U.S. patent application number 16/775313 was filed with the patent office on 2020-05-28 for smear transporting apparatus, smear image capture system, and smear analysis system.
This patent application is currently assigned to SYSMEX CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is SYSMEX CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Hidetaka HAYAMA, Katsuaki YAMAGUCHI.
Application Number | 20200166533 16/775313 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59501276 |
Filed Date | 2020-05-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200166533 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HAYAMA; Hidetaka ; et
al. |
May 28, 2020 |
SMEAR TRANSPORTING APPARATUS, SMEAR IMAGE CAPTURE SYSTEM, AND SMEAR
ANALYSIS SYSTEM
Abstract
A smear transporting apparatus transports a smear slide on which
a sample is smeared to a smear-image capture apparatus. The smear
transporting apparatus includes a smear-container transport part
that transports a first smear container accommodating smear slides
to a smear pickup position; a smear transfer part that picks a
smear slide whose image is to be captured by the smear-image
capture apparatus from the first smear container transported to the
smear pickup position, transfers the smear slide to the smear-image
capture apparatus, and places the smear slide whose image has been
captured by the smear-image capture apparatus in a second smear
container different from the first smear container; and a storage
that stores the first smear container and the second smear
container.
Inventors: |
HAYAMA; Hidetaka; (Kobe-shi,
JP) ; YAMAGUCHI; Katsuaki; (Kobe-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SYSMEX CORPORATION |
Kobe-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SYSMEX CORPORATION
Kobe-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
59501276 |
Appl. No.: |
16/775313 |
Filed: |
January 29, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15662732 |
Jul 28, 2017 |
10598677 |
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16775313 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 35/0099 20130101;
G01N 2015/1472 20130101; G01N 2035/00138 20130101; G01N 15/1468
20130101; G01N 35/00871 20130101; G01N 2035/0413 20130101; G01N
33/49 20130101; G01N 2035/00891 20130101; G01N 35/00732 20130101;
G06K 9/00134 20130101; G01N 35/026 20130101; G01N 15/1475 20130101;
G01N 1/312 20130101; G01N 1/2813 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01N 35/00 20060101
G01N035/00; G01N 15/14 20060101 G01N015/14; G06K 9/00 20060101
G06K009/00; G01N 35/02 20060101 G01N035/02; G01N 33/49 20060101
G01N033/49; G01N 1/28 20060101 G01N001/28; G01N 1/31 20060101
G01N001/31 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 29, 2016 |
JP |
2016-150362 |
Jul 21, 2017 |
JP |
2017-141632 |
Claims
1-12. (canceled)
13. A smear transporting apparatus comprising: a holder configured
to hold and transport a smear slide; a liquid receiver configured
to receive liquid; and a driver configured to move the liquid
receiver so as to receive liquid dropped from the smear slide.
14. The smear transporting apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
the driver is configured to move the liquid receiver horizontally
as the holder moves horizontally.
15. The smear transporting apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
the driver is configured to move the liquid receiver horizontally
as the holder moves vertically.
16. The smear transporting apparatus according to claim 15, further
comprising an interlocking mechanism that moves the liquid receiver
horizontally as the holder moves vertically.
17. The smear transporting apparatus according to claim 16, wherein
the interlocking mechanism comprises a belt connected to both of
the liquid receiver and the holder.
18. The smear transporting apparatus according to claim 17, wherein
the belt comprises a horizontal part extending horizontally and a
vertical part extending vertically, the liquid receiver is
connected to the horizontal part, and the holder is connected to
the vertical part.
19. The smear transporting apparatus according to claim 16, wherein
the interlocking mechanism moves the liquid receiver from a
position under the holder as the holder moves downward, and the
interlocking mechanism moves the liquid receiver to the position
under the holder as the holder moves upward.
20. The smear transporting apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
the driver comprises a vertical driver configured to move the
holder vertically and a horizontal driver configured to move the
holder horizontally.
21. The smear transporting apparatus according to claim 13, wherein
the driver moves the holder holding the smear slide together with
the liquid receiver to pass over a first smear container
accommodating another smear slide whose image is to be captured,
and to be located at a position for inserting the smear slide held
by the holder into a second smear container.
22. A smear image capture system comprising: a smear-image capture
apparatus that captures an image of a smear slide on which a sample
is smeared; and a smear transporting apparatus that transports the
smear slide to the smear-image capture apparatus, wherein the smear
transporting apparatus comprises: a holder configured to hold and
transport the smear slide whose image has been captured by the
smear-image capture apparatus; a liquid receiver configured to
receive liquid; and a driver configured to move the liquid receiver
so as to receive the liquid dropped from the smear slide.
23. The smear image capture system according to claim 22, wherein
the smear-image capture apparatus captures the image of the smear
slide with oil.
24. The smear image capture system according to claim 22, wherein
the driver is configured to move the liquid receiver horizontally
as the holder moves horizontally.
25. The smear image capture system according to claim 22, wherein
the driver is configured to move the liquid receiver horizontally
as the holder moves vertically.
26. The smear image capture system according to claim 25, further
comprising an interlocking mechanism that moves the liquid receiver
horizontally as the holder moves vertically.
27. The smear image capture system according to claim 26, wherein
the interlocking mechanism comprises a belt connected to both of
the liquid receiver and the holder.
28. The smear image capture system according to claim 27, wherein
the belt comprises a horizontal part extending horizontally and a
vertical part extending vertically, the liquid receiver is
connected to the horizontal part, and the holder is connected to
the vertical part.
29. The smear image capture system according to claim 26, wherein
the interlocking mechanism moves the liquid receiver from a
position under the holder as the holder moves downward, and the
interlocking mechanism moves the liquid receiver to the position
under the holder as the holder moves upward.
30. The smear image capture system according to claim 22, wherein
the driver comprises a vertical driver configured to move the
holder vertically and a horizontal driver configured to move the
holder horizontally.
31. The smear image capture system according to claim 22, wherein
the driver moves the holder holding the smear slide together with
the liquid receiver to pass over a first smear container
accommodating another smear slide whose image is to be captured,
and to be located at a position for inserting the smear slide held
by the holder into a second smear container.
32. The smear image capture system according to claim 22, wherein
the sample is blood.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent
Application No. 2016-150362, filed with the Japan Patent Office on
Jul. 29, 2016, and from Japanese Patent Application No.
2017-141632, filed with the Japan Patent Office on Jul. 21, 2017,
the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The disclosure relates to a smear transporting apparatus, a
smear image capture system, and a smear analysis system.
[0003] Heretofore, there has been known a microscope system in
which: a smear slide being a microscope slide on which a biological
sample (for example, blood) is smeared is transported to a
microscope unit, and the microscope unit captures an image of the
smear slide (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application
Publication No. 2012-13954 (Patent Literature 1)).
[0004] As illustrated in FIG. 15, the microscope system described
in Patent Literature 1 is configured such that smear slide 300
whose image is to be captured is taken out from multi-sheet
cassette 301 accommodating smear slides 300, and after the
microscope unit completes the image capturing, smear slide 300
whose image has been captured is returned to multi-sheet cassette
301. Carriage 303 attached to prop 302 movably in a vertical
direction is provided with supply arm 304 and discharge arm 305.
Supply arm 304 supplies stage 306 of the microscope unit with smear
slide 300 in multi-sheet cassette 301. Discharge arm 305 discharges
smear slide 300 from this stage 306.
[0005] A smear container such as the multi-sheet cassette described
in Patent Literature 1 sometimes contains not only smear slides
whose images are to be captured, but also smear slides whose images
are not to be captured, for example, smear slides to be visually
observed by the user. In a case where an image of a smear slide is
automatically captured, an immersion oil is generally dropped on
the smeared surface for the image capturing as described in, for
example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-70932. In
a case where an image of a smear slide is captured using an
immersion oil, the oil adheres to the smear slide. Hence, the smear
slide returned to a multi-sheet cassette after the image capturing
may cause the oil contamination of smear slides whose images are
not to be captured and which are accommodated in the multi-sheet
cassette. This may consequently decrease the handleability of smear
slides in performing the visual observation.
[0006] In addition, heretofore, there has been known a smear
transporting apparatus which transfers a smear slide prepared by a
smear preparing apparatus to a smear image capture apparatus and
accommodates the smear slide after its image has been captured
(see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2014-70926 (Patent Literature 2)).
[0007] As illustrated in FIG. 24, the above-mentioned Patent
Literature 2 describes smear transporting apparatus 403 which
transports smear slide 400 from smear preparing apparatus 402 to
smear image capture apparatus 401 and accommodates smear slide 400
whose image has been captured in rack 404. Smear image capture
apparatus 401 of Patent Literature 2 puts immersion liquid in
between an objective lens and smear slide 400 and increases
numerical aperture of the objective lens to obtain a clear image.
In this case, while smear slide 400 is transferred after an image
of smear slide 400 is captured, the liquid attched to smear slide
400 may drop into smear transporting apparatus 403, which may
result in contamination of an area where the liquid has dropped.
Thus, smear transporting apparatus 403 is configured to include
liquid receipt plate 403b under the transportation path of
image-captured smear slide 400, to receive liquids dropped from
transporting smear slide 400 with liquid receipt plate 403b, and to
accommodate image-captured smear slide 400 in rack 404 above liquid
receipt tray 403a.
[0008] The smear transporting apparatus illustrated in Patent
Literature 2 requires to transfer and place an image-captured smear
slide in a rack only in the area of a liquid receipt plate and a
liquid receipt tray. It is desirable to enhance the flexibility of
design of the smear transporting apparatus.
SUMMARY
[0009] One or more embodiments of smear transporting apparatus may
transport a smear slide on which a sample is smeared to a
smear-image capture apparatus. The smear transporting apparatus may
include a smear-container transport part that transports a first
smear container accommodating smear slides to a smear pickup
position, the smear slides including a smear slide whose image is
to be captured by the smear-image capture apparatus and a smear
slide whose image is not to be captured by the smear-image capture
apparatus; a smear transfer part that picks a smear slide whose
image is to be captured by the smear-image capture apparatus from
the first smear container transported to the smear pickup position,
transfers the smear slide to the smear-image capture apparatus, and
places the smear slide whose image has been captured by the
smear-image capture apparatus in a second smear container different
from the first smear container; and a storage that stores the first
smear container and the second smear container.
[0010] One or more embodiments of smear image capture system may
includes: a smear-image capture apparatus that captures an image of
a smear slide on which a sample is smeared; and a smear
transporting apparatus that transports the smear slide to the
smear-image capture apparatus. The smear transporting apparatus may
include a smear-container transport part that transports a first
smear container accommodating smear slides to a smear pickup
position, the smear slides including a smear slide whose image is
to be captured by the smear-image capture apparatus and a smear
slide whose image is not to be captured by the smear-image capture
apparatus;a smear transfer part that picks a smear slide whose
image is to be captured by the smear-image capture apparatus from
the first smear container transported to the smear pickup position,
transfers the smear slide to the smear-image capture apparatus, and
places the smear slide whose image has been captured by the
smear-image capture apparatus in a second smear container different
from the first smear container; and a storage that stores the first
smear container and the second smear container.
[0011] One or more embodiments of smear analysis system may
include: a smear preparing apparatus that prepares a smear slide on
which a sample is smeared; a smear-image capture apparatus that
captures an image of the smear slide on which the sample is
smeared; and a smear transporting apparatus that transports the
smear slide supplied from the smear preparing apparatus to the
smear-image capture apparatus. The smear transporting apparatus may
include a smear-container transport part that transports a first
smear container accommodating smear slides to a smear pickup
position, the smear slides including a smear slide whose image is
to be captured by the smear-image capture apparatus and a smear
slide whose image is not to be captured by the smear-image capture
apparatus; a smear transfer part that picks a smear slide whose
image is to be captured by the smear-image capture apparatus from
the first smear container transported to the smear pickup position,
transfers the smear slide to the smear-image capture apparatus, and
placesthe smear slide whose image has been captured by the
smear-image capture apparatus in a second smear container different
from the first smear container; and a storage that stores the first
smear container and the second smear container.
[0012] One or more embodiments of smear transporting apparatus may
include a holder configured to hold and transports a smear slide; a
liquid receiver configured to receive liquid; and a driver
configured to move the liquid receiver so as to receive liquid
dropped from the smear slide.
[0013] One or more embodiments of smear image capture system may
include a smear-image capture apparatus that captures an image of a
smear slide on which a sample is smeared; and a smear transporting
apparatus that transports the smear slide to the smear-image
capture apparatus. The smear transporting apparatus may include a
holder configured to hold and transport the smear slide whose image
has been captured by the smear image capture apparatus; a liquid
receiver configured to receive liquid; and a driver configured to
move the liquid receiver so as to receive the liquid dropped from
the smear slide.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a plan explanatory diagram of one embodiment of a
smear analysis system of one or more embodiments;
[0015] FIGS. 2A and 2B are explanatory perspective views of a smear
slide;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view of stain chambers
and a transfer unit of a smear preparing apparatus;
[0017] FIG. 4 is an explanatory perspective view of a smear
container;
[0018] FIG. 5 is an explanatory front view of the smear
container;
[0019] FIG. 6 is an explanatory perspective view of principal
components of a first transport part;
[0020] FIG. 7 is an explanatory perspective view of a stopper;
[0021] FIG. 8 is an explanatory perspective view of the first
transport part including an interrupting-smear-container set
region;
[0022] FIG. 9 is an explanatory perspective view of a smear
transfer part
[0023] FIG. 10 is an explanatory perspective view of principal
components of the smear transfer part illustrated in FIG. 9;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for illustrating a procedure of
determining whether a smear slide is one whose image is to be
captured or not;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a plan explanatory diagram of a horizontal
movement mechanism;
[0026] FIGS. 13A to 13C are diagrams for explaining operations of
the horizontal movement mechanism;
[0027] FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams for explaining operations of
the horizontal movement mechanism;
[0028] FIG. 15 is a plan explanatory diagram of a conventional
smear preparing apparatus;
[0029] FIG. 16 is a schematic view of a smear transporting
apparatus;
[0030] FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of the smear
transporting apparatus;
[0031] FIG. 18 is a first diagram for explaining movement of a
smear transfer part in the smear transporting apparatus;
[0032] FIG. 19 is a second diagram for explaining movement of the
smear transfer part in the smear transporting apparatus;
[0033] FIG. 20 is a third diagram for explaining movement of the
smear transfer part in the smear transporting apparatus;
[0034] FIG. 21 is a forth diagram for explaining movement of the
smear transfer part in the smear transporting apparatus;
[0035] FIG. 22 is a fifth diagram for explaining movement of the
smear transfer part in the smear transporting apparatus;
[0036] FIG. 23 is a sixth diagram for explaining movement of the
smear transfer part in the smear transporting apparatus; and
[0037] FIG. 24 is a schematic view of a conventional smear
transporting apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] (1) A smear transporting apparatus according one or more
embodiments may be a smear transporting apparatus which transports
a smear slide on which a sample is smeared to a smear-image capture
apparatus. The smear transporting apparatus comprises: a
smear-container transport part which transports a first smear
container accommodating smear slides to a smear pickup position; a
smear transfer part which takes out a smear slide whose image is to
be captured by the smear-image capture apparatus from the first
smear container transported to the smear pickup position, transfers
the smear slide to the smear-image capture apparatus, and places
the smear slide whose image has been captured by the smear-image
capture apparatus in a second smear container different from the
first smear container; and a storage which stores the first smear
container and the second smear container.
[0039] In the smear transporting apparatus according one or more
embodiments, the smear slide whose image has been captured by the
smear-image capture apparatus is accommodated in the smear
container different from the smear container in which this smear
slide has been accommodated before the image capturing. This makes
it possible to suppress immersion oil contamination of smear slides
whose images are not to be captured even when the image of the
smear slide is captured using an immersion oil. Thus, when a smear
slide whose image is not to be captured is visually observed, the
user can visually observe a smear slide not contaminated with the
oil by taking out the smear container accommodating the smear slide
from the storage, thereby enhancing the smear slide
handleability.
[0040] (2) In the smear transporting apparatus of (1), the smear
transfer part may transfer the smear slide picked up from the first
smear container to the smear-image capture apparatus, while a smear
slide whose image is not to be captured by the smear-image capture
apparatus remains accommodated in the first smear container
transported to the smear pickup position. In this case, the smear
slide whose image is not to be captured by the smear-image capture
apparatus but which is to be visually observed under a microscope
stays in the first smear container, thereby enabling efficient
analysis.
[0041] (3) In the smear transporting apparatus of (1) or (2), the
smear-container transport part may comprise: a first transport part
which transports the first smear container accommodating the smear
slides to the smear pickup position, and which transports the first
smear container to the storage; and a second transport part which
transports the second smear container accommodating the smear slide
whose image has been captured by the smear-image capture apparatus
to the storage. In this case, the transport part which transports
the first smear container is different from the transport part for
the second smear container accommodating the smear slide having a
possibility of the immersion oil contamination. This makes it
possible to suppress immersion oil contamination of smear slides
whose images are not to be captured.
[0042] (4) The smear transporting apparatus of (3) may comprise: a
first supply region where a first smear container accommodating
smear slides is received from a smear preparing apparatus which
prepares a smear slide; and a second supply region where a second
smear container accommodating no smear slide is disposed. The first
transport part may transport, to the storage, the first smear
container which is supplied to the first supply region and
transported to the smear pickup position. The second transport part
may transport, to the storage, the second smear container which is
supplied to the second supply region and accommodates the smear
slide whose image has been captured by the smear-image capture
apparatus. In this case, the transport path is divided into one for
the first smear container and one for the second smear container,
making it possible to use the two types of smear containers
differently. In addition, the cleaning efficiency of the smear
containers can be improved, for example, by frequently cleaning
only the second smear container having a possibility of the
immersion oil contamination.
[0043] (5) In the smear transporting apparatus of (4), the first
supply region may comprise an interrupting-smear-container set
region where a smear container accommodating a smear slide prepared
manually is set. In this case, the analysis flexibility can be
enhanced, for example, by giving priority to a smear slide that
needs to be analyzed urgently.
[0044] (6) In the smear transporting apparatuses of (1) to (5), the
smear transfer part may transfer the smear slide whose image is to
be captured to the smear-image capture apparatus according to
identification information acquired from the smear slide taken out
by the smear transfer part. In this case, providing identification
information to the smear slide enables the smear transfer part to
transfer the smear slide whose image is to be captured to the
smear-image capture apparatus.
[0045] (7) The smear transporting apparatus of (6) may comprise an
identification-information acquisition part which acquires the
identification information provided to the smear slide, the
identification-information acquisition part comprising an image
capture part which captures an image of a smear slide. A smear
slide is transferred to the smear-image capture apparatus if the
image of the smear slide captured by the image capture part
includes identification information indicating that the image
capturing by the smear-image capture apparatus is necessary. In
this case, since the image captured by the image capture part
includes the identification information, the smear slide can be
transferred to the smear-image capture apparatus according to this
image.
[0046] (8) In the smear transporting apparatuses of (1) to (7), the
smear-image capture apparatus may comprise an oil applier which
applies an oil to the sample smeared on the smear slide. In this
case, the oil applied to the sample smeared on the smear slide by
the oil application enhances the resolution of the captured
image.
[0047] (9) A smear image capture system according one or more
embodiments may be a smear image capture system comprising: a
smear-image capture apparatus which captures an image of a smear
slide on which a sample is smeared; and a smear transporting
apparatus which transports the smear slide to the smear-image
capture apparatus. The smear transporting apparatus comprises: a
smear-container transport part which transports a first smear
container accommodating smear slides to a smear pickup position; a
smear transfer part which takes out a smear slide whose image is to
be captured by the smear-image capture apparatus from the first
smear container transported to the smear pickup position, transfers
the smear slide to the smear-image capture apparatus, and places
the smear slide whose image has been captured by the smear-image
capture apparatus in a second smear container different from the
first smear container; and a storage which stores the first smear
container and the second smear container.
[0048] In the smear image capture system of one or more
embodiments, the smear slide whose image has been captured by the
smear-image capture apparatus is accommodated in the smear
container different from the smear container in which this smear
slide has been accommodated before the image capturing. This makes
it possible to suppress immersion oil contamination of smear slides
whose images are not to be captured even when the image of the
smear slide is captured using an immersion oil. Thus, when a smear
slide whose image is not to be captured is visually observed, the
user can visually observe a smear slide not contaminated with the
oil by taking out the smear container accommodating the smear slide
from the storage, thereby enhancing the smear slide
handleability.
[0049] (10) In the smear image capture system of (9), the smear
transfer part may transfer the smear slide picked up from the first
smear container to the smear-image capture apparatus, while a smear
slide whose image is not to be captured by the smear-image capture
apparatus remains accommodated in the first smear container
transported to the smear pickup position. In this case, the smear
slide whose image is not to be captured by the smear-image capture
apparatus but which is to be visually observed under a microscope
stays in the first smear container, thereby enabling efficient
analysis.
[0050] (11) A smear analysis system of one or more embodiments may
be a smear analysis system comprising: a smear preparing apparatus
which prepares a smear slide on which a sample is smeared; a
smear-image capture apparatus which captures an image of the smear
slide on which the sample is smeared; and a smear transporting
apparatus which transports the smear slide supplied from the smear
preparing apparatus to the smear-image capture apparatus. The smear
transporting apparatus comprises: a smear-container transport part
which transports a first smear container accommodating smear slides
to a smear pickup position; a smear transfer part which takes out a
smear slide whose image is to be captured by the smear-image
capture apparatus from the first smear container transported to the
smear pickup position, transfers the smear slide to the smear-image
capture apparatus, and placesthe smear slide whose image has been
captured by the smear-image capture apparatus in a second smear
container different from the first smear container; and a storage
which stores the first smear container and the second smear
container.
[0051] In the smear analysis system of one or more embodiments, the
smear slide whose image has been captured by the smear-image
capture apparatus is accommodated in the smear container different
from the smear container in which this smear slide has been
accommodated before the image capturing. This makes it possible to
suppress immersion oil contamination of smear slides whose images
are not to be captured even when the image of the smear slide is
captured using an immersion oil. Thus, when a smear slide whose
image is not to be captured is visually observed, the user can
visually observe a smear slide not contaminated with the oil by
taking out the smear container accommodating the smear slide from
the storage, thereby enhancing the smear slide handleability.
[0052] (12) In the smear analysis system of (11), the smear
transfer part may transfer the smear slide picked up from the first
smear container to the smear-image capture apparatus, while a smear
slide whose image is not to be captured by the smear-image capture
apparatus remains accommodated in the first smear container
transported to the smear pickup position. In this case, the smear
slide whose image is not to be captured by the smear-image capture
apparatus but which is to be visually observed under a microscope
stays in the first smear container, thereby enabling efficient
analysis.
[0053] The smear transporting apparatus, the smear image capture
system, and the smear analysis system according one or more
embodiments make it possible to enhance the handleability of smear
slides in performing the visual observation.
[0054] A smear transporting apparatus in one aspect of this
invention includes a holder which holds and transports a smear
slide, a liquid receiver which receives, collects or catches
liquid, and a driver which moves the liquid receiver to receive,
collect or catch liquids dropped from a smear slide in the
holder.
[0055] In the smear transporting apparatus in the one aspect of the
invention, as described above, since the liquid receiver is moved,
the liquid receiver can receive, collect or catch liquid dropped
from a smear slide regardless of transportation paths of the smear
slide, which can enhance the flexibility of design of the smear
transporting apparatus.
[0056] In the smear transporting apparatus in the one aspect of the
invention, it may be preferable that the driver moves the liquid
receiver horizontally as the holder moves horizontally. With this
configuration, the liquid receiver with the minimum dimensions can
receive liquid dropped from a smear slide even in a case where the
transportation distance of a smear slide is long.
[0057] In the smear transporting apparatus in the one aspect of the
invention, it may be preferable that the driver moves the liquid
receiver horizontally as the holder moves vertically. This
configuration, for example, can avoid a smear slide held by the
holder from contacting the liquid receiver when the holder moves
downward. This configuration can also quickly move the liquid
receiver to under a smear slide held by the holder when the holder
moves upward.
[0058] It may be preferable that the smear transporting apparatus
in the one aspect also includes an interlocking mechanism, which
moves the liquid receiver horizontally as the holder moves
vertically. This configuration does not require a control process
to link movements of the holder and the liquid receiver and can
interconnect the movements of the holder and the liquid receiver
easily and promptly.
[0059] It may be preferable that the interlocking mechanism
includes a belt which connects both the liquid receiver and the
holder. This configuration connects the liquid receiver and the
holder to the same belt; therefore, it can easily interconnect
vertical movement of the holder and horizontal movement of the
liquid receiver.
[0060] In the configuration in which the interlocking mechanism
includes the belt, it may be preferable that the belt includes
horizontal part extending horizontally and a vertical part
extending vertically; the horizontal part connects to the liquid
receiver, and the vertical part connects to the holder. This easily
enables the liquid receiver to move horizontally and the holder to
move vertically as the belt is driven.
[0061] It may be preferable that the interlocking mechanism moves
the liquid receiver from the descending area of the holder and
moves the liquid receiver under the holder as the holder moves
upward. It can effectively prevent the liquid receiver laid under a
smear slide from contacting a smear slide when the holder moves
vertically to move a smear slide.
[0062] In the smear transporting apparatus of the aspect, it may be
preferable that the driver passes the holder holding a smear slide
and the liquid receiver over one smear container containing another
smear slide whose image is to be captured, and then moves the
holder and the liquid receiver to above another smear container.
Since this configuration enables the liquid receiver to receive
liquid dropped from the smear slide when the smear slide passes
over the one smear container, it effectively prevents liquid from
dropping on or into the one smear container containing the another
smear slide whose image is to be captured.
[0063] A smear image capture system in another aspect of the
invention includes a smear image capture apparatus which captures
an image of a smear slide on which a sample is smeared and a smear
transporting apparatus which transports the smear slide to the
smear image capture apparatus. The smear transporting apparatus
includes a holder which holds and transports the smear slide whose
image has been captured by the smear image capture apparatus, a
liquid receiver which receives, collects or catches liquid, and a
driver which moves the liquid receiver to receive, collect or catch
liquid dropped from a smear slide held by the holder.
[0064] In the smear image system in the another aspect of the
invention, as described above, since the liquid receiver moves, the
liquid receiver can receive, collect or catch liquid dropped from a
smear slide regardless of transportation paths of the smear slide.
Thus, this can provide a smear image capture system which is enable
to enhance the flexibility of design of the smear transporting
system.
[0065] In the smear image system in the another aspect, it may be
preferable that the smear image capture apparatus is configured to
capture an image of a smear slide with oil. This can increase
numerical aperture of the objective lens at image capturing, which
leads image capturing with high resolution.
[0066] In one or more embodiments, the flexibility of design of the
smear transporting apparatus can be enhanced.
[0067] Hereinafter, embodiments of a smear transporting apparatus,
a smear image capture system, and a smear analysis system are
explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Note that the invention is not limited to these illustrative
examples, and is intended to include meaning defined by the claims
and equivalent to the claims as well as all modifications within
the scope of the claims.
[0068] [Smear Analysis System]
[0069] As illustrated in FIG. 1, smear analysis system AN including
a smear transporting apparatus according to one embodiment includes
smear preparing apparatus 10, smear transporting apparatus 100, and
smear-image capture apparatus 200. Smear preparing apparatus 10
prepared and supplies a smear slide to smear transporting apparatus
100. Smear transporting apparatus 100 supplies the smear slide to
smear-image capture apparatus 200. Smear preparing apparatus 10,
smear transporting apparatus 100, and smear-image capture apparatus
200 are capable of automatically performing a series of operations
from preparation of smear slides with smeared samples such as blood
to image capturing of the samples. Note that, in this Description,
smear preparing apparatus 10 and smear transporting apparatus 100
constitute smear system S. In addition, a system or apparatus
constituted by smear transporting apparatus 100 and smear-image
capture apparatus 200 is referred to as smear image capture system
I. Although this smear image capture system I is constituted by
smear transporting apparatus 100 and smear-image capture apparatus
200, which are independent of each other in embodiments to be
described later, it is also possible to constitute smear image
capture system I as an apparatus integrated with smear transporting
apparatus 100 and smear-image capture apparatus 200. For example,
principal components of each apparatus can be stored in the same
casing. Smear preparing apparatus 10 and smear image capture system
I constitute the smear analysis system.
[0070] Note that this Description explains an X direction
illustrated in FIG. 1 as a right-left direction, a Y direction as a
front-rear direction, and a Z direction as a top-bottom direction.
Moreover, a lower edge side in FIG. 1 indicates a front side, and
an upper edge side therein indicates a rear side. Smear preparing
apparatus 10 is disposed at a right side portion of smear
transporting apparatus 100, and smear transporting apparatus 100 is
disposed at a front side of smear-image capture apparatus 200.
Smear transporting apparatus 100 is disposed in such a manner as to
partially overlap with the front side of smear-image capture
apparatus 200. Furthermore, in this Description, the word
"traverse(ly)" may be used to mean the right-left direction, and
the word "longitudinal" may be used to mean the front-rear
direction.
[0071] [Smear Preparing Apparatus]
[0072] Smear preparing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment is
an apparatus which prepares a smear slide 11 by performing
processes such as smearing, drying, and staining on blood, which is
a sample of a subject, on a microscope slide. As illustrated in
FIGS. 2A and 2B, smear slide 11 is formed of a rectangular glass
plate, and central section 11 a thereof is smeared with a sample.
An upper portion at one end portion in a longitudinal direction of
smear slide 11 is provided with frost section 12 which is a region
where identification information to be described later is typed
(see FIG. 2A). Frost section 12 is a region coated with a synthetic
resin or the like, so that a processing allowing the typing is
performed. In this Description, smear slide 11 refers to not only
microscope slides after the sample smearing process is completed in
smear preparing apparatus 10, but also microscope slides provided
with frost section 12 to be supplied to smear preparing apparatus
10 for the smearing process.
[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the identification information to
be typed or printed on frost section 12 includes sample
identification information m and image-capturing necessity
identification information n. Sample identification information m
is information for identifying a sample, such as sample number,
date, reception number, and the name of a subject. Sample
identification information m is typed on frost section 12 in such
forms as a barcode, letters, and signs. Image-capturing necessity
identification information n is information for identifying whether
or not a sample is one whose image is to be captured by smear-image
capture apparatus 200. Whether a sample is a sample whose image is
to be captured by smear-image capture apparatus 200 or a sample to
be visually tested under a microscope may have been inputted to a
host computer in advance when a test is conducted. It is also
possible to incorporate image-capturing necessity identification
information n together with sample identification information m in,
for example, one barcode. On the other hand, image-capturing
necessity identification information n can also be typed on frost
section 12 separately from sample identification information m. In
the latter case, as image-capturing necessity identification
information n, it is desirable to use letters, signs, or the like
which are not used for sample identification information m.
Examples of image-capturing necessity identification information n
can include various letters, for example, alphabets such as A, B,
and C, and various signs such as .tangle-solidup., .circle-solid.,
.box-solid., and .diamond-solid., but are not limited thereto. Even
in the case where alphabets are used as sample identification
information m, a sign obtained by overlaying or combining two
alphabet letters with each other may be used as image-capturing
necessity identification information n, for the distinction. Note
that although sample identification information m is normally
information for identifying a sample, it is also possible to
inquire of an external host computer whether image capturing of the
sample is necessary or not on the basis of this sample
identification information m to thereby determine whether smear
slide 11 is one whose image is to be captured or not on the basis
of a result obtained from the host computer. Thus, this sample
identification information m is also included in "identification
information on whether image capturing by the smear-image capture
apparatus is necessary or not".
[0074] As illustrated in FIG. 1 or 3, smear preparing apparatus 10
includes stain chambers 20, transfer unit 30, cleaning chambers 40,
drying chamber 50, blower unit 60, slide supplier 82, printer 83,
smearer 84, dryer 85, and slide storage 86. Stain chambers 20,
cleaning chambers 40, drying chamber 50, and blower unit 60
constitute stainer 81 in smear preparing apparatus 10. In this
embodiment, smearer 84, stainer 81, and dryer 85 prepare a smear
slide 11 by smearing a sample on a slide. Smear preparing apparatus
10 further includes fluid circuit 70 for supplying and discharging
staining solution 13 and cleaning liquid 14 to and from stain
chambers 20 and cleaning chambers 40, respectively; and controller
80 for controlling the operations of transfer unit 30, blower unit
60, and so forth. Controller 80 is a computer including
unillustrated CPU, memory, and so forth.
[0075] Slide supplier 82 stores numerous smear slides 11 yet to be
used before a sample is smeared. Slide supplier 82 supplies printer
83 with smear slides 11 one by one before smearing. Printer 83 can
type or print various information such as the sample identification
information, the image-capturing necessity identification
information, and so forth on frost section 12 which is the region
of smear slide 11 where typing is performed. Printer 83 transfers
typed smear slide 11 to smearer 84.
[0076] Smearer 84 aspirates a sample with an unillustrated sample
aspiration mechanism, smears the sample on central section 11 a of
smear slide 11 transferred from printer 83. After the smearing
process, smearer 84 transfers smear slide 11 to dryer 85.
[0077] Dryer 85 receives smear slide 11 with the smeared sample
from smearer 84, and has a function of drying central section 11 a
with the smeared sample.
[0078] In stainer 81, smear slide 11 smeared with the sample dried
by dryer 85 is stained in stain chambers 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e
and cleaned in cleaning chambers 40a, 40b. Then, smear slide 11 is
dried in drying chamber 50. When the staining of smear slide 11 is
completed, stained smear slide 11 is transferred to slide storage
86. Transfer unit 30 transfers smear slide 11 between these
components.
[0079] Stain chambers 20 are each formed in a shape of container in
which a staining solution is stored so that smear slide 11 with the
smeared sample can be immersed therein. Moreover, each of cleaning
chambers 40 is also formed in a shape of container in which a
cleaning liquid is stored so that stained smear slide 11 can be
immersed therein. In smear preparing apparatus 10 according to this
embodiment, three stain chambers 20a, 20b, 20c, cleaning chamber
40a, two stain chambers 20d, 20e, and cleaning chamber 40b are
disposed in this order along the Y-axis direction. These chambers
are integrally formed as a single chamber using a synthetic resin.
Note that the numbers of stain chambers 20 and cleaning chambers 40
should be selected as appropriate in accordance with the content of
the staining process, the number of steps, and so on. The numbers
are not particularly limited.
[0080] In stain chambers 20 and cleaning chambers 40, partitions
21, 41 are provided respectively. Smear slide 11 is inserted
between partitions 21 next to each other or between partitions 41
next to each other, and held or positioned by these partitions 21,
41.
[0081] Transfer unit 30 is provided to grip and transfer smear
slide 11 with the smeared sample. Transfer unit 30 is capable of
putting each smear slide 11 one by one in and out stain chambers 20
or cleaning chambers 40. As the configuration of transfer unit 30
for putting each smear slide 11 in and out one by one in this
manner, various configurations can be adopted. In this embodiment,
as illustrated in FIG. 3, a three-axis coordinate robot is adopted
which is movable in horizontal directions (X direction and Y
direction) and in the top-bottom direction (Z direction) or
vertical direction, and includes hand members 31 for gripping smear
slide 11. As hand member 31, it is possible to use, for example, an
open-close mechanism capable of grasping smear slide 11 from both
sides, or an aspiration mechanism which grasps smear slide 11 by
suction on a predetermined spot thereof at a negative pressure.
[0082] Transfer unit 30 includes first transfer part 30a and second
transfer part 30b. Both of first transfer part 30a and second
transfer part 30b are disposed above (Z1 direction) stain chambers
20 and cleaning chambers 40. First transfer part 30a and second
transfer part 30b are movable in the horizontal directions (X
direction and Y direction) independently of each other by movement
mechanism 32.
[0083] Movement mechanism 32 includes Y-axis rail 33a and Y-axis
sliders 33b located in the Y direction, X-axis rails 34a and X-axis
sliders 34b located in the X direction, Y-axis motors 33c, and
X-axis motors 34c. As Y-axis motors 33c and X-axis motors 34c, for
example, stepping motors and servomotors can be adopted.
[0084] Y-axis sliders 33b are attached to a bottom surface side (Z2
direction) of Y-axis rail 33a, and movable along Y-axis rail 33a.
Y-axis motors 33c move Y-axis sliders 33b in the Y direction with
an unillustrated transmission mechanism. As the transmission
mechanism, for example, a belt-pulley mechanism, a rack-pinion
mechanism, or the like can be used.
[0085] X-axis rails 34a are fixed to bottom surfaces of Y-axis
sliders 33b. X-axis sliders 34b are attached to bottom surface
sides (Z2 direction) of X-axis rails 34a, and are movable along
X-axis rails 34a. X-axis motors 34c move X-axis sliders 34b in the
X direction with an unillustrated transmission mechanism.
[0086] Y-axis sliders 33b, X-axis rails 34a, X-axis sliders 34b,
X-axis motors 34c, and Y-axis motors 33c are respectively provided
in pairs. To bottom surface sides of the pair of X-axis sliders
34b, first transfer part 30a and second transfer part 30b are
attached, respectively. First transfer part 30a and second transfer
part 30b are movable independently of each other in the X direction
along separate X-axis rails 34a. Moreover, first transfer part 30a
and second transfer part 30b are movable independently of each
other in the Y direction along the same Y-axis rail 33a.
[0087] The configurations of first transfer part 30a and second
transfer part 30b are the same. First transfer part 30a and second
transfer part 30b each include Z-axis motor 35a and transmission
mechanism 35b for elevating and lowering hand member 31. Z-axis
motor 35a is capable of elevating and lowering hand member 31 with
transmission mechanism 35b.
[0088] Hand member 31 includes a pair of gripping plates 31a. Hand
member 31 is capable of gripping one smear slide 11 in a thickness
direction from both sides with the pair of gripping plates 31a. The
pair of gripping plates 31a grip smear slide 11 by respectively
coming into contact with a front surface and a back surface of
smear slide 11. Of the pair of gripping plates 31a, gripping plate
31a at the back surface side is capable of moving smear slide 11 in
the thickness direction. Gripping plates 31a can be moved using an
actuator, for example, an air cylinder, a motor, a solenoid, or the
like.
[0089] Drying chamber 50 is disposed in such as manner as to be
substantially aligned with stain chambers 20 and cleaning chambers
40 along the Y direction in which stain chambers 20 and cleaning
chambers 40 are arranged. Drying chamber 50 is provided to dry
smear slide 11 having been subjected to the staining process and
the cleaning process. Drying chamber 50 is partitioned by
partitions 51, and is capable of holding smear slide 11 between
partitions 51 next to each other. Inside drying chamber 50, an air
passage (unillustrated) is formed. This air passage is connected to
blower unit 60.
[0090] Blower unit 60 is provided to supply hot air to smear slide
11 held in drying chamber 50. Heater 61 for heating air is provided
between blower unit 60 and drying chamber 50.
[0091] After the staining, cleaning, and drying processes are
completed, transfer unit 30 transfers smear slide 11 to slide
storage 86. Slide storage 86 includes Magazine transport part 91
which transports slide magazine 90 serving as a smear container.
Slide magazine 90 is capable of holding stained smear slides 11. As
illustrated in FIG. 4, slide magazine 90 has a box shape whose top
surface is opened, and partitions 90a are provided inside slide
magazine 90. Partitions 90a are formed on inner surfaces of
longitudinal walls 90b opposite to each other. Partitions 90a
formed on the inner surface of one of walls 90b are formed at
positions opposite to partitions 90a formed on the inner surface of
the other wall 90b at the opposite side. In this embodiment, slide
magazine 90 can accommodate ten smear slides 11.
[0092] In base 90c of slide magazine 90, triangular notch 90d is
formed which engages with guide rail 145 of smear transporting
apparatus 100 to be described later. As illustrated in FIG. 5, this
notch 90d is a triangular notch when slide magazine 90 is seen in a
front view of wall 90b in a longitudinal direction of slide
magazine 90. Notch 90d is formed across the entire length direction
of a shorter side of base 90c.
[0093] Magazine transport part 91 includes magazine carry-in path
92 capable of storing empty slide magazines 90, magazine carry-out
path 93 capable of storing slide magazines 90 storing smear slides
11, and traverse transfer mechanism 94 extending from magazine
carry-in path 92 to magazine carry-out path 93. In Magazine
transport part 91, when the user sets empty slide magazine 90 in
introduction section D of magazine carry-in path 92, slide magazine
90 is automatically transported toward smear storage position
95.
[0094] After drying chamber 50 completes the drying process,
transfer unit 30 grasps and raises smear slide 11, and stores smear
slide 11 in an empty storage section of slide magazine 90 disposed
at smear storage position 95. When the storage section is filled,
traverse transfer mechanism 94 traversely transfers slide magazine
90 from magazine carry-in path 92 to magazine carry-out path 93.
Slide magazine 90 traversely transferred to magazine carry-out path
93 is automatically transported frontward. When slide magazine 90
is transported to the frontmost side, traverse transfer unit 130
transfers slide magazine 90 to magazine buffer region 131, which is
a first supply region of smear transporting apparatus 100.
[0095] [Smear Transporting Apparatus]
[0096] Smear transporting apparatus 100 includes: smear-container
transport part 140 for transporting slide magazine 90, which is a
smear container, accommodating smear slides 11; and smear transfer
part 170. Smear transfer part 170 picks, picks up, takes out, grips
or lifts smear slide 11 accommodated in slide magazine 90
transported by smear-container transport part 140, and supplies
smear slide 11 to the smear-image capture apparatus after smear
slide 11 thus taken out is put in transport case 152 to be
described later.
[0097] In this embodiment, smear-container transport part 140 has
two rows of front and rear transport units, that is, first
transport unit 141 (first transport part) located on a rear side of
smear transporting apparatus 100 and second transport unit 142
(second transport part) located in front of first transport unit
141. Each of first transport unit 141 and second transport unit 142
includes a belt conveyor including belts 143 and driver 144 which
drives these belts 143. First transport unit 141 and second
transport unit 142 transport slide magazines 90 in an X2 direction
(see FIGS. 1 and 9).
[0098] As illustrated in FIG. 1, first transport unit 141 and
second transport unit 142 can be divided into four regions
according to the state of slide magazine 90. Specifically, first
transport unit 141 and second transport unit 142 can be divided
into: magazine buffer region 131 as a first supply region, magazine
set region 132 as a second supply region, first magazine storage
region 133 as a first storage region, and second magazine storage
region 134 as a second storage region. Among these four regions,
magazine set region 132 and second magazine storage region 134
belong to second transport unit 142. Meanwhile, magazine buffer
region 131 and first magazine storage region 133 belong to first
transport unit 141. First magazine storage region 133 and second
magazine storage region 134 constitute a storage for storing slide
magazines 90 which serve as the smear containers.
[0099] After smear preparing apparatus 10 completes the smearing
process, smear slides 11 are stored in slide magazine 90 serving as
a first smear container. Traverse transfer unit 130 transfers the
slide magazine to magazine buffer region 131. First magazine
storage region 133 is a region that stores slide magazine 90 as the
first smear container which stores only smear slides 11 to be
visually tested under a microscope, and from which smear slides 11
whose images are to be captured by smear-image capture apparatus
200 have been picked up. Magazine set region 132 is a region where
empty slide magazines 90 set by the user are disposed. Second
magazine storage region 134 is a region that stores slide magazine
90 storing smear slides 11 whose images have been captured by
smear-image capture apparatus 200. Note that, in this embodiment,
interrupting-smear-container set region 135 which is accessible to
the user, and in which slide magazine 90 accommodating smear slide
11 prepared by this the user is set is located at a left side
portion in magazine buffer region 131. Specifically, on a transport
path where smear containers are transported,
interrupting-smear-container set region 135 is located between
magazine buffer region 131 where smear containers from smear
preparing apparatus 10 are received and a position where an
identification-information acquisition part to be described later
acquires identification information.
[0100] Second transport unit 142 transports empty slide magazine 90
serving as a second smear container, which the user sets in
magazine set region 132, to smear storage position A. Smear slides
11 whose images have been captured by smear-image capture apparatus
200 are sequentially accommodated in slide magazine 90 as the
second smear container at this smear storage position A. When slide
magazine 90 at smear storage position A is filled, second transport
unit 142 transports slide magazine 90 filled with smear slides 11
from smear storage position A to second magazine storage region
134. Then, second transport unit 142 transports empty slide
magazine 90 positioned on a left end of magazine set region 132 to
smear storage position A.
[0101] On the other hand, first transport unit 141 transports, to
smear pickup position P, slide magazine 90 as the first smear
container which is received from smear preparing apparatus 10 and
disposed in magazine buffer region 131. At this smear pickup
position P, handling member 120 of smear transfer part 170
sequentially picks up smear slides 11 as described later. Smear
slides 11 thus picked up are sorted into smear slides 11 whose
images are to be captured by smear-image capture apparatus 200, and
smear slides 11 whose images are not to be captured by smear-image
capture apparatus 200. After the sorting of smear slides 11 is
completed, slide magazine 90 is transported from smear pickup
position P to first magazine storage region 133. Slide magazine 90
positioned at first magazine storage region 133 stores only smear
slides 11 whose images are not to be captured by smear-image
capture apparatus 200. These smear slides 11 are to be visually
tested under a microscope.
[0102] In this embodiment, slide magazine 90 accommodating smear
slides 11 is transported from smear preparing apparatus 10 to smear
pickup position P. Smear slides 11 include ones whose images are to
be captured by smear-image capture apparatus 200, and ones whose
images are not to be captured. Hence, slide magazine 90 transported
to smear pickup position P normally contains a mixture of the two
types of smear slides 11. Nevertheless, in this embodiment, even if
slide magazine 90 contains such a mixture, smear slides 11 whose
images have been captured by smear-image capture apparatus 200 and
smear slides 11 whose images are not captured by smear-image
capture apparatus 200 are accommodated in different slide magazines
90, that is, slide magazine 90 as the first smear container and
slide magazine 90 as the second smear container. Then, these slide
magazines are stored in different regions. To enhance the
resolution when an image is captured by smear-image capture
apparatus 200, an immersion oil is applied to a sample such as
blood smeared on smear slide 11 in some cases. Since smear slides
11 whose images have been captured are accommodated in slide
magazine 90 different from slide magazine 90 accommodating smear
slides 11 whose image has yet to be captured, this makes it
possible to suppress the immersion oil contamination of smear
slides 11 whose images have yet to be captured. Thus, when smear
slide 11 whose image is not to be captured is visually observed,
the user can visually observe smear slide 11 not contaminated with
the oil by taking out slide magazine 90 accommodating the smear
slide from first magazine storage region 133, thereby enhancing
smear slide 11 handleability.
[0103] Slide magazine 90 positioned in second magazine storage
region 134 stores smear slides 11 whose images have been captured
by smear-image capture apparatus 200. As described above, since an
immersion oil is sometimes applied to smear slide 11 when an image
is captured, the oil applied to smear slide 11 may adhere to slide
magazine 90. For this reason, it is desirable to divide slide
magazines 90 used in the front-side row from slide magazines 90
used in the rear-side row. It is desirable to use slide magazines
90 which have a possibility of the oil contamination in the
front-side row, and use slide magazines 90 which have no
possibility of the oil contamination in the rear-side row. In this
case, slide magazines 90 to be set in magazine set region 132 are
slide magazines 90 storing smear slides 11 after image capturing,
disposed in second magazine storage region 134, and then emptied by
completing the processing on these smear slides 11. On the other
hand, slide magazines 90 positioned in first magazine storage
region 133 and then emptied by taking out smear slides 11 having
been stored for the visual test under a microscope are set in
introduction section D of magazine carry-in path 92 of smear
preparing apparatus 10. Using slide magazines 90 differently in
this manner makes it possible to efficiently clean these slide
magazines 90. Specifically, slide magazines 90 disposed in second
magazine storage region 134 are desirably set to be cleaned
frequently because the possibility of the oil contamination is
high. On the other hand, slide magazines 90 disposed in first
magazine storage region 133 can be set to be cleaned less
frequently because the slide magazines have no possibility of the
oil contamination. Slide magazines 90 used in the front-side row
can be easily distinguished from slide magazines 90 used in the
rear-side row, for example, by changing the colors or in other
ways.
[0104] As described above, magazine buffer region 131 in this
embodiment has interrupting-smear-container set region 135, which
is a region accessible to the user. Interrupting-smear-container
set region 135 is located in a region at the left end portion in
magazine buffer region 131, that is, a region at smear pickup
position P side in magazine buffer region 131.
Interrupting-smear-container set region 135 is a region where no
slide magazine 90 is normally present. After smear preparing
apparatus 10 supplies slide magazines 90 to magazine buffer region
131, first transport unit 141 sequentially transports slide
magazines 90 to the left, that is, toward smear pickup position
P.
[0105] Nevertheless, the user may manually prepare smear slide 11
instead of smear preparing apparatus 10 to capture an image with
smear-image capture apparatus 200 for the analysis. To prepare
smear slide 11 with smear preparing apparatus 10, a certain amount
of a sample is required. However, it may be difficult to collect
the certain amount of a sample from such a subject as an infant,
for example. In such a case, smear preparing apparatus 10 cannot
automatically prepare smear slide 11. As a result, the user
manually prepares smear slide 11 using a sample collected from a
subject. Moreover, it is also conceivable that when a sample needs
to be analyzed quickly using smear-image capture apparatus 200, the
user manually prepares smear slide 11 using a sample collected from
a subject.
[0106] Interrupting-smear-container set region 135 is a region
where slide magazine 90 accommodating smear slide 11 manually
prepared as described above is set. First transport unit 141
transports slide magazine 90 set in interrupting-smear-container
set region 135 to smear pickup position P.
[0107] Interrupting-smear-container set region 135 is normally set
such that no slide magazine 90 is present so as to set slide
magazine 90 accommodating manually-prepared smear slide 11 in
interrupting-smear-container set region 135.
[0108] FIG. 6 is an explanatory partial perspective view of first
transport unit 141 positioned in interrupting-smear-container set
region 135. As described above, first transport unit 141 includes a
belt conveyor including belts 143 and driver 144 which drives these
belts 143 (see FIG. 9). Belts 143 are provided in pair along the
transport direction (X2 direction) of slide magazine 90. In FIG. 6,
only one belt (rear-side belt) 143a is illustrated to facilitate
the understanding. Substantially at the center in a width direction
of the pair of belts 143, guide rail 145 is provided which guides
the movement of slide magazine 90. Tip end portion 145a, which is
an end portion in an upward direction (Z1 direction) of guide rail
145, has a tapered shape. In more details, the shape of a traverse
cross section of tip end portion 145a is triangular, and
corresponds to triangular notch 90d formed in base 90c of slide
magazine 90 described above. Slide magazine 90 is transported while
guided by this tip end portion 145a of guide rail 145 with tip end
portion 145a being fitted in notch 90d of base 90c.
[0109] Detector 190 is provided within the pair of belts 143 in the
width direction. Detector 190 has a pair of plate-shaped swing
pieces 191. Swing pieces 191 are provided within the pair of belts
143 in the width direction. Swing pieces 191 are swingable about
the same shaft 192. Tip end portion 191a, which is an end portion
in an upward direction (Z1 direction) of each of swing pieces 191,
has inclination surface 191b ascending in transport direction X2 of
slide magazine 90. In a state not in contact with slide magazine
90, swing pieces 191 are biased by an unillustrated spring such
that tip end portions 191a are directed upward (see FIG. 6).
[0110] Detector 190 is provided at a position immediately before
interrupting-smear-container set region 135 when seen in transport
direction X2 of slide magazine 90.
[0111] At a middle position between paired plate-shaped swing
pieces 191 (middle position in the width direction of belts 143),
stopper 193 is provided which is capable of stopping the movement
of slide magazine 90. As illustrated in FIG. 7, stopper 193
includes main body 193a with a shape partially cut along a
longitudinal direction of guide rail 145, and base 193b extending
in the width direction of belts 143 from a bottom end of main body
193a. The shape of a traverse cross section of tip end portion
193a1, which is an end portion in an upward direction (Z1
direction) of main body 193a, has the same tapered shape as tip end
portion 145a of guide rail 145. Normally, stopper 193 and guide
rail 145 are positioned substantially on the same straight line.
Accordingly, tip end portion 193a1 of main body 193a of stopper 193
is fitted in notch 90d of slide magazine 90, so that this slide
magazine 90 can pass through the top of this stopper 193 without
being interrupted by stopper 193. Notch 193c is formed in main body
193a of stopper 193. Notch 193c is formed at such a position that
notch 193c is slightly shifted to an end portion from the center in
a longitudinal direction of main body 193a. Notch 193c is formed to
a size sufficient to accommodate long frame 90c1 of base 90c of
slide magazine 90.
[0112] When slide magazine 90 passes through swing pieces 191, long
frame 90c1 at a leading side of base 90c of slide magazine 90 comes
into contact with inclination surfaces 191b of swing pieces 191,
and thereby pushes these swing pieces 191 downward against the
biasing force of the aforementioned spring. When long frame 90c1 at
the leading side of base 90c passes through inclination surfaces
191b of swing pieces 191, the contact state between this long frame
90c1 and inclination surfaces 191b ends. Hence, swing pieces 191
return to the original position, that is, to the state where tip
end portions 191a are directed upward, by the action of the spring.
In this event, tip end portions 191a are located in recess 90e of
base 90c of slide magazine 90. In addition, long frame 90c1 at a
rear side of base 90c (the rear side in the transport direction (X2
direction) of base 90c) is located in notch 193c of stopper 193.
From these states, when slide magazine 90 further moves toward
smear pickup position P, long frame 90c1 at the rear side of base
90c comes into contact with inclination surfaces 191b of swing
pieces 191, and thereby pushes these swing pieces 191 downward.
Then, slide magazine 90 further moves toward smear pickup position
P, and long frame 90c1 at the rear side of base 90c passes through
inclination surfaces 191b of swing pieces 191, so that the contact
state between long frame 90c1 and inclination surfaces 191b ends.
As a result, swing pieces 191 return to the original position, that
is, to the state where tip end portions 191a are directed upward,
by the action of the spring. In this manner, swing pieces 191 swing
up and down twice every time one slide magazine 90 passes through
these swing pieces 191. Whether swing pieces 191 are in the state
of being pushed downward or in the state where tip end portions
191a thereof are directed upward can be detected with, for example,
an optical sensor, a microswitch, or the like.
[0113] The operation of stopping slide magazine 90 by stopper 193
can be done as follows, for example. Controller 110 of smear
transporting apparatus 100 can control such a stop operation. (1)
Controller 110 determines whether or not swing pieces 191 once
pushed downward is at the original position, that is, in the state
where tip end portions 191a are directed upward (hereinafter, such
a state is referred to as "neutral state"), by the action of the
spring. In this neutral state, tip end portions 191a of swing
pieces 191 are located in recess 90e of base 90c of slide magazine
90. If it is determined that swing pieces 191 are in the neutral
state, controller 110 determines whether or not slide magazines 90
are positioned at smear pickup position P and
interrupting-smear-container set region 135. At smear pickup
position P also, the same sensor is provided as detector 190 having
swing pieces 191 described above. A signal from such a sensor
enables controller 110 to determine whether swing pieces 191 at
smear pickup position P is in the neutral state or not. Until the
sorting of smear slides 11 accommodated in slide magazine 90 is
completed, this slide magazine 90 is stopped at smear pickup
position P. On the other hand, optical sensor 194 is provided in
interrupting-smear-container set region 135 as illustrated in FIG.
8. Light receptor 194a receives light beam 195 emitted from an
unillustrated light emitter. Such light receptor 194a and light
emitter constitute optical sensor 194. When slide magazine 90
accommodating smear slide 11 manually prepared by the user is
disposed in interrupting-smear-container set region 135, slide
magazine 90 blocks light beam 195 from the light emitter to light
receptor 194a. This enables the detection that slide magazine 90 is
present in interrupting-smear-container set region 135.
[0114] (2) If controller 110 determined that slide magazine 90 is
positioned at any one of smear pickup position P and
interrupting-smear-container set region 135, an unillustrated drive
mechanism slides stopper 193 in the width direction of the pair of
belts 143, that is, the Y direction (see FIG. 1). Sliding stopper
193 in this manner shifts the position of this stopper 193 from
notch 90d of base 90c of slide magazine 90 in the width direction
(Y direction). Hence, even if belts 143 are driven, edge surface
193c1a of notch 193c of stopper 193 touches long frame 90c1 at the
rear side of slide magazine 90, so that stopper 193 stops the
movement of slide magazine 90 in the transport direction.
[0115] The same mechanism as stopper 193 in magazine buffer region
131 is also provided at each of smear pickup position P and smear
storage position A. Thus, when slide magazine 90 is supplied from
smear preparing apparatus 10 to magazine buffer region 131, even if
belts 143 are driven to transport slide magazine 90 toward smear
pickup position P, belts 143 transport only slide magazine 90
positioned in magazine buffer region 131, while the stopper at
smear pickup position P stops slide magazine 90 positioned thereat
until the sorting of smear slides 11 accommodated in slide magazine
90 at smear pickup position P is completed. In other words, since
this embodiment adopts the stopper described above, it is possible
to transport only necessary slide magazine 90. Slide magazine 90
unnecessary to be transported keeps sliding on driving belts 143
while prohibited from moving by stopper 193.
[0116] As illustrated in FIG. 9, smear transfer part 170 is
provided above (Z1 direction) first transport unit 141 and second
transport unit 142. Like transfer unit 30 in smear preparing
apparatus 10 described above, smear transfer part 170 is provided
to grip and transfer smear slide 11. Smear transfer part 170 is
capable of putting each smear slide 11 one by one in and out slide
magazine 90. As the configuration of smear transfer part 170 for
putting each smear slide 11 in and out one by one in this manner,
various configurations can be adopted. In this embodiment, as
illustrated in FIG. 9, a 2-axis coordinate robot is adopted which
is movable in the horizontal direction (Y direction) and in the
top-bottom direction (Z direction) or vertical direction, and
includes handling member 120 for gripping smear slide 11. As
handling member 120, it is possible to use, for example, an
open-close mechanism capable of grasping smear slide 11 from both
sides, or an aspiration mechanism which grasps smear slide 11 by
suction on a predetermined spot thereof at a negative pressure.
[0117] Smear transfer part 170 is movable in the horizontal
direction (Y direction) by movement mechanism 171. Movement
mechanism 171 includes Y-axis rail 172, Y-axis slider 173 which
engages with this Y-axis rail 172, and Y-axis motor 174. As Y-axis
motor 174, for example, stepping motors and servomotors can be
adopted. Y-axis motor 174 moves Y-axis slider 173 in the Y
direction with a transmission mechanism including a belt-pulley
mechanism.
[0118] Smear transfer part 170 includes Z-axis motor 175 and
transmission mechanism 176 for elevating and lowering handling
member 120. Z-axis motor 175 is capable of elevating and lowering
handling member 120 with transmission mechanism 176.
[0119] As illustrated in FIG. 10, handling member 120 includes a
pair of gripping plates 121a, 121b. Handling member 120 is capable
of gripping one smear slide 11 in the thickness direction from both
sides with the pair of gripping plates 121a, 121b. The pair of
gripping plates 121a, 121b grip smear slide 11 by respectively
coming into contact with the front surface and the back surface of
smear slide 11. Of the pair of gripping plates 121a, 121b, gripping
plate 121b at the back surface side is capable of moving smear
slide 11 in the thickness direction. Gripping plate 121b can be
moved by motor 124. Note that, other than the motor, an actuator,
for example, an air cylinder, a solenoid, or the like can also be
used.
[0120] An opening 122 is formed in gripping plate 121a of the pair
of gripping plates 121a, 121b which is at the front surface side
(side where frost section 12 is provided) of smear slide 11. The
position and shape of opening 122 formed are selected so that a
camera to be described later can capture an image of
image-capturing necessity identification information typed on frost
section 12 of smear slide 11 gripped by the pair of gripping plates
121a, 121b. In this embodiment, substantially rectangular opening
122 is formed in gripping plate 121a at the front surface side of
smear slide 11. The pair of gripping plates 121a, 121b grip a
portion of frost section 12 of smear slide 11 excluding where
image-capturing necessity identification information is typed.
[0121] Smear transporting apparatus 100 according to this
embodiment further includes the identification-information
acquisition part for acquiring identification information provided
to smear slide 11 taken out by smear transfer part 170. As
illustrated in FIG. 10, an inner surface of casing 177
accommodating mechanisms such as Z-axis motor 175 of smear transfer
part 170 is provided with image capture part 180 which is the
identification-information acquisition part. This image capture
part 180 is provided at a position facing an identifier for whether
image capturing is necessary or not of smear slide 11 taken up by
handling member 120 of smear transfer part 170. As image capture
part 180, for example, a camera can be used. As the
identification-information acquisition part, a barcode reader may
be used instead of image capture part 180.
[0122] Image capture part 180 is capable of capturing an image of
image-capturing necessity identification information, which is
exposed to the outside from opening 122 formed in gripping plate
121a at the front surface side of smear slide 11. In this
embodiment, as the image-capturing necessity identification
information, alphabet "A" is typed on frost section 12. This
image-capturing necessity identification information "A" is exposed
to the outside from opening 122. The captured image data is
transmitted to controller 110 of smear transporting apparatus 100.
On the basis of the transmitted image data, captured-image
determination part 112 of controller 110 determines whether or not
smear slide 11 taken up by handling member 120 is one whose image
is to be captured by smear-image capture apparatus 200.
[0123] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for illustrating a procedure of
determining whether smear 11 slide is one whose image is to be
captured or not. First, in step S1, an image of frost section 12 of
smear slide 11 taken up by handling member 120 from slide magazine
90 at smear pickup position P is captured. Image capture part 180
obtains such an image of smear slide 11 by capturing an image of
frost section 12 exposed to the outside from opening 122 formed in
gripping plate 121a at the front surface side of smear slide 11.
The captured image is transmitted to controller 110 of smear
transporting apparatus 100.
[0124] Subsequently, in step S2, controller 110 performs a
grayscale conversion as a pretreatment on the acquired image. In
this embodiment, it is determined not only whether image capturing
by smear-image capture apparatus (DI) 200 is necessary or not, but
also whether handling member 120 grips smear slide 11 or not. In a
case where hand member 31 of smear preparing apparatus 10 fails to
grip smear slide 11 or similar cases, it is conceivable that there
is a space where no smear slide 11 is stored in a section of slide
magazine 90. Moreover, in a case where an urgent visual test is
necessary, it is conceivable that when the user pulls up smear
slide 11 in the middle of the test, there is a similar space where
no smear slide 11 is stored in a section of slide magazine 90.
[0125] Subsequently, in step S3, controller 110 determines whether
or not a luminance value of a region in frost section 12 exposed to
the outside through opening 122 is not less than a threshold saved
in advance. Of the pair of gripping plates 121, gripping plate 121b
at the back surface side of smear slide 11 has a surface which
faces a surface of gripping plate 121a at the front surface side of
smear slide 11, and which is colored with a color, for example,
black, having a luminance value lower than a luminance value frost
section 12 can take. The color may be dark brown or other colors
than black. Hence, if image capture part 180 captures an image of a
portion exposed from opening 122 with no smear slide 11 gripped by
the pair of gripping plates 121, the obtained image has such a low
luminance value. When image-capturing necessity identification
information is typed on frost section 12 of smear slide 11, the
portion of frost section 12 exposed to the outside through opening
122 where the image-capturing necessity identification information
is typed is brighter than black. Thus, setting the threshold at a
larger luminance value than the aforementioned low value and
comparing this threshold with a luminance value to be obtained make
it possible to determine whether smear slide 11 is present or
absent. In step S3, if it is determined that the obtained luminance
value is not less than the threshold, controller 110 advances the
processing to step S4. On the other hand, if it is determined that
the obtained luminance value is less than the threshold, controller
110 completes the determination procedure. In step S3, image
processing is performed by utilizing the luminance value indicating
the magnitude of brightness of the acquired mage. In step S3, if it
is determined that no smear slide 11 is gripped, smear transfer
part 170 can check the position using, for example, a rotary
encoder, and prepare transferring of the next smear slide 11
without returning to the original position of this smear transfer
part 170.
[0126] In step S4, controller 110 performs pattern processing on
the acquired image, and determines whether or not the pattern of
this image matches with an image capturing pattern of smear-image
capture apparatus (DI) saved in advance. If it is determined that
the pattern of the acquired image matches with the image capturing
pattern of the smear-image capture apparatus, controller 110
advances the processing to step S5, and transports smear slide 11
gripped by handling member 120 to smear-image capture apparatus
200. On the other hand, if it is determined that the pattern of the
acquired image does not match with the image capturing pattern of
the smear-image capture apparatus, controller 110 advances the
processing to step S6.
[0127] In step S6, controller 110 determines whether or not the
pattern of the acquired image matches with a non-image capturing
pattern of the smear-image capture apparatus saved in advance. If
it is determined that the pattern of the acquired image matches
with the non-image capturing pattern of the smear-image capture
apparatus, controller 110 advances the processing to step S7, and
returns smear slide 11 gripped by handling member 120 to the
original position in slide magazine 90. On the other hand, if it is
determined that the pattern of the acquired image does not match
with the non-image capturing pattern of the smear-image capture
apparatus, controller 110 advances the processing to step S5, and
transports smear slide 11 gripped by handling member 120 to
smear-image capture apparatus 200. In this embodiment, since smear
slide 11 manually prepared by the user is also desirably subjected
to the processing by smear-image capture apparatus 200, if whether
image-capturing necessity identification information is either
information indicating that image capturing is necessary or
information indicating that image capturing is unnecessary is
unknown, smear-image capture apparatus 200 ought to capture an
image. This is because when the user manually prepares smear slide
11, frost section 12 may not be typed, or patient information may
be written with a pencil or the like. As described above, since
smear slide 11 whose pattern does not match with the non-image
capturing pattern is transported to smear-image capture apparatus
200, the processing in step S4 may be omitted.
[0128] When it is determined that smear slide 11 is one whose image
is to be captured by smear-image capture apparatus 200, smear
transfer part 170 transfers the smear slide to smear delivery
position W to be described later, and horizontal movement mechanism
123 constituting this smear transfer part 170 transports the smear
slide to smear-image capture apparatus 200.
[0129] As illustrated in FIG. 1, horizontal movement mechanism 123
is a mechanism for moving smear slide 11 in the right-left
direction between smear delivery position W and smear receiver 205
of smear-image capture apparatus 200. Horizontal movement mechanism
123 includes transport unit 150 which receives smear slide 11 from
smear transfer part 170 at smear delivery position W, moves in the
left direction toward smear receiver 205 of smear-image capture
apparatus 200, receives smear slide 11 whose image has been
captured from smear receiver 205, and moves in the right direction
toward smear delivery position W.
[0130] As illustrated in FIG. 12, transport unit 150 includes base
151, transport case 152, and traverse movement part 153. An
apparatus frame (unillustrated) of smear transporting apparatus 100
supports base 151 movably in the right-left direction between smear
delivery position W illustrated in FIG. 1 and smear receiver 205 of
smear-image capture apparatus 200. Traverse movement part 153
includes a belt conveyor including belt 155 wound around a pair of
right and left pulleys 154, drive motor 156 which drives one of
pulleys 154, and so forth. Moreover, in an upper portion of base
151, a pair of right and left support pieces 151a are provided.
Support shaft 157 having an axis in the right-left direction is
bridged between these support pieces 151a.
[0131] Transport case 152 functions as a container formed in
accordance with the shape of smear slides 11 in such a manner as to
accommodate these smear slides 11. Transport case 152 includes
first smear accommodation section 161 which accommodates smear
slide 11 whose image has yet to be captured, and second smear
accommodation section 162 which accommodates smear slide 11 whose
image has been captured. Right and left wall members 159 of
transport case 152 are respectively provided with link arms 159a
extending frontward. Tip end portions of link arms 159a are
rotatably linked to support shaft 157. Thus, transport case 152 is
swingable up and down (back and forth) around support shaft 157.
This swinging can change the posture between a horizontal posture
(reference posture) in which openings of first, second smear
accommodation sections 161, 162 are directed rearward and a
standing posture in which the openings are directed upward. In
other words, transport case 152 is capable of changing the posture
between a state where the smeared surface of smear slide 11 is
directed in a substantially perpendicular direction (horizontal
posture in which smear slide 11 is substantially horizontal) and a
state where the smeared surface is directed in the horizontal
direction (one direction intersecting with the perpendicular
direction) (standing posture).
[0132] As illustrated in FIGS. 13A to 14B, posture change mechanism
165 changes the posture of transport case 152 of transport unit
150. This posture change mechanism 165 includes operation bar 165a
inserted below transport case 152 of transport unit 150 positioned
at smear delivery position W, and driver 165b as a rotation
mechanism which moves or rotates this operation bar 165a up and
down. Driver 165b can be constituted of a drive motor, a link
member, and so forth. Moreover, when driver 165b moves operation
bar 165a, transport case 152 swings or rotates up and down around
support shaft 157, and is in any one posture of horizontal posture
and standing posture described above. Note that, to support shaft
157, bias member 166 including a torsion coil spring (see FIG. 12)
is attached. This bias member 166 biases transport case 152 in a
direction in which the transport case swings downward (direction to
be in the horizontal posture).
[0133] Smear slide 11 pulled up from slide magazine 90 by handling
member 120 of smear transfer part 170 is inserted into first smear
accommodation section 161 of transport case 152 of transport unit
150 at smear delivery position W by lowering handling member 120.
In this event, posture change mechanism 165 makes transport case
152 in the standing posture while the openings of first smear
accommodation section 161 and of second smear accommodation section
162 are directed upward.
[0134] As illustrated in FIGS. 13A to 13C, when smear slide 11 is
inserted in transport case 152 of transport unit 150 at smear
delivery position W and posture change mechanism 165 changes the
posture of transport case 152 to the horizontal posture, traverse
movement part 153 (see FIG. 12) is activated to move transport case
152 accommodating smear slide 11 in the left direction (arrow x4).
Thereby, transport case 152 is positioned at smear receiver 205 of
smear-image capture apparatus 200 (see FIG. 13A).
[0135] Smear-image capture apparatus 200 includes transport unit
206 for moving smear slide 11. This transport unit 206 takes out
smear slide 11 from transport case 152 moved to smear receiver 205
(see FIG. 13B). Transport unit 206 transports smear slide 11 thus
taken out to oil applier 207. This oil applier 207 applies as
necessary an oil to a sample such as blood smeared on this smear
slide 11. Then, transport unit 206 transports smear slide 11 to
image capture part 201 (see FIG. 1). This image capture part 201
captures an image of the sample. The captured image data is
transmitted to controller 202. Controller 202 performs
predetermined processings such as cell-characteristic extraction
processing, identification classification processing, blood-cell
image trimming, blood-cell automatic classification, and counting
each blood cell type. The captured image data and the analysis
result can be displayed on display monitor 203, or can be outputted
with an unillustrated printer or the like. Controller 202 is
connected to controller 110 of smear transporting apparatus 100
with communicators 204, 111, and information exchange is possible
for operations in collaboration with each other.
[0136] Transport unit 206 returns smear slide 11 whose image has
been captured (tested) to smear receiver 205, which then returns
the smear slide to awaiting transport case 152. In this event,
smear slide 11 whose image has been captured is inserted in second
smear accommodation section 162 of transport case 152 (see FIG.
13C). Subsequently, transport case 152 is transported in the right
direction (arrow x6) (see FIG. 14A) and positioned at smear
delivery position W again. Thereafter, posture change mechanism 165
changes the posture of transport case 152 of transport unit 150
from the horizontal posture to the standing posture (see FIG.
14B).
[0137] Handling member 120 of smear transfer part 170 takes up
smear slide 11 in second smear accommodation section 162 of
transport case 152 in the standing posture at smear delivery
position W, and stores the smear slide in slide magazine 90
awaiting at smear storage position A.
[0138] Note that, in the operation example of transport case 152
explained using FIGS. 13A to 14B, transport case 152 moved to smear
receiver 205 of smear-image capture apparatus 200 awaits at the
position after delivering smear slide 11 to transport unit 206
until transport unit 206 transports smear slide 11 whose image has
been captured (see FIGS. 13B and 13C). The image capturing of smear
slide 11 by smear-image capture apparatus 200 and the analysis
normally need approximately 2 minutes. Hence, when smear slide 11
is delivered to transport unit 206, immediately thereafter making
transport case 152 return to smear delivery position W, receive
smear slide 11 to be analyzed the next at this smear delivery
position W, and return transport case 152 to smear receiver 205 can
shorten the waiting time and enhance the analysis efficiency. In
this case, first, transport unit 206 places smear slide 11 whose
image has been captured in second smear accommodation section 162
of transport case 152 waiting at smear delivery position W.
Subsequently, transport unit 206 takes out smear slide 11 to be
analyzed the next in first smear accommodation section 161 of
transport case 152.
OTHER MODIFICATION EXAMPLES
[0139] The invention is not limited to the above-described
embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the
scope of the claims.
[0140] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the
captured-image determination part of the smear transporting
apparatus determines whether or not a smear slide is one whose
image is to be captured by the smear-image capture apparatus.
Nonetheless, it is also possible to make the host computer
determine whether or not a smear slide is one whose image is to be
captured by the smear-image capture apparatus by transmitting image
data captured by the image capture part of the smear transporting
apparatus to this host computer.
[0141] Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, if it is
determined that a smear slide taken up by the handling member from
a slide magazine is one whose image is not to be captured, the
smear slide is returned to the original slide magazine.
Nonetheless, such a smear slide can be accommodated in another
slide magazine different from the original slide magazine. This
another slide magazine may be disposed in the first magazine
storage region from the beginning, or may be moved to the first
magazine storage region after a predetermined number of smear
slides are determined to be ones whose images are not to be
captured and accommodated together.
[0142] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the printer of
the smear preparing apparatus types or prints identification
information on a smear slide. Nonetheless, the invention is not
limited thereto. Identification information may be provided to a
smear slide in other ways. For example, the color of a smear slide
whose image is to be captured can be changed from the color of a
non-image-capturing-target smear slide whose image is not to be
captured. In this case, the color itself constitutes identification
information. Alternatively, instead of using the typing unit of the
smear preparing apparatus, a smear slide printed in advance with
identification information on whether image capturing is necessary
or not can be used. Furthermore, in a case other than typing on a
smear slide, a seal or the like on which identification information
is typed can also be pasted to a smear slide.
[0143] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a slide
magazine accommodating smear slides whose images have been captured
and a slide magazine accommodating smear slides whose images are
not to be captured are respectively stored in different magazine
storage regions. Nevertheless, it is only necessary that smear
slides whose images have been captured and smear slides whose
images are not to be captured should be accommodated in different
slide magazines. The slide magazine accommodating smear slides
whose images have been captured and the slide magazine
accommodating smear slides whose images are not to be captured may
be stored in the same magazine storage region.
[0144] Note that, in the above-described embodiments, a smear slide
is pulled out, picked, picked up, taken out, gripped or liftted
from a slide magazine, and after the image capturing by the
smear-image capture apparatus is completed, the smear slide passes
above the original slide magazine and is accommodated in a
different slide magazine. To prevent the immersion oil from
dropping onto or into the original slide magazine from the smear
slide whose image has been captured when the smear slide whose
image has been captured passes above the slide magazine, a cover
may be provided over the slide magazine. For example, a link
mechanism may be provided in which the cover moves away from the
top of the slide magazine in the horizontal direction when the
handling member is lowered to pull out a smear slide from the slide
magazine, and the cover moves to approach right above the slide
magazine when the handling member gripping the smear slide is
elevated from the slide magazine.
[0145] Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 16, embodiments may
include smear transporting apparatus 100.
[0146] As illustrated in FIG. 16, smear transporting apparatus 100
includes handling member 120 (handling part) and liquid receiver
178. Smear transporting apparatus 100 also includes Y-axis motor
174 and Z-axis motor 175. Handling member 120 is moved by Y-axis
motor 174 and Z-axis motor 175 and holds and transports smear slide
11 whose image has been captured by smear-image capture apparatus
200 to slide magazine 90 configured to accommodate smear slide 11.
Liquid receiver 178 is placed under or directly below handling
member 120, is moved by Y-axis motor 174 and Z-axis motor 175 with
handling member 120, and receives liquid dropped from smear slide
11. Since handling member 120 and liquid receiver 178 move
together, liquid receiver 178 can receive, catch or collect liquid
dropped from smear slide 11 during transferring of smear slide 11.
Thus, it can prevent liquid dropped from smear slide 11 from
adhering or attaching to the apparatus regardless of transportation
paths of smear slide 11.
[0147] [Detailed Configuration of a Liquid Receiver]
[0148] The following explains in details a preferable embodiment
configuration of liquid receiver 178 in smear transporting
apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 16 referring to FIG. 17 and its
subsequent figures.
[0149] As illustrated in FIG. 17, smear transporting apparatus 100
includes smear transfer part 170. Smear transporting apparatus 100
also includes movement mechanism 171, Y-axis rail 172, Y-axis
slider 173 (see FIG. 18), Y-axis motor 174, Z-axis motor 175,
transmission mechanism 176, and liquid receiver 178. Smear transfer
part 170 includes handling member 120. Handling member 120 contains
a pair of gripping plates 121a, 121b.
[0150] Transmission mechanism 176 includes pulleys 176a and 176b,
belt 176c, pulleys 176d, and belt 176e. Liquid receiver 178
includes tray 178a. Tray 178a includes protruding part 178b. Rail
178c and slider 178d are provided to second support part 171b.
[0151] Handling member 120 holds and transports smear slide 11.
Specifically, handling member 120 grips, holds and transports smear
slide 11. Handling member 120 is capable of gripping one smear
slide 11 in a thickness direction from both sides with the pair of
gripping plates 121a, 121b. Handling member 120 also relatively
moves the pair of gripping plates 121a, 121b with the drive of
motor 124. Thus, as motor 124 drives, a facing distance between the
pair of gripping plates 121a, 121b changes, which enables the pair
of gripping plates 121a, 121b to grip or release smear slide 11. An
actuator such as an air cylinder, a solenoid, or the like can be
also used for motor 124. Smear slide 11 can be held in a different
method of gripping; for example, smear slide 11 can be held by
suction or by supporting from below.
[0152] Movement mechanism 171 includes first support part 171a and
second support part 171b. First support part 171a is fixed to smear
transporting apparatus 100. First support part 171a also supports
second support part 171b being able to move horizontally.
Specifically, first support part 171a sustains second support part
171b movable in a front-rear direction (Y direction). First support
part 171a is in a shape of a flat plate on a vertical surface.
Y-axis rail 172 and Y-axis motor 174 are attached to first support
part 171a. Pulleys 174a and 174b, and belt 174c are provided to
first support part 171a.
[0153] Second support part 171b can move in the Y direction along
Y-axis rail 172. Specifically, Y-axis slider 173 in second support
part 171b engages movably with Y-axis rail 172 to be movable.
Second support part 171b moves in the Y direction along Y-axis rail
172 as Y-axis motor 174 drives. Thus, Y-axis motor 174's drive
activates belt 174c. As belt 174c drives, second support part 171b
attached to belt 174c shifts in the Y direction. Second support
part 171 b is in a shape of a flat plate on a vertical surface.
Additionally, second support part 171 b is provided with handling
member 120, Z-axis motor 175, transmission mechanism 176, liquid
receiver 178, rail 175a (see FIG. 18), pulleys 176d, belt 176e, and
rail 178c.
[0154] Second support part 171b supports handling member 120 being
able to move in the top-bottom direction (Z direction).
Specifically, slider 175b attached to handling member 120 (see FIG.
18) engages movably with rail 175a. Handling member 120 moves in
the Z direction along rail 175a as Z-axis motor 175 drives. Thus,
Z-axis motor 175's drive activates belt 176e. As belt 176e drives,
handling member 120 attached to belt 176e moves in the Z
direction.
[0155] Second support part 171b supports tray 178a of liquid
receiver 178 movable horizontally. In other words, second support
part 171b supports tray 178a of liquid receiver 178 movable in a
front-rear direction (Y direction). Slider 178d connected to tray
178a (see FIG. 18) engages movably with rail 178c. Tray 178a moves
along rail 178c in the Y direction as Z-axis motor 175 drives.
Hence, Z-axis motor 175's drive activates belt 176e. As belt 176e
drives, tray 178a connected to belt 176e moves in the Z
direction.
[0156] Thus, liquid receiver 178 moves horizontally linking to or
together with the vertical movement of handling member 120. In
other words, tray 178a of liquid receiver 178 moves horizontally
linking to the downward movement of handling member 120 and leaves
from the descending area of handling member 120. Tray 178a moves
horizontally linking to the upward movement of handling member 120
and positions under or directly below handling member 120. Thus,
when handling member 120 moves downward, tray 178a moves away from
smear slide 11 held by handling member 120 not to contact. When
handling member 120 moves upward, tray 178a quickly moves under or
directly below smear slide 11 held by handling member 120.
Consequently, it can effectively prevent liquid dropped from smear
slide 11 from attaching or adhering to other parts and avoid
causing troubles to move smear slide 11 at the same time.
[0157] Drivers to move tray 178a horizontally and handling member
120 vertically are the same Z-axis motor 175. This can reduce the
number of parts compared to the one with separate drivers. Sharing
the driver enables vertical movement of handling member 120 and
horizontal movement of tray 178a to link easily.
[0158] Y-axis rail 172 is positioned extending along the Y
direction. Y-axis rail 172 directs or guides Y-direction movement
of first support part 171a with handling member 120 and liquid
receiver 178.
[0159] Y-axis motor 174 rotates pulley 174a. Pulleys 174a and 174b
locate apart in the Y direction, and belt 174c is wound around
pulleys 174a and 174b. Belt 174c is also connected to second
support part 171b. A mechanism to move second support part 171b in
the Y direction is not necessary to be a mechanism of a motor and
belt/pulley. For example, a linear motor mechanism or a ball screw
mechanism can also be used to move second support part 171b in the
Y direction.
[0160] Z-axis motor 175 rotates pulley 176a. Pulleys 176a and 176b
position apart in the Y direction. Belt 176c is wound around
pulleys 176a and 176b. The diameter of pulley 176a is smaller than
the diameter of pulley 176b, so rotation speed of Z-axis motor 175
is conveyed to pulley 176b with a reduction. In other words, pulley
176b rotates more slowly than pulley 176a rotates. Belt 176e is
wound around pulley 176b and also around pulleys 176d with
T-shaped. In other words, belt 176e includes a part to extend
vertically connected to handling member 120 and a part to extend
horizontally connected to tray 178a. As illustrated in FIG. 18,
belt 176e as a link mechanism is connected to both liquid receiver
178 and handling member 120. Liquid receiver 178 connects to
horizontal part 1761e, which extends horizontally, of belt 176e.
Handling member 120 connects to vertical part 1762e, which extends
vertically, of belt 176e.
[0161] Drive of belt 176e moves handling member 120 and tray 178a
together. Specifically, as handling member 120 moves downward, tray
178a moves backward. Also, as handling member 120 moves upward,
tray 178a moves forward. A mechanism to move handling member 120 in
the Z direction and tray 178a in the Y direction does not have to
be a motor and belt/pulley mechanism. For example, a linear motor
mechanism and a ball screw mechanism may be used to move handling
member 120 in the Z direction and tray 178a in the Y direction. It
is not necessary to use the same belt to interlock and move
handling member 120 and tray 178a. For example, a drive mechanism
may be used for each handling member 120 and tray 178a and control
them to move together. [0162] [0protruding part] Tray 178a is
possible to receive, collect or catch liquid dropped from above.
Specifically, tray 178a forms a concave shape including base 178e
and side 178f. The height of side 178f of tray 178a is low. The
value of height of smear slide 11 is smaller than the value of
width of smear slide 11. Thus, the user can easily touch base 178e
and wipe off liquid collected in tray 178a. Tray 178a is formed
L-shape from the X-direction view. This shape makes the length of
the Y direction of tray 178a longer and the user be able to handle
tray 178a easily. Also, tray 178a is made of metal, such as
aluminum alloy, which enables to improve oil resistance compared to
tray 178a made of resin. The top of tray 178a connects to belt
176e.
[0163] Base 178e of tray 178a contains protruding parts 178b.
Protruding parts 178b sticks out from base 178e. Each protruding
part 178b positions apart with a distance narrower than the
thickness of smear slide 11. This distance prevents smear slide 11
from clinging to base 178e even if smear slide 11 drops on to tray
178a with any reason. If protruding part 178b does not exist, the
surfaces of base 178e and smear slide 11 may contact and adhere due
to liquid collected in base 178e. Thus, providing protruding part
178b makes it possible to easily remove smear slide 11 form tray
178a even if smear slide 11 drops on to tray 178a.
[0164] Rail 178c is positioned to extend in the Y direction and
directs or guides slider 178d with tray 178a to move in the Y
direction.
[0165] [Movements of the Smear Transfer Unit and Liquid
Receiver]
[0166] Movements of smear transfer part 170 and liquid receiver 178
are explained referring to FIG. 18 to FIG. 23.
[0167] Transfer of smear slide 11 by smear transfer part 170 is
explained. First, handling member 120 of smear transfer part 170,
as illustrated in FIG. 18, moves to a position above first smear
container 901 which accommodates smear slides 11 before smear-image
capture apparatus 200 captures images of smear slides 11. Second,
handling member 120 descends to a position to grip smear slide 11
accommodated in first smear container 901 and grips smear slide 11
as illustrated in FIG. 19. Then, handling member 120 ascends to a
position above smear container 901 as illustrated in FIG. 18. In
other words, the position of handling member 120 above first smear
container 901 is a position directly above first smear container
901 or a position facilitating a lift, pick or grip of smear slide
11 from first smear container 901.
[0168] As illustrated in FIG. 20, handling member 120 moves to
above transport case 152. As FIG. 21 illustrates, handling member
120 descends toward transport case 152 and places smear slide 11
whose image is to be captured into transport case 152. Then,
handling member 120 ascends, and transport case 152 transports
smear slide 11 to smear-image capture apparatus 200. In other
words, the position of handling member 120 above transport case 152
is a position directly above transport case 152 or a position
facilitating an insertion of smear slide 11 gripped by handling
member 120 into transport case 152.
[0169] After an image of smear slide 11 has been captured,
transport case 152 returns smear slide 11, and handling member 120
moves above transport case 152 as illustrated in FIG. 20. Then, as
FIG. 21 illustrates, handling member 120 descends and grips smear
slide 11 accommodated in transport case 152. In other words, the
position of handling member 120 above transport case 152 is also a
position directly above transport case 152 or a position
facilitating a lift, pick or grip of smear slide 11 from transport
case 152.
[0170] As illustrated in FIG. 22, handling member 120 passes over
first smear container 901 accommodating smear slides 11 whose
images are to be captured and moves to a position above second
smear container 902 accommodating smear slides 11 whose images have
been captured by smear-image capture apparatus 200. Then, as FIG.
23 illustrates, handling member 120 descends toward second smear
container 902, places smear slide 11 whose image has been captured
in second smear container 902, and then ascends. In other words,
the position of handling member 120 above second smear container
902 is a position directly above second smear container 902 or a
position facilitating an insertion of smear slide 11 gripped by
handling member 120 into second smear container 902.
[0171] Smear transfer part 170 is configured to transport smear
slide 11 whose image has been captured to second smear container
902 passing over first smear container 901. Since this enables
liquid receiver 178 to receive or collect liquid dropped from smear
slide 11 when smear slide 11 passes over first smear container 901,
it can effectively prevent liquid from dropping on and attaching or
adhering to or into first smear container 901 which accommodates
smear slides 11 whose images are to be captured.
[0172] Note that controllers 80, 110, 202, and the like may be
implemented such that, for example, a circuitry such as one or more
central processing units (CPUs) or processors executes a
predetermined program(s).
* * * * *