Display system, method, and program

Abstract

A display system (150) includes: an identification device (100) that executes identification processing for acquiring an identification results using a mass spectrum; and a display device (15). The identification device (100) acquires reference information generated on the basis of data different from the mass spectrum. The display device (15) displays well display areas corresponding to each of a plurality of wells. The identification device (100) sends, to the display device (15), a signal for displaying reference information and information related to the identification results. The display device (15) displays, on the basis of the signal, the reference information and the information related to the identification results in the well display area.

Description

Display system, method, and program

[0001] The present invention relates to a display system, method, and program, and more particularly to a display system, method, and program for displaying the identification results of microorganisms.

[0002] In recent years, methods for identifying microorganisms using mass spectrometry have been developed. Regarding devices for microbial analysis using mass spectrometry, see MALDI Biotyper, GP / RUO (brochure), Bruker, [searched September 4, 2023], available online at: https: / / www.bruker.com / en / products-and-solutions / microbiology-and-diagnostics / microbial-identification / _jcr_content / root / contentpar / linklist / contentpar-1 / calltoaction.download-asset.pdf / links / item0 / 1800236-brochure-maldi-biotyper-ruo-gp-bruker-md-09-2022.pdf (Non-Patent Document 1), VITEK MS, bioMerieux, [searched September 4, 2023], Internet: URL: https: / / booth.biomerieux.com / cmsAdmin / uploads / vitek-ms-brochure-microbiology-powered-by-mass-spectrometry_001.pdf> (Non-Patent Document 2), and VITEK MS PRIME, bioMerieux, [searched September 4, 2023], Internet: URL: https: / / www.biomerieux.com / content / dam / biomerieux-com / 03----our-offer / products / vitek-ms-prime / VITEK%20MS%20PRIME%20Brochure_.pdf.coredownload.pdf> (Non-Patent Document 3) disclose a display system that displays the identification results of microorganisms contained in a sample from the mass spectrum of the sample obtained by mass spectrometry.

[0003] MALDI Biotyper, GP / RUO (brochure), [online], Bruker, [Retrieved September 4, 2023], Internet <URL: https: / / www.bruker.com / en / products-and-solutions / microbiology-and-diagnostics / microbial-identification / _jcr_content / root / contentpar / linklist / contentpar-1 / calltoaction.download-asset.pdf / links / item0 / 1800236-brochure-maldi-biotyper-ruo-gp-bruker-md-09-2022.pdf> VITEK MS, [online], bioMérieux, [Retrieved September 4, 2023], Internet <URL: https: / / booth.biomerieux.com / cmsAdmin / uploads / vitek-ms-brochure-microbiology-powered-by-mass-spectrometry_001.pdf> VITEK MS PRIME, [online], bioMerieux, [searched on September 4, 2020], Internet <URL: https: / / www.biomerieux.com / content / dam / biomerieux-com / 03----our-offer / products / vitek-ms-prime / VITEK%20MS%20PRIME%20Brochure_.pdf.coredownload.pdf>

[0004] The display systems described in Non-Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3 each compare the mass spectrum of a sample obtained by mass spectrometry with a database and display information on microorganisms that may be contained in the sample, thereby allowing the user to understand the microorganisms contained in the sample.

[0005] However, a user may examine an identification result using reference information separate from the information on the identification result of a microorganism contained in a sample. However, conventional display systems have not displayed such reference information in a manner that corresponds to the information on the identification result. As a result, a user must obtain information on the identification result using the display system and obtain reference information using a system separate from the display system. This complicates the task of associating the two pieces of related information. In particular, when examining an identification result for samples placed in each of a plurality of wells formed on a sample plate, the task of associating the two pieces of related information becomes even more complicated.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to construct a system that allows a user to easily understand the correspondence between information related to the identification results of microorganisms and reference information.

[0007] A display system according to a first aspect of the present disclosure is a display system that displays information regarding the identification results of microorganisms contained in a sample placed in one of multiple wells formed on a sample plate, and includes an identification device that performs an identification process to obtain the identification results using a mass spectrum obtained by mass analysis of the sample, and a display device, wherein the identification device obtains reference information generated based on data other than the mass spectrum, the display device displays a well display area corresponding to each of the multiple wells, the identification device transmits a signal to the display device for displaying the information regarding the identification results and the reference information, and the display device displays the information regarding the identification results and the reference information in the well display area based on the signal.

[0008] A method according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is a method for displaying information related to the identification result of a microorganism contained in a sample placed in one of a plurality of wells formed in a sample plate, and includes the steps of performing an identification process to obtain the identification result using a mass spectrum obtained by mass analysis of the sample, acquiring reference information generated based on data other than the mass spectrum, transmitting a signal to display the information related to the identification result and the reference information, and displaying a well display area corresponding to each of the plurality of wells, wherein the displaying step includes displaying the information related to the identification result and the reference information in the well display area based on the signal.

[0009] A program according to a third aspect of the present disclosure is a program executed by a processor installed in a computer, causing the computer to execute the method according to the second aspect.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, a system can be constructed that allows a user to easily understand the correspondence between information related to the identification results of a microorganism and reference information.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a display system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an overview of processing executed by the display system. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining display contents in a plate display area and a well display area according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of detailed information displayed on a display device. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by the identification device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of display processing executed by the identification device according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a display system according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining display contents in a well display area according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by the identification device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of display processing executed by the identification device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining display contents in a well display area according to Modification 1. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining display contents in a well display area according to Modification 2. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining display contents in a well display area according to Modification 3. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining display contents in a well display area according to Modification 4. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an example of variations in design of the well display area.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. While multiple embodiments will be described below, it is anticipated from the beginning that the configurations described in each embodiment will be appropriately combined. Note that identical or corresponding parts in the drawings will be designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated.

[0013] Embodiment 1. [Configuration of Display System] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a display system 150 according to an embodiment. Referring to Fig. 1, the display system 150 includes an identification device 100, an input unit 14, a display device 15, and a mass spectrometer 16. It is expected that the display system 150 will be used in situations such as food microbial testing, environmental microbial testing, clinical microbial testing, and useful microbial screening.

[0014] The mass spectrometer 16 performs mass analysis of components contained in a sample. The sample may include, for example, any one of a culture medium in which microorganisms are cultured, a colony formed by microorganisms, and an extract of microorganisms. The mass spectrometer 16 performs mass analysis based on, for example, instructions from the identification device 100. The mass spectrometer 16 may also operate based on instructions from a control device (e.g., a computer) different from the identification device 100.

[0015] The mass spectrometer 16 detects peaks in the mass spectrum and measures the mass-to-charge ratios of substances contained in the sample. The mass spectrum can be identified, for example, by a graph in which the horizontal axis represents the mass-to-charge ratio and the vertical axis represents the detected ion intensity. The mass-to-charge ratio corresponding to a peak in the mass spectrum is generally also referred to as the peak position.

[0016] The mass analyzer 16 may be, for example, a MALDI-TOF MS (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption / Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry), a MALDI-IT-TOF (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption / Ionization Ion Trap Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry), or a scanning IT-MS. However, the mass analyzer 16 is not limited to these mass analyzers. When the mass analyzer 16 is a MALDI-TOF MS, the mass analyzer 16 separates and then detects ions generated by laser irradiation according to the time they take to fly through a flight tube. The flight time of an ion correlates with the mass-to-charge ratio of the component that gave rise to the ion.

[0017] The identification device 100 is, for example, a computer. The identification device 100 does not need to be configured by a single computer, but may be configured by multiple computers. The identification device 100 may include an input unit 14 and a display device 15.

[0018] The identification device 100 includes a processor 10, a memory 11, and an input / output interface (input / output I / F) 13. The processor 10 is an example of a processing circuitry, and controls the operation of the identification device 100. The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0019] The input / output interface 13 is connected to the processor 10, the input unit 14, the display device 15, and the mass spectrometer 16. The input / output interface 13 realizes communication between the processor 10 and the input unit 14, communication between the processor 10 and the display device 15, and communication between the processor 10 and the mass spectrometer 16. The input unit 14 is configured by, for example, a touch panel, a mouse, and a keyboard. The display device 15 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device.

[0020] The memory 11 includes a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a hard disk drive, and a solid state drive. The memory 11 stores a program 120 and databases 111A and 111B. The processor 10 controls the identification device 100 by executing the program 120. The memory 11 may be composed of multiple physically separated memories. For example, the memory 11 may include a storage for storing the database 111A and a storage for storing the database 111B.

[0021] Databases 111A and 111B contain microorganism information required for processor 10 to identify microorganisms. Program 120 contains analysis programs 112A and 112B that processor 10 executes when identifying microorganisms. When processor 10 identifies microorganisms contained in a sample using database 111A, processor 10 executes analysis program 112A. When processor 10 identifies microorganisms contained in a sample using database 111B, processor 10 executes analysis program 112B.

[0022] The databases 111A and 111B may be stored in external storage accessible to the processor 10. The processor 10 may access the databases 111A and 111B located in the cloud. The program 120 may be stored in external storage accessible to the processor 10.

[0023] The databases 111A and 111B differ in the process of generating the stored microbial information. The database 111A stores theory-based microbial information suitable for computer simulation analysis (in silico analysis). In contrast, the database 111B stores information based on data measured from the microorganisms (e.g., mass spectra). Based on the respective characteristics of the databases 111A and 111B, the database 111A may be referred to as an "in silico database" and the database 111B may be referred to as a "spectra database."

[0024] The database 111A is an example of a first database used in the first identification method, and the database 111B is an example of a second database used in the second identification method.

[0025] The database 111A may store combinations of theoretical protein masses for each microorganism. The database 111A may store data covering the genome information of all bacterial species, or may store data covering the genome information of a specific bacterial species (bacteria, fungi, etc.).

[0026] The database 111B may store data for estimating microorganisms from the characteristics of mass spectra obtained by mass spectrometry. The database 111B may be used for analysis using ribosomal proteins as indicators, or for analysis using proteins such as chaperones as indicators. The database 111B may be a training model obtained by machine learning using a combination of mass spectra obtained by mass spectrometry and information on the corresponding microorganisms as training data.

[0027] [Identification Procedure by Display System 150] Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the process executed by the display system 150. The identification procedure by the display system 150 will be described below with reference to Fig. 2 .

[0028] The mass spectrometer 16 performs mass analysis on samples placed in wells 21 of the sample plate 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the sample plate 20 has a plurality of wells 21 arranged in a matrix. The mass spectrometer 16 sequentially performs mass analysis on the samples placed in each of the plurality of wells 21.

[0029] When the mass spectrometer 16 obtains a mass spectrum corresponding to the sample, it transmits the position information of the well 21 in which the sample is placed and the mass spectrum to the identification device 100 .

[0030] Processor 10 derives an identification result based on the mass spectrum by referring to database 111A. Furthermore, processor 10 derives an identification result based on the mass spectrum by referring to database 111B. In this manner, processor 10 derives multiple identification results for the mass spectrum of the identification target using multiple databases. Hereinafter, the identification result derived by referring to database 111A will be referred to as the "first identification result," and the identification result derived by referring to database 111B will be referred to as the "second identification result."

[0031] The processor 10 executes the program 120 to derive the identification result based on the mass spectrum. In particular, the processor 10 executes the analysis program 112A to derive the identification result based on the mass spectrum by referring to the database 111A, and executes the analysis program 112B to derive the identification result based on the mass spectrum by referring to the database 111B.

[0032] The first identification result and the second identification result do not necessarily match. This is because, as described above, the processes for generating the information stored in database 111A and database 111B are different. After deriving the first identification result and the second identification result, processor 10 determines whether the first identification result and the second identification result match. Hereinafter, the "determination result regarding whether the first identification result and the second identification result match" will also be referred to as the "determination result regarding identity."

[0033] The processor 10 displays information about the first identification result, information about the second identification result, and the determination result regarding identity on the display device 15. The user can understand the "first identification result," "second identification result," and "identity determination result" by looking at the display device 15. A display example of the "first identification result," "second identification result," and "identity determination result" will be described in detail later using Figure 3.

[0034] Next, an example of the identification process performed by the processor 10 will be described in detail. The processor 10 compares the mass spectrum acquired from the mass spectrometer 16 with the information in the database 111A to estimate the microorganisms contained in the sample from which the mass spectrum was acquired. More specifically, from the microorganisms registered in the database 111A, the processor 10 selects a microorganism linked to information similar to the mass spectrum acquired from the sample. If there are multiple microorganisms to be selected, the processor 10 selects, from the multiple selection candidates, the microorganism linked to information most similar to the mass spectrum acquired from the sample as the "estimated result."

[0035] The processor 10 stores the degree of similarity referred to when selecting the "estimated result" as a "reliability (score)" together with the "estimated result" in the memory 11. The processor 10 derives the "estimated result" and the "reliability" in the same procedure using the database 114B, and stores the derived information in the memory 11.

[0036] An example of technical matters related to mass analysis and identification processing will now be described in more detail. The mass spectrometer 16 performs mass analysis of proteins, lipids, and / or glycans in a sample. Mass analysis detects peaks corresponding to the mass-to-charge ratios of the proteins, lipids, and / or glycans in the sample. The processor 10 can infer the proteins, lipids, and / or glycans contained in the sample by comparing the mass spectrum pattern with a database of proteins, lipids, and / or glycans. Here, the mass spectrum pattern is, more specifically, a list of mass-to-charge ratios at which peaks with ion intensities above a predetermined threshold are obtained.

[0037] Different types of microorganisms contain different proteins, lipids, and / or glycans. Therefore, the mass spectrum pattern and the list of mass-to-charge ratios differ for each type of microorganism. Therefore, it is possible to identify the microorganisms contained in a sample based on the mass spectrum pattern and / or the list of mass-to-charge ratios.

[0038] In recent years, it has been reported that even the same species of microorganism can have different mass spectral patterns depending on their characteristics (references: Florio W, Baldeschi L, Rizzato C, Tavanti A, Ghelardi E and Lupetti A (2020) Detection of Antibiotic-Resistance by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry: An Expanding Area. Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol. 10:572909., KAZUYUKI SOGAWA, MASAHARU WATANABE, TAKAYUKI ISHIGE, SYUNSUKE SEGAWA, AKIKO MIYABE, SYOTA MURATA, TOMOKO SAITO, AKIHIRO SANDA, KATSUNORI FURUHATA, FUMIO NOMURA (2017) Rapid Discrimination between Methicillin-Sensitive and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry). Biocontrol Science Vol.22, No.3, P163-169., Yu-Ming Zhang, Mei-Fen Tsao, Ching-Yu Chang, Kuan-Ting Lin, Joseph Jordan Keller & Hsiu-Chen Lin (2023) Rapid identification of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and an artificial neural network model. J Biomed Sci 30, 25.).

[0039] For example, suppose a specific gene mutates and the microorganism acquires resistance to a specific drug. In this case, the mass spectrum pattern may differ depending on whether or not the specific gene mutates. Therefore, the mass spectrum pattern can be used to determine not only the scientific name of the microorganism, but also whether or not the microorganism has a specific characteristic (e.g., resistance to a specific drug).

[0040] After performing mass analysis of the sample, the mass spectrometer 16 transmits the mass spectrum data of the sample and / or the peak list of the sample to the identification device 100. The processor 10 estimates the microorganisms contained in the sample based on the mass spectrum data of the sample and / or the peak list of the sample and the databases 111A and 111B.

[0041] 3 is a diagram for explaining the display contents of the plate display area 200 and the well display area 210 according to the embodiment 1. Here, a detailed description will be given of display examples of the "information on the first identification result," the "information on the second identification result," and the "identity determination result" described with reference to FIG.

[0042] 3 , the display device 15 displays a plate display area 200 corresponding to the sample plate 20 and a well display area 210 corresponding to the wells 21 in accordance with a display signal transmitted from the identification device 100. In this example, 24 wells 21 arranged in 6 rows and 4 columns are formed in the sample plate 20, and the wells 21 on the sample plate 20 are identified by a number indicating each column and an alphabetical character indicating each row. In this case, the display device 15 displays the number indicating each column and the alphabetical character indicating each row. Therefore, the user can identify the well display area 210 corresponding to each well 21 on the sample plate 20 on the screen of the display device 15.

[0043] The well display area 210 has the same circular shape as the well 21. This allows the user to easily understand the correspondence between the well 21 and the well display area 210. The well display area 210 is divided into areas 211, 212, and 213.

[0044] Areas 211, 212, and 213 each display the processing results for the sample placed in well 21. More specifically, area 211 displays the reliability of the first identification result. Area 212 displays the reliability of the second identification result. Area 213 displays whether the first identification result and the second identification result match, i.e., the "identity determination result."

[0045] Here, the "reliability of the first identification result" is an example of "information related to the first identification result," the "reliability of the second identification result" is an example of "information related to the second identification result," and the "identity determination result" is an example of "reference information generated based on data other than the mass spectrum." Here, the "other data" is the "first identification result and the second identification result." In other words, the "identity determination result" is generated based on the "first identification result and the second identification result," which corresponds to "data other than the mass spectrum."

[0046] The well display area 210 will be further described using a specific example. For example, assume that the identification device 100 performs an identification process on a sample placed in well 21 located in row 4, column A. As a result, the identification device 100 identifies microorganism X with 90% confidence in the identification process using database 111A, and identifies microorganism Y with 65% confidence in the identification process using database 111B. This corresponds to a case where the first identification result and the second identification result do not match.

[0047] In this specific example, the identification device 100 reflects the results of the above-described processing in the well display area 210 corresponding to the well 21 located in the fourth row and column A. As a result, the area 211 lights up in a color corresponding to a confidence level of 90%, the area 212 lights up in a color corresponding to a confidence level of 65%, and the area 213 lights up in a color corresponding to a mismatch.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows an example in which three colors—red, yellow, and blue—are used to change the illumination colors of areas 211 and 212 depending on the reliability of the identification results. In this example, red has the lowest reliability, and blue has the highest reliability. The reliability ranges corresponding to the colors may be designed in various ways. For example, blue may correspond to "70% < reliability ≦ 100," yellow may correspond to "60% < reliability ≦ 70%, and red may correspond to "reliability ≦ 60%." In this case, in the above example, area 211 is illuminated in blue, and area 212 is illuminated in yellow. Therefore, by looking at areas 211 and 212, the user can understand that the reliability of the first identification result is higher than that of the second identification result.

[0049] 3 shows an example in which two colors, red and blue, are used to change the illumination color of area 213 depending on whether the first identification result and the second identification result match. In this example, red corresponds to "mismatch" and blue corresponds to "match." In this case, in the specific example described above, area 213 lights up in red. Therefore, by looking at area 213, the user can understand that the first identification result and the second identification result do not match. Finally, by looking at areas 211 to 213, the user can understand that although the first identification result and the second identification result do not match, the first identification result is more reliable than the second identification result.

[0050] According to the first embodiment, a system can be constructed that allows a user to easily understand the correspondence between information relating to the identification results of a microorganism (first identification result, second identification result) and reference information (determination results relating to identity). Note that, here, a display example of the well display area 210 has been described using the well display area 210 corresponding to the well 21 located in the fourth row, column A of the sample plate 20 as an example.

[0051] However, the reliability of the first identification result, the reliability of the second identification result, and whether or not the first identification result and the second identification result match are also displayed in the well display area 210 corresponding to each well 21 of the sample plate 20. Therefore, the user can grasp the processing results of the samples placed in each well 21 of the sample plate 20 all at once in the plate display area 200.

[0052] 3 are merely examples. For example, the color used to indicate the reliability of the identification result may be different from the color used to indicate whether the identification result is a match or a mismatch.

[0053] 4 is a diagram showing an example of detailed information displayed on the display device 15. The display device 15 accepts a user operation for the user to select a well display area 210 from the plate display area 200. The user operates, for example, a mouse, which is an example of the input unit 14, to move the cursor Cr to the position of the desired well display area 210. When the user clicks on the well display area 210, detailed information corresponding to the well display area 210 is displayed on the display device 15. FIG. 4 shows detailed information corresponding to the well 21 located in the fourth row, column A.

[0054] 4, the detailed information includes the first identification result, the second identification result, and information regarding identity. Each of the first identification result and the second identification result includes information about the identified microorganism and its reliability. By viewing the detailed information, the user can understand the specific numerical values ​​of the identified microorganism and its reliability.

[0055] The information on the identified microorganism may be any information that allows the user to understand the microorganism. The information on the identified microorganism may include, for example, at least one of the following:

[0056] 5 is a flowchart showing the processing steps executed by the identification device 100 according to the first embodiment. First, the identification device 100 instructs the mass spectrometer 16 to analyze a sample (step S1). Next, the identification device 100 acquires a mass spectrum as the analysis result of the sample from the mass spectrometer 16 (step S2).

[0057] Next, the identification device 100 executes a first identification process to obtain a first identification result (step S3). That is, the identification device 100 identifies the microorganism corresponding to the mass spectrum using the mass spectrum obtained from the mass spectrometer 16 and the database 111A. The identification device 100 stores the first identification result obtained by the first identification process in the memory 11 (step S4). The first identification result includes information about the microorganism identified by the first identification process and the reliability of the identification.

[0058] Next, the identification device 100 performs a second identification process to obtain a second identification result (step S5). That is, the identification device 100 identifies the microorganism corresponding to the mass spectrum using the mass spectrum obtained from the mass spectrometer 16 and the database 111B. The identification device 100 stores the second identification result obtained by the second identification process in the memory 11 (step S6). The second identification result includes information about the microorganism identified by the second identification process and the reliability of the identification.

[0059] Next, the identification device 100 determines the identity of the first identification result and the second identification result (step S7). That is, it determines whether the microorganism identified by the first identification process matches the microorganism identified by the second identification process. The identification device 100 stores the determination result (identity determination result) in memory 11 (step S8). After storing the determination result in memory 11, the identification device 100 ends the processing based on this flowchart.

[0060] The identification device 100 executes the processes of steps S1 to S8 for each sample placed in each well 21 of the sample plate 20. As a result, the memory 11 stores a first identification result, a second identification result, and a determination result for each sample placed in each well 21 of the sample plate 20.

[0061] 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the display process executed by the identification device 100 according to Embodiment 1. The identification device 100 executes the display process described below using the information stored in the memory 11 in accordance with the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0062] First, the identification device 100 identifies the well display area 210 corresponding to the target well 21 (step S11). Next, the identification device 100 sets the color of the corresponding area 211 according to the reliability obtained in the first identification process (step S12). Next, the identification device 100 sets the color of the corresponding area 212 according to the reliability obtained in the second identification process (step S13).

[0063] Next, the identification device 100 sets the color of the corresponding area 213 depending on the identity determination result (step S14). Next, the identification device 100 transmits a display signal to the display device 15 to light up the target well display area 210 in the color set in steps S12 to S14 (step S15). As a result, the reliability of the first identification result, the reliability of the second identification result, and the identity determination result are displayed in color in the target well display area 210. Therefore, step S15 is essentially a step of displaying the well display area 210.

[0064] The identification device 100 executes the processes of steps S11 to S15 for each well display area 210 displayed in the plate display area 200. As a result, the sample identification results and the like are displayed on the display device 15 for each well 21 formed in the sample plate 20.

[0065] As described above, in the first embodiment, the display system 150 is introduced, in which two identification processes are performed on one sample. The display system 150 displays the reliability of the first identification result and the reliability of the second identification result in the well display area 210. Therefore, the user can understand which of the first and second identification results is more reliable. However, with only this information, the user cannot understand whether the first and second identification results match.

[0066] Therefore, in order to further examine the identification results, the user needs reference information indicating whether the first identification result and the second identification result match. Therefore, the display system 150 further displays information indicating whether the first identification result and the second identification result match in the well display area 210. Therefore, the user can avoid the task of integrating the first identification result, the second identification result, and the information indicating whether the first identification result and the second identification result match.

[0067] As explained above, in embodiment 1, a display system 150 was introduced in which information regarding the identification process (first identification process, second identification process) and reference information (information regarding identity) are displayed in the well display area 210.

[0068] Conventionally, when a user wishes to compare "information relating to a plurality of identification results" with "reference information" indicating whether the first identification result and the second identification result match, the user must manually integrate the information relating to the plurality of identification results and the reference information. Furthermore, because the information is output from a computer or the like as character strings, the user must integrate the information by comparing the character strings. Performing such a task for each of the plurality of samples arranged on the sample plate 20 is extremely cumbersome for the user, as the user must integrate the plurality of pieces of information for each sample without making any errors. The integration task consumes the user's concentration, making it difficult for the user to obtain a satisfactory overview of the integrated results.

[0069] According to the first embodiment, the information relating to the identification results and the reference information are integrated by the display system 150, and both pieces of information are displayed in the well display area 210. This eliminates the need for the user to perform the above-described cumbersome integration work. In particular, the display system 150 functions even more effectively when examining the identification results for samples placed in each of the multiple wells 21 formed in the sample plate 20.

[0070] Moreover, in the well display area 210, information regarding the identification result and reference information are displayed by color rather than by text. More specifically, the identification device 100 (and the display device 15) displays information regarding the identification result in areas 211 and 212 by changing the color of areas 211 and 212 depending on the information regarding the identification result. Furthermore, the identification device 100 (and the display device 15) displays the reference information in area 213 by changing the color of area 213 depending on the information regarding the reference information. This allows the user to intuitively get an overview of the analysis results. As a result, the user can quickly and easily understand the analysis results. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, a system can be constructed that makes it easy for the user to understand the correspondence between information regarding the identification result of a microorganism and the reference information.

[0071] In the first embodiment, an identification process using database 111A and an identification process using database 111B are given as an example of multiple identification processes. However, the identification device 100 may execute three or more identification processes. For example, the identification device 100 may execute three identification processes and determine the identity of a first identification result, a second identification result, and a third identification result. In this case, for example, an identification method using a fingerprinting method, an identification method using the theoretical mass of a protein, and an identification method based on DNA base sequence analysis may be employed.

[0072] The database 111A may store information corresponding to any one of these three identification methods. Of these three identification methods, when information corresponding to the first identification method is stored in the database 111A, the database 111B may store information corresponding to the second or third identification method.

[0073] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a display system 150A according to the second embodiment. Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining the display contents of a well display area 210A according to the second embodiment.

[0074] In the first embodiment, a process of estimating a microorganism contained in a sample is given as an example of an identification process. According to the first embodiment, an unknown microorganism contained in a sample is identified. In the second embodiment, as another example of an identification process, a process of estimating whether a microorganism specified by a user matches a microorganism contained in a sample will be described.

[0075] A user may perform an identification operation not only when identifying unknown microorganisms contained in a sample, but also when confirming that a specific microorganism is contained in the sample. For example, such an identification operation is useful when confirming that no contamination has occurred. Therefore, the display system 150A according to the second embodiment performs an identification process to estimate whether a microorganism specified by the user matches a microorganism contained in the sample. Here, "information indicating whether a microorganism specified by the user matches a microorganism contained in the sample" is an example of "information related to the identification result."

[0076] When examining the identification results, "other analytical processing" may be performed on the sample involved in the identification processing, either in parallel with the identification processing according to Embodiment 1 or 2, or in a step separate from the identification processing step. An example of such "other analytical processing" is a "drug susceptibility test" on the sample involved in the identification processing.

[0077] In drug susceptibility testing, a target drug is added to a sample, and a positive or negative reaction is confirmed. A user may further examine the identification results using information obtained by "other analytical processing." Here, the information obtained by "other analytical processing" is an example of "reference information generated based on data other than mass spectra," and the "other data" is "drug susceptibility test data." In other words, the "drug susceptibility test results" are generated based on "drug susceptibility test data," which corresponds to "data other than mass spectra."

[0078] Conventional display systems have not displayed reference information obtained by this type of "other analytical processing" in a manner that corresponds to the identification results. Therefore, users had to understand the microorganism identification results on the display system and understand this type of reference information on a system separate from the display system. This made the task of associating the identification results with the reference information cumbersome. In particular, when the identification processing and the "other analytical processing" are performed on samples placed in each of multiple wells formed on a sample plate, the task of associating the two related pieces of information becomes even more cumbersome.

[0079] Therefore, in embodiment 2, an example will be described in which "information regarding identification results" and "drug susceptibility test results" are displayed in the well display area 210, with "drug susceptibility test results" being an example of "reference information."

[0080] 7 , the display system 150A according to the second embodiment includes the identification device 100A, an input unit 14, a display device 15, and a mass spectrometer 16. The display system 150A and the display system 150 differ in the configuration of data stored in the memory 11. Except for other points, the display system 150A has the same configuration as the display system 150.

[0081] A database 111A and a program 120 are stored in the memory 11 of the identification device 100A. As can be seen by comparing FIG. 7 with FIG. 1, the memory 11 of the identification device 100A does not store a database 111B, and the program 120 stored in the memory 11 of the identification device 100A does not include an analysis program 112B. Therefore, in the configuration shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that the identification process is performed using one type of database 111A. However, in the second embodiment, the databases 111A and 111B may be used as in the first embodiment.

[0082] 7, microorganism designation information and drug susceptibility test results (positive or negative) are input to the input unit 14. These two pieces of information are associated with the sample placed in the well 21.

[0083] The microorganism designation information is information about the microorganism to be estimated. In other words, the microorganism designation information is information indicating the microorganism that the user predicts to be contained in the sample. The identification device 100 receives information about the microorganism whose presence or absence in the sample is to be determined via the input unit 14. The microorganism designation information includes, for example, at least one of the following:

[0084] The microorganism's scientific name, genus name, species name, subspecies name, strain, presence or absence of drug resistance, serotype, and / or presence or absence of toxicity The name of the drug to which the microorganism has acquired resistance The type of glycan and / or type of lipid possessed by the microorganism The drug susceptibility test result indicates the reaction (positive / negative) obtained when the drug is added to the sample. The user selects the drug to be used in the sample according to the purpose and performs the drug susceptibility test. When samples are placed in each of multiple wells 21, the microorganism designation information and drug susceptibility test result are entered into the input unit 14 for each sample.

[0085] The user inputs the microorganism designation information and the drug susceptibility test results, for example, by operating a keyboard, which is an example of the input unit 14. In this case, the keyboard corresponds to an interface that accepts information on the microorganism to be estimated and the drug susceptibility test results. The microorganism designation information and the drug susceptibility test results may be input to the input unit 14 from a computer connected to the input unit 14. Alternatively, the drug susceptibility test results may be transmitted to the input unit 14 from a testing device that performs the drug susceptibility test. In these cases, the input unit 14 is a communication interface.

[0086] The identification device 100A estimates the microorganism contained in the sample using the mass spectrum corresponding to the sample and the database 111A, and estimates the identity of the estimated microorganism with a microorganism specified by the user. This allows the identification device 100A to obtain "information related to the identification result." The identification device 100A displays the "information related to the identification result" and the "drug susceptibility test result" in the well display area 210A.

[0087] The well display area 210A will be described with reference to Fig. 8. The well display area 210A has a circular shape, similar to the well display area 210. The well display area 210A is divided into areas 211A and 212A. Each of the areas 211A and 212A displays the processing results for the sample placed in the well 21 corresponding to the well display area 210A.

[0088] More specifically, area 211A displays the reliability of the identification result. The "reliability of the identification result" is an example of "information related to the identification result." More specifically, the "reliability of the identification result" is "a reliability indicating whether or not the microorganism specified by the user matches the microorganism contained in the sample." When it is estimated that the microorganism specified by the user matches the microorganism contained in the sample, area 211A lights up. When it is estimated that the microorganism specified by the user does not match the microorganism contained in the sample, area 211A flashes. The lighting color and flashing color of area 211A differ depending on the reliability of the estimation result. The lighting colors and flashing colors are set to red, yellow, and blue, in order of lowest to highest reliability.

[0089] The drug susceptibility test result is displayed in area 212A. If the drug susceptibility test result is positive, area 212A is lit red. If the drug susceptibility test result is negative, area 212A is lit blue.

[0090] By viewing areas 211A and 212A, the user can not only determine whether the sample contains the microorganism predicted by the user, but also determine the drug susceptibility results for the sample. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, a system can be constructed that allows the user to easily understand the correspondence between information related to the identification results of the microorganism and the reference information (drug susceptibility test results), as in the first embodiment.

[0091] Note that the lighting colors and blinking colors shown in Fig. 8 are merely examples, and various colors may be used as lighting colors and blinking colors. Furthermore, when the color used for "Reliability of Identification Result (Match)" shown in Fig. 8 is to be different from the color used for "Reliability of Identification Result (Mismatch)" shown in Fig. 8, a lighting pattern may be used instead of a blinking pattern.

[0092] 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by the identification device 100A according to embodiment 2. First, the identification device 100 acquires microorganism designation information and drug susceptibility test results from the input unit 14 (step S101). Next, the identification device 100A stores the microorganism designation information and drug susceptibility test results in the memory 11 (step S102).

[0093] Next, the identification device 100A commands the mass spectrometer 16 to analyze the sample (step S103). Next, the identification device 100A obtains a mass spectrum as the analysis result of the sample from the mass spectrometer 16 (step S104).

[0094] Next, the identification device 100A performs an identification process to obtain an identification result (step S105). That is, the identification device 100A uses the mass spectrum obtained from the mass spectrometer 16 and the database 111A to estimate the microorganism corresponding to the mass spectrum and estimate the identity of the estimated microorganism with the microorganism designation information. The identification device 100A stores the identification result obtained by the identification process in the memory 11 (step S106) and terminates the processing based on this flowchart. The identification result includes the identity (match / mismatch) between the estimated microorganism and the microorganism designation information and the reliability of the identity.

[0095] The identification device 100A executes the processes of steps S101 to S106 for each sample placed in each well 21 of the sample plate 20. As a result, the memory 11 stores the identification results and drug susceptibility test results for each sample placed in each well 21 of the sample plate 20.

[0096] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the display process executed by the identification device 100A according to the embodiment 2. The identification device 100A executes the display process described below using the information stored in the memory 11 according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0097] First, the identification device 100A identifies the well display area 210 corresponding to the target well 21 (step S111). Next, the identification device 100A sets the appearance of the corresponding area 211A according to the identity determination result and reliability obtained in the identification process (step S112). This setting includes a setting to specify whether the area 211A is lit or blinking, and a setting to specify the color of the area 211A.

[0098] Next, the identification device 100A sets the color of the corresponding area 212A according to the drug susceptibility test result (step S113). Next, the identification device 100A transmits a display signal to the display device 15 for controlling the target well display area 210A according to the contents set in steps S12 and S113 (step S114). As a result, the information shown in FIG. 8 is displayed in the target well display area 210A. Therefore, step S114 is essentially a step for displaying the well display area 210A.

[0099] The identification device 100A executes the processes of steps S111 to S114 for each well display area 210 displayed in the plate display area 200. As a result, the sample identification results and the like are displayed on the display device 15 for each well 21 formed in the sample plate 20.

[0100] As described above, in the second embodiment, the display system 150A is introduced in which information related to the identification process and reference information (drug susceptibility test results) related to the samples involved in the identification process are displayed in the well display area 210A. According to the second embodiment, the user can obtain reference information such as drug susceptibility test results from another system or the like, and can avoid the work of associating the identification results with the reference information.

[0101] Conventionally, when users wished to compare information related to identification results with reference information such as drug susceptibility test results, they had to manually integrate each piece of information. Moreover, because both pieces of information were output from a computer or the like as character strings, users had to compare the character strings to integrate the information. Performing such a task for each of the multiple samples placed on the sample plate 20 was extremely cumbersome for the user, as the user had to integrate multiple pieces of information for each sample without making any errors. Another problem was that the integration task consumed the user's concentration, making it difficult to obtain a satisfactory overview of the integrated results.

[0102] According to the second embodiment, the information related to the identification results and the reference information are integrated by the display system 150A, and both pieces of information are displayed in the well display area 210A. This eliminates the need for the user to perform the above-described cumbersome integration work. In particular, the display system 150A functions even more effectively when examining the identification results for samples placed in each of the multiple wells 21 formed in the sample plate 20.

[0103] Moreover, in the well display area 210A, information regarding the identification result and reference information are displayed by color rather than by text. More specifically, the identification device A100 (and the display device 15) displays information regarding the identification result in area 211A by changing the color of area 211A depending on the information regarding the identification result. Furthermore, the identification device 100A (and the display device 15) displays reference information in area 212A by changing the color of area 212A depending on the information regarding the reference information. This allows the user to intuitively get an overview of the analysis results. As a result, the user can quickly and easily understand the analysis results. Therefore, according to the second embodiment, a system can be constructed that makes it easy for the user to understand the correspondence between information regarding the identification result of a microorganism and the reference information.

[0104] [Modification 1] Modification 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining the display contents of the well display area 210C according to Modification 1. The well display area 210C includes areas 211C to 214C. In other words, the well display area 210C is divided into four areas. When comparing the well display area 210 according to Embodiment 1 with the well display area 210C, functionally, areas 211 and 211C correspond to each other, areas 212 and 212C correspond to each other, and areas 213 and 213C correspond to each other.

[0105] Therefore, the well display area 210C corresponds to a configuration obtained by adding the area 214C to the well display area 210. The area 214C displays information about the data quality of the mass spectrum acquired from the sample.

[0106] To display area 214C, the identification device 100 determines the data quality of the mass spectrum. As shown in FIG. 5, after acquiring the mass spectrum (step S2), the identification device 100 may execute a process (S2A) to determine the data quality of the mass spectrum. The data quality may be, for example, the peak intensity of the mass spectrum. Alternatively, the data quality may be the resolution and S / N ratio of the mass spectrum.

[0107] The data quality is indicated by the color density in area 214C. By looking at well display area 210C, the user can understand the data quality of the mass spectrum used in the identification process, in addition to the information obtained from well display area 210.

[0108] Note that instead of or in addition to information indicating high data quality, area 214C may display information indicating whether the data quality meets a predetermined standard. For example, the identification device 100 may control the well display area 210C so that area 214C lights up blue when the data quality meets the standard and lights up red when the data quality does not meet the standard. Here, an example is shown in which area 214C is configured in the center of the well display area 210C. However, area 214C may be located anywhere in the well display area 210C.

[0109] [Modification 2] Modification 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a diagram for explaining the display contents of a well display area 210D according to Modification 2. The well display area 210D according to Modification 2 includes areas 211D to 214D. In other words, the well display area 210D is divided into four areas, similar to the well display area 210 according to Modification 1.

[0110] The well display area 210D corresponds to a configuration in which the function of the area 214C in the well display area 210C is modified. The area 214D displays information regarding the progress of the identification process. The progress of the identification process is indicated by the color density in the area 214D.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 5 , the identification process includes multiple processing steps. The color of area 214D becomes darker as each processing step of the identification process progresses. By looking at well display area 210D, the user can grasp the progress of the identification process in addition to the information obtained from well display area 210. The information displayed in area 214D corresponds to information regarding the progress of the identification process. The information regarding the progress of the identification process is an example of "reference information generated based on data other than the mass spectrum." Here, the "other data" is "data indicating the progress of the identification process." In other words, the "information regarding the progress of the identification process" is generated based on "data indicating the progress of the identification process," which corresponds to "data other than the mass spectrum."

[0112] To display area 214D, the identification device 100 executes a process of determining the progress status (step S10A). The identification device 100 executes the process of step S10A each time the process of each of steps S1 to S8 in FIG. 5 is completed. For example, the identification device 100 may update the value of flag data indicating the progress status in step S10A each time it determines that the process of each of steps S1 to S8 has ended. In this case, the display process shown in FIG. 6 may be supplemented with a step of transmitting a display signal to the display device 15 for updating the color of area 214D in accordance with the value of the flag data.

[0113] The identification device 100A may execute the process of step S10A each time it completes the processes of steps S101 to S106 in Fig. 9. In this case, a step of transmitting a display signal to the display device 15 for updating the color of the area 214D in accordance with the value of the flag data may be added to the display process shown in Fig. 10.

[0114] Here, an example is shown in which area 214D is configured in the center of well display area 210D. However, area 214D may be positioned anywhere in well display area 210D. As in Modification 1, an area indicating data quality may be further provided in well display area 210D.

[0115] [Modification 3] Modification 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining the display content of the well display area 210E according to Modification 3. The well display area 210E includes areas 211E to 215E. In other words, the well display area 210E is divided into five areas.

[0116] The well display area 210E corresponds to a configuration in which an area for displaying information related to data quality and an area for displaying information related to drug susceptibility test results are added to the well display area 210 according to Embodiment 1. When comparing the well display area 210 and the well display area 210E, functionally, area 211 corresponds to area 211E, area 212 corresponds to area 212E, and area 213 corresponds to area 213E.

[0117] However, area 213E indicates whether the first identification result and the second identification result match, whether the first identification result and the second identification result match at the genus level, or whether the first identification result and the second identification result do not match at the genus level. More specifically, if the microorganism estimated by the first identification process and the microorganism estimated by the second identification process match at the genus level, area 213E lights up blue. If the microorganism estimated by the first identification process and the microorganism estimated by the second identification process match at the genus level, area 213E lights up yellow. If the microorganism estimated by the first identification process and the microorganism estimated by the second identification process do not match, area 213E lights up red.

[0118] Therefore, by looking at area 213E, the user can understand the "match," "match at the genus level," and "mismatch at the genus level" between the microorganisms estimated by the first identification process and the microorganisms estimated by the second identification process.

[0119] To display area 213E, the identification device 100 executes a process for determining whether the results match or mismatch at the genus level, instead of step S7 in FIG. 5 (see step S7A in FIG. 5). Step S7A may include a first determination process and a second determination process. The first determination process includes a process for determining whether the first identification result and the second identification result match. The second determination process includes a process for determining whether the first identification result and the second identification result match at the genus level when the first determination process determines that the results do not match. The identification device 100 according to the third modification transmits a display signal to the display device 15 to display results according to the first determination process and the second determination process.

[0120] Area 214E displays information about the data quality of the mass spectrum, similar to area 214C related to Modification 1. However, the display patterns of areas 214E and 214C are different. As shown in Fig. 13, area 214E displays the data quality in three levels: red, yellow, and blue. Red indicates poor data quality, blue indicates good data quality, and yellow indicates fair data quality.

[0121] Area 215E displays information about drug susceptibility test results, similar to area 212A according to embodiment 2. By viewing well display area 210, the user can grasp more detailed information about identity, data quality, and drug susceptibility test results in addition to the information obtained from well display area 210 according to embodiment 1.

[0122] The correspondence between the five pieces of information displayed in areas 211E to 215E and areas 211E to 215E is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 13. The five pieces of information shown in Fig. 13 may be associated with areas 211E to 215E in any manner.

[0123] [Modification 4] Modification 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a diagram for explaining the display content of the well display area 210F according to Modification 4. The well display area 210F includes areas 211F to 214F. In other words, the well display area 210F is divided into four areas. Modification 4 is applicable to, for example, the display system 150A according to Embodiment 2.

[0124] A display system 150A according to the second embodiment has an identification device 100A. FIG. 14 shows the configuration of a memory 11 applicable to the fourth modification. In the fourth modification, the configuration of the memory 11 of the identification device 100A differs from the configuration shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 14, the memory 11 stores a database 111B instead of the database 111A. The memory 11 also stores a database 113. The database 113 stores information necessary for determining the relationship between drug susceptibility and the identification result.

[0125] First, the operation of the identification device 100A assumed in Modification 4 will be described. In Modification 4, it is assumed that the identification device 100A performs the identification process using a database (Spectra database) 111B. The identification device 100A estimates the microorganism by performing the identification process. As described in Embodiment 2, the identification device 100A obtains the results of a drug susceptibility test on the sample.

[0126] The identification device 100A determines the relationship between drug susceptibility and the identification result by referring to the database 113 (step S105A). More specifically, the identification device 100A determines whether the relationship between drug susceptibility and the identification result corresponds to one of the following: (a) not reasonably conceivable (review required), (b) possible, or (c) reasonably possible. This determination process (step S105A) may be performed, for example, between steps S105 and S106 in FIG. 9. Here, the "information indicating the relationship between drug susceptibility and the identification result" is an example of "reference information generated based on data other than mass spectra," and the "other data" is "information necessary to determine the relationship between drug susceptibility and the identification result." In other words, the "information indicating the relationship between drug susceptibility and the identification result" is generated based on the "determination result of the relationship between drug susceptibility and the identification result," which corresponds to "data other than mass spectra."

[0127] The identification device 100A stores the identification results, drug susceptibility test results, and determination results regarding the relationship between drug susceptibility and the identification results in memory 11. The identification device 100 reflects the information stored in memory 11 in the well display area 210F. As a result, the information described below is displayed in areas 211F to 214F of the well display area 210F.

[0128] Area 211F displays information about mass spectrum data quality, similar to area 214E related to Modification 3. Area 212F displays information about drug susceptibility test results, similar to area 212A related to embodiment 2. Area 213F displays the reliability of the identification results, similar to area 211A related to embodiment 2.

[0129] Area 214F displays the relationship between drug susceptibility and the identification result. As shown in Figure 14, red corresponds to "unreasonably unlikely (review required)," yellow corresponds to "possibly possible," and blue corresponds to "reasonably possible."

[0130] By viewing the well display area 210F, the user can grasp the drug susceptibility test results and the relationship between drug susceptibility and identification results in addition to the information obtained from the well display area 210A according to the second embodiment.

[0131] Note that the correspondence between the four pieces of information displayed in areas 211F to 214F and areas 211F to 214F is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 14. The correspondence between the four pieces of information shown in Fig. 14 and areas 211F to 214F may be any correspondence.

[0132] [Variations Related to the Design of the Well Display Area] Figure 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of variations in the design of the well display area. In the present disclosure, the design of the well display area is not limited to the various designs described so far. For example, as shown in (A), a well display area 210G having six divided areas may be used. As shown in (B), a well display area 210H having eight divided areas may be used.

[0133] As shown in (C), a well display area 210I having an oval shape may be employed. As shown in (D), a well display area 210J having a rectangular shape may be employed. The well display area according to the present disclosure is only required to display at least information relating to the identification result and reference information necessary for further examining the identification result.

[0134] In the present disclosure, for example, in the well display area 210, various pieces of information are indicated by different colors. However, various pieces of information may also be indicated by the thickness of the lines, the shades of colors, symbols, etc. displayed in the areas 211 to 213. The correspondence between the three pieces of information displayed in the areas 211 to 213 of the well display area 210 and the areas 211 to 213 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3. The three pieces of information shown in FIG. 3 may be associated with the areas 211 to 213 in any manner. Furthermore, the sizes of the areas 211 to 213 may be varied depending on the importance of the information. The identification device 100 may set the correspondence between information and areas in response to a user instruction. The content described in this paragraph regarding the well display area 210 also applies to any of the well display areas 210A to 210J.

[0135] [Other Modifications] In the first embodiment, databases 111A and 111B are shown as an example of multiple databases. However, display system 150 may employ three or more databases related to the identification process. Furthermore, multiple analysis programs may be stored in memory 11 as analysis programs corresponding to database 111A. Similarly, multiple analysis programs may be stored in memory 11 as analysis programs corresponding to database 111B. In these cases, processor 10 may selectively use an analysis program to be used in the identification process from the multiple analysis programs.

[0136] In the present disclosure, examples of reference information include information regarding the identity of the first identification result and the second identification result, information regarding the drug susceptibility test results, information regarding the progress of the identification process, and information regarding the relationship between drug susceptibility and the identification result. However, the reference information is not limited to these, and may be information generated based on an object other than the mass spectrum. Furthermore, the well display area 210 may include one or more of the above-mentioned examples of reference information.

[0137] Aspects It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0138] (Item 1) In one aspect, a display system displays information relating to the identification results of microorganisms contained in a sample placed in one of multiple wells formed on a sample plate, and includes an identification device that performs an identification process to obtain the identification results using a mass spectrum obtained by mass analysis of the sample, and a display device, wherein the identification device obtains reference information generated based on data other than the mass spectrum, and the display device displays a well display area corresponding to each of the multiple wells, and the identification device transmits a signal to the display device to display the information relating to the identification results and the reference information, and the display device displays the information relating to the identification results and the reference information in the well display area based on the signal.

[0139] According to the display system described in paragraph 1, a system can be constructed that allows the user to easily understand the correspondence between the information relating to the identification results of the microorganisms and the reference information.

[0140] (Clause 2) In the display system described in paragraph 1, the identification process includes a first identification process that identifies a microorganism based on a first identification method and a second identification process that identifies a microorganism based on a second identification method different from the first identification method, the identification device performs the first identification process and the second identification process using a mass spectrum and performs a judgment process that judges the identity of the first identification result from the first identification process and the second identification result from the second identification process, the information about the identification result includes the reliability of the first identification result and the reliability of the second identification result, and the reference information includes the judgment result from the judgment process.

[0141] According to the display system described in paragraph 2, the user can easily understand the correspondence between the reliability of the first identification result, the reliability of the second identification result, and information regarding the judgment result from the judgment process.

[0142] (Clause 3) The display system described in clause 2 further includes a memory in which a database containing information about microorganisms is stored, the database including a first database used in a first identification method and a second database used in a second identification method, the first identification process including a process of comparing the information contained in the first database with the mass spectrum, and the second identification process including a process of comparing the information contained in the second database with the mass spectrum.

[0143] According to the display system described in paragraph 3, the user can grasp the identification results obtained by the first identification method and the second identification method by using the first database and the second database.

[0144] (Clause 4) In the display system described in claim 2 or claim 3, the first identification method and the second identification method are a combination of any two of a plurality of types of identification methods, including an identification method using a fingerprinting method, an identification method using the theoretical mass of a protein, and an identification method based on DNA base sequence analysis.

[0145] According to the display system described in paragraph 4, the first and second identification methods can grasp the identification results based on a combination of any two of multiple types of identification methods, including an identification method using fingerprinting, an identification method using the theoretical mass of a protein, and an identification method based on DNA base sequence analysis.

[0146] (5) In the display system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, the determination process includes a process of determining whether or not the first identification result and the second identification result match at the genus level.

[0147] According to the display system described in paragraph 5, the user can grasp information regarding whether the first identification result and the second identification result match at the genus level.

[0148] (6) In the display system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the reference information includes information indicating drug susceptibility to the sample.

[0149] According to the display system described in paragraph 6, the user can examine the identification results by comparing them with drug susceptibility.

[0150] (Clause 7) The display system according to claim 1 or claim 6 further comprises an interface for receiving information on the microorganism to be estimated, wherein the identification process includes a process for estimating the microorganism contained in the sample using a mass spectrum and a process for determining the identity of the estimated microorganism and the microorganism to be estimated, and the information on the identification result includes information on the identity of the estimated microorganism and the microorganism to be estimated.

[0151] According to the display system described in paragraph 7, it is possible to grasp information regarding whether or not the microorganism contained in the sample matches the microorganism to be estimated.

[0152] (Clause 8) In the display system described in claim 6 or claim 7, the identification device determines the relationship between drug susceptibility for the sample and the identification result, and the reference information includes information indicating the relationship between drug susceptibility for the sample and the identification result.

[0153] According to the display system described in paragraph 8, the user can understand the relationship between drug susceptibility for a sample and the identification result.

[0154] (Claim 9) In the display system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the identification device determines the progress of the identification process, and the reference information includes information relating to the progress of the identification process.

[0155] According to the display system described in claim 9, the user can grasp the progress of the identification process. (Claim 10) In the display system described in any one of claims 1 to 9, the identification device determines the data quality of the mass spectrum, the signal includes a signal for displaying information related to the data quality of the mass spectrum, and the display device displays the information related to the data quality of the mass spectrum in the well display area based on the signal for displaying the information related to the data quality.

[0156] According to the display system described in paragraph 10, the identification results, reference information, and mass spectrum data quality can be grasped.

[0157] (Clause 11) In a display system described in any one of claims 1 to 10, the well display area includes a plurality of areas, each of which is composed of a divided portion obtained by dividing the well display area into a plurality of areas, and the plurality of areas includes a first area that displays information related to the identification result and a second area that displays reference information.

[0158] According to the display system described in paragraph 11, the user can easily understand the correspondence between the wells and the well display areas.

[0159] (Clause 12) In the display system described in claim 11, the display device displays information regarding the identification result in the first area by changing the color of the first area depending on the information regarding the identification result, and displays reference information in the second area by changing the color of the second area depending on the information regarding the reference information.

[0160] According to the display system described in paragraph 12, it is possible to allow the user to intuitively grasp the information relating to the identification result and the reference information.

[0161] (Clause 13) In one aspect, a method is a method for displaying information relating to the identification result of a microorganism contained in a sample placed in one of a plurality of wells formed on a sample plate, the method including the steps of: performing an identification process to obtain the identification result using a mass spectrum obtained by mass analysis of the sample; obtaining reference information generated based on data other than the mass spectrum; transmitting a signal to display the information relating to the identification result and the reference information; and displaying a well display area corresponding to each of the plurality of wells, wherein the displaying step includes the step of displaying the information relating to the identification result and the reference information in the well display area based on the signal.

[0162] According to the method described in paragraph 13, a system can be constructed that allows the user to easily understand the correspondence between information relating to the identification results of microorganisms and reference information.

[0163] (14th paragraph) In one aspect, the program may be a program executed by a processor installed in a computer, causing the computer to execute the method according to any one of the first to thirteenth paragraphs.

[0164] According to the program described in paragraph 14, a system can be constructed that allows the user to easily understand the correspondence between information relating to the identification results of microorganisms and reference information.

[0165] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. Furthermore, it is intended that each technique in the embodiments can be implemented alone or, if necessary, in combination with other techniques in the embodiments to the extent possible.

[0166] 10 Processor, 11 Memory, 13 Input / Output Interface, 14 Input Unit, 15 Display Device, 16 Mass Spectrometer, 20 Sample Plate, 21 Well, 100, 100A Identification Device, 101 Controller, 111A, 111B, 113 Database, 112A, 112B Analysis Program, 120 Program, 150, 150A Display System, 200 Plate Display Area, 210, 210A, 210B, 210C, 210D, 210E, 210F, 210G, 210H, 210I, 210J Well Display Area, 211 to 213, 211A, 212A, 211C to 214C, 211D to 214D, 211E to 215E, 211F to 214F Area, Cr Cursor.

Claims

1. A display system for displaying information regarding the identification results of microorganisms contained in a sample placed in one of multiple wells formed on a sample plate, comprising: an identification device that performs an identification process to obtain the identification results using a mass spectrum obtained by mass analysis of the sample; and a display device, wherein the identification device obtains reference information generated based on data other than the mass spectrum; the display device displays a well display area corresponding to each of the multiple wells; the identification device transmits a signal to the display device to display the information regarding the identification results and the reference information; and the display device displays the information regarding the identification results and the reference information in the well display area based on the signal.

2. The display system described in claim 1, wherein the identification process includes a first identification process that identifies a microorganism based on a first identification method and a second identification process that identifies a microorganism based on a second identification method different from the first identification method, the identification device performs the first identification process and the second identification process using the mass spectrum, and performs a judgment process that judges the identity of a first identification result obtained by the first identification process and a second identification result obtained by the second identification process, the information regarding the identification results includes the reliability of the first identification result and the reliability of the second identification result, and the reference information includes the judgment result obtained by the judgment process.

3. A display system as described in claim 2, further comprising a memory in which a database containing information about microorganisms is stored, the database including a first database used in the first identification method and a second database used in the second identification method, the first identification process including a process of comparing the information contained in the first database with the mass spectrum, and the second identification process including a process of comparing the information contained in the second database with the mass spectrum.

4. A display system as described in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the first identification method and the second identification method are a combination of any two of a plurality of types of identification methods including an identification method using a fingerprinting method, an identification method using the theoretical mass of a protein, and an identification method based on DNA base sequence analysis.

5. A display system according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the determination process includes a process of determining whether the first identification result and the second identification result match at the genus level.

6. A display system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reference information includes information indicating drug susceptibility to the sample.

7. A display system as described in claim 1, further comprising an interface for receiving information on the microorganism to be estimated, wherein the identification process includes a process for estimating the microorganism contained in the sample using the mass spectrum and a process for determining the identity of the estimated microorganism and the microorganism to be estimated, and the information on the identification result includes information on the identity of the estimated microorganism and the microorganism to be estimated.

8. The display system of claim 7, wherein the identification device determines the relationship between drug susceptibility to the sample and the identification result, and the reference information includes information indicating the relationship between drug susceptibility to the sample and the identification result.

9. A display system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the identification device determines the progress of the identification process, and the reference information includes information relating to the progress of the identification process.

10. A display system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the identification device determines the data quality of the mass spectrum, the signal includes a signal for displaying information relating to the data quality of the mass spectrum, and the display device displays the information relating to the data quality of the mass spectrum in the well display area based on the signal for displaying the information relating to the data quality.

11. A display system as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the well display area includes a plurality of areas, each of the plurality of areas being composed of divided portions obtained by dividing the well display area into a plurality of areas, and the plurality of areas including a first area that displays information related to the identification result and a second area that displays the reference information.

12. The display system of claim 11, wherein the display device displays information relating to the identification result in the first area by changing the color of the first area according to information relating to the identification result, and displays the reference information in the second area by changing the color of the second area according to information relating to the reference information.

13. A method for displaying information relating to the identification result of a microorganism contained in a sample placed in one of a plurality of wells formed on a sample plate, comprising: a step of performing an identification process to obtain the identification result using a mass spectrum obtained by mass analysis of the sample; a step of obtaining reference information generated based on data other than the mass spectrum; a step of transmitting a signal to display the information relating to the identification result and the reference information; and a step of displaying a well display area corresponding to each of the plurality of wells, wherein the displaying step includes a step of displaying the information relating to the identification result and the reference information in the well display area based on the signal.

14. A program executed by a processor installed in a computer, causing the computer to perform the method of claim 13.

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