JP2013164290A - Film housing case, inspecting kit, inspecting device, and inspecting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a film housing case capable of inspecting an inspection film without taking out the inspection film to shorten an inspection time and reduce an infection risk to pathogens.SOLUTION: A film housing case 1 includes: a case 11 having a first flat portion 13, a second flat portion 14, and apertures 17 disposed at a position corresponding to an inspection portion 5 of an inspection film 2A; and film members 12 disposed at the first flat portion 13 and the second flat portion 14 having the apertures 17 disposed therein, so as to cover the apertures 17. The first flat portion 13 and the second flat portion 14 define a storage portion 1a that pinches and stores the inspection film 2A having the inspection portion 5 collecting pathogens as a sample. The case 11 has higher rigidity than that of the inspection film 2A. The film member 12 is a filter member that transmits light having a predetermined wavelength band.

Description

  The present invention relates to a film storage case, an inspection kit, an inspection apparatus, and an inspection method used for pathogen infection inspection.

  Inspecting institutions such as health centers, health management facilities, and food safety management facilities, pathogens are manually inspected by laboratory technicians. First, a subject presses a test film around the anus, and a pathogen as a specimen is transferred onto the film and collected. After the sample is collected, the test film is stored in a case in which information such as the name of the subject is recorded, collected, and inspected by an inspection engineer. In the inspection by an inspection engineer, the collected inspection film is first removed from the case. After sandwiching the test film between two glass plates, the test film is set on a microscope table and the test site is examined. After the inspection, the inspection result is written in a predetermined area of the case, and then the inspection film is stored in the case again.

  Patent Document 1 describes a method of automatically determining the presence or absence of a pathogen using the test result of a test film. In the method described in Patent Document 1, the specimen is irradiated with excitation light, the luminance of fluorescence emitted from the specimen is observed by the excitation light, and the presence or absence of a pathogen is determined based on the luminance of fluorescence. According to this method, since the presence or absence of a pathogen can be automatically determined, a quick and simple determination is possible.

  Patent Document 2 describes an inspection device that easily finds a caterpillar egg using the inspection result of the inspection film. The apparatus described in Patent Document 2 acquires an image including an excitation light irradiation unit that excites the insect eggs by irradiating the insect eggs with ultraviolet rays, and fluorescence generated by the excited insect eggs. An image data acquisition unit and an analysis unit for finding a caterpillar egg based on the image data are provided. According to this apparatus, it is possible to automate at least a part of an inspection process performed with a human eye using a microscope.

JP 2012-8042 A JP 2011-209183 A

  In the method described in Patent Document 1 and the apparatus described in Patent Document 2, the process of determining the presence or absence of a sample is automated. However, in a series of inspection steps, the inspection film is taken out of the case before the step of determining the presence or absence of the specimen, and then placed at a predetermined position such as a microscope stage. Includes work until storage. Since these operations are performed manually by an inspection engineer, it is difficult to shorten the inspection time. Further, when the inspection film is taken out and stored from the case and the inspection film is damaged or comes into contact with the outside, the specimen may be scattered or attached to infect the pathologist.

  In view of the above problems, in the present invention, a film storage case and an inspection that can reduce the inspection time and reduce the risk of pathogen infection by carrying out the inspection without taking out the inspection film to the outside. Kit, inspection apparatus and inspection method are provided.

  A film storage case for storing a test film used for pathogen testing according to the present invention is a first part for defining a storage section for storing a test film having a test section for collecting a pathogen as a specimen. And a second part, and an opening provided at a position corresponding to the inspection part of the stored inspection film in at least one of the first part and the second part, and an opening And a film member disposed in at least one of the first part and the second part in which an opening is provided. The container has a rigidity higher than that of the inspection film. The film member transmits light of a predetermined wavelength band.

  The film storage case includes a container having higher rigidity than the inspection film, and an opening is provided in at least one of the first part and the second part of the container, and the opening has a predetermined wavelength band. It is covered with a film member that transmits light. Therefore, the inspection part of the inspection film can be inspected in a state where the inspection film is completely accommodated in the container. Further, when the inspection film is transported, the inspection film is protected and the inspection film is prevented from being exposed to the outside. Therefore, since it is not necessary to take out the inspection film from the container during inspection, the time required for inspection can be shortened. In addition, since the opening is covered with the membrane member, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the specimen held in the examination unit is scattered or attached from the opening to the outside. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to put in and out the inspection film at the time of inspection, damage to the inspection film and contact with the outside when the inspection film is taken in and out are prevented, and the risk of scattering or adhesion of the specimen is reduced. The risk of infection can be further reduced.

  The predetermined wavelength band may include a wavelength of excitation light irradiated on the specimen and a wavelength of fluorescence emitted from the specimen. According to such a configuration, it is possible to suitably irradiate the specimen held on the inspection film accommodated in the case with excitation light for exciting the specimen, and to guide the fluorescence emitted from the specimen to the outside of the case. It becomes possible. Therefore, the film storage case can be suitably used for a specimen detection method based on fluorescence.

  The container may be formed such that the opening occupies a region occupied by the inspection unit in a region surrounded by the peripheral edge of the opening. According to such a configuration, the entire region of the inspection unit can be inspected through the opening.

  The opening may include a first opening provided in the first part and a second opening provided in the second part. According to such a configuration, the inspection part is irradiated with excitation light from one of the first opening and the second opening, and fluorescence is guided to the outside of the case from the other of the first opening and the second opening. be able to. Thereby, the optical structure of the apparatus used for inspection can be simplified.

  The container includes the first part and the second part with respect to the first side part in which the second part is bent with respect to the first part and either the first part or the second part. You may have the 2nd and 3rd side part in which the fixing | fixed part which fixes the other of these site | parts was provided. According to such a configuration, since the gap (space) of the storage portion 1a defined by the first portion 13 and the second portion 14 is suppressed, it occurs in the inspection portion 5 of the inspection film 2. The increase in the gap in the storage portion 1a due to the wrinkles obtained is suppressed, and the range in the direction of the depth of field is narrowed. Therefore, the entire region of the inspection unit 5 can be preferably observed by setting the focal point to a predetermined depth of field.

  In the film storage case, a detachable sheet is disposed so as to close the opening, and the sheet may have a light shielding property. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the inspection film from being visually recognized from the outside when the inspection film stored in the film storage case is moved and stored.

  The test kit of the present invention includes a test film having a test unit that collects a pathogen that is a specimen, and the film storage case that stores the test film. In the inspection portion of the inspection film, an optical filter region that transmits the excitation light irradiated to the specimen and the fluorescence emitted from the specimen is formed.

  The inspection kit includes a container having higher rigidity than the inspection film, and an opening is provided in at least one of the first part and the second part of the container, and the opening has a predetermined wavelength band. It is covered with a film member that transmits light. Therefore, the inspection part of the inspection film can be inspected in a state where the inspection film is completely accommodated in the container. Further, when the inspection film is transported, the inspection film is protected and the inspection film is prevented from being exposed to the outside. Therefore, since it is not necessary to take out the inspection film from the container during inspection, the time required for inspection can be shortened. In addition, since the opening is covered with the membrane member, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the specimen held in the examination unit is scattered or attached from the opening to the outside. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to put in and out the inspection film at the time of inspection, damage to the inspection film and contact with the outside when the inspection film is taken in and out are prevented, and the risk of scattering or adhesion of the specimen is reduced. The risk of infection can be further reduced.

  The inspection apparatus of the present invention includes the above-described inspection kit, an irradiation unit that irradiates the specimen of the inspection unit of the inspection film with excitation light, an image acquisition unit that obtains an optical image including fluorescence emitted from the specimen by the excitation light, and A determination unit that determines the presence / absence of a specimen based on the intensity of fluorescence included in the optical image.

  The inspection method of the present invention includes a first step of preparing the above-described inspection kit, a second step of irradiating the sample of the inspection unit of the inspection film with excitation light, and fluorescence emitted from the sample by the excitation light. A third step of obtaining an optical image including the fourth step, and a fourth step of determining the presence or absence of the specimen based on information possessed by a fluorescent bright spot included in the optical image.

  In the inspection apparatus and the inspection method, the container has a higher rigidity than the inspection film, and an opening is provided in at least one of the first part and the second part of the container, and the opening has a predetermined wavelength. It is covered with a film member that transmits light in the band. Therefore, the inspection part of the inspection film can be inspected in a state where the inspection film is completely accommodated in the container. Further, when the inspection film is transported, the inspection film is protected and the inspection film is prevented from being exposed to the outside. Therefore, since it is not necessary to take out the inspection film from the container during inspection, the time required for inspection can be shortened. In addition, since the opening is covered with the membrane member, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the specimen held in the examination unit is scattered or attached from the opening to the outside. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to put in and out the inspection film at the time of inspection, damage to the inspection film and contact with the outside when the inspection film is taken in and out are prevented, and the risk of scattering or adhesion of the specimen is reduced. The risk of infection can be further reduced. Further, since the presence / absence of the sample is determined based on the information of the fluorescent bright spot, the time required for determining the presence / absence of the sample can be further shortened.

  According to the present invention, by carrying out an inspection without taking out the inspection film to the outside, it is possible to shorten the inspection time and reduce the risk of infection with a pathogen, a film storage case, an inspection kit, and an inspection An apparatus and inspection method are provided.

It is a perspective view which shows the test kit which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the film for a test | inspection used for a kit for a test | inspection. (A) part is a top view which shows the film storage case which concerns on this embodiment, (b) part is an expanded view of a film storage case. It is a figure which shows the structure of the test | inspection apparatus using a kit for a test | inspection. It is a figure which shows the structure of the test | inspection system using a test kit. It is a figure for demonstrating the observation result by an Example. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of the film storage case which concerns on this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a film storage case, an inspection kit, an apparatus, and an inspection method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. As shown in FIG. 1, a test kit 10 according to an embodiment includes a test film 2A for collecting a pathogen or the like as a specimen, and a film storage case 1 for storing the test film. .

  Next, the inspection film stored in the film storage case 1 will be described. The test film includes a test film 2A used when the specimen shown in FIG. 2A is collected once and a test film used when the specimen shown in FIG. 2B is collected twice. 2B and any structure.

  The inspection film 2A used when the specimen is collected once will be described. The sheet-like inspection film 2 </ b> A has a rectangular shape and has a two-layer structure including a film base 3 and a protective film 4. The film substrate 3 is made of a material that can easily collect pathogens and has excellent optical transparency, for example, a thin film made of high-performance plastic. The film substrate 3 includes a fixing portion 3 a provided on the upper side of the film substrate 3 for fixing the protective film 4, an inspection unit 5 provided substantially at the center of the film substrate 3, and predetermined information. And a label portion 6. The protective film 4 is made of a material that can prevent wrinkles and pathogens from scattering, such as a thin film made of polypropylene, gelatin, or triacetate (TAC). This protective film 4 is stuck and fixed to the fixing part 3a of the film base 4.

  The inspection unit 5 is formed in a circular shape substantially at the center of the film substrate 3, has an adhesive portion for collecting a sample, and is provided with an outer edge 5 a that indicates the outer edge of the inspection unit 5. Further, the inspection unit 5 is provided with a cross-shaped mark 5b indicating the center of the inspection unit 5. The inspection unit 5 is colored with a predetermined color in order to make the dirt inconspicuous. This colored region has predetermined optical characteristics. That is, the inspection unit 5 forms an optical filter region that transmits the excitation light irradiated on the sample by a light irradiation unit, which will be described later at the time of the inspection, and the fluorescence emitted from the sample in response to the excitation light. In addition, a non-fluorescent substance is used for the adhesive portion. Moreover, the adhesive part has a configuration that can collect foreign substances other than pathogens and can collect pathogens and the like from other than the skin. A solution having adhesiveness may be applied to the adhesive portion.

  The label part 6 is provided in the vicinity of the lower side on the opposite side to the fixing part 3a to which the film base 3 and the protective film 4 are fixed. The label unit 6 includes, for example, an area 6a describing the subject's affiliation, an area 6b describing the subject's name, and an area 6c describing a bar code indicating other information.

  The test film 2B used when the specimen is collected twice has a structure in which the upper side 3b of one test film 2A described above is connected to the upper side 3b of another test film 2A. Other configurations are the same as those of the inspection film 2A. In the following description of the present embodiment, the case where the inspection film 2A is used will be described as an example, but the inspection film 2B can be used similarly.

  Next, the film storage case 1 for storing the inspection film 2A will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the film storage case 1 is a case for storing a test film 2A used for pathogen testing. The film storage case 1 includes a case 11 and a film member 12 which are storage bodies.

  The case 11 having a rectangular planar shape has a bag shape in which one side is open and the other three sides are sealed. The case 11 is configured by folding and bonding the integrally formed base body 11a. The base 11a is made of a material having higher rigidity than the inspection film 2A, for example, a paper or a resin sheet having a predetermined thickness. Thus, the case 11 made of paper can be easily discarded.

  The case 11 includes an integrated first part 13 and second part 14. The 1st site | part 13 and the 2nd site | part 14 have the same planar rectangular shape, respectively. The first portion 13 and the second portion 14 are bent at the first side portion 14a. The second portion 14 includes a second side portion 14b on the opposite side of the first side portion 14a, a third side portion 14c and a fourth side portion 14d that are orthogonal to the first side portion 14a. Have. The second side portion 14 b is integrally provided with a margin 14 e that is a belt-like fixing portion for fixing the second portion 14 to the first portion 13. The third side portion 14 c is integrally provided with a margin 14 f that is a belt-like fixing portion for fixing the second portion 14 to the first portion 13.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the second portion 14 is bent at the first side portion 14 a with respect to the first portion 13 and is fixed to the first portion 13 with the margins 14 e and 14 f. The storage portion 1a for storing the inspection film 2A is defined. The case 11 has an opening 1b on the opposite side of the third side portion 14c. The inspection film 2A is inserted into the storage portion 1a through the opening 1b and stored.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a holding portion 15 for holding the case 11 is provided near the opening 1 b of the case 11. The holding unit 15 is made of a material suitable for the moving mechanism so that the holding unit 15 can be securely held by another desired moving mechanism when held by the hand of an inspection engineer or mechanically held by an air suction or paper feeding mechanism. It is preferable. For example, it is preferably made of glossy paper having a small surface roughness, paper having a predetermined flexibility, or a paper-like material. A case label portion 16 is provided on the opposite side of the case 11 from the opening 1b. In the case label portion 16, for example, the name of the subject, the affiliation of the subject, a barcode indicating other information, and the like are described.

  In the case 11, an opening 17 that is cut out in a circular shape is provided at substantially the center of the first part 13 and the second part 14. Such an opening 17 is formed so that the opening 17 provided in the first part 13 overlaps with the opening 17 provided in the second part 14 when bent at the first side portion 14a. . Further, the opening 17 is arranged so that when the inspection film 2A is inserted into the case 11, the inspection portion 5 is arranged at the position of the opening 17, that is, in the region surrounded by the peripheral edge portion 17a of the opening 17. 5 is formed so that the area occupied by 5 is included. As a result, the entire inspection unit 5 can be observed through the opening 17. Further, a rectangular film member 12 is attached to each of the first part 13 and the second part 14 so as to cover the entire region of the opening 17. Specifically, each film member 12 is attached to the first part 13 and the second part 14 from the inside of the case 11.

  These film members 12 are constituted by filter members that transmit light in a predetermined wavelength band. The membrane member 12 may be a sheet type gelatin filter or a triacetate (TAC) based film. The optical characteristics of the membrane member 12 are set based on the wavelength band of light used when observing a pathogen that is a specimen. That is, the wavelength band of light transmitted through the film member 12 includes the wavelength of excitation light emitted from a light irradiation unit described later and the wavelength of fluorescence emitted from the specimen irradiated with the excitation light. For example, as the film member 12, a filter member having optical characteristics that transmits light in the wavelength bands of 330 nm to 600 nm and 450 nm to 700 nm is selected. That is, the film member 12 has a function of a band pass filter that transmits light of a specific wavelength band.

  The inspection kit 10 has a case 11 having higher rigidity than the inspection film 2A, and an opening 17 is provided in the first part 13 and the second part 14 of the case 11, and the opening 17 has a predetermined shape. It is covered with a film member 12 that transmits light in the wavelength band. Therefore, the inspection part 5 of the inspection film 2 can be inspected in a state where the inspection film 2 is completely accommodated in the case 11.

  Further, when the inspection film 2 is transported, the inspection film 2 is protected and the inspection film 2 is prevented from being exposed to the outside. Therefore, since it is not necessary to take out the inspection film 2 from the case 11 at the time of inspection, the time required for the inspection can be shortened. In addition, since the opening 17 is covered with the membrane member 12, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the specimen held in the inspection unit 5 is scattered or attached from the opening 17 to the outside. Further, since it is not necessary to put in and out the inspection film 2 at the time of inspection, the inspection film 2 is prevented from being damaged when the inspection film 2 is inserted and removed, and the risk of scattering or adhering of the specimen is reduced. Can be further reduced.

  In addition, according to the film storage case 1, the inspection unit 5 is irradiated with excitation light from any one of the opening 17 provided in the first member 13 and the opening 17 provided in the second member 13, and the other The fluorescence can be guided from the opening 17 to the outside of the film storage case 1. Thereby, the optical structure of the inspection apparatus described later can be simplified.

  Further, the film storage case 1 includes a film member 12 having optical characteristics that transmits excitation light and fluorescence. Therefore, the film storage case 1 can be used for a specimen detection method based on fluorescence.

  Further, the case 11 may be formed such that the opening 17 includes a region occupied by the inspection unit 5 in a region surrounded by the peripheral edge portion 17 a of the opening 17. According to such a configuration, the entire region of the inspection unit 5 can be inspected through the opening 17.

  The case 11 has a first side portion 14a in which the second portion 14 is bent with respect to the first portion 13, and a margin 14e for fixing the second portion 14 to the first portion 13. , 14f, and second and third side portions 14b, 14c. According to such a configuration, since the gap (space) of the storage portion 1a defined by the first portion 13 and the second portion 14 is suppressed, it occurs in the inspection portion 5 of the inspection film 2. The increase in the gap in the storage portion 1a due to the wrinkles obtained is suppressed, and the range in the direction of the depth of field is narrowed. Therefore, the entire region of the inspection unit 5 can be preferably observed by setting the focal point to a predetermined depth of field.

  Next, an inspection apparatus for inspecting the inspection kit 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the inspection apparatus 30 detects the light irradiation unit 31 that generates the excitation light L1 irradiated to the specimen, and the fluorescence L2 emitted from the specimen irradiated with the excitation light L1, and includes an optical image including the fluorescence L2. And an image acquisition unit 32 for acquiring the light irradiation unit 31 and a control computer 33 for controlling the image acquisition unit 32. The inspection kit 10 is disposed between the light irradiation unit 31 and the image acquisition unit 32.

  The light irradiation unit 31 includes a light source 34 that generates light for generating the excitation light L1, a wavelength selector 35 that transmits light having a desired wavelength from the light irradiated from the light source 34, and a desired wavelength. The light irradiation lens 36 which condenses the light which has this to the test | inspection part 5 of the test | inspection kit 10 is provided. A known light source can be used as the light source 34. As the light source, an ultrahigh pressure mercury lamp, a xenon lamp, an LED, a laser beam, or the like may be used. Moreover, the excitation light L1 may be irradiated perpendicularly to the inspection portion 5 of the inspection film 2A, or may be irradiated obliquely.

  The wavelength selector 35 is a filter member having desired optical characteristics. For example, as the wavelength selector 35, a filter having bandpass characteristics such as a gelatin filter, a colored glass filter, and a TAC filter that transmits only light having a desired wavelength is used. For example, a spectroscope may be used as the wavelength selector 35. As the spectrometer, an optical spectrometer using an optical filter, a dispersion spectrometer, a Fourier transform spectrometer, or the like is used. The wavelength selector 35 may be configured to change the wavelength characteristics by an input from the control computer 33.

  The image acquisition unit 32 selects the wavelength selector 38 that selects light having a desired wavelength from the fluorescence L2, the macro lens assembly 37 that suitably guides the fluorescence L2 emitted from the specimen to the wavelength selector 38, and the wavelength selector 38. And a photodetector 39 for detecting light having the specified wavelength. The wavelength selector 38 has the same configuration as the wavelength selector 35 of the light irradiation unit 31. The photodetector 39 is, for example, a photoelectric conversion type photodetector that converts the intensity of received light into an electrical signal and outputs it, such as a digital camera, CCD camera, CMOS camera, or photomultiplier tube (photomultiplier). Can be used.

  The direction in which the excitation light L1 is incident on the inspection portion 5 of the inspection film 2A is preferably inclined with respect to the direction in which the fluorescence L2 is incident on the photodetector 39. According to this configuration, the excitation light L1 incident on the photodetector 39 is reduced. Therefore, the intensity of the background light in the optical image data can be suppressed, and the contrast between the background light and the fluorescence L2 from the specimen can be increased.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the base | substrate 11a which comprises the case 2 is a member which has low fluorescence. According to this configuration, generation of background light is suppressed when optical image data including fluorescence is acquired. Therefore, since the S / N ratio in the optical image data is improved, the specimen can be detected with high accuracy.

  The light irradiation unit 31 and the image acquisition unit 32 are each connected to a control computer 33. The control computer 33 is equipped with a determination program for determining the presence or absence of a sample based on the input optical image data, and the control computer 33 forms a determination unit in the present embodiment. For the determination of the presence / absence of the specimen, one or both of the size of the bright spot and the light intensity of the bright spot, which is information of the fluorescent bright spot included in the optical image data, is used. A known method can be used as the determination method used in the determination program. For example, the method described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-8042) or Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-209183) is used. Further, the wavelength band selected by the wavelength selectors 35 and 38 may be set by the control computer 33.

  Next, an inspection method for the inspection kit 10 using the inspection apparatus 30 will be described. First, the test kit 10 collected from the subject is placed at a predetermined position of the test apparatus 30 (first item step: S1). Next, the excitation light L1 is irradiated from the light irradiation unit 31 to the pathogen collected in the inspection unit 5 of the inspection film 2A (second step: S2). Subsequently, the image acquisition unit 32 acquires optical image data including fluorescence L2 emitted from the specimen irradiated with the excitation light L1, and transmits the acquired optical image data to the main control computer 33 (third step: S3). ). Based on the acquired optical image data, the presence / absence of the sample is determined using a determination program installed in the main control computer 33 (fourth step: S4).

  Since the inspection device 30 and the inspection method include the inspection kit 10, the same effects as the above-described effects exhibited by the inspection kit 10 can be obtained. Further, since the inspection apparatus 30 determines the presence / absence of the specimen based on information included in the bright spot of the fluorescence L2, the time required for the judgment of the presence / absence of the specimen can be further shortened. Furthermore, according to this inspection method, the entire image of the inspection unit 5 can be acquired as one optical image data without increasing the magnification of the microscope, and the presence or absence of the sample can be determined based on the data. Therefore, the inspection time can be further shortened.

  In addition, since it is not necessary for the inspection engineer to take in and out the inspection film 2A and to detect the specimen, the burden on the inspection engineer can be reduced. Furthermore, since the determination of the presence / absence of the sample by visual observation using a microscope, which has been performed by a qualified laboratory technician, is determined based on the intensity of the fluorescence L2, the need for a qualified laboratory technician can be reduced. .

  Next, the inspection system 40 including the inspection device 30 for inspecting the above-described inspection kit 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the inspection system 40 mechanically transports the plurality of inspection kits 10 stored in the pre-inspection stocker 41 to the inspection device 30. The inspection system 40 sorts and stores the post-inspection stockers 42a and 42b according to the inspection result. That is, all processes from storing in the pre-inspection stocker 41 to sorting according to the inspection result are automatically performed.

  A plurality of inspection kits 10 are stored in the pre-inspection stocker 41. The inspection kits 10 are taken out from the pre-inspection stocker 41 one by one by the transport device 43. The transport device 43 takes out the inspection kit 10 from the pre-inspection stocker 41 and positions and arranges it on the reading device 44 and the inspection device 30 with high accuracy. Then, the inspection kit 10 that has been inspected is carried into the post-inspection stockers 42a and 42b according to the inspection result. The transport device 43 includes a control computer 43a. The control computer 43a performs control of start and stop of conveyance, control of conveyance speed, and the like.

  The reading device 44 acquires predetermined information described on the case label portion 16 of the film storage case 1. For example, a bar code reader that reads a bar code written on the case label unit 16 or a CCD camera that acquires an image including character information such as an affiliation written on the case label unit 16 can be used. The reading device 44 and the inspection device 30 are controlled by a control computer 45. For example, based on the information acquired by the reading device 44, the inspection device 30 performs control such as selecting the wavelength band of the excitation light with which the specimen is irradiated. The control computer 45 is connected to the main control computer 49. Information acquired by the reading device 44, inspection results determined by the inspection device 30, optical image data, and the like are transmitted from the control computer 45 to the main control computer 49.

  The sorting device 46 sorts the inspection kit 10 based on the inspection result determined by the inspection device 30. When the test result is positive, the test kit 10 is stored in the post-test stocker 42a, and when the test result is negative, the test kit 10 is stored in the post-test stocker 42b. A main control computer 49 is connected to the sorting device 46. Data relating to the inspection result necessary for sorting the inspection kit 10 is transmitted from the main control computer 49 to the sorting device 46.

  According to the above-described inspection system 40, after the inspection kit 10 is stored in the pre-inspection stocker 41, the inspection process until it is stored in the post-inspection stockers 42a and 42b can be automatically performed. According to this configuration, the time required for inspection can be further reduced. Furthermore, since the inspection kit 10 is inspected without touching the inspection engineer, the risk of pathogen infection can be reduced.

(Example)
Next, the result of microscopic observation of the inspection unit 5 using the inspection kit 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6A, when the inspection kit 10 is used, the region of the inspection unit 5 can be suitably arranged in the field of view of the microscope. Further, since the inspection film 2A is sandwiched and held between the first portion 13 and the second portion 14 of the film storage case 1, the generation of wrinkles in the inspection film 2A is suppressed. Therefore, since the range of the depth direction of the depth of field is narrowed, the entire region of the inspection unit 5 can be preferably observed by setting the focal point to a predetermined depth of field. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the inspection film 2A alone is observed with a microscope, wrinkles may occur. In this case, since it is not possible to suitably focus on the entire region of the inspection unit 5, it is necessary to observe the inspection unit 5 while adjusting the focus to a plurality of different depths of field. Therefore, it becomes difficult to shorten the inspection time.

  Next, the result of confirming the conditions under which the outer edge 5a and the mark 5b of the inspection unit 5 can be recognized well will be described. FIG. 6C is a photomicrograph when the color of the mounting table on which the test kit 10 is mounted is black. The outer edge 5a and the mark 5b of the inspection unit 5 are recognized as black, and can be recognized well. In this case, since the region of the inspection unit 5 can be recognized with high accuracy, the inspection time of the specimen can be shortened. FIG. 6D is a photomicrograph when the color of the mounting table on which the test kit 10 is mounted is white. The outer edge portion 5a and the mark 5b of the black inspection portion 5 are recognized by being reversed to white. In this case, since it is difficult to recognize the region of the inspection unit 5, it is necessary to manually set the range of the inspection unit 5, so it is difficult to shorten the inspection time of the specimen.

  Next, the result of confirming the relationship between the optical characteristics of the film member 12 and the optical image will be described. FIG. 6E is optical image data acquired based on the condition of epi-illumination that irradiates the specimen with the excitation light L from the direction orthogonal to the surface of the examination unit 5, and FIG. This is optical image data acquired based on the condition of oblique illumination in which the specimen is irradiated with the excitation light L from a direction oblique to the surface of the inspection unit 5. In FIG. 6 (e), since the S / N ratio is high, the pathogen that is the specimen can be confirmed as a bright spot, and the presence or absence of the specimen can be determined well. The presence or absence of this specimen was determined based on one or both of the size of the area occupied by the bright spot and the light intensity of the bright spot. On the other hand, in FIG. 6 (f), since the light intensity of the background light is strong, the S / N ratio is low, the fluorescence emitted by the pathogen is buried, and it is difficult to confirm the pathogen from the size of the bright spot or the light intensity. It is. Therefore, it was found that by appropriately setting the optical characteristics of the membrane member 12, optical image data that can easily confirm the pathogen from the bright spot can be obtained.

  The film storage case 1, the inspection kit 10, the inspection device 30, and the inspection method of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various other modifications are possible.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a removable sheet 18 may be arranged in the film storage case 1 so as to close the opening 17. The sheet 18 preferably has a light shielding property. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the inspection film 2A from being visually recognized from the outside when the inspection film 2A stored in the film storage case 1 is moved and stored.

  Further, the film storage case 1 may be provided with an opening 17 in either the first part 13 or the second part 14. According to the film storage case 1 having such a configuration, for example, the excitation light is emitted from the opening 17 provided in the first portion 13 and the excitation light emits fluorescence emitted from the sample irradiated with the excitation light. It can be observed from the same opening 17 as the incident opening 17.

  In the determination of the sample by the test kit 10, the presence or absence of the sample may be determined visually using a microscope.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Film storage case, 1b ... Storage part, 2A, 2B ... Test film, 5 ... Inspection part, 11 ... Case (container), 12 ... Membrane member, 13 ... First part, 14 ... Second part , 14a ... 1st side part, 14b ... 2nd side part, 14c ... 3rd side part, 14e, 14f ... margin, 17 ... opening, 17a ... peripheral part, 18 ... sheet | seat, 31 ... light irradiation part, 32 ... Image acquisition unit, 33 ... Control computer (determination unit), L1 ... Excitation light, L2 ... Fluorescence, S1 ... First step, S2 ... Second step, S3 ... Third step, S4 ... Fourth Process.

Claims (9)

A film storage case for storing a test film used for pathogen testing,
A planar first part and a second part for defining a storage part for holding the test film having a test part for collecting a pathogen as a specimen, and the first part and the first part. A container having an opening provided at a position corresponding to the inspection portion of the inspection film stored in at least one of the two parts;
A film member disposed in at least one of the first part and the second part in which the opening is provided so as to cover the opening;
With
The container has a rigidity higher than that of the inspection film,
The film member is a filter member that transmits light of a predetermined wavelength band.
A film storage case characterized by that. The predetermined wavelength band includes a wavelength of excitation light irradiated on the specimen and a wavelength of fluorescence emitted by the specimen in response to the excitation light.
The film storage case according to claim 1.   The said container is formed so that the area | region which the said test | inspection part occupies may be included in the area | region where the said opening was enclosed by the peripheral part of this opening. Film storage case. The opening includes a first opening provided in the first part and a second opening provided in the second part so as to face the first opening.
The film storage case as described in any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The container is
A first side where the second part is bent with respect to the first part;
A second side and a third side provided with a fixing part for fixing the other of the first part and the second part to either the first part or the second part; Having
The film storage case as described in any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. A removable sheet is arranged so as to close the opening,
The sheet has light shielding properties,
The film storage case according to any one of claims 1 to 5. An inspection film having an inspection part for collecting a pathogen as a specimen;
The film storage case according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which stores the inspection film,
The inspection portion of the inspection film is formed with an optical filter region that transmits excitation light irradiated on the specimen and fluorescence emitted from the specimen in response to the excitation light.
A test kit characterized by that. A test kit according to claim 7;
An irradiation unit that irradiates the specimen of the inspection unit of the inspection film with excitation light;
An image acquisition unit for obtaining an optical image including fluorescence emitted from the specimen by the excitation light;
A determination unit that determines the presence or absence of the specimen based on the intensity of the fluorescence included in the optical image;
An inspection apparatus comprising: A first step of preparing a test kit according to claim 7;
A second step of irradiating the specimen of the inspection part of the inspection film with excitation light;
A third step of obtaining an optical image including fluorescence emitted from the specimen by the excitation light;
And a fourth step of determining the presence / absence of the specimen based on information contained in the fluorescent bright spot included in the optical image.