JP2006145499A - Diagnostic system using biochip - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a diagnostic system using a biochip which can be received promptly easily even in a remote place without the need to visit a hospital or the like. <P>SOLUTION: This diagnostic system includes a measurement station and a diagnosis station which can perform two-way communication. The measurement station includes one or more probes which are marked or dyed with a fluorescent material of the biochip a excitation light irradiating means, a fluorescent detection means of the probe, a fluorescent data transmission means to the diagnosis station, a data reception means from the diagnosis station and a means for notifying predetermined data including the data from the diagnosis station. The diagnosis station includes a fluorescent data reception means from the measurement station, an illness data storing means for storing illness data related to the fluorescent data, an illness determination means for determining illness for every probe on the basis of the fluorescent data and the illness data, and a transmission means capable of transmitting the illness determination result data to the measurement station. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a diagnostic system for diagnosing disease infection by using hybridization of probes provided on a biochip using a communication line capable of bidirectional communication such as the Internet.

  In recent years, a diagnosis system for diagnosing a patient at a remote place using a communication line capable of bidirectional communication such as the Internet has been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1, a client captures meal contents with a digital camera, transmits the image data to a doctor or expert using the Internet, and the client's request is based on an image received by the doctor or expert. A diagnostic system that returns analysis results and advice using the Internet has been proposed.

  In Patent Document 2, a blood image taken with a microscope with a digital camera is transmitted to a test result storage device using a communication line such as the Internet, and a doctor stores the test result using a communication line such as the Internet. There has been proposed a blood diagnosis support system that receives a blood image from an apparatus and performs morphological diagnosis of blood based on the blood image.

  In recent years, detection methods using biochips that are used for diagnosis of diseases and the like by identifying the type of biomolecules such as DNA using hybridization of probes immobilized on biochips have also been used in various fields. It is supposed to be.

  Here, the biochip is obtained by immobilizing a reference biomolecule having a known sequence composed of artificial nucleic acids such as DNA, RNA, PNA, proteins, sugar chains, etc. on a substrate such as glass, silicon, plastic, etc. as a probe. It is. For detection, a target biomolecule labeled or stained with a fluorescent substance is administered to this probe, and the target biomolecule binds to the probe (in the case of DNA, RNA, artificial nucleic acid, complementary bond, in the case of protein, sugar chain) Affinity binding) is determined. Specifically, when the target biomolecule is bound to the probe, the fluorescent substance is immobilized together with the probe, so that the fluorescent substance is excited by the excitation light from the light source and emits light. In addition, since no fluorescent substance is present in the probe that does not bind to the target biomolecule, it does not emit light by excitation light. Therefore, by detecting this fluorescence, it can be determined whether or not the target biomolecule is bound (hybridized) to the probe.

Biomolecule detection devices using biochip hybridization include an excitation light source that irradiates the probe on the biochip with excitation light, a filter that transmits only light in the fluorescent wavelength range generated from the probe, and this filter. 2D optical sensor using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or the like that detects fluorescence that has passed through and a control device that creates and displays image data and read data based on the 2D optical sensor. Molecular detection devices are known.
JP 2003-150699 A JP 2004-170368 A

  In Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, a diagnosis system and a diagnosis support system using a communication line are disclosed. However, the function is merely an auxiliary role for medical treatment. It is impossible to diagnose a disease using a chip from the system configuration. In addition, in the biomolecule detection apparatus using the above-described biochip hybridization, the fluorescence emitted from the biochip can be read with the detection apparatus to detect biomolecules. It is impossible to do such things.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a diagnostic system using a biochip that solves the above-described problems and can easily and quickly receive a diagnosis using a biochip without going to a hospital or clinic. It is in.

  In order to achieve the above object, as a first embodiment of a diagnostic system using a biochip of the present invention, a diagnostic system including a measurement station and a diagnostic station connected so as to be capable of bidirectional communication, The measurement station emits excitation light irradiating means for irradiating one or two or more probes labeled or stained with a fluorescent substance on a biochip, and fluorescence emitted from the probes in response to the excitation light. Fluorescence detecting means for detecting, transmitting means capable of transmitting the detected fluorescence data to the diagnostic station, receiving means capable of receiving data from the diagnostic station, and predetermined data including data from the diagnostic station An informing means capable of informing the data, wherein the diagnostic station receives the fluorescence data from the measuring station. Based on the fluorescence data and the disease data, the disease is determined for each probe based on the receiving means capable of receiving the data, the disease data storage means for storing the disease data associated with the fluorescence data, and the fluorescence data and the disease data. A diagnostic system including a disease determination unit and a transmission unit capable of transmitting data of the determination result of the disease to the measurement station is conceivable.

  Here, “two-way communication is possible” includes those connected by a public network using an electric communication line such as the Internet, and those connected by a dedicated network in a certain area. Also included are those connected by a complex network composed of interconnections of a plurality of networks.

  A “measurement station” can read a biochip, transmit the read data to a “diagnostic station”, receive data from other stations, and notify the user of predetermined data. It is a terminal. The installation location of the measurement station can be set at an arbitrary location, for example, a user's home, a public facility, a convenience store, a pharmacy, a hospital, a clinic, and other various locations.

  The “diagnosis station” is a terminal that can perform disease diagnosis processing based on the biochip reading data transmitted from the measurement station and transmit the result of the diagnosis processing to other stations including the measurement station. is there. This diagnostic station can be installed at any location, but it is not necessary to install it in a hospital or clinic because the diagnosis of the disease can be performed by the system without using a doctor. However, when installed in a hospital or clinic, there is an advantage that the result of pathological examination of each probe of the biochip can be easily fed back to the system.

  A “biochip” is a substrate in which a reference biomolecule having a known sequence is fixed as a “probe”. As a material of the substrate, glass, silicon, or plastic can be used as long as it has a predetermined strength. Any material can be used, including the beginning. In addition, as the “fluorescent substance” for labeling or staining the probe, any substance can be used as long as it emits fluorescence in response to the irradiation of excitation light. For example, a quantum dot can also be used. It is.

Note that “labeling” refers to covalently binding a fluorescent substance to a probe. In addition, “staining” is a method performed to enhance the detection efficiency by further strengthening only the hybridized state with an incalator, a group binder, etc., against the state in which the reference biomolecule and the target biomolecule are hybridized. It is.
The “excitation light” emitted by the “excitation light irradiation means” is not limited to visible light, but includes light of all wavelengths including the ultraviolet region and the infrared region. Further, the excitation light includes light having a single wavelength, and also includes light in which light having a plurality of wavelengths is mixed.

  The “fluorescence detection means” includes any detection means as long as fluorescence can be detected in a manner capable of being compared with “disease data”. For example, it is possible to use a two-dimensional optical sensor such as a CCD, and not only a dedicated device for fluorescence detection but also a general-purpose image reader represented by a monochrome / color scanner or a CCD camera. included. Further, not only those that perform control processing by converting fluorescence into electrical signals, but also those that detect fluorescence using a chemical film or the like.

Regarding the “fluorescence” emitted in response to the irradiation of the excitation light, one type of fluorescence can be used, or a plurality of fluorescences can be used. In addition, fluorescence having a single wavelength can be used, and fluorescence in which light having a plurality of wavelengths is mixed can also be used.
In addition, as a method of associating a fluorescent probe with a disease, the fluorescent material and the disease are associated in advance, and the disease is recognized by identifying the color and wavelength of the fluorescence emitted by the excitation light irradiation. It is also possible to recognize the disease by associating the position of the probe to be fixed with the disease and identifying the position of the fluorescent probe. In the latter case, it is possible to identify a plurality of diseases with one kind of fluorescent substance.

  The “notification unit” may notify various information including the determination result by image display, may be notified by voice, or may be printed by a printer or the like. Or a combination thereof. Any other means can be considered as long as the information including the determination result can be notified to the user.

  The “disease data” includes any data as long as it can identify a predetermined disease based on the fluorescence detected by the fluorescence detection means. In addition, the disease data may include accompanying data such as detailed explanation data of the disease and data on how to deal with the disease.

  The “disease determination unit” includes any unit that can determine the disease by comparing the fluorescence detected by the fluorescence detection unit with the disease data. In this disease determination means, it is possible to use a dedicated control means, or to use a function of a general-purpose control device represented by a personal computer.

  According to this embodiment of the diagnostic system using a biochip, in a measurement station installed at an arbitrary place, if a user performs a biochip reading operation, the biostation is connected to a diagnostic station connected by a communication line. It is possible to determine the disease related to the biomolecule contained in the probe of the chip and promptly inform the user of the measurement station of the diagnosis result. Therefore, even for the diagnosis of diseases that conventionally required to be examined at a hospital or doctor's office, the user can easily, quickly and at low cost in any place such as a home or public facility. Can do.

  As another embodiment of the diagnostic system using the biochip of the present invention, as a fluorescent material for labeling or staining the probe, a fluorescent material in which two or more fluorescent materials emitting different colors of fluorescence are mixed at a predetermined ratio is used. A diagnosis system in which the disease determination means determines a disease based on the ratio of the fluorescence of the different colors included in the detected fluorescence can be considered.

  “Fluorescence of different colors” in the present embodiment includes not only light having a single wavelength but also mixed light having a plurality of wavelengths and wavelength bands as long as the light can be identified by the fluorescence detection means. . For example, when the fluorescence detection means includes the optical sensor 1 having the filter 1 and the optical sensor 2 having the filter 2, the light 1 that passes through the filter 1 but does not pass through the filter 2 is transmitted through the filter 2. The light 2 that does not pass through the filter 1 is light of a different color, and the light 1 and the light 2 do not need to be light having a single wavelength.

  In this embodiment, for example, even when two types of filters are used, identification is possible by mixing two color fluorescent materials that pass only through each filter and changing the mixing ratio to various ratios. Many fluorescent materials can be obtained. Therefore, in the past, since it was necessary to replace many filters according to the color of the fluorescent substance, a dedicated device for fluorescence reading is necessary, and the reading operation is repeated while replacing the filter many times. Although it was necessary, in this embodiment, a general-purpose color scanner or the like can also be used, and a fluorescence reading operation can be performed at once without using a low-cost apparatus and replacing a filter. it can. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the reading device, simplify and facilitate the diagnosis work, and reduce the diagnosis cost.

  According to another embodiment of the diagnostic system using the biochip of the present invention, two or more probes that bind to different structural parts of the same biomolecule are used, and based on the fluorescence from each detected probe. A diagnostic system for determining the specificity for the target biomolecule is conceivable. According to this embodiment, it is possible to quantitatively determine the specificity related to the identification of biomolecules that are generally difficult to determine.

  As another embodiment of the diagnostic system using the biochip of the present invention, a diagnostic system in which the fluorescence detection means can detect fluorescence of a plurality of biochips at a time can be considered. According to this embodiment, it is possible to perform a diagnosis process for a large number of users at a time, thereby shortening the diagnosis time and reducing the diagnosis cost.

As another embodiment of the diagnostic system using the biochip of the present invention, it is connected to the measurement station and / or the diagnostic station so as to be capable of bidirectional communication, and receives data from the measurement station and / or the diagnostic station. Receiving means capable of transmitting and transmitting means capable of transmitting data to the measurement station and / or the diagnostic station;
A diagnostic system that further includes one or two or more medical stations having notification means capable of notifying predetermined data including data from the measurement station and / or the diagnostic station is conceivable.

A “medical station” receives the results of diagnostic processing performed at a diagnostic station, notifies the received data by image display, etc., and sends predetermined data including the results of pathological examinations to other stations. It is a terminal that can transmit. The medical station can be installed in any location. For example, it may be installed in a hospital or clinic, or may be installed in a pharmacy, or installed in a patient's home. Is also possible. In addition, installation can be considered everywhere, including other public institutions. The number of medical stations to be installed can be set to an arbitrary number.
According to this embodiment, the diagnosis result data using the biochip can be used not only by the user at the measurement station but also by various people and institutions including related medical personnel.

  As another embodiment of the diagnostic system using the biochip of the present invention, the diagnostic station includes a drug data storage unit that stores drug data associated with the disease, a determination result of the disease, and the drug data. And a prescription determination means for creating prescription data on the basis thereof, and a diagnostic system capable of transmitting the prescription data from the diagnostic station to the measurement station and / or the medical station is conceivable.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to quickly prescribe a medicine by transmitting prescription data to, for example, a medical station installed in a pharmacy based on a disease determination result using a biochip. Yes, the user can obtain necessary prescription drugs without waiting time.
Furthermore, for example, if a medical station is installed in an office of a drug delivery company or the like, it is possible to deliver a prescription drug to a predetermined place or quickly without taking time and effort of the user. .

  As another embodiment of the diagnostic system using the biochip of the present invention, the probe in which the fluorescence data is transmitted to the diagnostic station in addition to the data transmitted from the measurement station or the medical station to the diagnostic station. The pathological examination data is included, the disease data storage means stores the fluorescence data and the pathological examination data in association with each other, and the stored data is used for subsequent disease determination by the disease determination means. Possible diagnostic systems are used.

  According to this embodiment, it is possible to actually feed back the result of the pathological examination of the probe to the diagnosis system, and the data fed back to the disease data storage means is accumulated, and the so-called learning control causes the disease in the diagnosis system. Can be further improved.

  According to the diagnostic system of the present invention, when a user performs a reading operation of a biochip at a measurement station at an arbitrary place, the biomolecules contained in the probe of the biochip are connected to the diagnostic station connected by a communication line. It is possible to determine the disease and promptly notify the user of the measurement station. Therefore, with regard to diagnosing diseases that conventionally had to be performed at hospitals or clinics, users can be diagnosed easily, quickly and at low cost in any location such as homes or public facilities. Can do.

  In addition, by using a fluorescent material in which two or more fluorescent materials that emit fluorescence of different colors are mixed at a predetermined ratio, the manufacturing cost of the reading device and the diagnostic device is reduced, and the diagnostic work is simplified and facilitated. And diagnostic costs can be reduced.

  In addition, by installing medical stations in various locations such as related medical institutions, pharmacies, and drug deliverers, based on the results of disease determination using biochips, it can be done quickly and without user effort. Prescription drugs can be delivered to users.

  In addition, by actually feeding back the results of the pathological examination of the probe to the diagnostic system and accumulating data, it is possible to further enhance the system for determining the disease in the diagnostic system.

Embodiments of a diagnostic system using a biochip of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
(Description of the entire diagnostic system)
First, the outline | summary of one embodiment of the diagnostic system of this invention is demonstrated using the schematic diagram of the diagnostic system shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, in the diagnostic system of the present embodiment, a measurement station 100, a diagnostic station 200, and a medical station 300 are connected via a communication line so that bidirectional communication is possible. In the diagnostic system of the present invention, an arbitrary number (including 0) of medical stations 300 can be installed. Therefore, the medical system 300 is not installed in the diagnostic system of the present invention, and includes a system constituted by the measurement station 100 and the diagnostic station 200, and a system in which a large number of diagnostic stations 300 are connected. included. Further, a diagnostic system in which two or more measuring stations 100 or two or more diagnostic stations are connected is also conceivable.

<Description of measuring station 100>
First, the measurement station 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The measurement station 100 includes an image display capable of displaying an image of predetermined data including diagnostic result data, a reader 1 that reads the biochip 2, a transmitter / receiver 15 that transmits / receives data to / from other stations. The apparatus 7 includes a printer 9 capable of printing predetermined data including diagnosis result data.
When the reading device 1 is described, a reading bed 12 is provided on the upper surface of the diagnostic device 1, and the biochip 2 is placed on the reading bed 12 to read fluorescence. In the present embodiment, a plurality of biochips 2 can be placed on the reading bed 12 and fluorescence can be read simultaneously.

  Here, an example of a biochip is shown in FIG. In the biochip 2 shown in FIG. 3, PNA is fixed as a probe as a reference biomolecule on a plastic substrate. In diagnosis, target biomolecules collected from a user's body fluid are labeled or stained with a predetermined fluorescent substance, and the target biomolecules labeled or stained with the fluorescent substance and a plastic substrate on which the probe is fixed are placed on a high level. Hybridization treatment is performed in the hybridization solution.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in this biochip 2, probes with probe numbers J = 1 to 20 made of PNA are fixed on a plastic substrate. As shown in FIG. 3, the arrangement is 4 × 5 rows from the rows of probes # 1 to # 4 to the rows of # 17 to # 20. Positioning markers A to C are provided at the three corners of the outer biochip 2, and a bar code for identifying each biochip 2 is positioned between the positioning marker A and the positioning marker B as a positioning marker. It is described with the same fluorescent substance.

  By adopting a PNA chip as a biochip as in this embodiment, it becomes easy to use a plastic substrate, and the risk of target biomolecule infection due to damage to the biochip being handled can be reduced. it can. Moreover, since it can be handled at room temperature by using PNA, the user can easily diagnose.

  In the present embodiment, a fluorescent material using quantum dots is used. A fluorescent substance using quantum dots has characteristics that it generates extremely bright fluorescence for a long time, and that there is a large difference (wavelength shift) between the wavelength of excitation light and the wavelength of fluorescence emitted in response to excitation light. Note that the type of biochip, the number, arrangement, and type of probes to be fixed on the biochip, the material of the substrate, and the like are not limited to this example, and can be arbitrarily determined.

Here, returning to the description of FIG. 1, a movable carriage 8 including the excitation light irradiation lamp 4 and the optical sensor 5 is installed inside the diagnostic apparatus 1 in a movable state. The movable carriage 8 is driven by a drive motor (not shown).
As shown by the arrows in FIG. 1, excitation light is irradiated from the excitation light irradiation lamp 4 to the biochip 2. In this embodiment, since a fluorescent material to which a quantum dot having a large wavelength shift is applied is used, ultraviolet light is used as excitation light, and visible light can be used as fluorescence emitted in response to this excitation light. Can be detected simultaneously using a single light source. Therefore, unlike the prior art, it is not necessary to repeat the measurement by exchanging the filters on both the excitation light source side and the fluorescence detection side.

  The excitation light irradiation lamp 4 has a length that covers the width direction of the reading bed 12, and the carriage 8 moves in the direction of the arrow by the entire length of the reading bed 12, so that all of the excitation light irradiation lamps 4 are placed on the reading bed 12. The biochip 2 can be irradiated with excitation light. Therefore, among the probes 3 of the biochip 2, the probe in which the reference biomolecule and the target biomolecule are bound (hybridized) emits fluorescence corresponding to the fluorescent material labeled or stained.

  The fluorescence emitted from the probe 3 on the biochip 2 is detected by the optical sensor 5 as indicated by the arrow in FIG. In this photosensor 5, photodetection elements such as CCDs are arranged in N lines so as to cover the width direction of the reading bed 12. The N photodetecting elements can convert the light energy of the incident fluorescence into an electrical signal, and the signal processing circuit in the control device 6 electrically connected to the optical sensor 5 sequentially converts the N light detecting elements. It is output as a voltage signal and used for subsequent control processing. Further, when the carriage 8 moves in the direction of the arrow by the entire length of the reading bed 12, the fluorescence emitted from all the biochips 2 placed on the reading bed 12 is detected by the N light detecting elements. be able to.

  In the photosensor 5 of the present embodiment, as with a general-purpose color scanner, three photodetecting element lines including blue (B), green (G), and red (R) color filters are provided. Each line has a light detection element provided with a blue filter that transmits only blue light on the light receiving surface side of the light detection element, and a green filter that transmits only green light on the light reception surface side of the light detection element. And a photodetecting element provided with a red filter that transmits only red light on the light receiving surface side of the photodetecting element. These color filters have the same spectral transmittance as the color filters used in general-purpose color scanners.

  The light sensor 5 detects the intensity of each of blue, green, and red light contained in the fluorescence emitted from the probe 2 and controls it as a voltage signal output from the signal processing circuit in the control device 6 as described above. Can be used for processing. Image data can be created from the detected fluorescence data, and the image data can be transmitted to the diagnostic station 200 using the transmission / reception device 15.

In the reading apparatus 1 of this embodiment, unlike the conventional biochip fluorescence reading apparatus, it is not necessary to provide a large number of special filters having a small wavelength bandwidth, so that the manufacturing cost of the reading apparatus can be reduced. Further, in the conventional reading device, it is necessary to replace the filter for each fluorescent substance that is labeled or stained, and the detection operation needs to be repeated. However, in the reading device 1 of the present embodiment, all detection is performed by one reading. It is possible to detect a plurality of biochips at a time. Accordingly, the processing time for reading the fluorescence is greatly shortened, and the user can easily make a diagnosis, and the diagnosis cost can be reduced. Furthermore, the reading device 1 can be realized by changing the light source of a general-purpose color scanner to an excitation light irradiation lamp, and further reduction in the manufacturing cost of the device can be expected.
In the above description, three colors of fluorescence of blue, green, and red are used. However, it is not always necessary to use three colors, and diagnostic processing can be performed using fluorescence of one color, and fluorescence of two colors is used. Diagnostic processing can also be performed using.

Further, based on the transmitted image data, the result of the diagnostic process performed by the diagnostic station 200 (diagnosis result data) can be received from the diagnostic station 200 using the transmission / reception device 15. Furthermore, the received diagnosis result data can be displayed on the image display device 7 or printed by the printer 9 to notify the user of the diagnosis result.
Note that the control device 20 performs the control processing related to the irradiation of excitation light, carriage driving, fluorescence detection, data transmission / reception, image display, printing, and the like as described above.

<Description of diagnostic station 200>
Next, the diagnosis station 200 will be described. The diagnosis station 200 includes a transmission / reception device 15 that transmits / receives data to / from other stations including the measurement station 100, and a control device 20 that performs image processing and diagnosis processing based on the measurement data received from the measurement station 100. And an image display device 7 capable of displaying an image of predetermined data, and a printer 9 capable of printing predetermined data. In addition, the control device 20 includes a calculation unit having a CPU 22, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 24, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 26, and a predetermined image based on the measurement data received from the measurement station 100. Processing is performed, and diagnostic processing is performed by determining biomolecules (including pathogenic viruses, pathogenic bacteria, etc.) contained in each probe. Also, prescription data can be created based on the result of the diagnostic process. A general-purpose personal computer can be used as the control device 20. Details of the diagnosis processing will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4 to 10.

<Description of medical station 300>
Next, the medical station 300 will be described. The medical station 300 includes a transmission / reception device 15 that transmits / receives data to / from other stations including the diagnostic station 200, an image display device 7 that can display an image of predetermined data based on the received data, A printer 9 capable of printing predetermined data and a control device 28 for performing a series of control processes are provided. Although only one medical station 300 is shown in FIG. 1, any number of medical stations 300 can be installed as needed. A specific form of the medical station 300 will be described later with reference to FIG.

(Explanation of functional block diagram)
Next, a functional block diagram relating to control processing of the diagnostic system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this functional block diagram, a measuring station 100, a diagnostic station 200, a medical station A301 installed in a medical institution, a medical station B302 installed in a pharmacy, and a medical station installed in a prescription drug delivery company. Station C303 is connected via a communication line so that bidirectional communication is possible.

<Description of measuring station 100>
First, the measurement station 100 will be described. The measurement station 100 is provided in the excitation light irradiation means 110 including the lamp driving unit provided in the excitation light irradiation lamp 4 and the control device 6, the optical sensor 5 and the control device 6. Fluorescence detection means 120 including a signal processing unit, image reading unit 130 provided in the control device 6, transmission unit 140 including a transmission unit of the transmission / reception device 15 and a transmission processing unit provided in the control device 6, and transmission / reception A receiving unit 150 including a receiving unit of the device 15 and a receiving processing unit provided in the control device 6, and an informing unit 160 including an image and a printing processing unit provided in the image display device 7, the printer 9, and the control device 6. Including.

Next, the control process in the measurement station 100 will be described along the control flow of the diagnostic system. First, when receiving a signal from a button operation or the like to the user or an irradiation start signal transmitted by a predetermined program, the excitation light irradiation means 110 turns on the excitation light irradiation lamp 4 to irradiate the excitation light. Next, the fluorescence detection means 120 detects fluorescence emitted from the biochip 2 in response to the irradiated excitation light using the optical sensor 5. Then, the image reading unit 130 creates image data of the entire reading bed 12 based on the signal detected by the fluorescence detection unit 120, and the transmission unit 140 sends the image data created by the image reading unit 130 to the diagnostic station. 200.
As will be described later, based on the transmitted image data, the receiving means 150 receives the results of the diagnostic processing (diagnosis result data) and prescription data performed by the diagnostic station 200, and the notifying means 160 receives them. The diagnosis result data can be displayed on the image display device 7 or printed on the printer 9.

<Description of diagnostic station 200>
Next, the diagnosis station 200 will be described. The diagnosis station 200 is provided in the control device 20, the image analysis means 210 provided in the control device 20, the disease data storage means 220 provided in the control device 20, and the control device 20. Disease determination means 230, drug data storage means 240 provided in the control device 20, prescription determination means 250 provided in the control device 20, transmission unit of the transmission / reception device 15 and transmission processing unit provided in the control device 20 , A receiving unit 270 including a receiving processing unit included in the receiving unit of the transmission / reception device 15 and the control device 20, and an image and printing process included in the image display device 7, the printer 9, and the control device 20. A notification means 280 including a section.

  The control process in the diagnostic station 200 will be described along the control flow of the diagnostic system. First, the receiving unit 270 receives image data from the measurement station 100. Then, based on the received image data, the image analysis unit 210 recognizes the position of each biochip and the position of each probe on the biochip using the fluorescence emitted from the positioning markers A to C. A detected fluorescence data table (Example, see FIG. 8) is created for each probe on the chip.

Next, the disease determination unit 230 reads the fluorescence / disease comparison table (see Example, FIG. 7) stored in the disease data storage unit 220 (specifically, the area of the RAM 26), and the fluorescence and the disease. Is compared with the detected fluorescence data for each probe of each biochip created by the image analysis means 210 to determine the disease contained in each probe.
The disease determination means 230 creates diagnosis result data (see the example, FIG. 9) as a result of the disease determination process.

  The prescription determination unit 250 reads out the drug data stored in the drug data storage unit 240 (specifically, the area of the RAM 26), and prescription data (see the embodiment, FIG. 10) based on the above-described diagnosis result data. Create

The transmission means 260 transmits the diagnosis result data to, for example, the medical station A301 installed in the measurement station 100 or medical institution, and the prescription data is installed in, for example, the measurement station 100, medical station A301, or pharmacy. To the medical station B302. It is also conceivable to transmit predetermined communication data to a medical station C303 installed at a prescription drug delivery company.
Further, the notification unit 280 can display diagnosis result data and prescription data on the image display device 7 or print them on the printer 9 as necessary.

<Description of medical stations A301 to C303>
Next, each of the medical stations A301 to C303 will be described. Each medical station includes a transmission unit 311 to 313 including a transmission unit of the transmission / reception device 15 and a transmission processing unit provided in the control device 28, and the transmission / reception device 15. Receiving means 321 to 323 including reception processing units provided in the control unit 28 and notification means 331 to 333 including image and print processing units provided in the image display device 7, the printer 9, and the control device 28. Including.

  In the medical station A301 installed in the medical institution, when the receiving device 311 receives, for example, diagnostic result data and prescription data, the notification unit 331 sends the received diagnostic result data and prescription data to the image display device 7. It can be displayed or printed on the printer 9. Using this diagnostic data, the medical institution can promptly proceed with the medical treatment of the patient (user).

  Further, for each probe of the biochip 2 read by the measurement station 100, a pathological examination is actually performed at a medical institution, and the result of the pathological examination can be transmitted to the diagnostic station 200 using the transmission unit 311. . In the diagnosis station 200, the received pathological examination result can be stored in the disease data storage means 220 and used for the subsequent diagnosis processing. That is, in the diagnosis system of the present invention, so-called learning control can be performed to further improve the diagnosis system in the diagnosis system.

  In the medical station B302 installed in the pharmacy, when the receiving device 312 receives, for example, prescription data, the notification unit 332 displays the received prescription data on the image display device 7 or displays it on the printer 9. Can be printed. In pharmacies, it is possible to start preparing prescription drugs before receiving a prescription from the user as in the past, and it is possible to solve problems such as users waiting for a long time at the pharmacy. The extra effort involved in preparing the drug can also be saved.

  In addition, the pharmacy uses the transmission means 322 to transmit the confirmation that the prescription data has been obtained to the diagnostic station 200, or to transmit to the measurement station 100 that the prescription drug is ready, to inform the user, It is possible to notify the medical station C303 installed in the prescription drug delivery company that the prescription drug is ready and request the prescription drug to be collected.

Further, in the medical station C303 installed in the prescription drug delivery company, when the receiving device 313 receives a predetermined communication from, for example, the diagnostic station 200 or the medical station B302 installed in the pharmacy, the notification unit 333 The received data can be displayed on the image display device 7 or printed on the printer 9.
Based on the received data, the prescription drug delivery company can, for example, start a prescription drug delivery service. Further, the prescription drug delivery company can transmit the delivery result and delivery status to other stations by using the transmission means 323.

  As described above, by using the diagnosis system of the present invention, the user can obtain a diagnosis of a disease quickly and easily, and can receive a prescription drug without waiting time. You can also receive prescription drug delivery service without requesting work.

(Description of diagnostic processing)
Next, a more detailed description will be given of one embodiment of a diagnostic process using the biochip 2 according to the present invention.
Similarly to the above, the biochip 2 used in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, has a probe number J = 1 to 20 made of PNA on a plastic substrate (hereinafter referred to as probe #J (J = 1-20)) is fixed. As shown in FIG. 3, the arrangement is 4 × 5 rows from the rows of probes # 1 to # 4 to the rows of # 17 to # 20. Positioning markers A to C are provided at the three corners of the outer biochip 2, and a bar code for identifying each biochip 2 is positioned between the positioning marker A and the positioning marker B as a positioning marker. It is described with the same fluorescent substance.

  In addition, the relationship between the fluorescent substance and the reference biomolecule (disease) corresponding to the fluorescent substance in the present embodiment is shown in the fluorescence-disease contrast table of FIG. In this table, fluorescent materials with fluorescent material numbers K = 1 to 21 (hereinafter referred to as fluorescent materials #K (K = 1 to 21)) are shown in the vertical column. Disease A to Disease T correspond, and the fluorescent material # 21 corresponds to a positioning marker or a barcode. Quantum dots are used as the fluorescent material.

  Specifically, for example, for a probe to which a reference biomolecule having the same sequence as that of disease A is immobilized, a target biomolecule collected from a user's body fluid or the like is labeled or stained with fluorescent substance # 1. Then, a hybridization process is performed. Similarly, a probe in which a reference biomolecule having the same sequence as disease B to disease T is immobilized is obtained by labeling or staining fluorescent substances # 2 to 20 on the target biomolecule collected from the body fluid of the user, etc. And a hybridization treatment is performed. In the present embodiment, the fluorescent material # 21 is used for providing a positioning marker or a barcode at a predetermined position of the biochip. As will be described in detail below, in this embodiment, the number of fluorescent substances corresponding to the disease is 20, and the number of probes fixed to the biochip is also 20. Therefore, the probe number J (J = 1 to 20) ) And the fluorescent substance number K (K = 1 to 20) correspond to each other, but it is not always necessary to match the two.

  The fluorescent materials # 1 to 20 to be labeled or stained will be described as a single substance of three fluorescent materials of blue, green, and red, or a fluorescent material obtained by mixing these fluorescent materials. These three fluorescent substances are a blue fluorescent substance that emits blue fluorescence having a wavelength of 450 nm by ultraviolet irradiation, a green fluorescent substance that emits green fluorescence having a wavelength of 530 nm by ultraviolet irradiation, and an ultraviolet irradiation. It is a three-color fluorescent material of a red fluorescent material that emits red fluorescence having a wavelength of 650 nm. In this embodiment, the wavelengths of blue, green, and red fluorescence coincide with the peak wavelengths of the blue, green, and red color filters provided in the optical sensor 5 of the diagnostic apparatus. However, it is not always necessary to match the wavelength of light of each color with the peak wavelength of the color filter. Even if it does not match the peak wavelength, the light intensity of each detected color is corrected to perform appropriate analysis processing. Can be done. Accordingly, light of any wavelength can be used as long as the blue, green, and red light have wavelengths that transmit only the blue, green, and red color filters, respectively.

  As shown in the fluorescence-disease control table of FIG. 7, for example, in the fluorescent substance # 1, the reference biomolecule having the same structure as that of the disease A is fixed, and only the blue fluorescent substance (blue 100%, green 0%, red 0%) is fluorescent or # 1 labeled or stained. Further, for example, in the fluorescent material # 5, the reference biomolecule having the same structure as the disease E is fixed, and the fluorescent material # 5 is mixed with the blue fluorescent material 60%, the green fluorescent material 20%, and the red fluorescent material 20%. Is labeled or stained. Similarly in other probes, in this embodiment, the mixed ratio of the fluorescent materials of blue, green, and red is changed by 20% to form a total of 21 types of mixed fluorescent materials. However, in this embodiment, the fluorescent material # 21 containing only the red fluorescent material (blue 0%, green 0%, red 100%) is used for the positioning markers A to C and the barcode. Thereby, the positioning marker and the barcode can be easily identified by identifying the fluorescent color. However, even if fluorescence of the same color as that of other probes is used, it is also possible to identify them by positioning markers, barcode arrangement (for example, distance between markers), or the like.

Next, the fluorescence emitted when the probe is irradiated with ultraviolet excitation light will be described by taking fluorescent substance # 5 as an example. If the reference biomolecule and the target biomolecule of the probe labeled or stained with the fluorescent substance # 5 bind (hybridize), that is, if the body fluid of the user contains the disease E, the fluorescent substance # 5 is excited. When excited by light, it emits fluorescence. This fluorescence basically emits fluorescence at a ratio corresponding to the mixing ratio of the fluorescent substances of the respective colors (blue, green, red). Specifically, the ratio of the light intensity of the blue fluorescent light (light transmitted through the blue color filter) emitted from the blue fluorescent material having a mixing ratio of 60% is the value 60% of the reference light intensity LB (5) plus or minus the fluctuation range DB. The ratio of the light intensity of the green fluorescent light (light transmitted through the green color filter) emitted from the green fluorescent material with the mixing ratio of 20% is the value _DB5 of (5), and the value of the reference light intensity LG (5) is 20%. a value D _G5 plus or minus variation width DG (5), the light intensity ratio of the red fluorescence emitted from the mixing ratio of 20% red fluorescent substance (light transmitted through the red color filter), the reference light intensity LR (5 ) is the value D _R5 values 20% plus or minus variation range DR of (5).

These fluctuation range values D _B5 , D _G5 , and D _R5 can be set to appropriate values by conducting repeated tests in advance. Depending on the probe, the total fluorescence intensity may be different, but by changing the fluorescence intensity and performing a test repeatedly in advance, an appropriate variation width value D _B5 in any fluorescence intensity is considered. , D _G5 , D _R5 can be set. Further, in this embodiment, the mixing ratio of the fluorescent materials of the respective colors (blue, green, red) is changed by 20%, but when the value of the fluctuation range of these fluorescences is sufficiently smaller than 20%. It is also possible to make the change in the mixing ratio smaller (for example, by 10%), and in this case, more mixed colors can be used.
As described above, the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent material has been described by taking the fluorescent material # 5 as an example. However, in other probes, the intensity of the fluorescence corresponding to the mixing ratio of the fluorescent materials of the respective colors can be obtained in the same manner. It is possible to identify the fluorescent material by recognizing the ratio.

However, in the diagnostic apparatus and diagnostic method of the present invention, the fluorescence of each basic color is not limited to blue, green, and red, and any color can be determined according to the transmission wavelength of the filter provided in the optical sensor 5. Is possible. Also, any kind of fluorescent material can be used depending on the number of filters. Also, it is possible to use a monochromatic fluorescent material without mixing the fluorescent materials, and for example, it is possible to identify a disease by the position of the probe. In this case, it may be considered that no special filter is provided in the optical sensor 5.
Furthermore, in the biochip according to the present invention, strong fluorescence can be obtained by using quantum dots as the fluorescent material. Therefore, it is conceivable that the fluorescence is captured with the naked eye and the diagnosis is made by judging the color with the human eye. . It is also conceivable to make a diagnosis by taking fluorescence with a chemical film and determining the color based on the photograph.

(Description of flowchart of diagnosis processing)
Next, the control flow of the diagnostic processing performed by the diagnostic station 200 will be described in detail using the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
The control process shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 6 is a process after the biochip 2 is read in the measurement station 100 and the image data is transmitted from the measurement station 100 to the diagnostic station 200. Show.

  First, the contents of the process performed at the measurement station 100 will be described. First, the biochip 2 that has been subjected to the hybridization process between a target biomolecule collected from a human body fluid or the like and each probe is read from the reader 1. It puts on the reading bed 12 and makes the reading process by the reading apparatus 1 possible. Here, as long as the biochip 2 is within a predetermined readable area of the reading bed 12, an arbitrary number of biochips 2 can be placed and fluorescence can be read simultaneously. Moreover, the biochip 2 may be placed at any position and orientation as well.

  When the excitation light is irradiated, fluorescence of a predetermined color (red in the present embodiment) is emitted from the positioning markers A to C attached to each biochip 2, so that each biomarker is detected by detecting the fluorescence of the positioning marker. The position of the chip 2 can be recognized. As described above, the probe 3 in which the target biomolecule and the reference biomolecule are bound (hybridized), that is, the probe 3 in which a biomolecule related to a certain disease exists is fluoresced in a predetermined color in response to irradiation with excitation light. To emit.

  As described above, in a state where the biochip 2 is placed on the reading bed 12 of the reading device 1, first, an irradiation start signal is transmitted to the excitation light irradiation means 110, the excitation light irradiation lamp 4 is turned on, and excitation is performed. Irradiation of light (ultraviolet rays in the present embodiment) is started, a detection start signal is transmitted to the fluorescence detection means 120, the optical sensor 5 is turned on, and fluorescence from the biochip probe can be detected. . Next, a drive start signal is transmitted to start rotation of the drive motor, and movement of the carriage 8 on which the excitation light irradiation lamp 4 and the optical sensor 5 are mounted is started. As the carriage 8 moves, all the biochips 2 on the reading bed 12 are irradiated with excitation light, and the fluorescence emitted from the probe in which the reference biochip and the target biomolecule are bound (hybridized), and positioning. The fluorescence emitted from the marker or the barcode is detected by the optical sensor 5.

As described above, the fluorescence detection by this optical sensor detects the intensity of light for each of blue, green, and red. When the carriage 8 moves the entire length of the reading bed 12 and reaches the end position, the carriage 8 is stopped, excitation light irradiation is stopped, and detection by the optical sensor 5 is stopped. Then, the carriage 8 is returned to the original start position.
Based on the fluorescence detected by the optical sensors 5 of the respective colors (blue, green, red), the image reading unit 130 creates image data of the entire image bed 12. Then, the transmission unit 140 transmits this image data to the diagnostic station 200.

<Description of main routine>
In the above state, the diagnosis process performed in the diagnosis station 200 will be described. First, the main routine will be described with reference to FIG.
The receiving unit 270 receives the image data of the entire image bed 12 transmitted from the measurement station 100 (step S10). Then, based on this image data, the image analysis means 210 performs control processing from step S20 to step S26.
First, the fluorescent light emitting a single red color is identified to recognize the positioning marker and the barcode. Then, from the information read from the barcode, the biochip number I is identified, and from the positional relationship between the positioning marker and the barcode, the biochip of each biochip number I (hereinafter referred to as biochip #I), The positions of the positioning markers A to C of the biochip #I are recognized (step S20).

  Based on the positions of the positioning markers A to C, the predicted positions of the probes # 1 to # 20 of each biochip #I can be calculated. Using the calculated predicted position data of each probe, the position of each probe #J can be recognized (step S22). For example, in the process of identifying the intensity of the detected fluorescent light for each pixel unit (unit of each light detection element of the light sensor) based on the image data of the entire reading bed 12, the position of the positioning markers A to C is used. Of course, it is possible to omit this identification process for an area where it is apparent that there is no probe, and in some areas, it may be possible to thin out pixels for this process. In that case, the identification processing time can be greatly shortened.

  When the reference biomolecule to be fixed and the position of the probe are fixed as in this embodiment, even if all the probes are labeled or stained with the same color fluorescent substance, From the location, it is possible to identify each reference biomolecule. However, in the present embodiment, in order to ensure correct diagnosis even when the reference biomolecule is mistakenly fixed at a different probe position, and any reference biomolecule is labeled on any probe. Alternatively, in order to be able to cope with a free process of staining, the detected fluorescence color is discriminated, and the process of discriminating the reference biomolecule based on the discriminated color difference is performed. Details of this processing will be described later.

  Further, the total number BCTOTAL of biop 2 that has been read is recognized from the detected positioning markers A to C and the barcode information, and stored in the RAM 26 (step S24). Then, for each probe #J of each biochip #I, the detected fluorescence light intensity is detected as blue fluorescence detection light intensity MLB (J), green fluorescence detection light intensity MLG (J), and red fluorescence. A detection fluorescence data table is created for each of the detected light intensities MLR (J) (step S26).

  Here, FIG. 8 shows an example of this detection fluorescence data table. In this embodiment, fluorescence readings are simultaneously performed for biochips # 1 to # 3. For each biochip, the detection light intensity for each of the probes # 1 to # 20 is shown in the vertical column of the table shown in FIG. 8. For the same probe #J, the blue detection light intensity MLB (J ), Green detection light intensity MLG (J) and red detection light intensity MLR (J). In the column of the table, the column indicated as NONE indicates that no fluorescence was detected.

  Biochip # 1 shows that fluorescence was detected with probes # 5, # 12, # 14, and # 18, and biochip # 2 showed fluorescence with probes # 2, # 3, # 17, and # 18 Biochip # 3 shows that fluorescence was detected with probes # 4, # 8, and # 13.

  In step S28, the fluorescence-disease reference table stored in the disease data storage unit 230 (specifically, the area of the RAM 26) is read out. As detailed above, an example of a fluorescence-disease reference table is shown in FIG. Based on this table, it is possible to perform a diagnosis determination process for determining the disease A to the disease T from the ratios of the detected blue, green, and red light intensities.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, and the disease determination unit 230 performs a disease determination process for each biochip I by comparing the detected fluorescence intensity of each probe J with the fluorescence-disease contrast table. First, 1 is input as the value of the biochip number I (step S30), and 1 is input as the value of the probe number J (step S32). And it is judged whether fluorescence is detected about probe #J of this biochip #I (step S34). If it is determined in this determination that fluorescence is detected (YES), a disease determination subroutine (step S36) is performed, and the process proceeds to step S38. Details of this disease determination subroutine will be described later.

  If it is determined in step S34 that no fluorescence is detected (NO, if blue, green, and red are described as NONE in the table of FIG. 7), the disease determination subroutine is not performed and step S38 is performed. Proceed to In step S38, it is determined whether or not the value of the probe number J is greater than or equal to the number of biochip probes (20 in this embodiment). In this determination, if it is determined that the value of J is smaller than the number of probes of the biochip (NO), 1 is added to the value of J (step S40), and the processing from step S34 to step S38 is repeated.

  If it is determined in step S38 that the value of J is equal to or greater than the number of probes on the biochip (YES), the disease determination process for all probes on one biochip is completed. It is determined whether the value of the chip number I is equal to or greater than the total number of biochips BCTOTAL (3 in this embodiment). In this determination, if it is determined that the value of the biochip number I is smaller than the BCTOTAL (NO), 1 is added to the value of the biochip number I (step S44), and the next biochip I is set to step S32. To S42 are repeated. If it is determined in step S42 that the value of the biochip number I is greater than or equal to BCTOTAL (YES), the process proceeds to step S46.

<Description of disease determination subroutine>
Here, the disease determination subroutine shown in step S36 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In this subroutine, first, 1 is input as the value of the fluorescent substance number K (step S100). Then, the light intensity MLB (J), MLG (J), MLR (J) for each color of the detected fluorescence (blue, green, red) is compared with the light intensity of the fluorescence emitted from the fluorescent material #K. Do. Specifically, first, the light intensity MLB (J) of the detected blue component of the fluorescence is larger than the reference light intensity LB (K) −the fluctuation range DB (K) of the blue component of the fluorescent material #K. It is smaller than the intensity LB (K) + the fluctuation range DB (K), that is, whether the detected light intensity MLB (J) is within the range of the reference light intensity LB (K) plus or minus the fluctuation range DB (K). Judgment is made (step S102). If it is determined that it is not within this range (NO), the process proceeds to step S110 as it is.

  If it is determined in step S102 that MLB (J) is within the range of LB (K) plus / minus DB (K) (YES), the light intensity MLG of the detected green component of the fluorescence is next detected. (J) is larger than the reference light intensity LG (K) of the green component of the fluorescent material # K−the fluctuation range DG (K) and smaller than the reference light intensity LG (K) + the fluctuation range DG (K). It is determined whether or not the light intensity MLG (J) is within the range of the reference light intensity LG (K) plus / minus fluctuation range DG (K) (step S104). If it is determined that it is not within this range (NO), the process proceeds to step S110 as it is.

  If it is determined in step S104 that MLG (J) is within the range of LG (K) plus or minus DG (K) (YES), then the light intensity MLR of the detected red component of the fluorescence (J) is larger than the reference light intensity LR (K) −variation width DR (K) of the red component of the fluorescent material #K and smaller than the reference light intensity LR (K) + variation width DR (K), that is, detected. It is determined whether or not the light intensity MLR (J) is within the range of the reference light intensity LR (K) plus or minus fluctuation range DR (K) (step S106). If it is determined that it is not within this range (NO), the process proceeds to step S110 as it is.

  If it is determined in step S106 that MLR (J) is within the range of LR (K) plus or minus DR (K) (YES), the detected fluorescence is detected in all blue, green, and red light components. Thus, it can be determined that the fluorescent material #K emits fluorescence. Accordingly, it is determined that the biomolecule of the disease corresponding to the fluorescent material #K exists in the probe #J, and the value of this J, the value of K, and the corresponding disease name (for example, the fluorescent material # 5 is the disease. E) is stored in the RAM 103 (step S108).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the value of K is 20 or more, which is the maximum number of fluorescent substances (step S110). If it is determined in this determination that the value of K is smaller than 20 (NO), 1 is added to the value of K (step S112), and the processing from step S102 to step S110 is repeated again. If it is determined in step S110 that the value of K is 20 or more (YES), this subroutine is terminated.

<Description of main routine (re)>
Returning to the description of the main routine again, after performing disease determination based on the detected fluorescence for all probes #J of all biochips #I by the disease determination processing of step S30 to step S44 by the disease determination means 230, Diagnosis result data is created for each probe #J of biochip #I and stored in the RAM 26 (step S46).
Here, FIG. 9 shows an example of diagnosis result data. This example relates to biochip # 1. The name of the disease in which the biomolecule was detected is described together with the probe number J. Moreover, it is also possible to add explanation of each disease, treatment method, etc. as needed.

  Next, the prescription determination unit 250 reads out the drug data stored in the drug data storage unit 240 and based on the above-described diagnosis result data. Prescription data is created and stored in the RAM 26 (step S47). Here, FIG. 10 shows an example of prescription data. In this embodiment, a predetermined drug name and prescription amount are described for each biochip I.

  Then, the transmission means 260 transmits the diagnosis result data created by the above-described diagnosis processing to the measurement station 100 or the medical station A301 installed in the medical institution (Step S50). By this transmission, a user at the measurement station 100 can immediately obtain a diagnosis result, and the medical institution where the medical station A301 is installed can use the diagnosis result for medical care.

  The transmission unit 260 transmits the prescription data created by the above-described diagnosis process to the medical station B302 installed in the measurement station 100 or the pharmacy (step S52), and the main routine is terminated. By this transmission, a user at the measurement station 100 can immediately obtain a prescription, and the pharmacy in which the medical station B302 is installed can immediately start preparing a prescription drug. The medical care system can also be used to make arrangements for the delivery of prescription drugs.

In the diagnosis station 200, the notification unit 280 can display an image corresponding to the diagnosis result data and the prescription data on the image display device 7 or print it with the printer 9 as necessary.
As described above, according to the diagnosis system of the present invention, it is possible for a user to easily receive a diagnosis of a disease without taking the trouble of going to a hospital or a clinic and undergoing an examination. Prescription drugs can be obtained in no time, and prescription drugs can be delivered to desired locations.

(Other embodiments)
<Embodiment for determining specificity>
In the above-described embodiment, one probe corresponds to one biomolecule, but a plurality of probes having reference biomolecules that bind to different structural parts are used for the same target biomolecule. It is also conceivable to detect fluorescence. In this embodiment, the specificity for the target biomolecule can be quantitatively determined based on the fluorescence of each detected probe.

<Embodiment for Determining Probability of Disease>
An embodiment is also conceivable in which the fluorescence of a plurality of probes having the same reference biomolecule is detected, and the probability that the biomolecule exists, that is, has a disease, is determined according to the ratio of the fluorescent probe. It is done. In addition, for one probe, the probability that a biomolecule is present (affected by a disease) is determined based on the ratio between the area where the fluorescent substance is fixed and the area of the image (pixel) where fluorescence is detected. Forms are also conceivable.

  Furthermore, the diagnostic system of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes various other embodiments.

It is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of a diagnostic system of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram regarding control processing of the diagnostic system of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the Example of the biochip used for the diagnostic system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the main routine regarding the diagnostic process in the diagnostic station of the diagnostic system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the main routine regarding the diagnostic process in the diagnostic station of the diagnostic system of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the disease determination subroutine shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. It is a table | surface which shows the Example of the fluorescence-disease contrast table used for the diagnostic process in the diagnostic station of the diagnostic system of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows the Example of the detection fluorescence data table used for the diagnostic process in the diagnostic station of the diagnostic system of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows the Example of the diagnostic result data used for the diagnostic process in the diagnostic station of the diagnostic system of this invention. It is a table | surface which shows the Example of the prescription data used for the diagnostic process in the diagnostic station of the diagnostic system of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reading apparatus 2 Biochip 3 Probe 4 Excitation light irradiation lamp 5 Optical sensor 6 Control apparatus 7 Image display apparatus 8 Carriage 9 Printer 12 Reading bed 15 Transmission / reception apparatus 20 Control apparatus 22 CPU
24 ROM
26 RAM
28 Control device 100 Measurement station 110 Excitation light irradiation means 120 Fluorescence detection means 130 Image reading means 140 Transmission means 150 Reception means 160 Notification means 200 Diagnosis station 210 Image analysis means 220 Disease data storage means 230 Disease determination means 240 Drug data storage means 250 Prescription determining means 260 Transmitting means 270 Receiving means 280 Notification means 300 Medical station 301 Medical station A
302 Medical Station B
303 Medical Station C
311, 312, 313 Transmitter 321, 322, 323 Receiver 331, 332, 333 Notifier

Claims (7)

A diagnostic system comprising a measuring station and a diagnostic station connected to enable two-way communication,
The measuring station is
An excitation light irradiation means for irradiating one or more probes labeled or stained with a fluorescent material of the biochip with excitation light;
Fluorescence detection means for detecting fluorescence emitted from the probe in response to the excitation light;
Transmission means capable of transmitting the detected fluorescence data to the diagnostic station;
Receiving means capable of receiving data from the diagnostic station;
Informing means capable of informing predetermined data including data from the diagnostic station,
The diagnostic station is
Receiving means capable of receiving the fluorescence data from the measurement station;
Disease data storage means for storing disease data associated with the fluorescence data;
A disease determination means for determining a disease for each probe based on the fluorescence data and the disease data;
Transmission means capable of transmitting the data of the determination result of the disease to the measurement station;
A diagnostic system comprising:   As the fluorescent material for labeling or staining the probe, a fluorescent material in which two or more fluorescent materials emitting different colors of fluorescence are mixed at a predetermined ratio, and the different colors included in the fluorescence detected by the disease determination unit is used. The diagnosis system according to claim 1, wherein a disease is determined based on a ratio of fluorescence.   Using two or more of the probes that bind to different structural parts of the same biomolecule, and determining the specificity for the target biomolecule based on the detected fluorescence from each of the probes. Item 3. The diagnostic system according to Item 1 or 2.   The diagnostic system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fluorescence detection unit can detect fluorescence of a plurality of biochips at a time. Connected to the measuring station and / or the diagnostic station for two-way communication;
Receiving means capable of receiving data from the measuring station and / or the diagnostic station;
Transmitting means capable of transmitting data to the measuring station and / or the diagnostic station;
Informing means capable of informing predetermined data including data from the measurement station and / or the diagnostic station;
The diagnostic system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising one or more medical stations. The diagnostic station is
Drug data storage means for storing drug data associated with the disease;
Prescription determining means for creating prescription data based on the determination result of the disease and the drug data,
The diagnostic system according to claim 5, wherein the prescription data can be transmitted from the diagnostic station to the measurement station and / or the medical station. The data transmitted from the measurement station or the medical station to the diagnostic station includes pathological examination data of the probe in which the fluorescence data is transmitted to the diagnostic station.
The disease data storage means stores the fluorescence data and the pathological examination data in association with each other, and the stored data is used for subsequent disease determination by the disease determination means. The diagnostic system according to 5 or 6.

Images