JP2011209183A - Pinworm egg inspection device and pinworm egg inspection method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for easily finding pinworm eggs.SOLUTION: The present invention provides a pinworm egg inspection device 10 for inspecting the existence of the pinworm eggs in a sample by utilizing a fluorescence action. The pinworm egg inspection device 10 includes an excitation light irradiation section 52 irradiating the sample with ultraviolet rays to excite the pinworm eggs; an image data acquisition section 20 acquiring image data which are data of an image containing fluorescence to be generated by the excited pinworm eggs; and an analysis section 60 finding pin worms by detecting the fluorescence based on the image data. The present invention enables at least the partial automation of inspection which has been conducted by human eyes using a microscope.

Description

  The present invention relates to an insect egg test for inspecting the presence or absence of an insect egg.

  Cellophane tape anal circumference inspection method is widely used as an inspection method for insect eggs. Cellophane tape anal perimetry is based on the behavior of worms laying eggs around the anus, and its detection rate is far superior to the fecal test used to detect other parasite eggs. However, with this method, keratinized skin cells and dust are attached at the time of collection, and it has been necessary to find eggs with a human eye from among them. In order to solve such a problem, a method of dyeing only insect eggs is also proposed (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-252995

  However, in the above-described method, although the visual burden on the inspector in the microscopic examination is reduced, the examination with the human eyes still has to be performed, and the burden of staining also occurs.

  The present invention was created in order to solve at least a part of the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for easily finding a caterpillar egg.

  Hereinafter, effective means for solving the above-described problems will be described while showing effects and the like as necessary.

Means 1. A caterpillar egg inspection device that uses a fluorescent action to inspect the sample for the presence of a caterpillar egg,
An excitation light irradiation unit for irradiating the sample with ultraviolet light to excite the insect eggs;
An image data acquisition unit for acquiring image data that is image data including fluorescence generated by the excited insect caterpillar;
Based on the image data, an analysis unit for detecting a beetle by detecting the fluorescence, and
A caterpillar egg inspection device.

  According to the above configuration, the analysis is performed based on image data that is an image data including fluorescence generated by an insect caterpillar excited by ultraviolet light, so that it is reliably separated from skin cells and dust that do not have a fluorescence effect. can do. Thereby, it is possible to easily find a caterpillar by detecting the fluorescence in the image data.

Mean 2. A device for testing a caterpillar egg of means 1,
The excitation light irradiation unit has an ultraviolet LED,
The said image data acquisition part is a caterpillar egg test | inspection apparatus which detects the light of the wavelength of at least one part of the wavelength of the range of visible light, and acquires the said image data.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to detect only the fluorescence generated by the caterpillar egg and acquire the image data. Therefore, it is possible to generate image data showing only the caterpillar egg. Thereby, it is possible to easily and reliably find a caterpillar egg depending on whether or not a bright area exists in the image data.

Means 3. A device for testing a caterpillar egg of means 2,
The image data acquisition unit acquires irradiation image data at the time of irradiation of ultraviolet light by the ultraviolet LED, and non-irradiation image data at the time of non-irradiation of ultraviolet light by the ultraviolet LED,
The said analysis part is an egg test | inspection apparatus which discovers a caterpillar based on the difference data of the said image data at the time of irradiation, and the said non-irradiation image data.

  According to the above configuration, since the insects are detected based on the difference data between the irradiation-time image data at the time of irradiation with ultraviolet light and the non-irradiation-time image data at the time of non-irradiation, the insects are more reliably detected. be able to.

Means 4. A method for inspecting the presence of a caterpillar egg in a sample using a fluorescent action,
An excitation step of exciting the insect eggs by irradiating the sample with ultraviolet light;
Discovering a caterpillar by detecting the fluorescence generated by the excited caterpillar egg;
A method for testing eggsworm eggs.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a caterpillar egg inspection apparatus 10. Sectional drawing which shows the light source of the caterpillar egg test | inspection apparatus 10. FIG. The flowchart which shows the processing content of the processing method of optical analysis. The schematic diagram which shows the installation method of the sample S to the caterpillar egg test | inspection apparatus 10. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an imaging state by a CCD image sensor 20. The schematic diagram which shows the fluorescence state of a caterpillar egg. A photograph showing the fluorescent state of a caterpillar egg. The schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the caterpillar egg test | inspection apparatus of a modification.

(Embodiment)
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This embodiment is embodied as a caterpillar egg inspection apparatus using a CCD image sensor and an LED. First, the basic configuration of the caterpillar egg inspection apparatus will be described with reference to the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 1 and 2. .

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a caterpillar egg inspection apparatus 10. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a light source of the caterpillar egg test apparatus 10. The caterpillar egg inspection apparatus 10 includes a CCD image sensor 20, a dome-shaped housing 30, a lift 40, four white LEDs 51 for illumination, four ultraviolet LEDs 52, and a computer 60. Yes. The ultraviolet LED 52 is also called an excitation light irradiation unit. The white LED 51 is used for checking the internal state. The computer 60 is also called an analysis unit.

  The caterpillar egg inspection apparatus 10 is an apparatus for inspecting whether or not the sample S contains a caterpillar egg based on the fluorescence action of the caterpillar egg contained in the sample S. The fluorescent action of the caterpillar egg is caused by irradiating the sample S with the excitation light of the ultraviolet LED 52. Sample S is cellophane tape (cellophane egg collection paper).

  The computer 60 executes control of the caterpillar egg inspection apparatus 10 and processing of measurement data. The caterpillar egg inspection apparatus 10 is controlled by the control of the raising and lowering of the lifting platform 40 for installing the sample S, the power supply control to the white LED 51 and the ultraviolet LED 52, and the CCD image sensor 20 under the illumination of the white LED 51. This includes operations such as obtaining image data. Measurement data processing includes acquisition and analysis of image data. The computer 60 has a function of acquiring image data together with the CCD image sensor 20 and is also called an image data acquisition unit.

  The dome-shaped casing 30 is a light-shielding dome portion 31 that does not transmit light from the outside, a base portion 33 that supports the LEDs 51 and 52 of each wavelength, and a shield that shields direct light from the LEDs 51 and 52 of each wavelength. Part 32. The dome portion 31 is mounted with the CCD image sensor 20 in the central portion (the deepest portion). The CCD image sensor 20 can acquire the image data of the sample S arranged in the internal space isolated from the outside by the dome portion 31. On the inner side of the dome portion 31, an irregular reflection surface 34 that diffuses light by irregularly reflecting direct light from the LEDs 51 and 52 of each wavelength is formed.

  The structure of the dome-shaped housing 30 is as follows. The dome part 31 has a bowl-shaped (hemispherical) shape. A base 33 having a donut-shaped plate shape is connected to the bowl-shaped end. A shield portion 32 having a cylindrical shape is connected to the hole portion of the base portion 33. It is preferable that the height of the shielding part 32 has such a length that the end part is disposed at a position higher than the tops (highest positions) of the LEDs 51 and 52 of the respective wavelengths. The diameter of the shielding part 32 can be freely set according to the maximum size of various samples S assumed.

  By having such a configuration, the caterpillar egg inspection apparatus 10 can block the light from the outside and control the internal light environment by using the LEDs 51 and 52 of the respective wavelengths as the light source. . In this light environment, the sample S can be irradiated with excitation light with uniform light as diffuse light.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a method for inspecting a caterpillar egg using the caterpillar egg test apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing contents of the method for inspecting caterpillar eggs. In step S10, the operator executes a calibration process. The calibration process is an adjustment process for suppressing fluctuations due to the light environment inside the dome-shaped housing 30 and the secular change of the CCD image sensor 20.

  The adjustment process is performed, for example, by setting a simulation sample serving as a reference (benchmark) as a sample, individually irradiating light from the LEDs 51 and 52 of each wavelength, and determining a correction value based on the image data of the simulation sample. . The correction value may be automatically generated by the computer 60, or may be set by an operator.

  In step S20, the operator installs the sample S as an inspection object. In this embodiment, the installation of the sample S is performed by moving up and down the lifting platform 40 on which the sample S is installed. About the raising / lowering mechanism of the raising / lowering stand 40, since a well-known technique can be utilized, illustration is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a method of installing the sample S on the insect worm egg inspection apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 4A, the sample S is installed by lowering the elevator 40 so that the upper part of the elevator 40 can be accessed (see FIG. 4A). S is installed (see FIG. 4B), and finally the elevator 40 is raised to bring the base 33 and the elevator 40 into contact with each other so that there is no light leakage (see FIG. 4C). . The presence or absence of light leakage is confirmed by the CCD image sensor 20. However, the sample S may be installed by moving the dome-shaped casing 30 up and down. If it carries out like this, it can also comprise so that the sample S may be automatically installed with a belt conveyor, for example.

  In step S30, the computer 60 executes a reference image capturing process. The reference image capturing process is automatically started in response to detection of no light leakage by the CCD image sensor 20. The computer 60 executes the imaging process with the eight LEDs 51 and 52 turned off.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an imaging state by the CCD image sensor 20. The imaging target area has an area of 4 cm × 2.5 cm and is imaged by the CCD image sensor 20 having 10 million pixels. The CCD image sensor 20 is a 4000 × 2500 CCD sensor, and each pixel is a 10-micrometer square in the sample S.

  In step S40, the computer 60 stores the reference image data Ia acquired by the CCD image sensor 20 in a hard disk (not shown). The reference image data Ia is stored as RGB data of each pixel. In the present embodiment, the CCD image sensor 20 can acquire image data of the sample S having a size of 4 cm × 2.5 cm as shown in FIG. The reference image data Ia is also called non-irradiation image data.

  In step S50, the computer 60 starts excitation light irradiation. Excitation light irradiation is a process in which the sample S is irradiated with excitation light from the four ultraviolet LEDs 52. The computer 60 also executes irradiation control such as irradiation intensity and time by a preset method. Excitation light irradiation is automatically started by the computer 60 in response to confirmation of storage of the reference image data Ia.

  In step S60, the computer 60 executes an excitation light irradiation image capturing process. The image capturing process at the time of excitation light irradiation is automatically executed by the computer 60 at the time of irradiation by the ultraviolet LED 52.

  At the time of excitation light irradiation, it was confirmed by the present inventor that a caterpillar egg exhibits a fluorescence action as shown in FIGS. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of three caterpillar eggs G1, G2, and G3. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a fluorescent photograph in which three caterpillar eggs G1, G2, and G3 are actually photographed. The caterpillar eggs G1, G2, G3 are photographed at various angles and have a shape like a beret.

The insect eggs were tested using the following specimens and equipment.
(1) Specimen provided: Nagoya Public Health Research Institute.
(2) Measuring device: Fluorescence microscope Biozero (model: BZ-8000).
(3) Measuring device manufacturer: Keyence Corporation.
(4) Measurement environment: 120 W ultra-high pressure mercury lamp.
(5) UV excitation spectrum: 340-380 nm.

  When the computer 60 sequentially compares the image data acquired by imaging and determines that the amount of change in the image data is smaller than a certain value, the image data of the final captured image is used as the image data at the time of excitation light irradiation. Determined as Ib. Sequential comparison means comparing the n-th and n + 1-th (for example, the fifth and sixth) consecutive imaging sequences. Thereby, the computer 60 can acquire data in a state where the lighting of the four ultraviolet LEDs 52 is stable.

  In step S70, the computer 60 stores the excitation light irradiation image data Ib acquired by the CCD image sensor 20 in a hard disk (not shown). Excitation light irradiation image data Ib is stored as RGB data of each pixel in the same manner as the reference image data Ia.

  In step S80, the computer 60 executes difference image data generation processing. The difference image data generation process is automatically started by the computer 60 in response to the confirmation of storing the excitation light irradiation image data Ib. The difference image data generation process calculates a difference between the RGB data of each pixel of the reference image data Ia and the RGB data of each pixel of the excitation light irradiation image data Ib, generates new difference image data Ic, and the difference image This is a process of analyzing the data Ic. The difference image data Ic is image data having a difference between the excitation light irradiation image data Ib and the reference image data Ia as a pixel value.

  In step S90, the operator executes a determination process. The determination process is a process for executing a determination based on whether or not a predetermined determination criterion is met. Specifically, since the size and shape of the caterpillar egg are known in advance (about 50 × 30 micrometers), detection is performed when RGB data fluctuates in pixels in the size area. Can be determined. That is, with the pixel size of this embodiment (10 × 10 micrometers), if several bright pixels are found at least in succession, it is simply determined that “the presence of a caterpillar egg” is present. can do.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to automate at least a part of an inspection that has been performed with the human eye using a microscope. Specifically, for example, a visual inspection using a microscope can be narrowed down to those determined by the computer 60 as “there is a possibility of the presence of a caterpillar egg”.

(Modification)
In addition, it is not limited to the description content of each embodiment mentioned above, For example, you may implement as follows.

  (A) In the above-described embodiment, the light environment of the sample S is configured to be artificially controllable by being shielded by the dome-shaped housing 30. For example, FIGS. It is good also as a structure as shown by these.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a modified caterpillar egg inspection apparatus. FIG. 8A shows a mode in which the white LED 51 for illumination irradiates the sample S with illumination light via the lens 59 and the half mirror 58 to acquire image data. FIG. 8B shows a form in which the sample S is irradiated with illumination light by an even number of white LEDs 51 arranged at positions symmetrical to the sample S. FIG. 8C shows a form in which the sample S is irradiated with illumination light using the light transmissive light diffusion plate 57. FIG. 8D shows a form in which the transparent plate 41 is used to irradiate the entire surface of the sample S (3 directions).

  (B) In the above-described embodiment, the pixel size of the CCD image sensor 20 is a 10-micrometer square in the sample S in this embodiment, but may be other sizes. As the pixel size of the CCD image sensor 20 becomes smaller in the sample S, the number of pixels increases, causing an increase in the amount of image data and an increase in the analysis burden of the computer 60. On the other hand, the pixel size of the CCD image sensor 20 cannot be detected when the size of the sample S is increased, for example, 100 micrometers.

  In the inspection of caterpillar eggs, the pixel size in the sample S is preferably 1 micrometer to 50 micrometers, and more preferably 10 micrometers to 30 micrometers.

  (C) In the above-described embodiment, an LED is used for irradiation of illumination light, but other types of light sources such as a light source having a mercury lamp and an excitation light filter may be used. However, the use of LEDs provides advantages such as light source stability, spectrum control, low heat generation, and low power consumption.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Caterpillar egg test | inspection apparatus, 20 ... CCD image sensor, 30 ... Dome-type housing | casing, 40 ... Lifting stand, 51 ... White LED, 52 ... Ultraviolet LED, 60 ... Computer.

Claims (4)

A caterpillar egg inspection device that uses a fluorescent action to inspect the sample for the presence of a caterpillar egg,
An excitation light irradiation unit for irradiating the sample with ultraviolet light to excite the insect eggs;
An image data acquisition unit for acquiring image data that is image data including fluorescence generated by the excited insect caterpillar;
Based on the image data, an analysis unit for detecting a beetle by detecting the fluorescence, and
A caterpillar egg inspection device. The excitation light irradiation unit has an ultraviolet LED,
The caterpillar egg inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data acquisition unit acquires the image data by detecting light having at least a part of wavelengths in a visible light range. The image data acquisition unit acquires irradiation image data at the time of irradiation of ultraviolet light by the ultraviolet LED, and non-irradiation image data at the time of non-irradiation of ultraviolet light by the ultraviolet LED,
The egg testing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the analysis unit finds a beetle based on difference data between the irradiation time image data and the non-irradiation time image data. A method for inspecting the presence of a caterpillar egg in a sample using a fluorescent action,
An excitation step of exciting the insect eggs by irradiating the sample with ultraviolet light;
Discovering a caterpillar by detecting the fluorescence generated by the excited caterpillar egg;
A method for testing eggsworm eggs.