JP6088074B2 - Light measurement apparatus, light measurement method, and light measurement program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a light measurement device, a light measurement method, and a light measurement program for measuring light emitted from cardiomyocytes.

  In the field of drug discovery, the influence of a drug administered to a sample such as a cardiomyocyte may be evaluated based on light emitted from the sample. Patent Document 1 discloses a light measurement device capable of improving measurement sensitivity to light from a sample. This device compares a two-dimensional luminance value distribution in a measurement region with a predetermined luminance value threshold for a measurement region set corresponding to a well on a photodetection image, and analyzes it from the measurement region. Extract the analysis area to be processed. Then, analysis processing is performed using luminance value data in the analysis region as analysis data.

JP 2007-278985 A

  In the optical measurement device described in Patent Document 1, when specifying a pixel to be analyzed, an analysis region is extracted by comparing a two-dimensional luminance value distribution in the measurement region with a predetermined luminance value threshold. . For this reason, when there are cardiomyocytes and non-cardiomyocytes in the measurement region, and both emit light having a luminance value exceeding the luminance value threshold, only the myocardial cell region can be set as the analysis region. difficult. Further, since the cardiomyocytes beat and the area of the cardiomyocytes changes with time, it is difficult to set the boundary of the cardiomyocytes.

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention is an optical measurement device capable of specifying pixels constituting an image of a cardiomyocyte whose luminance value changes over time in an image including light emitted from a sample containing cardiomyocytes. An object of the present invention is to provide a light measurement method and a light measurement program.

  In order to solve the above problems, the optical measurement apparatus of the present invention is an optical measurement apparatus that measures light emitted from cardiomyocytes held by a sample case having a holding unit that holds a sample containing cardiomyocytes, A moving image acquisition means for detecting a two-dimensional light image of the sample case including light emitted from the sample held inside the holding portion of the sample case and acquiring moving image data of the two-dimensional light image; An analysis processing means for performing analysis processing on the data, and the analysis processing means has a luminance value for each of a plurality of pixels constituting an area corresponding to the holding section from an area corresponding to the holding section included in the moving image data Luminance value data acquisition means for acquiring luminance value data indicating the temporal change of the luminance value, and an evaluation value for evaluating the temporal change of the luminance value repeatedly appearing in the luminance value data is calculated based on the value extracted from the luminance value data. And includes a pixel specifying means for specifying a target pixel configuring an image of the heart muscle cells from a plurality of pixels based on the evaluation value.

  Alternatively, the light measurement method of the present invention is a light measurement method for measuring light emitted from a cardiomyocyte held by a sample case having a holding part for holding a sample containing cardiomyocytes, the holding part for the sample case A moving image acquisition step for acquiring a moving image data of a two-dimensional light image by detecting a two-dimensional light image of a sample case including light emitted from a sample held in the interior of the sample case, and analyzing the moving image data An analysis processing step for performing processing, and the analysis processing step indicates a change in luminance value with time for each of a plurality of pixels constituting the region corresponding to the holding unit from the region corresponding to the holding unit included in the moving image data. Based on the value extracted from the luminance value data, the luminance value data acquisition step for acquiring the luminance value data and the evaluation value for evaluating the temporal change of the luminance value repeatedly appearing in the luminance value data are calculated. And includes a pixel specifying step of specifying the target pixels constituting the image of the heart muscle cells from a plurality of pixels based on the evaluation value.

  Alternatively, the light measurement program of the present invention is a light measurement program for measuring light emitted from a cardiomyocyte held by a sample case having a holding unit for holding a sample containing cardiomyocytes, wherein the computer A holding unit included in the moving image data with respect to moving image data obtained by detecting the two-dimensional light image of the sample case including light emitted from the sample held inside the holding unit of the sample case acquired by the acquisition unit Brightness value data acquisition means for acquiring brightness value data indicating a change in luminance value with time for each of a plurality of pixels constituting the area corresponding to the holding unit, and a change in luminance value that repeatedly appears in the brightness value data A target for calculating an evaluation value for evaluating a cardiomyocyte from a plurality of pixels based on a value extracted from luminance value data Pixel specifying means for specifying the element, thereby to function.

  According to such a light measurement device, a light measurement method, or a light measurement program, a two-dimensional light image of a sample case containing light from a sample containing cardiomyocytes held in a holding part of the sample case is detected. 2D moving image data is acquired. Next, the luminance value data indicating the temporal change of the luminance value in a plurality of pixels constituting the moving image data is acquired, and based on the value extracted from the luminance value data, the cardiomyocyte image to be analyzed is obtained. A pixel to be configured is specified. Accordingly, it is possible to specify pixels constituting an image of a cardiomyocyte in which light whose luminance value changes with time is repeatedly emitted.

  In the light measurement device of the present invention, the evaluation value may be calculated based on the peak value of the luminance value extracted from the luminance value data.

  In the light measurement device of the present invention, the evaluation value may be calculated based on the bottom value of the luminance value extracted from the luminance value data.

  In the light measurement device of the present invention, the evaluation value may be a cycle of luminance values extracted from the luminance value data.

  In the light measurement device of the present invention, the analysis processing means may further include an area specifying means for specifying the area of the region formed by the target pixel.

  In the light measurement device of the present invention, the analysis processing means may further include data processing means for performing analysis processing using the luminance value data of the target pixel as analysis data. According to this, the evaluation can be performed using the luminance value data of the pixels constituting the cardiomyocyte image specified by the pixel specifying unit. Therefore, analysis processing with improved measurement sensitivity for light emitted from cardiomyocytes can be performed.

  According to the light measurement device, the light measurement method, and the light measurement program of the present invention, it is possible to identify pixels constituting an image of a cardiomyocyte whose luminance value changes with time in an image including light emitted from a sample. Can do.

It is a lineblock diagram showing typically one embodiment of a light measuring device. It is a perspective view which shows an example of a structure of a microplate. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows the cross-section of the microplate shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of a data analyzer. It is a flowchart which shows one Embodiment of the light measurement method. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of luminance value data. It is a figure which shows an example of a display of an analysis result. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the computer for performing the program recorded on the recording medium. It is a perspective view of a computer for executing a program recorded on a recording medium. It is a figure for demonstrating one application example of the light measuring method. It is a figure for demonstrating the other application example of the light measuring method. It is a figure for demonstrating the other application example of the light measuring method. It is a figure for demonstrating the other application example of the light measuring method. It is a figure for demonstrating the other application example of the light measuring method.

  Embodiments of a light measurement device, a light measurement method, and a light measurement program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing an embodiment of a light measurement apparatus 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the microplate 20. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a sectional structure of the microplate 20 shown in FIG. The light measurement apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment uses a microplate 20 as a sample case, and measures fluorescence from a sample S (see FIG. 3) placed at a measurement position P while being held by the microplate 20. Device.

  Sample S is a cell containing a cardiomyocyte. In addition to the fluorescence measurement, the light measurement device, the light measurement method, and the light measurement program according to the present invention are generally applicable to light measurement that measures light from a sample, such as phosphorescence or light emission. Hereinafter, the configuration of the light measurement apparatus 1 will be described.

  The light measurement device 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a data acquisition device 10, an excitation light source 30, and a data analysis device 50. The data acquisition device 10 includes a dark box 15 in which a microplate 20 holding a sample S containing cardiomyocytes to be subjected to fluorescence measurement is housed, and a sample placed inside the dark box 15 and placed at a measurement position P. And a moving image acquisition unit 40 used for measurement of fluorescence from S.

  The microplate 20 used as a sample case in the present embodiment is a plate-like member in which a plurality of wells (holding portions) 21 are arranged in a two-dimensional array, as shown in FIGS. Each of the plurality of wells 21 is configured to hold the sample S. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 2, 8 × 12 = 96 wells 21 are arranged in a two-dimensional array as the plurality of wells 21. Further, the bottom surface 22 of the microplate 20 is formed of a material capable of transmitting the excitation light for fluorescence measurement irradiated to the sample S and the fluorescence emitted from the sample S. In general, in the optical measurement device 1, the bottom surface 22 of the microplate 20 may be formed of a material that can transmit light from the sample S to be measured.

  In the dark box 15, the microplate 20 is held by a microplate holder 11 having an opening for fluorescence observation. Further, a microplate transport mechanism 12 is installed for the microplate 20 and the holder 11 so that a predetermined direction in the dark box 15 is a transport direction (a direction from the right side to the left side in FIG. 1). Yes.

  A predetermined number (for example, 25) of the pre-measurement microplate 20 holding the sample S is stocked on one side of the dark box 15 which is the carry-in side with respect to the transport direction of the microplate 20 in the transport mechanism 12. A loading-side microplate stocker 13 is provided for storage. In addition, on the other side of the dark box 15 on the carry-out side with respect to the conveyance direction of the microplate 20, a carry-out microplate stocker 14 for stocking the measured microplate 20 is installed.

  In such a configuration, the microplate 20 carried into the dark box 15 from the carry-in microplate stocker 13 is held by the microplate holder 11 and carried by the carrying mechanism 12. The microplate 20 is temporarily stopped at the measurement position P, and in this state, necessary light measurement is performed on the sample S held by the microplate 20. After the measurement is completed, the microplate 20 is again transported by the transport mechanism 12 and unloaded to the unloading side microplate stocker 14. In FIG. 1, the transport mechanism 12 and the stockers 13 and 14 are not illustrated with specific configurations for loading, transporting, and unloading the microplate 20.

  A portion for injecting a reagent or the like into the well 21 of the microplate 20 above the measurement position P with respect to the measurement position P at which the microplate 20 and the sample S held on the microplate 20 are arranged when the fluorescence measurement is performed. A pouring device 16 is installed. Also, below the measurement position P, a moving image acquisition unit 40 used for detection of fluorescence emitted from the sample S accommodated in the well 21 through the bottom surface 22 of the microplate 20 is installed.

  The moving image acquisition unit 40 detects a two-dimensional light image of the microplate 20 including light from the sample S held in the well 21 of the microplate 20 and acquires moving image data of the two-dimensional light image. Image acquisition means. In the present embodiment, the moving image acquisition unit 40 has a two-dimensional pixel structure in which a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged, and a fluorescent image that is a two-dimensional photodetection image by fluorescence emitted from the sample S is obtained. An acquirable imaging device 45 is included. As this imaging device 45, for example, a highly sensitive CCD camera or CMOS image camera can be used. If necessary, the moving image acquisition unit 40 may be configured by arranging an image intensifier tube, a relay lens, or the like in the front stage of the camera.

  A light guide optical system 41 is installed between the measurement position P where the microplate 20 is disposed and the imaging device 45. The light guide optical system 41 is an optical system that guides to the imaging device 45 a two-dimensional light image obtained by viewing the microplate 20 holding the sample S in each of the plurality of wells 21 from the bottom surface 22 side. The specific configuration of the light guide optical system 41 is appropriately configured by an optical element capable of realizing necessary functions (for example, a condensing function, an optical image reduction function, etc.) according to the configurations of the microplate 20 and the imaging device 45. Just do it. As such an optical element, for example, there is a tapered fiber (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-188044).

  Further, in FIG. 1, an optical filter capable of further arranging and switching the optical filter on the light guide optical path of fluorescence between the light guide optical system 41 and the imaging device 45 as necessary. Part 42 is installed. However, such an optical filter unit 42 may be omitted if unnecessary.

  Further, an excitation light source 30 is installed in addition to the moving image acquisition unit 40 for acquiring a fluorescent image for the sample S in the well 21 of the microplate 20. The excitation light source 30 is excitation light supply means for supplying the sample S with excitation light for fluorescence measurement. A specific configuration of the excitation light source 30 may be appropriately configured according to the type of the sample S to be subjected to fluorescence measurement, the wavelength of the excitation light irradiated on the sample S, and the like. For example, an illumination light source that supplies light And an optical filter unit for selecting and switching the wavelength of the excitation light. In addition, when the supply of excitation light is unnecessary depending on the type of light measurement performed on the sample S, the excitation light source 30 may be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the excitation light source 30 is arranged outside the dark box 15 as shown in FIG. 1, and the excitation light supplied from the excitation light source 30 is the excitation light supply light guide 31 and the light guide optics. The configuration is such that the sample S is irradiated through the system 41. In such a configuration, the light guide optical system 41 can guide the two-dimensional light image from the microplate 20 and the sample S to the imaging device 45 and guide the excitation light from the excitation light source 30 to the sample S. Configured as a simple optical system. Such a light guide optical system 41 can be configured by using, for example, a dichroic mirror that transmits fluorescence from the microplate 20 and reflects excitation light from the excitation light source 30. In FIG. 1, the optical paths of fluorescence and excitation light in the light guide optical system 41 are schematically shown by solid lines and broken lines, respectively.

  A data analysis device 50 is provided for the data acquisition device 10 including the moving image acquisition unit 40 and the excitation light source 30. The data analysis device 50 is an analysis processing unit that performs analysis processing on moving image data including a photodetection image acquired by the moving image acquisition unit 40. Further, the data analysis device 50 controls the fluorescence measurement on the sample S in the light measurement device 1 by controlling the operation of each part of the data acquisition device 10 and the excitation light source 30. In FIG. 1, a display device 61 for displaying measurement results and an input device 62 used for inputting data and instructions necessary for fluorescence measurement are connected to the data analysis device 50. Yes.

  In the above configuration, the sample S held in the well 21 of the microplate 20 and disposed at the measurement position P in the dark box 15 is supplied from the excitation light source 30 via the light guide 31 and the light guide optical system 41. The excited excitation light for fluorescence measurement is irradiated. Then, the two-dimensional light image including the fluorescence emitted from the sample S is guided to the imaging device 45 via the light guide optical system 41, and moving image data of the two-dimensional light image is acquired by the imaging device 45. The moving image data including the fluorescent image acquired by the moving image acquisition unit 40 is sent to the data analysis device 50. Then, the data analysis device 50 identifies the pixels constituting the cardiomyocyte image from the input moving image data, and performs analysis processing necessary for evaluation and the like.

  Note that the sample case is not limited to the microplate 20 described above. A plurality of samples S may be held in a dish such as a petri dish as a sample case. Furthermore, the apparatus structure which observes the sample hold | maintained at the petri dish via the microscope may be sufficient.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the data analysis device 50 included in the light measurement device 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

  The data analysis device 50 acquires luminance value data for each pixel from the moving image data, identifies a target pixel that constitutes an image of a cardiomyocyte to be analyzed based on the luminance value data, and determines the target pixel. An information processing apparatus for performing a predetermined analysis process. This moving image data is obtained by converting an image obtained by photographing the microplate 20 including light emitted from the sample S held in the well 21 to digital data. The moving image data may be input to the data analysis device 50 via a communication network, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, or a semiconductor memory.

  The data analysis device 50 includes an analysis processing unit 51 and a threshold recording unit 54 as functional components. The data analysis device 50 is connected to the data acquisition device 10, the display device 61, and the input device 62.

  The analysis processing unit 51 includes a region specifying unit 52 and a data processing unit 53 as functional components. The analysis processing unit 51 identifies the target pixel constituting the cardiomyocyte image from the moving image data of the sample S acquired by the moving image acquisition unit 40 of the data acquisition device 10. The analysis processing unit 51 is an analysis processing unit that performs analysis processing using luminance value data of the target pixel as analysis data. The analysis processing unit 51 is connected to the threshold value recording unit 54.

  The area specifying unit 52 includes a luminance value data acquiring unit (luminance value data acquiring unit) 52a, a luminance value extracting unit (luminance value extracting unit) 52b, and a pixel specifying unit (pixel specifying unit) 52c. The region specifying unit 52 specifies the target pixel constituting the cardiomyocyte image from the measurement region corresponding to the well 21 based on the temporal change of the luminance value of the pixel in the moving image data. The area specifying unit 52 is connected to the data processing unit 53.

  The threshold value recording unit 54 records a threshold value used when specifying a target pixel. Examples of the threshold include a peak value threshold, an amplitude threshold, and a change rate threshold. The threshold recording unit 54 can be referred to from the region specifying unit 52.

  The luminance value data acquisition unit 52a is configured to obtain luminance values in a plurality of pixels constituting a region corresponding to the plurality of wells 21 from a region corresponding to the plurality of wells 21 included in the moving image data input from the moving image acquisition unit 40. Get the data. The luminance value data indicates a change with time of the luminance value of the pixel. The luminance value data acquisition unit 52a uses the region including the image of the well 21 as one measurement region, and acquires luminance value data for each pixel constituting the measurement region. The luminance value data acquired by the luminance value data acquisition unit 52a is output to the luminance value extraction unit 52b.

  The luminance value extraction unit 52b extracts the peak value and the bottom value from the luminance value data of the pixels input from the luminance value data acquisition unit 52a. The peak value and the bottom value are output to the pixel specifying unit 52c.

  The pixel specifying unit 52c specifies the target pixel constituting the cardiomyocyte image based on the peak value and the bottom value input from the luminance value extracting unit 52b. Information on the target pixel is output to the data processing unit 53. A method for specifying the target pixel will be described in detail later.

  The data processing unit (data processing means) 53 includes a phase correction unit 53a and a luminance value data processing unit 53b. The data processing unit 53 refers to the target pixel specified by the region specifying unit 52, and performs analysis processing on the target pixel constituting the cardiomyocyte image using the luminance value data of the target pixel as analysis data. The data processing unit 53 is connected to the area specifying unit 52.

  The phase correction unit 53a corrects the timing at which the luminance value data changes from the bottom value to the peak value in order to align the phases of the luminance value data for each pixel. The luminance value data corrected by the phase correction unit 53a is output to the luminance value data processing unit 53b.

  The luminance value data processing unit 53b processes the luminance value data phase-corrected by the phase correction unit 53a, for example, for each well 21. The luminance value data for each well 21 processed by the luminance value data processing unit 53b is output to the display device 61.

  Next, the light measurement method executed by the light measurement device 1 of the present embodiment will be described, and the light measurement method of the present embodiment will be described in detail. Here, a process of specifying a target pixel constituting a cardiomyocyte image from moving image data will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the main steps of the light measurement method according to the present embodiment.

  Step S <b> 10 is executed by the moving image acquisition unit 40 of the data acquisition device 10, and the microplate containing light from the sample S including cardiomyocytes held inside the well 21 of the microplate 20 using the data acquisition device 10. The two-dimensional light image is detected and moving image data of the two-dimensional light image is acquired (moving image acquisition step). Here, the moving image data is a collection of two-dimensional image data in which two-dimensional image data detected at a predetermined time interval is arranged with time. As a result, it is possible to extract the temporal change in the luminance value of each pixel constituting the two-dimensional image.

  First, a two-dimensional image of the microplate 20 in which the sample S containing cardiomyocytes is held in the well 21 is detected by the imaging device 45 of the moving image acquisition unit 40 to acquire moving image data. The moving image data is acquired only for a preset time. The timing of starting the acquisition of the moving image data may be before giving stimulus to the sample S in the well 21 by medication or after giving stimulus to the sample S in the well 21. Further, stimulation may be given by medication during the acquisition of moving image data. The acquired moving image data is input from the data acquisition device 10 to the data analysis device 50.

  Step S11 is executed by the data analysis device 50, and analysis processing is performed on the moving image data acquired by the data acquisition device 10 in step S10 (analysis processing step). Step S11 includes a step of specifying a target pixel to be analyzed (region specifying step) and a step of performing analysis processing on the target pixel (data processing step).

  Step S20 is executed by the area specifying unit 52 of the data analysis device 50, and specifies the target pixel to be analyzed based on the luminance value data in the pixels of the moving image data acquired in step S10. Step S20 is a step of acquiring luminance value data for each pixel (luminance value data acquisition step: S21), a step of acquiring a peak value and a bottom value from the luminance value data of each pixel (luminance value extraction step: S22), And a step of specifying a target pixel based on the peak value and the bottom value (pixel specifying step: S23).

  Step S21 is executed by the luminance value data acquisition unit 52a to acquire luminance value data for each pixel. Here, a specific example of the temporal change of the luminance value that repeatedly appears will be described. A specific example of the change over time of the luminance value that appears repeatedly is exemplified by the change over time in the luminance values of the five graphs shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 6A, the luminance value data may change in a certain cycle in the luminance value data. At this time, the period C1 is about 1 second. On the other hand, in the luminance value data, the period in which the luminance value peak appears may change over time. FIG. 6B shows a case where the period in which the peak of the luminance value appears becomes longer with time, and the period C2 is longer than the period C1. FIG. 6C shows a case where the period in which the peak of the luminance value appears becomes shorter with time, and the period C3 is shorter than the period C1. FIG. 6D shows a case where the period in which the peak of the luminance value appears irregularly changes. FIG. 6E shows a case where the times t1, t2, and t3 from the bottom value to the peak value and returning to the bottom value become longer as time elapses. Note that the temporal change of the luminance value that repeatedly appears is not limited to that illustrated in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 5 again, step S22 is executed by the luminance value extraction unit 52b, and the peak value and the bottom value are extracted from the luminance value data acquired in step S21. A plurality of peak values are extracted from changes over time in luminance value data in one pixel. Similarly, a plurality of bottom values are extracted from the change over time of luminance value data in one pixel.

  In step S23, the target pixel constituting the cardiomyocyte image is specified based on the peak value and the bottom value which are executed by the pixel specifying unit 52c and acquired in step S22. First, an evaluation value that evaluates the state of change in luminance value that appears repeatedly is calculated. The evaluation value includes a peak value, a luminance value amplitude, a luminance value change rate (ratio value), and the like. Here, referring to FIG. 6A again, the peak value is the absolute value L of the peak appearing in the luminance value data. The bottom value is the absolute value B of the bottom that appears in the luminance value data. As the bottom value, background luminance value data acquired in advance may be used as the bottom value. The amplitude of the luminance value is a difference (LB) between the peak value and the bottom value. The change rate of the luminance value is the ratio (L / B) of the peak value to the bottom value.

For specifying the target pixel, at least one of the evaluation values is used. For example, there are the following combinations (i) to (vi) as evaluation values used for specifying the target pixel.
(I) Use only the luminance value amplitude as the evaluation value (ii) Use only the luminance value change rate as the evaluation value (iii) Use the peak value and the luminance value amplitude as the evaluation value (iv) (V) Use the luminance value amplitude and the luminance value change rate as evaluation values. (Vi) Use the peak value, the luminance value amplitude, and the luminance value change rate. Are used as evaluation values

  For comparison between the evaluation value and the threshold, the target pixel is specified based on the number of times the evaluation value exceeds a preset threshold. For example, when a plurality of evaluation values of one pixel exceeds a threshold value n times (n is an integer of 1 or more), the one pixel is specified as a target pixel. Further, the target pixel may be specified by comparing the average value of the evaluation values with a preset threshold value. For example, an average value of a plurality of evaluation values of one pixel is calculated. When the average value exceeds the threshold value, the one pixel is specified as the target pixel. In this way, the temporal change of the luminance value that repeatedly appears is evaluated based on the evaluation value.

  Furthermore, when using a plurality of evaluation values for specifying the target pixel as in the above (iii) to (vi), when all the evaluation values used for specifying the target pixel satisfy the condition defined by the threshold value, The pixel is specified as the target pixel.

  Step S30 is executed by the data processing unit 53, and analysis processing is performed on the target pixel constituting the cardiomyocyte image identified in step S20. Step S30 includes a step of correcting the luminance value data of the target pixel (correction step: S31) and a step of performing data processing based on the corrected luminance value data (luminance value data processing step: S32).

  Step S31 is executed by the phase correction unit 53a, and corrects the luminance value data by correcting the timing of changing from the bottom value to the peak value. When the luminance value radiated from the cardiomyocytes is changed over time due to the position of the cardiomyocytes and the medication, the timing at which the reaction appears may vary depending on how the stimulus is transmitted. For example, the timing at which a reaction appears in a pixel constituting an image of a cardiomyocyte at a position away from the center of stimulation is later than the timing at which a response appears at a pixel near the center of the stimulation. Therefore, the phase correction unit 53a corrects the timing for changing from the bottom value to the peak value so as to be matched among the plurality of pixels. Thereby, measurement sensitivity can be improved. If the timing deviation is within a preset time range, step S31 may be omitted.

  Step S32 is executed by the luminance value data processing unit 53b, and the luminance value data is processed based on the corrected luminance value data. In this process, for example, a process of calculating average luminance value data obtained by averaging the luminance value data of the target pixel in the well 21 for each two-dimensional image data at each time is executed. Thereby, the average luminance of the light emitted from the cells at a specific time can be calculated. Since the average luminance value data at each time is calculated using the corrected luminance value data phase-corrected in step S31, the measurement sensitivity can be improved. In addition, when there are a plurality of cardiomyocytes in the well 21, average luminance data obtained by averaging the luminance value data of the target pixel may be calculated for each region of the cardiomyocytes formed by the target pixel.

  By performing the above-described steps, average luminance value data for each well 21 or for each cardiomyocyte region is obtained. When the analysis result for each well 21 is displayed on the display device 61, the screen is displayed in a plurality of display areas (8 × 12 = 96 display areas in FIG. 7) arranged two-dimensionally as shown in FIG. It is also possible to classify and display the temporal change of the average luminance value data in the well 21 corresponding to each of them.

  In step S32, the change rate of the luminance value for each well 21 may be calculated. When calculating the change rate of the luminance value for each well 21, first, the luminance value data of the target pixel in the well 21 is averaged. Then, the peak value and the bottom value may be extracted from the averaged luminance value data, and the change rate of the luminance value may be calculated. Alternatively, the peak value and the bottom value for each pixel may be extracted from the brightness value data for each pixel, and the change rate of the brightness value for each pixel may be calculated, and then the change rate of the brightness value for each pixel may be averaged. .

  The light measurement method described above can be used for measuring the pulsation cycle of cardiomyocytes, for example, in the evaluation of cardiomyocytes.

  Hereinafter, a light measurement program that causes a computer to operate as the light measurement device 1 will be described.

  The light measurement program according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided by being stored in a recording medium. Examples of the recording medium include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a ROM, or a recording medium, or a semiconductor memory.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a computer for executing a program recorded on a recording medium, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the computer for executing a program stored on the recording medium. The computer includes various data processing devices such as a server device that includes a CPU and performs processing and control by software, and a personal computer.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a computer 70 includes a reading device 72 such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive device, a CD-ROM drive device, a DVD drive device, and a working memory (RAM) 73 in which an operating system is resident. , A memory 74 for storing a program stored in the recording medium 71, a display device 75 such as a display, a mouse 76 and a keyboard 77 as input devices, a communication device 78 for transmitting and receiving data, and the execution of the program And a CPU 79 for controlling the above. When the recording medium 71 is inserted into the reading device 72, the computer 70 can access the light measurement program stored in the recording medium 71 from the reading device 72, and the light measurement program according to the present embodiment is used by the light measurement program. It becomes possible to operate as 1.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the light measurement program may be provided via a network as a computer data signal 79 superimposed on a carrier wave. In this case, the computer 70 can store the light measurement program received by the communication device 78 in the memory 74 and execute the light measurement program.

  According to the light measurement apparatus 1 and the light measurement method using the same described above, moving image data of a two-dimensional light image for each region corresponding to the plurality of wells 21 is acquired (S10). Next, the luminance value data indicating the temporal change of the luminance value in each of the plurality of pixels constituting the moving image data is acquired (S21), and the peak value and the bottom value of the luminance value are extracted from the luminance value data (S22). ). Based on the peak value and the bottom value, an evaluation value for evaluating the change state of the luminance value is calculated, and based on the repeated state of the evaluation value, an image of a cardiomyocyte to be analyzed is composed of a plurality of pixels. The target pixel to be specified is specified (S23). In this way, the target area is specified based on the temporal change of the luminance value of the pixel. Accordingly, it is possible to specify pixels constituting an image of a cardiomyocyte in which light whose luminance value changes with time is repeatedly emitted. Furthermore, because the target pixel is specified based on the luminance value data indicating the change in luminance value over time, even when the cell area changes due to pulsation, such as cardiomyocytes, the boundaries of cardiomyocytes can be easily Can be specified.

  Further, in the light measurement device 1, the evaluation value may be the amplitude of the luminance value obtained by the difference between the peak value and the bottom value. According to this, since the amplitude of the luminance value is zero in the pixel of the region having the constant luminance value, only the pixel having the luminance value of the threshold value or more is specified by setting the predetermined amplitude threshold value. Can do. Therefore, it is possible to preferably specify pixels constituting an image of a cardiomyocyte in which light whose luminance value changes with time is repeatedly emitted.

  In the light measurement device 1, the evaluation value may be a change rate of the luminance value obtained by the ratio of the peak value to the bottom value. According to this, since the change rate of the brightness value is 1 in the pixel of the area having a constant brightness value, only a pixel having a change rate of the brightness value equal to or higher than the threshold value is set by setting a predetermined change rate threshold value. Can be identified. Therefore, it is possible to preferably specify pixels constituting an image of a cardiomyocyte in which light whose luminance value changes with time is repeatedly emitted.

  In the light measurement device 1, the pixel specifying unit 52 c may specify the target pixel based on the number of times that the evaluation value exceeds the threshold acquired in advance. According to this, it is possible to more suitably specify the pixels constituting the image of the myocardial cell in which the light whose luminance value changes with time is repeatedly emitted.

  In the light measurement device 1, the pixel specifying unit 52 c may specify the target pixel by comparing the average value of the evaluation values with a previously acquired threshold value. It is possible to more suitably specify the pixels constituting the image of the cardiomyocytes in which light whose luminance value changes with time is repeatedly emitted.

  In addition, the light measurement device 1 further includes a data processing unit 53 in which the analysis processing unit 51 performs analysis processing using the luminance value data of the target pixel as analysis data. According to this, the sample S can be evaluated using the luminance value data of the pixel selected by the pixel specifying unit 52c. Therefore, analysis processing with improved measurement sensitivity to the light from the sample S can be performed. That is, since the area occupied by one well 21 is set as one analysis area, pixels having luminance value data that changes with time based on the luminance value data for each pixel are specified and the average is calculated. In addition, it is possible to perform analysis processing with improved measurement sensitivity with respect to light from the pixels constituting the cardiomyocyte image.

  Next, an example in which the light measurement device 1 is used for cell evaluation will be described.

  In the above-described embodiment, the peak value, the amplitude of the luminance value, and the change rate of the luminance value are used as the evaluation values. As other evaluation values, a cycle of luminance values may be used. Moreover, you may use the time-dependent change of the area which the area | region comprised by several target pixel has. In addition, various analysis processes may be performed by combining a plurality of evaluation values based on changes over time in the peak value, the amplitude of the luminance value, the change rate of the luminance value, the cycle of the luminance value, and the area over time. Further, the presence / absence of a fluorescence energy transfer (FRET) reaction obtained based on an image on which two luminance value data are displayed may be used for specifying a target pixel.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, when determining the presence or absence of cells in the measurement region R1, for example, a peak value can be used as an evaluation value. The measurement region R1 includes a cardiomyocyte region A1, a non-cardiomyocyte cell region A2, and a plurality of dust regions A3. One area of the plurality of squares included in the measurement area R1 corresponds to one pixel. At this time, if the number of pixels including each element is arranged with respect to the luminance value of the pixel including each element, FIG. 10B is obtained. The graph G1 shows the frequency of the luminance value in the region A1 of the cardiomyocyte, and the graph G2 shows the frequency of the luminance value in the region A2 of the cell that is not the cardiomyocyte. Here, by setting the predetermined luminance value range S1, it is possible to specify pixels included in the image of the cardiomyocyte area A1 and the non-cardiomyocyte cell area A2 from the measurement area R1.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, when specifying, for example, myocardial cells in an area including different types of cells, the amplitude of the luminance value or the change rate of the luminance value can be used as the evaluation value. The measurement area R2 includes a cardiomyocyte area A1 and a non-cardiomyocyte area A2. This cardiomyocyte beats. Corresponding to this pulsation, the luminance value of the pixels included in the region A1 changes with time as shown in the graph G5 of FIG. On the other hand, since cells that are not cardiomyocytes do not pulsate, the luminance value is constant as shown in the graph G6. Therefore, by using the amplitude of the luminance value or the rate of change of the luminance value, it is possible to specify the pixels included in the image of the cardiomyocyte region A1 from the measurement region R2. Since the cardiomyocytes pulsate at a constant cycle C1, the pixels included in the image of the cardiomyocyte region A1 can be more reliably specified by using the cycle of the luminance value.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, when specifying a predetermined cardiomyocyte region A1a in a region R3 including a plurality of cardiomyocytes, the cycle of the luminance value can be used as an evaluation value. The graph G7 in FIG. 12B shows the change over time of the luminance values of the pixels included in the cardiomyocyte region A1a, and the graph G8 shows the change over time of the luminance values of the pixels included in the cardiomyocyte region A1b. For example, the luminance value period C8 in the cardiomyocyte region A1a is different from the luminance value period C9 in the cardiomyocyte region A1b. Therefore, a predetermined cardiomyocyte can be specified by comparing the cycle C8 and the cycle C9. According to this, although it is a cardiac muscle cell, what is not suitable for an analysis can be excluded. That is, it can be used for conducting screening for identifying a more suitable analysis target.

  In addition, when discriminating each cell in a region including a plurality of different cardiomyocytes and cells that are not cardiomyocytes, either the peak value, the luminance value amplitude or the luminance value change rate, and the luminance value The period can be used in combination as an evaluation value. According to this, first, cells that exceed a predetermined peak value threshold can be identified by using the peak value. That is, it is possible to identify cells that are well stained. Then, it is possible to discriminate myocardial cells from non-cardiomyocytes using either the luminance value amplitude or the luminance value change rate. Then, one cardiomyocyte and another cardiomyocyte can be discriminated using the cycle of the luminance value.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, when specifying the dust areas A3a and A3b that cannot be analyzed from the measurement area R4 and the background, the peak value, the amplitude of the luminance value, the change rate of the luminance value, and the luminance The period of the value can be used as the evaluation value. For example, referring to FIG. 13B, the graph G9, which is the luminance value data of the region A3a, is saturated and cannot be analyzed, and the region A3a is excluded as dust or background. Further, the graph G10, which is the luminance value data of the region A3b, is below the peak value threshold G11, and therefore cannot be an analysis target, and the region A3b is excluded as dust or background.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when specifying the dust regions A3a and A3b that cannot be analyzed from the measurement region R5, the area of the region formed by the target pixel can be used as the evaluation value. For example, a region A3b composed of a plurality of pixels e1 to e24 specified as the target pixel has an extremely large area compared to the myocardial cell region A1. The region A3b having such an extremely large area is unlikely to be a cardiomyocyte or the like. Therefore, it is possible to specify the dust region A3b that cannot be analyzed.

  Further, when the light measurement device 1 performs evaluation based on the luminance value data of the target pixel constituting the cardiomyocyte image, the number of pulsations of the cardiomyocytes may be detected based on the luminance value period. The state of arrhythmia may be determined based on the change rate and cycle of the luminance value, and the effect of the drug administered to the cell may be determined based on the change rate and cycle of the luminance value.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Light measuring device, 20 ... Microplate, 21 ... Well, 40 ... Moving image acquisition part, 50 ... Data processing apparatus, 51 ... Analysis processing part, 52a ... Luminance value data acquisition part, 52b ... Luminance value extraction part, 52c ... pixel specifying part, S ... sample.

Claims (8)

A light measurement device for measuring light emitted from the cardiomyocytes held by a sample case having a holding part for holding a sample containing cardiomyocytes,
Moving image acquisition for detecting a two-dimensional light image of the sample case including light emitted from the sample held in the holding portion of the sample case and acquiring moving image data of the two-dimensional light image Means,
Analysis processing means for performing analysis processing on the moving image data;
With
The analysis processing means includes
Luminance value data acquisition means for acquiring luminance value data indicating a change in luminance value with time for each of a plurality of pixels constituting the area corresponding to the holding unit from an area corresponding to the holding unit included in the moving image data; ,
An evaluation value for evaluating a temporal change of the luminance value that repeatedly appears in the luminance value data is calculated based on a value extracted from the luminance value data, and the cardiomyocytes are calculated from the plurality of pixels based on the evaluation value. Pixel specifying means for specifying the target pixel constituting the image;
A light measuring device comprising:   The measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation value is calculated based on a peak value of the luminance value extracted from the luminance value data. The measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation value is calculated based on a bottom value of the luminance value extracted from the luminance value data.   The measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation value is a cycle of the luminance value extracted from the luminance value data.   The measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the analysis processing unit further includes an area specifying unit that specifies an area of a region formed by the target pixel.   The light according to claim 1, wherein the analysis processing unit further includes a data processing unit that performs an analysis process using the luminance value data of the target pixel as analysis data. measuring device. A light measurement method for measuring light emitted from the cardiomyocytes held by a sample case having a holding part for holding a sample containing cardiomyocytes,
Moving image acquisition for detecting a two-dimensional light image of the sample case including light emitted from the sample held in the holding portion of the sample case and acquiring moving image data of the two-dimensional light image Steps,
An analysis processing step for performing analysis processing on the moving image data;
With
The analysis processing step includes
A luminance value data acquisition step of acquiring luminance value data indicating a change in luminance value with time for each of a plurality of pixels constituting the region corresponding to the holding unit from an area corresponding to the holding unit included in the moving image data; ,
An evaluation value for evaluating a temporal change of the luminance value that repeatedly appears in the luminance value data is calculated based on a value extracted from the luminance value data, and the cardiomyocytes are calculated from the plurality of pixels based on the evaluation value. A pixel specifying step for specifying a target pixel constituting the image;
A light measurement method comprising: A light measurement program for measuring light emitted from the cardiomyocytes held by a sample case having a holding part for holding a sample containing cardiomyocytes,
Computer
For the moving image data obtained by detecting the two-dimensional light image of the sample case including light emitted from the sample held in the holding unit of the sample case, acquired by the moving image acquisition unit, the moving image Luminance value data acquisition means for acquiring luminance value data indicating a change in luminance value with time for each of a plurality of pixels constituting the area corresponding to the holding unit, from an area corresponding to the holding unit included in image data;
An evaluation value for evaluating a temporal change of the luminance value that repeatedly appears in the luminance value data is calculated based on a value extracted from the luminance value data, and the cardiomyocytes are calculated from the plurality of pixels based on the evaluation value. Pixel specifying means for specifying target pixels constituting the image,
An optical measurement program characterized by functioning as

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