JP7027249B2 - Analytical equipment and analytical method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an analyzer and an analysis method.

In the examination of collected urine, it is considered to take an image of a urine sample flowing through a flow cell of a flow cell formed of a transparent member through the wall of the flow cell. For example, a urine sample flowing through a flow path provided in a flow cell is imaged, and by analyzing the captured image, urinary sediment components (blood cells, epithelial cells, columns, bacteria, crystals, etc.) are tangible in urine. A method for analyzing a solid) component) is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the sediment component in the urine sample passing through the detection region is detected by the detector, and after the delay time elapses, the pulse light source is emitted in the imaging region downstream of the detection region and the sediment component is emitted. Is being imaged.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 06-288895

However, since the speed at which the sediment component flows differs between the central part of the flow cell flow path and near the wall surface, the passage position of the sediment component in the flow cell is detected, and the delay time is adjusted according to this passage position. .. This complicates control. Further, since an optical system for detecting the sediment component in the detection region and an optical system for imaging the sediment component in the imaging region are required, the device is complicated and the manufacturing cost is high.

An object of the present invention is to realize detection and analysis of formed components in a sample at a lower cost.

One aspect of the present invention is a flow cell having a flow path of a sample containing a formed component, a branch portion for branching light transmitted through the flow path into at least a first optical path and a second optical path, and the first aspect. A first image pickup unit and a second image pickup unit that capture an image of the sample in the flow path using the light of the optical path and the light of the second optical path, and a control unit that processes the captured image. The first image pickup unit and the second image pickup unit are analyzers that capture images having the same viewing angle but different characteristics.

In addition, aspects of the present invention include the invention of a method corresponding to the above-mentioned analyzer.

According to the present invention, the detection and analysis of formed components in a sample can be realized at a lower cost.

It is a figure which showed the schematic structure of the analyzer which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which showed the schematic structure of the flow cell. It is a figure which showed the schematic structure in the vicinity of a confluence part and a taper part. It is a figure which showed the distribution of the sheath liquid and a sample flowing through the 4th passage. It is a flowchart which showed the flow which classifies the formed component. It is a figure which showed the schematic structure of the analyzer which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which showed the flow which classifies the formed component. It is a figure which showed the schematic structure of the analyzer which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, unless otherwise specified, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to those alone.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an analyzer 20 according to the first embodiment. The analyzer 20 includes an image pickup device 1. The image pickup apparatus 1 captures, for example, urine as a sample, and analyzes the captured image to analyze, for example, a formed component in urine. However, the image pickup apparatus 1 can also be applied to the analysis of formed components in liquid samples other than urine, such as blood and body fluids.

The image pickup apparatus 1 includes an image pickup unit 10 for taking an image of a sample, a light source 12 for image pickup, and a flow cell unit 13. The flow cell unit 13 includes a stage (not shown) in which the flow cell 13A through which the sample is distributed is fixedly arranged. The flow cell 13A may be detachable from the stage.

The image pickup apparatus 1 includes an objective lens 101, a branch portion 102, a first lens group 103A, a second lens group 103B, a mask 104, a first camera 105A, and a second camera 105B. The first camera 105A and the second camera 105B are, for example, CCD (Charge Coupled Device).
Imaging is performed using an image sensor such as an image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor. In the following, the objective lens 101, the branch portion 102, the first lens group 103A, the mask 104, and the first camera 105A are collectively referred to as the first image pickup unit 100A, and the objective lens 101, the branch portion 102, the second lens group 103B, and the second lens group 103A. The two cameras 105B are collectively referred to as the second imaging unit 100B. The first lens group 103A and the second lens group 103B each include an eyepiece and may further have an imaging lens. The flow cell 13A is arranged between the light source 12 and the objective lens 101, and the light source 12 and the objective lens 101 are shared by the first imaging unit 100A and the second imaging unit 100B.

The analyzer 20 is provided with a controller 14 as a control unit. The controller 14 includes a CPU 14A, a ROM 14B, a RAM 14C, an EEPROM 14D, and an interface circuit 14E, and is connected to each other by a bus line 14F.

The CPU (central processing unit) 14A operates based on a program stored in the ROM (read only memory) 14B and read in the RAM (random access memory) 14C, and controls the entire analyzer 20. The ROM 14B stores programs and data for operating the CPU 14A. The RAM 14C provides a work area to the CPU 14A and temporarily stores various data and programs. The EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory) 14D stores various setting data and the like. The interface circuit 14E controls communication between the CPU 14A and various circuits.

The interface circuit 14E is connected to the control lines of the first image pickup unit 100A, the second image pickup unit 100B, the light source 12, the first pump 15A and the second pump 15B, and these devices are used as control signals from the controller 14. Controlled by. The first pump 15A is a pump that supplies the sheath liquid to the flow cell 13A via the first supply pipe 132A, and the second pump 15B is a pump that supplies a sample to the flow cell 13A via the second supply pipe 133A. ..
The sheath liquid is a liquid that controls the flow of the sample in the flow cell 13A, and for example, when the sample is urine, physiological saline is applied. However, a solution other than physiological saline may be used as the sheath solution.

The branching portion 102 branches the light from the flow cell 13A in two or more directions. The branching portion 102 is a splitter such as a half mirror, and splits the light in two directions by transmitting a part of the light passing through the objective lens 101 and reflecting the rest. Then, of the branched light, the light transmitted through the branched portion 102 is incident on the first lens group 103A and is incident on the photographing surface of the image pickup element included in the first camera 105A. That is, it is subjected to imaging in the first imaging unit 100A. On the other hand, the light reflected by the branch portion 102 is incident on the second lens group 103B and is incident on the image pickup surface of the image pickup element included in the second camera 105B. That is, it is subjected to imaging in the second imaging unit 100B. The optical path of light between the branch portion 102 and the first camera 105A is referred to as a first optical path, and the optical path of light between the branch portion 102 and the second camera 105B is referred to as a second optical path. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the branch portion 102 is arranged on the optical axis 11B of the objective lens 101. Further, in FIG. 1, the optical axis of the first optical path is indicated by 111A, and the optical axis of the second optical path is indicated by 111B.

The mask 104 is arranged between the branch portion 102 and the first lens group 103A (that is, inserted into the first optical path). The mask 104 is formed by making a circular hole in the plate, and the optical axis 111A of the first lens group 103A passes through the central axis of the hole of the mask 104 and is arranged at a position orthogonal to the optical axis 111A of the first optical path. There is. The mask 104 functions as a diaphragm that reduces the amount of light directed toward the first camera 105A by blocking a part of the light in the first optical path. The mask 104 increases the depth of field of the first camera 105A.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the flow cell 13A. The flow cell 13A is formed by joining (for example, thermocompression bonding) the first plate 130 and the second plate 131. FIG. 2 is a view of the flow cell 13A viewed from the first plate 130 side. The width direction of the flow cell 13A shown in FIG. 2 is the X-axis direction in the Cartesian coordinate system, the length direction is the Y-axis direction, and the thickness direction is the Z-axis direction. The sample to be imaged flows in the flow cell 13A in the Y-axis direction. The optical axis 11B of the objective lens 101 is arranged in the Z-axis direction.

As the material of the flow cell 13A, for example, a material having a visible light transmittance of 90% or more, such as PMMA (acrylic resin), COP (cycloolefin polymer), PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane), PP (polypropylene), and quartz glass, is adopted. be able to.

The first plate 130 is provided with a first supply port 132 for supplying the sheath liquid, a second supply port 133 for supplying the sample, and a discharge port 134 for discharging the sheath liquid and the sample. The first supply port 132, the second supply port 133, and the discharge port 134 each penetrate the first plate 130. The first supply port 132 is provided on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the first plate 130, the second supply port 133 is provided on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the first plate 130, and the discharge port 134 is the first. It is provided between the first supply port 132 and the second supply port 133 in the longitudinal direction of the plate 130.

The first supply port 132, the second supply port 133, and the discharge port 134 are communicated with each other by passages 135A, 135B, 136, and 138. These passages 135A, 135B, 136, and 138 are formed so as to be recessed from the surface of the first plate 130 on the joint surface side so that the cross section becomes rectangular. Further, the cross sections of the passages 135A, 135B, 136, and 138 are formed so as to be larger in the width direction (X-axis direction in FIG. 2) than in the depth direction (Z-axis direction in FIG. 2). When the first plate 130 and the second plate 131 are joined, the second plate 131 becomes a wall material forming the passages 135A, 135B, 136, and 138.

The first passage 135A and the second passage 135B are connected to the first supply port 132. The first passage 135A and the second passage 135B, respectively, reverse in the opposite direction toward the second supply port 133 side along the outer edge of the first plate 130, and merge at the merging portion 137. Further, a third passage 136 is connected to the second supply port 133, and the third passage 136 joins the first passage 135A and the second passage 135B at the merging portion 137. The merging portion 137 is connected to the discharge port 134 via the fourth passage 138. The fourth passage 138 has a tapered shape in which the depth of the fourth passage 138 (the length of the first plate 130 in the plate thickness direction (Z-axis direction)) gradually decreases from the confluence 137 toward the discharge port 134. The formed tapered portion 138A is formed. The tapered portion 138A is provided with an inclination of, for example, 2 ° to 8 °.

The first supply pipe 132A shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the first supply port 132, the second supply pipe 133A shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the second supply port 133, and the discharge port 134 is connected to the second supply pipe 133A. A discharge pipe (not shown) is connected. The sheath liquid supplied from the first supply pipe 132A to the first supply port 132 flows through the first passage 135A and the second passage 135B. The sample supplied from the second supply pipe 133A to the second supply port 133 flows through the third passage 136. Then, the sheath liquid and the sample merge at the confluence portion 137, flow through the fourth passage 138, and are discharged from the discharge port 134 to the discharge pipe.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration in the vicinity of the merging portion 137 and the tapered portion 138A. In the merging portion 137, the third passage 136 is arranged unevenly toward the second plate 131, and the sample flows along the second plate 131 in the merging portion 137.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the distribution of the sheath liquid and the sample flowing through the fourth passage 138. After the sheath liquid and the sample are separately supplied from the upper side in FIG. 4, they are merged at the merging portion 137. Immediately after the sheath liquid and the sample merge at the merging portion 137, the sample in the sheath liquid is concentrated in a relatively narrow area on the wall surface side of the second plate 131 (see the AA cross section of FIG. 4). After that, when the sample flows through the tapered portion 138A, the sample is pushed by the sheath liquid and spreads flatly along the wall surface near the wall surface of the second plate 131 (see the BB cross section of FIG. 4). When the sample further flows, the sample is lifted toward the center of the fourth passage 138 by the Tubular-pinch effect, away from the wall surface of the second plate 131 (see the CC cross section in FIG. 4).

The distribution of formed components is affected by the distribution of the sample fluid in the sheath fluid. By performing imaging at a position where more formed components can be imaged, the analysis accuracy of the formed components can be improved. In the flow cell 13A, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, the flow of the sample changes depending on the position in the Y-axis direction. At the position of the CC cross section of FIG. 4, the width of the sample in the Z-axis direction is larger than that of the position of the BB cross section. At the position of the CC cross section in FIG. 4, the formed components in the sample are spread and distributed in the Z-axis direction, which is not suitable for imaging the formed components.

On the other hand, at the position of the BB cross section in FIG. 4, the sheath liquid flows from above so as to press the sample against the second plate 131, and the sample is crushed by the sheath liquid and spreads thinly. Therefore, at the position of the BB cross section in FIG. 4, the formed component in the sample does not spread in the Z-axis direction and exists, and it is easy to focus. Both the sheath fluid and the sample fluid form a laminar flow and hardly mix with each other. Since the position of such a BB cross section is a position in the Y-axis direction suitable for imaging the formed component, the sample is imaged at this position in the Y-axis direction. This position is called an imaging position, and the optical axis 11B of the objective lens 101 is aligned with this imaging position.

In the first image pickup unit 100A, the mask 104 is inserted into the first optical path and the amount of light toward the first camera 105A is reduced (the numerical aperture is reduced). On the other hand, the second optical path is not provided with a throttle corresponding to the mask 104. Therefore, the depth of field of the image captured by the first imaging unit 100A is deeper than the depth of field of the image captured by the second imaging unit 100B. On the other hand, the resolution of the second imaging unit 100B is higher than the resolution of the first imaging unit 100A. The diameter of the hole formed in the mask 104 is set so as to have a desired numerical aperture in the first imaging unit 100A. The desired numerical aperture can be set according to the depth of field required for the first imaging unit 100A.

Further, the depth of field of the second imaging unit 100B is included in the depth of field of the image captured by the first imaging unit 100A so that the depth of field of the image captured by the second imaging unit 100B is included in the depth of field of the image captured by the first imaging unit 100A. Is set.

The first camera 105A and the second camera 105B simultaneously capture still images of formed components in the sample circulating in the flow cell 13A. The image pickup is a magnified image pickup, and the lighting time of the light source 12 and the image pickup time (exposure time) of the first camera 105A and the second camera 105B are synchronized by the controller 14. Parallel light is incident on the flow cell 13A from the light source 12. The light source 12 is turned on one or more times during imaging. The lighting time of the light source 12 depends on the flow velocity of the sample, and is set to, for example, 0.1 to 10 μsec so that the subject blur is within the allowable range. By causing the light source 12 to emit light a plurality of times for one exposure, the number of formed components contained in one image may be increased. By imaging a larger amount of formed matter, the analysis accuracy of the formed portion can be further improved. In this case, the blinking timing of the light source 12 is determined in consideration of the relationship between the flow velocity of the sample and the lighting time of the light source 12 so that the same sample is not imaged. As the light source 12, for example, a xenon lamp or a white LED can be adopted, but the light source 12 is not limited to this, and other light sources can also be adopted. A plurality of such images are captured.

By branching the optical path into the first optical path and the second optical path at the branch portion 102 and providing the mask 104 only in the first optical path of the first optical path and the second optical path, the light source 12 transmitted through the flow cell 13A is provided. When an image of light is simultaneously imaged by the first imaging unit 100A and the second imaging unit 100B, it is possible to acquire two images having the same viewing angle but different characteristics such as depth of field and resolution. The image captured by the first image pickup unit 100A, whose depth of field is deeper than that of the second image pickup unit 100B, has a wide range of focus on the formed portion, and is therefore suitable for determining the position and number of the formed portion. On the other hand, the image captured by the second imaging unit 100B having a higher resolution is suitable for morphological observation of cell nuclei and the like and for classifying the formed components classified by type in more detail.

The CPU 14A captures an image of a sample flowing through the flow cell 13A using the first imaging unit 100A and the second imaging unit 100B, and obtains the position, size, and number of formed components from the image captured by the first imaging unit 100A. The cutout size of the image is determined from the size of the grasped and formed portion, and the cutout image is generated. The cut-out image is an image in which the background image and the captured image are compared, and the image inside the difference is surrounded by a square.

Prior to the generation of the cut-out image, the CPU 14A creates a background image obtained by averaging the pixel values of each pixel for each image using the stored image data. The pixel value may be the brightness of each pixel or an RGB value. The cut-out image is generated by the CPU 14A executing a program (cut-out process) stored in the ROM 14B. The cut-out image is stored in the RAM 14C together with the cut-out position and the cut-out size. For example, the CPU 14A generates a cutout image for all the formed components contained in the captured image.

The CPU 14A is an image captured by the second image pickup unit 100B with an image having the same cutout position and the same cutout size as the cutout image (hereinafter referred to as the first cutout image) generated from the image captured by the first image pickup unit 100A. A cut-out image (hereinafter referred to as a second cut-out image) is generated by cutting out from. Then, the first cut-out image and the second cut-out image are associated and stored in the RAM 14C. The first cutout image and the second cutout image are CPUs.
It is used for various analyzes by 14A.

Since the formed matter can be recognized from the image captured by the first imaging unit 100A, it is not necessary to perform the process of recognizing the formed portion from the image captured by the second imaging unit 100B. In this way, the position, size, and number of the formed components are grasped based on the image captured by the first imaging unit 100A, and the formed components are formed based on the image captured by the second imaging unit 100B. Perform a detailed morphological observation of the minute. By this morphological observation, the formed components can be analyzed and classified with high accuracy.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow for classifying the formed components. This flowchart is executed by the CPU 14A.

In step S101, the CPU 14A acquires an image captured by the first imaging unit 100A and the second imaging unit 100B. Hereinafter, the image captured by the first imaging unit 100A is referred to as a first image, and the image captured by the second imaging unit 100B is referred to as a second image.

When the process of step S101 is completed, the process proceeds to step S102, and the CPU 14A cuts out the formed portion from the first image to generate the first cut-out image and stores it in the RAM 14C.

When the process of step S102 is completed, the process proceeds to step S103, and the CPU 14A acquires the position information and the feature amount of the first cut-out image. The position information and the feature amount of the first cut-out image are stored in the RAM 14C in association with the first cut-out image. Color, shape, and size can be exemplified as the feature amount. A program stored in the ROM 14B in advance is used to acquire the feature amount.

When the process of step S103 is completed, the process proceeds to step S104, and the CPU 14A cuts out the formed portion from the second image to generate a cut-out image (second cut-out image). The second cut-out image is generated by cutting out an image of the same size at the same position as the first cut-out image based on the position information of each of the plurality of first cut-out images.

When the process of step S104 is completed, the process proceeds to step S105, and the CPU 14A acquires the feature amount of the second cutout image. The feature amount of the second cut-out image is stored in the RAM 14C in association with the second cut-out image.

When the process of step S105 is completed, the process proceeds to step S106, and the CPU 14A classifies the formed components based on the feature quantities acquired in steps S103 and S105. A program stored in ROM 14B in advance is used for classification. For example, the CPU 14A classifies the formed components by comparing the feature amount of the first cut-out image or the feature amount of the second cut-out image with the feature amount of each formed component stored in the ROM 14B in advance.

When the process of step S106 is completed, the process proceeds to step S107, the CPU 14A counts the formed components for each type of formed components classified in step S106, and then proceeds to step S108 to output the counting result in step S107. .. Based on this counting result, the CPU 14A may perform various analyzes.

In this way, the position and number of formed components can be specified based on the first cut-out image, and by classifying the formed components based on the second cut-out image, the analysis accuracy of the formed components can be improved. Can be enhanced. Further, when acquiring images having different characteristics such as a first image and a second image, only one light source 12 and one objective lens 101 are required. Further, by simultaneously capturing the first image and the second image having the same viewing angle, it is not necessary to provide a delay time for capturing the first image and the second image, so that the device and control should be simplified. Can be done. This makes it possible to detect and analyze the formed components in the sample at a lower cost.

In the above description, the mask 104 is used as the optical member for reducing the amount of light, but an optical slit may be used instead of the mask 104.

(Second embodiment)
In the first embodiment, the depth of field and the resolution of the first image are changed by the mask 104, but in the second embodiment, instead of arranging the mask 104 in the first image pickup unit 100A, the mask 104 is changed. The optical filter 106 is arranged in the second image pickup unit 100B. Hereinafter, the points different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the analyzer 20 according to the second embodiment. The mask 104 is not provided in the first imaging unit 100A. In the second image pickup unit 100B, an optical filter 106 is provided between the second camera 105B and the second lens group 103B. The optical filter 106 is, for example, an optical filter that transmits only light having a predetermined wavelength.

For example, a case where red blood cells are detected as a sediment component in a urine sample will be described. Since erythrocytes absorb green, by providing an optical filter 106 that transmits green, formed components other than erythrocytes in the sample can be imaged by the second camera 105B. At the same time, the image captured by the first camera 105A captures a formed component containing red blood cells. When the formed component that can be recognized in the first image cannot be recognized in the second image, the formed component can be classified as erythrocytes. Therefore, it is possible to accurately distinguish between erythrocytes and calcium oxalate crystals that are similar to erythrocytes. The transmission wavelength of the optical filter 106 can be appropriately selected depending on the sample fluid and the formed component. The optical filter 106 can be easily replaced according to the formed component to be distinguished.

As described above, by using the optical filter 106, it becomes possible to easily classify the formed components in the sample. The CPU 14A generates a first cutout image from the first cutout image, generates a second cutout image having the same position and size as the first cutout image from the second cutout image, compares it with the first cutout image, and classifies the formed components. conduct.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow for classifying the formed components. This flowchart is executed by the CPU 14A.

From step S201 to step S205, the CPU 14A executes the same process as step S101 to step S105 shown in FIG.

When the process of step S205 is completed, the process proceeds to step S206, and the CPU 14A classifies the formed components based on the feature quantities acquired in steps S203 and S205. For example, if the formed component can be recognized in the first cut-out image but the formed component cannot be recognized in the corresponding second cut-out image at the same position, the light having a wavelength that cannot be transmitted by the optical filter 106 can be recognized. It is classified as a formed component. A program stored in ROM 14B in advance is used for classification.

When the process of step S206 is completed, the process proceeds to step S207, the CPU 14A counts the formed components classified in step S206, and then proceeds to step S208 to output the counting result of step S207. Based on this counting result, the CPU 14A may perform various analyzes. Further, the CPU 14A may analyze the formed portion based on the classified first cut-out image, or may analyze the formed portion based on the image in which the formed portion can be recognized in the second cut-out image. ..

By classifying the formed components based on the first cut-out image and the second cut-out image in this way, the analysis accuracy of the formed components can be improved. Further, by inserting the optical filter 106 into one of the plurality of optical paths, the wavelength characteristics of the light incident on the first imaging unit 100A and the second imaging unit 100B are different. Therefore, when acquiring images having different characteristics of the first image and the second image, only one light source 12 and one objective lens 101 are required. Further, by simultaneously photographing the same field of view, it is not necessary to provide a delay time for imaging the first image and the second image, so that the device and control can be simplified. This makes it possible to detect and analyze the formed components in the sample at a lower cost.

(Third embodiment)
In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the first image pickup unit 100A and the second image pickup unit 100B are provided as the image pickup unit, but more image pickup units can be provided. Further, the mask 104 according to the first embodiment and the optical filter 106 according to the second embodiment can be combined. Further, a plurality of masks having different hole diameters can be provided in different imaging units. Further, a plurality of optical filters having different wavelengths of transmitted light can be provided in different image pickup units. It can also be provided with a slit. Hereinafter, a configuration in which three image pickup units are provided will be described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the analyzer 20 according to the third embodiment. The image pickup apparatus 1 includes a first image pickup unit 100A, a second image pickup unit 100B, and a third image pickup unit 100C. Further, the image pickup apparatus 1 includes a first branch portion 102A and a second branch portion 102B. The first image pickup unit 100A includes an objective lens 101, a first branch unit 102A, a first lens group 103A, a mask 104, and a first camera 105A. The second imaging unit 100B includes an objective lens 101, a first branch unit 102A, a second branch unit 102B, a second lens group 103B, an optical filter 106, and a second camera 105B. The third imaging unit 100C includes an objective lens 101, a first branch unit 102A, a second branch unit 102B, a third lens group 103C, and a third camera 105C.

The first lens group 103A, the second lens group 103B, and the third lens group 103C each include an eyepiece and may further have an imaging lens. The objective lens 101 and the light source 12 are shared by the first imaging unit 100A, the second imaging unit 100B, and the third imaging unit 100C.

The first branch portion 102A and the second branch portion 102B are splitters such as a half mirror. The first branching portion 102A branches the light in two directions by transmitting a part of the light passing through the objective lens 101 and reflecting the rest. The light transmitted through the first branch portion 102A is incident on the first lens group 103A and is used for imaging in the first imaging unit 100A.

The second branch portion 102B transmits a part of the light reflected by the first branch portion 102A and reflects the rest of the light to further branch the light in two directions. The light transmitted through the second branch portion 102B is incident on the second lens group 103B and is used for imaging in the second image pickup unit 100B. The light reflected by the second branch portion 102B is incident on the third lens group 103C and is subjected to imaging by the third imaging unit 100C.

The first imaging unit 100A, the second imaging unit 100B, the third imaging unit 100C, the light source 12, and the first pump 15A and the second pump 15B are connected to the controller 14, and these devices are connected to the controller 14. Controlled by.

The CPU 14A simultaneously captures an image having the same viewing angle by the first imaging unit 100A, the second imaging unit 100B, and the third imaging unit 100C. Then, the position, size, and number of the formed components are grasped from the images captured by the first imaging unit 100A, and the formed components in the sample are formed from the images captured by the second imaging unit 100B and the third imaging unit 100C. Minutes are classified, and detailed morphological observation of the formed portion is carried out based on the image captured by the third imaging unit 100C. The hole diameter of the mask 104 and the type of the optical filter 106 are appropriately selected according to the type of the formed component and the analysis content. In the analysis of the formed portion, the same processing as the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 7 may be performed.

As described above, even when three or more image pickup units are provided, images having the same viewing angle can be simultaneously captured, so that the device and control can be simplified. This makes it possible to detect and analyze the formed components in the sample at a lower cost.

In the above embodiment, for example, the first image pickup unit 100A is provided with an optical member for reducing the amount of light incident on the first camera 105A, and the second image pickup unit 100B is provided with an optical filter 106. Needless to say, an optical member or an optical filter may be provided in any one image pickup unit.

Further, in the above embodiment, the mode in which the sample after passing through the tapered portion 138A of the flow cell 13A is in contact with the wall surface of the flow cell 13A has been described as an example, but the structure of the flow cell and the flow of the sample are limited to this mode. Not done. For example, a flow cell having a structure in which the sheath liquid surrounds the sample after passing through the tapered portion 138A of the flow cell 13A and the sample is thinly stretched at the center of the sheath liquid may be used. The first camera 105A and the second camera 105B used in the above embodiment are not particularly limited, and it goes without saying that the same camera may be used or cameras having different performances may be used.

(Fourth Embodiment)
The present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the number of pixels of the image pickup element included in the first camera 105A of the first image pickup unit 100A (hereinafter, also referred to as the number of pixels of the first camera 105A or the number of pixels of the first image pickup unit 100A) is the first. It is smaller than the number of pixels of the image pickup element of the second camera 105B of the second image pickup unit 100B (hereinafter, also referred to as the number of pixels of the second camera 105B or the number of pixels of the second image pickup unit 100B). Since the mask 104 is provided in the first imaging unit 100A, the depth of field of the image captured by the first imaging unit 100A is larger than the depth of field of the image captured by the second imaging unit 100B. Is getting deeper. On the other hand, the resolution of the second imaging unit 100B is higher than the resolution of the first imaging unit 100A. Further, the viewing angle of the first imaging unit 100A and the viewing angle of the second imaging unit 100B are the same.

Here, since the number of pixels of the camera is appropriate for the resolution of the image pickup unit, the number of pixels is smaller than the resolution when a camera with the number of pixels that does not consider the resolution of each image pickup unit is used. It may be (less) too much or too large (more). When the number of pixels is too large (large) with respect to the resolution, it means that the size of one pixel is too small with respect to the resolution. When the number of pixels is too small (small) with respect to the resolution, it means that the size of one pixel is too large with respect to the resolution. If a camera having a number of pixels corresponding to the resolution of the second imaging unit 100B is used for the first imaging unit 100A, the number of pixels may be larger than necessary for the resolution of the first imaging unit 100A. On the other hand, if a camera having a number of pixels corresponding to the resolution of the first imaging unit 100A is used for the second imaging unit 100B, the number of pixels may be too small for the second imaging unit 100B with respect to the resolution.

On the other hand, by making the number of pixels of the first camera 105A smaller than the number of pixels of the second camera 105B, a camera having a number of pixels corresponding to the resolutions of the first image pickup unit 100A and the second image pickup unit 100B can be obtained. Can be placed. The combination of the number of pixels of the first camera 105A and the second camera 105B is, for example, (1) the number of pixels of the first camera 105A is 2 million to 3 million pixels, and the number of pixels of the second camera 105B is 1800. A combination of 10,000 to 20 million pixels, (2) a combination of 2 million to 3 million pixels of the first camera 105A and 5 million to 12 million pixels of the second camera 105B, (3) No. A combination in which the number of pixels of one camera 105A is 1 million pixels or less and the number of pixels of the second camera 105B is 2 million to 3 million pixels is conceivable, but the combination of the number of pixels is not limited to these. For example, the number of pixels of the first camera 105A may be any number of pixels suitable for obtaining the position and number of formed components. On the other hand, the number of pixels of the second camera 105B may be any number of pixels suitable for fine morphological observation of the formed portion. By selecting such a number of pixels, the number of pixels of the first camera 105A becomes smaller than the number of pixels of the second camera 105B.

Generally, the smaller the number of pixels of the camera, the lower the price of the camera. Therefore, by making the number of pixels of the first camera 105A smaller than the number of pixels of the second camera 105B, the price of the first camera 105A can be lowered. Therefore, the cost of the analyzer 20 as a whole can be reduced. Further, in general, the smaller the number of pixels, the smaller the load of image processing. Therefore, by making the number of pixels of the first camera 105A smaller than the number of pixels of the second camera 105B, the processing of the image captured by the first camera 105A is performed. The speed can be increased, and thus the processing speed of the analyzer 20 as a whole can be increased.

1 Imaging device 12 Light source 13A Flow cell 14 Controller 20 Analytical device 100A First imaging unit 100B Second imaging unit 101 Objective lens 102 Branch 104 Mask

Claims (8)

A flow cell having a flow path of a sample containing a formed component,
A branch portion that branches the light transmitted through the flow path into at least the first optical path and the second optical path,
A first imaging unit and a second imaging unit that capture an image of the sample in the flow path using the light of the first optical path and the light of the second optical path.
A control unit that processes the captured image, and
Equipped with
An analyzer that captures images having the same viewing angle but different characteristics between the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit. The control unit generates the position information of the formed portion from the image captured by the first imaging unit, and the image of the formed portion from the image captured by the second imaging unit based on the position information. The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the processing for cutting out the image is performed. The control unit uses the image captured by the first image pickup unit using the light branched from the branch portion to the first optical path and the second image pickup using the light branched from the branch portion to the second optical path. The analyzer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the formed portion is detected by comparing with the image captured by the unit. Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first imaging unit includes an optical member that reduces the amount of incident light, and the depth of field of the first imaging unit is larger than the depth of field of the second imaging unit. The analyzer according to item 1. The second imaging unit includes an optical filter that transmits light of a predetermined wavelength, and the wavelength characteristics of the light incident on the first imaging unit and the light incident on the second imaging unit are different, claims 1 to 4. The analyzer according to any one of the above items. The analyzer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the number of pixels of the first imaging unit is smaller than the number of pixels of the second imaging unit. A step of irradiating a flow cell having a flow path of a sample containing a formed component with light from a light source,
A step of branching the light transmitted through the flow path into at least a first optical path and a second optical path,
A step of capturing a first image, which is an image of the sample in the flow path, using the light of the first optical path, and
A step of capturing a second image having the same viewing angle as the first image but having different characteristics using the light of the second optical path.
A step of cutting out a first cut-out image containing the formed component from the first image and specifying the position information of the first cut-out image.
A step of cutting out the second cut-out image of the formed portion from the second image based on the position information, and
Analytical methods including. The analysis method according to claim 7, further comprising a step of detecting the formed component by comparing the first cut-out image with the second cut-out image.

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