JP2019074316A - Sample containing disc and fluorescence detector using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a sample containing disc and a fluorescence detector using the same, with which it is possible to smoothly acquire a fluorescent image.SOLUTION: A sample containing disc 100 comprises a second substrate 102, a track 102c formed on the top surface of the second substrate 102 so as to gyrate around the disc center, and a plurality of sample containing parts 101b for containing samples and arranged on the upper side of the track 102c so as to be in a row in the disc circumferential direction. In a track portion extending over the sample containing parts 101b is recorded a signal for sync adjustment by a pit sequence, in at least one place of an area overlapping a range of the sample containing parts 101b from the start position to the end position in the disc scanning direction, with each pit of the pit sequence aligned in the disc diameter direction in track portions in a row in the disc circumferential direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a sample storage disc for storing a sample prepared by fluorescently staining an object such as a cell, and a fluorescence detection apparatus using the same.

  Detection of cells infected with pathogenic bacteria and cells having a predetermined aspect among many cells is particularly important in the field of medicine such as clinical practice. As a method for performing such cell detection quickly and simply, for example, the method described in Patent Document 1 is introduced.

  In this method, a fluorescence-labeled antigen to be detected is immobilized on a track on a disc using a sandwich principle based on an antigen-antibody reaction. Thereafter, by scanning the track with laser light as excitation light, fluorescence is generated from the antigen to be detected, and the antigen to be detected is detected and counted.

  Further, in Patent Document 1, by recording the address signal in advance in the track portion not connected to the flow path into which the sample flows in, it is possible to obtain address information in the radial direction and the track direction from the disc. Thus, it is described that the position where fluorescence is detected can be specified based on the address information.

JP, 2013-64722, A

  As an effective method for detecting cells infected with pathogenic bacteria and cells having a predetermined aspect, a method of staining cells to be detected with a fluorescent dye and containing them in a channel and acquiring a fluorescence image of the entire channel It can be used. In this case, by analyzing and processing the acquired fluorescence image, the presence or absence and the number of cells to be detected can be acquired, and based on this, the infection rate of pathogenic bacteria and the like can be acquired. Moreover, the acquired fluorescence image can be displayed suitably and the generation | occurrence | production condition of fluorescence can also be confirmed by visual observation.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a sample holding disc capable of smoothly acquiring a fluorescence image and a fluorescence detection apparatus using the same.

  A first aspect of the invention relates to a sample receiving disc. The sample storage disc according to the present embodiment includes a substrate, a track formed on the upper surface of the substrate so as to pivot around the center of the disc, and a sample storage unit disposed above the track and storing a sample. . Here, in a track portion straddling the sample storage unit, a signal for synchronization adjustment is recorded by a pit row in at least one place in an area overlapping the range from the start position to the end position of the sample storage unit in the disc scanning direction. In the track portions aligned in the disc radial direction, the pits in the pit row are aligned in the disc radial direction.

  According to the sample storage disc according to this aspect, in the apparatus for handling the sample storage disc, the fluorescence signal detected while scanning the range of the sample storage portion with light is sampled and cut out at a predetermined interval, A series of fluorescence image fragments along one track can be obtained from the sample reservoir. By connecting the fragments obtained in this manner, a fluorescence image of the entire sample storage unit can be obtained. Moreover, since the signal for synchronization adjustment is recorded on the track part, the synchronization deviation of the fluorescence image fragment acquired from one track part based on the signal for synchronization adjustment detected from each track part Can be corrected. Therefore, a higher quality fluorescence image can be acquired.

  A second aspect of the present invention relates to a fluorescence detection apparatus that irradiates light to a sample holding disk that holds a sample and detects fluorescence generated by the irradiation of the light. Here, the sample storage disc includes a substrate, a track formed on the upper surface of the substrate so as to pivot around the center of the disc, and a sample storage unit disposed above the track and storing the sample. . Here, in a track portion straddling the sample storage unit, a signal for synchronization adjustment is recorded by a pit row in at least one place in an area overlapping the range from the start position to the end position of the sample storage unit in the disc scanning direction. In the track portions aligned in the disc radial direction, the pits in the pit row are aligned in the disc radial direction. The fluorescence detection apparatus according to the present aspect includes the scanning unit that scans the track with the light, the light detection unit that receives the light reflected from the sample storage disc, and the signal from the light detection unit. A signal detection unit for detecting a signal recorded in a track portion; and detection according to the amount of light received by receiving the fluorescence generated from the sample stored in the sample storage portion by scanning the track with the light A fluorescence detection unit that outputs a signal, a cutout unit that samples and cuts out the detection signal output from the fluorescence detection unit at predetermined intervals, and the synchronization adjustment signal detected by the signal detection unit And an image processing unit that corrects the synchronization deviation of the signal group cut out by the cutting out unit.

  According to the fluorescence detection device of the present aspect, based on the signal for synchronization adjustment detected by the signal detection unit, the synchronization deviation of the signal group cut out by the cutout unit while scanning one track portion is corrected can do. Therefore, the quality of the fluorescence image generated by the corrected signal group can be enhanced, and the target cells contained in the sample can be detected with high accuracy by image processing.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sample storage disc capable of smoothly acquiring a fluorescence image and a fluorescence detection apparatus using the same.

  The effects and significances of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of the embodiments shown below. However, the following embodiment is merely an example for practicing the present invention, and the present invention is not limited at all by the following embodiment.

FIG. 1A is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of the sample-holding disc according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 (b) is a partially enlarged view of the cross section of the sample holding disc according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing the groove and land and the structure of a pit according to the first embodiment. Fig.3 (a) is a top view which shows typically the area division of the circumferential direction of the sample accommodation disc which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3B is a plan view schematically showing zone division in the radial direction of the sample holding disk according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing grooves and lands of each zone according to the first embodiment, developed linearly. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the format of each field set in the track portion (groove) of one area according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 (b) is a view schematically showing an angle range of each field according to the first embodiment. 6 (a) to 6 (f) are diagrams showing signal formats of respective fields according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration for reading fluorescence from a sample storage disc according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the signal arithmetic circuit according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the fluorescence detection apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10A is a flowchart illustrating an acquisition process of an address signal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 (b) is a flowchart showing the fluorescence signal cutout process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11A is a flowchart showing the fluorescence signal cutout process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11B is a flowchart of the invalidation process of the cutout signal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the fluorescence signal clipping process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13A is a view showing a part of the signal format according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a view schematically showing the configuration of the synchronization adjustment pit SB1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of the fluorescence detection apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 15A is a view schematically showing detection positions of the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 on the signal light image according to the first embodiment by solid lines. FIG. 17B and FIG. 17C are diagrams schematically showing the correction process of the fluorescence image according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing grooves and lands of each zone according to the second embodiment, developed linearly. FIG. 14A is a diagram showing the format of each field set in the track portion of one area according to the second embodiment. FIG. 17B is a diagram showing a configuration for inverting the polarity of the tracking error signal according to the second embodiment. FIG. 17C is a view schematically showing the beam scanning and the polarity inversion timing of the tracking error signal according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1. Embodiment 1
<Sample holding disk>
First, the configuration of the sample holding disc 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. The sample holding disc 100 is used, for example, to detect red blood cells infected with malarial parasites.

  FIG. 1A is a plan view schematically showing the appearance of the sample holding disc 100. FIG. FIG. 1 (b) is a partially enlarged view of a cross section when the sample holding disc 100 is cut in a plane perpendicular to the disc surface and passing through the disc center.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the sample holding disc 100 has a disk shape like the optical disc (CD, DVD, etc.), and a circular opening 101a is formed at the center. As shown in FIG. 1B, the sample holding disc 100 has a structure in which a first substrate 101 for constituting a sample holding portion 101b is joined to the upper surface of a second substrate 102 as a base. Each of the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 102 is made of a resin material. The second substrate 102 is made of a material that can transmit light.

  By bonding the first substrate 101 to the second substrate 102, nine sample holding portions 101b are formed as shown in FIG. 1A. The sample storage portions 101 b are arranged at regular intervals in the disk circumferential direction. Further, two boundaries aligned in the disc circumferential direction of the sample storage portion 101b radially extend from the center of the disc. The angular range of each of the nine sample storage portions 101 b is Wa. As shown in FIG. 1 (b), the sample storage portion 101 b is a space of a predetermined height. In plan view, the sample storage portion 101 b has a shape in which the corner of the trapezoidal shape is rounded. The nine sample storage portions 101b have the same shape, and are arranged at the same position in the disk radial direction.

  On the inner peripheral side of the sample storage portion 101b, two holes 101c continuing to the upper surface are formed. In a state in which the two holes 101c are opened, the sample is filled in the sample storage portion 101b from one of the holes 101c. The sample is prepared such that the malaria parasite in red blood cells is labeled with a fluorescent dye. After the sample storage portion 101b is filled with the sample, the two holes 101c are closed by a lid not shown. In the configuration example of FIG. 1A, samples prepared from nine types of samples are filled in the respective sample storage units 101b.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, a track 102c pivoting around the center of the disc is formed on the upper surface of the second substrate 102, and a semi-transmissive film 102d is formed on the upper surface of the track 102c. FIG. 1B schematically shows red blood cells RC stored in the sample storage unit 101b. As shown in FIG. 1 (a), the track 102c is composed of a series of grooves 111 which spirally turn. The groove 111 is formed from the outermost circumference to the innermost circumference in the track area 102a indicated by hatching in FIG. 1A. The second substrate 102 is formed by injection molding in the same process as CD and DVD. The semipermeable film 102d is formed by a sputtering process.

  The semi-transmissive film 102 d reflects a part of the laser beam incident from the lower surface of the second substrate 102 and guides the remaining laser beam to the sample storage unit 101 b. In addition, the semi-transmissive film 102 d transmits the fluorescence generated in the sample storage unit 101 b to the second substrate 102. The reflectance of the semitransparent film 102d is set to about 5 to 20% so that more laser light can be guided to the sample storage unit 101b and more fluorescence can be transmitted to the second substrate 102b. ing.

  As shown by a dashed-dotted line in FIG. 1A, the sample holding disc 100 is divided into nine areas in the circumferential direction. Each area includes one sample storage unit 101b. As described later, one track portion Ta of each area constitutes one unit of information recording area. Various signals are recorded in a portion not overlapping the sample storage portion 101b of the track portion Ta. In the present embodiment, these signals are recorded by pit trains.

  FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing the structure of the groove 111, the land 112, and the pit 113. As shown in FIG. For convenience, only the semipermeable membrane 102d is shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the upper side is the second substrate 102 side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a pit 113 is formed in a groove 111 corresponding to a portion not overlapping the sample storage portion 101b of the track portion Ta, and a predetermined signal is recorded. The format of the signal to be recorded will be described later with reference to FIG. 5 (a). No signal is recorded on the lands 112 between the adjacent grooves 111. Also, the groove 111 and the land 112 extend in a spiral shape without meandering.

  The beam spot B1 is scanned along the groove 111. The beam spot B1 is scanned from the outermost periphery of the groove 111 toward the inner periphery. When the beam spot B1 is applied to the pit 113, the intensity of the reflected light from the groove 111 is reduced. The reflected light thus modulated is received by the light detector, and the detection signal is demodulated to reproduce various information recorded in the pit 113. The diameter of the beam spot B1 is approximately the same as the track pitch of the groove 111. The track pitch of the groove 111 is about 0.3 to 2.0 μm.

  FIG. 3A is a plan view schematically showing area division in the circumferential direction of the sample holding disc 100. FIG. 3 (b) is a plan view schematically showing zone division in the radial direction of the sample holding disc 100.

  The areas A0 to A8 in FIG. 3A and the zones Z0 to Zn in FIG. 3B are logically sample-accommodating in order to set the signal format described later in the track 102c in relation to the sample-accommodating part 101b. Areas A0 to A8 and zones Z0 to Zn are not divided due to physical barriers or the like, which are assigned to the disc 100.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the sample holding disc 100 is divided into nine areas A0 to A8 every 40 degrees. The track portion included in each area is the track portion Ta of FIG. The track area 102a shown in FIG. 1A is divided into an outer area 102e, an inner area 102f, and a detection area 102g. The outer area 102e is a lead-in area, and the inner area 102f is a lead-out area and an appearance identification area.

  In the groove 111 of the lead-in area (outer area 102e), various types of information necessary for scanning the sample holding disc 100 are recorded by the pit row. In the lead-out area (inner area 102f), a signal indicating that it is a lead-out area is recorded by the pit row. A structure for visually displaying the type or the like of the sample holding disc 100 is applied to the appearance identification area (inner area 102f) by making the groove 111 discontinuous. The appearance identification area is set on the inner peripheral side of the lead-out area.

  Various signals are recorded in the groove 111 of the detection area 102g in the format shown in FIG. The format of the groove 111 in the detection area 102g will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (b), the detection area 102g of the sample holding disc 100 is divided into a plurality of zones Z0 to Zn in the radial direction. The sample holding disc 100 is divided into, for example, 75 zones. The number of tracks in the disk radial direction included in each zone is the same. The track 102c (groove 111) of one zone is scanned by the beam spot B1 at the same angular velocity. The angular velocity of each zone is set so that the track 102c (groove 111) at the center position of the zone in the disk radial direction is scanned by the beam spot B1 at the same linear velocity.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the grooves 111 and the lands 112 of each zone developed linearly. In FIG. 4, grooves 111 and lands 112 for one rotation are shown by one straight line. Also, the lengths of the grooves 111 and the lands 112 shown in FIG. 4 are not physical lengths, but are shown as being normalized so that the length of one round is the same for all the grooves 111 and the lands 112 for convenience. It is done.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the detection area 102g is divided into a plurality of zones Z0 to Zn in the disk radial direction. Each zone includes a plurality of tracks 102c (grooves 111) in the radial direction of the disc. In FIG. 4, for convenience, track numbers T0 to Tm from the outer circumferential side are shown in the track 102c in one zone. The number of tracks 102c included in one zone is, for example, 800.

  FIG. 5A shows the format of each field set in the track portion Ta (groove 111) of one area. FIG. 5B is a view schematically showing the angle range of each field.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, fields F1 to F9 are set in the track portion Ta (groove 111) of one area. In the fields F2 and F7, no signal is recorded, and only a monotonously extending groove 111 is formed. In the field F5, synchronization adjustment pits are recorded at fixed angles. The synchronization adjustment pit will be described later with reference to FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b). The field F5 overlaps the sample storage portion 101b over the entire length. That is, both ends of the field F5 coincide with two boundaries aligned in the disk circumferential direction of the sample storage portion 101b. In the track portion overlapping the sample storage portion 101b, no signal is recorded other than the synchronization adjustment pit, and in the portion other than the portion where the synchronization adjustment pit is recorded, only the groove 111 extending monotonously is formed.

  In the fields F1, F2, F4, F6, F8 and F9, signals are recorded by the pits 113 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5B, the start SP and the end EP of all the track portions Ta in the same area are respectively aligned in the disc radial direction, and the start and the end of the field F5 are also the same area It is aligned in all the track portions Ta inside. The fields F1, F3, F4, F6, F8 and F9 are aligned in the disk radial direction in all the track portions Ta in the same zone and the same area.

  6 (a) to 6 (f) are diagrams showing the signal format of each field. In FIGS. 6A to 6D, the hatched portions indicate regions where the pits 113 are formed in the grooves 111, and white portions indicate regions where only the grooves 111 are present. Further, 1T indicates the time length of the minimum pit when the groove 111 is scanned at a constant angular velocity as described above. In the description of FIGS. 6A to 6F, the portion of the groove 111 where the pit 113 is not formed is simply referred to as a space, and the portion of the groove 111 where the pit 113 is formed is simply referred to as a pit.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, in the fields F1 and F9, a signal En in which 2T pits and 2T spaces are repeated 10 times is recorded. The signal En recorded in the field F1 is a signal indicating the beginning of the track portion Ta of one area shown in FIG. 5A, and the signal En recorded in the field F9 is one area shown in FIG. 5A. Signal indicating the end of the track portion Ta.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, pits are not formed in the fields F2 and F7. These fields consist of spaces only.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, in the field F4, after the 8T space, a signal V3 in which 1T pits and 1T spaces are alternately repeated four times is recorded. This signal V3 is a signal indicating the start of the sample storage unit 101b.

  As shown in FIG. 6D, in the field F6, a signal Vs in which 4T pits and 4T spaces are repeated five times is recorded. The signal Vs is a signal indicating the end of the sample storage unit 101b.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (e), the field F3 consists of three header areas HE0 to HE2. The header area HE0 is a reserve area capable of arbitrarily recording a signal not defined by the format. In the header area HE1, an identification signal for identifying the header area HE1, an address signal indicating the position of the track portion Ta, and an error correction signal for performing error detection or correction on the address signal are recorded. The bit lengths of these signals are fixed. As the address signal, the track number of the track portion Ta (any one of T0 to Tm shown in FIG. 4) and the zone number of the zone including the track portion Ta (any one of Z0 to Zn shown in FIG. 3 (b)) And the area number of the area including the track portion Ta (one of A0 to A9 shown in FIG. 3A). In the header area HE2, a signal similar to that in the header area HE1 is recorded.

  As shown in FIG. 6F, the field F8 includes three footer areas FT0 to FT2. The footer area FT0 is a reserve area. In the footer area FT1, as in the header area HE1, an identification signal, an address signal, and an error correction signal are recorded. The bit lengths of these signals are fixed. As the address signal, the track number of the track portion Ta (any one of T0 to Tm shown in FIG. 4) and the zone number of the zone including the track portion Ta (any one of Z0 to Zn shown in FIG. 3 (b)) And the area number of the area including the track portion Ta (one of A0 to A9 shown in FIG. 3A). In the footer area FT2, a signal similar to that of the footer area FT1 is recorded.

  The identification signals of the footer areas FT1 and FT2 are different from the identification signals of the header areas HE1 and HE2. The address signals of the footer areas FT1 and FT2 are the same as the address signals of the header areas HE1 and HE2. In the header areas HE0 to HE2 and the footer areas FT0 to FT2, digital signals (bit signals) of 1 and 0 are recorded by pits and spaces.

  The formed pits and spaces of the fields other than the fields F3 and F8 are aligned in the disc radial direction in all the track portions Ta in the same zone and the same area. The pits and spaces formed in the fields F1 and F9 are aligned in the disk radial direction in the track portions Ta included in all zones in the same area. In the pits and spaces formed in the fields F3 and F8, the lengths of the pits and spaces change in accordance with the contents of the address signal, so the circumferential positions of the track portions Ta are shifted.

<Fluorescent detector>
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration for reading fluorescence from the sample holding disc 100. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, fluorescence is detected from the sample storage portion 101 b of the sample storage disc 100 using the fluorescence detection pickup 200. For example, fluorescence is detected from the sample disc 100 to determine if red blood cells are infected with malarial parasites. In this case, the sample is prepared such that the malaria parasite in red blood cells is labeled with a fluorescent dye. For example, when the fluorescent dye is irradiated with light having a wavelength of 405 nm, it generates fluorescence having a wavelength of about 450 to 540 nm. The samples prepared in this manner are filled into nine sample storage portions 101 b of the sample storage disc 100 for each sample. Thereafter, the opening 101a (see FIG. 1A) of the sample holding disc 100 is set on the turntable 230 pivotally supported by the spindle motor 220.

  The fluorescence detection pickup 200 includes a semiconductor laser 201, a half wavelength plate 202, a polarization beam splitter (PBS) 203, a collimator lens 204, a quarter wavelength plate 205, an objective lens 206, and an objective lens actuator. 207, a dichroic prism 208, an anamorphic lens 209, a light detector 210, and a fluorescence detector 211.

  The semiconductor laser 201 emits laser light having a wavelength of about 405 nm. The polarization direction of the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 201 is adjusted by the half-wave plate 202 so as to be S-polarized with respect to the PBS 203. Thus, the laser light is reflected by the PBS 203 and enters the collimator lens 204. The PBS 203 has polarization dependence only for light near a wavelength of 405 nm, and does not have polarization dependence for light at a wavelength of about 450 to 540 nm.

  The collimator lens 204 converts laser light incident from the PBS 203 side into parallel light. The quarter-wave plate 205 converts the laser beam incident from the collimator lens 204 side into circularly polarized light, and makes the laser beam incident from the objective lens 206 side orthogonal to the polarization direction at the time of incidence from the collimator lens 204 side Convert to linear polarization. Thereby, the laser beam reflected by the semi-transmissive film 102 d of the sample storage disc 100 passes through the PBS 203.

  The objective lens 206 converges the laser beam incident from the 1⁄4 wavelength plate 205 side on the semi-transmissive film 102 d of the sample storage disc 100. The objective lens actuator 207 drives the objective lens 206 in the focusing direction and the tracking direction so that the laser light converges on the groove 111 of the sample holding disc 100 by a servo circuit 50 (see FIG. 9) described later.

  When the laser beam is converged to the groove 111, about 80% of the laser beam passes through the semi-transmissive film 102d of the groove 111 and enters the sample storage portion 101b. At this time, when the laser light that has entered the inside of the sample storage unit 101b irradiates the red blood cells infected with the malaria parasite, fluorescence is generated from the fluorescently labeled malaria parasite. The fluorescence thus generated passes through the semi-transmissive film 102 d and travels to the objective lens 206. Thus, from the sample storage disc 100, both the laser light reflected by the groove 111 (the semi-transmissive film 102d) and the fluorescence generated by the malaria parasite are incident on the objective lens 206. These two lights enter the dichroic prism 208 through the 1⁄4 wavelength plate 205, the collimator lens 204 and the PBS 203.

  The dichroic prism 208 is configured to transmit light of about 405 nm wavelength and reflect light of about 450 to 540 nm wavelength. Thereby, the fluorescence incident from the PBS 203 side is reflected by the dichroic prism 208, and the laser light incident from the PBS 203 side is transmitted through the dichroic prism 208.

  The anamorphic lens 209 introduces astigmatism to the laser light transmitted through the dichroic prism 208. The laser beam transmitted through the anamorphic lens 209 is incident on the light detector 210. The light detector 210 has a four-divided sensor for receiving laser light on the light receiving surface. The detection signal output from the light detector 210 is processed by a signal operation circuit 300 (see FIG. 8) described later.

  The fluorescence reflected by the dichroic prism 208 is guided to the fluorescence detector 211 while being converged by the collimator lens 204. The fluorescence detector 211 has a sensor for receiving fluorescence on the light receiving surface. The detection signal of the fluorescence detector 211 is amplified by a signal amplification circuit (not shown).

  Note that since the fluorescence generated from the sample storage disc 100 is weak, in the optical system of FIG. 7, a barrier or the like for preventing the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 201 from entering the fluorescence detector 211 is appropriately provided. It is preferable to arrange in the system.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the signal operation circuit 300. As shown in FIG.

  As described above, the photodetector 210 has a four-divided sensor for receiving laser light. The upper left, upper right, lower right, and lower left sensors of the four-divided sensor output detection signals S1 to S4 based on the beam spots of the received laser beams. The signal arithmetic circuit 300 processes the detection signals S1 to S4 to generate a focus error signal, a tracking error signal, and a reproduction RF signal. The focus error signal FE and the tracking error signal TE are generated in accordance with the astigmatism method and the one-beam push-pull method used in the existing optical disk device.

  The signal operation circuit 300 includes adders 301 to 304 and 307, and subtractors 305 and 306. The adder 301 outputs a signal obtained by adding the detection signals S1 and S3 to the subtractor 305, and the adder 302 outputs a signal obtained by adding the detection signals S2 and S4 to the subtractor 305. The adder 303 outputs a signal obtained by adding the detection signals S1 and S4 to the subtractor 306 and the adder 307, and the adder 304 outputs a signal obtained by adding the detection signals S2 and S3 to the subtractor 306 and the adder 307 Do.

  The subtractor 305 subtracts the output signals of the adders 301 and 302 to output a focus error signal FE. The subtractor 306 subtracts the output signals of the adders 303 and 304 to output a tracking error signal TE. The adder 307 adds the output signals of the adders 303 and 304, and outputs a reproduction RF signal (SUM signal).

  Here, when the focal position of the objective lens 206 is positioned at the semi-transmissive film 102 d of the sample holding disc 100, the beam spot on the four-divided sensor of the light detector 210 becomes a circle of least confusion and the value of the focus error signal FE. Becomes 0. Also, when the focal position of the objective lens 206 is positioned at the center position of the track 102c (groove 111) of the sample holding disc 100, the beam spot on the four-divided sensor of the light detector 210 The same applies to the two sensors on the right side, and the value of the tracking error signal TE becomes zero. The objective lens actuator 207 shown in FIG. 7 controls the objective lens 206 in the focusing direction and the tracking direction so that the focus error signal FE and the tracking error signal TE both become zero under the control of the servo circuit 50 shown in FIG. To drive.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the fluorescence detection device 1.

  The fluorescence detection apparatus 1 includes a signal processing circuit 10, an image processing circuit 20, an input / output unit 30, a controller 40, and a servo in addition to the fluorescence detection pickup 200, the spindle motor 220 and the turn table 230 shown in FIG. A circuit 50 and a thread motor 240 are provided. The signal processing circuit 300 of FIG. 8 is provided on the fluorescence detection pickup 200 side.

  The signal processing circuit 10 processes the fluorescence signal (FL) and the reproduction RF signal (RF) output from the fluorescence detection pickup 200. The fluorescence signal is output from the fluorescence detector 211 of FIG. 7, and the reproduction RF signal is output from the adder 307 of FIG. 8. The signal processing circuit 10 includes a signal detection unit 11, a signal reproduction unit 12, a cutout unit 13, and a superposition unit 14.

  The signal detection unit 11 processes the reproduction RF signal input from the fluorescence detection pickup 200, detects various signals shown in FIGS. 6A to 6F, and cuts out the detected signals. Output to the unit 13 and the controller 40. The signal reproduction unit 12 reproduces the signals of the fields F3 and F8 input from the signal detection unit 11, that is, the signals of the header areas HE0 to HE2 and the footer areas FT0 to FT2, and acquires address signals. The signal reproduction unit 12 outputs the acquired address signal to the superposition unit 14.

  The cutout unit 13 samples the fluorescence signal input from the fluorescence detection pickup 200 at a predetermined cycle, converts each sample value into a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal to the superposition unit 14. The cutout unit 13 starts sampling of the fluorescence signal in response to the detection of the signal V3 (see FIG. 5A) by the signal detection unit 11, and the signal Vs (see FIG. 5A) is detected by the signal detection unit 11. Ends the sampling of the fluorescence signal in response to the detection of.

  As described above, the sample containing disc 100 is rotated at different angular velocities for each zone. Therefore, the time for which the track portion Ta is scanned by the laser light differs from zone to zone. For this reason, if fluorescence signals are cut out with the same cycle timing signal for each zone, the number of cut out signal groups will differ from zone to zone. In the first embodiment, the period of the sampling timing signal in the cutout unit 13 is adjusted so that the same number of signal groups are cut out from the track portion Ta of each zone. Thereby, in each zone, fluorescence signals are cut out at substantially the same angular intervals.

  The superimposing unit 14 adds the address signal input from the signal reproduction unit 12 to the signal group acquired by the cutout unit 13 and outputs the signal group to the image processing circuit 20. The image processing circuit 20 connects the input signal groups to generate a fluorescence image for each of the areas A0 to A8. Further, the image processing circuit 20 processes the fluorescence image, counts the fluorescent spots, and calculates the infection rate of malaria in erythrocytes. The fluorescent image, the count value, the infection rate and the like are output from the image processing circuit 20 to the input / output unit 30 as needed.

  As described later, when the address signal changes between the time when signal V3 (see FIG. 5A) is detected and the time signal Vs (see FIG. 5A) is detected, image processing is performed. The signal group output to the circuit 20 is invalidated by the controller 40. In this case, the controller 40 controls the servo circuit 50 and the signal processing circuit 10 so that the period of the signals V3 to Vs in which the address signal has changed is again scanned with the laser light and the fluorescence signal is cut out.

  The input / output unit 30 includes input means such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel, and output means such as a monitor and a speaker. An instruction to start fluorescence detection is input through the input / output unit 30. In addition, the fluorescence image, the count value of the bright spot, the infection rate of malaria and the like are displayed on the input / output unit 30.

  The controller 40 includes a processing circuit such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a memory such as a read only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM), and controls each unit according to a program stored in the memory.

  The servo circuit 50 controls the objective lens actuator 207 based on the focus error signal FE and the tracking error signal TE generated by the signal arithmetic circuit 300 of FIG. Further, the servo circuit 50 controls the spindle motor 220 so that the zones Z0 to Zn shown in FIG. 3B are scanned by the beam spot B1 at the angular velocity set in each zone. Furthermore, the servo circuit 50 is a thread motor 240 for sending the fluorescence detection pickup 200 in the radial direction of the sample holding disc 100 so that the beam spot B1 can be scanned from the outermost position to the innermost position of the track 102c. Control.

  FIG. 10A is a flowchart showing an acquisition process of an address signal.

  First, the signal reproduction unit 12 acquires the signal of the header area HE1 from the signal detection unit 11 (S11), applies an error correction signal to the address signal in the acquired signal, and performs error correction processing (S12). If the error correction processing is appropriate (S13: YES), the signal reproduction unit 12 does not perform the reproduction processing of the address signal for the header area HE2, and transmits the address signal acquired by the error correction processing to the field F3 (FIG. 5). (A) Acquire as an address signal of (see S14) (S14), and end the processing. On the other hand, when the error correction processing is not appropriate (S13: NO), the signal reproducing unit 12 further acquires the signal of the header area HE2 (S15), applies the error correction signal to the address signal in the acquired signal, and generates an error. A correction process is performed (S16). If the error correction process is appropriate (S17: YES), the signal reproduction unit 12 acquires the address signal acquired by the error correction process as the address signal of the field F3 (see FIG. 5A) (S18). , End the process.

  In steps S12 and S16, error detection processing and error correction processing are performed using the error correction signals included in the header areas HE1 and HE2. If no error is detected in the address signal, the address signal included in the header areas HE1 and HE2 is determined to be correct. When an error is detected, an error bit in the address signal is extracted by an operation using an error correction signal, and the error bit is corrected. In addition, when determination of step S17 is NO, the controller 40 performs the scan with respect to the said track part Ta again.

  Although FIG. 10A shows the process of acquiring address signals for the header areas HE1 and HE2, the process of acquiring address signals for the footer areas FT1 and FT2 is the same as that of FIG. That is, in the process of acquiring address signals for the footer areas FT1 and FT2, steps S11 and S12 in FIG. 10A are replaced with processes for acquiring the signals of the footer areas FT1 and FT2, respectively.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the address signal is recorded in each of the header areas HE1 and HE2, the address signal can be obtained from the header area HE2 even when the address signal can not be properly read from the header area HE1. The same applies to the footer areas FT1 and FT2. Therefore, the address signal can be acquired more smoothly, and as a result, the processing for extracting the fluorescence signal can be smoothly advanced.

  FIG. 10 (b) is a flowchart showing tracking control.

  When the signal detection unit 11 detects the signal V3 (see FIG. 5A) (S21: YES), the servo circuit 50 maintains the tracking servo signal at the previous signal value (S22), and the time Ts1 elapses. Wait for (S23). Here, the time Ts1 is set to the time required for the beam spot B1 to leave the beginning of the field F5. Since the start end of the field F5 is at the boundary position of the sample storage unit 101b, the reflectance of the laser light largely changes at this position, and the tracking error signal is likely to be largely disturbed. If the tracking error signal is disturbed, the scanning position of the beam spot B1 may deviate from the target track to the next track or the like.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the tracking servo signal is maintained at the previous signal value (S22) until the beam spot B1 leaves the beginning of the field F5, that is, until the time Ts1 elapses (S22). I'm preventing it from coming off. As a result, the track 102c can be stably scanned with the laser light.

  When the time Ts1 has elapsed (S23: YES), the servo circuit 50 resumes the tracking servo (S24). Thereafter, when the time Ts2 has elapsed (S25: YES), the servo circuit 50 again maintains the tracking servo signal at the previous signal value (S26), and waits for the time Ts3 to elapse (S27). When the time Ts3 has elapsed (S27: YES), the servo circuit 50 resumes the tracking servo (S28).

  Here, the time Ts2 is set to the time required for the beam spot B1 to reach the position immediately before the end of the field F5. The time Ts3 is set to the time required for the beam spot B1 to leave the end of the field F5 from the position immediately before the end of the field F5.

  Thus, the purpose and effect of maintaining the tracking servo signal near the end of field F5 in the process of steps S25 to S27 is the purpose of maintaining the tracking servo signal near the beginning of field F5 in the process of steps S22 to S23 and It is the same as the effect. That is, this process also takes into consideration that the reflectance of the laser light is largely changed at the end of the field F5, and the tracking error signal is likely to be largely disturbed. By these processes, the track 102c can be stably scanned, and as a result, the fluorescence signal extraction process can be smoothly advanced.

  In step S27, it is determined that the time Ts3 for reaching the end of the field F5 has elapsed, but a predetermined signal is further recorded before the end of the field F5, and the process is performed by detecting this signal. It may be transferred to

  FIG. 11 (a) is a flowchart showing a process of cutting out a fluorescence signal.

  When the signal detection unit 11 detects the signal V3 (see FIG. 5A) (S31: YES), the cutout unit 13 starts the cutout of the fluorescence signal (S32). Thereafter, when the signal detection unit 11 detects the signal Vs (see FIG. 5A) (S33: YES), the cutout unit 13 ends the cutout of the fluorescence signal (S34).

  In the process of FIG. 11A, the extraction of the fluorescence signal is started immediately when the signal V3 is detected. However, as in FIG. 10B, a predetermined time (for example, time Ts1) is detected after the signal V3 is detected. The cutout unit 13 may be configured such that the cutout of the fluorescence signal is started after the lapse of. Further, in the process of FIG. 11A, the extraction of the fluorescence signal is ended in response to the detection of the signal Vs, but as in FIG. 10B, the fluorescence is performed at the timing immediately before the end of the field F5. The cutout unit 13 may be configured to end the signal extraction.

  FIG. 11 (b) is a flowchart showing invalidation processing of the cutout signal.

  The controller 40 acquires an address signal reproduced from the header areas HE1 and HE2 and an address signal reproduced from the footer areas FT1 and FT2 while scanning one track portion Ta (S41, 42). The controller 40 determines whether or not the two address signals acquired in this way do not match (S43). If the two address signals do not match (S43: YES), the controller 40 invalidates the fluorescence signal group cut out from the track portion Ta (S44), and scans the track portion Ta again with laser light to perform fluorescence A process of cutting out a signal is executed (S45). If the two address signals match (S43: NO), the controller 40 ends the process without invalidating the fluorescence signal group cut out from the track portion Ta.

  If the address signals acquired in steps S41 and S42 do not match, it is considered that the beam spot B1 of the laser beam deviates from the groove 111 and moves to another groove while scanning the groove 111 overlapping the sample storage unit 101b. In this case, the fluorescence signal group cut out during that time is acquired across two track portions, and does not become a group of fluorescence signals acquired from one track portion.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the process of FIG. 11B is performed to move the beam spot B1 of the laser beam out of the groove 111 to another groove while scanning the groove 111 overlapping the sample storage unit 101b. If there is a fear, the signals acquired in the meantime are nullified and the fluorescence signal is extracted again. As a result, a group of fluorescent signals can be properly acquired from one track portion Ta.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the process of cutting out a fluorescence signal.

  The cutout unit 13 samples the fluorescence signal output from the fluorescence detection pickup 200 while the laser light scans the field F5 in synchronization with a timing signal (sampling clock) having a predetermined period, and samples values at each timing. To get The upper part of FIG. 12 shows a timing signal for sampling, and the lower part of FIG. 12 is cut out from a group of track portions Ta (track numbers T0 to Tm) included in the same area in the same zone. Signal groups are shown schematically. Here, m signal groups SP1 to SPk are obtained from one track portion Ta.

  In the example of FIG. 12, it is assumed that erythrocytes infected with malaria are present in the sample at the scanning timing of the signal SP5 while the track portion Ta of the track number T1 is scanned by the laser light. . In this case, the sampling value of the signal SP5 of the track number T1 is high, and the sampling values of the signals around this signal are also high. In FIG. 12, the higher the sample value, the higher the hatching density.

  The image processing circuit 20 of FIG. 9 arranges the signal group of a group of track portions Ta included in the same area and in the same area in the order of scanning order and track number based on the signal group and the address signal input from the overlapping unit 14 A fluorescence image is generated for one sample storage unit 101b. The image processing circuit 20 analyzes the thus-generated fluorescence image to count the number of fluorescent spots, ie, the number of red blood cells infected with malaria, and based on the count value, malaria infection of red blood cells contained in the sample is performed. Calculate the rate. The image processing circuit 20 outputs the acquired count value and the infection rate to the input / output unit 30 together with the fluorescence image. As a result, the input / output unit 30 displays the fluorescence image, the number of detected malaria, the malaria infection rate, and the like.

  Next, the synchronization adjustment pit recorded in the groove 111 of the field F5 will be described.

  As described with reference to FIG. 12, in the fluorescence signal extraction process, the fluorescence signals are sampled according to the timing signal having a predetermined cycle, and the signal groups SP1 to SPk are acquired. In this case, the sample holding disc 100 is rotated at a constant angular velocity for each zone as described above. However, when the sample-holding disc 100 is rotationally driven, unevenness in angular velocity may occur. For this reason, when a fluorescence image is generated by the process of FIG. 12, distortion in the scanning direction may occur in the signal of one row of each track due to the rotation unevenness, and as a result, the accuracy of the fluorescence image may decrease.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, pits 113 for synchronization adjustment are formed in the grooves 111 of the field F5, and distortions occurring in the fluorescence image are corrected using the pits.

  FIG. 13 (a) shows a signal format set in the field F5, and FIG. 13 (b) schematically shows a configuration of the synchronization adjustment pit SB1.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, in the field F5, six synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 are arranged uniformly at constant angular intervals. In all zones and tracks, the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 are radially aligned. The other synchronization adjustment pits SB2 to SB6 are similarly configured.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, the synchronization adjustment pit SB1 is composed of a plurality of pits 113. In FIG. 13B, six pits 113 are shown as the synchronization adjustment pits SB1. However, in practice, the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 are formed from several tens of pits. The synchronization adjustment pit SB1 is formed of a combination of a unique pit length and a land length which can not exist in other pit trains recorded in the groove 111. As shown in FIG. 13B, both ends of each pit 113 of the synchronization adjustment pit SB1 are aligned in the radial direction in all zones and tracks.

  Although the configuration of the synchronization adjustment pit SB1 is illustrated in FIG. 13B, the synchronization adjustment pits SB2 to SB6 also have the same content and configuration as the synchronization adjustment pit SB1. That is, both ends of each pit 113 of the synchronization adjustment pits SB2 to SB6 are also aligned in the radial direction in all zones and tracks.

  A signal group obtained by sampling the signal output from the light detector 210 in the same manner as the fluorescence image while scanning the field F5 of the groove 111 with a laser beam is connected to form one image (hereinafter referred to as "signal light image"). The synchronization adjustment pit SB1 can be detected by image processing from the acquired and acquired signal light image.

  In this case, the configuration of the fluorescence detection device 1 is changed as shown in FIG. That is, in the configuration of FIG. 14, the cutout unit 15 and the superimposing unit 16 are further added to the signal processing circuit 10 of FIG. 9, and the address signal is superimposed on the signal group obtained by sampling the signal output from the light detector 210. It is output to the image processing circuit 20. The image processing circuit 20 connects the input signal groups to generate a signal light image corresponding to the fluorescence image. Then, the image processing circuit 20 processes the generated signal light image to detect synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 of each track on the signal light image.

  When the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 are detected by image processing as described above, the image of one synchronization adjustment pit has a remarkably high correlation coefficient at the position aligned with the reference image of the synchronization adjustment pit, and the synchronization adjustment pit When the reference image deviates in the scanning direction from the reference image, the correlation coefficient is adjusted to be significantly low at any position. The synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 are formed of pit patterns that satisfy such a correlation with the reference image in detection by image processing.

  FIG. 15A is a diagram schematically showing the detection positions of the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 on the signal light image by solid lines.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, the deviation amount between the tracks of the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 becomes gradually larger as it progresses from the signal extraction start position to the lower side in the scanning direction. According to the study of the present inventors, the shift amount between the adjacent tracks of the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 linearly increases as the position in the scanning direction from the cutout start position changes. Further, according to the study of the present inventors, the deviation between adjacent tracks of the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 repeats maximum and minimum every 8 to 10 tracks, and the deviation remains within the range of 100 pixels. The

  Note that FIG. 15A schematically shows that the detection positions of the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 simply change due to the rotation unevenness of the sample storage disc 100 for the convenience of description. As in the above-mentioned inventors of the present invention, the amount of deviation between the adjacent tracks of the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 repeats maximum and minimum every 8 to 10 tracks.

  The image processing circuit 20 of FIG. 14 corrects the fluorescence image based on the distribution of the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 on the signal light image shown in FIG. Specifically, the image processing circuit 20 corrects the fluorescence image so that the cutout signals at the positions corresponding to the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 on the fluorescence image are aligned in one row in the disc radial direction. .

  FIG.15 (b), (c) is a figure which shows typically the correction process of a fluorescence image. For convenience, in FIGS. 15B and 15C, the detection positions of the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 are indicated by broken lines.

  For example, among the signal groups of track numbers T0 to Tm, the image processing circuit 20 selects a signal group (hereinafter referred to as a “reference signal group”) whose position corresponding to the lowest synchronization adjustment pit SB6 is the lowest. Interpolation processing is performed on signals of other track numbers (hereinafter referred to as “correction signal group”) as a reference. That is, the image processing circuit 20 determines the amount of deviation between the signal at the position corresponding to the synchronization adjustment pit SB6 in the reference signal group and the signal at the position corresponding to the synchronization adjustment pit SB6 in the correction signal group, The gaps of the number of interpolation signals for eliminating the quantity are equally distributed at regular intervals in the range from the cutout start position of the correction signal group to the position corresponding to the synchronization adjustment pit SB6. At this time, the image processing circuit 20 applies the process of repeatedly distributing the gaps of the interpolation signal at constant intervals also to the range of the signal group after the synchronization adjustment pit SB6, and Distribution of the gaps of the interpolation signal based on

  Then, the image processing circuit 20 adds, to the distributed gap, an interpolation signal (for example, an average value of the front and back signals) based on the signals before and after the gap. By the above processing, the image processing circuit 20 acquires the fluorescence image after the interpolation processing shown in FIG. 15C from the fluorescence image before the correction shown in FIG. Since a new signal is inserted in the signal group of each track by the interpolation processing, as shown in FIG. 15C, the period of the signal group of each track is longer than that before the correction. The image processing circuit 20 extracts, from the fluorescence image after interpolation processing, only the fluorescence signal group in the range of the clipping period Tsp similar to the fluorescence image before correction, and uses the image by the extracted fluorescence signal group as the fluorescence image after correction. get.

  In the above-described interpolation processing, among the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6, the shift amount between the reference signal group and the correction signal group is obtained using the synchronization adjustment pit SB6, but synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 other than the synchronization adjustment pit SB6 The shift amount between the reference signal group and the correction signal group may be determined using any one of SB5. As described above, in the present inventors' verification, the amount of deviation between adjacent tracks linearly increases as the position in the scanning direction changes from the cutout start position. Therefore, even when the shift amount between the reference signal group and the correction signal group is obtained using any of the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB5, the distance from the extraction start position of the correction signal group to the position corresponding to the synchronization adjustment pit A gap is evenly distributed in the range at a constant interval, and the gap is distributed at the same interval in the range from the position corresponding to the synchronous adjustment pit to the cutout end position, and the shift amount is detected using the synchronous adjustment pit SB6 A gap for interpolation can be inserted in the entire correction signal group at the same interval as in the case where the correction is performed. The same interpolation processing as described above can be performed when any of the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB5 is used.

  As described above, when performing the interpolation process using only one of the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6, the six synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 are not limited to the field F5 as shown in FIG. It is not necessary to arrange, and in principle, any one of the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 may be arranged in the field F5. However, when only one synchronization adjustment pit is arranged in the field F5, if the synchronization adjustment pit can not be detected from any one track in the same zone, the correction process of the signal group can not be performed on the track. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13A, if a plurality of synchronization adjustment pits are arranged in the field F5, the probability that at least one synchronization adjustment pit can be detected from one track is increased. It is possible to reduce the probability that a signal group that can not be processed exists. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13A, by disposing the plurality of synchronization adjustment pits in the field F5, distortion of the fluorescence image based on the rotation unevenness of the sample holding disc 100 can be suppressed more smoothly.

  In the correction process shown in FIGS. 15 (a) to 15 (c), for convenience of explanation, the reference image of the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 and the signal light image are compared in advance, and the synchronization shown in FIG. Distributions of the adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 were obtained. However, the method of detecting synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 is not limited to this, and synchronization is performed based on the correlation between the signal waveform acquired from one track and the signal waveform acquired from a track adjacent to this track. The adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 may be detected.

  That is, when a signal waveform that repeats UP / DOWN in a predetermined period is acquired from one track, for a track adjacent to this track, about 100 pixels in the scanning direction centering on the timing when this signal waveform is acquired. In the range, the correlation coefficient between the signal waveform and the signal of the adjacent track is determined, and the position where the calculated correlation coefficient is significantly high is specified as the position of the synchronization adjustment pit in the adjacent track. Then, the difference between the position specified as the adjacent track and the position where the signal waveform is obtained in the track is obtained as the shift amount of the synchronization adjustment pit in these two tracks.

  The positions of the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 may not necessarily be detected by image processing the signal light image as described above. For example, in the scanning period of the field F5, the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB1 are not The synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 may be detected depending on whether or not the waveform (bit signal) corresponding to SB6 is obtained. Further, the correction process of the fluorescence image is not limited to the interpolation process as described above, and other processes may be used. For example, only part of the circumferential direction of the field F5 may be cut out, and only the left and right positions may be corrected using the amount of deviation. For example, the image is divided every 1000 pixels in the circumferential direction, each shift amount at each divided image center (the 500th pixel) is obtained by linear interpolation based on the distance from the synchronization adjustment pit, and the track is calculated based on this value. The pixels may be adjusted to the left and right each time.

  When interpolation processing is used, the signal group acquired in the scanning period of the field F5 is not deleted except for the signal group in the vicinity of the scanning end position. It is possible to suppress deletion of the fluorescence signal cut out at the timing of light scanning. Therefore, target cells such as malaria can be detected more properly.

<Effect of the embodiment>
According to the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the sample storage portion 101b is disposed such that two boundaries in the circumferential direction of the disk radially extend from the center of the disk. Therefore, when the sample holding disc 100 is rotated at a constant angular velocity, the period for scanning the range of the sample holding portion 101b is substantially constant regardless of which track portion Ta overlapping one sample holding portion 101b is scanned with laser light. It becomes. Thereby, in the fluorescence detection apparatus 1 as described above, the signal V3 and the signal Vs (see FIG. 5A) recorded in advance in the track are respectively detected, and a period between two timings at which these signals are detected, That is, in a period in which the range of the sample storage unit 101b is scanned, the fluorescence signal is sampled at a predetermined interval and cut out, so that a series of fluorescence image fragments along one track portion Ta is transferred to the sample storage unit 101b. It can be obtained from a contained sample. By connecting the fragments obtained in this manner as shown in FIG. 12, a fluorescence image of the entire sample storage unit 101b can be obtained.

  As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, since the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 are recorded in the field F5 in the track portion Ta, the synchronization adjustment signal detected from each track portion Ta is used. Based on this, it is possible to correct desynchronization of fragments of the fluorescence signal acquired from one track portion Ta. Therefore, the quality of the fluorescence image can be enhanced, and target cells contained in the sample can be detected with high accuracy by image processing.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, by forming the pits 113 in the groove 111, a signal for synchronization adjustment is recorded. By recording signals in the pits 113 as described above, cutting at the time of disc formation can be easily performed as compared with the case where the groove 111 is wobbled in the radial direction of the disc to record the signals.

  The sample holding disc 100 is divided into areas A0 to A8 in the circumferential direction of the disc, and in each area, two boundaries in the circumferential direction of the disc radially extend from the center of the disc. The sample storage unit 101b is disposed in each of the areas A0 to A8, and the track portion Ta included in each area straddles the sample storage unit. Thus, when the sample-holding disc 100 is rotated at a constant angular velocity, all track portions Ta included in each area are scanned in the same time length. Therefore, the same signal format can be applied uniformly to all track portions Ta.

  The angular ranges of the areas A0 to A8 in the disc circumferential direction are set equal to one another. For this reason, a fluorescence signal can be cut out from all the areas A0 to A8 by the same processing.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the sample holding disc 100 is divided into a plurality of zones Z0 to Zn in the disc radial direction, and a signal is recorded at a constant angular velocity on the track portion Ta of each zone. . Here, the angular velocities of the zones Z0 to Zn are set such that the linear velocities of the track portions Ta located at the central position in the disk radial direction of the respective zones become the same. By setting the plurality of zones Z0 to Zn in this manner and adjusting the angular velocity between the zones, it is possible to suppress the difference between the linear velocity on the inner circumferential side of the disk and the linear velocity on the outer circumferential side of the disk. On the other hand, the extraction of the fluorescence signal and the readout of the signal from the track portion Ta can be stably performed.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A, 6E, and 6F, in the track portion Ta, a signal indicating a zone including the track portion Ta, and the position of the track portion in the disk radial direction in the zone A signal indicating (track number) and a signal indicating the position (area) of the track portion Ta in the disk circumferential direction are recorded as address signals. Thus, the position of each track portion Ta on the disk can be accurately identified.

2. Embodiment 2
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing grooves and lands of each zone according to the second embodiment, developed linearly.

  In the above embodiment, the groove 111 is spirally continuous from the outermost periphery to the innermost periphery. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, in the track 102c of the detection area 102g, the groove 111 and the land 112 are alternately replaced each time the area is switched in the circumferential direction. Also in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, nine areas A0 to A8 are set in the disk circumferential direction on the sample holding disc 100. Therefore, when the track 102c starting from the groove 111 makes one turn, the track 102c on the next round starts from the land 112. Further, in the same area, the groove 111 and the land 112 are alternately repeated in the disc radial direction. Here, the number of tracks of each zone is set so that all the tracks 102c of the track number T0 of each zone start from the groove 111.

  In the above embodiment, only the groove 111 is scanned by the laser light, but in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the track 102c is formed by repeating the groove 111 and the land 112, so Grooves 111 and lands 112 are alternately scanned. Therefore, the area which was the land 112 in the above embodiment is also scanned by the laser light in the second embodiment. Therefore, the area scanned by the laser light is doubled as compared with the above embodiment, and the scanning density with respect to the sample storage unit 101b is also doubled. Therefore, the cut-out density of the fluorescence signal is also doubled with respect to the above embodiment, and in the second embodiment, a higher definition fluorescence image can be obtained.

  FIG. 17A is a view showing the format of each field set in the track portion Ta of one area according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 17A, also in the second embodiment, the signal is recorded only on the track portion Ta formed of the groove 111, and the signal is not recorded on the track portion Ta formed of the land 112. The format of the signal recorded in the track portion Ta formed of the groove 111 is the same as the format of FIG. 5A in the first embodiment.

  The reason why the signal is not recorded on the track portion Ta formed of the lands 112 is as follows. That is, when a signal is recorded on the track portion Ta of the land 112, when the track portion Ta of the groove 111 is scanned with the beam spot B1 and a signal is read, the track portion Ta of the land 112 adjacent thereto is simultaneously read. The beam spot B 1 is applied, and the light is modulated by the track portion Ta formed of the lands 112. As a result, the reproduction RF signal from the track portion Ta consisting of the groove 111 to be read originally is disturbed, and the signal can not be properly acquired. For this reason, in the second embodiment, the signal is recorded only on the track portion Ta formed of the groove 111.

  When the track portion Ta formed of the groove 111 is scanned with laser light, the control of FIGS. 10B to 11B is performed using various signals recorded in the track portion Ta as they are. On the other hand, when the track portion Ta consisting of the lands 112 is scanned with laser light, the signals V3 and Vs recorded in the track portion Ta adjacent to the track portion Ta in the radial direction of the disc are used. The control of FIG. 11 (b) and FIG. 11 (a) is performed, and the address signal recorded in the track portion Ta adjacent on the upper side and the lower side with respect to the track portion Ta is used. Control is performed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 14A, also in the second embodiment, the fields F1, F4, F6, and F9 are aligned in the disk radial direction in the track portion Ta formed of the grooves 111 aligned in the disk radial direction. There is. In the fields F1, F4, F6, and F9, the same signal is recorded in the track portion Ta formed of the grooves 111 aligned in the disc radial direction.

  Therefore, when the track portion Ta consisting of the lands 112 is scanned with the beam spot B1, the portions on both sides in the disk radial direction of the beam spot B1 hang over two adjacent track portions Ta, and the fields of these track portions Ta Although modulated by the signals recorded in F1, F4, F6 and F9, portions on both sides of the beam spot B1 will be similarly modulated by these signals. Therefore, even when the track portion Ta consisting of the lands 112 is scanned with laser light, the fields F1, F4, F6, and F9 of the track portion Ta adjacent to the track portion Ta in the disc radial direction are recorded. Signal can be read properly.

  Therefore, in the second embodiment, even when the track portion Ta formed of the lands 112 is scanned with laser light, the signals V3 and Vs are properly acquired from the track portion Ta adjacent in the disk radial direction. Therefore, even when the track portion Ta formed of the lands 112 is scanned with the laser light, the control of FIGS. 10B and 11A is the same as the case where the track portion Ta formed of the grooves 111 is scanned with the laser light. It can be done.

  The signals recorded in the fields F3 and F8 of FIG. 14A, that is, the address signals are different in the track portions Ta adjacent in the radial direction of the disc. Therefore, when the track portion Ta consisting of the lands 112 is scanned with laser light, the address signal should be properly acquired from the fields F3 and F8 of the track portion Ta adjacent to the track portion Ta in the radial direction of the disk. I can not

  For this reason, in the second embodiment, with respect to the track portion Ta consisting of the lands 112, the address signal acquired from the footer areas FT1 and FT2 of the track portion Ta adjacent to the upper side with respect to the track portion Ta The process of FIG. 11B is performed based on the address signal acquired from the header areas HE1 and HE2 of the track portion Ta adjacent to the lower side with respect to Ta.

  That is, in step S41, an address signal is obtained from the header areas HE1 and HE2 of the track portion Ta located on the lower side of the track portion Ta composed of the lands 112, and in step S42 is located on the upper side of the track portion Ta composed of the lands 112. An address signal is acquired from the footer areas FT1 and FT2 of the track portion Ta. Then, in step S43, it is determined whether or not the relationship between the two address signals is appropriate. That is, when the zone numbers of the two address signals match the track numbers and the area numbers are continuous, it is determined that the relationship between the two address signals is appropriate. If the relationship between the two address signals is not appropriate (S43: YES), the processes after step S44 are performed.

  Also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, both ends of each pit 113 of the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 recorded in the field 5 of the groove 111 are aligned in the radial direction in all zones and tracks. . Therefore, even when the beam spot B1 scans the field F5 of the land 112 in the signal format of the second embodiment, each of the synchronization adjustment pits SB2 to SB6 formed in the groove 111 adjacent to the land 112 in the disc radial direction. Both ends of the beam spot B1 are simultaneously applied to the pits 113, and each pit 113 can be properly detected. Therefore, even when the field F5 of the land 112 is scanned by the beam spot B1, the synchronization adjustment pits SB1 to SB6 can be properly detected. Therefore, even when the beam spot B1 scans the field F5 of the land 112, the process described with reference to FIGS. 15A to 15C can be similarly performed, and the rotation unevenness of the sample storage disc 100 is caused. The distortion of the fluorescence image can be corrected as well.

  In the second embodiment, each time the scanning position of the beam spot B1 passes the boundary between the groove 111 and the land 112, the region of the beam spot B1 modulated by the groove 111 is the center position of the beam spot B1 and the disc. It switches between both radial positions. Therefore, it is necessary to invert the polarity of the tracking error signal TE every time the scanning position of the beam spot B1 passes the boundary between the groove 111 and the land 112.

  FIG. 17B is a diagram showing a configuration for inverting the polarity of the tracking error signal according to the second embodiment. FIG. 17C is a view schematically showing the beam scanning and the polarity inversion timing of the tracking error signal according to the second embodiment. The polarity reversing unit 51 is provided in the servo circuit 50 shown in FIG. The signal detection unit 11 is provided in the signal processing circuit 10 shown in FIG.

  When the signal En recorded at the end of the track portion Ta is detected by the signal detection unit 11, the polarity inversion unit 51 inverts the polarity of the tracking error signal TE and supplies it to the circuit unit for tracking servo. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 17C, the polarity of the tracking error signal TE is inverted at the timing when the beam spot B1 passes the boundary between the track portion Ta of the groove 111 and the track portion Ta of the land 112. Be done. By thus reversing the polarity of the tracking error signal, even if the scanning position shifts from the groove 111 to the land 112, the beam spot B1 can be positioned on the track 102c without deviation. Therefore, the fluorescence signal can be cut out stably.

  As described above, also in the second embodiment, the same effect as the first embodiment can be exhibited. In addition, in the second embodiment, as described above, since the region which was the land 112 in the first embodiment is also scanned by the laser light, the region scanned by the laser light is 2 compared to the first embodiment. The scanning density with respect to the sample storage unit 101b is also doubled. Therefore, the cut-out density of the fluorescence signal is also doubled as compared with the first embodiment, and a higher definition fluorescence image can be obtained.

<Modification example>
In the first and second embodiments, the area of the sample holding disc 100 is divided into nine in the circumferential direction of the disc, but the number of the area of the sample holding disc 100 in the circumferential direction of the disc is not limited to this. . However, when the grooves 111 and the lands 112 are alternately arranged not only in the circumferential direction of the disk but also in the radial direction of the disk as in the second embodiment, it is necessary to assign an odd number of areas to the sample holding disk 100. In this case, by setting the number of areas allocated to the sample holding disc 100 to an odd number of 3 or more, fluorescence images can be obtained for a plurality of types of samples.

  The shape of the sample storage portion 101b and the internal structure of the sample storage portion 101b can also be changed as appropriate in addition to the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b). Furthermore, also for the signal format set for one track portion Ta, it is possible to appropriately delete or change a predetermined field from the format of FIG. 5A or to add a new field. For example, both ends of the field F5 do not necessarily have to coincide with the two boundaries aligned in the disk circumferential direction of the sample storage portion 101b as in the first and second embodiments, and the range between the two boundaries It may be set somewhat wide. Also, the contents of the signals recorded in each field can be changed as appropriate from those shown in FIGS. 6 (a) to 6 (f).

  The shape of the sample storage area 101b in plan view does not have to be trapezoidal, for example, after extending from the inner circumferential position to the outer circumferential direction, it is bent in the circumferential direction and then extends in the inner circumferential direction in plan view It may be U-shaped. In this case, the range of the field F5 shown in FIG. 5A may include a portion that does not overlap the sample holding area 101b. The synchronization adjustment pit may be disposed in the portion of the field F5 which does not overlap the sample holding area 101b.

  Furthermore, the signal of each field may not necessarily be recorded in the groove 111, and the signal of each field may be recorded on the land 112 instead of the groove 111. Further, a CAPA signal found in groove-shaped wobble, DVD-RAM or the like may be further applied. In addition to this, the configuration of the fluorescence detection pickup 200 can be changed as appropriate from the configuration of FIG. 7.

  When the synchronization adjustment pit is not formed, a fluorescence signal is generated by the same method as described above using a pit row formed in the upper or lower field (for example, fields F4 and F6) of field F5. It is also possible to correct the synchronization of the signal group that has been extracted. That is, from the detection timing of the pit string recorded in these fields, the synchronization deviation of the signal group of each track is determined, and the correction is performed so that the signal group of each track becomes synchronized according to the acquired synchronization deviation.

  Various modifications can be made as appropriate to the embodiments of the present invention within the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims.

1 ... fluorescence detection device 11 ... signal detection unit 13 ... cutout unit 20 ... image processing circuit (image processing unit)
100 ... sample containing disc 101b ... sample containing part 102 ... second substrate (substrate)
102c ... Track 111 ... Groove 113 ... Pit 200 ... Pickup for fluorescence detection (scanning section)
211 ... fluorescence detector 220 ... spindle motor (scanning unit)
240 ... thread motor (scanner)
Ta ... Track part A0 to A8 ... Area Z0 to Zn ... Zones SB1 to SB6 ... Synchronization adjustment pit

Claims (11)

A sample receiving disc for receiving a sample, wherein
A substrate,
A track formed on the top surface of the substrate so as to pivot about a disc center;
And a sample storage unit disposed above the track for storing a sample.
In a track portion straddling the sample storage unit, a signal for synchronization adjustment is recorded by a pit row in at least one place in an area overlapping the range from the start position to the end position of the sample storage unit in the disc scanning direction. In the track portions aligned in the radial direction, the pits of the pit row are aligned in the disk radial direction.
A sample storage disc characterized by; In the sample storage disc according to claim 1,
The sample storage portion is a sample storage disc in which two boundaries in the disk circumferential direction respectively extend radially from the center of the disk. In the sample holding disc according to claim 1 or 2,
A signal indicating the start of the sample storage portion is recorded on the upper side of the sample storage portion in the scanning direction of the track portion so as to be aligned in the disc radial direction, and the lower portion of the sample storage portion in the scanning direction of the track portion The sample storage disc, wherein a signal indicating the end of the sample storage portion is recorded on the side so as to be aligned in the disc radial direction. The sample storage disc according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The area of the sample-containing disc on which the track is formed is divided into a plurality of areas in the disc circumferential direction, and in each area, two boundaries aligned in the disc circumferential direction extend radially from the disc center, respectively.
The sample accommodating disk is disposed in each of the plurality of areas, and the portion of the track included in each of the areas constitutes the track portion straddling the sample accommodating portion. In the sample storage disc according to claim 4,
The sample storage disc, wherein the plurality of areas have angular ranges in the circumferential direction of the disc set equal to one another. The sample storage disc according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
A sample storage disc, wherein signals indicating the start position and the end position of the track portion are recorded at both ends of the track portion aligned in the disk radial direction so as to be aligned in the disk radial direction. The sample storage disc according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The track is divided into a plurality of zones in the radial direction of the disc;
A sample storage disc in which a signal is recorded at a constant angular velocity on the track portion of each zone. In the sample holding disc according to claim 7,
The angular velocity of each zone is set so that the linear velocity of the track located at the center position in the disk radial direction of each zone is equal to each other. The sample storage disc according to claim 7 or 8
In the track portion, a signal indicating the zone including the track portion, a signal indicating the position in the disk radial direction of the track portion in the zone, and a signal indicating the position in the disk circumferential direction of the track portion A sample storage disc recorded as an address signal indicating the position of a track portion. A fluorescence detection apparatus that irradiates light to a sample holding disk that holds a sample and detects fluorescence generated by the irradiation of the light,
The sample storage disc is
A substrate,
A track formed on the top surface of the substrate so as to pivot about a disc center;
And a sample storage unit disposed above the track for storing a sample.
In a track portion straddling the sample storage unit, a signal for synchronization adjustment is recorded by a pit row in at least one place in an area overlapping the range from the start position to the end position of the sample storage unit in the disc scanning direction. In the track portions aligned in the radial direction, the pits of the pit row are aligned in the disk radial direction,
A scanning unit that scans the track with the light;
A light detection unit that receives the light reflected from the sample storage disc;
A signal detection unit that detects a signal recorded in the track portion based on a signal from the light detection unit;
A fluorescence detection unit that receives the fluorescence generated from the sample stored in the sample storage unit by scanning the track with the light and outputs a detection signal according to the amount of received light;
A cutout unit that samples and cuts out the detection signal output from the fluorescence detection unit at a predetermined interval;
A fluorescence detection apparatus comprising: an image processing unit that corrects out-of-synchronization of the signal group extracted by the cutout unit based on the synchronization adjustment signal detected by the signal detection unit. In the fluorescence detection device according to claim 10,
The sample storage disc is recorded on the upper side of the sample storage portion in the scanning direction of the track portion such that a signal indicating the start of the sample storage portion is aligned in the disc radial direction, and the track portion in the scanning direction A signal indicating the end of the sample storage unit is recorded on the lower side of the sample storage unit so as to be aligned in the disk radial direction.
The said detection part starts and complete | finishes the sampling of the said detection signal based on the signal which shows the said start acquired by the said signal acquisition part, and the signal which shows the said end.

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