JP5058320B2 - Blood imaging apparatus and blood imaging method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a blood imaging apparatus and blood imaging how.

Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic blood cell analyzer that can automatically perform blood cell counting and morphological blood cell classification simultaneously from the same sample.
This blood cell automatic analyzer is configured by applying blood from a blood sample on a slide glass and then staining the blood sample to create a blood sample and identifying and classifying a blood cell image on the blood sample, and the blood cell sample. It has an automatic blood cell counting system that measures the number of blood cells in a certain volume, and reports the results of blood cell counting and blood cell classification at the same time.

  More specifically, in this blood cell analyzer, the specimen is magnified with an optical microscope, captured as a blood cell image with a camera, the characteristic amount of the blood cell is calculated and extracted with a feature extraction circuit, and classified into various blood cells. Further, this blood cell automatic analyzer sorts and counts blood cells based on hemoglobin concentration, white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet detection signals.

In this automatic blood cell analyzer, a signal is sent from the microcomputer to the input / output controller for a sample whose blood cell count exceeds the normal range preset in the microcomputer and is suspected of being an abnormal value.
The input / output controller confirms the ID of the abnormal specimen and designates the number of blood cells in the blood cell classification as twice or three times as large as that of the specimen with the matching ID, or determines the blood cell exploration method on the specimen. In particular, since it is said that the existence ratio of abnormal spheres is high at the end portion of the smear surface, a method of searching for this specific range in detail is taken to increase the detection sensitivity of abnormal blood cells.
JP 60-162955 A

  In the blood cell automatic analyzer, the abnormality of the specimen is determined based on the calculation information of “blood cell count”, the blood cell classification blood cell count is specified as twice or three times, or the blood cell exploration method on the specimen However, in the specimen abnormality determination based on the number of blood cells, there is a problem that it is not possible to appropriately set conditions such as specifying the number of blood cells and changing the blood cell exploration method.

Specifically, when abnormality of a specimen is determined based on the blood cell count, a specimen with a normal blood cell count but abnormal blood cells cannot be determined as an abnormal specimen, and the conditions cannot be changed appropriately.
In addition, when the abnormality of the sample is determined based on the “blood cell count”, a sample in which the blood cell count slightly exceeds the normal range but no abnormal blood cell appears and is normal is determined as an abnormal sample. Incorrect setting.

  In other words, the blood cell count is one measure of whether or not the sample is abnormal (for example, if the white blood cell count exceeds the normal number, there is a suspicion of leukemia), but the blood cell count is It is not direct information indicating the possibility of appearance of abnormal cells in a sample, and is not a reliable measure of whether or not an abnormal sample is present.

  That is, even if the leukocyte count increases due to leukemia, the leukocyte count decreases to the normal range due to medication treatment or the like. In this case, conditions for blood classification should be set as an abnormal specimen in which abnormal blood cells exist even if the white blood cell count is in a normal range.

  Or, even a normal person who is not leukemia, the white blood cell count may exceed the normal range depending on the condition, but if there is no abnormal blood cell, it is sufficient to set the conditions for blood classification as a normal specimen However, it is not preferable to inappropriately set the blood classification condition for the abnormal specimen.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to set imaging conditions more appropriately based on blood cell analysis information.

[Blood imaging device]
The present invention relating to a blood imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit that images blood cells contained in a blood sample smeared with blood, and an acquisition unit that acquires blood cell analysis information obtained by analyzing the blood with a blood cell analyzer. When the blood cell analysis information acquired by the acquisition means includes platelet aggregation information indicating the possibility of appearance of platelet aggregation in the blood, the blood is used for imaging the platelet aggregation included in the blood specimen. And a control unit that controls the imaging unit so as to image the peripheral portion of the specimen .

[Blood imaging method]
The present invention relating to a blood imaging method is a blood imaging method for imaging blood cells contained in a blood sample smeared with blood, and obtains blood cell analysis information obtained by analyzing the blood with a blood cell analyzer. When the obtained blood cell analysis information includes platelet aggregation information indicating the possibility of appearance of platelet aggregation in the blood, the peripheral portion of the blood sample is used to image platelet aggregation contained in the blood sample. Is taken .

According to the present invention, it is possible to set more appropriate imaging condition as compared with the case of setting an imaging condition at the blood cell count.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[Entire system configuration]
In the present embodiment, a blood image analyzer 1 that performs imaging and analysis of blood will be described as a specific example of the blood imaging device. FIG. 1 shows the overall system configuration including a blood image analyzer 1. This system is installed in a blood test facility such as a hospital, and various devices are connected via a network (LAN) 2.
As equipment in the system, in addition to the blood image analyzer 1, a blood analyzer 3, a specimen preparation device 4, a linkage unit 5, a host computer 6, a centralized review terminal device 7, and the like are provided.

[Configuration of blood analyzer]
The blood analyzer 3 is configured as an automatic blood cell analyzer that performs measurement and analysis of results on predetermined items (multiple items) in blood.
As shown in FIG. 2, the blood analyzer 3 includes a measurement unit for performing various measurements such as an RF / DC detection method, a sheath flow DC detection method, a flow cytometry method using a semiconductor laser, and an SLS-hemoglobin method. 31, an analysis unit 32 for performing analysis based on the measurement result of the measurement unit 31, and a determination unit 33 for performing determination on a predetermined determination item based on the analysis result and generating blood analysis information.

The blood analyzer 3 can perform various measurements related to blood by the measurement unit 31.
Specifically, in the measurement unit 31, RBC / PLT measurement (counting by sheath flow DC detection method) that measures the number of red blood cells and platelets in blood, and HGB measurement (SLS-hemoglobin method) that measures the amount of hemoglobin in blood The analysis unit 32 can calculate the erythrocyte constant (average erythrocyte volume, average erythrocyte hemoglobin amount, average erythrocyte hemoglobin concentration) based on the measurement results RBC, HGB, and HCT. it can.

  Further, in the measurement unit 31, as the WBC fraction measurement, 4DIFF measurement (measurement by flow cytometry method) that fractionally measures a population of lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils and basophils in leukocytes. WBC / BASO measurement to measure the number of leukocytes in blood and basophils in leukocytes (measurement by flow cytometry method), IMI (Immature Information) measurement to measure immature sphere information (RF / DC) Detection by a detection method).

The analysis unit 32 can generate a 4DIFF scattergram, a WBC / BASO scattergram, and an IMI scattergram as the WBC analysis.
The 4DIFF scattergram is obtained by taking the side scattered light intensity by flow cytometry on the X-axis and the side fluorescence intensity on the Y-axis. Erythrocyte ghosts, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils And a fraction of a population of basophils.
The WBC / BASO scattergram is obtained by taking the side scattered light intensity by the flow cytometry method on the X axis and the forward scattered light intensity on the Y axis. The erythrocyte ghost, basophils in white blood cells, and other white blood cells ( A fraction of a population of lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils).
The IMI scattergram is a scattergram depicting the size of blood cells and the density inside the blood cells (such as the size of the nucleus) as a scattergram by the RF / DC method. Can be separated.

Further, the measurement unit 31 can perform NRBC measurement (measurement by flow cytometry method) that fractionally measures a population of nucleated red blood cells in blood cells, and the analysis unit 32 generates an NRBC scattergram as NRBC analysis. be able to.
The NRBC scattergram is based on flow cytometry with the side fluorescence intensity on the X axis and the forward scattered light intensity on the Y axis, and displays the fraction of the population of red blood cell ghosts, white blood cells, and nucleated red blood cells. It is.

Furthermore, the measurement unit 31 can perform RET measurement (measurement by flow cytometry) that fractionally measures a population of reticulocytes and platelets in a blood cell, and the analysis unit 32 performs an RET scattergram as a RET analysis. Can be generated.
The RET scattergram is obtained by taking the side fluorescence intensity by flow cytometry on the X axis and the forward scattered light intensity on the Y axis, fractionating mature red blood cells, reticulocytes, and platelets. Used to calculate red blood cell, red blood cell count, and platelet count.

  The analysis unit 32 can also perform RBC particle size distribution analysis and PLT particle size distribution analysis.

  Based on the above measurement / analysis results, the blood analyzer 3 uses the determination unit 33 to obtain blood analysis information including blood cell count information of white blood cells and other blood cells and abnormal cell information indicating the possibility of abnormal cells appearing. Can be generated.

[Blood analysis information generated by blood analyzer]
3 to 5 show a list of blood analysis information. This blood analysis information relates to blood cells of WBC (white blood cells), RBC (red blood cells), and PLT (platelets), and blood cell number information indicating abnormal blood cell counts (mainly a small number of blood cells). (Item with <Abnormal> in the ITEM column in FIGS. 3 to 5) and abnormal cell information indicating the possibility of the appearance of abnormal cells (item with <Suspect> in the ITEM column in FIGS. 3 to 5) Is provided.

  In the blood image analyzer 1 to be described later, WBC abnormal cell information (nucleated abnormality information) and PLT abnormal cell information (platelet aggregation information) are used for setting conditions. The abnormal cell information of WBC and PLT will be further described.

[Nucleated blood cell information]
WBC abnormal cell information includes Blast? (Blast), Immortal Gran? (Immature granulocytes), Left Shift? (Moving left), Atypical Lympho? (Atypical lymphocytes), Abn Lympho / L-Blasts? (Abnormal lymphocytes / lymphoblasts), NRBC? (Nucleated red blood cells), RBC Lyse resistance? This indicates the possibility of the appearance of immature cells of leukocytes that are not present in peripheral blood at normal times.

Here, as abnormal cell information regarding WBC, information indicating the possibility of the presence of NRBC (nucleated red blood cells; usually red blood cells do not have a nucleus) is included, and immature leukocytes (having a nucleus), ( Atypical lymphocytes (with nuclei) and nucleated red blood cells are collectively referred to as “nucleated abnormal blood cells”.
Also, information indicating the appearance of immature leukocytes is information on immature leukocytes, information indicating the possibility of appearance of atypical lymphocytes is information on atypical lymphocytes, and information indicating the possibility of appearance of nucleated red blood cells is nucleated. It is called red blood cell information, and these are collectively called nucleated abnormal blood cell information.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the nucleated abnormal blood cell information is determined from an image pattern or the like in a DIFF scattergram or an IMI scattergram. For example, the scattergram cannot be fractionated or does not normally appear in the scattergram. The possibility of the presence of abnormal nucleated blood cells is determined by the dots and the like appearing in FIG.

[Platelet aggregation information]
For PLT abnormal cell information (platelet aggregation information), PLT Clumps? (Platelet aggregation) and PLT Clumps? (Platelet aggregation), which indicates the possibility of the appearance of platelet aggregation that does not occur in normal times. Similar to the nucleated abnormal blood cell information, the platelet aggregation information is determined based on a scattergram or the like.

[Output of blood analysis information]
Blood analysis information (IP message) including nucleated abnormal blood cell information, platelet aggregation information and other information generated as described above is obtained from the blood analyzer 3 by analyzing the ID of the analyzed sample (specimen identification information of the sample). ) And the blood analysis information together with the specimen ID is accumulated in the storage unit (blood analysis information database) of the host computer.

[Specimen preparation device and cooperation unit]
The specimen preparation device 4 automatically creates a blood specimen for the same specimen as the specimen analyzed by the blood analyzer 3. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the specimen preparation device 4 produces a smear (wedge specimen) in which a specimen blood specimen S is smeared on a specimen slide 41 that is a specimen carrier.

In a range where the specimen of the specimen carrier (specimen slide) 41 is not smeared, a specimen storage unit 41a composed of a two-dimensional code (two-dimensional barcode) is formed by printing. The two-dimensional code 41a includes at least information indicating the sample ID, and may include a patient name, a measurement date, blood analysis information of the sample analyzed by the blood analyzer 3, and the like.
The specimen storage unit 41 is mechanically (computer) readable by the blood image analyzer 3 and other devices. By reading the information in the specimen storage unit 41, necessary information regarding the specimen can be obtained. .
The specimen storage unit 41 may be configured by other information storage media such as a one-dimensional barcode and a wireless tag.
In addition, information such as a specimen ID, a patient name, and a measurement date is printed on the specimen carrier 41 as human-readable information 41b.

  In the specimen preparation device 4, the specimen slide 41 on which the specimen is smeared is stored in the specimen cassette 42. The sample cassette 42 is transported to the blood image analyzer 1 via the linkage unit 5.

[Configuration of blood image analyzer]
Referring back to FIG. 1, the blood image analyzer 1 includes an automatic microscope apparatus (imaging main body apparatus) 110 that includes an imaging unit that captures a blood image of a blood sample of a specimen, and image processing that performs processing such as cell classification and classification. The apparatus (processing apparatus) 120 is provided, and both apparatuses 110 and 120 are connected so as to communicate with each other.

[Configuration of automatic microscope equipment]
As shown in FIG. 8, the automatic microscope apparatus 110 includes a slide glass transport unit 111a that transports a specimen slide (slide glass) 41 transported from the cooperation unit 5 within the automatic microscope apparatus 110, and a slide glass that drives the slide glass transport unit 111a. And a conveyance driving unit 111b.
When the cassette 42 is transported to a predetermined position by the linkage unit 5, it is detected by the cassette detection sensor 112a, and the specimen slide 41 is taken out from the cassette 42. Then, the ID reading unit 112b reads the two-dimensional code that is the sample storage unit 41a of the sample slide 41 and acquires information such as the sample ID.

Furthermore, the specimen slide 41 is attached to the stage 113a, the specimen attached to the stage 113a is enlarged and observed with the microscope 114a, blood cells (white blood cells) to be recognized are detected by the WBC detection unit 114b, and the stage driving circuit 113b performs the stage. The observation visual field is moved by moving 113a. Further, the focus of the image is adjusted by the focus driving circuit 115b based on the image detected by the autofocus unit 115a. At the same time, the image is picked up by the color CCD camera 116a. An RGB color image is output from the CCD camera 116a, and this image data is given to the image processing apparatus 120 side.
The imaging unit of the present invention includes the CCD camera 116a, the stage 113a, the stage drive circuit 113b, the autofocus unit 115a, the focus drive circuit 115b, and the like.

  The automatic microscope control unit 118 performs control of the imaging unit and other various controls in the automatic microscope apparatus 110 as described above, data transmission and other communication control with the network side via the network board 117.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the automatic microscope control unit (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a control unit) 118 includes a CPU 118a, a ROM 118b, a RAM 118c, and an input / output interface 118d. The ROM 118b stores an operating system, a control program for controlling the operation of the automatic microscope apparatus 110, and data necessary for executing the control program. The CPU 118a can load the control program into the RAM 118c or execute it directly from the ROM 118b. Data obtained as a result of processing by the CPU 118a in this manner is transmitted to each part of the device 110 or the outside of the device 110 (such as the image processing device 120) via the input / output interface 118d, and data necessary for processing by the CPU 118a is , And received from each part of the device 110 or the outside of the device 110 (such as the image processing device 120) through the input / output interface 118d. The CPU 118a can control the operation of the automatic microscope apparatus 110 by executing a control program.

[Configuration of image processing apparatus]
Returning to FIG. 8, the image processing apparatus (processing apparatus) 120 includes a CPU 121, a ROM 122a, a RAM 122b, a display device 123 such as a CRT, an input device such as a keyboard 124a, a dedicated keyboard 124b, and a mouse 124c, and a host I / O. F125, a network board 126, and a hard disk (storage unit) 127. A printer 128 is connected to the image processing apparatus 120.
Further, in the image processing apparatus 120, the RGB color image output from the automatic microscope apparatus 110 is A / D converted by the A / D conversion unit 129a and stored in the image memory 129b. The image stored in the image memory 129b is a processing target by the CPU 121.

  The ROM 122a stores an operating system, a program for executing processing in the image processing apparatus 120, and data necessary for executing the program. The CPU 121 can load the program into the RAM 122b or execute it directly from the ROM 122a. Data obtained as a result of processing by the CPU 121 in this manner is transmitted to the outside of the apparatus 120 (such as the automatic microscope apparatus 110) via the host I / F 125 or the network board 126. It is received from the outside of the apparatus 120 (such as the automatic microscope apparatus 110) through the host I / F or the network board 126.

By executing the program, the CPU 121 performs data processing on the image, calculates feature amounts necessary for blood cell recognition and classification, and performs cell classification and classification based on the feature amounts.
Further, the CPU 121 displays the identification classification result and the blood image on the CRT 123, and stores the blood image in the hard disk 127 for review.

[Flow of imaging processing]
As shown in FIG. 10, when the specimen cassette 42 is detected by the cassette detection sensor 112a of the automatic microscope apparatus 110 (step S1-1), the specimen slide 41 is taken out from the cassette 42 (step S1-2), and the specimen Reading of the specimen storage unit 41a of the slide 41 (reading of barcode) is performed (step S1-3), and the specimen ID (identification information) of the specimen slide 41 is acquired. The acquired specimen ID is transmitted from the automatic microscope apparatus 110 to the image processing apparatus 120 (step S1-4), and the automatic microscope apparatus 110 enters a reception waiting state for imaging conditions (step S1-5).

  As shown in FIG. 11, in the image processing apparatus 120, when the sample ID (identification information) is received from the automatic microscope apparatus 110 (step S2-1), the storage unit (blood analysis information) of the host computer 6 is connected via the network 2. The blood analysis information corresponding to the specimen ID is acquired with reference to the database (step S2-2; blood analysis information acquisition means).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the obtained blood analysis information (IP message) includes abnormal cell information (Suspect message) indicating the possibility of appearance of an abnormal cell (step S2-). 3).
If abnormal cell information is not included in the blood analysis information, an imaging condition (first imaging condition relating to the blood cell count) is set with the blood cell count indicating the number of blood images taken as 100 counts, and this imaging condition is automatically set. It transmits to the microscope apparatus 110 (step S2-4).

If abnormal cell information is included in the blood analysis information, whether or not the abnormal cell information (Suspect message) includes WBC (whether or not nucleated abnormal blood cell information is included) Is determined (step S2-5).
If abnormal cell information (Suspect message) does not include WBC, it is considered that there is no possibility of the presence of abnormal nucleated blood cells, and the blood cell count indicating the number of blood images taken Is set to 100 counts (first imaging condition relating to blood cell count number; normal imaging conditions), and the imaging conditions are transmitted to the automatic microscope apparatus 110 (step S2-4).

If the abnormal cell information (Suspect message) includes information related to WBC, it is considered that the presence of nucleated abnormal blood cells is indicated, and the blood cell count indicating the number of blood images to be taken is The imaging condition set to 300 counts (second imaging condition relating to the blood cell count number; imaging condition at the time of abnormality) is set, and this imaging condition is transmitted to the automatic microscope apparatus 110 (step S2-6).
Thus, when the blood analysis information indicates the possibility of the appearance of abnormal nucleated blood cells, the possibility of the appearance of abnormal nucleated blood cells is not indicated so that more blood images can be acquired. More blood cell counts than the case are set as imaging conditions.

  Subsequently, when abnormal cell information is included in blood analysis information, whether or not the abnormal cell information (Suspect message) includes PLT (whether platelet aggregation information is included). ) Is determined (step S2-7).

  When abnormal cell information (Suspect message) does not include information related to PLT, in particular, information to the automatic microscope apparatus 110 is not transmitted, and the automatic microscope apparatus 110 as an imaging position of the specimen as described later. , An imaging condition (imaging position) for imaging only the first position (initial setting position: the center of the specimen or near the center C (near the distance of 1/4 of the blood specimen S from the peripheral edge); see the reference C in FIG. 7) The first imaging condition) is taken.

  When abnormal cell information (Suspect message) includes information related to PLT, it is considered that platelet aggregation has occurred, and the second position (the peripheral position of the specimen; 7 (see symbol E in FIG. 7) is set, and the imaging condition (second imaging condition relating to the imaging position) is set, and this imaging condition is transmitted to the automatic microscope apparatus 110 (step S2-8).

  In the above description, the imaging condition related to the blood cell count and the imaging condition related to the imaging position are separately transmitted to the automatic microscope apparatus 110, but may be transmitted together.

  Returning to FIG. 10, when the automatic microscope control unit 117 of the automatic microscope apparatus 110 receives information on the imaging conditions (imaging conditions relating to the blood cell count and / or imaging conditions relating to the imaging position) (step S 1-5), the specimen slide 41. Is transported to 113a (step S1-6), and imaging is performed based on the received imaging conditions (step S1-7).

At the time of imaging, as shown in FIG. 12, imaging in white blood cell mode (step S3-1) and imaging in platelet mode (step S3-2) are performed as necessary.
When performing imaging in the white blood cell mode, as shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 118 determines the imaging condition regarding the received blood cell count (step S3-1-1), and the imaging condition is 100 counts (first imaging). Condition), 100 count imaging of leukocytes (imaging of 100 leukocytes) is performed, and if the imaging condition is 300 counts (second imaging condition), 300 count imaging of leukocytes (imaging of 300 leukocytes). The imaging unit is controlled to perform the above.
In the white blood cell mode, the first position (initial setting position: center of the specimen or near the center C; see the reference C in FIG. 7) is imaged.

  Thus, when the blood analysis information indicates the possibility of the presence of abnormal nucleated blood cells, it is possible to reliably image abnormal nucleated blood cells by increasing the number of blood cell counts. Note that the second imaging condition relating to the blood cell count number need not be 300 counts, and can be set to an appropriate count number.

In the platelet mode imaging process (step S3-2) after the white blood cell mode imaging process (step S3-1), as shown in FIG. 14, it is determined whether or not imaging execution is necessary (step S3-2). -1). This determination is performed based on whether or not the received imaging condition includes an imaging condition related to the imaging position.
When the imaging condition regarding the imaging position is not included, it is not necessary to execute imaging in the platelet mode, and the mode is terminated without performing imaging.

When the imaging condition related to the imaging position is included, the control unit 118 controls the imaging unit to perform imaging of the specimen peripheral edge E as imaging in the platelet mode (step S3-2-2). The peripheral edge E of the specimen is a position where platelet aggregation is more likely to exist than the specimen center C. The control unit 118 moves the stage 113a via the stage drive circuit 113b so that the peripheral edge E can be imaged, moves the observation visual field to the peripheral edge E, and performs imaging.
Thereby, when the possibility of the presence of platelet aggregation is shown, the platelet aggregation can be more reliably imaged by moving the observation visual field.

[Blood cell classification process]
The blood cell image (specimen image; white blood cell digital image) captured as described above is transmitted to the image processing device 120, and based on the sample image, the blood cell (white blood cell) feature extraction process and blood cell (white blood cell) White blood cell) classification processing is performed (blood cell classification means).
The feature extraction process is performed by dividing the nucleus pixel of the white blood cell sample image into a pixel corresponding to the nucleus, a pixel related to the cytoplasm, and other pixels.

In the classification process, the type of the target blood cell is identified using the feature parameter related to the nucleus and the feature parameter related to the cytoplasm, and the blood cells are classified according to the number of blood cells counted.
Leukocytes (nucleated blood cells) are classified into 6 types of mature leukocytes (sphenoid neutrophils, segmented nucleus neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes), immature leukocytes It is performed by classifying into seeds (blasts, immature granulocytes, atypical lymphocytes) and erythroblasts. Six types of mature leukocytes are normal nucleated blood cells, three types of immature leukocytes and three erythroblasts are abnormal nucleated blood cells.

As described above, when the blood analysis information of the blood analyzer 3 indicates the possibility of the presence of abnormal nucleated blood cells, the number of blood cells is increased and the number of blood cells to be classified is increased. It is possible to reliably detect and classify abnormal nucleated blood cells.
In addition, when the blood analysis information of the blood analyzer 3 indicates the possibility of the presence of platelet aggregation, the platelet aggregation can be reliably captured by imaging the peripheral edge of the specimen where platelet aggregation is easily detected. It is possible to prevent reports of false low values of platelets due to aggregation.

  The captured images and classification results are transmitted from the blood image analyzer 1 to the host computer 6 together with the sample ID, and stored in the host computer 6. Blood analysis information, captured images, blood cell classification results, and the like accumulated in the host computer 6 can be viewed on the centralized review terminal 7.

FIG. 15 shows a modification of the 300-count imaging process (imaging process under the second imaging condition regarding the blood cell count: step S3-1-3) in FIG.
When the imaging condition related to the received blood cell count is the second imaging condition (300 counts), the automatic microscope control unit 118 first performs imaging for the number of first imaging conditions (100 counts) related to the blood cell count. This is performed (step S4-1).
Then, the counter is set to 100 (the number of blood cells counted under the first imaging condition) (step S4-2), the sample is imaged and transmitted to the image processing apparatus 120, and the counter is incremented by 1 (step S4-3).

  The image processing apparatus 120 receives the sample image and stores it in a memory such as a RAM (step S4-4), and performs blood cell (white blood cell) classification processing based on the sample image (step S4-5). The classification result is stored in the memory (step S4-6) and transmitted to the automatic microscope apparatus 110 side (step S4-7).

When receiving the classification result of the imaged blood cells (step S4-8), the automatic microscope control unit 118 determines whether the classification result is a nucleated abnormal blood cell (step S4-9).
If the imaged blood cell is a nucleated abnormal blood cell, imaging under the second imaging condition relating to the blood cell count is terminated without performing subsequent imaging.
If the imaged blood cells are not nucleated abnormal blood cells, the process returns to step S4-3 and the imaging is repeated unless the counter value is equal to or greater than the blood cell count number (300 counts) in the second imaging condition.

According to the above processing, in the imaging under the second imaging condition related to the blood count, imaging is performed until at least one nucleated abnormal blood cell is included in the classification result, so that the nucleation can be reliably performed with a relatively small number of times. Abnormal blood cells can be imaged. Moreover, in the imaging under the second imaging condition, the same number of imaging times as the imaging under the first imaging condition (first blood count number = 100) is ensured, and the number of sample images necessary for classification Is also secured.
Further, in imaging under the second imaging condition, the maximum number of blood cell counts (second blood cell count = 300 times) is set, and the number of imaging is not included even if nucleated abnormal blood cells are included in the classification result. Since the imaging is stopped when the maximum value reaches the maximum value, it is possible to prevent the imaging from being completed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.
For example, as the imaging condition, in addition to the imaging condition related to the blood cell count number and the imaging condition related to the imaging position, a condition related to necessity of imaging may be added. As a condition regarding the necessity of imaging, as BBC abnormal cell information (a suspect message), Blasts? When information with a high degree of abnormality such as (blast) is present, it is necessary not to take an image with the blood image analyzer 1, but to perform a microscopic observation by a person. These conditions may be added.

Conversely, if the blood analysis information does not indicate the possibility of abnormal cell information at all, the degree of abnormality is low, so the condition that analysis is low and imaging is unnecessary is added. Also good.
Such a condition for necessity of imaging is determined prior to the process of step S3-1-1 in FIG.

  In the above embodiment, the blood image analyzer 1 acquires the blood analysis information of the sample from the host computer 6, but may acquire it from the blood analyzer 3. Further, when the specimen storage unit 41a of the specimen slide 41 also stores blood analysis information, it may be acquired from the specimen storage unit 41a.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when abnormal cell information (suspension message) includes information relating to WBC, it is considered that the presence of abnormal nucleated blood cells is indicated, and the number of blood images taken is indicated. The second imaging condition is set such that the blood cell count is 300. However, the second imaging condition may be set differently depending on the type of a plurality of abnormal cell information. For example, if the suspect message is Blasts? In the case of 200, the blood cell count is 200 counts, Immortal Gran? In this case, the blood cell count may be set to 400 counts.

It is a block diagram of the test | inspection system containing a blood image analyzer. It is a block diagram of a blood analyzer. It is a blood analysis information list regarding WBC (white blood cells: nucleated blood cells). It is a blood analysis information list regarding RBC (red blood cells). It is a blood analysis information list regarding PLT (platelet). It is the elements on larger scale of a specimen slide. It is a perspective view of a specimen slide and a cassette. It is a block diagram of an automatic microscope apparatus and an image processing apparatus. It is a block diagram of an automatic microscope control part. It is a process flowchart of an automatic microscope control part. It is a processing flowchart of an image processing device. It is a process flowchart of an imaging process. It is a processing flowchart of leukocyte mode. It is a processing flowchart of platelet mode. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of 300 count imaging processing.

1 Blood image analyzer (blood imaging device)
110 Automatic microscope (imaging device)
113a stage (imaging part)
113b Stage drive circuit (imaging part)
114a Microscope (imaging unit)
114b WBC detection unit (imaging unit)
115a Autofocus unit (imaging unit)
115b Focus drive circuit (imaging unit)
116a CCD camera (imaging part)
118 Automatic microscope control unit (control unit)
120 Image processing device (processing device)
3 Blood analyzer 41 Slide glass (specimen carrier)
41a Two-dimensional code (specimen storage unit)
6 Host computer (computer)

Claims (10)

An imaging unit for imaging blood cells contained in a blood sample smeared with blood;
Obtaining means for obtaining blood cell analysis information obtained by analyzing the blood with a blood cell analyzer;
When the blood cell analysis information acquired by the acquisition means includes platelet aggregation information indicating the possibility of appearance of platelet aggregation in the blood, the blood sample is used to image platelet aggregation included in the blood sample. A control unit that controls the imaging unit so as to image the peripheral portion of
A blood imaging apparatus comprising: When the blood cell analysis information includes the platelet aggregation information, the control unit controls the imaging unit to perform imaging of white blood cells contained in the blood sample and imaging of the platelet aggregation.
The blood imaging apparatus according to claim 1. The control unit controls the imaging unit to perform imaging of white blood cells contained in the blood sample without performing imaging of the platelet aggregation when the blood cell analysis information does not include the platelet aggregation information.
The blood imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 . The control unit, when imaging the white blood cells contained in the blood sample, controls the imaging unit so as to image the central part or the vicinity of the central part of the blood sample,
The blood imaging apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. Acquisition means, via the network, the blood cell analyzing apparatus, and / or to acquire the blood cell analyzing information from a computer having a storage unit for blood cell analysis information is accumulated,
The blood imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . The blood sample is carried by a sample carrier with a readable medium that stores blood cell analysis information;
The acquisition means reads blood cell analysis information from a readable medium .
The blood imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . A blood imaging method for imaging blood cells contained in a blood sample smeared with blood,
Obtain blood cell analysis information obtained by analyzing the blood with a blood cell analyzer,
When the obtained blood cell analysis information includes platelet aggregation information indicating the possibility of appearance of platelet aggregation in the blood, the peripheral portion of the blood sample is used to image platelet aggregation contained in the blood sample. Image,
Blood imaging method. When the blood cell analysis information includes the platelet aggregation information, imaging of white blood cells contained in the blood specimen and imaging of the platelet aggregation are performed.
The blood imaging method according to claim 7 . In the case where the blood cell analysis information does not include the platelet aggregation information, imaging of white blood cells contained in the blood specimen is performed without performing imaging of the platelet aggregation.
The blood imaging method according to claim 7 or 8 . When imaging white blood cells contained in the blood sample, image the central portion of the blood sample or near the central portion,
The blood imaging method according to claim 8 or 9 .

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