JP2011239683A - Automatic fishing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic fishing apparatus that can obtain fishing results for bacterial colonies of fishing targets.SOLUTION: The automatic fishing apparatus includes: a camera 110 for photographing the image of a petri dish containing bacterial colonies; a classification processing part of bacterial colonies of an operation part computer 101 for detecting bacterial colonies and classifying the detected bacterial colonies on the basis of the amount of characteristics; and a fishing rod 111 for fishing the targeted bacterial colonies. When fishing the targeted bacterial colonies is inadequate or unadministered, a warning is issued by the automatic fishing apparatus.

Description

  The present invention photographs a plurality of types of bacterial colonies cultured in a culture medium, particularly a petri dish, in a diagnostic specimen pretreatment for a bacterial test such as infectious disease diagnosis or drug sensitivity diagnosis, and based on the photographed image. The present invention relates to an automatic fishing device that classifies bacterial colonies and fishes specific types of bacterial colonies.

  In the treatment of infectious diseases, it is important for proper antibacterial treatment to identify pathogenic bacteria, to quickly measure the sensitivity to antibiotics, to determine effective drugs and to establish a treatment strategy. Usually, the submitted specimen is applied to the medium and cultured, and the bacterial colonies formed are suspended and suspended in physiological saline, etc. to prepare a suspension of bacteria. Take the flow to inoculate.

  In the identification / sensitivity test, in order to obtain an accurate result, it is essential that the amount of inoculated bacteria on the measuring device is accurately and reproducibly set to a predetermined concentration (bacterial amount). In many cases, in order to obtain a predetermined amount of bacteria, a plurality of bacterial colonies of the same species are selected from the bacterial colonies grown on the petri dish and fished. Suspended in a liquid such as turbidity or opacity is measured to prepare a predetermined concentration (bacterial amount).

  The types of bacterial colonies to be mixed must be the same, but it is normal for multiple types of bacterial colonies to grow on the same petri dish. Engineers are required to have high skills. Further, since a plurality of bacterial colonies of various sizes are selected, in order to obtain a predetermined turbidity, it is necessary to add physiological colonies after preparation once and then add physiological saline for dilution. When it is necessary to add bacterial colonies, it is necessary to put the specimen in the incubator again and wait for the growth of bacteria, which is cumbersome and time consuming. In large hospitals and the like, it is necessary to perform a large amount of these processes, and an apparatus and a method for automating are required.

  In addition, in the identification / drug susceptibility test, traceability information indicating the process by which the bacterial suspension used in the test was created is required, as with other specimen tests, so that it can always be confirmed retrospectively. There must be.

  Regarding the retention and provision of traceability information, Patent Document 1 states that “It is an apparatus that can be used by an operator and that automatically pipettes a sample, and is recorded by recording data on various containers into which the sample is put. It is to provide an apparatus capable of complete traceability for the analysis to be performed ".

Special table 2009-500599 gazette

  In the identification and susceptibility test, in order to efficiently process a large amount of specimens and output accurate results, the bacterial suspension created by the bacterial test pretreatment device collects the required amount of the desired bacterial species. It is assumed that it has been created.

  As to whether or not a necessary amount of a desired bacterial species has been collected, Patent Document 1 holds a history of classification results. However, even if there is a history of collection schedules, it is not known whether all of them were actually collected. In other words, there is no “fishing record” for the bacterial colonies of “fishing plan”. This cannot guarantee the composition of the prepared bacterial suspension.

  In addition, if the bacterial species cannot be identified as a result of the identification / drug sensitivity test, there may be a case where it is desired to visually check what bacterial colonies were caught. However, since it is currently unknown which bacterial colonies were collected for the preparation of the bacterial suspension, it is difficult to investigate the cause.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic fishing device capable of grasping “fishing performance” for a bacterial colony of “fishing plan”.

  In order to achieve the above object, the automatic fishing device of the present invention compares the images of petri dishes before and after the fishing fungus, and issues a warning if the target bacterial colony is insufficient or not implemented. Features.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to confirm whether or not the bacterial colonies scheduled for fishing are actually collected based on image comparison before and after the fishing fungus in the same petri dish. In addition, by holding this result, it is possible to provide information that guarantees the reliability of the fishing fungus result.

The block diagram which concerns on the Example of this invention and shows the whole structure of an apparatus. The figure which concerns on the Example of this invention, and shows an example of the operation flow at the time of selecting the culture | cultivated microbe for the objectives, such as a fishing fungus. The block diagram which concerns on the Example of this invention and shows the process inside an operation part computer. The figure which concerns on the Example of this invention and shows an example of the discrimination | determination processing flow. The figure which concerns on the Example of this invention, and shows an example of the image of the bacterial colony before and behind a fish. The figure which concerns on the Example of this invention and shows an example of a structure of the log | history information to hold | maintain. The figure which concerns on the Example of this invention, and shows an example of the screen which displayed historical information about all the target samples. The figure which concerns on the Example of this invention and shows an example of the screen which displayed the history information for every petri dish. The figure which concerns on the Example of this invention, and shows an example of the screen which displayed historical information with the image for every petri dish.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below. Note that this embodiment is used for understanding the invention and does not limit the scope of rights to the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment showing an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an automatic fishing device of the present invention. A laboratory technician installs a petri dish in a state in which a specimen collected from a biological sample of a subject is applied and a bacterial colony has grown in the specimen supply / unload unit 105. This petri dish is carried to the image photographing unit 106 and the high angle illumination 109 and the low angle illumination 115 are applied to take the image with the camera 110. Note that the images to be collected at this time change the angles and methods of the high-angle illumination 109 and the low-angle illumination 115, and collect a plurality of images necessary for subsequent image processing. Here, it is not necessary to use both the high-angle illumination 109 and the low-angle illumination 115, either one may be used, or although not shown, transmissive illumination may be used below the petri dish as necessary.

  The collected image is transferred from the control unit computer 104 to the operation unit computer 101. The petri dish that has completed the image collection moves to the fishing fungus / fungus suspension preparation unit 107. At the same time, the operation unit computer 101 detects and classifies the positions of individual bacterial colonies present in the petri dish based on the collected images. The classified result is displayed on the operation console 102. The laboratory technician looks at the displayed classification result and selects / instructs the bacterial colonies targeted for fishing. The operation unit computer 101 calculates the coordinates of all the bacterial colonies targeted for fishing fungi designated by the laboratory technician, and transfers the data to the fishing fungus / fungus suspension preparation unit 107. The fishing fungus / fungus suspension preparation unit 107 uses the camera 113 to determine the position of the petri dish that has moved according to the transferred coordinate data, and catches all the bacterial colonies designated by the fishing fungus rod 111. When the fungus is finished, an image of the petri dish after the fungus is taken with the camera 113. The petri dish after the fungus is stored in the specimen supply / unload unit 105. Bacterial colonies attached to the fishing rod 111 are placed in a cell suspension preparation container 112, and a liquid is prepared to a predetermined concentration to prepare a cell suspension. The figure shows a state in which a plurality of bacteria suspension preparation containers 112 are prepared. The arrow shown in the fishing fungus / fungus suspension preparation unit 107 indicates the movement of the fishing fungus bar 111.

  Among the operations described above, the control of the sample supply / carry-out unit 105, the image capturing unit 106, and the fishing fungus / bacteria suspension preparation unit 107 is comprehensively controlled by the control unit computer 104. Information indicating the process up to the preparation of the bacterial suspension, such as collected images or bacterial colony detection coordinates, is stored in the history holding unit 103 and transmitted to the external system 108 as necessary. The external system 108 and the operation unit computer 101 also exchange sample information and the like.

  Next, an example of the operation when the laboratory technician selects and designates a bacterial colony for the purpose of fishing using the automatic fishing device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the inspection engineer looks at the images automatically detected and classified via the operation console 102, and confirms whether the classification result is the same as that of the inspection engineer (S201). If the automatic classification result is different from that of the laboratory technician (S202), it is determined whether to adjust the automatic classification result (S203). When adjusting the classification result, an instruction for reclassification is input from the operation console 102 (S204). The operation unit computer 101 displays the result again according to the input instruction. The processing from S201 to S204 is repeatedly executed until the inspection engineer agrees. However, if the automatic classification result does not match the laboratory technician's view, the reclassification is stopped, and the laboratory engineer may select / instruct bacterial colonies to be picked one by one from the screen (S205).

  After selecting the bacterial colonies to be fished in this way, the laboratory technician then checks to see if there is an appropriate number (amount) of bacterial colonies to make a bacterial suspension. (S206). If an appropriate amount of bacterial colonies has been selected, fishing bacteria are instructed (S207). If an appropriate amount of bacterial colonies has not been selected, it is wasteful to carry out the fishing fungus treatment, so that the execution of fishing fungi is instructed to re-cultivate again (S208). The laboratory technician performs a series of processing for all samples.

  Next, the configuration of the processing unit in the operation unit computer 101 will be described with reference to FIG. The data input / output unit 301 performs data input / output with the operation console 102, the history holding unit 103, the control unit computer 104, and the external system 108. The bacterial colony image processing unit 302 detects an isolated bacterial colony from the petri dish image or calculates the coordinates of each bacterial colony. The bacterial colony classification processing unit 303 extracts and classifies feature amounts for all bacterial colonies detected by the bacterial colony image processing unit. In addition, display bacterial colony count adjustment processing is also performed. The fishing fungus result determination processing unit 304 performs a fishing fungus schedule and a fishing fungus record by image comparison. This will be described in detail later. The history data processing unit 305 stores the bacterial colony classification conditions, classification results, and fishing results for each specimen in the history holding unit 103. In addition, the history information is edited and output to the operation console 102 and the external system 108 via the data input / output unit 301. This will also be described in detail later.

  A procedure for comparing the images of petri dishes before and after fishing for the fishing fungus result discrimination processing unit 304, which is the main part of the present invention, and discriminating the fishing results for each bacterial colony planned to be fished in the petri dish Will be described with reference to FIG.

  After the fishing fungus treatment is performed, the petri dish after the fishing fungus is photographed by the camera 113, and it is determined whether or not the photographing is successful (S401). If not successful, it is determined that the presence or absence of a trace of fungus is not possible, and the process ends. This image is taken under the same lighting conditions as when the camera 110 was taken before the fungus. Next, based on the photographed specimen information of the petri dish, the photographed pre-fish image is retrieved from the history holding unit 103 (S402). Here, the specimen information is, for example, an ID that identifies the specimen.

  If there is no image data before the fishing fungus, it is determined that the presence or absence of a fishing fungus trace is impossible, and the process ends (S405). If there is image data before fishing, a post-fishing image is retrieved based on the coordinates of each bacterial colony designated in the petri dish (S403). This information is stored in the history holding unit 103.

  First, the coordinates of the bacterial colonies scheduled for fishing are taken out, and it is determined whether or not isolated colonies around the same coordinate position in the post-fishing image can be extracted (S404). At this time, if isolated colony extraction fails, it is considered that all the existing bacterial colonies have been collected, and there is a trace of fishing fungus (S406).

  On the other hand, if an isolated colony can be extracted from the post-fishing image, the feature amount is calculated (S407). In the case of a bacterial colony, feature information includes color information such as brightness and saturation, and a shape and contour such as the area and the degree of a new circle. Then, it is determined whether or not a significant difference has occurred in these feature values before and after the fishing fungus (S408). If a significant difference is found, it is assumed that there is a trace of fishing fungus (S406). If there is no significant difference, it is considered that there is a high possibility that the fish has not been caught, and a warning is given (S409). Warnings include “Fishing fungus not implemented” when the feature values are almost the same, “Partial fungus” when the area of the feature value, the degree of the new circle is different, or the outline is different. is there. The above process is implemented about all the bacterial colonies (S410).

  Here, the remarkable difference is, for example, a difference equal to or greater than a threshold value by comparing the amount of difference for each feature amount.

  In the above flow, the coordinates of the bacterial colonies to be fished are extracted, and the isolated colonies around the same coordinate position in the post-fishing image are extracted. 502. A coordinate position periphery 502 in FIG. 5 is an image when the fishing rod 111 is completely collected. The original bacterial colony is identified as 501.

  As described above, when there is nothing in the coordinates of the bacterial colonies to be fished, it can be determined that the bacterial colonies have been collected cleanly. A coordinate position periphery 503 is an example of an image in the case where a significant difference is observed in the feature amount before and after fishing. In this case, it is assumed that there are traces of fishing fungi (S406). The coordinate position periphery 504 is in a state where there are traces of being caught by the fishing means, but many bacterial colonies still remain. In such a case, since it may not reach the amount of fish as originally expected, a warning “partial fish” is given (S409).

  Next, a case where a warning is generated as a result of the determination process will be described. It is necessary to issue a warning promptly after the fishing fungus treatment. This is because if the occurrence of the warning is delayed, there is a possibility that wasteful cell suspension preparation may be carried out. If the warning content is “partial fish”, it may be possible to create a suspension with the specified concentration by preparation of the bacterial suspension. It is more efficient to stop liquid preparation. In such a case, the warning information is transferred to the control unit computer 104 to instruct the suspension of the processing of the target specimen in the fishing fungus / fungus suspension preparation unit 107. As a method of notifying a warning, there are a voice notification, a notification on the screen, and the like.

  By doing in this way, it becomes possible to determine how the result of fishing for each bacterial colony scheduled for fishing. If there is any problem with the fish, adding warning information can contribute to the judgment of the laboratory technician and increase the efficiency.

  Next, the history data processing unit 305 will be described with reference to FIGS. The history data processing unit 305 stores the bacterial colony classification conditions, classification results, and fishing results for each specimen in the history holding unit 103. In addition, the history information is edited and output to the operation console 102 and the external system 108 via the data input / output unit 301.

  The information stored in the history data processing unit 305 includes the bacterial colony classification conditions and classification results for each specimen, and the fishing fungus results and warnings determined by the fishing fungus result determination processing unit 304. FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of history information. The information in FIG. 6 is for petri dishes. The sample information is information relating to the entire sample, and is mainly input from the external system 108.

  Both the classification information regarding the conditions at the time of classification and the fishing bacteria instruction information are determined and stored when the inspection engineer browses the classification results and gives the fishing bacteria instructions. The fishing fungus result information that summarizes the fishing fungus results stores the results of the fishing fungus result discrimination processing unit 304. The presence / absence of a fishing fungus trace is "Yes" if there is at least one fishing fungus trace among a plurality of bacterial colonies. The fishing fungus rate is (the number of bacterial colonies with a fishing fungus trace / the number of expected bacterial colonies of fishing fungi). The percentage obtained in step 1. The presence / absence of a fishing fungus warning is “Yes” if there is even a warning among a plurality of bacterial colonies.

  Bacterial colony information is information on individual bacterial colonies present in the petri dish, and has coordinates and pre-fishing information as well as coordinates. As pre-fishing information, there is a distinction between a characteristic amount, whether or not it is a fishing fungus target, and whether or not the fishing fungi designation person automatically determines or is designated by the user. As post-fishing information, a feature value, presence / absence of a fishing fungus trace, and fishing fungi warning content are retained. With such a configuration, all bacterial colony information is held for all specimens. In addition, the image data before and after the fish are stored in association with this information.

  Here, an example of processing and display of history data stored in the history holding unit 103 is shown.

  FIG. 7 is an example in which history data is displayed for each sample. This is a display suitable for listing what type of fishing process the fungus suspension created by the automatic fishing device has followed. For each petri dish, a specimen identifier such as a petri dish ID, the date and time of sample preparation, the number of bacterial colonies planned for fishing, the fishing fungus rate, and the presence / absence of a fishing fungus warning are displayed, and an overview of how much fungus was achieved is reported. By pressing each title heading 701, the table can be rearranged. For example, the operability is improved when it is desired to browse only those with warnings. A search function 702 is also provided. Thereby, it is possible to immediately find out the status of a specific sample. A detail button 703 and an image button 704 are buttons for shifting to a detailed information display screen for each petri dish described below. This is used to view detailed information on bacterial colonies in individual dishes.

  FIG. 8 is a screen displayed when the sample is specified in FIG. 7 and the detail button 703 is pressed. List information on all bacterial colonies in the selected petri dish. As the sample information, a sample identifier such as a petri dish ID, image acquisition date and time, the number of classifications, a threshold value at the time of classification, fishing date and time, fishing rate, and presence or absence of a fishing germ warning are displayed. The information of one bacterial colony per line is displayed in a table format. The title heading 801 is as follows. As coordinates of bacterial colonies, pre-fishing information, whether or not the target is fishing, according to the designated fisherman (automatic: A, user designation: U), features (1) to (N), post-fishing information , Fishing fungus trace presence / absence, fishing fungus warning content, feature quantities (1) to (N). Among these, the target bacterial colonies can be browsed collectively by rearranging the titles such as fishing fungi targets. A sample list button 806 in the screen is a button for returning to the sample list screen of FIG. An image button 807 in the screen is a button for transitioning to an image browsing screen described below. This is used when examining individual bacterial colonies while viewing image data.

  FIG. 9 is a screen displayed when the petri dish is specified in FIG. 7 and the image button 704 is pressed, or when the image button 807 is pressed in FIG. For the selected petri dish, image data before and after fishing are displayed side by side. In the pre-fishing image, the bacterial colonies to be fished are marked. The post-fishing image is marked at the bacterial colony location where there is a sign of fishing. In the lower table, information on bacterial colonies designated by the user with a mouse or the like is displayed. On this screen, you can view the attributes and fishing results of bacterial colonies while browsing the image data, so if you have any doubts about identification / drug susceptibility testing, what bacterial colonies were caught and how far Can be confirmed while browsing images and detailed information. A sample list button 903 in the screen is a button for transitioning to the sample list screen in FIG. 7, and a detail button 904 in the screen is a button for transitioning to the detail screen in FIG. 8.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide information guaranteeing an automatic fishing result at any time. In the unlikely event that an operation different from the schedule is performed during fishing, a warning is issued, so that the user can easily notice and avoid the risk of creating an unreliable bacterial suspension. In addition, it is possible to provide detailed data on which bacterial colonies were used to create the bacterial suspension at any time, so that traceability of the inspection can be ensured. Detailed data can be viewed in stages, with a list of the entire sample, a list of all bacterial colonies for each petri dish, and comparison with image data, so there is good operability and there are many bacterial colonies in the petri dish. Can be easily tracked individually.

  In addition, although the present Example demonstrated in FIG. 1 the system structure which has the image pick-up unit 106 and the fishing fungus and fungus suspension preparation unit 107 separately, implementation in the structure which united these similarly is also the same. Is possible.

  According to the present invention, since it is possible to warn the user as an alarm whether or not all desired bacterial colonies have been caught during the automatic fishing treatment, the user's confirmation work is facilitated. In the unlikely event that an alarm is issued, it is possible to distinguish whether the alarm is insufficient or an unscheduled one has been caught, so that the user can easily determine how to deal with it later. For example, in the case of a shortage, it may be determined that there is no need to re-fishing depending on the degree of shortage. In addition, even if an unscheduled sample is collected, depending on the location, if a medium without other bacteria is struck, it may be possible to proceed to the preparation of a bacterial suspension as it is. Since it is possible to provide information useful for such handling determination, the work can be reduced. In addition, information that guarantees the reliability of the identification / drug sensitivity test result can be provided. In addition, when identification / drug sensitivity test results are difficult to identify, bacterial colonies can be confirmed retroactively, and the judgment of laboratory technicians can be assisted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Operation part computer 102 Operation console 103 History holding part 104 Control part computer 105 Sample supply / unloading unit 106 Imaging unit 107 Fishing fungus / fungus suspension preparation unit 108 External system 109 Illumination 110, 113 Camera 111 Fishing fungus rod 112 Fungus Suspension preparation container 301 Data input / output unit 302 Bacterial colony image processing unit 303 Bacterial colony classification processing unit 304 Fishing fungus result discrimination processing unit 305 History data processing unit

Claims (16)

Photographing means for photographing an image of a petri dish containing bacterial colonies;
Classification means for detecting bacterial colonies and classifying the detected bacterial colonies based on the feature amount;
A fungus means for catching a target bacterial colony,
An automatic fishing device characterized in that images of petri dishes before and after fishing bacteria are compared and a warning is issued if the target bacteria colony is insufficient or not yet. Photographing means for photographing an image of a petri dish containing bacterial colonies;
Classification means for detecting bacterial colonies and classifying the detected bacterial colonies based on the feature amount;
A fungus means for catching a target bacterial colony,
An automatic fishing device characterized in that images of petri dishes before and after fishing bacteria are compared to obtain fishing results of target bacterial colonies. In claim 2,
For at least one of the bacterial colonies in the petri dish,
Characteristics of classification by classification means, classification results, coordinate position of bacterial colonies scheduled for fishing, characteristics of fishing bacteria, presence or absence of warning based on fishing results, characteristics of coordinate positions of bacterial colonies scheduled for fishing after fishing An automatic fishing device characterized in that at least one of images of petri dishes before and after the amount and fishing fungus is retained as history information of comparison results. In claim 2,
An automatic fishing device characterized by displaying an image before fishing and an image after fishing. In claim 4,
An automatic fishing device characterized by marking around the coordinate position of a target bacterial colony. In claim 4,
An automatic fishing device characterized by storing an image before fishing and an image after fishing. In claim 4,
An automatic fishing device characterized in that an image before fishing and an image after fishing are marked and stored around the coordinate position of a target bacterial colony. In claim 2,
An automatic fishing device characterized in that if no bacterial colony is found around the coordinate position of the target bacterial colony in the petri dish after the fishing fungus, it is determined that there is a trace of a fishing fungus. In claim 2,
When bacterial colonies are found around the coordinate position of the target bacterial colony in the petri dish after fishing, compare the differences in the feature quantities of the bacterial colonies before and after the fishing bacteria, and the difference is greater than or equal to the threshold for each feature quantity An automatic fishing fungus device characterized by judging that there is a trace of fishing fungi. In claim 2,
When bacterial colonies are found around the coordinate position of the target bacterial colonies in the petri dish after fishing, compare the differences in the feature quantities of the bacterial colonies before and after the fishing bacteria. An automatic fishing fungus device. In claim 3,
An automatic fishing device characterized by displaying history information for petri dishes processed so far. In claim 11,
An automatic fishing fungus device characterized by displaying history information in petri dishes. In claim 10,
An automatic fishing device characterized by displaying for each petri dish the number of bacterial colonies scheduled for fishing, the rate of fishing, and whether a warning has been issued. In claim 2,
For at least one of the bacterial colonies in the petri dish,
Characteristics of classification by classification means, classification results, coordinate position of bacterial colonies scheduled for fishing, characteristics of fishing bacteria, presence or absence of warning based on fishing results, characteristics of coordinate positions of bacterial colonies scheduled for fishing after fishing An automatic fishing device characterized by displaying at least one of a quantity and an image of a petri dish before and after fishing. In claim 2,
For each bacterial colony in the petri dish,
Characteristics of classification by classification means, classification results, coordinate position of bacterial colonies scheduled for fishing, characteristics of fishing bacteria, presence or absence of warning based on fishing results, characteristics of coordinate positions of bacterial colonies scheduled for fishing after fishing An automatic fishing device characterized by displaying at least one of a quantity and an image of a petri dish before and after fishing.   The automatic fishing device according to claim 2, wherein a history of comparison of petri dish images before and after fishing is maintained.

Images