Biological sample measurement device and biological sample measurement method

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a small, low-cost biological sample measurement device that can determine a property or the liquid volume of a biological sample that is accommodated in a container to which a label has been affixed. The present invention is a biological sample measurement device that comprises a camera that generates a captured image of a container to which a label has been affixed and an image processing unit that identifies the area of a biological sample that is accommodated in the container from the captured image and acquires information about the color or height of the biological sample. The biological sample measurement device also comprises a mirror that mirrors the back surface side of the container for the camera and a light source that irradiates light that illuminates the biological sample inside the container from an exposed surface at which the label is not affixed. The mirror reflects the light irradiated from the light source toward the back surface side of the container, and the camera generates the captured image to include the front surface side of the container and the back surface side of the container as mirrored in the mirror.

Description

Biological sample measurement device and biological sample measurement method

[0001] The present invention relates to a biological sample measurement device and a biological sample measurement method.

[0002] To improve the efficiency of biological sample testing, there is a need for a biological sample measurement device that automates the pre-opening (pre-dispensing) sample check, which has traditionally been performed visually. In particular, blood samples are separated into multiple layers by centrifugation or other methods. If the properties and volume of the layer to be analyzed could be automatically checked, it would be possible to sort the sample for further analysis, thereby improving testing efficiency and quality. However, containers containing biological samples may have labels, such as barcodes, affixed to them, which can partially obstruct the field of view. Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, a technology is known that uses multiple cameras to acquire images from different viewpoints, allowing the biological sample to be observed through gaps in the labels.

[0003] Special table 2019-504997 publication

[0004] The technology of providing multiple cameras, as in Patent Document 1, has the problem that it is difficult to reduce the size and cost of the biological sample measuring device.

[0005] The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and aims to realize a small, low-cost biological sample measuring device that can determine the properties and liquid volume of a biological sample contained in a labeled container.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a biological sample measurement device that includes a camera that generates an image of a labeled container, and an image processing unit that identifies the area of ​​the biological sample contained in the container from the image and acquires information regarding the color or height of the biological sample, and further includes a mirror that reflects the back side of the container to the camera, and a light source that irradiates light that illuminates the biological sample in the container from the exposed, unlabeled surface, wherein the mirror reflects the light irradiated from the light source toward the back side of the container, and the camera generates the image that includes the front side of the container and the back side of the container reflected by the mirror.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a small, low-cost biological sample measuring device that is capable of determining the properties and liquid volume of a biological sample contained in a labeled container.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a biological sample measuring device according to an embodiment. A plan view illustrating the principle of imaging the entire periphery of a container. A diagram showing an example of a captured image when the exposed surface is on the front side of the camera. A diagram showing an example of a captured image when the exposed surface is on the back side (towards the left) of the camera. A conceptual diagram illustrating imaging of a container with illumination only from the back side. A conceptual diagram illustrating imaging of a container with illumination from the front side as well as the back side. A conceptual diagram illustrating imaging of a container with illumination only from the front side. A conceptual diagram illustrating imaging of a container with illumination from the back side as well as the front side. A diagram showing an example of illumination for the exposed surface when the exposed surface is on the front side of the camera. A diagram showing an example of illumination for the exposed surface when the exposed surface is on the back side (towards the left) of the camera. A flowchart showing processing in an image processing unit.

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the general configuration of a biological sample measuring device according to this embodiment.

[0011] The container 101 contains a biological sample, for example, a cylindrical blood collection tube containing a blood specimen as the biological sample. A label 102 is affixed to the outer circumferential surface of the container 101 along its contour. Examples of the label 102 include a barcode for identifying the biological sample, as well as a pre-label that is pre-affixed to the blood collection tube. The container 101 also has an exposed surface on at least a portion of its circumference where the label 102 is not affixed, allowing the biological sample to be viewed from the outside. In this specification, the term "exposed surface" refers to a region where the label 102 is not present in the vertical direction, and does not refer to gaps that occur only above and below the label 102.

[0012] After the biological sample has been centrifuged or otherwise processed, the container 101 is placed in a container holder (not shown) and transported to the vicinity of the biological sample measuring device by a transport device (not shown). Then, for example, a container gripping mechanism (not shown) grips the container 101 placed in the container holder and moves it into the field of view of the camera 104 of the biological sample measuring device. The biological sample measuring device determines the properties and liquid volume of the biological sample. Containers 101 containing biological samples determined to be normal are opened, divided into smaller portions, and transported to an automated analyzer that analyzes the various components of the biological sample. While biological samples can be blood samples as well as urine samples, the following description will use a blood sample as an example.

[0013] Before opening (analysis), the blood sample is separated by centrifugation or the like into multiple component layers, for example, three layers of a blood clot, a separation material, and serum or plasma, or two layers of a blood clot and serum or plasma. Of these, the serum or plasma serves as the measurement target 103 of the biological sample measuring device according to this embodiment. However, a single unseparated layer may also serve as measurement target 103. The blood clot is formed in the bottom layer when the biological sample is centrifuged, and the separation material is mixed in to separate the blood clot from measurement target 103.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the biological sample measuring device according to this embodiment comprises a camera 104, mirrors (left mirror 106a, right mirror 106b), a light source 107, a background section (first background section 108, right second background section 108a, left second background section 108b), and an image processing section 105.

[0015] The camera 104 generates a captured image of the container to which the label 102 is attached, and is an imaging device such as a CCD camera, a CMOS camera, or an InGaAs camera. The camera 104 generates a two-dimensional color image (captured image) of the container 101 and outputs the captured image to the image processing unit 105. The camera 104 can also be used to read information (e.g., a barcode) on the label 102 attached to the container 101.

[0016] The left mirror 106a and the right mirror 106b reflect the rear side of the container 101 to the camera 104. The left mirror 106a is disposed behind and to the left of the container 101 as viewed from the camera 104, and the right mirror 106b is disposed behind and to the right of the container 101 as viewed from the camera 104. Note that, although the present embodiment will be described taking as an example a case where two flat mirrors are used, the number of mirrors is not limited to two, and the mirrors may have a curved surface such as a convex surface in addition to a flat surface.

[0017] The light source 107 emits light from the exposed surface to illuminate the biological sample in the container 101, and is configured using, for example, a white LED. The light source 107 is disposed on the same side (front side) as the camera 104 with respect to the container 101, and is driven and controlled by a control unit (not shown). By using illumination from the light source 107 instead of natural light, it is possible to reduce variations due to the influence of external light and improve the accuracy of analysis.

[0018] The first background portion 108, the right-side second background portion 108a, and the left-side second background portion 108b illuminate the measurement target 103 from the back side in order to accurately determine the color and height even if the measurement target 103 is transparent. The details of their function will be described later. The first background portion 108 is positioned opposite the camera 104 across the container 101, the right-side second background portion 108a is positioned opposite the left-side mirror 106a across the container 101, and the left-side second background portion 108b is positioned opposite the right-side mirror 106b across the container 101. The first background portion 108, the right-side second background portion 108a, and the left-side second background portion 108b may be white surface-emitting lighting (backlights) that emit light separately from the light source 107, or they may be plain white diffusers or retroreflectors that utilize light received from the light source 107. By irradiating the object with uniform light, such as with surface-emitting lighting, it is possible to ensure uniform brightness of the object to be measured without color unevenness.

[0019] The image processing unit 105 extracts the exposed surface from the captured image generated by the camera 104, identifies a measurement target (e.g., serum) region from within the exposed surface, and then acquires information regarding the color or height of the measurement target 103. The image processing unit 105 also determines the liquid volume and properties (e.g., normal, hemolysis, chyle, jaundice, etc.) of the biological sample based on the information regarding the color or height. Note that information necessary to determine the properties from the color of the measurement target 103 (e.g., color feature values ​​for each serum state) and information necessary to convert the height of the measurement target 103 into liquid volume (e.g., inner diameter of a blood collection tube) are stored in advance in a storage unit (not shown) or the like.

[0020] 2 is a plan view illustrating the principle of capturing an image of the entire periphery of a container. As shown in FIG. 2, the captured image generated by the camera 104 includes three ranges: a range in which the front side of the container 101 is directly captured, a range in which the left side of the back side of the container 101 is indirectly captured via the left mirror 106a, and a range in which the right side of the back side of the container 101 is indirectly captured via the right mirror 106b.

[0021] By appropriately adjusting the positioning (distance from the camera 104, angle) and size of the left mirror 106a and the right mirror 106b, it is possible to cover the entire circumferential direction of the container 101 within the three ranges described above. However, because the first background portion 108 is disposed on the rear side of the container 101, the left mirror 106a and the right mirror 106b need to be disposed at a distance from the first background portion 108 so as not to overlap with the first background portion 108.

[0022] FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an example of a captured image when the exposed surface is on the front side of the camera, and FIG. 3B is a diagram showing an example of a captured image when the exposed surface is on the rear side (to the left) of the camera. Note that FIGS. 3A and 3B are arranged by extracting the imaging range of the front of the container, the imaging range of the left rear side of the container (left mirror surface), and the imaging range of the right rear side of the container (right mirror surface) from an actual image captured by camera 104. In this way, it is possible to obtain an image including the exposed surface regardless of the orientation of container 101, and there is no need to rotate container 101 or prepare multiple cameras 104. In other words, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the biological sample measurement device.

[0023] Here, camera 104 has an angle of view that covers the front, left mirror surface, and right mirror surface, so a single captured image can cover the entire periphery of container 101. In other words, a single image taken by camera 104 can reliably obtain an image that includes the exposed surface, so there is no need to rotate container 101 relative to camera 104 or rotate camera 104 relative to container 101 to obtain an image of the entire periphery, making it possible to improve the throughput of the biological sample measuring device.

[0024] However, since the working distance is different between the front and the left and right mirror surfaces, there is a possibility that one of them will be out of focus and the captured image will be blurred. Therefore, for example, the camera 104 may capture two images separately, for example, by focusing the first image on the front and then focusing the second image on the left and right mirror surfaces.

[0025] As described above, in order to generate a captured image including the front and mirror surfaces and analyze the height and color of the measurement target 103, it is also necessary to illuminate the exposed surface and brightly illuminate the measurement target 103 regardless of the orientation of the container 101. Below, the functions of illumination from the front side of the exposed surface and illumination from the back side of the exposed surface will be explained separately.

[0026] First, the effect of front illumination on the exposed surface will be described with reference to Figures 4A and 4B. Figure 4A is a conceptual diagram illustrating the case where a container is imaged using only rear illumination, and Figure 4B is a conceptual diagram illustrating the case where a container is imaged using both rear and front illumination.

[0027] In the area where the label 102 is not attached (the area below the container 101), the illumination from the first background portion 108 passes through the container 101 and the measurement object 103 from the back side of the camera 104 and reaches the front side of the container 101, ensuring brightness of the measurement object 103. However, in the area where the label 102 is attached (the area above the container 101), the illumination from the first background portion 108 is attenuated by the label 102. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A , if the illumination is only from the back side, it is difficult to ensure brightness of the measurement object 103 located on the front side of the label 102.

[0028] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B , if the light source 107 is placed on the same side as the camera 104, the illumination from the front side is scattered by the label 102 (see the dashed line in FIG. 4B ). Therefore, brightness can be ensured for the measurement target 103 located in front of the label 102. As a result, color differences are less likely to occur between areas with and without the label 102 on the back side of the container 101, making it possible to prevent erroneous determinations when determining the properties based on color. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent erroneous determinations when determining the liquid volume based on the liquid height, since ... because it is possible to prevent erroneous determinations when determining the liquid volume based on the liquid height.

[0029] Next, the effect of rear illumination on the exposed surface will be described with reference to Figures 5A and 5B. Figure 5A is a conceptual diagram illustrating the case where an image of a container is captured using only front illumination, and Figure 5B is a conceptual diagram illustrating the case where an image of a container is captured using both front and rear illumination.

[0030] In the area where the label 102 is attached (the area above the container 101), the illumination from the front side by the light source 107 is scattered by the label 102, ensuring brightness of the measurement target 103 on the front side of the label 102. However, in the area where the label 102 is not attached (the area below the container 101), the illumination from the front side passes through the container 101 and the measurement target 103. Therefore, when illumination is only from the front side as in FIG. 5A , it is difficult to ensure brightness of the measurement target 103 in the area where the label 102 is not attached on the back side.

[0031] 5B , when the first background portion 108 is placed on the opposite side of the camera 104, the illumination from the back side passes through the container 101 and the measurement object 103 and reaches the front side of the container 101. This ensures brightness even for the measurement object 103 in an area where there is no label 102 on the back side. As a result, color differences are less likely to occur between areas where there is a label 102 on the back side of the container 101 and areas where there is no label 102, making it possible to prevent erroneous determinations of the properties and liquid level.

[0032] 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B, the first background portion 108 is used as an example of the background portion, but the background portion may be the right-side second background portion 108a or the left-side second background portion 108b. Also, in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B, the illumination from the front side is described as light arriving directly from the light source 107, but it may be light reflected by the left-side mirror 106a or the right-side mirror 106b. Furthermore, in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B, the measurement object 103 is assumed to be transparent (such as serum). However, if the measurement object 103 is opaque (such as a chyle sample) and light from the back side does not pass through, illumination from the back side is unnecessary, regardless of whether the measurement object 103 has a label 102 on the back side or not.

[0033] Fig. 6A is a diagram showing an example of illumination of the exposed surface when the exposed surface is on the front side of the camera, and Fig. 6B is a diagram showing an example of illumination of the exposed surface when the exposed surface is on the back side (to the left) of the camera. Note that the side surface of the container 101 has gaps above and below the exposed surface where no label 102 is present, but Figs. 6A and 6B show horizontal cross sections at a height where the label 102 is present.

[0034] 6A , when the exposed surface is on the front side of the camera 104, the illumination from the front side is light that arrives directly from the light source 107, and the illumination from the back side is light that arrives from the first background portion 108. Therefore, the measurement target at a height where the label 102 exists on the opposite side of the exposed surface is illuminated by light that arrives directly from the light source 107. On the other hand, the measurement target at a height where the label 102 does not exist on the opposite side of the exposed surface is illuminated by light that arrives from the first background portion 108.

[0035] Next, as shown in Figure 6B, when the exposed surface is on the rear side (to the left) of the camera 104, the illumination from the front side is light emitted from the light source 107 reflected by the left mirror 106a toward the rear side of the container 101, and the illumination from the rear side is light arriving from the second right background portion 108a. Therefore, the measurement object at a height where the label 102 is present on the opposite side of the exposed surface is illuminated by light arriving from the left mirror 106a. On the other hand, the measurement object at a height where the label 102 is not present on the opposite side of the exposed surface is illuminated by light arriving from the second right background portion 108a. Note that when the exposed surface is on the rear side (to the right) of the camera 104, the measurement object is illuminated by light arriving from the right mirror 106b and light arriving from the second left background portion 108b.

[0036] In this way, the front, left mirror surface, and right mirror surface are all illuminated from the front and back sides, ensuring brightness of the measurement target regardless of the imaging range. Furthermore, by setting the illumination angle of the light source 107 to be equivalent to the range of the camera 104's angle of view in which the container 101 is imaged and narrowing the angle like a spotlight to illuminate only the necessary area, it is possible to suppress stray light and improve analysis accuracy. Here, "equivalent" includes not only a completely equivalent state, but also a state in which the illumination angle of the light source 107 is slightly wider than the range of the camera 104's angle of view in which the container 101 is imaged and the influence of stray light is within a certain range.

[0037] It should be noted that the optical system configuration described above is not necessary as long as the entire periphery of container 101 can be uniformly illuminated regardless of location. For example, a housing may be provided to cover camera 104, left mirror 106a, and right mirror 106b, the inner wall of the housing may be formed with a diffuser plate or a reflector, and lighting disposed on the side of camera 104 or on the top of the housing may be used to illuminate the entire interior of the housing, so that the entire periphery of container 101 is illuminated by diffused light.

[0038] Next, the processing performed in the image processing unit 105 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing in the image processing unit.

[0039] First, the image processing unit 105 acquires one captured image generated by the camera 104, the image including the image capture ranges of the front, the left mirror surface, and the right mirror surface (step S1).

[0040] Next, the image processing unit 105 identifies each imaging range that includes an exposed surface (step S2). For example, in the case of FIG. 3A, the imaging range of the front surface is identified, and in the case of FIG. 3B, the imaging range of the left mirror surface is identified. If there are multiple imaging ranges that include exposed surfaces, the image processing unit 105 extracts the exposed surfaces included in each imaging range and identifies the imaging range with the largest exposed surface. When extracting the exposed surfaces, color features of the label 102 and the container 101, edge detection, barcode detection, etc. are used to identify the boundaries of the label 102 and the container 101. Furthermore, when comparing the exposed surfaces of each imaging range, correction is performed taking into account the difference in resolution between the imaging ranges. This is because the mirror surface is located at a longer working distance from the camera 104 than the front surface, resulting in a reduced image. Instead of identifying the largest imaging range of the exposed surface, the imaging range that includes the largest number of pixels corresponding to the color features of the measurement target 103 may be identified.

[0041] Thereafter, the image processing unit 105 identifies the region of the biological sample on the exposed surface that is the measurement target 103 (step S3). At this time, the boundary between the measurement target region (e.g., serum region) and other regions (blood clot region, air layer region, etc.) is identified by edge detection or the like.

[0042] Next, the image processing unit 105 acquires information about the color or height of the measurement target 103 (step S4). The height of the measurement target 103 is calculated based on the number of pixels between the upper and lower boundaries of the measurement target area and a conversion coefficient that converts the number of pixels into length. The conversion coefficient differs between the front surface and the mirror surface, and is stored in advance in a storage unit.

[0043] Thereafter, the image processing unit 105 determines the properties and liquid volume of the measurement target 103 based on the information about the color or height (step S5).

[0044] A method for determining the properties of the object 103 will now be described. A correspondence between the property classification of the object 103 and the range (threshold value) of color features corresponding to each classification is stored in advance in the storage unit. Therefore, the image processing unit 105 can determine the property of the object 103 by comparing the acquired color information (color features) with the correspondence stored in the storage unit. For example, if the object 103 is serum, the serum color has characteristics depending on the serum state (normal, hemolysis, chyle, jaundice, etc.), so if the correspondence is stored in advance, the serum state can be determined. Note that the reflectance of the left mirror 106a and / or the right mirror 106b can cause a color difference between the mirror surface and the exposed surface of the object 103 in front of the camera. However, by storing a color correction coefficient in advance in the storage unit and performing color correction before determining the property, the color difference caused by the mirror reflectance can be reduced, improving the accuracy of the property classification.

[0045] Furthermore, the color of the measurement object 103 of the same biological sample may differ depending on the positional relationship between the illumination and the exposed surface, such as when the exposed surface is in front of the camera or when it is sideways relative to the camera 104. In such cases, color correction coefficients corresponding to the position (horizontal coordinate) of the exposed surface in the captured image are stored in advance in a storage unit, and color correction is performed according to the position of the measurement object 103 in the image detected during measurement, thereby reducing color variation due to the position of the exposed surface and improving the accuracy of property classification.

[0046] A method for determining the amount of liquid will now be described. Information on the inner diameter of the container 101 is stored in advance in the storage unit. The information on the inner diameter of the container 101 is stored in the storage unit, for example, by the user inputting the model number of the container using an input / output interface (not shown) or by inputting it directly. Therefore, the image processing unit 105 can determine the amount of liquid in the measurement object 103 based on information on the height of the measurement object 103 and the information on the inner diameter of the container 101 stored in the storage unit.

[0047] In this embodiment, the image processing unit 105 identifies one of the imaging ranges that includes the exposed surface (step S2 described above), and then performs analysis by focusing on the exposed surface included in that imaging range. This has the advantage of making the analysis process relatively simple. However, if the exposed surface is captured across multiple imaging ranges, analyzing only one of the imaging ranges may result in low analysis accuracy because the exposed surface is small and the amount of information obtained is limited.

[0048] Therefore, the image processing unit 105 may extract areas of the container 101 from the imaging ranges of the front, the left mirror surface, and the right mirror surface, and integrate these areas to generate an integrated image (a developed image of the entire periphery) that is continuous in the circumferential direction of the container 101. If the analysis from step 3 onwards is performed based on this integrated image, the exposed surface is wide and a lot of information can be obtained, resulting in high analytical accuracy.

[0049] When integrating the container 101 area on the front surface and the container 101 area on the mirror surface, correction is performed taking into account the difference in resolution of each area. Also, there may be overlap between the area of ​​the container 101 reflected on the front surface and the area of ​​the container 101 reflected on the mirror surface. However, as this overlap increases, more information can be obtained, improving the accuracy of the analysis. Furthermore, by detecting the tilt of the container 101 from each image of the front surface and the mirror surface, and then performing tilt correction before integrating the images, a more accurate integrated image can be obtained.

[0050] 101...container, 102...label, 103...measurement object, 104...camera, 105...image processing unit, 106a...left mirror, 106b...right mirror, 107...light source, 108...first background portion, 108a...right second background portion, 108b...left second background portion

Claims

1. A biological sample measuring device comprising: a camera that generates an image of a labeled container; and an image processing unit that identifies the area of ​​the biological sample contained in the container from the image and acquires information regarding the color or height of the biological sample; the biological sample measuring device further comprising: a mirror that reflects the back side of the container to the camera; and a light source that emits light that illuminates the biological sample in the container from the exposed, unlabeled surface; the mirror reflects the light emitted from the light source toward the back side of the container; and the camera generates the image that includes the front side of the container and the back side of the container reflected by the mirror.

2. A biological sample measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the biological sample has a transparent measurement target, and further comprises a first background section arranged opposite the camera across the container, and a second background section arranged opposite the mirror across the container, wherein the first background section and second background section reflect or scatter the light that has passed through the measurement target and reached it, thereby illuminating the measurement target.

3. A biological sample measuring device as described in claim 2, wherein the mirrors comprise a left-side mirror arranged at a distance to the left of the first background section, and a right-side mirror arranged at a distance to the right of the first background section, and the second background section comprises a right-side second background section arranged at a position opposite the left-side mirror across the container, and a left-side second background section arranged at a position opposite the right-side mirror across the container.

4. A biological sample measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the biological sample has a transparent measurement target, and further comprises a first background section arranged opposite the camera across the container, and a second background section arranged opposite the mirror across the container, wherein the first background section and second background section emit light separately from the light source to illuminate the measurement target.

5. A biological sample measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing that covers the camera and the mirror, the inner wall of the housing being formed from a diffusing plate or a reflecting plate, and the area around the container being illuminated by diffused light.

6. A biological sample measuring device as described in claim 1, wherein the light source is positioned on the same side of the container as the camera, and the illumination angle of the light source is equal to the range of the camera's angle of view in which the image of the container is captured.

7. A biological sample measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the image processing unit identifies the measurement target area of ​​the biological sample from an imaging range that includes the exposed surface, out of an imaging range of the front side of the container and an imaging range of the back side of the container reflected by the mirror.

8. A biological sample measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit performs color correction according to the horizontal coordinate of the measurement target area in the captured image.

9. A biological sample measuring device as described in claim 1, characterized in that when both the imaging range on the front side of the container and the imaging range on the back side of the container reflected by the mirror include the exposed surface, the image processing unit identifies the measurement target area of ​​the biological sample from the imaging range where the exposed surface is the widest.

10. A biological sample measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit uses an image of the front side of the container and an image of the back side of the container captured by the mirror to generate an integrated image that is continuous in the circumferential direction of the container, and identifies the measurement target area of ​​the biological sample from the integrated image.

11. A biological sample measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the camera separately captures images focused on the front side of the container and images focused on the mirror.

12. A biological sample measurement method using a biological sample measurement device having a camera that generates an image of a labeled container, and an image processing unit that identifies the area of ​​the biological sample contained in the container from the image and acquires information regarding the color or height of the biological sample, characterized in that the biological sample measurement method comprises the steps of: a light source irradiating light that illuminates the biological sample in the container from the exposed surface that is not labeled; a mirror that reflects the back side of the container to the camera, reflecting the light irradiated from the light source toward the back side of the container; and a camera generating the image that includes the front side of the container and the back side of the container reflected by the mirror.

Images