of the information; in each of the specimens, where the completion time of each step included in the process is later than the completion time of a subsequent step, the display control unit assigns attention-grabbing displays to items for displaying the subsequent steps in the progress overview or the resolution field overview.

2. A progress display device for displaying the progress of processing on a collection of cells used for specimen analysis, comprising: a display unit; and a display control unit for controlling the display on the display unit; the display control unit causing the display unit to display: a progress overview, which displays the progress related to at least one specimen in relation to each specimen; and a resolution field overview, which displays the progress of processing related to at least one resolution field set on each of the specimens in relation to each resolution field; the display control unit updates the progress overview or the resolution field overview based on monitoring of information generated in relation to the processing or input of the information; capable of setting at least one prescription for displaying resolution conditions respectively; in the case where a plurality of prescriptions are set, the resolution field overview is generated for each of the plurality of prescriptions; the display control unit causing the display unit to display a prescription overview, which displays the progress of processing related to the at least one prescription; the prescription overview includes the generation time related to each of the at least one prescription; In cases where the creation time of the aforementioned prescription is updated due to a change in a prescription, the aforementioned display control unit assigns an attention-grabbing display to the items of the processes that depend on the aforementioned prescription among the processes included in the aforementioned process in the aforementioned progress view or the aforementioned analysis view.

3. A progress display device for displaying the progress of processing a collection of cells used for specimen analysis, comprising: a display unit; a display control unit for controlling the display on the display unit; and an operation unit for receiving input from an operator; the display control unit causes the display unit to display: a progress overview, which displays the progress related to at least one specimen in relation to each specimen; and a resolution view overview, which displays the progress of processing related to at least one resolution view set in each of the specimens in relation to each resolution view; the display control unit updates the progress overview or the resolution view overview based on monitoring of information generated in relation to the processing or input of the aforementioned information; when the operator specifies, via the operation unit, an item related to the operator's work in the progress overview, the display control unit causes the display unit to display a work screen related to the specified item.

4. A progress display device for displaying the progress of processing a collection of cells used for specimen analysis, comprising: a display unit; a display control unit for controlling the display on the display unit; and an operation unit for receiving input from an operator; the display control unit causes the display unit to display: a progress overview, which displays the progress related to at least one specimen in relation to each specimen; and a resolution field overview, which displays the progress of processing related to at least one resolution field set in each of the specimens in relation to each resolution field; the display control unit updates the progress overview or the resolution field overview based on monitoring of information generated in relation to the processing or input of the aforementioned information; in the case where the operator specifies the display of a summary condition setting screen for setting summary conditions for analysis results via the operation unit, the display control unit causes the display unit to display the summary condition setting screen; The aforementioned summary conditions include a designation for dividing a plurality of specimens belonging to the aforementioned at least one specimen or a plurality of analytical fields contained in the aforementioned at least one specimen into a plurality of groups, the plurality of groups being used to compare the results of the aforementioned specimen analysis.

5. The progress display device as described in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the aforementioned analytical view includes a plurality of sections corresponding to the aforementioned processing stage.

6. The progress display device as described in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein a plurality of specimens belonging to the aforementioned at least one specimen or a plurality of analytical fields contained in the aforementioned at least one specimen are divided into a plurality of groups, the plurality of groups being used to compare the results of the analysis of the aforementioned specimens.

7. The progress display device described in any of the requests 1 to 4, wherein the aforementioned specimens are pathological tissue specimens.

8. A computer-readable program for displaying on a display unit the progress of processing of a collection of cells used for specimen analysis, the program being executed by the computer to perform: step a, displaying a progress overview on the display unit, the progress overview displaying progress related to at least one specimen in association with each specimen; step b, displaying a resolution field overview on the display unit, the resolution field overview displaying the progress of processing related to at least one resolution field set in each of the specimens in association with each resolution field; step c, updating the progress overview or the resolution field overview based on monitoring of information generated by operations related to the aforementioned processing or input of the aforementioned information; and step d, in each of the specimens, in cases where the completion time of each step included in the aforementioned processing is later than the completion time of a subsequent step, assigning attention-grabbing displays to items used to display the subsequent steps in the progress overview or the resolution field overview.

9. A computer-readable program for displaying on a display unit the progress of processing of a collection of cells used for specimen analysis, the program being executed by the computer to perform: step a, displaying a progress overview on the display unit, the progress overview displaying progress related to at least one specimen in association with each specimen; step b, displaying a resolution field of view on the display unit, the resolution field of view displaying the progress of processing related to at least one resolution field of view set in each of the specimens in association with each resolution field of view; and step c, updating the progress overview or the resolution field of view based on monitoring of information generated by operations related to the aforementioned processing or input of the aforementioned information; capable of setting at least one prescription for displaying resolution conditions separately; in the case of setting a plurality of prescriptions, in step b, the resolution field of view is created for each of the plurality of prescriptions; the program being executed by the computer to perform: Step d involves displaying a prescription overview on the aforementioned display unit, which shows the progress of processing related to the aforementioned at least one prescription; and step e involves, in cases where the prescription overview includes the creation time related to each of the aforementioned at least one prescription and the creation time of the aforementioned prescription has been updated by a change of a prescription, displaying in the aforementioned progress overview or the aforementioned analysis view items that depend on the aforementioned prescription in the processes included in the aforementioned processing in an attention-grabbing manner.

10. A computer-readable program for displaying on a display unit the progress of processing of a collection of cells used for specimen analysis, the program being executed by the computer to perform: step a, displaying a progress overview on the display unit, the progress overview displaying progress related to at least one specimen in association with each specimen; step b, displaying a resolution field overview on the display unit, the resolution field overview displaying the progress of processing related to at least one resolution field set in each of the specimens in association with each resolution field; step c, updating the progress overview or the resolution field overview based on monitoring of information generated by operations related to the aforementioned processing or input of the aforementioned information; and step d, when the operator specifies via the operation unit an item for displaying operations related to the operator's operations in the progress overview, displaying a work screen related to the specified item on the display unit.

11. A computer-readable program for causing a computer to display on a display unit the progress of processing a collection of cells used for specimen analysis, the program being executed by the computer to cause the computer to perform: step a, displaying a progress overview on the display unit, the progress overview displaying progress related to at least one specimen in association with each specimen; step b, displaying a resolution field of view on the display unit, the resolution field of view displaying the progress of processing related to at least one resolution field of view set on each of the specimens in association with each resolution field of view; step c, updating the progress overview or the resolution field of view based on monitoring of information generated by operations related to the aforementioned processing or input of the aforementioned information; and step d, displaying the aforementioned resolution condition setting screen on the display unit when a resolution condition setting screen is displayed via an operation unit specifying the resolution result resolution condition setting screen; The aforementioned summary conditions include a designation for dividing a plurality of specimens belonging to the aforementioned at least one specimen or a plurality of analytical fields contained in the aforementioned at least one specimen into a plurality of groups, the plurality of groups being used to compare the results of the aforementioned specimen analysis.

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