KR101361789B1 - Printing system for histopathologic examination and result management - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a printing system for histopathologic examination and result management which manages en bloc by executing slide and cassette mixture printing for a work which prints an identification code on a slide and cassette for a clinical specimen tissue and manages it by being connected with an external terminal such as PC etc.

Description

Output system for pathological examination and result management {PRINTING SYSTEM FOR HISTOPATHOLOGIC EXAMINATION AND RESULT MANAGEMENT}

The present invention relates to an output system for pathological examination and result management, in detail, the slide and cassette mixed printing in the operation of printing and managing the identification code on the slide and cassette for specimen in conjunction with an external terminal such as a PC The present invention relates to an output system for pathological examination and result management that allows management to be carried out collectively.

Tissue pathology test specimens (hereinafter referred to as "specimen tissues") for medical treatment or drug development are recognized as a very important resource for verifying functions, effects and side effects. Therefore, research institutes and medical institutions use specimen tissues suitable for specific diseases as sample cases and utilize them as useful assets for comparison with disease confirmation. In particular, in pathology, an important asset that verifies the patient's history and finally confirms the disease do.

Currently, most domestic general hospitals handle over 15,000 patient samples per year. To handle these patient samples, a cassette for embedding human tissue pathology (hereinafter referred to as a "cassette") and slides for diagnosing sample tissues are included. Will be used. The cassette is a storage case made of a plastic material in which the sample tissue of the patient is stored inside, and the slide is a transparent glass plate used for inspecting the sample tissue by placing the sample tissue on the upper side of the cassette. An identification code representing the organization information is recorded.

1 is a flowchart illustrating a process of examining a specimen tissue using such a conventional cassette and slide.

First, a specimen to be inspected is received and arranged (S11), a number (identification code) indicative of specimen tissue information is recorded in a cassette storing the specimen tissue (S12), specimen tissue is inserted into the cassette (S13) The inserted specimen tissue is preserved and thermally treated (S14) to form a cassette block (S15). After the block is formed, the specimen tissue is peeled off from the cassette (S16). Ribbing is performed to attach the specimen tissue that has been separated to the slide (S17), and a number (identification code) (S18). After that, the slide on which the number is recorded is dried (S19), the dyeing process is performed (S20), the identification code for identifying the sample information attached to the slide is input to the label output device (S21) A label is output according to the identification code (S22). The output label is attached to the slide (S23), the specimen tissue attached to the slide is diagnosed (S24), and the inspection result is entered into the computer system and registered (S25). The slides and the cassette blocks which have been inspected are stored in separate storage places (S26, S27).

During the above process, the process of recording the identification code on the cassette and the slide or the process of printing and attaching the label is performed by hand, and in some cases, a dedicated printer is used in case of a large amount of inspection. However, in the case of dealing with a large amount of sample tissues, an error may occur in the process of recording an identification code through a printer or a manual to represent such tissue information, and it is necessary to repeatedly match the sample and the patient during the operation. As a result, bottlenecks occur due to the large amount of time spent, resulting in inefficient work.

In particular, considering that the cassettes used in most general hospitals with a pathology department have an annual average of 50,000 or more, and more than 70,000 slides are used, managing cassettes and slides through such manual operations is time consuming and reliable. And the label printer used for the slide and the cassette printer which prints the identification number on the cassette, and the label printer used for the slide are separately configured. There was this.

The present invention was created to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to check the identification number assignment operation by unifying the identification number to print the identification number together on the cassette and the slide through the terminal in which the specimen tissue information, such as PC It is to provide an output system for pathological examination and result management that facilitates work and management.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an output system for printing an identification code on a substrate provided in a specimen or cassette for specimen histological examination, wherein a plurality of slides are stacked inside and formed to discharge the bottom slide at the bottom. A first supply tray having a first supply port; A second supply tray having a plurality of cassettes stacked therein and having a second supply hole formed to discharge the lowermost cassette at a lower portion thereof; Supply means for pushing the bottom slide of the first supply tray to be discharged to the first supply port or for pushing the bottom cassette of the second supply tray to the second supply port; An arrangement unit for disposing a supply tray selected by moving the first supply tray and the second supply tray in a direction in which the supply means pushes; A transfer unit for transferring the slide or the cassette discharged through the supply means; An output unit having an height control means corresponding to the height of the slide and the cassette, the identification code being printed on the substrate of the slice or the cassette which receives ink and moves through the transfer unit; Discharge means for pushing the slide or cassette, which is installed at the end of the transfer part and printed with an identification number, from the transfer part; A discharge tray unit in which the slide or cassette pushed through the discharge means is loaded; A control unit configured to control the supply unit, the transfer unit, the output unit, and the discharge unit, and receive an identification code signal from the outside and output the identification code through the output unit; A converter for selecting a slide mode for slide printing or a cassette mode for cassette printing from a user and transmitting a setting value corresponding to the mode to the controller to control the transfer unit and the output unit; Characterized in that consists of.

In this case, the output unit includes an ink supply unit for accommodating and supplying an ultraviolet curing ink, a heater for preheating the base unit of the slide or cassette, and spraying the ink supplied through the ink supply unit to the base unit of the slide or cassette to control the control unit. The head unit for printing the identification code input through the, and the ultraviolet lamp for curing the ultraviolet curing ink sprayed on the base portion of the slide or cassette.

In addition, an injection unit for spraying the UV curable finish coating agent to the base material of the slide or cassette printed with the identification code through the output unit, and an ultraviolet lamp for curing the UV curable finish coating agent sprayed to the base material of the slide or cassette And may further include a coating part controlled through the controller.

The discharge tray unit pushes the discharge tray selected by moving the first discharge tray for loading the slide, the second discharge tray for loading the cassette, the first discharge tray and the second discharge tray. It can be made up of an arrangement disposed in the direction.

The transfer unit is a conveyor belt unit for transferring the slide or cassette, a transfer motor unit which operates the conveyor belt unit and is controlled by the control unit, and the conveyor belt unit is formed in the traveling direction of the conveyor belt unit above the mode of the conversion unit. Optionally, the guide part may be configured to prevent separation of the slide or the cassette in accordance with the standard of the slide or the cassette.

Through the present invention, by printing the identification code for the same sample tissue information input to a terminal such as a PC on a cassette and a slide in a batch, it prevents the delay and error occurrence of time appeared in the manual method and manages the specimen resource management. It can be done efficiently.

Furthermore, medical confirmation period and cost can be reduced, and in particular, printing or coating layer formation through a special ink on the substrate prevents damage to the printing portion even if time passes and various tests are performed. History and troop grading can be done more easily and reliably.

1 is a flowchart illustrating a process of examining a specimen tissue using a conventional cassette and a slide;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an outer shape according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a partial perspective view showing a transfer unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a partial perspective view showing the discharge tray unit according to an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the appearance according to another embodiment of the present invention,
7 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the configuration of the output system for the pathological examination and result management of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is a substrate portion provided in the cassette or slide for testing specimens Provides a system for printing an identification code assigned for management purposes.

That is, when the user places the cassette 300 and the slide 200 in the state before the identification code is applied to the base portion B, respectively, in the first supply tray 111 and the second supply tray 113, Description of the cassette 300 or the slide 200 in which the identification code generated through a terminal such as a PC for receiving information on the sample tissue included in the cassette 300 and the slide 200 and constructing a database is stored. Will output to (B).

The first supply tray 111 is a structure in which a plurality of slides are stacked and stacked inside, and the first supply tray 111 has a structure in which a slide located at the bottom of the stacked slides is horizontally discharged below the first supply tray 111. Supply port 112 is formed.

The slide 200 is a rectangular glass plate that is used for the purpose of microscopic examination of the specimen tissue, one side of the longitudinal direction of the base portion (B) is formed with an identification code indicating the brief information about the specimen tissue attached (identification Number) and the like, and is inserted into the first supply tray 111 so that the base portion B faces the same direction upward.

The second supply tray 113 is a part that plays a role similar to that of the first supply tray 111, and is configured to stack a plurality of cassettes stacked inside, and the lowermost cassette of the stacked cassettes is discharged horizontally. The second supply port 114 of the structure is formed.

The cassette 300 is a rectangular case which is used for the purpose of storing the specimen tissue, and an identification code (identification number) indicating brief information on the specimen tissue that is formed by having a base portion (B) formed on the upper corner of the front surface. It is configured to be described, etc., the base portion (B) of the cassette 300 is inserted in the state superimposed on the second supply tray 113 so as to face the same direction.

Each of the first supply tray 111 and the second supply tray 113 may be provided separately one by one. Preferably, a plurality of first supply trays 111 and two second supply trays 113 may be provided for smooth progression when printing identification codes for a plurality of cassettes and slides. In FIG. 2, six first supply trays 111 and six second supply trays 113 are provided as preferred embodiments. However, the first supply tray 111 and the second supply tray 113 may be modified in an appropriate number according to a user's needs.

Since the printing of the identification code in the present invention is performed for a single slide or cassette, it is necessary to supply the slides or cassettes one by one according to the user's selection. To this end, by moving the first supply tray 111 and the second supply tray 113, the supply means 120 which will be described later the supply tray selected from the first supply tray 111 or the second supply tray 113 is Arrangement 110 is disposed to be pushed in a direction.

In FIG. 2, the arrangement 110 is formed in a circular shape, and the first supply tray 111 and the first supply port 112 and the second supply port 114 respectively face upward. A second supply tray 113 is installed to rotate the arrangement 110 so that the supply means 120 is selected from the first supply tray 111 or the second supply tray 113 to slide or cassette. To push it away.

On the other side of the supply tray disposed on one side of the first supply tray 111 or the second supply tray 113 in accordance with the rotation of the arrangement 110, the bottom slide of the first supply tray 111 It is provided with a supply means 120 to push the discharge to the first supply port 112, or to push the bottom cassette of the second supply tray 113 to the second supply port (114).

When the arrangement 110 is made in a circular shape as shown in Figure 2 the supply means 120 will be located at the center side of the arrangement 110, the supply means 120 is an electric motor and electric The slide or cassette is pushed toward the transfer part 130 by performing a reciprocating motion according to a control signal input through a crank shaft connected to the rotation shaft of the motor.

The slide discharged from the first supply port 112 or the cassette discharged from the second supply port 114 through the supply means 120 is transported for printing the identification code through the transfer unit 130 in the form of a conveyor belt. do.

4 is a partial perspective view showing a transfer unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the transfer unit 130 operates the conveyor belt unit 131 and the conveyor belt unit 131 for transferring the slide or cassette and will be described later. It is made of a transfer motor unit 132 that operates through the control unit 180.

At this time, the conveyor belt 131 is formed in the direction of the conveyor belt 131 toward one side of the conveyor belt 131, and the conveyor belt 131 corresponds to the size of the slide or the cassette according to the mode selection of the converter 190 to be described later. The guide portion 133 is formed to prevent the slide or cassette from being separated during the transfer by adjusting the upper space.

That is, the entire width of the conveyor belt 131 is made to be slightly larger than the cassette having a larger size than the slide for smooth transfer. In the case of printing the identification code for the cassette, the guide part 133 is a cassette supplied when the supply means 120 pushes the cassette from the second supply tray 113 to the conveyor belt part 131. By limiting the pushing range to be precisely positioned in the center of the belt portion 131, the identification code can be printed in the correct position.

In addition, in the case of printing the identification code on the slide having a relatively small size for the cassette, the guide unit 133 is the supply means 120 the slide from the second supply tray 113 the conveyor belt portion When pushed to 131, the slide which is moved to the other side and moves through the transfer part 130 is positioned at the center of the conveyor belt 131 so as to limit the pushing range of the supplied slide, and is identified at the correct position of the base part. Allow the code to be printed.

The guide portion 133 is made of a panel formed in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 131 and a moving means consisting of a drive motor and a gear for moving the panel in the horizontal direction.

The output unit 140 for printing the identification code on the base portion (B) of the slide 200 or the cassette 300 is transferred to the longitudinal center side of the transfer unit 130. The output unit 140 receives ink in a configuration similar to an inkjet printer, and prints an identification code by spraying ink onto a base of a slice or a cassette moving through the transfer unit 130.

In addition, the output unit 140 is provided with height adjusting means 144 for adjusting the overall height of the output unit 140 in response to the height of the slide and the cassette. That is, when the identification code is printed on the base portion B of the slide 200, the height adjusting means 144 is lowered to correspond to the height of the slide 200, and is identified on the base portion B of the cassette 300. When the code is printed, the height adjusting means 144 is raised to correspond to the height of the cassette 300 so that the smooth identification code can be printed. Such height adjustment means can be easily implemented through the drive motor and the rack-pinion gear.

In this case, the slide 200 is stained in a variety of ways depending on the type of sample tissue attached, the dyeing reagent is in direct contact with the slide 200. Such a dyeing reagent is a function of increasing the visual difference when reading by a microscope by staining the abnormal part with a specific color for bacteria or sample tissue, mainly made of materials such as xylene, alcohol, formarin.

At this time, when the identification code is printed using the general ink on the base portion (B), there is a high possibility that the identification code printed by the sample for dyeing is damaged. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to use an ink having resistance to a dye sample rather than a general ink, or to apply a special coating treatment.

To this end, the output unit 140 includes an ink supply unit 141 for accommodating and supplying ultraviolet curing ink, a heater 142 for preheating the base unit B of the slide 200 or the cassette 300, and The head unit 143 for printing the identification code input through the control unit 180 by spraying the ink supplied through the ink supply unit 141 to the base portion (B) of the slide 200 or the cassette 300; In addition, the slide 200 or the cassette 300 is made of an ultraviolet lamp (U) for curing the ultraviolet curing ink sprayed on the base portion (B).

Ultraviolet curing ink is an ink in which the liquid unit is converted into a solid polymer by contact with ultraviolet rays. Unlike aqueous series or solvent ink, the solvent does not evaporate or dry. It is necessary to maintain the temperature of the surface of the substrate portion at 40 degrees or more before printing. To this end, the substrate portion B is preheated to 40 degrees or more through the heater 142 before the ink is ejected from the head portion 143.

After printing the identification code by spraying the UV curing ink on the base portion (B) in the head portion 143, the ink by irradiating ultraviolet rays to the base portion printed with the identification code through the ultraviolet lamp (U) Hardened and the identification code is firmly fixed. The identification code formed by fixing the UV curing ink does not peel off or fall off easily even when various dyeing reagents come into contact with each other, unless a strong force is applied.

The ink supply unit 141 and the head unit 143 may be implemented by the same technology as a conventional inkjet printer.

At this time, the transfer unit 130, while the slide stays in the output unit 140, the substrate unit B is preheated through the heater 142, while the identification code is printed through the head unit 143 Configured to pause for a while.

At the end of the transfer unit 130 is provided with a discharge means 160 for pushing the slide or cassette with the identification number printed through the output unit 140 to the discharge tray unit 170 located on the side of the transfer unit 130. . The discharge means 160 pushes the slide or cassette by reciprocating motion according to the signal input through the same operating principle as the supply means 120.

5 is a partial perspective view of the discharge tray unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the discharge tray unit 170 is a slide or cassette pushed through the discharge means 160 in a configuration that is sequentially stacked the slide ( Move the first discharge tray 171 for storing 200, the second discharge tray 172 for loading the cassette 300, the first discharge tray 171 and the second discharge tray 172; It is composed of a disposition unit 173 for disposing the discharge tray selected in the direction of the discharge means 160.

In FIG. 5, four first discharge trays 171 and second discharge trays 172 are formed by stacking layers, respectively, and the arrangement unit includes a first discharge tray 171 and a second discharge motor through a driving motor. By adjusting the height of the discharge tray 172, the first discharge tray 171 is located on the side of the discharge means 160 when printing the identification code on the slide, the first discharge tray 171 when printing the identification code on the cassette Is adjusted to be positioned on the side of the discharge means (160).

Finally, a controller 180 corresponding to the CPU of the present invention and a converter 190 for selecting a slide mode for slide printing or a cassette mode for cassette printing from a user are provided.

The control unit 180 controls the detailed operation of the supply means 120, the transfer unit 130, the output unit 140 and the discharge means 160, in particular the supply, transfer, identification code printing, loading of the slide or cassette The process is controlled to be performed sequentially, and receives the identification code signal from an external management terminal such as a PC and outputs the identification code through the output unit 140.

The conversion unit 190 is a kind of changeover switch to change setting values for the case of printing the identification code on the slide and the case of printing the identification code on the cassette. That is, the user selects the slide mode for the slide printing or the cassette mode for the cassette printing through the conversion unit 190, and transmits the setting means corresponding to the selected mode to the controller 180 to supply the supply means and the discharge. The operation timing of the means, the feed speed and stop position of the transfer unit 130, and the height adjusting means 144 of the output unit 140 is appropriately controlled.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the appearance according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration according to another embodiment of the present invention, the output unit 140 is a general ink rather than ultraviolet curing ink When used, the coating part is coated to prevent damage to the printed identification code.

In the following description of another embodiment of the present invention described with reference to Figures 6 to 7 will be used the same reference numerals for the same configuration as the configuration described in the preferred embodiment of the present invention described in Figures 2 to 5, Duplicate explanations will be omitted.

The coating part 150 is a part of coating the identification code printed on the base portion (B) of the slide 200 or the cassette 300 by using a general ink through a UV curable finish coating agent, specifically, the output unit An injection unit 151 for injecting a UV curable finish coating agent to the base portion (B) of the slide 200 or cassette 300, the identification code is printed through the 140, and the slide 200 or cassette 300 It is made of an ultraviolet lamp (U) for curing the ultraviolet curable finish coating agent sprayed on the base portion (B).

The injection unit 151 is controlled through the control unit 180, and the height is adjusted according to the object placed in the position of the injection unit 151. That is, when the coating on the base portion (B) of the slide 200, the height of the injection portion 151 will be lowered, and when the coating on the base portion (B) of the cassette 300, the height of the injection portion 151 is Will rise in response.

The ultraviolet lamp U is also controlled through the controller 180 and has the same configuration as the ultraviolet lamp included in the output unit 140 described above.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment, but is capable of many modifications and variations within the scope of the appended claims. It is self-evident.

110: arrangement section 111: first supply tray
112: first supply port 113: second supply tray
114: second supply port 120: supply means
130: transfer unit 131: conveyor belt unit
132: transfer motor portion 133: guide portion
140: output unit 141: ink supply unit
142: heater 143: head portion
144: height adjustment means 150: coating
151: injection unit 160: discharge means
170: discharge tray unit 171: first discharge tray
172: second discharge tray 173: disposition unit
180: control unit 190: conversion unit
200: slide 300: cassette
B: base material U: ultraviolet lamp

Claims (5)

In the output system for printing the identification code on the substrate (B) provided in the specimen 300 for the specimen histological examination or the slide 200,
A first supply tray 111 having a plurality of slides stacked therein and having a first supply hole 112 formed at a lower portion thereof to discharge the bottom slide;
A second supply tray 113 having a plurality of cassettes stacked therein and having a second supply hole 114 formed to discharge the lowermost cassette at a lower portion thereof;
Push the bottom slide of the first supply tray 111 to be discharged to the first supply port 112, or push the bottom cassette of the second supply tray 113 to discharge to the second supply port 114. Supply means 120 to make;
An arrangement unit 110 for disposing a supply tray selected by moving the first supply tray 111 and the second supply tray 113 in a direction in which the supply means 120 pushes;
Transfer unit 130 for transferring the slide or cassette discharged through the supply means 120;
An output unit 140 which prints an identification code on a base of a slice or a cassette which receives ink and moves through the transfer unit 130 and has height adjusting means 144 corresponding to the height of the slide and the cassette;
Discharge means (160) installed at the end of the transfer unit (130) for pushing the slide or cassette having an identification number printed from the transfer unit (130);
A discharge tray unit 170 in which the slide or cassette pushed through the discharge means 160 is stored;
Control the supply means 120, the transfer unit 130, the output unit 140 and the discharge means 160, and is configured to receive the identification code signal from the outside to output the identification code through the output unit 140 The controller 180;
A converter that selects a slide mode for slide printing or a cassette mode for cassette printing from a user and transmits a setting value corresponding to the mode to the controller 180 to control the transfer unit 130 and the output unit 140. 190; Output system for pathological examination and result management, characterized in that consisting of.
The method of claim 1,
The output unit 140 includes an ink supply unit 141 that receives and supplies ultraviolet curable ink,
A heater 142 for preheating the base of the slide or cassette;
A head unit 143 for printing the identification code input through the control unit 180 by injecting the ink supplied through the ink supply unit 141 to the substrate of the slide or the cassette;
Output system for pathological examination and result management, characterized in that consisting of an ultraviolet lamp (U) for curing the ultraviolet curing ink injected into the base portion of the slide or cassette.
The method of claim 1,
The injection unit 151 for spraying the UV curable finish coating agent on the base of the slide or cassette printed with the identification code through the output unit 140, and the UV curable finish coating agent sprayed on the base of the slide or cassette The output system for pathological examination and result management, characterized in that further comprises a coating unit 150 made of an ultraviolet lamp (U) to be controlled through the control unit 180.
The method of claim 1,
The discharge tray unit 170 may include a first discharge tray 171 for loading the slide, a second discharge tray 172 for loading the cassette, the first discharge tray 171 and a second discharge tray ( Output system for pathological examination and result management, characterized in that it comprises a disposition unit (173) for disposing the discharge tray selected by moving the 172 in the pushing direction of the discharge means (160).
The method of claim 1,
The transfer unit 130 is a conveyor belt unit 131 for transferring the slide or cassette, a transfer motor unit 132 that operates the conveyor belt unit 131 and is controlled through the control unit 180, and the conveyor The guide part is formed above the belt part 131 in the advancing direction of the conveyor belt part 131 to prevent the slide or cassette from being separated in accordance with the standard of the slide or the cassette according to the mode selection of the converter 190. Output system for pathological examination and result management, characterized in that consisting of (133).

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