JP2014185931A - Measurement program and radioactivity measurement system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To calculate accurate information of light or radiation even in a case where there is a misalignment between a scanner image and an IP image subjected to superposition processing.SOLUTION: A measurement program emphasizes the contour of an image on a U-shaped flow channel 26 of a circular disc 24 and outputs a contour emphasis image in a contour emphasis step (S11); on the basis of the contour emphasis image and design information D of a container 24, calculates the inclination angle of the container 24 in an inclination angle calculation step (S5); therefore, obtains degree of the inclination of the circular disc 24 on an image with respect to an object to be a source of the design information D of the container 24 and calculates an inclination angle; on the basis of the inclination angle, corrects the inclination of the circular disc 24 on the image in an inclination correction step (S5); and on the basis of an image in which the inclination is corrected in an information calculated step (U1), calculates accurate information of light or radiation.

Description

  The present invention relates to a measurement program and a radioactivity measurement system for measuring light generated from luminescent or fluorescent substances contained in a liquid to be measured or radiation contained in the liquid to be measured.

  For example, the radioactivity measurement system is used for quantitative analysis in nuclear medicine diagnosis (PET, SPECT, etc.), and is particularly used for measurement of radioactivity concentration in arterial blood of small animals such as mice and rats.

  For example, after administering a radiopharmaceutical to the body of a mouse, blood is collected in a time series and dropped into a plurality of minute channels arranged in a disk-type centrifuge disk (hereinafter referred to as “disk”). At the same time, the whole disc is centrifuged, and the radiation (eg, β-rays, γ-rays, etc.) contained in the separated plasma and blood cells is measured (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Specifically, the blood to be measured is housed in a minute flow path of a disk, the disk is rotated at high speed and centrifuged, and plasma separation is performed to separate blood into plasma and blood cells. The image is captured by a scanner, and image data (hereinafter referred to as “scanner image”) is acquired.
Each flow path of the disk is formed by grooving with a predetermined dimension with respect to the disk, and if the groove length or groove region in each flow path of blood is known, the groove processed with the predetermined dimension. The volume of blood contained in the flow path can be defined based on the cross-sectional area or the depth of the groove.
The scanner image of the disk is read by software, and the flow path region, the boundary between plasma and gas from which blood in the flow path is separated, and the boundary between plasma and blood cells are detected by an algorithm by a CPU (Central Processing Unit). To do. The groove length is determined from the position of the boundary line, and the volume of plasma and blood cells can be calculated from the groove length and the cross-sectional area of the flow path, respectively.

When measuring the radioactivity concentration in the blood, a scanner image of each flow path of a disk imaged by an optical scanner, and a β + ray distribution image (hereinafter referred to as an “IP image”) that is count information obtained by a measuring plate, Is superimposed and superimposed on the IP image of β + rays, and the blood radioactivity concentration per unit volume is obtained from the β + ray count information of the plasma region and the blood cell region separated within the groove. Yes.
That is, the plasma in the disk scanner image is associated with the plasma in the β + -ray IP image, and the blood cells in the disk scanner image are associated with the blood cells in the β + -ray IP image. Is divided by the volume of each part, and the radioactivity concentration in each blood is measured.

International Publication No. WO2009-093306

When capturing a scanner image and an IP image, the fixed jig is usually imaged in a state where a disk is placed on the fixing jig and the orientation is fixed. However, for example, in the manufacturing process of a resin disc, even if the size of the disc may vary or deform due to heat shrinkage, the fixing jig has some “play” so that it can cope with this. . For this reason, the disk rattles on the fixing jig and cannot be completely fixed due to the structure, and the disk moves slightly on the fixing jig and may be tilted when the scanner image and the IP image are captured.
As a result, when comparing the scanner image and the IP image, the image of the disc is tilted in each image, and the tilt angle differs between the scanner image and the IP image, resulting in a deviation. Since the flow path provided in the disk is very small, even if the disk is slightly inclined between the scanner image and the IP image, a shift near the width of the flow path occurs near the outer periphery of the disk.
That is, as a result of the deviation between the scanner image to be superimposed and the IP image, each part (plasma / blood cell) in the scanner image cannot be accurately associated with each part (plasma / blood cell) in the IP image. Therefore, the blood radioactivity concentration in each part could not be obtained with high accuracy.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems of the prior art, and can measure light or radiation information accurately even when there is a gap between the scanner image to be superimposed and the IP image. And it aims at providing a radioactivity measurement system.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the measurement program according to the first aspect of the present invention provides light generated from a luminescent or fluorescent substance contained in a liquid to be measured or radiation contained in the liquid to be measured. A measurement program for causing a computer to execute a series of processing to be measured,
1) A contour emphasizing step for emphasizing the contour of an image related to a flow path of a container containing a liquid to be measured and outputting a contour-enhanced image;
2) An inclination angle calculation step of calculating an inclination angle of the container based on the outline emphasis image in which the outline is emphasized in the outline emphasis step and the design information of the container;
3) An inclination correction step for correcting the inclination of the container based on the inclination angle calculated in the inclination angle calculation step;
4) An information calculating step for calculating light or radiation information based on the image whose tilt is corrected in the tilt correcting step;
It is equipped with.

The liquid to be measured may be a liquid containing a radioactive substance, a luminescent substance or a fluorescent agent in addition to blood.
Further, the shape of the container is not limited as long as it can accommodate the liquid. A circular plate, a square plate, a polygonal plate, or the like may be used, and various shapes and arrangement directions of flow paths provided in the container can be used.

  Further, the measurement program of the present invention according to claim 2 is the measurement program according to claim 1, wherein in the inclination correction step, the inclination is corrected with respect to the entire image relating to the flow path. .

  Furthermore, the measurement program of the present invention according to claim 3 is the measurement program according to claim 1, wherein in the inclination correction step, the inclination is corrected with respect to the flow path region extracted by an algorithm from the image relating to the flow path. It is what you do.

  Furthermore, the measurement program of the present invention according to claim 4 is the measurement program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image relating to the flow path has the form information of the liquid to be measured. It is an information image (for example, a scanner image).

  The measurement program of the present invention according to claim 5 is the measurement program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image relating to the flow path is a measurement information image having measurement information of light or radiation (for example, IP image).

Further, the radioactivity measurement system of the present invention according to claim 6 collects the liquid to be measured, to which the radiopharmaceutical is administered, in a flow path provided in the container, performs centrifugation with the container, and then uses an optical scanner. A radioactivity measurement system that superimposes an image of a captured channel and a radioactivity distribution image of counting information acquired by an imaging plate, and measures a radioactivity concentration by a measurement program, wherein the radioactivity measurement system comprises: A measurement unit that executes the measurement program according to any one of the above.
The container is a disk-type centrifugal disk (disk) that can be centrifuged together with the container, and the flow path provided in the disk is, for example, radially processed by grooving along the radial direction of the disk. A configuration in which a plurality of U-shaped flow paths formed in the direction are arranged is preferable.

According to the measurement program of the present invention, in the contour emphasizing step, the contour of the image related to the flow path of the container is emphasized to output a contour emphasizing image, and an inclination angle calculating step based on the contour emphasizing image and the design information of the container Then, the tilt angle is calculated. Therefore, by referring to the contour-enhanced image and the known container design information, the degree of inclination of the disk on the image with respect to the target object of the container design information can be known, and the inclination angle can be calculated. .
Therefore, it becomes possible to correct the inclination of the disk on the image based on the inclination angle calculated in the inclination angle calculation step, and the information calculation step based on the image whose inclination is corrected. Thus, accurate information on light or radiation can be calculated (claim 1).
Further, by correcting the inclination with respect to the whole, a series of processing can be simplified (Claim 2), and further, by correcting the inclination with respect to the flow path region, the load of image processing can be reduced. There is an effect (claim 3). Further, in order to eliminate the misalignment between the scanner image and the IP image, it is effective to correct the inclination with respect to both the scanner image and the IP image (claims 4 and 5).
Furthermore, since the radioactivity measurement system includes a measurement unit that executes the measurement program, the radioactivity concentration in the blood can be accurately measured based on an image in which the inclination of the disc is corrected (claim). Item 6).

It is a block diagram which shows one Example of the measurement part which is the principal part of the radioactivity measurement system which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic perspective view which shows one Example of the scanner in the imaging part of the measurement part which is the principal part of the radioactivity measurement system which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows one Example of the disc used for the radioactivity measurement system which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows one Example of the fixing jig used for the radioactivity measurement system which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one Example of the arithmetic processing apparatus of the measurement part which is the principal part of the radioactivity measurement system which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a series of processes in the measurement part which is the principal part of the radioactivity measurement system which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic plan view for demonstrating the relationship between a scanner image and design information when the disc is not inclined in the radioactivity measurement system according to the present invention. It is the schematic plan view which expanded a part of disc for demonstrating the relationship between a scanner image and design information when a disc inclines in the radioactivity measurement system which concerns on this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a radioactivity measurement system and a measurement program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In FIG. 1, a measurement system 10 is used, for example, for measuring the radioactivity concentration in arterial blood such as a mouse or a rat, and blood to be measured to which a radiopharmaceutical is administered is separated in time series by a blood collection device (not shown). And is dropped and accommodated in a plurality of minute U-shaped flow paths 26 (see FIG. 3) provided on a disc-type centrifugal disc (disc 24, see FIG. 3), and the whole disc 24 is centrifuged. After centrifuging with a separator (not shown), the image of the flow path (scanner image) imaged by the optical scanner of the imaging unit 14 and the radioactivity distribution image of the count information acquired from the imaging plate by the reading unit 11 ( The radioactivity concentration in the blood (for example, β-rays, γ-rays, etc.) is measured by superimposing the IP image) and executing a dedicated measurement program in the measurement unit 15.

In order to obtain an IP image, first, a cassette (illustrated) is used as a sample with a disk 24 (see FIG. 3) and a fixing jig 31 (see FIG. 4) in which a plurality of minute U-shaped channels 26 described later are arranged. (Not shown), and an imaging plate (not shown) is housed thereon for exposure. By this exposure, electrons are captured by the lattice defects of the phosphor of the imaging plate by the ionization ability of β ⁺ rays contained in the blood. After exposure for a fixed time, the imaging plate is taken out of the cassette and inserted into the reading unit 11 of the measurement system 10.

In the reading unit 11, the laser light source 12 irradiates the imaging plate with laser. The trapped electrons are excited to the conductor by laser irradiation and recombine with holes, and are excited as light from the phosphor. The PMT (photomultiplier tube) 13 converts the light excited by the laser irradiation to the imaging plate into electrons and multiplies it, so that it is simultaneously detected and counted two-dimensionally as an electric pulse. In addition, after irradiating the imaging plate with laser from the laser light source 12, the captured plate is erased by irradiating the imaging plate with light from an erasing light source (not shown). Based on the count information of the beta ⁺ line obtained by the imaging plate and the reading unit 11, obtains the radiation dose in the blood which is count information on beta ⁺ line. In this way, an IP image is acquired.

The measurement system 10 further includes an imaging unit 14 and a measurement unit 15. The measuring unit 15 is usually composed of a personal computer, and the specific configuration will be described later.
As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging unit 14 is opposed to the light source 14 a with a linear light source 14 a having a length corresponding to the diameter of the disk 24 in order to image the disk 24. A flat head scanner including a linear photodiode array (line sensor) 14b arranged is provided.
The disk 24 is imaged by scanning on the disk 24 with the flat head scanner of the imaging unit 14, and usually the entire fixing jig 31 (see FIG. 4) that supports the disk 24 is imaged. By irradiating light from the light source 14a of the flat head scanner of the imaging unit 14, plasma and blood cells appear as density differences on the imaged image due to the difference in absorbance, and can be easily identified on the image. An image is acquired.

  The scanner image is a morphological information image including blood, the disc 24, and the fixing jig 31, and reflects information such as the shape of the fixing jig 31, for example, the notch 31A (see FIG. 4). Since it is a measurement information image, information such as the cutout 31A is not reflected in the image. However, since the direction and position of each flow path inlet 25 (see FIG. 3) are fixed by the fixing jig 31, the relative position between the U-shaped flow path 26 and the fixing jig 31 of the disk 24 described later is determined. can do.

Next, a specific configuration of the disc 24 will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 3, flow path inlets 25 each having a plurality of openings for receiving the collected blood are radially arranged on the center side of the disc 24 that stores the blood. The disk 24 is grooved, and a plurality of minute U-shaped flow paths 26 are formed radially by the grooves. Each U-shaped channel 26 is connected to the outer end of the channel inlet 25 on a one-to-one basis, and each U-shaped channel 26 is formed to extend in the radial direction of the disk 24. The disc 24 corresponds to the container in the present invention, and the U-shaped channel 26 corresponds to the channel in the present invention.

The U-shaped flow path 26 of the disk 24 is formed by connecting the flow path inlet 25 and the air hole 27. When the flow channel inlet 25 that is a blood inlet is the upstream portion of the blood and the air hole 27 is the downstream portion, the U-shaped flow channel 26 extends from the inside in the radial direction of the disk 24 from the upstream portion to the downstream portion. It has a U-shape that extends outward and is folded back and extends in the radial direction of the disk 24 from the outside toward the inside.
In addition, recesses 24 </ b> A and 24 </ b> B for fixing the disc 24 to a fixing jig 31 (see FIG. 4) described later are formed at two locations on the outer periphery of the disc 24.

An opening 24C is formed in the central portion of the disc 24 so that the disc 24 is inserted into a motor rotation shaft of a centrifuge (not shown), and the disc 24 is rotated by rotating the disc 24 at a high speed. Using force, blood is centrifuged to separate plasma into blood cells and blood cells.
In addition, although the disc 24 is formed of an acrylic plate, the material is not limited to an acrylic resin, and may be a polycarbonate or other optically transparent resin.

The disk 24 is positioned and supported by the fixing jig 31 when the imaging unit 14 performs imaging. Hereinafter, the fixing jig 31 will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 4, an opening 32 into which the disk 24 is fitted is formed in the fixing jig 31, and two protrusions 32 </ b> A and 32 </ b> B protruding from the opening 32 are provided. The fixing jig 31 fixes and supports the disc 24 by fitting the recess 24A of the disc 24 to the projection 32A and fitting the recess 24B of the disc 24 to the projection 32B.
In FIG. 4, the fixing jig 31 is provided with one opening 32 and one disk 24 is fixed to one fixing jig 31, but a plurality (for example, two) of the opening 32 is provided. A plurality of disks 24 may be fixed to one fixing jig 31.

  A notch 31 </ b> A is formed on the upper left of the fixing jig 31. In the case of the substantially square fixing jig 31, if it is rotated 180 °, there is a possibility that the upper and lower sides and the right and left sides may be mistaken due to the symmetry of the U-shaped flow path 26 of the disk 24. Both the IP image acquired by the imaging plate and the scanner image acquired by the imaging unit 14 can be aligned with reference to the notch 31A.

  The disk 24 is rotated at a high speed by a motor of a centrifuge and the plasma 24 separated into plasma and blood cells by the centrifugal force is fixed and supported by the fixing jig 31 so that each of the disks 24 is supported. In this state, the direction and approximate position of the flow path inlet 25 are also fixed, and the disk 24 is imaged using an imaging plate to obtain an IP image, and the flat head scanner of the imaging unit 14 is used to acquire the IP image. To obtain a scanner image. Note that the order of imaging may be either before or after.

  In the manufacturing process, the disk 24 may vary in the size of the disk 24 due to heat shrinkage, and the fixing jig 31 is formed with some play to cope with this. For this reason, the disk 24 rattles on the fixing jig 31 and cannot be completely fixed, and is slightly tilted. When acquiring the IP image and the scanner image, the disk 24 is slightly on each image. There is a possibility of tilting.

As described above, even if the disk 24 is fixed and supported by the fixing jig 31, in order to acquire an IP image, the disk 24 and the fixing jig 31 are accommodated in a cassette as a sample, When the imaging plate is accommodated and exposure is performed, the disk 24 is rattling on the fixing jig 31, so that there is a possibility that the disk 24 is exposed in a tilted state. Further, when the cassette is closed, there is a possibility that the fixing jig 31 itself is displaced due to the impact, and the disk 24 is inclined together with the fixing jig 31.
Further, when the disk 24 is imaged by the flat head scanner of the imaging unit 14, the disk 24 may similarly rattle on the fixing jig 31, and the disk 24 may be inclined on the scanner image. is there.
As a result, even if the individual images are superimposed and displayed in a superimposed manner, a deviation occurs between the scanner image to be superimposed and the IP image, and each part (plasma / blood cell) in the scanner image and each part in the IP image There is a possibility that the radioactivity concentration in the blood of each part cannot be accurately measured without being accurately associated with (plasma / blood cells).

  Therefore, in the measurement unit 15 which is the main part of the measurement system 10, as the extraction result extracted by the algorithm, the contour of the image related to the U-shaped channel 26 of the disk 24 is emphasized and a contour-enhanced image is output. The tilt angle of the disc 24 is calculated based on the emphasized image and the design information of the disc 24 (contour outside the U-shaped flow path 26 of the disc 24). Then, the inclination of the disk 24 is corrected based on the inclination angle, and the radioactivity concentration in the blood is measured based on the corrected image.

Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the measurement unit 15 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the measurement unit 15.
In FIG. 5, the measuring unit 15 includes a first reading unit 16A, a second reading unit 16B, a memory unit 17, a controller 18, an input unit 19, and an output monitor 20.
The first reading unit 16A and the second reading unit 16B are configured by a reading device such as an I / O (input / output) device, for example, and the first reading unit 16A is connected to the imaging plate via the reading unit 11 (PMT13). The second reading unit 16B reads the scanner image acquired by the imaging unit 14. The IP image corresponds to the measurement information image in the present invention, and the scanner image corresponds to the morphological information image in the present invention.

The memory unit 17 is configured by a storage medium represented by ROM, RAM, and the like. The memory unit 17 includes a measurement program 17A for causing a computer (controller 18) to execute a series of processes shown in FIG. 6, and a U-shaped disk 24 that contains blood to be measured as an extraction result extracted by an algorithm. An extraction result memory unit 17B that outputs and stores an outline-enhanced image by emphasizing the outline of an image (IP image and scanner image) related to the flow path 26, and a design information memory unit 17C that stores design information of the disk 24 Become.
The measurement program 17A is composed of a ROM, and the extraction result memory unit 17B and the design information memory unit 17C are composed of a RAM. In the present embodiment, the design information will be described by taking a point outside the U-shaped flow path 26 of the disk 24 as an example. The measurement program 17A corresponds to the measurement program in the present invention.

  The controller 18 includes a central processing unit (CPU). As a program for performing various types of image processing, a measurement program 17A such as calculation of an inclination angle, correction of inclination of a disk on an image, calculation of radioactivity concentration, and the like is executed, and image processing corresponding to the measurement program 17A is included. A series of processing shown in FIG. 6 is performed. That is, the controller 18 performs an outline emphasis process, an inclination angle calculation process, an inclination correction process, and an information calculation process.

  The input unit 19 is configured by a pointing device represented by a mouse, a keyboard, a joystick, a trackball, a touch panel, or the like. The output monitor 20 displays the IP image read by the first reading unit 16A and the scanner image read by the second reading unit 16B, and also displays the contour-enhanced image output as the extraction result extracted by the algorithm. Further, the image with the corrected inclination is displayed, and the scanner image with the corrected inclination and the IP image are superimposed and displayed.

  Next, a series of processes in the measurement unit 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of a series of processes according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view for explaining the relationship between the scanner image SC and the design information D when there is no inclination. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view for explaining the relationship between the scanner image SC and the design information D when the disc 24 is inclined 1.5 degrees clockwise on the scanner image SC. FIGS. 7 and 8 schematically show an outline-enhanced image obtained by enhancing the outline of the scanner image SC. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a part of the disk 24 for easy understanding of the inclination.

  5, 6, 7, and 8, first, an IP image is acquired from the imaging plate via the reading unit 11 (PMT 13), and a scanner image SC is acquired from the flat head scanner of the imaging unit 14.

(Step S1) Image Reading The second reading unit 16B reads the scanner image SC acquired by the imaging unit 14.

(Step S11) Outline Enhancement Further, the controller 18 emphasizes the outline of the scanner image SC read in step S1 in order to extract a region of interest, and outputs an outline enhanced image. As the edge enhancement process, for example, the edge enhancement process by primary differentiation for obtaining the difference between the target pixel and its surrounding pixels, which is typified by the Sobel filter process and the Previt filter process, the attention point which is typified by the Laplacian filter process, etc. A contour enhancement process or the like by secondary differentiation for obtaining a further difference between the pixel and its surrounding pixels is executed. Since these contour enhancement processes are known techniques, the description thereof is omitted. This step S11 corresponds to the contour emphasizing step in the present invention.

  It uses for an extraction result (flow-path area | region) using an outline emphasis image. In other words, the controller 18 applies an algorithm such as contour enhancement processing to the scanner image SC to enhance the contour of the scanner image SC and output a contour enhanced image, whereby the contour of the U-shaped channel 26 of the disk 24 ( The flow channel region) and the boundary position of the gas / plasma or plasma / blood cell are detected, and the contour (flow channel region) of the U-shaped flow channel 26 is extracted and surrounded by the boundary position and the flow channel region. Extract a region as a component region. The flow path region of the extraction result obtained by the contour enhancement processing algorithm is written and stored in the extraction result memory unit 17B. In addition, the component region may be written and stored in the extraction result memory unit 17B.

(Step S2) Image Display The scanner image SC read in step S1 is displayed on the screen of the output monitor 20.

(Step S3) Extraction Result Display In step S2, the scanner image SC is displayed on the screen of the output monitor 20, and the flow path region extracted by the algorithm for the scanner image SC is read from the extraction result memory unit 17B. It is added to the scanner image SC and displayed on the screen of the output monitor 20. In addition to the channel region, a component region can be added to the scanner image SC as an extraction result and displayed on the screen of the output monitor 20.

(Step S4) Adjustment Even if there is a false detection in step S3, it is preferable to adjust as in step S4. That is, at least one of the scanner image SC and the extraction result flow path region is adjusted by moving it on the display screen of the output monitor 20, or the size of the extraction result flow path region is adjusted by the input unit 19 on the display screen. adjust.
In the output monitor 20, the flow channel regions (other component regions) of the respective extraction results are grouped, and the grouped extraction results are dragged on the display screen so as to match the components and flow channels of the scanner image SC. Without moving or adjusting each extraction result (flow channel region, component region), and dragging the extraction results (flow channel region, component region) individually. The size of the extraction result (flow channel region, component region) is adjusted by moving the pointer on the display screen so as to match the path, or by aligning the pointer with the enclosed portion of the enclosed region. Of course, the scanner image SC may be moved and adjusted on the display screen, or both may be moved and adjusted on the display screen. Further, the input unit 19 is configured by a touch panel of the output monitor 20, and adjustment is performed by directly touching the scanner image SC or the extraction result (flow channel region, component region) to be adjusted on the touch panel of the output monitor 20 with a finger. May be.

(Step S5) Inclination Correction Even if adjustment is made between the scanner image SC and the extraction result flow path region in step S4, the disc 24 or the fixing jig 31 may be inclined. In step S5, the inclination of the disk 24 is corrected. First, in step S11, the contour is emphasized and the contour emphasis image (flow channel region and component region) stored in the extraction result memory unit 17B and the design information D (disc) stored in the design information memory unit 17C are stored. The controller 18 calculates the inclination angle of the disc 24 based on the outer contour of the 24 U-shaped channels 26.

  For this purpose, the design information D of the disc 24 is compared with the flow path region extracted from the scanner image SC to determine whether or not the disc 24 is inclined on the scanner image SC. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, a broken line from the intersection of two horizontal and vertical solid lines indicating the center position of the disc 24 toward a point outside the specific U-shaped channel 26 on the disc 24. A line as shown is drawn and the angle of the broken line is calculated. If this angle matches the angle determined by the design information D, it can be determined that the disc 24 is not inclined. Further, as indicated by the broken line in FIG. 8, if the angle does not coincide with the angle (solid line) determined by the design information D, it is determined that the disc 24 is inclined.

Thus, the angle of the line drawn from the center point of the disk 24 indicated by the broken line in FIGS. 7 and 8 toward the point outside the specific U-shaped channel 26 on the disk 24 is determined from the design information D. If the angle does not coincide with the determined angle, the controller 18 calculates the tilt angle of the disc 24 from the difference between the angles.
When the disc 24 is tilted, the tilt of the disc 24 is corrected by rotating the entire image around the center point of the disc 24 on the image using the tilt angle. This step S5 corresponds to an inclination angle calculation step and an inclination correction step in the present invention.

(Step S6) Image Display The image whose inclination is corrected in step S5 is displayed on the screen of the output monitor 20. If the inclination is not completely corrected, the process returns to step S5 to repeat the inclination correction and the image display in step S6 until the inclination is completely corrected.

(Step T1) Image Reading On the other hand, the first reading unit 16A reads the IP image acquired by the imaging plate via the reading unit 11.

(Step T11) Contour Enhancement In addition, in order to detect the contour outside the U-shaped channel 26 for the IP image read in step T1 as in the contour emphasis step performed on the scanner image SC in step S11. In addition, the controller 18 emphasizes the contour of the IP image and outputs a contour-enhanced image. This step T11 corresponds to the contour emphasizing step in the present invention.

  The contour enhancement image is used for the extraction result (flow path position, disc center position). That is, the controller 18 applies an algorithm such as contour enhancement processing to the IP image to emphasize the contour of the IP image and output a contour-enhanced image, so that the contour of the U-shaped channel 26 of the disk 24 (that is, the flow). (Path position) is detected, and the contour (flow path position) of the U-shaped flow path 26 is extracted. Furthermore, the center position of the disk 24 is extracted from the outlines (flow path positions) of a plurality of U-shaped flow paths. Then, the flow path position of the extraction result by the contour enhancement algorithm and the center position of the disk 24 are written and stored in the extraction result memory unit 17B.

(Step T2) Image Display The IP image read in step T1 is also displayed on the screen of the output monitor 20.

(Step T3) Center position / specific flow path angle display In step T2, the IP image is displayed on the screen of the output monitor 20, and the flow path position of the extraction result extracted by the algorithm for the IP image and the disk 24 are displayed. The center position is read from the extraction result memory unit 17B, added to the IP image, and displayed on the screen of the output monitor 20.

(Step T4) Adjustment Even when there is a false detection in Step T3, it is even more preferable to make the adjustment as in Step T4. That is, at least one of the IP image, the extraction result flow path position or the center position of the disk 24 is adjusted by moving on the display screen of the output monitor 20, or the extraction result flow path position or the center of the disk 24. The position is adjusted by the input unit 19 on the display screen. In the output monitor 20, the flow path region and the center position of the extraction result are dragged together and moved on the display screen so as to match the flow path of the IP image, or individually extracted results (flow path region, The disk center position) is dragged and moved on the display screen so as to coincide with the U-shaped flow path 26 of the IP image. Of course, the IP image may be moved and adjusted on the display screen, or both may be moved and adjusted on the display screen. Further, the input unit 19 is configured by a touch panel of the output monitor 20, and adjustment is performed by directly touching an IP image or an extraction result (flow channel region, disk center position) to be adjusted on the touch panel of the output monitor 20 with a finger. May be.

(Step T5) Inclination Correction In the same manner as that performed on the scanner image SC in step S5, the inclination of the disk 24 on the IP image is corrected in this step T5. First, in step T11, the contour is emphasized and the contour emphasis image (flow path position, center position of the disc 24) stored in the extraction result memory unit 17B, and the design information of the disc 24 stored in the design information memory unit 17C. Based on D (the outer contour of the U-shaped flow path 26 of the disk 24), the controller 18 calculates an inclination angle related to the inclination of the disk 24 in the same manner as performed on the scanner image in step S5.

That is, the design information D of the disk 24 is compared with the flow path position extracted from the IP image to determine whether or not the disk 24 is inclined on the IP image, and the broken lines in FIGS. If the angle of the line drawn from the center of the disk 24 shown in FIG. 4 toward the point outside the specific U-shaped flow path 26 on the disk 24 does not match the angle determined from the design information D, the angle The controller 18 calculates the tilt angle of the disk 24 from the difference between the two.
When the disc 24 is tilted, the tilt of the disc 24 is corrected by rotating the entire image around the center point of the disc 24 on the image using the tilt angle. This step T5 corresponds to an inclination angle calculation step and an inclination correction step in the present invention.

  However, since the outline of the IP image is not clear and it is difficult to specify the position of the point outside the U-shaped channel 26 when the radiation dose is low, an accurate inclination angle must be calculated. If this is not possible, the tilt angle calculation step and tilt correction step for the IP image may be omitted.

(Step T6) Image Display The image whose inclination is corrected in step T5 is displayed on the screen of the output monitor 20. When the inclination is not completely corrected, the process returns to step T5 and the inclination correction and the image display at step T6 are repeated until the inclination is completely corrected.

  The order of steps S1 to S6 and steps T1 to T6 is not particularly limited, and steps S1 to S6 may be performed first, steps T1 to T6 may be performed first, or steps S1 to S6 and T1 to T6 may be performed in parallel.

(Step U1) Superimposition Processing The controller 18 superimposes the scanner image SC adjusted in step S4 and corrected in tilt in step S5, and the IP image adjusted in step T4 and corrected in tilt in step T5. Combined processing is also performed.

As described above, the scanner image SC and the IP image to be subjected to the superimposition processing are accurately associated with each other, so that the volume of plasma and the volume of blood cells in the scanner image SC can be accurately obtained.
The controller 18 calculates the blood radioactivity concentration of the plasma by dividing the count of β + rays in the IP image associated with the plasma in the scanner image SC by the volume in the plasma. Further, the controller 18 calculates the blood radioactivity concentration of the blood cell by dividing the count of β + rays in the IP image associated with the blood cell in the scanner image SC by the volume in the blood cell. This step U1 corresponds to the information calculation step in the present invention.

(Step U2) Superimposition Display The image after superimposition processing (shown as “superimposed image” in FIG. 6) is displayed on the screen of the output monitor 20. In addition, after calculating the radioactivity concentration in the blood, the superimposed display in step U2 is performed. However, the radioactivity concentration in the blood may be calculated after the superimposed display in step U2.

According to the measurement program 17A in the measurement unit 15, in step S11, the contour of the image (the scanner image SC in the flowchart of FIG. 6) relating to the U-shaped flow path 26 of the disk 24 that contains the blood to be measured is emphasized to enhance the contour. An image (flow channel region or component region) is output. In step S5, based on the contour-enhanced image (channel region and component region) in which the contour is emphasized in step S11 and the design information D of the disc 24 (contour outside the U-shaped channel 26 of the disc 24), The inclination angle of the disk 24 is calculated.
Thus, referring to the contour emphasis image and the known design information D of the disc 24 (outside contour of the U-shaped flow path 26 of the disc 24), the design information D of the disc 24 (the U-shape of the disc 24). The degree of inclination of the disk 24 with respect to the outer contour of the flow path 26 is known, and the inclination angle can be calculated. Therefore, based on the tilt angle calculated in step S5, it becomes possible to correct the tilt of the disc 24 in the same step S5, and based on the image in which the tilt of the disc 24 is corrected in step S5, In step U1, radiation (β + ray) information (blood radioactivity concentration) can be accurately measured.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be modified as follows.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the measurement information image is an IP image having measurement information of radiation (β + rays) acquired from the imaging plate, but the luminescent or fluorescent substance contained in the liquid to be measured Measurement information image having measurement information of light generated from the light or radiation contained in the liquid to be measured, such as a measurement information image obtained by directly counting light (photons) or radiation However, it is not necessarily limited to the IP image.

  (2) In the above embodiment, the morphological information image is a scanner image acquired from the flat head scanner of the imaging unit 14, but the morphological information image having the morphological information of the liquid to be measured, for example, radiation irradiation means and radiation The image is not necessarily limited to a scanner image, such as a morphological information image acquired by a radiation imaging unit constituted by a detection unit. Further, for example, a contour-enhanced image is output by emphasizing the image of the disc 24 imaged by a digital camera, and the contour-enhanced image is tilt-corrected in accordance with the design information of the disc 24 to obtain a form information image. It may be used as

  (3) In the above embodiment, a plurality of U-shaped flow paths 26 formed in the radial direction are provided by radially grooving along the radial direction of the disc 24. However, they are not necessarily arranged radially. There is no need. For example, you may arrange | position in parallel mutually.

  (4) In the above-described embodiment, the inclination is corrected with respect to the entire image (scanner image) related to the U-shaped channel 26, but is not necessarily limited to the entire image. Since what is necessary is the flow channel region or flow channel length extracted by the algorithm, the inclination may be corrected with respect to the flow channel region or flow channel length.

  (5) In the above-described embodiment, the design information D of the disk 24 is the outer contour of the U-shaped flow path 26 of the disk 24, but the design information D is not limited to this. It may be the inside of the U-shaped channel 26 or the outer circumference of the disk 24. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the recesses 24A and 24B are provided in the disc 24 itself, or the notches 31A and the protrusions 32A and 32B of the fixing jig 31 are provided in the disc 24 itself, so that the recesses 24A and 24B, The tilt angle may be calculated based on the notch 31A, the protrusions 32A and 32B, and the like. Alternatively, a member having different light or radiation transmissivity may be attached to a predetermined portion of the disc 24 as a marker, and the tilt correction may be performed by calculating the tilt angle based on the marker portion in the captured image.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the fixing jig 31 that fixes and positions the disk 24 is provided. However, the fixing jig 31 is not necessarily provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the recesses 24A and 24B are provided in the disc 24 itself, or the notches 31A and the protrusions 32A and 32B are provided in the disc 24 itself, whereby the recesses 24A and 24B, the notches 31A or You may align the direction of the image used as the object of superimposition on the basis of protrusion part 32A, 32B. Alternatively, a superimposing process may be performed by attaching a member having different light or radiation transmissivity as a marker to an appropriate portion of the disc 24 and aligning the direction of the captured image with the marker portion as a reference.

  (7) In the above embodiment, the tilt correction is performed when the disc 24 is tilted by determining whether it is tilted, but it is not always necessary to determine whether it is tilted. It is important to align the orientation of the discs 24, and it is not determined whether or not the discs 24 are tilted, and the tilt is corrected so that a specific U-shaped channel 26 is always at a certain angle (for example, horizontal). May be.

10 Measurement System 11 Reading Unit 12 Laser Light Source 13 PMT
14 Imaging unit 14a Light source 14b Photodiode array 15 Measuring unit 16A First reading unit 16B Second reading unit 17 Memory unit 17A Measurement program 17B Extraction result memory unit 17C Design information memory unit 18 Controller 19 Input unit 20 Output monitor 24 Disk 24A 24B Depression 24C Opening 25 Flow path inlet 26 U-shaped flow path 27 Air hole 31 Fixing jig 31A Notch 32 Opening 32A, 32B Protrusion SC Scanner image D Design information

Claims (6)

A measurement program for causing a computer to execute a series of processes for measuring light generated from luminescent or fluorescent substances contained in a liquid to be measured or radiation contained in the liquid to be measured,
1) A contour emphasizing step for emphasizing the contour of an image related to the flow path of the container containing the liquid to be measured and outputting a contour-enhanced image;
2) An inclination angle calculation step of calculating an inclination angle of the container based on the outline emphasis image in which the outline is emphasized in the outline enhancement step and the design information of the container;
3) An inclination correction step for correcting the inclination of the container based on the inclination angle calculated in the inclination angle calculation step;
4) An information calculating step for calculating the light or radiation information based on the image whose tilt is corrected in the tilt correcting step;
A measurement program characterized by comprising:   The measurement program according to claim 1, wherein in the inclination correction step, the inclination of the container is corrected with respect to the entire image relating to the flow path.   The measurement program according to claim 1, wherein, in the inclination correction step, the inclination is corrected with respect to the flow path region extracted by an algorithm from the image related to the flow path.   The measurement program according to claim 1, wherein the image relating to the flow path is a morphological information image having morphological information of the liquid to be measured.   The measurement program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image related to the flow path is a measurement information image having measurement information of the light or radiation.   The liquid to be measured, to which the radiopharmaceutical is administered, is collected in a flow path provided in the container, and the whole container is centrifuged, and then the flow path image captured by the optical scanner and the count information acquired by the imaging plate 6. A radioactivity measurement system that superimposes the radioactivity distribution image of the radioactivity distribution image and measures the radioactivity concentration by the measurement program, comprising a measurement unit that executes the measurement program according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Radioactivity measurement system characterized by

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