JP4516802B2 - Remote image judgment support system such as electrophoretic examination data - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote image determination support system for electrophoretic examination data and the like. Specifically, the present invention relates to an image determination support system for efficiently performing an expert's determination on an image such as electrophoretic examination data.

In clinical tests, electrophoresis is commonly used for the separation of serum proteins. In addition, immunoelectrophoresis combined with immunodiffusion is widely used for detection of antigens or antibodies in specimens. Thus, it is used for antigen homogeneity, antigen number, cross-reactivity between antigens, detection of antibody class and subclass, and increase / decrease / abnormality / deletion of various proteins in patient serum. This inspection is determined by, for example, a sedimentation pattern generated by electrophoresis. This sedimentation pattern such as electrophoresis is determined as an image, but this image may require interpretation by an expert such as a doctor when determining the result. In that case, it is necessary to deliver the electrophoretic image itself and the photograph to an expert for analysis.
Conventionally, these images are transported to a specialist through photography and development and printing. The specialist refers to the received photo and accompanying data, fills in an appropriate diagnosis opinion, and returns it to the client. However, this method has the following problems.

1) Since the image for interpretation is transferred, it cannot be enlarged very much. For this reason, in order to take small but legible pictures, it was necessary to use advanced techniques such as shooting and printing one electrophoresis plate in several pieces.
2) Physical transport of photos and the like involves the risk of troubles such as loss, theft, and data leakage. In addition, there is a time loss in sending and returning.
3) Since it is all paper data management, it takes time to search and reissue.
4) Since the system was hardly systematized, the sample arrangement, imaging order, and report creation were all manual operations.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image determination support system for efficiently performing an expert's determination on an image such as electrophoretic examination data.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have conducted intensive research and, as a result, first adopted a method of capturing an image after electrophoresis directly with a digital camera. This eliminated the need for deproteinization, dyeing, development and printing. In addition, a lower oblique light source was created so that fine images without staining could be captured clearly. By arranging the direction of the fluorescent lamp used for the light source perpendicularly to the direction of the image, irregular reflection was prevented and the digitized image was successfully clarified. In addition, we have achieved automation to efficiently arrange samples to be migrated in an immunoelectrophoresis test on a single plate. The present invention was completed by combining these with means for distributing and receiving via a communication network.

That is, the present invention
“1. When an electrophoretic test data image is converted into electronic data, an image is photographed by irradiating a light source from the left and right in the vertical direction with respect to the migration of the electrophoresis plate, and photographing the unstained image. A method for converting electrophoretic examination data into electronic image data.
2. Image electronic data of electrophoretic inspection data obtained by photographing an unstained image by irradiating the light source from the left and right in the longitudinal direction with respect to the electrophoresis of the electrophoresis plate when the image of the electrophoretic inspection data is converted into electronic data.
3. When the electrophoretic test data image is converted into electronic data, the image electronic data of the electrophoretic test data obtained by photographing the unstained image by irradiating the light source from the left and right in the vertical direction with respect to the migration of the electrophoresis plate when taking the image The data distributed to the determiner via the communication network, the received data is displayed by the display means, and based on the displayed image determination, the comment of the determiner is converted into electronic data by the article input execution means and the article storage execution means and stored. An image determination support system in which sent electronic data is returned to a distributor via a communication network.
It consists of.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently and surely evaluate and judge an electrophoretic test result in a clinical test.

The aspect of the clinical test of the present invention includes the following steps.
Samples for clinical testing are collected and various preliminary tests are performed. For example, protein concentration or the like is measured. The obtained specimen is subjected to protein fractionation in order to increase the measurement efficiency. For the fractionation, cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis or the like is applied. For the fractionated specimen, the following migration card is automatically created and automatically arranged.

The electrophoresis card is exemplified in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is a distribution design drawing of a specimen for performing electrophoresis and antibodies to be used. Each electrophoresis card is in one-to-one correspondence with each electrophoresis plate. Each electrophoresis card and each plate is given the same number in the order of acceptance. The specimens are arranged by a method determined in order of priority from the smallest number. According to FIG. 1, there are 1 to 10 specimen input sections, and the card created on December 24 is card No.321. For sample 1, a sample of ID No. PT-00041 received on December 16 is used, which is sandwiched between anti-total human sera (labeled W in the figure) in both grooves. Sample 2 is not a patient sample but a normal control. This specimen is also sandwiched between anti-whole human sera in both grooves (indicated as W in the figure). For specimen 3, a sample of ID No. PT-00045 received on December 19 is used, which is sandwiched between anti-total human sera (shown as W in the figure) in both grooves. Hereinafter, it has the same meaning.
According to FIG. 2, there are 1 to 10 specimen input sections, and the card created on December 24 is card No.321. For sample 1, a sample of ID No. PT-00041 received on December 16 is used, which is sandwiched between anti-total human sera (labeled W in the figure) in both grooves. Sample 2 is not a patient sample but a normal control. This specimen is also sandwiched between anti-whole human sera in both grooves (indicated as W in the figure). For specimen 3, a sample of ID No. PT-00045 received on December 19 is used, which is sandwiched between anti-total human sera (shown as W in the figure) in both grooves. Specimen 4 uses a sample of ID No. PT-00045 received on December 19, which is anti-whole human serum (labeled W in the figure) in one groove and anti-IgG antibody (labeled IgG in the figure) in one groove. It is sandwiched between. Specimen 5 is a normal control, not a patient specimen, and is sandwiched by an anti-IgG antibody (labeled IgG in the figure) in one groove and an anti-IgA antibody (labeled IgA in the figure) in one groove. Specimen 6 is a sample of ID No. PT-00045 received on December 19, and is sandwiched between an anti-IgA antibody (labeled IgA in the figure) in one groove and an anti-IgM antibody (labeled IgM in the figure) in one groove It is. Specimen 7 is a normal control, not a patient specimen, and is sandwiched by an anti-IgM antibody (indicated as IgM in the figure) in one groove and an anti-κ antibody (indicated as κ in the figure) in one groove. Specimen 8 uses the sample of ID No. PT-00045 received on December 19, and is sandwiched between anti-κ antibody (labeled κ in the figure) and anti-λ antibody (marked λ in the figure) in one groove. It is. Specimen 9 is not a patient specimen but a normal control, and anti-λ antibody (labeled λ in the figure) is added to one groove, and no antibody is added to one groove. 10 is empty.

In creating such an electrophoresis card, the samples are arranged in ascending order of the numbers in the following priority order.
Priority 1 Anti-whole human serum-only plate (6 samples)
Each plate has 10 specimen holes and 10 antibody grooves. The most preferential sequence is a plate composed only of “anti-whole human serum” (client selection). In this case, 10 specimen holes are a combination (order) of patient 1, object, patient 2, patient 3, patient, object 4, patient 4, patient 5, object, patient 6, and empty. “Six samples” means patient sample 6. This plate is loaded with “anti-total human serum” in all grooves.

Priority 2 Anti-whole human serum plate (2 samples) + specific antibody (5 types of antibodies)
This combination is as follows.
Patient 1, Subject, Patient 2, Patient 3
For patients 1 and 2, “anti-whole human serum” is introduced into the groove, while for patient 3, a combination of 5 types of specific antibodies is introduced. This case is the same as FIG.

Priority 3 Anti-Whole Human Serum Plate (2 specimens) + BJP (Bence Joe's Protein) (
5 types of antibodies)
This is also the same as the above priority 2 combination. The BJP test is a combination of five types of antibodies.

Priority 4 BJP + specific antibody (4 types or less)
This combination is as follows.
Patient 1, Patient 2
A BJP test (five types of antibody input) is performed on the patient 1, four types of antibodies are input on the patient 2, and no subject is input.

Priority 5 Specific antibody + Specific antibody (combination that did not fall above)
This combination consists of things that don't fit in the previous pattern. Therefore, the number of specimens and the number of antibodies are a collection of various things.

  The types of antibodies are anti-whole human serum, anti-IgG antibody, anti-IgA antibody, anti-IgM antibody, anti-IgD antibody, anti-IgE antibody, anti-κ antibody, anti-λ antibody, and anti-HP antibody. To use.

  There are three types of immunoelectrophoresis tests, “anti-whole human serum”, “specific antibody”, and “BJP”, and several dozens of tests are performed in a day. In addition to the request from the client, the specific antibody used for these is combined with the sample added for the simultaneous examination for the convenience of the electrophoresis process. Arranging these on the plate most efficiently and reducing the number of migration is an important point in creating an electrophoresis card. Among them, “anti-whole human serum” test is given the highest priority. This is because the migration of the “anti-whole human serum” is most disturbed and affects the subsequent determination, so that the migration is performed as much as possible to obtain a clean migration image. This is because the migration is not disturbed because the reagent used for migration is not “stuck”, and the image can be taken while the image is fresh because the image is taken first even during photography.

  The arrangement designed with the above-described electrophoresis card allows the specimen and antibody to be put into the electrophoresis plate by the automatic control means, and automatic arrangement is achieved. Next, electrophoresis is performed, and an antigen-antibody reaction is performed. FIG. 3 is an electrophoretic development view showing an image to be converted into electronic data. In the electrophoresis plate, each sample from the top is patient A, subject, patient B, patient C, patient C, patient C, patient C, patient C, patient C, and blank, and each of them is arranged so as to sandwich each of them. Anti-whole human serum, anti-whole human serum, anti-whole human serum, anti-whole human serum, anti-IgG antibody, anti-IgA antibody, anti-IgM antibody, anti-κ antibody, and anti-λ antibody are arranged in the groove. The light source for electronic image photography is irradiated from the left and right in the vertical direction with respect to the electrophoresis, not from the conventional upper and lower sides. As a result, it has been difficult to determine the image due to the phenomenon that the entire groove shines in the past, and it has been troublesome to shoot with water or the like in the groove. As shown in Fig. 3, it was possible to make clear electrophoretic image data. In FIG. 3, it can be confirmed that only the left and right ends of the antibody insertion groove are shining. Further, the present invention does not require an operation of staining for taking an electrophoretic image.

  Photographing is performed using a so-called digital camera, photographed under the control of a computer, using capture means for converting the image into electronic data, and simultaneously performing image verification on the display. One plate, one image, one image, and each verification is easy. The electronic data of the image processed by the collation means automatically cuts and organizes the image for each individual patient based on the migration card information by the association means with the migration card information in the system. The image digitized data that has been arranged and adjusted is distributed to the determiner via the communication network. The determiner displays the received data on the display means, and determines the displayed digitized image. Based on this image determination, the judge comment is input by the article input execution means, further converted into electronic data by the article storage execution means, stored, and the stored electronic data is returned to the distributor via the communication network. . The returned images and articles are adjusted by the report output adjustment means, and the report is printed by the output means. This report can be used as it is for distribution to the desired parties.

FIG. 4 shows image data sent to the determiner, and includes personal information, related data, and an electronic image of the target electrophoresis. The electronic image can be moved vertically and horizontally by scrolling. Furthermore, the electronic image can be enlarged and reduced by the reduction / enlargement tab. In the lower consideration column of the screen, the determiner can enter a free comment as appropriate by means of input storage means, and FIG. 5 is displayed if the standard comment tab at the bottom of FIG. 4 is selected. You can also indicate a decision by clicking on the comment box. The data can be confirmed by clicking the diagnosis completion tab at the bottom of FIG.
After the data is finalized, the article is stored and executed, and the data is sent back to the distributor via the communication network. The determination operation is performed on a patient-by-patient basis, and the transition to the next patient can be easily achieved by clicking the previous patient / next patient tab in the lower right of FIG.
FIG. 5 is a standard comment field, and shows a predetermined determination result. If you click the OK tab, the standard comment is reflected in the screen of FIG.

  6 and 7 are final adjusted reports. FIG. 6 is a report on patient serum (accession number 10000353) by immunoelectrophoresis with anti-human whole serum. Personal information and related information are organized and displayed, and the comment of the judge is displayed in the consideration column. FIG. 7 is a report on patient serum (accession number 10000358) by immunoelectrophoresis for various specific antibodies. In the result column, the judge comment is displayed.

  The system according to the present invention as described above enables the exchange of electronic image data through a communication network, achieves efficiency and reliability of the electrophoretic examination data determination work, and constructs an electrophoretic image determination support system. .

Electrophoresis card Electrophoresis card Electropherogram Send data screen to judge Standard comment screen report report

Claims (2)

When the image of the immunoelectrophoresis test data is converted into electronic data, when the image of the electrophoresis plate for immunoelectrophoresis is taken , the electrophoresis plate has a holding part for the specimen and a longitudinal groove part for holding the antibody for reaction. is parallel to electrophoresis and groove, a light source is irradiated from the right and left only in the vertical direction with respect to the focusing and the grooves of the electrophoresis plate, an image of electrons immunoelectrophoresis test data, characterized by imaging a non-dyeing conditions Data conversion method. When the image of the immunoelectrophoresis test data is converted into electronic data, when the image of the electrophoresis plate for immunoelectrophoresis is taken , the electrophoresis plate has a holding part for the specimen and a longitudinal groove part for holding the antibody for reaction. is parallel to electrophoresis and groove, a light source is irradiated from the right and left only in the vertical direction with respect to the focusing and the grooves of the electrophoresis plate, the communication network image electronic data immunoelectrophoresis test data image taken with non-dyeing conditions The received data is displayed by the display means, and based on the displayed image judgment, the judge comment is converted into electronic data by the article input execution means and the article storage execution means and stored. An image determination support system in which electronic data is returned to a distributor via a communication network.