Specimen information reading device and specimen processing system provided therewith

Abstract

This invention is configured as follows in order to provide: a specimen information reading device making it possible to identify a type of specimen container by the shape of a cap, the color of the cap, or the like, and to quickly and accurately recognize label information applied to the specimen container or measure a specimen quantity that is in the specimen container; and a specimen processing system provided therewith.　This specimen information reading device is provided with a specimen container rotation unit for rotating a specimen container having an attached label that lists information for identifying at least a specimen accommodated therein, in order to read the label of the specimen container; a label reading unit for optically reading the label; and a weight measurement unit for measuring the weight of the specimen container accommodating the specimen therein. The weight measurement unit is provided with a control unit that executes control so as to measure the weight while the specimen container rotation unit is rotating the specimen container at a substantially constant speed. In addition, this specimen processing system is provided with the specimen information reading device.

Description

Sample information reading device and sample processing system equipped with the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a sample information reading device and a sample processing system including the same.

[0002] In clinical testing at hospitals and testing centers, a large number of collected specimens are sorted by test type, such as blood tests, biochemistry tests, and general tests, and then subjected to necessary pre-processing such as centrifugation and decapsing depending on the type before finally conducting the desired test. The collected specimens have different shapes and colors of specimen container stoppers depending on the test type, and they must be sorted by recognizing the label information affixed to the specimen container and whether the amount is sufficient for the test.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a device that reads label information attached to a container such as a test tube and whether the amount of a liquid sample such as urine or blood that has been poured into the container is appropriate.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-311076

[0005] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is intended to handle only predetermined specimen containers, and is not intended to handle a variety of specimen containers with the same device. In actual hospitals and testing centers, a variety of specimen containers are handled, and the technology is insufficient as a specimen information reading device used for specimen classification and sorting.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a specimen information reading device that can identify the type of specimen container based on the shape and color of the stopper, and can quickly and accurately recognize the label information attached to the specimen container and measure the amount of specimen contained in the specimen container, as well as a specimen processing system equipped with the same.

[0007] The present invention achieves the above object by providing a sample information reading device including a sample container rotating unit that rotates sample containers to read labels affixed thereto that contain information for identifying the samples contained therein, a label reading unit that optically reads the labels, and a weight measuring unit that measures the weight of the sample containers containing the samples, wherein the weight measuring unit includes a control unit that controls the sample container rotating unit to measure the weight while rotating the sample container at a substantially constant speed. Also provided is a sample processing system that includes the sample information reading device.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sample information reading device that can identify the type of sample container based on the shape and color of the stopper, and can quickly and accurately recognize the label information attached to the sample container and measure the amount of sample contained in the sample container, as well as a sample processing system equipped with the same.

[0009] FIG. 1 is an overhead view of when sample information is being recognized in Example 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing, as an example, how a sample container gripped by a gripper is set up in Example 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a view showing a processing flow for recognizing sample information in Example 1 of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a view showing how a barcode label is recognized by the sample recognition means and a rotation direction is determined in Example 1 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a view showing how a weight measurement processing unit calculates a correction value from a correction value profile as measurement correction means in Example 1 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which a sample container holder holds a sample container in Example 2 of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an overhead view of when a plurality of sample container holders are being processed by the sample recognition means in Example 3 of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of the result of imaging by the sample recognition means in Example 3 of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a view showing a schematic configuration when the sample information reading device of the present invention is incorporated into a sample processing system.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the description of the embodiments shown below. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the specific configuration can be changed within the scope of the idea or purpose of the present invention.

[0011] In the configuration of the invention described below, the same parts or parts having similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals in different drawings, and redundant explanations may be omitted.

[0012] In order to facilitate understanding of the invention, the position, size, shape, range, etc. of each component shown in the drawings etc. may not represent the actual position, size, shape, range, etc. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the position, size, shape, range, etc. disclosed in the drawings etc.

[0013] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is an overhead view of the first embodiment of the present invention when recognizing sample information. As shown in FIG. 1, the sample information reading device of the present invention has a sample container holding unit (sample collection tube holder) 104 that holds a sample container (sample collection tube) 103. The sample container holding unit 104 is mounted on a rotating stage 105 (sometimes referred to as a "sample container rotating unit"). The rotating stage 105 can be rotated by a drive source in response to commands from a control unit 107. A weight measuring unit 106 is disposed below the rotating stage 105 and measures the weight of the sample container 103 including the sample container holding unit 104. The measured weight value is processed by a weight measurement processing unit 108 (sometimes referred to as a "weight measuring unit") to calculate a corrected weight. The system is also equipped with a specimen recognition means 101 for photographing and recognizing the specimen container 103 from the side in which it is placed. Images photographed by the specimen recognition means 101 are processed by an image processing unit 102 to acquire information such as the type of specimen container 103 and the position and barcode information of an optical identification label, such as a barcode label or two-dimensional barcode, attached to the side (the configuration for acquiring information is sometimes referred to as a "label reading unit"). The information acquired by the image processing unit 102, such as the type of specimen container 103 and the approximate position of the barcode label, is transmitted to a control unit 107, which drives the rotating stage 105 based on that information. The control unit 107 then transmits the status of the rotating stage 105, such as the speed and acceleration status of the drive source, to the image processing unit 102 and a weight measurement processing unit 108, respectively.

[0014] Next, a method for reading information related to the specimen container 103 using the specimen information reading device of the present invention in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing, as an example, how a specimen container gripped by a gripper 201 is set up in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] In the specimen information reading device of the present invention, first, a specimen container 103 containing a specimen is gripped and transported, for example, by gripper 201 or by hand, and installed in specimen container holder 104, as shown in Figure 2. At this time, there is an effect of vibration due to installation immediately after installation, and if the weight is measured immediately using weight measuring unit 106, a large error will occur, and it is necessary to wait until the effect of vibration subsides. However, a long wait time will slow down the processing time, so the specimen information reading device of the present invention measures the weight while reading information about the specimen container 103.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a process flow for recognizing sample information in Example 1 of the present invention. When a sample container 103 is placed in the sample container holder 104 as described above, the sample information reading device of the present invention first detects the position of the barcode label using the sample recognition means 101 (S301). At this time, the detected position is information for specifying the rotation direction relative to the rotating stage, so it may be an approximate position. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of how the sample recognition means 101 recognizes the barcode label and determines the rotation direction in Example 1 of the present invention. For example, if the sample recognition means 101 captures an image in which the label is affixed to the right side of the sample container 103 as shown in FIG. 4( a), the sample recognition means 101 detects the position of the label and transmits the rotation direction to the control unit 107 so as to drive the sample container 103 in the direction of arrow 404. The amount of rotation may also be transmitted to the control unit 107. As specimen information, it is sufficient to be able to read the barcode information written on the label. For example, in the illustrated example, rotating the sample container 103 by 90 degrees in the direction of arrow 404 will orient the barcode so that it faces forward, making it possible to read the barcode information. By specifying the direction and amount of rotation based on the orientation of the label, the overall processing time can be shortened. Furthermore, the label position is detected by extracting edges. If a label is attached, many vertical edges of the label side and horizontal edges of the barcode will be detected within the side edges of the specimen container 103. Detecting these makes it possible to determine whether a label is attached.

[0018] Similarly, in the case of Fig. 4(b), the direction to rotate is transmitted to the control unit 107 so as to drive in the direction of the arrow 405. When the device is originally installed facing forward as shown in Fig. 4(c), there is no need to rotate it, so this information is transmitted to the control unit 107 and it does not rotate.

[0019] Although not shown, if the position cannot be detected, such as when a label is attached to the back, a command to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise is transmitted to the control unit 107 to rotate in a predetermined direction.

[0020] The specimen recognition means 101 detects the position where the label is affixed and transmits the rotation direction to the control unit 107, after which the control unit 107 rotates the rotating stage 105 in the specified direction (S302). After issuing the rotation command, the control unit 107 transmits the timing of weight measurement by the weight measurement processing unit 108 during the rotation operation, and weight measurement is performed (S304). During the rotation operation, the specimen recognition means 101 simultaneously identifies the type of specimen container 103 and the barcode information on the label (S303).

[0021] The caps of specimen containers 103 vary in color, shape, and length depending on the type so that a person can immediately identify the type at a glance. In the specimen information reading device of the present invention, color and shape recognition is performed by the image processing unit 102 while the rotating stage 105 is rotating, thereby identifying the type of specimen container 103. In addition, label position detection and barcode information written on the label are also performed during the rotation operation, and if the orientation of the specimen container 103 needs to be adjusted for subsequent processing, for example, the control unit 107 can detect that the barcode is facing forward and send a stop command to align the label orientation.

[0022] In the weight measurement processing unit 108, after the control unit 107 issues a rotation command to the rotating stage 105, a rotation section in which the rotating stage 105 rotates at a constant speed is transmitted, and gravity measurement is performed by the weight measurement unit during that section. Gravity measurement is possible as long as the rotation speed is such that the specimens in the specimen containers do not scatter outside the containers due to centrifugal force and the specimen container rotation mechanism can rotate the specimen containers stably without rotational vibration. A suitable rotation speed is approximately 10 to 100 rpm, more preferably 50 to 70 rpm. During rotation, tilt or eccentricity of the specimen container 103 can affect the weight measurement unit. Therefore, accuracy is improved by performing measurements during a rotation section in which the rotation speed is constant and has as little effect as possible. However, even during a rotation section in which tilt or eccentricity of the specimen container 103 still affects the weight measurement, and therefore correction is required to perform accurate weight measurement. Furthermore, since the measurement value from the weight measurement unit includes the weights of the rotating stage, specimen container holder 104, and specimen container 103, these weights must also be acquired in advance and subtracted. The weight measurement processing unit 108 calculates these correction values ​​and performs measurements.

[0023] 5 is a diagram showing that the weight measurement processing unit calculates correction values ​​from a correction value profile as measurement correction means in Example 1 of the present invention. In the sample information reading device of the present invention, the weight measurement processing unit 108, as correction value calculation means, measures the type of sample container 103 to be handled and several liquid volume patterns in advance, and calculates correction values ​​from the created correction value profile 501. The correction value profile 501 is created as follows.

[0024] Because different facilities use different sample containers 103, for each type of sample container 103 used at the facility, known weights of liquid are placed in sample container type 1 in 1-gram increments, e.g., 1 gram, 2 grams, ..., 10 grams. The sample containers are rotated and the weights are measured, and the deviations from the true values ​​are saved as a correction value profile. This process is performed for all types of sample containers and used when actually measuring. High-accuracy weight measurements are achieved by referencing the correction value profile based on the sample container 103 type identification information obtained by the sample recognition means 101 and the measured weight values, determining correction values, and correcting the measurement results. The correction value profile shown in FIG. 5, 501, plots the weight of a pseudo sample placed in a sample container on the horizontal axis, with weights of 1 gram, 2 grams, .... The vertical axis represents the measurement error when a rotational measurement is performed. The presence of multiple broken lines indicates variations in error values ​​between experiments. The correction value profile actually used for weight correction is the average of these variations for each weight.

[0025] As described above, by reading information about the mounted sample container 103 while rotating it, the amount of sample can be measured accurately in a short processing time.

[0026] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be adopted within the scope of the present invention.

[0027] 6A and 6B are diagrams showing a state in which a sample container holder holds a sample container in Example 2 of the present invention. In this example, as shown in Fig. 6B, the portion of the sample container holder 601 that holds the sample container 103 is configured with a protrusion that is thinner than the width of the barcode on the barcode label affixed to the sample container.

[0028] This allows the sample recognition means 101 to reliably read the barcode information even if the label attached to the sample container 103 is hidden by the sample container holder 601. Note that Fig. 6(a) is a comparative diagram showing a general sample container holder.

[0029] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is an overhead view of the sample recognition means 101 in a state where multiple sample container holders 104 are simultaneously processed in the third embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the results of imaging by the sample recognition means in the third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, multiple sample container holders 104 are arranged in parallel with the sample recognition means 101. As in this embodiment, the number of sample container holders 104 does not necessarily need to be one for the sample recognition means 101; multiple sample container holders may be arranged in parallel. An image 801 captured by the sample recognition means 101 shows a state where sample containers are photographed all at once, and the control unit and weight measurement processing unit can perform sample recognition processing for each sample container in parallel, as in the first embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specimen processing system for processing specimen samples such as blood and urine, in which the specimen information reading device according to the present invention can be installed.

[0031] The sample processing system consists of a sample preprocessing system that performs the preprocessing required for the blood or serum samples to be analyzed before analysis, and an automatic analysis system that performs analysis on the samples after preprocessing is complete.

[0032] For example, the specimen pretreatment system may include a specimen pretreatment device 910 having a plurality of pretreatment modules that perform various pretreatments on specimens, and a computer or the like as a specimen processing system controller 904 that allows an operator to input and confirm information necessary for specimen processing. The specimen processing system controller 904 is disposed near the specimen pretreatment device 910 and controls the operation of the specimen pretreatment device 910, the specimen transport line 902 (sometimes referred to as a "specimen container transport unit"), and the specimen posttreatment device 903 (the specimen pretreatment device 910 and specimen posttreatment device 903 may sometimes be collectively referred to as a "specimen processing unit").

[0033] As an example, the specimen pretreatment device 910 comprises an input module for inputting specimens into the specimen pretreatment device 910, a centrifugation module for performing centrifugation processing on the specimen, an uncap module for uncapping the cap attached to the opening of the specimen container, an online dispensing module for dividing the specimen in the specimen container into a desired number of sub-specimen containers, a barcode attachment module for attaching barcode labels to the sub-specimen containers, a capping module for attaching caps to the openings of the containers, and a specimen classification module for classifying specimen containers according to the purpose of analysis and destination, etc., and performs specimen pretreatment.

[0034] The specimen information reading device of the present invention is incorporated into a specimen pre-processing device 910, or is installed in the front stage of a specimen post-processing device 903. Information on the weight of the specimen in the specimen container measured by the specimen information reading device of the present invention is sent to a specimen processing system control unit 904, and is also transmitted from the specimen processing system control unit 904 to a unit of the specimen pre-processing device 910 that requires the weight information, or to an analyzer of the specimen post-processing device 903 (this configuration is sometimes referred to as a "weight information transmission unit").

[0035] 101... specimen recognition means, 102... image processing unit, 103... specimen container, 104... specimen container holder, 105... rotation stage, 106... weight measurement unit, 107... control unit, 108... weight measurement processing unit, 201... gripper, 401 to 403... example of image captured by specimen recognition means, 404, 405... rotation command direction, 501... correction value profile, 601... specimen container holder, 801... example of image captured by specimen recognition means in Example 2

Claims

1. A specimen information reading device comprising: a specimen container rotating unit that rotates specimen containers to read labels affixed thereto that contain information for identifying the specimens contained therein; a label reading unit that optically reads the labels; and a weight measuring unit that measures the weight of the specimen containers containing the specimens, wherein the weight measuring unit comprises a control unit that controls the specimen container rotating unit to measure the weight while the specimen container rotating unit rotates the specimen containers at a substantially constant speed.

2. A specimen information reading device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit controls the label reading unit to read the label while the specimen container rotating unit rotates the specimen container, and the weight measuring unit to measure the weight of the specimen container containing the specimen.

3. A specimen information reading device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit determines the orientation of the label affixed to the specimen container based on image information captured by the label reading unit before the specimen container rotation unit starts rotating the specimen container, and determines the rotation direction of the specimen container in the specimen container rotation unit based on the determined orientation of the label.

4. A specimen information reading device according to claim 1, wherein the specimen containers are of different types, and a memory unit is provided for storing, for each different type, a correction value profile indicating the relationship between the weight of the specimen contained therein and the error in the weight measured by the weight measuring unit, and the control unit corrects the weight measured by the weight measuring unit based on the correction value profile.

5. A specimen information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the label is a barcode, the specimen container rotating unit is provided with a specimen container holding unit that holds the specimen container, and the specimen container holding unit holds the specimen container with a protrusion that is narrower than the width of the barcode in the short direction.

6. A specimen information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the specimen container rotating unit is capable of simultaneously rotating a plurality of specimen containers, and the control unit controls the label reading unit to read the labels affixed to the specimen containers that are simultaneously rotating.

7. A specimen processing system comprising: a specimen information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; a specimen container transport unit that transports the specimen container after processing in the specimen information reading device; a specimen processing unit that processes the specimen in the specimen container transported from the specimen container transport unit; and a weight information transmission unit that transmits the weight of the specimen measured by the weight measurement unit of the specimen information reading device to the specimen processing unit.

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