KR101895760B1 - Blood cell analysis system and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the hematology analyzing system and its control method, first to fourth chambers storing respective reagents for on-blood count, nucleated red blood cells, leukocyte differentiation count and reticulocyte count, first and second chambers, A first inspection module connected to the second line and examining the blood cells of the reagent moving through the first line or the second line, a second inspection module connected to the third and fourth chambers respectively by third and fourth lines, A second inspection module for inspecting blood cells of a reagent moving through a line or a fourth line and an inspection process to be performed are set and the first and second inspection modules simultaneously perform respective inspection processes based on the set inspection process A plurality of inspection processes are set by combining the inspection processes based on the frequency and the required time of each inspection process, Perform the inspection process can be set at the time of the inspection module can minimize test time.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a hematology analyzing system,

The present invention relates to a hematology analyzing system and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a hematology analyzing system and a control method thereof for analyzing images of hematocrit contained in blood using a plurality of inspection modules.

Blood tests are performed to obtain medical information from the blood.

Among these blood tests, hematological analysis is one of the most commonly performed medical tests to provide an overview of the patient's health status, in which blood samples taken from the patient's body are treated with anticoagulants to prevent clotting Containing test tubes.

Whole blood samples usually include three major classes of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, each of which can be further subdivided into subclasses of components.

For example, the five major types or subclasses of white blood cells (WBCs) may include neutrophils, lymphocytes, mononuclear cells, eosinophils and basophils that have different shapes and functions.

And subpopulations of red blood cells may include reticulocytes (RET) and Nucleated Red Blood Cells (NRBC).

These blood tests can identify information on three types of cells (blood cells) in the blood, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, using various parameters.

Conventionally, a manual test was used in which a drop of blood was thin-smeared and the cell count was measured through a microscope using a hemocytometer.

Recently, an automatic blood cell analyzer which automatically measures the number of blood cells in a certain volume after appropriately diluting blood to obtain numerical information of blood cells is widely used.

Since the automatic hematology analyzer can measure various indicators other than numerical information, it is more widely used than manual examination.

Among them, a flow cytometer and flow cytometry are used to measure various information about a cell by using scattering of light generated by colliding with a cell by emitting a laser while passing the cell through a thin tube and luminescence of the fluorescent material Cell size, intracellular composition, cell function, etc. are measured simultaneously and only specific cells are sorted.

For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a fluorescence activated biological cell sorting apparatus and a cell sorting method using a laser diode.

As in Patent Document 1, the conventional cell sorting method uses a laser light source such as a laser diode to irradiate cells with laser light, and a light scattering effect that is scattered by cell components such as nuclei as the light passes through the cells And the distribution of the scattered light is detected and the cells are classified according to the detected scattered light.

That is, according to a conventional cell sorting method, a single laser beam is irradiated, a plurality of photodetectors are provided in a portion where the irradiated light passes through the cells, and a plurality of photodetectors The density of light is measured according to the angle to identify the cells, thereby sorting the cell types.

1 is a block diagram of an automatic hematology analyzer according to the prior art.

1, the automatic hematology analyzer 1 according to the related art includes a blood count meter (hereinafter, referred to as 'CBC'), differential counting (hereinafter referred to as 'DIFF'), (NRBC) or reticulocyte (RET) test is carried out, the inspection module 3 is installed on one inspection line 2, and the reagent for performing each inspection is stored in the first to fourth chambers (4 to 7) are connected to the test line (2), and blood cells are analyzed while sequentially passing each reagent.

The automatic hemoglobin analyzer 1 according to the related art performs the respective inspection processes and then supplies the cleaning liquid to the inspection line 2 through the cleaning module 8 to perform the next inspection, And the inspection module 3 are cleaned.

Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0619256 (issued on August 31, 2006)

As described above, since the automatic hematology analyzer according to the related art has to perform a cleaning operation every time one inspection process is completed in the blood inspection process, the inspection time is unnecessarily long.

In addition, since the automatic hematology analyzer according to the related art performs a cleaning operation after performing each inspection process and then performs another inspection process, when the cleaning operation is incompletely performed, the blood test result becomes inaccurate, There was a problem that the accuracy of the analyzer deteriorated.

In particular, the blood tests require different tests for each patient, and each test has a different examination time.

Therefore, it is required to develop a technology that can minimize the blood test time and improve the precision of the blood test result by applying a plurality of test modules and a dedicated test line and optimizing the test process considering the time required for each test process .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a hematology analyzing system and a control method thereof that can minimize hematological analysis time using a plurality of inspection lines and an inspection module.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hematology analyzing system and a control method thereof that can minimize a hematological analysis time by optimizing an inspection process in consideration of the time required for each inspection process.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hematology analyzing system and a control method thereof that can improve the accuracy of a hematology analysis result.

In order to achieve the above object, the blood cell analyzing system according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the process of performing the ON blood cell count, the leukocyte differentiation count, the nucleated red blood cell, and the reticulocyte test, The plurality of inspection processes are set by combining the inspection processes, and the inspection process set in the plurality of inspection modules is simultaneously performed to minimize the blood cell analysis time.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the control method of the hematology analyzing system according to the present invention is a control method of the hematology analyzing system according to the present invention, in the process of performing the hematocrit count, leukocyte discrimination count, nucleated red blood cell, A plurality of inspection processes are set by combining each inspection process on the basis of time, and an inspection process set in a plurality of inspection modules is simultaneously performed to minimize a blood cell analysis time.

As described above, according to the hematological analyzing system and the control method thereof according to the present invention, it is possible to perform the hematological counting, the leukocyte differentiation count, the nucleated red blood cell, and the reticulocyte test on the basis of the inspection frequency and the time required for each inspection process It is possible to set a plurality of inspection processes in combination and minimize the inspection time by simultaneously executing the inspection processes set in the plurality of inspection modules.

That is, according to the present invention, a plurality of inspection modules are connected through a chamber and a dedicated inspection line in which reagents used for each inspection process are stored, and an inspection process is simultaneously performed by a plurality of inspection modules, The time can be minimized, and the accuracy of blood cell analysis results can be improved.

According to the present invention, the hematological analysis of a plurality of patient blood samples is simultaneously performed, whereby the inspection time unevenness of a plurality of inspection modules can be solved and the inspection time for a plurality of blood samples can be minimized.

Further, according to the present invention, an effect that blood cell analysis time of a plurality of blood samples is simultaneously performed in a plurality of examination modules can be minimized.

1 is a configuration diagram of an automatic hematology analyzer according to the related art,
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a blood cell analysis system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating steps of a method for controlling a hematology analyzing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a blood cell analysis system according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a blood cell analysis system according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

Hereinafter, a blood cell analysis system and a control method thereof according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a configuration diagram of a blood cell analysis system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention separates the oncological count, the leukocyte differentiation count, the nucleated erythrocyte, and the reticulocyte test into the basic test and the additional test according to the inspection frequency, and combines the respective inspection processes based on the time required for each inspection process, And is configured to simultaneously perform the inspection process set in the plurality of inspection modules.

For example, a warm blood count takes about 14 seconds, a leukocyte differentiation count takes about 22 seconds, a nucleated erythrocyte takes about 7 seconds, and a reticulocyte test takes about 31 seconds.

The present invention also provides a first process for performing only a warm blood count, a second process for performing a warm blood count and a white blood cell discrimination count, a third process for performing a warm blood count and a white blood cell discrimination count and a nucleated red blood cell test, A fourth process for performing a leukocyte differentiation count and a reticulocyte test, and a fifth process for performing both a warm blood cell count and a leukocyte differentiation count, a nucleated red blood cell, and a reticulocyte test.

Here, the present invention can set the first and second processes as the basic check and the third to fifth processes as the additional check.

Generally, the blood test is most frequently performed in the third process and the fifth process.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the inspection process to be performed is set according to the operation of the inspector, and the set inspection process is simultaneously performed using the plurality of inspection modules connected to the first to fourth chambers used in each inspection process through the dedicated line , It is possible to minimize the hematological analysis time.

2, the hematology analyzing system 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a blood cell count (CBC), a nucleated red blood cell (NRBC), a leukocyte differentiation count (DIFF) ) Connected to the first to fourth chambers 11 to 14, the first and second chambers 11 and 12 and the first and second lines 21 and 22, respectively, in which each reagent for inspection is stored, The first inspection module 31, the third and fourth chambers 13 and 14 and the third and fourth lines 23 and 24 for examining the blood cells of the reagent moving through the line 21 or the second line 22, , A second inspection module (32) connected to the third line (23) or the fourth line (24) and examining the blood of a reagent moving through the fourth line (24), and an inspection process to be performed, And a controller 40 for controlling the first and second inspection modules 31 and 32 to perform the respective inspection processes at the same time.

In addition, the blood cell analysis system 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a cleaning module 50 for cleaning the first to fourth lines 21 to 24, an inspection process for each preset inspection process, (Not shown) for storing the operation program of the hematology analyzing system, the inspection results of the first and second inspection modules 31 and 32, and an input unit (not shown) for receiving the operation command of the inspector and delivering it to the control unit 50 (Not shown).

In the first to fourth chambers 11 to 14, a reagent that has undergone a selective reagent treatment process in which a blood sample is to be subjected to a blood test, .

The first to fourth chambers 11 to 14 are connected to the first or second inspection modules 31 and 32 through the first to fourth lines 21 to 24, respectively, To the corresponding inspection module.

As described above, according to the present invention, the reagents used in each inspection process are supplied to the inspection module through the dedicated inspection line, so that the accuracy of the blood cell analysis result due to the mixing of the inspection reagents can be prevented in advance.

Here, the first to fourth lines 21 to 24 may be provided with a valve (not shown) for moving or blocking the reagent and a detection sensor (not shown) for checking whether the reagent is moved.

Therefore, the control unit 40 sets the inspection process to be performed according to the operation command transmitted through the input unit, selectively drives the valves installed in the first to fourth lines 21 to 24 according to the set inspection process, To the first or second inspection module (31, 32) side, and it is possible to determine whether the reagent is moved according to the detection signal of the detection sensor.

The first and second inspection modules 31 and 32 are installed around the movement path of the reagent containing the target blood cells through the first to fourth lines 21 to 24, A laser generator (not shown) for irradiating a laser beam to the first measurement point and a photodetector for detecting a laser beam that is generated as a result of the laser beam irradiated from the laser generator being refracted, reflected, transmitted, (Not shown).

In addition, the first and second inspection modules 31 and 32 may further include a camera unit (not shown) for photographing the moving blood cells through the second measurement points existing on the movement path.

The photodetector includes a first detector for detecting a laser beam that is forward scattered through a blood cell through which a laser beam irradiated by the laser generator 20 travels through a movement path, And a second detector for detecting laser light that is side scattered toward the side of the blood cells.

The first detector may be installed symmetrically with the laser generator about the first measurement point, and the second detector may be installed at an angle of about 90 degrees with the laser generator.

Accordingly, the laser light detected by the first detector is used to detect the size of each blood cell (normal and abnormal blood cells), and the laser light detected by the second detector can be used to detect fluorescence and particle size of each blood cell .

For this purpose, the control unit 40 is an analyzer for analyzing the blood cells to be analyzed using the laser light detected by each of the photodetectors of the first and second inspection modules 31 and 32 and the blood cell image photographed by the camera unit .

The control unit 40 includes an address matching unit for matching the blood cell address detected by the photodetector and the image photographed by the camera unit, an analysis unit for analyzing the blood cells using the matching blood cell information and the blood cell image, And a control unit for controlling driving of each of the modules including the modules 31 and 32, the address matching unit, and the analysis unit.

When the inspection process for any one of the reagents is completed, the controller may control the driving of the cleaning module 50 to supply the cleaning liquid to the inspection line for cleaning.

As described above, the present invention minimizes blood cell analysis time by simultaneously executing a plurality of inspection modules according to an inspection process to be performed and performing each inspection process.

Next, a method of controlling the hematology analyzing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating steps of a method for controlling a hematology analyzing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

3, the input unit receives the operation command of the inspector, and the control unit 40 sets the inspection process to any one of the first to fifth processes in accordance with the operation command transmitted from the input unit.

In step S12, the controller 40 controls the reagent moving through any one of the first through fourth lines 21 through 24 in any one of the first through fourth chambers 11 through 14 according to the set inspection process The first and second inspection modules 31 and 32 are simultaneously driven.

In step S14, the controller 40 analyzes the blood cells using the inspection results of the first and second inspection modules 31 and 32, that is, the laser light detection information detected by the photodetector and the image captured by the camera.

In step S16, the control unit 40 controls the driving of the cleaning module 50 to supply the cleaning liquid to the corresponding inspection line to clean the inspection line.

In step S18, the control unit 40 checks whether all the inspection processes of the inspection process set in step S10 have been completed, and controls the steps S12 to S18 to be repeated until all inspection processes are completed

When all the inspection processes of the set inspection process are completed, the control unit 40 stores the analysis result in the storage unit, skips the normal blood cell information of the normal shape as a result of the stored analysis, separates the blood cells that are different from the normal blood cells Information and images of abnormal blood cells can be provided to the analysis experts.

For example, the automated hematology analyzer 1 according to the related art requires about 36 seconds of inspection time to perform the second process.

On the other hand, if the second process is set up, the first checking module 31 takes about 14 seconds of inspection time to perform a warm blood count and the second checking module 32 takes about 22 seconds to perform a leukocyte differentiation count The blood cell analysis system 10 according to the present embodiment can perform the second process only in about 22 seconds.

The automated hematology analyzer 1 according to the related art requires about 43 seconds of inspection time to perform the third process.

On the other hand, when the third process is set up, the first inspection module 31 takes about 21 seconds to perform the on-blood count and the nucleated red blood cell test, and the second inspection module 32 performs the leukocyte differentiation count The blood cell analysis system 10 according to the present embodiment can perform the third process in about 22 seconds.

In addition, the automatic hematology analyzer 1 according to the related art requires about 74 seconds of inspection time to perform the fifth process.

On the other hand, if the fifth process is set up, the first inspection module 31 takes about 21 seconds to perform a warm blood count and a nucleated red blood cell test, and the second inspection module 32 takes a leukocyte discrimination count and a delusion The blood cell analysis system 10 according to the present embodiment can perform the fifth process in about 55 seconds, as it takes about 55 seconds to perform the red blood cell test.

As described above, the present invention sets up a plurality of inspection processes by combining each inspection process based on the inspection frequency and the time required for each inspection process in the process of performing the ON blood cell count, the leukocyte differentiation count, the nucleated red blood cell, and the reticulocyte test , And simultaneously executing the inspection process set in the plurality of inspection modules, the blood cell analysis time can be minimized.

On the other hand, in the blood cell analysis system 10 according to the present embodiment, an imbalance of about 32 seconds occurs in the inspection time of the first and second inspection modules 31 and 32 when the fifth process is performed.

As described above, in order to solve the unevenness in the examination time occurring in each of the examination modules 31 and 32, the present invention can be modified to simultaneously perform hematology analysis of a plurality of patient blood samples.

For example, FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a blood cell analysis system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a configuration for inspecting blood of two patients using the first and second inspection modules 31 and 32.

In other words, the hematology analyzing system 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention is similar to the hematology analyzing system 10 shown in FIG. 2, except that the first and second examinations The modules (31, 32) are provided with fifth to eighth chambers (15 to 18), fifth and sixth chambers (15, 16) for supplying blood samples of different patients, The seventh and eighth lines (25, 26) connecting seventh and eighth chambers (17, 18) and the second inspection module (32) 27 and 28 and the fifth to eighth lines 25 to 28, respectively.

Therefore, in the case where an inspection time unbalance occurs between the first inspection module 31 and the second inspection module 32 in the first blood inspection process, the blood cell analysis system 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention first performs an inspection process By performing the inspection of the blood of the next patient, that is, the second sample, in the completed inspection module, the inspection time unbalance can be solved.

As described above, according to the present invention, the hemocyte analysis of a plurality of patient blood samples is performed at the same time, thereby minimizing the inspection time unevenness of the plurality of inspection modules and minimizing the inspection time for a plurality of blood samples.

5 is a configuration diagram of a blood cell analysis system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

5 illustrates a configuration in which the first inspection module 31 and the second inspection module 32 simultaneously perform inspection of the first and second samples, respectively.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the hematology analyzing system 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes first to fourth chambers 11 to 14, in which reagents of a first blood are stored in a first inspection module 31, 14 and the fifth to eighth chambers 15 to 18 in which reagents of the second sample are stored are connected to the second inspection module 32.

The control unit 40 controls the first and second inspection modules 31 and 32 in accordance with each inspection process of the first and second samples, Can be controlled to perform blood cell analysis.

As described above, the present invention can minimize blood cell analysis time by simultaneously performing blood cell analysis on a plurality of patient blood using a plurality of inspection modules.

Although the invention made by the present inventors has been described concretely with reference to the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

The present invention sets up a plurality of inspection processes by combining inspection processes based on the inspection frequency and the time required for each inspection process, such as ON blood cell count, leukocyte differentiation count, nucleated red blood cell, and reticulocyte test, And is applied to a hematology analyzing system technology that simultaneously performs an inspection process to minimize the inspection time.

10: hematology analysis system
11 to 18: First to eighth chambers
21 to 28: First to eighth lines
31, 32: first and second inspection modules
40:
50, 51: Cleaning module

Claims (12)

First to fourth chambers in which each reagent is stored for a whole blood count, a nucleated red blood cell, a leukocyte differentiation count and a reticulocyte test,
A first inspection module connected to the first and second chambers respectively through first and second lines and examining blood cells of a reagent moving through the first line or the second line,
A second inspection module connected to the third and fourth chambers and to the third and fourth lines respectively and examining the blood cells of the reagent moving through the third line or the fourth line,
And a controller for setting the inspection process to be performed and controlling the first and second inspection modules to simultaneously perform the inspection processes based on the set inspection process,
A plurality of inspection processes are set by combining each inspection process on the basis of the frequency of the inspection and the time required for each inspection process in the course of performing the ON blood cell count, the leukocyte differentiation count, the nucleated red blood cell, and the reticulocyte test, Wherein the blood analysis time is minimized by simultaneously performing the set inspection process. delete The method according to claim 1,
Fifth to eighth chambers for supplying a reagent of a blood sample of another patient to each of the first and second inspection modules so as to sequentially inspect a plurality of patient blood,
Fifth and sixth lines connecting the fifth and sixth chambers and the first inspection module, respectively, and
Further comprising seventh and eighth lines connecting the seventh and eighth chambers and the second inspection module, respectively,
Wherein the control unit controls the inspection module to check the blood sample of the next patient when the inspection time unbalance occurs between the first inspection module and the second inspection module. First to fourth chambers in which each reagent for a warm blood count, a nucleated red blood cell, a leukocyte differentiation count and a reticulocyte test of a first blood sample is stored,
Fifth to eighth chambers in which each reagent for storing a warm blood count, a nucleated erythrocyte, a leukocyte differentiation count and a reticulocyte count of a second solution sample are stored,
A first inspection module connected to the first to fourth chambers through first to fourth lines and examining blood cells of a reagent moving through any one of the first to fourth lines,
A second inspection module connected to the fifth to eighth chambers by the fifth to eighth lines and inspecting blood cells of the reagent moving through any one of the first to eighth lines,
And a control unit for setting an inspection process to be performed and controlling the first and second inspection modules to simultaneously analyze blood cells of a plurality of blood samples based on the set inspection process
A plurality of inspection processes are set by combining each inspection process on the basis of the frequency of the inspection and the time required for each inspection process in the course of performing the ON blood cell count, the leukocyte differentiation count, the nucleated red blood cell, and the reticulocyte test, Wherein the blood analysis time is minimized by simultaneously performing the set inspection process. The method according to claim 1 or 4,
A cleaning module for cleaning the inspection line after each inspection process,
A storage unit for storing inspection procedures and inspection order information for each inspection process, operation programs of the hematology analyzing system, and inspection results of the first and second inspection modules,
Further comprising an input unit for receiving an operation command corresponding to an inspection process to be performed. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein each of the first and second inspection modules includes a laser generator installed in the vicinity of a movement path for moving a reagent containing a blood cell to be analyzed through each line and irradiating laser light to a first measurement point existing on the movement path,
A photodetector for detecting a laser beam that is generated as a result of laser light irradiated from the laser generator toward the blood cells and refracted, reflected, transmitted, or fluoresced; and
And a camera unit for photographing a moving blood cell through a second measurement point existing on the movement path to generate a blood cell image. The method according to claim 1 or 4,
The inspection process includes a first process that only performs a warm blood count, a second process that performs a warm blood count and a white blood cell discrimination count, a third process that performs a warm blood count and a white blood cell discrimination count and a nucleated red blood cell test, A fourth process for performing a leukocyte differentiation count and a reticulocyte test, and a fifth process for performing both a warm blood cell count and a leukocyte differentiation count, nucleated red blood cell and reticulocyte red blood cell test. (a) setting an inspection process to be performed,
(b) any of the first to fourth chambers storing the respective reagents for the oncological count, the nucleated red blood cells, the leukocyte differentiation count and the reticulocyte test by simultaneously driving the first and second inspection modules based on the set inspection process Examining the blood cells migrating through any one of the first through fourth lines in the pair,
(c) cleaning the line on which the blood count has been performed, and
(d) analyzing the blood cells using the test result of step (b)
The steps (b) and (c) are repeated until all the inspection processes included in the inspection process are completed
A plurality of inspection processes are set by combining each inspection process on the basis of the frequency of the inspection and the time required for each inspection process in the course of performing the ON blood cell count, the leukocyte differentiation count, the nucleated red blood cell, and the reticulocyte test, Wherein the blood analysis time is minimized by simultaneously performing the set inspection process. delete 9. The method of claim 8,
(e) examining blood cells migrating through any one of the fifth through eighth lines on any one of the fifth through eighth chambers in which the reagents of blood samples from different patients are stored in the first and second examining modules Further comprising the step of sequentially examining a plurality of patient blood. (f) setting an inspection process to be performed,
(g) examining at least one of a warm blood count, a nucleated red blood cell, a leukocyte differentiation count and a reticulocyte test of the first blood sample in the first inspection module based on the set inspection process,
(h) driving the second inspection module based on the set inspection process to inspect at least one of a warm blood count, a nucleated red blood cell, a leukocyte differentiation count, and a reticulocyte test of the second blood sample,
(i) cleaning the line on which the blood count has been performed, and
(j) analyzing the blood cells using the test result of step (h)
The steps (g) and (h) may be performed simultaneously
A plurality of inspection processes are set by combining each inspection process on the basis of the frequency of the inspection and the time required for each inspection process in the course of performing the ON blood cell count, the leukocyte differentiation count, the nucleated red blood cell, and the reticulocyte test, Wherein the blood analysis time is minimized by simultaneously performing the set inspection process. 12. A method according to any one of claims 8, 10 and 11,
The inspection process includes a first process that only performs a warm blood count, a second process that performs a warm blood count and a white blood cell discrimination count, a third process that performs a warm blood count and a white blood cell discrimination count and a nucleated red blood cell test, A fourth process for performing a leukocyte differentiation count and a reticulocyte test, and a fifth process for performing both a warm blood cell count and a leukocyte differentiation count, a nucleated red blood cell and a reticulocyte red blood cell test.

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