CN114554107A

CN114554107A - Sample image capturing apparatus, sample image capturing method, and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN114554107A
Application number: CN202011345686.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 姜斌
Original assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio Medical Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio Medical Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-25
Filing date: 2020-11-25
Publication date: 2022-05-27

Abstract

The application discloses a sample image shooting device, a sample image shooting method and a storage medium. The sample image shooting device comprises a conveying system, a controller, a first imaging system and a second imaging system; the first imaging system is provided with a first holding device, a first driving device and a first imaging device, wherein the first holding device is used for holding the sample carrier, the first driving device is used for enabling the first holding device and the first imaging device to move relatively, and the first imaging device is used for shooting images of a sample to be measured; the second imaging system is provided with a second holding device, a second driving device and a second imaging device, the second holding device is used for holding the sample carrier, the second driving device is used for enabling the second holding device and the second imaging device to move relatively, and the second imaging device is used for shooting images of a sample to be measured; and the controller is used for controlling the first imaging system and the second imaging system to simultaneously take images of different samples to be measured in parallel.

Description

Sample image capturing apparatus, sample image capturing method, and storage medium

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of sample image shooting, in particular to sample image shooting equipment, a sample image shooting method and a storage medium.

Background

The sample image taking apparatus is an instrument apparatus for analyzing cells on smears of peripheral blood, pathogenic protozoa, bone marrow, body fluids, and the like. The core module is a microscopic camera system, and the core module is used for shooting a sample to be detected on a sample carrier into a color image and analyzing the sample to be detected according to the obtained image.

In the sample image shooting equipment, the time consumption for shooting the samples to be detected one by one is too long, and the method becomes a key and bottleneck for limiting the shooting speed of the sample image shooting equipment.

Therefore, there is a need for an improvement of the present sample image photographing apparatus to solve the problems in the related art.

Disclosure of Invention

In this summary, concepts in a simplified form are introduced that are further described in the detailed description. This summary of the invention is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In order to overcome the problems currently existing, a first aspect of the present invention provides a specimen image photographing apparatus including a transport system, a controller, and a first imaging system and a second imaging system independent of each other;

the first imaging system has a first holding device, a first drive device and a first imaging device, the first holding device is used for holding a sample carrier, the first drive device is used for enabling the first holding device and the sample carrier held by the first holding device to move relative to the first imaging device, and the first imaging device is used for carrying out image shooting on a sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the first holding device;

the second imaging system has a second holding device different from the first holding device, a second driving device different from the first driving device, and a second imaging device different from the first imaging device, the second holding device is configured to hold a sample carrier, the second driving device is configured to move the second holding device together with the sample carrier held by the second holding device relative to the second imaging device, and the second imaging device is configured to image-capture a sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the second holding device;

the transport system is configured to transport a sample carrier carrying a sample to be tested to the first imaging system or the second imaging system;

and the controller is used for controlling the first imaging system and the second imaging system to simultaneously shoot images of the samples to be detected on different sample carriers in parallel.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a sample image capturing method including:

controlling a conveying system to convey a first sample carrier and a second sample carrier which bear samples to be detected to a first imaging system and a second imaging system which are independent of each other respectively for shooting simultaneously;

in the first imaging system, a first sample carrier is held by a first holding device, and the first holding device and the first sample carrier held by the first holding device are relatively moved with a first imaging device by a first driving device so that a sample to be measured enters an imaging area of the first imaging device, so that the sample to be measured on the first sample carrier is subjected to image shooting by the first imaging device;

in the second imaging system, a second sample carrier is held by a second holding device, and the second holding device with the second sample carrier held by the second holding device and a second imaging device are moved relatively by a second driving device, so that a sample to be measured enters an imaging area of the second imaging device, and the sample to be measured on the second sample carrier is subjected to image shooting by the second imaging device;

wherein the taking of the first sample carrier by the first imaging system at least partially overlaps in time with the taking of the second sample carrier by the second imaging system.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a sample image capturing method including:

controlling a conveying system to convey a first sample carrier bearing a sample to be detected to a first imaging system and a second imaging system which are independent of each other in sequence for shooting;

in the first imaging system, a first sample carrier is held by a first holding device, and the first holding device and the first sample carrier held by the first holding device are relatively moved with a first imaging device by a first driving device so that a sample to be measured enters an imaging area of the first imaging device, so that the sample to be measured on the first sample carrier is subjected to image shooting by the first imaging device under a first shooting condition;

in the second imaging system, a first sample carrier shot by the first imaging system is held by a second holding device, and the second holding device with the first sample carrier held by the second holding device and a second imaging device are relatively moved by a second driving device to make a sample to be measured enter an imaging area of the second imaging device, so that the sample to be measured on the first sample carrier is subjected to image shooting by the second imaging device under a second shooting condition different from the first shooting condition.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a storage medium storing an executable program executable by a processor to implement the steps of the sample image capturing method as described above.

The invention provides sample image shooting equipment which comprises a first imaging system and a second imaging system which are independent from each other, wherein the first imaging system and the second imaging system simultaneously shoot images of samples to be detected on different sample carriers in parallel.

Drawings

The following drawings of the invention are included to provide a further understanding of the invention. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the sample image capturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the first and second imaging systems according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the first imaging system, the second imaging system, and the third imaging system in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a sample image capturing method according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic flow chart illustrating a sample image capturing method according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an objective lens switching manner of an imaging system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an objective lens switching mode of an imaging system according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a sample analysis system including a sample image capture device according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural view of a smear preparing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application more apparent, exemplary embodiments according to the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application and not all embodiments of the present application, and that the present application is not limited by the example embodiments described herein. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments of the application described in the application without inventive step, shall fall within the scope of protection of the application.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present application. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present application may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in order to avoid obscuring the present application.

It is to be understood that the present application is capable of implementation in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the application to those skilled in the art.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of the associated listed items. The terms first, second, third, etc. are used herein for convenience of description and do not represent limitations in order, etc.

In order to provide a thorough understanding of the present application, detailed steps and detailed structures will be provided in the following description in order to explain the technical solutions proposed in the present application. The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present application, however, will suggest that the present application may have other embodiments in addition to these detailed descriptions.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present application provides a sample image capturing apparatus, as shown in fig. 1 and 2, the sample image capturing apparatus 100 including a transport system 101, a controller 102, and a first imaging system 103 and a second imaging system 104 that are independent of each other;

the first imaging system 103 has a first holding arrangement 1031, a first driving arrangement 1032 and a first imaging arrangement 1033, the first holding arrangement 1031 being configured to hold a sample carrier, the first driving arrangement 1032 being configured to move the first holding arrangement 1031 with the sample carrier held thereby relative to the first imaging arrangement 1033, the first imaging arrangement 1033 being configured to take an image of a sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the first holding arrangement 1031;

the second imaging system 104 has a second holding device 1041 different from the first holding device 1031, a second driving device 1042 different from the first driving device 1032, and a second imaging device 1043 different from the first imaging device 1033, the second holding device 1041 is configured to hold a sample carrier, the second driving device 1042 is configured to move the second holding device 1041 with the sample carrier held by the second holding device 1041 relative to the second imaging device 1043, and the second imaging device 1043 is configured to image-capture a sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the second holding device 1041;

the transport system 101 is configured to transport a sample carrier carrying a sample to be tested to the first imaging system 103 or the second imaging system 104;

a controller 102 configured to control the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104 to simultaneously take images of the samples to be measured on different sample carriers in parallel.

The first and

second imaging systems

103 and 104 are arranged and operated independently of each other, and the first holding device 1031, the first driving device 1032 and the first imaging device 1033 are different from the second holding device 1041, the second driving device 1042 and the second imaging device 1043, and do not overlap each other in space and do not affect each other when operated simultaneously.

In this application, the simultaneous image capturing of the to-be-detected sample on different sample carriers by the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104 means that at least part of the time overlaps, but not limited to complete overlapping, when the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104 capture different samples, so that the to-be-detected sample is simultaneously captured by at least two imaging systems, and the speed of the sample image capturing apparatus 100 is increased.

The parallel refers to both temporal parallel, for example, the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104 take pictures simultaneously; spatial parallelism may also be included, e.g. the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104 are independent of each other, and there are two independent imaging systems in a specific configuration, which do not overlap or interfere spatially. It is to be noted that both said simultaneous and parallel are referred to in the following explanation without specific remarks.

Further, the sample image capturing apparatus 100 further includes a third imaging system 105 that is independently provided and operated, and as shown in fig. 3, the third imaging system 105 has a third holding unit 1051, a third driving unit, and a third imaging unit 1053, which are independently provided with respect to the first holding unit 1031, the first driving unit 1032, the first imaging unit 1033, the second holding unit 1041, the second driving unit 1042, and the second imaging unit 1043. The third imaging system 105, the first imaging system 103 and/or the second imaging system 104 simultaneously take images of samples to be measured on different sample carriers in parallel, and the images are not affected in time and space.

In particular, the third holding device 1051 is configured for holding a sample carrier, the third drive device is configured for moving the third holding device 1051 with the sample carrier held by it relative to the third imaging device 1053, and the third imaging device 1053 is configured for image recording of a sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the third holding device 1051.

Wherein a magnification of the third imaging apparatus 1053 is smaller than a magnification of the first imaging apparatus 1033 and/or the second imaging apparatus 1043. With this arrangement, the shooting speed of the third imaging system 105 is much greater than that of the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104.

In an embodiment of the present application, the controller 102 controls the transport system 101 to transport the sample carrier to the third holding device 1051 of the third imaging system 105, and controls the third imaging system 105 to perform image capturing on the sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the third holding device 1051 by the third imaging device 1053 under the third capturing condition; and then controlling the transport system to transport the sample carrier to the first imaging system 103 or the second imaging system 104, wherein the first imaging system 103 captures an image of the sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the first holding device 1031 by the first imaging device 1033 under the first capturing condition, or the second imaging system 104 captures an image of the sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the second holding device 1041 by the second imaging device 1043 under the second capturing condition.

Wherein the third photographing condition is different from the first photographing condition and the second photographing condition. In an embodiment of this application, third imaging system 105's magnification is little, and shooting speed is fast, through third imaging system fixes a position the target location that needs to shoot in the sample that awaits measuring, then the rethread first imaging system or second imaging system carries out the shooting that magnification is bigger to the target location, owing to contain two at least bigger first imaging systems of magnification with second imaging system can carry out the shooting of different samples that await measuring simultaneously, consequently can improve whole shooting speed.

Specifically, the controller 102 is configured to control the transport system 101 to transport the sample carrier to the third holding device 1051 of the third imaging system 105, and control the third imaging device 1053 to perform image capturing on the sample to be measured on the sample carrier, so as to obtain a first image including the target position;

and controlling the transport system 101 to transport the sample carrier to the first holding device 1031 of the first imaging system 103, and controlling the first imaging device 1033 to perform image capturing on a target position of a sample to be measured on the sample carrier, so as to obtain a second image containing the target position; or controlling the transport system 101 to transport the sample carrier to the second holding device 1041 of the second imaging system 104, and controlling the second imaging device 1043 to perform image capturing on the target position of the sample to be measured on the sample carrier, so as to obtain a second image including the target position, wherein the magnification of the second image is greater than that of the first image.

The magnification of the first imaging device 1033 and the magnification of the second imaging device 1043 may be the same or different, and may be selected according to actual needs.

Optionally, the controller 102 is configured to control the transport system 101 to transport the sample to be measured to the first imaging system 103 for shooting, and after the shooting of the first imaging system 103 is completed, control the running system to transport the sample carrier shot by the first imaging system 103 from the first imaging system 103 to the second imaging system 104 for shooting.

For example, in an embodiment of the present application, a magnification of the first imaging device 1033 is smaller than a magnification of the second imaging device 1043, the first imaging device 1033 is configured to obtain a target position where a specific target to be photographed in the sample to be measured is located, and the second imaging device 1043 is configured to photograph a magnified image of the target position.

Optionally, the magnification of the first imaging device 1033 is at least one of 20-100; the magnification of the second imaging device 1043 is at least one of 20 to 100; the third imaging device 1053 has at least one magnification of 3.5 to 40.

Specifically, the magnification of the first imaging device 1033 is 10 times, 20 times, 40 times, 60 times, or 100 times. The magnification of the second imaging device 1043 is 2 times, 4 times, 10 times, 20 times, 40 times, 60 times, or 100 times.

The setting of the magnification of the first imaging device 1033, the second imaging device 1043, and the third imaging device 1053 may be set according to the functions and the shooting speed thereof, so as to realize the principle of minimum idle or waiting time of the sample image shooting apparatus 100, and improve the shooting speed.

In an embodiment of the present application, the third imaging device 1053 has a magnification of 10, and the first imaging device 1033 and the second imaging device 1043 have a magnification of 40 or 100.

In an embodiment of the present application, the camera and the objective lens are connected to each other through a video or digital adapter, the magnification of the video or digital adapter may be 0.35, 0.5, 0.6, or 1, and the magnification of the imaging system is further adjusted through the video or digital adapter. The output magnification of the imaging system is the magnification of the video or digital adapter tube multiplied by the magnification of the objective lens.

In another embodiment of the present application, the third imaging device 1053 has a magnification of 40, and the first imaging device 1033 and the second imaging device 1043 have a magnification of 100.

In an embodiment of the application, the sample image capturing apparatus 100 comprises only one of the third imaging systems 105. When shooting is performed, the controller 102 respectively conveys different sample carriers, which are shot by the third imaging system 105 successively at different times, to the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104 through the conveying system 101 for shooting, that is, one third imaging system 105 simultaneously supplies sample carriers to the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104, so that cost can be saved and shooting speed can be increased.

In another embodiment of the present application, the sample image capturing apparatus 100 may be provided with a plurality of imaging systems with smaller magnification, for example, the sample image capturing apparatus 100 includes the third imaging system 105 and a fourth imaging system, wherein the third imaging system 105 cooperates with the first imaging system 103 to capture images, and the fourth imaging system cooperates with the second imaging system 104 to capture images, wherein the magnification of the third imaging device 1053 is smaller than the magnification of the first imaging device 1033; the magnification of the fourth imaging device is smaller than the magnification of the second imaging device 1043; whether the magnifications of the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104 are the same and whether the magnifications of the third imaging system 105 and the fourth imaging system are the same are not limited herein.

In this embodiment, when shooting, the controller 102 controls the transport system 101 to transport the first sample carrier to the third imaging system 105 independent of the first imaging system 103 for shooting; after the shooting is completed, the controller 102 controls the transport system 101 to transport the first sample carrier carrying the sample to be tested to the first imaging system 103 for shooting. At the same time, the controller 102 controls the transport system 101 to transport the second sample carrier to a fourth imaging system independent of the second imaging system 104 for taking a photograph; after the photographing is completed, the controller 102 controls the transport system 101 to transport the second sample carrier carrying the sample to be measured to the second imaging system 104 for photographing.

It should be noted that the number of the imaging systems with small magnification (e.g., the third imaging system and the fourth imaging system) and the number of the imaging systems with large magnification (e.g., the first imaging system and the second imaging system) may be set according to actual needs, and the imaging systems are used in cooperation with the functions of the imaging systems and the shooting speed to further reduce the shooting waiting time and improve the shooting speed.

The first imaging system 103, the second imaging system 104 and the third imaging system 105 are modularly constructed, that is, the holding device, the driving device and the imaging device in the first imaging system 103, the second imaging system 104 and the third imaging system 105 are assembled into an integral module, which can be fixed in the sample image capturing apparatus 100 by a conventional fixing manner, and by the modularized configuration, the number of the first imaging system 103, the second imaging system 104 and the third imaging system 105 can be configured according to actual needs, so as to facilitate installation and disassembly, and capture and analysis of multiple types of samples to be detected.

In this application, the first imaging device 1033, the second imaging device 1043, and the third imaging device 1053 may be set to correspond to one camera for one objective lens, and may also be set to correspond to a plurality of objective lenses for one camera, and different objective lenses are switched to the imaging area of the camera by switching.

Specifically, in an embodiment of the present application, the first imaging device 1033 includes a first objective lens 1034 and a first camera disposed corresponding to the first objective lens 1034; and/or

The second imaging device 1043 includes a second objective lens and a second camera disposed corresponding to the second objective lens; and/or

The third imaging device 1053 includes a fifth objective lens and a fifth camera provided corresponding to the fifth objective lens.

In another embodiment, as shown in fig. 6, the first imaging device 1033 further comprises a third objective lens 1035 and a first switching device, wherein the first objective lens 1034 and the third objective lens 1035 share the first camera, and the switching between the first objective lens 1034 and the third objective lens 1035 is realized by the first switching device, and the magnification of the first objective lens 1034 is larger than that of the third objective lens 1035.

The first objective 1034 and the third objective 1035 may be switched by means of objective translation, the translation direction being indicated by the arrow shown in fig. 6. For example, the first objective lens 1034 and the third objective lens 1035 are slidably disposed on the first switching device, and the first objective lens 1034 and the third objective lens 1035 are respectively translated above the first camera by sliding.

Further, the first objective lens 1034 and the third objective lens 1035 may be switched by rotating the objective lenses, as shown in fig. 7. For example, the first switching device is a rotatable disk on which the first objective lens 1034 and the third objective lens 1035 are disposed, and the first objective lens 1034 and the third objective lens 1035 are translated above the first camera by rotating the disk, respectively.

The second imaging device 1043 further includes a fourth objective lens and a second switching device, wherein the second objective lens and the fourth objective lens share the second camera, switching between the second objective lens and the fourth objective lens is realized by the second switching device, and a magnification of the fourth objective lens is greater than that of the second objective lens;

the switching manner of the second objective lens and the fourth objective lens may be translation or rotation, which is the same as the switching manner of the first objective lens 1034 and the third objective lens 1035, and is not described herein again.

The third imaging device 1053 further includes a sixth objective lens and a third switching device, the fifth objective lens and the sixth objective lens share the third camera, the fifth objective lens and the sixth objective lens are switched by the third switching device, and the magnification of the sixth objective lens is greater than that of the fifth objective lens.

In an embodiment of the present application, the first imaging device 1033 includes a first camera with adjustable magnification, and no objective lens is further provided, and the magnification of the first camera is adjusted to capture images of the sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the first holding device 1031 under different magnifications;

the second imaging device 1043 includes a second camera with adjustable magnification, no longer provided with an objective lens, and is configured to perform image capturing on the sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the second holding device 1041 at different magnifications by adjusting the magnification of the second camera.

The adjustment of the camera magnification can be one of the following two ways: the first is optical zoom, which in this way is achieved by movement of the set of lenses. The second is digital zooming, that is, the image is first reduced (similar to a thumbnail image, realizing a low-power mirror effect) for identification, and then the high-definition original image is identified (realizing a high-power mirror effect).

The specific configuration and arrangement of the imaging device may be selected according to actual needs, and is not limited to the above examples.

In the first imaging system 103, the first driving device 1032 is configured to move the first holding device 1031 with the sample carrier held by the first holding device 1031 and the first imaging device 1033 relatively, wherein the relative movement can control the first imaging device 1033 to be kept still, control the first holding device 1031 to move so as to make the sample to be measured on the sample carrier enter the imaging area of the first imaging device 1033, and control the first holding device 1031 to be kept still, and control the first imaging device 1033 to move so as to make the sample to be measured on the sample carrier enter the imaging area of the first imaging device 1033 for shooting.

Similarly, in the second imaging system 104, the driving device is configured to drive any one of the second holding device 1041 and the second imaging device 1043 to move, so that the sample to be measured on the sample carrier enters the imaging area of the second imaging device 1043 for shooting. The third imaging device 1053 is arranged in the same manner, and will not be described in detail.

In an embodiment of the application, the holding device is arranged to be movable. In particular, the first driving device 1032 is configured to drive the first holding device 1031, and the sample carrier held by the first holding device 1031 is driven to move relative to the first imaging device 1033 by the movement of the first holding device 1031, so that the sample to be measured enters the imaging area of the first imaging device 1033; the second driving device 1042 is configured to drive the second holding device 1041, and the sample carrier held by the second holding device 1041 is driven to move relative to the second imaging device 1043 by the movement of the second holding device 1041, so that the sample to be measured enters the imaging area of the second imaging device 1043; the third drive device is configured to drive the third holding device 1051, and the sample carrier held by the third holding device 1051 is moved relative to the third imaging device 1053 by the movement of the third holding device 1051, so that the sample to be measured enters the imaging area of the third imaging device 1053.

In this application, the first holding device 1031, the second holding device 1041, and/or the third holding device 1051 may be a detection stage or a robot, and may be selected according to actual needs.

In an embodiment of the present application, when the first holding device 1031, the second holding device 1041 and/or the third holding device 1051 are configured as a detection stage, a groove for accommodating and supporting the sample carrier is provided on the detection stage, and the shape and size of the groove are the same as or slightly larger than the size of the sample carrier. Or a limiting clamp used for receiving and fixing the sample carrier is arranged on the detection carrier, wherein the limiting clamp can be an elastic clamp so as to be convenient for putting in or taking out the sample carrier.

In another embodiment of the application, when the first holding means 1031, the second holding means 1041 and/or the third holding means 1051 are configured as a robot arm provided with clamping jaws for clamping the sample carrier, the controller 102 controls the movement of the clamping jaws relative to the imaging device for bringing the sample carrier into the imaging area of the imaging device.

When the first holding arrangement 1031, the second holding arrangement 1041 and/or the third holding arrangement 1051 are configured as a robot arm, the robot arm also serves as part of the transport system 101 for transporting a sample carrier carrying a sample to be tested to the first imaging system 103.

In particular, the first holding device 1031 is configured as a first robot having gripping jaws, which at the same time is part of the transport system 101. In this embodiment, the first manipulator is configured to grasp a sample carrier carrying a sample to be tested and transport the sample carrier to the first imaging system 103; meanwhile, the first manipulator is further configured to clamp a sample carrier and move relatively to the first imaging device 1033 under the driving of the first driving device 1032 to enter an imaging area of the first imaging device 1033, and a sample to be measured on the sample carrier is captured in the imaging area of the first imaging device 1033 in a state where the first manipulator is clamped.

Likewise, the second holding device 1041 is configured as a second robot with a gripper for gripping a sample carrier, which second robot is at the same time configured as part of the transport system 101 for transporting a sample carrier carrying a sample to be measured to the second imaging system 104. The third holding device 1051 is configured as a third robot, and functions thereof are the same as the first holding device 1031 and the second holding device 1041, and description thereof is omitted.

Alternatively, in the present application, the transport system 101 may be provided independently of the holding device, and the transport system 101 may transport a sample carrier carrying a sample to be tested to at least one of the first imaging system 103, the second imaging system 104, and the third imaging system 105, or the transport system 101 may transport the sample carrier between the first imaging system 103, the second imaging system 104, and the third imaging system 105.

In one embodiment of the application, the transport system 101 is configured as a robot arm with gripping jaws for gripping a sample carrier in order to grasp the sample carrier and transfer it to an imaging system with matching shooting conditions for shooting.

In a further embodiment of the application, the transport system 101 is designed as a transport rail, by means of which the sample carriers are transported to an imaging system adapted to the imaging conditions for imaging.

In the present application, the first imaging system 103 has a first shooting condition, and the second imaging system 104 has a second shooting condition, wherein the first shooting condition and the second shooting condition may be the same or different.

In an embodiment of the present application, the first photographing condition and the second photographing condition are different, for example, the controller 102 controls the transport system 101 to transport the sample carrier to the first imaging system 103 for photographing under the first photographing condition, and then the transport system 101 transports the sample carrier to the second imaging system 104 for photographing under the second photographing condition, so as to photograph the same sample to be measured under different photographing conditions.

Wherein the third shooting condition is different from the first shooting condition and the second shooting condition, in an embodiment, the sample carrier that is shot under the third shooting condition is transferred to the first imaging system 103 or the second imaging system 104 to be shot under the first shooting condition or the second shooting condition.

Wherein the difference of the first shooting condition, the second shooting condition and the third shooting condition comprises a difference of imaging components and/or a difference of shooting conditions;

the differences in the imaging assemblies include at least one of the following differences: the difference of magnification, the difference of the type of the imaging device and the difference of the setting of the parameters, the difference of the motion of the holding device;

the magnification includes a difference between the magnifications of the first imaging device 1033 and the second imaging device 1043, including an objective lens magnification, a camera magnification, or a magnification after combination of the objective lens and the camera.

The type difference of the imaging device includes a difference of a type of the objective lens, such as a bright field or a dark field, etc.

The setting differences of the parameters include settings of camera parameters or objective parameters, for example, the camera parameter differences include frame rate, amplitude, division ratio, color/gray scale, visible/infrared light, and the like.

The motion difference of the holding device comprises parameters of the driving device and the detection carrier, such as motion modes, driving and transmission modes, motion directions, motion precision, motion range and the like of the driving device and the detection carrier.

The difference of the photographing conditions includes at least one of a difference of a type of the sample to be measured and a difference of the photographing target.

Optionally, the type of the test sample includes at least one of peripheral blood, bone marrow, urine, excreta and secretions other than urine, body cavity fluid, tissue sections, and exfoliated cells.

Specifically, when the type of the sample to be tested is the peripheral blood, the specific object to be photographed includes at least one of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the peripheral blood.

When the type of the sample to be tested is the bone marrow, the specific target to be shot comprises at least one of erythroid cell lines, granulocyte lines, lymphocyte lines, monocyte lines, plasma cell lines, megakaryocytes, reticulocytes, phagocytes, endothelial cells and fat cells;

when the type of the sample to be detected is the urine, the specific shot target comprises at least one of red blood cells, white blood cell clusters, bacteria, yeast-like bacteria, epithelial cells, small round epithelial cells, crystals, hyaline casts, non-hyaline casts and mucus filaments in the urine;

when the type of the sample to be detected is the excrement and the secretion except the urine, the specific shot target comprises at least one of red blood cells, white blood cells, crystals, pathogenic microorganisms, epithelial cells, parasites, sperms, trichomonas, prostatic choline corpuscles, prostatic granular cells, alveolar macrophages and tumor cells;

when the type of the sample to be detected is the body cavity fluid, the shot specific target comprises at least one of red blood cells, white blood cell clusters, bacteria, yeast-like bacteria, epithelial cells and parasites;

when the type of the sample to be tested is the exfoliated cell, the specific target to be shot comprises at least one of epithelial cells, mesothelial cells, cancer cells, red blood cells, white blood cells, macrophages, tissue cells, necrotic objects and parasites;

when the type of the sample to be tested is the slice tissue, the specific object to be shot comprises at least one of red blood cells and white blood cells in the tissue slice.

In this application, the shooting mode may be selected according to the type of the sample to be tested, the type of the sample to be tested may be included in the identity information of the sample carrier to be tested, and the sample image shooting apparatus 100 further includes an identification device, where the identification device is configured to read the identity information of the sample carrier to be tested and transmit the identity information to the controller 102. The controller 102 determines a shooting condition for the sample to be tested on the sample carrier to be tested based on the identity information of the sample carrier to be tested, and controls the transport system 101 to transport the sample carrier to be tested to an imaging system corresponding to the shooting condition for shooting.

In the present application, the controller 102 may select the shooting condition according to the identity information on the sample carrier to be tested, or may determine the shooting condition through online information transmission. In one embodiment, the controller 102 can select the corresponding photographing condition according to a preliminary screening result of the blood analyzer by obtaining the preliminary screening result.

In addition, the sample image capturing apparatus 100 supports the user to set the capturing conditions, for example, when the type of the sample to be measured is the peripheral blood, the capturing conditions include, but are not limited to, WBC, PLT, RBC, and any combination of the above; when no user setting or special information is required, a default mode may be selected, and the conventional setting of the default mode may be, for example, WBC (count 100) + RBC + PLT mode.

Optionally, when the sample to be tested is photographed, the type of the cell is firstly identified, and then the sample carrier carrying the sample to be tested is conveyed to an imaging system for photographing the cell of the type according to the type of the cell for photographing.

In an embodiment of the present application, when a sample to be tested is photographed, first, cells of the sample to be tested are classified into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a third imaging system with a smaller magnification; when abnormal red blood cells (abnormal morphology of red blood cells) are further identified, the sample carrier is conveyed to a first imaging system or a second imaging system with higher shooting precision for further shooting and analysis, such as the first imaging system or the second imaging system with high magnification or high focusing precision.

In an embodiment of the present application, after the controller 102 obtains the identity information of the samples to be tested on the sample carriers to be tested, the controller 102 controls the transport system 101 to transfer the sample carriers to be tested to the third holding device 1051 of the third imaging system 105, obtain first position information of the reference point of the samples to be tested on the sample carriers to be tested through the third imaging device 1053, and obtain second position information of the first position information of each specific target to be shot in the samples to be tested on the sample carriers to be tested relative to the reference point;

controlling the conveying system 101 to relatively move the third holding device 1051 and the third imaging device 1053 according to the second position information of each specific target to be shot, so that each specific target to be shot is sequentially located in the imaging area of the third imaging device 1053, and controlling the third imaging device 1053 to shoot a third image of each specific target to be shot under a third shooting condition, and storing the third image and the second position information in association with the identity information;

when a re-shooting instruction for re-shooting a specific target image related to at least one shot specific target is received, acquiring current third position information of the reference point, wherein the re-shooting instruction comprises mode information of a fourth shooting condition, and the fourth shooting condition is different from the third shooting condition;

controlling the transport system 101 to transfer the sample carrier to the first holding arrangement 1031 of the first imaging system 103 or to a second holding arrangement 1041 of a second imaging system 104 in dependence on the identity information, the second position information and the third position information;

controlling the first imaging apparatus 1033 or the second imaging apparatus 1043 to capture a fourth image under the fourth capturing condition.

The third image may be a first image obtained when the target position is located by the third imaging system 105, or may be a second image obtained after being magnified and captured by the first imaging system 103 or the second imaging system 104, which is not limited herein.

Optionally, the controller 102 is further configured to:

determining current fourth position information of the at least one shot specific target according to the identity information, the second position information and the third position information;

according to the fourth position information, the first holding device 1031 of the first imaging system 103 and the first imaging device 1033 are controlled to move relatively or the second holding device 1041 of the second imaging system 104 and the second imaging device 1043 are controlled to move relatively, so that the at least one photographed specific object is located in the imaging area of the first imaging device 1033 or the second imaging device 1043.

In an embodiment of the present application, the controller 102 schedules the first imaging system 103, the second imaging system 104, and the third imaging system 105 to photograph the sample to be measured in parallel according to different photographing conditions and/or remaining photographing times of the first imaging system 103, the second imaging system 104, and the third imaging system 105.

In another embodiment of the present application, according to characteristics and/or reading requirements of a sample to be tested, the transport system 101 is controlled to transport the sample carrier to be tested to the first imaging system 103 or the second imaging system 104, so as to minimize idle time or waiting time of the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104, thereby increasing reading speed.

In an embodiment of the present application, the characteristics of the sample to be tested include a sample type or a target, and the sample type includes peripheral blood, body fluid, urinary sediment, and the like and the corresponding target as described above. Among them, the requirement for reading includes a shooting condition determined based on the type of the sample or the shooting target, for example, when the shooting type is platelet or leukocyte, the shooting condition is that large-field observation or shooting is performed in a 40-fold mirror to obtain a red blood cell overview or a platelet overview, and then a specific field of view, for example, details of platelet or leukocyte, etc., is observed or shot under an increased magnification and a magnification of 100-fold.

Specifically, regardless of whether the shooting conditions of the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104 are the same or not, the transport system 101 may be controlled to transport the sample carrier to be tested to an imaging system with a shorter remaining shooting time in the first imaging system 103 or the second imaging system 104 according to the remaining shooting time of the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104, so as to further shorten the shooting time.

Further, the specimen image photographing apparatus 100 includes a smear preparing device and a display device in addition to the above-described structure,

the smear preparation device is used for preparing a smear containing blood cells to form a sample carrier with a sample to be tested;

said transport system 101 configured for transporting said smear prepared by said smear preparation apparatus to said first imaging system 103 or said second imaging system 104;

and the display device is used for displaying the shot cell image and/or cell morphology analysis result of the sample to be tested.

The sample image shooting device 100 comprises a first imaging system 103 and a second imaging system 104 which are independent from each other, wherein the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104 shoot images of samples to be detected on different sample carriers in parallel, and shooting speed of the sample image shooting device 100 can be greatly increased through the arrangement, so that the sample image shooting device 100 is ensured to have minimum idle time or waiting time, and working efficiency of the sample image shooting device 100 is improved.

A second aspect of the present application provides a sample image capturing method, as shown in fig. 4, including:

controlling a conveying system 101 to convey a first sample carrier and a second sample carrier carrying a sample to be detected to a first imaging system 103 and a second imaging system 104 which are independent of each other respectively to perform shooting simultaneously, wherein shooting of the first sample carrier by the first imaging system 103 and shooting of the second sample carrier by the second imaging system 104 are at least partially overlapped in time;

in the first imaging system 103, a first sample carrier is held by first holding means 1031, and the first holding means 1031 together with the first sample carrier held thereby and a first imaging means 1033 are relatively moved by first driving means 1032 to make a sample to be measured enter an imaging area of the first imaging means 1033, so that the sample to be measured on the first sample carrier is subjected to image shooting by the first imaging means 1033;

in the second imaging system 104, a second sample carrier is held by a second holding device 1041, and the second holding device 1041 with the second sample carrier held by the second holding device is moved relative to a second imaging device 1043 by a second driving device 1042, so that a sample to be measured enters an imaging area of the second imaging device 1043, and an image of the sample to be measured on the second sample carrier is captured by the second imaging device 1043.

In this application, the at least partial overlapping of the capturing of the first sample carrier by the first imaging system 103 and the capturing of the second sample carrier by the second imaging system 104 in terms of time means that the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104 simultaneously capture images of samples to be measured on different sample carriers in parallel. Wherein, the simultaneous and parallel operations refer to the foregoing description and explanation, and are not repeated herein.

The sample image capturing method of the present application is applied to the sample image capturing apparatus 100 described above, and the explanation and description about the operation manner and the flow in the sample image capturing apparatus 100 can be introduced into the sample image capturing method of the present application without contradiction, but the sample image capturing method of the present application is not limited to the explanation and description about the operation manner and the flow in the sample image capturing apparatus 100.

In an embodiment of the present application, the method includes photographing a sample to be measured carried by a sample carrier in the third imaging system 105, and then transporting the sample carrier to the first imaging system 103 or the second imaging system 104 for photographing, wherein a magnification of the third imaging device 1053 in the third imaging system 105 is smaller than a magnification of the first imaging device 1033.

Specifically, the transport system 101 is controlled to successively transport the first sample carrier and the second sample carrier to a third imaging system 105 independent of the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104 for photographing; in the third imaging system 105, the first sample carrier or the second sample carrier is held by a third holding device 1051, and the third holding device 1051 with the first sample carrier or the second sample carrier held by it is moved relative to a third imaging device 1053 by a third driving device to make a sample to be measured enter an imaging area of the third imaging device 1053, so that the sample to be measured on the first sample carrier or the second sample carrier is image-captured by the third imaging device 1053.

Then controlling the transport system 101 to transport the first sample carrier or the second sample carrier to the first imaging system 103 again, and controlling the first driving device 1032 to move the first holding device 1031 with the sample carrier held by the first holding device 1031 relative to the first imaging device 1033, and controlling the first imaging device 1033 to perform image capturing on the sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the first holding device 1031; or control the transport system 101 to transport the first sample carrier or the second sample carrier to the second imaging system 104 again, and control the second driving device 1042 to move the second holding device 1041 with the sample carrier held by the second holding device 1041 relative to the second imaging device 1043, and control the second imaging device 1043 to perform image capturing on the sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the second holding device 1041.

In an embodiment of the present application, the sample image capturing apparatus 100 further includes a fourth imaging system, and a magnification of a fourth imaging device in the fourth imaging system is smaller than a magnification of the first imaging device 1033 or the second imaging device 1043. Namely, two imaging systems with low magnification and two imaging systems with high magnification are arranged in the sample image shooting device 100, and the first imaging system 103 and the third imaging system 105 cooperate to shoot an image of a sample to be detected on a sample carrier; meanwhile, the second imaging system 104 and the fourth imaging system cooperate with each other to take images of the sample to be measured on the other sample carrier.

Specifically, the transport system 101 is controlled to transport the first sample carrier to a third imaging system 105 for photographing, which is independent of the first imaging system 103; in the third imaging system 105, the first sample carrier is held by a third holding device 1051, and the third holding device 1051 with the first sample carrier held by it is moved relative to a third imaging device 1053 by a third driving device to bring the sample to be measured into the imaging area of the third imaging device 1053;

then controlling the conveying system 101 to convey the first sample carrier photographed by the third imaging system 105 to the first imaging system 103 for photographing; in the first imaging system 103, a first sample carrier is held by first holding means 1031, and the first holding means 1031 with the first sample carrier held thereby and the first imaging means 1033 are relatively moved by first driving means 1032 to make a sample to be measured enter an imaging area of the first imaging means 1033, so that the sample to be measured on the first sample carrier is subjected to image capturing by the first imaging means 1033.

While the first imaging system 103 and the third imaging system 105 capture a sample to be measured carried by a first sample carrier, the transport system 101 is controlled in parallel to transport the second sample carrier to a fourth imaging system independent of the second imaging system 104 for capture; in the fourth imaging system, the first sample carrier is held by a fourth holding device, and the fourth holding device with the second sample carrier held by the fourth holding device is moved relative to the fourth imaging device by a fourth driving device so that a sample to be measured enters an imaging area of the fourth imaging device;

then, the transport system 101 is controlled to transport the second sample carrier photographed by the second imaging system 104 to the second imaging system 104 for photographing; in the second imaging system 104, a second sample carrier is held by a second holding device 1041, and the second holding device 1041 with the second sample carrier held by the second holding device is moved relative to a second imaging device 1043 by a second driving device 1042, so that a sample to be measured enters an imaging area of the second imaging device 1043, and an image of the sample to be measured on the second sample carrier is captured by the second imaging device 1043.

Further, the sample image capturing method includes, in addition to the above-described capturing manner: the conveying system 101 is controlled to convey the first sample carrier shot by the first imaging system 103 to the second imaging system 104 for shooting.

The first holding device 1031 is a first manipulator, which simultaneously serves as the transport system 101, and the first manipulator grips the sample carrier of the sample to be measured to the first imaging system 103 and moves the first manipulator to move the sample carrier held by the first manipulator relative to the first imaging device 1033, and the first imaging device 1033 captures an image of the sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the first manipulator;

the second holding device 1041 is a second manipulator, which simultaneously serves as the transport system 101, and the second manipulator grips the sample carrier of the sample to be measured to the second imaging system 104 by the second manipulator and moves the second manipulator so that the sample carrier held by the second manipulator moves relative to the second imaging device 1043, and the second imaging device 1043 captures an image of the sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the first manipulator.

In an embodiment of the present application, the first holding device 1031 is a first detection stage, and the first driving device 1032 drives the first detection stage to move the first detection stage with the sample carrier held by the first detection stage relative to the first imaging device 1033;

the second holding device 1041 is a second detection stage, and the second driving device 1042 drives the second detection stage to move the second detection stage with the sample carrier held by the second detection stage relative to the second imaging device 1043.

Optionally, the sample image capturing method includes: based on a shooting instruction for a sample to be detected on a sample carrier, controlling the conveying system 101 to transmit the sample carrier to an imaging system corresponding to the current shooting condition through a controller 102 for shooting; wherein the shooting instruction contains information characterizing the shooting condition.

Specifically, in an embodiment of the present application, the identification device is controlled to obtain the identity information of the first sample carrier and the second sample carrier; determining photographing conditions of the first sample carrier and the second sample carrier based on the identity information of the first sample carrier and the second sample carrier; and controlling the conveying system 101 to convey the first sample carrier and the second sample carrier to an imaging system corresponding to the shooting condition of the first sample carrier and the second sample carrier for shooting.

In another embodiment of the present application, the controller 102 controls the transport system 101 to transport the sample carrier to the third holding device 1051 of the third imaging system 105, and controls the third imaging device 1053 to perform image capturing on the sample to be measured on the sample carrier, so as to obtain a first image including the target position;

the controller 102 controls the transport system 101 to transport the sample carrier to the first holding device 1031 of the first imaging system 103 again, and controls the first imaging device 1033 to perform image capturing on the target position of the sample on the sample carrier, so as to obtain a second image containing the target position; or control the transport system 101 to transport the sample carrier to the second holding device 1041 of the second imaging system 104 again, and control the second imaging device 1043 to perform image capturing on the target position of the sample on the sample carrier, so as to obtain a second image including the target position.

Further, the method further comprises: the identification information of the sample carrier is read by the identification device and transmitted to the controller 102, the controller 102 determines the shooting condition of the sample on the sample carrier based on the identification information of the sample carrier, and controls the transport system 101 to transmit the sample carrier to the imaging system corresponding to the shooting condition for shooting.

In still another embodiment of the present application, the sample image photographing method includes:

acquiring identity information of a sample to be obtained on the sample carrier;

the controller 102 controls the transport system 101 to transport the sample carriers to the third holding device 1051 of the third imaging system 105, to acquire first position information of a reference point of the samples on the sample carriers by the third imaging device 1053, and to acquire second position information of first position information of each specific target to be photographed in the samples on the sample carriers with respect to the reference point;

controlling the conveying system 101 to make the third holding device 1051 and the third imaging device 1053 move relatively according to the second position information of each specific target to be shot, so that each specific target to be shot is sequentially located in the imaging area of the third imaging device 1053, a third image of each specific target to be shot is shot under a third shooting condition, and the first image and the second position information are stored in association with the identity information;

Further, the sample image photographing method includes:

according to the fourth position information, the relative movement between the first holding device 1031 of the first imaging system 103 and the first imaging device 1033 or the relative movement between the second holding device 1041 of the second imaging system 104 and the second imaging device 1043 is controlled, so that the at least one photographed specific object is located in the imaging area of the first imaging device 1033 or the second imaging device 1043.

When shooting is performed, the first imaging system 103, the second imaging system 104 and the third imaging system 105 are scheduled to shoot the sample to be measured in parallel according to different shooting conditions and/or remaining shooting time of the first imaging system 103, the second imaging system 104 and the third imaging system 105.

In a further embodiment of the present application, the first imaging device 1033 further includes a first objective lens, a first camera, a third objective lens and a first switching device, the magnification of the first objective lens is greater than the magnification of the third objective lens, the third objective lens and the first camera are controlled to be arranged in an up-and-down correspondence when shooting is performed, the first holding device 1031 is driven by the first driving device 1032 to make the sample carrier held by the first holding device 1031 located in the imaging area of the third objective lens and the first camera, the sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the first holding device 1031 is subjected to image shooting by the cooperation of the third objective lens and the first camera, the first switching device is rotated to switch the third objective lens to the first objective lens to make the first objective lens and the first camera arranged in an up-and-down correspondence, and the first holding device 1031 with the sample carrier held by the first holding device 1031 located in the imaging area of the first objective lens and the first camera And the first objective lens and the first camera cooperate to capture an image of the sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the first holding device 1031 again.

The second imaging device 1043 further includes a second objective lens, a second camera, a fourth objective lens and a second switching device, the magnification of the fourth objective lens is greater than the magnification of the second objective lens, the second objective lens and the second camera are controlled to be arranged in a vertically corresponding manner when shooting is performed, the second holding device 1041 is driven by the first driving device 1032 to enable the sample carrier held by the second holding device 1041 to be located in the imaging area of the second objective lens and the second camera, the sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the second holding device 1041 is subjected to image shooting by the cooperation of the second objective lens and the second camera, the second switching device is rotated to switch the second objective lens to the fourth objective lens, the fourth objective lens and the second camera are arranged in a vertically corresponding manner, and the second holding device 1041 with the sample carrier held by the second holding device is located in the imaging area of the fourth objective lens and the second camera, and the fourth objective lens and the second camera are matched to perform image shooting again on the sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the second holding device 1041.

Wherein the first imaging device 1033 comprises a first camera with adjustable magnification, and the first camera takes an image of the sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the first holding device 1031 at the first magnification; adjusting the first camera to a second magnification and taking an image of the sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the first holding device 1031 at the second magnification, wherein the first magnification is smaller than the second magnification;

the second imaging device 1043 includes a second camera with adjustable magnification, and the second camera captures an image of the sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the second holding device 1041 at a third magnification; adjusting the second camera to a fourth magnification and taking an image of the sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the second holding device 1041 at the fourth magnification, where the third magnification is smaller than the fourth magnification.

In an embodiment of the present application, as shown in fig. 8, a schematic structural diagram of a sample analysis system 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application is shown. As shown in fig. 8, the sample analysis system 100 includes a blood analyzer 110, a smear preparation apparatus 120, the aforementioned sample image taking device 130, and a controller 140.

In this embodiment, the sample image photographing apparatus 130 is used for image photographing and analyzing cells in a smear, the blood analyzer 110 is used for blood routine examination of a sample to be examined, the smear preparing apparatus 120 is used for preparing a smear of the sample to be examined, and the controller 140 is communicatively connected to the blood analyzer 110, the smear preparing apparatus 120, and the sample image photographing apparatus 130. For example, when the blood analyzer detects that an abnormal sample to be tested needs to be imaged and analyzed, the controller may capture and analyze the image in the sample image capturing device 130 by obtaining a preliminary screening result of the blood analyzer and selecting a corresponding capturing condition according to the preliminary screening result.

The sample analysis system 100 further includes a first transfer rail 150 for transporting the tube rack 10, in which a plurality of test tubes 11 loaded with samples to be tested can be placed, from the blood analyzer 110 to the smear preparation apparatus 120, and a second transfer rail 160 for transporting the slide basket 20, in which a plurality of prepared smears 21 can be loaded, from the smear preparation apparatus 120 to the sample image photographing device 130.

The controller 140 is electrically connected to the first transfer rail 150 and the second transfer rail 160 and controls the operation thereof. The controller 140 may be the same controller as the controller in the sample image capturing apparatus 130, or may be a different controller that is independently provided, which is not limited herein.

The sample analysis system 100 further includes feeding

mechanisms

170 and 180 provided corresponding to the blood analyzer 110 and the smear preparation apparatus 120, respectively, and each of the feeding

mechanisms

170 and 180 includes

loading buffer sections

171 and 181, feeding

detection sections

172 and 182, and unloading buffer sections 173 and 183.

When the sample to be tested on the test tube rack 10 needs to be transported to the blood analyzer 110 for testing, the test tube rack 10 is first transported from the first transport track 150 to the loading buffer area 171, then transported from the loading buffer area 171 to the feeding detection area 172 for testing by the blood analyzer 110, and after the testing is finished, is unloaded from the feeding detection area 172 to the unloading buffer area 173, and finally enters the first transport track 150 from the unloading buffer area 173.

Similarly, when the sample to be tested on the test tube rack 10 needs to be microscopically examined, the test tube rack 10 needs to be transported to the smear preparation device 120 to prepare the smear, the test tube rack 10 is first transported from the first transport track 150 to the loading buffer 181, then transported from the loading buffer 181 to the feeding detection area 182 to prepare the smear by the smear preparation device 120, and after the preparation of the smear is finished, the test tube rack is unloaded from the feeding detection area 182 to the unloading buffer 183, and finally enters the first transport track 150 from the unloading buffer 183. The smear preparing apparatus 120 receives the prepared smear in the slide basket 20, transports the slide basket 20 in which the smear to be measured is received to the sample image photographing apparatus 130 through the second transport rail 160, and the sample image photographing apparatus 130 photographs and analyzes cells in the sample on the smear to be measured.

The sample analysis system 100 further includes a display device (not shown) for displaying the result of the sample test, which may be provided on the blood analyzer 110, the smear preparation device 120, the sample image photographing apparatus 130, or the controller 140, or may be otherwise provided.

Among them, as shown in fig. 9, the smear preparing apparatus 120 can be used for smear preparation of samples of blood, body fluids, etc. The smear preparation apparatus includes a sampling mechanism 121 for taking a sample, a slide loading mechanism 122 for moving a slide to a working line, a loading mechanism 123 for loading the sample onto the slide, a pushing mechanism 124 for flattening the sample on the slide, a drying mechanism (not shown) for drying a blood film on the slide, and a staining mechanism 125 for staining the slide.

When the sampling mechanism 121 extracts a sample, the sample is first mixed, and then the sample is sucked by a sampling device (e.g., the sampling needle 1211) in the sampling mechanism 121, and depending on the sample container, the sample suction may be a puncture sample suction (the sample container has a lid, and the sampling device passes through the lid of the sample container), or an open sample suction (the sample container is open, and the sampling device directly sucks the sample from the open portion). Blood sample information detection can be performed to obtain information and comparison information, if necessary. In some embodiments, a micro-sampling mechanism 126 is further included, and the micro-sampling mechanism 126 can move the test tube into which the operator has placed directly toward the sampling device, or alternatively, the sampling device can move the test tube into which the operator has placed. In other implementation manners, the micro sample injection mechanism 126 can also directly move the test tube to the direction of the sample injection mechanism 123, or the sample injection mechanism 123 can also move to the direction of the test tube placed by the operator, and directly load the sample after the blood sample is absorbed by the sample injection mechanism 123 (for example, a blood dropping needle), so that the requirement of the blood sample can be reduced without extracting the blood by the sampling mechanism 121, and thus micro and preferential sample injection is realized. When sampling is complete, the blood is ready to be dropped onto the slide via the sample application mechanism 123.

Accordingly, the slide loading mechanism 122 extracts the slide and loads the slide to a corresponding position to facilitate the blood dropping operation. In some embodiments, after the slide extraction operation is completed, the slide left-right detection and slide cleaning operations can also be performed, and then the slide is reloaded. The loaded slide can be printed with relevant information, and the front and back detection of the slide and the like can be carried out at the same time.

The blood dropping needle of the sample adding mechanism 123 drops the sample on the slide, and then the slide pushing operation is performed, and the blood is pushed to the blood film shape on the slide by the slide pushing mechanism 124. Generally, after the slide pushing operation is completed, the blood film on the slide is dried to stabilize the shape. In some embodiments, the slide may be driven to turn over before drying the blood membrane to meet the corresponding requirements. In some embodiments, the dried blood smear can be further subjected to a drying test to determine the drying effect of the blood film. In some embodiments, the dried blood smear can be further subjected to blood film spreading detection to determine whether the blood film is spread and whether the spreading state meets the requirements. After the slide is pushed, the slide (blood smear) may be stained (which may be done by staining mechanism 125) or output directly (e.g., placed into slide basket 20 for output).

Wherein the sample image capturing apparatus 130 may be the sample image capturing apparatus described in any of the embodiments described above, for example, the sample image capturing apparatus 130 includes a transport system 101, a controller 102, and a first imaging system 103 and a second imaging system 104 independent of each other;

the first imaging system 103 has a first holding means 1031, a first drive means 1032 and a first imaging means 1033, the first holding means 1031 being configured to hold a sample carrier, the first drive means 1032 being configured to move the first holding means 1031 with the sample carrier held thereby relative to the first imaging means 1033, the first imaging means 1033 being configured to image capture a sample to be measured on the sample carrier held by the first holding means 1031;

The sample image photographing apparatus 130 further includes a recognition device, a transport system 101, and a smear recovery device. The identification means is used for identifying the identity of the smear, the transport system 101 is used for taking the smear from the identification means to the first holding means 1031 or the second holding means 1041 for examination, and the smear retrieval means is used for placing the examined smear.

The specific configurations, the work flows, the selection of specific shooting conditions, and the like of the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104 in the sample image shooting device 130 can be described with reference to the foregoing embodiments, and are not described herein again.

A third aspect of the present application provides a sample image shooting method, in which the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104 sequentially shoot a same sample to be detected, specifically, the sample image shooting method includes:

controlling the conveying system 101 to convey the first sample carrier carrying the sample to be detected to a first imaging system 103 and a second imaging system 104 which are independent of each other in sequence for shooting;

in the first imaging system 103, a first sample carrier is held by first holding means 1031, and the first holding means 1031 with the first sample carrier held thereby and a first imaging means 1033 are relatively moved by a first driving means 1032 to make a sample to be measured enter an imaging area of the first imaging means 1033, so that the sample to be measured on the first sample carrier is subjected to image shooting under a first shooting condition by the first imaging means 1033;

in the second imaging system 104, the first sample carrier captured by the first imaging system 103 is held by the second holding device 1041, and the second holding device 1041 with the first sample carrier held by the second holding device is moved relative to the second imaging device 1043 by the second driving device 1042, so that the sample to be measured enters the imaging area of the second imaging device 1043, and thus the sample to be measured on the first sample carrier is captured by the second imaging device 1043 under a second capturing condition different from the first capturing condition.

After the transport system 101 is controlled to transport the first sample carrier shot by the first imaging system 103 to the second imaging system 104, the second imaging system 104 shoots the sample to be measured on the first sample carrier, and the transport system 101 is controlled to transport the second sample carrier carrying the sample to be measured to the first imaging system 103 for shooting, wherein the shooting of the second sample carrier by the first imaging system 103 and the shooting of the first sample carrier by the second imaging system 104 are at least partially overlapped in time; the magnification of the first imaging device 1033 is smaller than the magnification of the second imaging device 1043.

In an embodiment of the present application, a sample to be measured may be photographed by a first imaging system to obtain information such as a form, a location, and a focal length of a photographed target, and then photographed by a second imaging system based on the information acquired by the first imaging system.

In an embodiment of the application, the sample to be tested is a pathological section, after the first sample carrier carrying the pathological section is prepared, the first imaging system is used for shooting at a lower magnification ratio, for example, the magnification ratio of the first imaging system is 40 times, then the pathological section is subjected to fluorescent staining in advance, and then the second imaging system with a higher magnification ratio is used for shooting in cooperation with a fluorescent light source, for example, the magnification ratio of the second imaging system is 100 times. In the method, the method further comprises controlling an identification device to acquire the identity information of the first sample carrier;

determining a photographing condition of the first sample carrier based on the identity information of the first sample carrier;

and setting relevant parameters of the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104 according to the shooting conditions, and sequentially conveying the first sample carrier to the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104 for shooting.

Further, according to the characteristics of the sample to be measured and/or the reading requirements, the shooting conditions of the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104 are adjusted.

In this embodiment, the photographing methods of the first imaging system 103 and the second imaging system 104 are applied to the sample image photographing apparatus 100 described above, and the explanations and descriptions regarding the operation manner and the flow in the sample image photographing apparatus 100 can be introduced into the sample image photographing method of the present application without contradiction, but the sample image photographing method in the present application is not limited to the explanations and descriptions regarding the operation manner and the flow in the sample image photographing apparatus 100.

In addition, the photographing method mentioned in the second aspect, especially the photographing method in which the magnification of the third imaging system 105 is smaller than that of the first imaging system 103 and/or the second imaging system 104, can be introduced into the sample image photographing method of the third aspect without contradiction, and will not be described herein again.

The fourth aspect of the present application also provides a storage medium on which computer program instructions are stored, which, when executed by a computer or a processor, are used for executing the respective steps of the sample image capturing method of the embodiments of the present application. The storage medium may include, for example, a memory card of a smart phone, a storage component of a tablet computer, a hard disk of a personal computer, a Read Only Memory (ROM), an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), a portable compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a USB memory, or any combination of the above storage media.

In one embodiment, the computer program instructions, when executed by a computer or processor, cause the computer or processor to perform the steps of: in one embodiment, the program code performs at least one of the following when executed by a processor: controlling a conveying system to convey a first sample carrier and a second sample carrier which bear samples to be detected to a first imaging system and a second imaging system which are independent of each other respectively for shooting simultaneously; in the first imaging system, a first sample carrier is held by a first holding device, and the first holding device and the first sample carrier held by the first holding device are relatively moved with a first imaging device by a first driving device so that a sample to be measured enters an imaging area of the first imaging device, so that the sample to be measured on the first sample carrier is subjected to image shooting by the first imaging device; in the second imaging system, a second sample carrier is held by a second holding device, and the second holding device with the second sample carrier held by the second holding device and a second imaging device are moved relatively by a second driving device, so that a sample to be measured enters an imaging area of the second imaging device, and the sample to be measured on the second sample carrier is subjected to image shooting by the second imaging device; wherein the taking of the first sample carrier by the first imaging system at least partially overlaps in time with the taking of the second sample carrier by the second imaging system.

In another embodiment, the computer program instructions, when executed by a computer or processor, cause the computer or processor to perform the steps of: controlling a conveying system to convey a first sample carrier bearing a sample to be detected to a first imaging system and a second imaging system which are independent of each other in sequence for shooting; in the first imaging system, a first sample carrier is held by a first holding device, and the first holding device and the first sample carrier held by the first holding device are relatively moved with a first imaging device by a first driving device so that a sample to be measured enters an imaging area of the first imaging device, so that the sample to be measured on the first sample carrier is subjected to image shooting by the first imaging device under a first shooting condition; in the second imaging system, a first sample carrier shot by the first imaging system is held by a second holding device, and the second holding device with the first sample carrier held by the second holding device and a second imaging device are relatively moved by a second driving device to make a sample to be measured enter an imaging area of the second imaging device, so that the sample to be measured on the first sample carrier is subjected to image shooting by the second imaging device under a second shooting condition different from the first shooting condition.

Although the illustrative embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the foregoing illustrative embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention thereto. Various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in the pertinent art without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the implementation. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described device embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, a division of a unit is only one type of division of a logical function, and an actual implementation may have another division, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some features may be omitted, or not executed.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. It is understood, however, that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the invention and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. However, the method of the present invention should not be construed to reflect the intent: that the invention as claimed requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that all of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and all of the processes or elements of any method or apparatus so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where such features are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise.

Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that while some embodiments herein include some features included in other embodiments, rather than other features, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention and form different embodiments. For example, in the claims, any of the claimed embodiments may be used in any combination.

The various component embodiments of the invention may be implemented in hardware, or in software modules running on one or more processors, or in a combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a microprocessor or Digital Signal Processor (DSP) may be used in practice to implement some or all of the functionality of some of the modules according to embodiments of the present invention. The present invention may also be embodied as apparatus programs (e.g., computer programs and computer program products) for performing a portion or all of the methods described herein. Such programs implementing the present invention may be stored on computer-readable media or may be in the form of one or more signals. Such a signal may be downloaded from an internet website or provided on a carrier signal or in any other form.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the unit claims enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The usage of the words first, second and third, etcetera do not indicate any ordering. These words may be interpreted as names.

Claims

1. A specimen image photographing apparatus including a transport system, a controller, and a first imaging system and a second imaging system independent from each other;

2. The specimen image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the specimen image capturing apparatus further comprises a third imaging system having a third holding device configured to hold a specimen carrier, a third driving device configured to move the third holding device with the specimen carrier held thereby relative to the third imaging device, and a third imaging device configured to image-capture the specimen to be measured on the specimen carrier held by the third holding device;

the controller is configured to control the third imaging system to simultaneously perform image shooting on the samples to be detected on different sample carriers in parallel with the first imaging system and/or the second imaging system, and the magnification of the third imaging device is smaller than that of the first imaging device and/or the second imaging device.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the third imaging device has a magnification of at least one of 3.5 to 40; and/or

The magnification of the first imaging device is at least one of 20-100; and/or

The magnification of the second imaging device is at least one of 20-100.

4. The specimen image capturing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that the first imaging system, the second imaging system, and the third imaging system are configured modularly.

5. Sample image capture apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the transport system is configured to transport a sample carrier captured by the third imaging system from the third imaging system to the first imaging system or the second imaging system for capture.

6. Sample image capture device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first drive means are configured for driving the first holding means to move the first holding means with the sample carrier held thereby relative to the first imaging means;

the second drive device is designed to drive the second holding device in order to move the second holding device with the sample carrier held by it relative to the second imaging device.

7. Sample image recording device according to claim 6, characterized in that the first holding means and/or the second holding means are configured as a detection stage on which a groove or a stop clip for receiving a sample carrier is provided.

8. Sample image recording device according to claim 6, characterized in that the first holding means and/or the second holding means are configured as a robot arm with a clamping jaw for clamping a sample carrier.

9. Sample image recording device according to claim 8, characterized in that the first holding device is configured as a first manipulator with a clamping jaw for clamping a sample carrier, which first manipulator is at the same time configured as part of the transport system for transporting a sample carrier carrying a sample to be measured to the first imaging system;

the second holding device is designed as a second robot with a gripper for gripping a sample carrier, which second robot is simultaneously designed as part of the transport system for transporting a sample carrier carrying a sample to be measured to the second imaging system.

10. Sample image capture device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the transport system is configured as a robot with a gripper for gripping a sample carrier.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the first imaging system has a first photographing condition and the second imaging system has a second photographing condition different from the first photographing condition.

12. The specimen image capturing apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the difference of the first capturing condition and the second capturing condition includes a difference of an imaging component and/or a difference of a capturing mode;

the differences in the imaging assemblies include at least one of the following differences: magnification differences, differences in the type of imaging device, differences in the settings of parameters, and differences in the movement of the holding device;

the difference of the photographing mode includes at least one of a difference of a type of the sample to be measured and a difference of a photographing target.

13. Sample image capture apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the controller is configured to control the transport system to transport a sample carrier carrying a sample to be tested to the first or second imaging system in accordance with characteristics of the sample and/or reading requirements.

14. Sample image capture device according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the controller is configured to control the transport system to transport a sample carrier carrying the sample to be tested to an imaging system of the first or second imaging system having a shorter remaining capture time, depending on the remaining capture time of the first and second imaging systems.

15. The specimen image capturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the controller is configured to control the transport system to transport a specimen carrier captured by the first imaging system from the first imaging system to the second imaging system for capturing.

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising an identification device configured to read identity information of a sample carrier carrying a sample to be tested and to transmit the identity information to the controller;

the controller is configured to determine a shooting condition for a sample to be tested on the sample carrier based on the identity information, and control the transport system to transport the sample carrier to an imaging system corresponding to the shooting condition for shooting.

17. The specimen image capturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the type of the specimen to be measured includes at least one of peripheral blood, bone marrow, urine, excreta and secretions other than urine, body cavity fluid, a tissue slice, and exfoliated cells.

18. The specimen image capturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the first imaging device includes a first objective lens and a first camera; and/or

The second imaging device includes a second objective lens and a second camera.

19. The specimen image capturing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the first imaging device further includes a third objective lens and a first switching device, a magnification of the first objective lens is larger than a magnification of the third objective lens, the first switching device being configured to switch the first objective lens and the third objective lens; and/or

The second imaging device further includes a fourth objective lens having a magnification larger than that of the second objective lens, and a second switching device configured to switch the second objective lens and the fourth objective lens.

20. A sample image capturing method, characterized by comprising:

in the first imaging system, a first sample carrier is held by a first holding device, and the first holding device and the first sample carrier held by the first holding device are relatively moved with respect to a first imaging device by a first driving device so that a sample to be measured enters an imaging area of the first imaging device, so that the sample to be measured on the first sample carrier is subjected to image shooting by the first imaging device;

in the second imaging system, a second sample carrier is held by a second holding device, and the second holding device with the second sample carrier held by the second holding device and a second imaging device are moved relatively by a second driving device so that a sample to be measured enters an imaging area of the second imaging device, so that the sample to be measured on the second sample carrier is subjected to image shooting by the second imaging device;

21. The sample image capturing method according to claim 20, wherein before controlling the transport system to transport the first sample carrier and the second sample carrier carrying the sample to be measured to the first imaging system and the second imaging system for capturing:

controlling the transport system to successively transport the first sample carrier and the second sample carrier to a third imaging system independent of the first imaging system and the second imaging system for photographing;

in the third imaging system, the first sample carrier or the second sample carrier is held by a third holding device, and the third holding device with the first sample carrier or the second sample carrier held by the third holding device is moved relative to a third imaging device by a third driving device to make a sample to be measured enter an imaging area of the third imaging device, so that the sample to be measured on the first sample carrier or the second sample carrier is subjected to image shooting by the third imaging device;

wherein a magnification of the third imaging device is less than a magnification of the first and second imaging devices.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein before controlling the transport system to transport the first sample carrier carrying the sample to be tested to the first imaging system for imaging:

controlling the transport system to transport the first sample carrier to a third imaging system independent of the first imaging system for shooting;

in the third imaging system, the first sample carrier is held by a third holding device, and the third holding device and the first sample carrier held by the third holding device are moved relative to a third imaging device by a third driving device so that a sample to be measured enters an imaging area of the third imaging device, so that the sample to be measured on the first sample carrier is subjected to image shooting by the third imaging device;

wherein a magnification of the third imaging device is less than a magnification of the first imaging device;

and/or before the conveying system is controlled to convey the second sample carrier carrying the sample to be detected to the second imaging system for shooting:

controlling the transport system to transport the second sample carrier to a fourth imaging system independent of the second imaging system for taking a photograph;

in the fourth imaging system, the second sample carrier is held by a fourth holding device, and the fourth holding device with the second sample carrier held by the fourth holding device is moved relative to a fourth imaging device by a fourth driving device to make a sample to be measured enter an imaging area of the fourth imaging device, so that the sample to be measured on the second sample carrier is subjected to image shooting by the fourth imaging device;

wherein a magnification of the fourth imaging apparatus is smaller than a magnification of the second imaging apparatus.

23. The sample image capturing method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the sample image capturing method further includes:

and controlling the conveying system to convey the first sample carrier shot by the first imaging system to the second imaging system for shooting.

24. The method for capturing the image of the sample according to claim 23, wherein the transporting system is controlled to transport the first sample carrier carrying the sample to be tested to the first imaging system, the first driving device is controlled to move the first holding device with the first sample carrier held by the first holding device relative to the first imaging device, so that the sample to be tested enters the imaging area of the first imaging device, and then the first imaging device is controlled to capture the image of the sample to be tested on the first sample carrier under the first capturing condition;

and controlling the conveying system to convey the first sample carrier to the second imaging system, controlling the second driving device to enable the second holding device and the first sample carrier held by the second holding device to move relative to the second imaging device so as to enable the sample to be measured to enter an imaging area of the second imaging device, and then controlling the second imaging device to perform image shooting on the sample to be measured on the first sample carrier under a second shooting condition different from the first shooting condition.

25. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein the transport system is controlled to transport the sample carrier carrying the sample to be tested to the first imaging system or the second imaging system according to characteristics of the sample to be tested and/or reading requirements.

26. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein the transport system is controlled to transport the sample carrier carrying the sample to be measured to an imaging system with a shorter remaining shooting time in the first imaging system or the second imaging system according to the remaining shooting time in the first imaging system and the second imaging system.

27. The sample image capturing method according to any one of claims 20 to 26, characterized in that the sample image capturing method includes:

controlling a recognition device to acquire identity information of the first sample carrier and the second sample carrier;

determining photographing conditions of the first sample carrier and the second sample carrier based on the identity information of the first sample carrier and the second sample carrier;

and controlling the conveying system to convey the first sample carrier and the second sample carrier to an imaging system corresponding to the shooting condition of the first sample carrier and the second sample carrier for shooting.

28. The sample image capturing method according to claim 20, characterized in that the sample image capturing method is applied to the sample image capturing apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 19.

29. A sample image capturing method, characterized by comprising:

30. The specimen image photographing method according to claim 29, further comprising, after controlling a transport system to transport the first specimen carrier photographed by the first imaging system to a second imaging system:

controlling a conveying system to convey a second sample carrier carrying a sample to be detected to the first imaging system for shooting;

wherein the taking of the second sample carrier by the first imaging system at least partially overlaps in time with the taking of the first sample carrier by the second imaging system; the magnification of the first imaging device is less than the magnification of the second imaging device.

31. A storage medium characterized in that it stores an executable program executable by a processor to implement the steps of the sample image taking method according to any one of claims 20 to 28.