KR20080009396A - Urine analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

A light and miniaturized urine analyzer is provided to photograph measuring areas of a strip pad at once, thereby removing a complex transportation mechanism and providing a light and miniaturized urine analyzer, and increase the precision by analyzing colors of strips on the image input by an image sensor. An urine analyzer comprises an image pick-up portion(100) which photograph a measuring area of a strip pad where a plurality of strips has partitioned reaction samples, and each of which respectively responds to different bionics property to measure bionics data is fixed; a reference value storage portion(130) which stores a reference color per a bio-data regarding each of the strips of the measuring area imaged by the image pick-up portion; a color detecting portion(122) which recognizes each of the strip at the measuring area imaged by the image pick-up portion and detects the color value expressed by the each of the strips; a measurement value calculation portion(124) which compares the color value of the strip detected by the color detecting portion with a reference value stored by the reference value storage portion to calculates the measurement value by the bionics property; and an outputting portion(140) which outputs the measured value output from the measurement value calculation portion. The urine analyzer further comprises an alarming portion(126) which outputs an alarm message through the outputting portion when the calculated measured value exceeds the normal range and an interface portion(150) able to do data-communicate with an external equipment.

Description

Urine Analyzer

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a urine analysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention,

2 is a flow chart schematically showing a urine analysis method according to an embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 3 is an embodiment showing a strip pad to be analyzed in the urinalysis device according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: imaging unit 110: key input unit

120: control unit 130: reference value storage unit

140: output unit 150: interface unit

The present invention relates to a urine analysis device and method, and more particularly, to a urine analysis device and method using the change in the response color of the strip provided on the strip pad.

Urine is the end product of protein or nucleic acid metabolism, and it is a metabolite of urea, uric acid, creatine, amino acids, various kinds of organic salts, inorganic salts and detoxifying substances, and trace vitamins, hormones, enzymes, etc. It contains many heterogeneous substances. Thus, urine can easily provide important clinical information about the functioning of the heart, liver, endocrine glands and other organs in the body, as well as kidney and urinary tract diseases caused by quantitative and qualitative changes in these substances and the emergence of abnormal substances. have. In addition, urine can be easily collected without causing pain to patients, so it is of great value as a diagnostic and test material for diseases. In fact, repeated urinalysis is used as an important clinical test method because the patient's disease state can be detected regularly and continuously. Clinically, urinalysis is used to test for various substances in the urine, such as urobilinogen, glucose ketones, bilirubin, protein nitrite, and blood hydrogen concentrations (pH). ), Occult blood, specific gravity, leukocytes, etc. can be measured and used for diagnosis of disease. Commonly used urinalysis methods include urine volume, color, odor, reaction, specific gravity, osmolality, cloudiness, etc. There is an icon test method, a test method, and a urine test, a mediation test, and a stone test method. In addition to these tests, a simple test paper called “dip and read” is also used. The test strip is a very simple way to visually read the chemical changes in the strip pads. Therefore, recently, a test paper using a colored strip of a sample sensitively reacting to more than 10 components contained in urine and a photometry method of detecting a change in the concentration of the strip by scanning light in the visible region of the strip Combined urinalysis method is widely used.

Conventionally, in extracting the color change of the strip, a lot of spectroscopic methods are utilized. As a light source, an LED that irradiates a white light source or a wavelength of each wavelength band is used, and a light receiving element such as a photodiode is used to detect light that is reflected or dispersed in a colored strip of a sample.

Specifically, CLINITEC ATLUS of Bayer of USA uses halogen lamp as white light source. The optical module makes 12 optical fiber bundles with a diameter of 3mm and one optical fiber bundle directs white light to the photodiode to measure and correct the output of halogen lamps. Irradiate at an angle to measure the color response of the strip pads. It was designed to inject signals of red, green, and blue wavelength bands sequentially into 11 photodiodes among the scattered light due to the color reaction appearing on the strip pad while rotating the color filter using a stepping motor. However, this product damages the optical part in the equipment due to the heat of the light source, and because the optical structure is complicated, the product is bulky and heavy.

Also, Germany's Boehringer Mannheim's Midtron M is a dual type, which detects the color reaction of the strip as the optical module moves in the same direction as the strip pad. Each optical module consists of three LEDs, ie, red, green, and blue LEDs, and one photodiode. It takes 30 and 40 seconds for each of the two optical modules to measure inspection items. This product also has a large and heavy product due to the complicated transport mechanism of the optical module.

In addition, with the recent rapid development of science and technology, the performance of clinical test equipment has been rapidly improved, and clinical devices considering the rationality, convenience, speed, economy, precision, and automation of the test are emerging. With the improvement of quality of life and the increasing interest in health, the interest in home medical care and telemedicine is increasing. As a result, the number of medical portal sites that can manage health using the Internet and virtual hospitals are established. It also operates. However, despite the changes in the times, the general public who still does not have medical knowledge has not been prepared to easily check and manage their health status.

An object of the present invention is to provide a urine analysis device that is light and miniaturized and can be easily urine analysis derived from such a background.

Moreover, it aims at improving the precision in urine analysis using a strip pad.

In addition, it aims to cope with the case of the user's health condition and to manage the urine analysis results continuously.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a urinalysis device according to an aspect of the present invention uses a camera module to capture and measure a measurement area of a strip pad including a plurality of strips partitioned with a reaction sample reacting to different biological characteristics at once. By analyzing the color of the strip in response to each biological component on the image to be characterized in that it calculates and outputs the measured value for each biological data.

According to this aspect of the present invention, according to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the complicated transportation mechanism by imaging the measuring area of the strip pad at once, thereby providing a light and compact urine analysis device. In addition, by analyzing the color of the strip on the image input to the image sensor has an effect that can increase the accuracy than when visually judged.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the urine analysis device according to the present invention is characterized by calculating the biological data measurement data for each biometric characteristic according to the color change of the strip to transmit to the external device.

According to this aspect, according to the present invention, there is an advantage in that it is possible to connect with test equipment having another test function and to transmit test results to a medical institution through a PC and the like and receive management based on continuous data.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the urine analysis device according to the present invention is characterized by outputting a warning message when the measured value of the biometric data for the corresponding reaction color is out of the normal range according to the color change of the strip.

Therefore, the general public can check the health status of their own health status to prevent the deterioration of the health condition is effective in advance.

The foregoing and additional aspects of the invention are described in detail below to enable those skilled in the art to readily understand and reproduce through the embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a urine analysis device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the urine analysis device according to the present invention is an image pickup unit 100 for imaging the measurement area of the strip pad is fixed to a plurality of strips partitioned with a reaction sample, each measuring different biometric data in response to different biological characteristics And a reference value storage unit 130 for storing the reference color for each biometric data for each strip of the measurement area picked up by the imaging unit 100, and each strip in the measurement area picked up by the imaging unit 100. The color detection unit 122 detects the color value expressed by each strip, and the color value of the strip detected by the color detection unit 122 is compared with the reference color stored in the reference value storage unit 130 to measure the measurement value for each biometric characteristic. The measured value calculating part 124 to calculate, and the output part 140 which outputs the measured value calculated by the measured value calculating part 124 are included.

The key input unit 110 includes predetermined function keys and generates and outputs key input data corresponding to a key pressed by a user. In the present embodiment, the key input unit 110 may input user information, and change the data output form of the output unit 140 to be described later.

The imaging unit 100 captures the measurement area of the strip pad and converts the photographed image into an image signal. Figure 3 is an embodiment showing a strip pad to be analyzed in the urinalysis device according to the present invention. The imaging unit 100 captures a measurement area a including a plurality of strips. The imaging unit 100 includes at least one lens and collects light through the lens. Each pixel is converted into an electrical image signal through a CMOS image sensor configured as a switch using a photodiode and a CMOS transistor or a charge coupled device (CCD) imager including a photodiode. The converted video signal is converted into a current or a voltage proportional to the brightness of the image, and then converted into a digital signal after some processing.

According to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, the imaging unit 100 is implemented as a camera module. An image sensor, which is an imaging device of the imaging unit 100, includes an element that receives light and converts it into an electrical signal, and may be classified into a CCD image sensor and a CMOS image sensor according to a method in which an electron hole forms a signal and outputs the signal. have. The CCD image sensor and the CMOS image sensor have a light receiving part which commonly receives light and converts it into an electric signal. The CCD image sensor transmits this electric signal through a CCD (charge coupled device). Convert to voltage at the stage. CMOS image sensor converts the signal from each pixel to voltage and sends it out. Most CCD and CMOS sensors have a single red, green or blue filter on top of them that can only record light of that color. Light of different colors that should be at those pixels in the subject is calculated by interpolation processing.

The reference value storage unit 130 is implemented as a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory or an EEPROM. In the present embodiment, the reference value storage unit 130 stores a reference value for the change in the reaction color appearing in response to the urine component of the sample reacting to each of the different biological properties. In the present exemplary embodiment, the reference value storage unit 130 is formed by reacting each of the strips 310 with the urine component with respect to the strips 310 colored with various kinds of samples provided in the strip pad 300. The reference values for response color changes are stored in each table.

The controller 120 is implemented as a microprocessor. In the present embodiment, the control unit 120 includes a color detector 122 and a measurement value calculator 124 to be described later.

The color detector 122 receives an image signal from the imaging unit 100, recognizes each strip 310 provided in the strip pad 300, and detects a color value of each strip 310. The color detector 122 recognizes each strip 310 on the strip pad 300 to determine the type of sample colored on the strip 310. Preferably, the strip pad 300 lists strips 310 in which samples are colored in a predetermined order. For example, the strip pad 300 includes a strip in which a sample for detecting urine blood is colored, followed by a strip for detecting urine sugar, and then a strip for identifying urine protein. Strips 310 are listed. In the present exemplary embodiment, the color detector 122 may recognize the strips 310 by detecting a protruding shape on the image captured by the image pickup unit 100, and may have a strip shape such as a rectangular closed curve. By extracting, the strip 310 can be recognized. Extracting each of the strips 310 may be implemented through various image processing techniques known in the art. In the present embodiment, the color detection unit 122 recognizes each strip 310, and determines the sample colored on the strip 310 according to the position of the strip 310 to determine the reaction of the strip 310. Determine if the data is for an element. At this time, the color detection unit 122 may give identification information for each strip 310 and later output the response color of the detected strip 310 together with the identification information through the output unit 140. In addition, even when transmitted to the external device through the interface unit 150 to be described later, by transmitting the identification information for each strip, it is possible to accurately classify what kind of sample is the measured value for the colored strip.

In addition, the color detector 122 converts the color of each strip into an RGB value based on the video signal input from the imaging unit 100 to convert the color into RGB values. In this case, preferably, the color value of the strip 310 is detected by calculating an average value of the RGB data for the partial area of the strip 310 in which the bioreaction occurs. In another embodiment, the color detector 122 may convert the RGB format data into YUV format and analyze the data. The YUV format is a format in which colors are represented by three pieces of information: a luminance signal Y, a difference between the luminance signal and the red component U, and a difference between the luminance signal and the blue component V.

The measured value calculator 124 compares the response color of the strip 310 detected by the color detector 122 with reference numerical data stored in the reference value storage unit 130, according to the degree of color change of the strip 310. The measured value of the biometric data for the characteristic is calculated.

The output unit 140 outputs the measured value calculated by the measured value calculator 124. In this embodiment, the output unit 140 may be implemented as a small LED (Light Emitting Diode) provided in the urine analysis device. In another embodiment, the output unit 140 may be implemented as a thermal printer. The thermal printer is a printer that uses heat to heat the thermal paper and print letters at different temperatures. Thermal printers are capable of delicate printing. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the output unit 140 of the urine analysis device according to the present invention may be interpreted to include any configuration capable of informing the user of the measurement value for each biometric characteristic calculated by the measurement value calculator 124. do.

According to the present invention, by using the camera module to photograph the measurement area (a) at once on the strip pad 300, there is an effect that can provide a light and compact urine analysis device to eliminate the transport mechanism. In addition, by using the image sensor to determine the color of the strip 310 as a digital value, there is an effect that can be analyzed more accurately when data analysis according to the degree of color change is necessary.

According to a characteristic aspect of the present invention, the urine analysis device according to the present invention includes a warning unit 126 for outputting a warning message through the output unit 140 when the measured value calculated by the measured value calculation unit 124 is outside the normal range. It further comprises a).

The warning unit 126 outputs a warning message through the output unit 140 when the reaction level determined by the measured value calculator is outside the normal range. In the present embodiment, the warning unit 126 is a response of the clinical test values that can be measured as a result of the color analysis of the strip 310 is different from the normal state or positive or negative determination results or detected by the measurement value calculation unit 124 If the level is out of the normal range outputs a warning message to the user through the output unit 140. In addition, the urinalysis device according to the present invention may further include a speaker, so that the user may output the machine sound through the speaker when the response level is out of the normal range.

Additionally, the urine analysis device according to the present invention may further include an RTC circuit unit 160. The RTC circuit unit 160 provides current date or time information with a real time clock. In this embodiment, the measurement value calculator 124 outputs or stores the measured value calculated for the biometric characteristics of the user and the date and time information provided from the RTC circuit unit 160 to provide continuous analysis data to the user later. It can work.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the urinalysis device according to the present invention further includes an interface unit 150 capable of data communication with an external device.

The interface unit 150 may use a known short range wireless communication technology such as Zigbee or Bluetooth. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be implemented as a UART port. In the present embodiment, the interface unit 150 is interpreted to encompass all short-range wired and wireless communication methods capable of transmitting the measurement value calculated by the measurement value calculator 124 to the outside. In addition, the interface unit 150 may receive a biometric measurement result of the user other than the urine analysis result from an external scale, thermometer, blood pressure monitor, and the like.

According to this aspect of the present invention, the urine analysis device may transmit the analysis result to an external PC through the interface unit 150. In addition, the results transferred to a PC can be uploaded to a management site, such as a medical professional organization, thereby having the effect of receiving professional and continuous management. In addition, the user's biometric results provided from the external scale, thermometer, blood pressure monitor, etc. through the interface unit 150 can also be transferred to the PC together with the urine analysis result through the interface unit 150 to provide comprehensive and accurate user health. The state can be managed.

Hereinafter will be described a urine analysis method according to the present invention. 2 is a flow chart schematically showing a urine analysis method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the urine analysis function is implemented by one or a plurality of organically cooperated programs executed in the control unit 120 for controlling the urine analysis device according to the present invention.

In the present embodiment, the urinalysis method comprises the steps of imaging a measurement area of a strip pad on which a plurality of strips in which a reaction sample responding to a different biometric characteristic is segregated are fixed (S200), and each of the measurement areas in the image measurement area. Detecting a color value expressed by each strip (S210), comparing the color value of the detected strip with a reference color of the stored biometric characteristic of each strip, and calculating a measured value by biometric characteristic (S220); And outputting the measured value (S250).

The imaging unit 100 captures the measurement area a of the strip pad 300 input by the user (step S200) and converts the captured image into an image signal. The imaging unit 100 includes at least one lens and collects light through the lens. A photodiode and a CMOS transistor are used to convert each pixel into an electrical image signal through a CMOS image sensor configured as a switch or a charge coupled device (CCD) imager including a photodiode. The converted video signal is converted into a current or voltage proportional to the brightness of the image, and then converted into a digital signal after a slight process.

Thereafter, the color detector 122 receives an image signal from the imaging unit 100 and detects a response color of the strip (step S210). In the present exemplary embodiment, the color detector 122 recognizes each strip 310 in the measurement area a captured by the imaging unit 100, converts the color of the strip 310 into RGB values, and converts the data into RGB values. Preferably, the color value of the strip 310 is determined by calculating an average value of the RGB data for the partial area of the part of the strip where the color reaction occurs.

Thereafter, the measurement value calculator 124 compares the response color of the strip 310 detected by the color detector 122 with reference numerical data stored in the reference value storage 130 to determine the biometric data according to the degree of color change of the strip. The measured value is calculated (step S220).

At this time, according to the characteristic aspect of the present invention, the warning unit 126 determines whether the calculated measurement value is within the normal range (step S230) and if it is out of the normal range, outputs a warning message through the output unit 140 ( Step S235). If the positive / negative result of the clinical experiments that can be measured as a result of the color analysis of the strip is different from the normal state or the response level determined by the measured value calculator 124 is out of the normal range, the user through the output unit 140 A warning message to the user.

Further, according to an additional aspect of the present invention, if there is a command to output the measurement value of the biometric data from the user to the outside (step S240), the controller 120 outputs to the outside through the interface unit 150 (step S245). The interface unit 150 transmits the analysis data detected by the control unit 120 to another external health measurement device or a PC. In the present embodiment, the interface unit 150 may use a known short range wireless communication technology such as Zigbee or Bluetooth. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be implemented as a UART port. The interface unit 150 is interpreted to encompass all short-range wired and wireless communication methods capable of transmitting the response level determined by the measurement value calculator 124 of the urine analysis device according to the present invention to the outside. In addition, the interface unit 150 may receive a biometric measurement result of the user other than the urine analysis result from an external scale, thermometer, blood pressure monitor, and the like. Accordingly, there is an effect that can comprehensively grasp the health status of the user.

According to this aspect, the urine analysis device according to the present invention transmits the analysis result to an external PC through the interface unit 150, and the transmitted result can receive professional and continuous management from a medical professional institution through a medical site. It works. In addition, through the interface unit 150, the user's biometric results provided from an external scale, thermometer, blood pressure monitor, etc. can also be transferred to the PC together with the urine analysis results through the interface unit 150 to receive comprehensive and accurate management. It can be effective.

Thereafter, the output unit 140 outputs the response level determined by the measurement value calculator 124 to the user (step S250). The output unit 140 may be implemented as a small light emitting diode (LED). In the present embodiment, the output unit 140 may be implemented to output the response level determined in the measurement value calculation unit 124 in the form of a letter, or by varying the number of LEDs emitted according to the response level value, It may be implemented to represent.

As described above, the color of the strip can be accurately determined as a digital value by analyzing the color of the strip in response to each biological component on the captured image by capturing the measurement area of the strip pad at a time using the camera module. Therefore, the analysis of the degree of color change has a more accurate effect than the visual judgment. In addition, the transport mechanism of the strip using a stepping motor, etc. can be eliminated, so that the implementation is simple, light weight, and miniaturized, it is possible to provide a low power urine analysis device.

In addition, the present invention can be connected to the test equipment having a different test function, it is possible to transmit the test results to the medical institution through a PC, etc., there is an advantage that can be managed based on the continuous and comprehensive data.

In addition, according to the present invention, the general public can check his / her health status from time to time to determine a dangerous condition, thereby preventing the health condition from worsening, and warning messages when the checked condition is out of the standard range. By outputting, it is possible to identify an emergency state.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is not limited thereto, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention should be construed by the appended claims, which are intended to cover such obvious variations.

Claims (7)

An imaging unit which picks up a measurement area of a strip pad on which a plurality of strips in which reaction samples for measuring different biometric data are measured in response to different biometric characteristics are fixed; A reference value storage unit for storing the reference color for each biometric data for each strip of the measurement area picked up by the imaging unit; A color detector which recognizes each strip in the measurement area picked up by the imaging unit and detects a color value expressed by each strip; A measurement value calculator for comparing a color value of the strip detected by the color detector with a reference color stored in the reference value storage to calculate a measured value for each biometric characteristic; An output unit configured to output the measured value calculated by the measured value calculator to the outside; Urinary analysis device, characterized in that it comprises a. The method of claim 1, wherein the imaging unit: Yaw analysis device, characterized in that the camera module. The method of claim 2, wherein the urinalysis device is: A warning unit outputting a warning message through the output unit when the measured value calculated by the measured value calculating unit is out of a normal range; Urine analysis device further comprises. 4. The urinalysis device of claim 2 or 3, wherein the urinalysis device is: An interface unit capable of data communication with an external device; Urine analysis device further comprises. a) imaging an area of measurement of a strip pad to which a plurality of strips defined by a reaction sample, each of which reacts to different biological properties, is fixed; b) detecting a color value expressed for each strip in the image capturing measurement region; c) comparing the color values of the detected strips with reference colors of the stored biometric characteristics of each strip to calculate measured values for each biometric characteristic; d) outputting the calculated measured value; Urinary analysis method comprising a. The method of claim 5, wherein the method is followed by step c): e) outputting a warning message if the measured value calculated in step c) is outside the normal range; Urinary analysis method characterized in that it further comprises. The method of claim 5 or 6, wherein the method is followed by step c): f) transmitting the measurement value calculated in step c) to an external device; Urinary analysis method characterized in that it further comprises.

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