JP2003270240A - Method and apparatus for measurement of sedimentation velocity of liquid sample - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sedimentation-velocity measuring technique for measuring a sedimentation velocity of a sediment in a liquid sample simultaneously by using an optical means regarding a plurality of test containers in a standstill state housing the liquid sample. <P>SOLUTION: The plurality of test containers 1, 1 and so on in which blood is housed are placed at a standstill in a tilted state, beams of light are projected onto the test containers 1, 1 and so on by a projection means 3, the beams of light transmitted through respective measuring ranges inside the test containers 1, 1 and so on are received by a single CCD area sensor camera 4, a computing part 6 calculates a depth size of blood plasma S1 in the blood on the basis of image data sent out from the camera 4, and the sedimentation velocity of a blood corpuscle layer S2 is found. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for measuring sedimentation velocity of sediment in a liquid sample and an apparatus for measuring sedimentation velocity, and more specifically, to a liquid sample contained in a transparent test container such as a test tube. The present invention relates to a technique for optically measuring the sedimentation velocity of sediments.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a typical example of the sedimentation rate measurement of sediment in a liquid sample, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), which is one of the most frequently used test methods in daily clinical practice, is mentioned.
This red sedimentation measurement method is performed by filling a non-coagulated blood in a test container of a certain standard held vertically and letting it stand still, and causing a distance above the boundary between plasma and blood cell layer caused by sedimentation of blood cells (sedimentation depth of plasma). The Wester Glen method of the system in which the inspector visually records 1 hour after standing to judge the slowness of sedimentation is used as a standard.

[0003]

However, such a measuring method requires one hour or more from the start to the end of the measurement, and is not suitable for an urgent treatment.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of stationary test containers containing a liquid sample.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sedimentation velocity measuring method capable of simultaneously measuring the sedimentation velocity of sediment in a liquid sample by using an optical means.

Another object of the present invention is to:
An object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive sedimentation velocity measuring device having a simple structure suitable for carrying out the above sedimentation velocity measuring method.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the method for measuring sedimentation velocity of the present invention provides an optical method for determining sedimentation velocity of sediment in a liquid sample contained in a transparent test container such as a test tube. The light is projected onto a plurality of test vessels containing a liquid sample containing sediment, and the light transmitted through the plurality of test vessels is measured by a single two-dimensional sensor means. The present invention is characterized in that the sedimentation velocity of the sediment in the liquid sample is obtained based on the image data received and received from the two-dimensional sensor means.

In a preferred embodiment, one of the two-dimensional arrays of the image pickup pixels of the two-dimensional sensor means is arranged in parallel with the axial direction of the test container and is sent out from the two-dimensional sensor means. Based on the image data, for each test container, from the change over time in the axial direction of each light and dark level of a plurality of pixels arranged in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the test container, the supernatant of the liquid sample The sedimentation rate of sediment in the liquid sample is determined by calculating the depth dimension.

Further, when the light transmitted through the plurality of test vessels is received by a single two-dimensional sensor means, the measurement range in each test vessel is defined, and the measurement range is defined by the two-dimensional sensor means. It is specified before or after receiving light.

Preferably, the plurality of test vessels containing the liquid sample containing sediment are arranged in an inclined manner,
The sedimentation of the sediment is promoted by natural convection.

Further, when determining the sedimentation velocity of sediment in a liquid sample as described above, the sedimentation of sediment in a liquid sample can be performed in correspondence with a plurality of types of test vessels by specifying the type of test vessel. Find the speed.

The sedimentation velocity measuring apparatus of the present invention is for suitably implementing the above-mentioned sedimentation velocity measuring method, and comprises a plurality of test containers containing a liquid sample containing sediment at predetermined intervals. Container holding means for holding, light projecting means for projecting light to the plurality of test containers, and the light projecting means provided so as to sandwich the plurality of test containers, and the plurality of tests are performed from the light projecting means. A single two-dimensional sensor means for receiving the light transmitted through the container, and an arithmetic means for calculating the sedimentation velocity of the sediment in the liquid sample based on the image data sent from the two-dimensional sensor means. It is characterized by

In a preferred embodiment, the container holding means has a structure for holding the test container in an inclined shape at a predetermined tilt angle, whereby natural convection occurs in the liquid sample in the test container. The sedimentation of the sediment is promoted, and the arrangement direction of one of the two-dimensional arrangements of the imaging pixels of the two-dimensional sensor means is parallel to the axial direction of the test container. Has been done.

Further, the arithmetic means is based on the image data sent from the two-dimensional sensor means, and for each of the test containers, the brightness of a plurality of pixels arranged in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the test container. An image processing unit that determines the boundary position between the supernatant liquid and the sediment in the liquid sample by integrating the change over time in the axial direction of the level, and the test container based on the determination result of this image processing unit. A calculating means for calculating the height dimension of the supernatant liquid in the liquid, calculating the change amount of the boundary position per unit time from this and the set measurement time, and calculating the sedimentation velocity of the sediment in the liquid sample. And are equipped with.

Further, when calculating the sedimentation velocity of the sediment in the liquid sample as described above, it is provided with a means for specifying the type of the test container so as to correspond to a plurality of types of test containers.

In the sedimentation velocity measurement of the present invention, when the test container filled with the liquid sample containing the sediment is held stationary, the sediment and the sediment in the liquid sample are settled and the supernatant and the sediment are separated in the test container. A boundary appears, and this boundary descends with time, and after a certain period of time, the boundary stops descending (precipitation of sediments stops).

The amount of light transmitted through the liquid sample changes according to the transparency of the test container (corresponding to the contents of the contents, etc.), and is a space above the supernatant, that is, a space in which the supernatant does not exist, the supernatant and The light transmitted through each sediment can be clearly distinguished from each other, and by detecting the transmitted light, the liquid level of the supernatant and the boundary between the supernatant and the sediment can be reliably captured.

Therefore, a change in the amount of light transmitted through the test container is electrically detected by using an area sensor camera having a single two-dimensional sensor means, for example, an area sensor as a sensor section, to detect these detected values. The depth (height) dimension of the supernatant can be calculated from changes over time.
The sedimentation velocity of the sediment can be calculated from the calculated value and the measurement time.

For example, when erythrocyte sedimentation is measured using a mixed solution of blood 4 with sodium citrate solution 1, a blood cell layer (precipitated from red blood cells and the like) that is a sediment and plasma that is a supernatant thereof are used. The amount of light transmitted through the boundary and the boundary between the plasma and the space where the mixed solution does not exist, that is, the plasma liquid level, changes greatly. Therefore, by detecting the change in the light amount using the area sensor camera, it is possible to capture the change over time in the depth of the blood plasma in real time and calculate the maximum depth dimension thereof.

In this case, the area sensor camera can capture the boundary two-dimensionally, and enables more accurate and reproducible red sedimentation measurement.

Further, since the area sensor camera can simultaneously receive the light transmitted through the plurality of test containers arranged corresponding to the light-receivable area, the plurality of test containers in a stationary state can be detected. The red sedimentation measurement can be performed at the same time, and in the sedimentation velocity measurement device using such an area sensor camera, the device structure can be simplified.

Further, by carrying out the erythrocyte sedimentation measurement while holding the test container in an inclined state, the sedimentation rate of erythrocytes due to natural convection is promoted, and the erythrocyte sedimentation measurement can be carried out in a short time.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 A sedimentation velocity measuring apparatus according to the present invention is shown in FIG.
Specifically, this device is for optically measuring the erythrocyte sedimentation of the blood contained in the test container 1 as shown in FIG. 3, and comprises container holding means 2, light projecting means 3 and two-dimensional sensor means. 4, the computing unit 6, the display unit 7, and the operation unit 8 are main components.

The container holding means 2 holds a plurality of (five in the present embodiment) test containers 1, 1, ... In a slanting manner at equal intervals. Specifically, FIG. 2 and FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, it comprises two vertical plates 2a, three horizontal upper plates 2b, a lower plate 2c and a bottom plate 2d.
5 inclined plates 2e corresponding to each test container 1 are provided between the lower plate 2c and the lower plate 2c, and the upper plate 2b and the lower plate 2c have round holes having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the test container 1. h1,
h2 is formed respectively.

In the inclined holding structure, the bottom plate 2d supports the bottom of the test container 1, and
The upper and lower parts of the test container 1 are the upper plate 2b and the lower plate 2 described above.
The structure is such that it is inserted into the circular holes h1 and h2 of c and is held at an inclination. The inclined plate 2e functions as a guide when inserting the test container 1 from above.

The inclinations of the inclined holding structures 2a to 2d are for causing natural convection in the blood in the test container 1 to promote the sedimentation of the blood cell layer which is a sediment, and preferably, The test container 1 held in the round holes h1 and h2 is set to incline at an angle of 15 ° to 25 °, and in the illustrated embodiment, the inclination angle is set to 15 °.

The light projecting means 3 is for projecting light onto the test container 1 containing blood, and preferably infrared L
An ED (light emitting diode) array or the like is used.

The two-dimensional sensor means 4 receives the light transmitted from the light projecting means 3 through the respective measurement ranges in the plurality of test vessels 1, 1, ...
It is provided so as to face the light projecting means 3 with 1, 1 sandwiched therebetween, and is installed in an inclined shape at the same inclination angle as that of the test containers 1, 1 ,.

As the two-dimensional sensor means 4, an area sensor camera having an area sensor such as a CCD area sensor is used as a sensor portion. In the illustrated embodiment, a CC having a CCD area sensor as a sensor portion is used.
A D area sensor camera is used to capture an image of the boundary between plasma and blood cell layers in the test container 1.

The calculation means 6 calculates the sedimentation velocity of the blood cell layer in the blood based on the image data sent from the CCD area sensor camera 4, and specifically, the image processing part 6a and the calculation processing part. 6b and.

From the image data sent from the CCD area sensor camera 4, the image processing unit 6a indicates, for each test container 1, the light and dark levels of a plurality of pixels arranged in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the test container 1. The change over time in the axial direction is integrated, the boundary position (hereinafter referred to as the blood sedimentation position) between the blood plasma supernatant S1 and the sediment blood cell layer S2 is determined from the data, and the arithmetic processing unit 6b Send out.

The image processing method will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an image of blood in the test container 1 taken by the CCD area sensor camera 4. The image captured by the CCD area sensor camera 4 is, for example, 480x
The pixel is divided into 512 pixels in a two-dimensional array, and each pixel is further divided into 256 gradations (brightness level) of 0 to 255.

In the present embodiment, one of the two-dimensional arrangements of the image pickup pixels of the CCD area sensor camera 4 (the arrow Y direction in the drawing) is arranged to be parallel to the axial direction of the test container 1. In addition, a plurality of (five in this embodiment) detection windows (measurement range defining means) Ma that define the measurement range corresponding to each test container 1 are set in the image processing unit 6a.

Each of the detection windows Ma has a slit-like elongated rectangular shape extending along the axis of each test container 1. The geometrical dimension of the detection window Ma is set such that the longitudinal dimension thereof is smaller than the length dimension of the test container 1 and the lateral dimension thereof is smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the test container 1. It is designed to reliably capture the blood sedimentation behavior of the blood inside.

As a result, the light transmitted from the light projecting means 3 through the plurality of test containers 1, 1, ... And reaching the image pickup pixel of the CCD area sensor camera 4 is detected by the detection windows Ma, Ma. Only the specified measurement range will be used for measurement.

In the figure, (a) shows an initial state in which blood cells have not yet settled and a boundary between plasma S1 and blood cell layer S2 has not appeared, and (b) shows a blood sedimentation position after a unit time has elapsed. In addition, the drawings on the right side in each of (a) and (b) are arranged in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction (arrow Y direction in the drawing) of the test container 1 by image processing (arrow X direction in the drawing). FIG. 4 is a waveform diagram in which the change in the light-dark level with time in the axial direction of one pixel (for example, a pixel on the axis of the test container 1) is integrated, and the data is compared with a predetermined threshold value (Vth) By determining the boundary position between the level (plasma part) higher than the threshold value and the level (blood cell layer) lower than the threshold value, it is determined as the blood sedimentation position and is sent to the arithmetic processing unit 6b.

In the arithmetic processing section 6b, the image processing section 6a
The height dimension of the plasma S1 in the test container 1 is calculated based on the result of the determination, and the measurement time (preferably 1
5 minutes to 20 minutes), the amount of change (ΔY) in the blood sedimentation position per unit time is calculated to calculate the red sedimentation.

In the above description, the erythrocyte sedimentation measuring step for one test container 1 was described, but the other four test containers 1, 1, ... Measurement is performed. In this case, the identification of the test container 1 is
Although not specifically shown, a strip-shaped ID label is attached to the upper part of the test container 1, and the ID information of the blood sampling subject printed on this ID label is read by an ID reader (not shown). Be seen. As the ID reading device, a character reading device is used when the ID information is a character,
When the ID information is a bar code, a bar code reader is used.

Next, a method for measuring red sedimentation using the sedimentation velocity measuring device constructed as described above will be described.

Blood is collected from a blood sample in the test container 1 and a sodium citrate solution which is an anticoagulant is added to the blood. Then, the test container 1 is shaken to mix the blood with the sodium citrate solution. . After this, test container 1
Is inserted from the upper side into the circular holes h1 and h2 provided in the upper plate 2b and the lower plate 2c of the container holding means 2 and is held stationary in an inclined shape. When the blood sedimentation measurement is performed on the blood of a plurality of blood-collected persons (up to five in the illustrated example), the container holding means 2 appropriately holds the blood according to the above procedure.

If there is an ID reading device, this ID
The ID label of each test container 1 is read by the reading device, and the test container 1 is specified (reading the name and the like of the blood sampler).

By pressing the start key of the operation unit 8 composed of a touch panel or the like, the red sedimentation measurement is automatically executed. That is, the test container 1,
The CCD area sensor camera 4 receives the infrared light that has passed through each of the test containers 1 to capture an image of the infrared light.
Then, the blood sedimentation position is determined and the arithmetic processing unit 6b calculates erythrocyte sedimentation for each test container 1.

Specifically, as described above, when the test container 1 filled with blood is held stationary, the plasma S1 and the blood cell layer S2 in the test container 1 are accompanied by the sedimentation of the blood cell layer in the blood.
The boundary appears with, and this boundary descends with time, and when a certain time elapses, the boundary stops descending (the sedimentation of the blood cell layer stops).

The amount of light projected from the light projecting means 3 and passing through the blood changes depending on the transparency of the test container 1, and in particular, the space above the plasma S1, that is, the space where the plasma S1 does not exist, the plasma S1. The amount of light transmitted through the blood cell layer S2 and the blood cell layer S2 change greatly and can be clearly distinguished from each other.
By detecting the transmitted light, the liquid surface of the plasma S1 and the boundary between the plasma S1 and the blood cell layer S2 can be reliably captured.

Therefore, as described above, the test container 1
By electrically detecting a change in the amount of light that has passed through the inside using a single CCD area sensor camera 4, the calculation unit 6 (image processing unit 6
a, the depth (height) of the plasma S1 by the arithmetic processing unit 6b)
The dimension can be calculated, and further, the sedimentation velocity of the blood cell layer S2 can be calculated from the calculated value and the measurement time.

In this case, the CCD area sensor camera 4 can capture the boundary two-dimensionally (captured by a plurality of image pickup pixels in the X direction in the drawing), which enables more accurate red sedimentation measurement.

The red sunk measurement result is electronically displayed on the display device 8 including a liquid crystal monitor and the like by a display system based on the international standard method, and is also printed and displayed by a printer (not shown) or the like.

Embodiment 2 This embodiment is shown in FIG. 5, and a plurality of types of test vessels having different outer diameters (preferably used for a standard tube used for measuring the red stagnation of an adult and a baby for measuring the red sunk of a baby) are used. Capillary tube)
It is a sedimentation velocity measuring device that is compatible with, and specifically, the shape of the detection window that defines the measurement range of the first embodiment is modified.

That is, the detection window of this embodiment is provided with a detection window Ma for measuring the blood sedimentation and a detection window Mb for measuring the outer diameter of the test container 1.

As shown in the figure, the detection window Mb is a slit-shaped window horizontally provided near the lower end of the test container 1 (within the blood cell layer), and its lateral dimension is larger than the diameter dimension of the test container 1. It is set to be large and designed so that the outer diameter edge of the test container 1 can be detected.

As a result, of the light transmitted from the light projecting means 3 through the plurality of test vessels 1, 1, ... And reaching the image pickup pixel of the CCD area sensor camera 4, the detection windows Ma, Ma ... And Mb. , Mb, ..., Only the measurement range defined by Mb. Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

However, the image processing section 6 in the calculating means 6
In the image data sent from the CCD area sensor camera 4, a indicates the blood sedimentation position on the basis of the image data detected by the detection window Ma, as in the first embodiment, and at the detection window Mb. The outer diameter of the test container 1 is determined based on the detected image data.

The detection window Mb is, as described above,
Since it is formed in the vicinity of the lower end of the test container 1 (within the blood cell layer), the test container 1 and the outside world can be easily distinguished, and the outer diameter of the test container 1 is determined by detecting the outermost edges. can do.

A capillary tube 1 is used as the test container 1.
When 0 is used, it is used by inserting it into a transparent holder 11 having the same outer diameter as the standard tube, as shown in FIG.

Further, in the arithmetic processing section 6b, the red sedimentation is calculated and the outer diameter dimension of the test container 1 is calculated based on the judgment result of the image processing section 6a, as in the first embodiment.

Next, a method for measuring red sedimentation using the sedimentation velocity measuring device constructed as described above will be described.

The operation of tilt-holding the test container 1 on the container holding means 2 and the operation of identifying the test container 1 (reading the name of the blood sampler) are the same as in the first embodiment.

By pressing the start key of the operation unit 8, first, the outer diameter of the test container 1 is measured based on the image data detected in the detection window Mb, and the test container 1 is a standard tube or a capillary tube. Is specified.

Next, the blood sedimentation position is determined based on the image data detected in the detection window Ma, and the sedimentation measurement is automatically executed. The operation of the red sedimentation measurement is exactly the same as that of the first embodiment.

Embodiment 3 This embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6 to 9. In the first embodiment, the detection window (measurement range defining means) is arranged in the two-dimensional sensor means, but in the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, the light projecting means 3 and the two-dimensional sensor means 4 are provided.
The physical measurement range defining means 5 is arranged between the two. Along with this, the container holding means 2 and the measurement range defining means 5 are integrally configured, and the calculating means 6, like the other embodiment 1,
The display unit 7 and the operation unit 8 are mainly configured.

The container holding means 2 holds a plurality of (five in the present embodiment) test containers 1, 1, ... Inclination at equal intervals. Specifically, FIG. 6 and FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, it is integrally formed with a light shielding plate 5 as a measuring range defining means described later.

The inclined holding structure of each test container 1 in the container holding means 2 shown in the figure is one inclined plate 2e protruding from the light shielding plate 5, three horizontal upper plates 2b, lower plates 2c and bottom plates 2d. The upper plate 2b and the lower plate 2c consist of the test container 1
Round holes h1 and h2 each having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter dimension of are formed.

In the inclined holding structure, the bottom plate 2d supports the bottom of the test container 1, and
The upper and lower parts of the test container 1 are the upper plate 2b and the lower plate 2 described above.
The structure is such that it is inserted into the circular holes h1 and h2 of c and is held at an inclination. The inclined plate 2e functions as a guide when inserting the test container 1 from above.

In the illustrated embodiment, such inclined holding structures 2b to 2d of the test container 1 are shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 5, the light-shielding plate 5 is evenly provided at five locations in the lateral direction at predetermined intervals.

The inclinations of the inclination holding structures 2b to 2d are for causing natural convection in the blood in the test container 1 to promote the sedimentation of the blood cell layer which is a sediment, and preferably, The test container 1 held in the round holes h1 and h2 is set to incline at an angle of 15 ° to 25 °, and in the illustrated embodiment, the inclination angle is set to 15 °.

The measuring range defining means 5 is arranged between the CCD area sensor camera 4 and the light projecting means 3 and defines each measuring range in each of the plurality of test containers 1, 1 ,. is there.

The measuring range defining means 5 is, specifically, as described above, provided from the light projecting means 3 to the plurality of test containers 1, 1 ,.
It is in the form of a light shielding plate that shields the light transmitted through the inside. As shown in FIG. 8, the light-shielding plate 5 has a plurality of light-transmitting windows 5a defining the above-mentioned measurement range corresponding to the test containers 1, 1, ... Held by the container holding means 2. In the embodiment, five locations are provided.

As shown in FIG. 8, each translucent window 5a has a slit-like elongated parallelogram shape extending along the axis of the test container 1 held by each of the inclined holding structures 2b to 2d of the container holding means 2. Has been done. The light-transmissive window 5a is configured such that the vertical dimension thereof is smaller than the length dimension of the test container 1 and the lateral dimension thereof is smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the test container 1, It is designed to reliably capture the blood's sedimentation behavior.

Thus, of the light transmitted from the light projecting means 3 through the plurality of test containers 1, 1, ..., The measurement range defined by the respective light-transmitting windows 5a, 5a, ... Only the light that has passed through the CCD area sensor camera 4
It will be reached and imaged.

FIG. 9 shows the test container 1 in the CCD area sensor camera 4 imaged through the transparent window 5a of the light shielding plate 5.
It is an image of blood inside, but CCD area sensor camera 4
The image data sent from the device is sent out only the portion corresponding to the light projecting window 5a. The subsequent image processing method in the image processing unit 6a is the same as that in the first embodiment.

The other operations and the method of measuring red sedimentation using the sedimentation velocity measuring device configured as described above are the same as in the first embodiment.

Embodiment 4 This embodiment is shown in FIGS. 10 to 11, and is a sedimentation velocity measuring device which can be used for a plurality of types of test vessels having different outer diameters, as in Embodiment 2. Is a modification of the shape of the light-transmitting window of the light shielding plate 5 of the third embodiment.

That is, the light-transmitting window of this embodiment is provided with a light-transmitting window 5a for measuring blood sedimentation and a light-transmitting window 5b for measuring the outer diameter of the test container 1.

The translucent window 5b is, as shown in the figure, the test container 1
The horizontal dimension of the slit-shaped window is set near the lower end (within the blood cell layer), and the lateral dimension of the window is set to be larger than the diameter dimension of the test container 1, so that the outer diameter edge of the test container 1 can be detected. Is designed to be.

As a result, of the light transmitted from the light projecting means 3 through the plurality of test containers 1, 1, ...
, And transparent windows 5b, 5b, ...
Only the light that has passed the measurement range defined by will reach the CCD area sensor camera 4 and be imaged. Other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

However, the image processing section 6 in the calculating means 6
In the image data sent from the CCD area sensor camera 4, a is the transparent window 5 as in the third embodiment.
The blood sedimentation position is determined based on the image data that has passed through a, and the outer diameter of the test container 1 is determined based on the image data that has passed through the transparent window 5b.

As described above, the transparent window 5b is formed in the vicinity of the lower end of the test container 1 (in the blood cell layer area), so that the test container 1 and the outside world can be easily distinguished, and the outermost edge The outer diameter of the test container 1 can be determined by detecting

A capillary tube 1 is used as the test container 1.
When 0 is used, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), it is used by inserting it into a transparent holder 11 whose outer diameter dimension is the same as that of the standard tube.

Further, in the arithmetic processing section 6b, the red sedimentation is calculated and the outer diameter dimension of the test container 1 is calculated based on the judgment result of the image processing section 6a, as in the third embodiment.

Next, a method for measuring red sedimentation using the sedimentation velocity measuring device configured as described above will be described.

The operation of tilt-holding the test container 1 on the container holding means 2 and the operation of specifying the test container 1 (reading the name of the blood sampler) are the same as in the first embodiment.

By pressing the start key of the operation unit 8, first, the outer diameter of the test container 1 is measured based on the image data that has passed through the transparent window 5b, and the test container 1 is either a standard tube or a capillary tube. Is specified.

Next, the blood sedimentation position is determined based on the image data that has passed through the transparent window 5a, and the sedimentation measurement is automatically executed. The operation of the red sedimentation measurement is exactly the same as that of the third embodiment.

The red sedimentation measurement result is displayed by the display system based on the international standard method for the test container 1 specified as above.
The display device 8 composed of a liquid crystal monitor or the like displays an electric light and prints and displays it by a printer or the like not shown.

In the sedimentation velocity measuring device configured as described above, the CCD area sensor camera 4 is
A plurality of test containers 1 arranged corresponding to the light receiving area,
Since it is possible to simultaneously receive the light transmitted through 1, ..., It is possible to simultaneously perform the red / sink measurement for the plurality of stationary test containers 1, 1 ,.

Further, the container holding means 2 allows the test container 1
By carrying out the erythrocyte sedimentation measurement while maintaining the sloped state, the sedimentation rate of erythrocytes due to natural convection is accelerated, and the erythrocyte sedimentation measurement can be performed in a short time.

The above-described embodiment is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this, and various design changes can be made within the scope.

For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the test container 1 is allowed to stand in an inclined shape, but it may be allowed to stand vertically.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment, infrared light capable of obtaining a good contrast is used as the light source of the light projecting means 3, but visible light such as a red LED array may be used.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described blood sedimentation velocity measurement, that is, erythrocyte sedimentation measurement, and can be applied to the sedimentation velocity measurement of sediment in other liquid samples that have similar sedimentation behavior.

[0091]

As described above in detail, according to the sedimentation velocity measuring method of the present invention, the liquid sample is imaged by the two-dimensional sensor means and image-processed, so that the boundary between the supernatant liquid and the sediment is determined. It can be grasped in a three-dimensional manner, which enables rapid (accurate measurement time of about 1/4 of the conventional time) and highly accurate sedimentation velocity measurement.
It is very effective when urgent medical measures are required.

Further, according to the sedimentation velocity measuring apparatus of the present invention, the light passing through the plurality of test vessels is imaged by one two-dimensional sensor means having a two-dimensional sensor function, so that a simple structure is obtained. It is possible to simultaneously measure the sedimentation rate of a liquid sample in a plurality of stationary test vessels.

Further, since the outer diameter measuring means of the test container is provided, the standard tube and the capillary tube can be commonly used, and it is not necessary to prepare a separate settling velocity measuring device corresponding to each test container.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram showing an outline of a liquid sample sedimentation velocity measuring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a relative positional relationship among a light projecting means, a container holding means, a light shielding plate and a CCD area sensor camera in the sedimentation velocity measuring apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a front view taken along the line AA of FIG. 2 showing an arrangement example when a plurality of test containers are measured by a CCD area sensor camera in the sedimentation velocity measuring device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image processing method in the sedimentation velocity measuring apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a CCD area sensor camera image in a liquid sample sedimentation velocity measuring device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows a case where a standard tube is used as a test container, ) Indicates the case where a capillary tube is used.

FIG. 6 is a configuration block diagram showing an outline of a liquid sample sedimentation velocity measuring device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a relative positional relationship among a light projecting means, a container holding means, a light shielding plate and a CCD area sensor camera in the sedimentation velocity measuring apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a front view taken along the line BB in FIG. 7 showing a partially cut-away example of arrangement when a plurality of test containers are measured by a CCD area sensor camera in the sedimentation velocity measuring device.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image processing method in the sedimentation velocity measuring apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway front view showing an arrangement example when a plurality of test containers are measured by a CCD area sensor camera in a liquid sample sedimentation velocity measuring apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing an example of a CCD area sensor camera image in the same sedimentation velocity measuring device, (a) shows a case where a standard tube is used as a test container, and (b) shows a case where a capillary tube is used. There is.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 test container 2 container holding means 3 light projecting means 4 CCD area sensor camera (two-dimensional sensor means) 5 light-shielding plate (measurement range defining means) 5a translucent window (for red sediment measurement) 5b translucent window (specification of test vessel type) 6) Operation unit (operation means) 6a Image processing unit 6b Operation processing unit 7 Display unit 8 Operation unit 10 Capillary tube 11 Holder S1 Plasma (supernatant liquid) S2 Blood cell layer (sediment) b Boundary between plasma and blood cell layer

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Akio Watanabe             Hitachi, Ltd. 32 Miyuki-cho, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo             Kokusai Electric Koganei Factory F-term (reference) 2G045 AA01 CA25 FA13 GC10 HA09                       HC05 JA01                 5B057 AA07 BA02 CA12 CA16 DA01                       DB02 DC03

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A sedimentation velocity measuring method for optically measuring the sedimentation velocity of sediment in a liquid sample contained in a transparent test container such as a test tube, wherein a liquid sample containing sediment is contained. By projecting light onto a plurality of test containers, the light transmitted through the plurality of test containers at this time is received by a single two-dimensional sensor means, and based on the image data sent from the two-dimensional sensor means. A method for measuring the sedimentation velocity of a liquid sample, wherein the sedimentation velocity of the sediment in the liquid sample is determined. 2. The liquid sample according to claim 1, wherein the array direction of one of the two-dimensional arrays of the imaging pixels of the two-dimensional sensor means is parallel to the axial direction of the test container. Method for measuring sedimentation velocity. 3. The measurement range in each test container is defined when the light transmitted through the plurality of test containers is received by the two-dimensional sensor means, respectively. Method for measuring sedimentation velocity of liquid sample. 4. The method for measuring the sedimentation velocity of a liquid sample according to claim 3, wherein the measurement range is defined before the light is received by the two-dimensional sensor means. 5. The method for measuring the sedimentation velocity of a liquid sample according to claim 3, wherein the measurement range is defined after receiving light by the two-dimensional sensor means. 6. Based on the image data sent from the two-dimensional sensor means, for each test container, in the axial direction of each light and dark level of a plurality of pixels arranged in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the test container. 3. The liquid sample according to claim 2, wherein the sedimentation rate of the sediment in the liquid sample is obtained by calculating the depth dimension of the supernatant liquid in the liquid sample from the change with time. Method for measuring sedimentation velocity. 7. The method for measuring the sedimentation velocity of a liquid sample according to claim 1, wherein the type of the test container is specified when determining the sedimentation velocity of the sediment in the liquid sample. 8. The settling container for accommodating a liquid sample containing sediment is arranged in an inclined manner so that the sedimentation of the sediment is promoted by natural convection. 7. The method for measuring the sedimentation rate of a liquid sample according to. 9. The method for measuring the sedimentation velocity of a liquid sample according to claim 1, wherein the liquid sample is blood. 10. A sedimentation velocity measuring device for optically measuring the sedimentation velocity of a sediment in a liquid sample contained in a transparent test container such as a test tube, wherein the liquid sample containing the sediment is contained. Container holding means for holding a plurality of test containers at a predetermined interval, a light projecting means for projecting light to the plurality of test containers, and a plurality of test containers sandwiching the plurality of test containers and facing the light projecting means. A single two-dimensional sensor means for receiving the light transmitted through the plurality of test vessels from the light projecting means, and a sediment in a liquid sample based on image data sent from the two-dimensional sensor means. An apparatus for measuring a sedimentation velocity of a liquid sample, comprising: an arithmetic means for calculating the sedimentation velocity. 11. Two of the imaging pixels of the two-dimensional sensor means
11. The sedimentation velocity measuring device for a liquid sample according to claim 10, wherein the arrangement direction of one of the dimensional arrangements is configured to be parallel to the axial direction of the test container. 12. The settling velocity measurement of a liquid sample according to claim 10, further comprising a measurement range defining unit arranged in the two-dimensional sensor unit and defining a measurement range in each of the test containers. apparatus. 13. The measuring range defining means, which is arranged between the two-dimensional sensor means and the light projecting means and defines the measuring range in each of the test containers, is provided. The sedimentation velocity measuring device for a liquid sample according to 1. 14. The measuring range defining means is in the form of a light blocking plate for blocking light transmitted through the test container from the light projecting means, and the light blocking plate has a transparent window for defining the measuring range. The settling velocity measuring device for a liquid sample according to claim 13, wherein is provided corresponding to each of the test containers held by the container holding means. 15. A light-transmitting window for obtaining an image for identifying the type of the test container is provided on the light-shielding plate corresponding to each of the test containers held by the container holding means. The liquid sample settling velocity measuring device according to claim 14. 16. The calculation means, based on the image data sent from the two-dimensional sensor means, for each of the test containers, the brightness of a plurality of pixels arranged in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the test container. An image processing unit that determines the boundary position between the supernatant liquid and the sediment in the liquid sample by integrating the change over time in the axial direction of the level, and the test container based on the determination result of this image processing unit. A calculating means for calculating the height dimension of the supernatant liquid in the liquid, calculating the change amount of the boundary position per unit time from this and the set measurement time, and calculating the sedimentation velocity of the sediment in the liquid sample. The sedimentation velocity measuring device for a liquid sample according to claim 11, comprising: 17. The container holding means has a structure for holding the test container in an inclined shape at a predetermined inclination angle, whereby natural convection occurs in the liquid sample in the test container, and the sediment The sedimentation velocity measuring device for a liquid sample according to claim 10, wherein the sedimentation velocity measuring device is configured to accelerate sedimentation of the liquid sample. 18. The sedimentation velocity measuring device for a liquid sample according to claim 17, wherein the inclination angle is set to 15 ° to 25 °. 19. The sedimentation velocity measuring device for a liquid sample according to claim 10, wherein the two-dimensional sensor means is an area sensor camera including an area sensor such as a CCD area sensor as a sensor unit. 20. The liquid sample sedimentation velocity measuring device according to claim 10, wherein the liquid sample is blood.