JP7148571B2 - Embryo image delivery system and method - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to technology for delivering images of embryos in an incubator (embryo culture device).

With the spread of infertility treatment, the number of patients who choose treatment such as in vitro fertilization is increasing. In vitro fertilization includes conventional and microinsemination. In both cases, the embryo after in vitro fertilization is placed in an embryo culture apparatus and maintained in an environment close to the inside of the body and favorable for the embryo. In recent years, a camera has been installed in the embryo culture apparatus, and the state of the embryo during culture is photographed at predetermined time intervals so that an embryo cultivator can check the photographed image of the embryo. As a result. Embryos that are considered desirable among the embryos whose images have been confirmed are transplanted into the patient's uterus, contributing to an improvement in the success rate of infertility treatment by in vitro fertilization. An embryo culturing device that captures an image of an embryo being cultured at predetermined time intervals is called a time-lapse embryo culturing device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2016-512959

However, while the embryos during these cultures are likely to originate from the patient who donated the eggs or sperm, or will eventually be implanted into the patient's uterus, the patient himself/herself cannot control the embryos until implantation. I didn't know the situation.

The present disclosure can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

(1) As a first aspect of the present disclosure, an embryo image delivery system for delivering images of embryos is provided. This embryo image delivery system includes a management device that registers patient information, manages access from mobile terminals, maintains embryos stored in a container in a predetermined environment, and distributes images of the stored embryos. an embryo culture apparatus that captures images at a predetermined timing; an image storage unit that stores a plurality of captured images of the embryo in association with information identifying a patient who has the right to view the embryo; a mobile terminal that transmits a request for viewing an image of an embryo to the management device along with information specifying the patient via a network; an authentication unit that authenticates the viewing request when it is from the patient who has the right to view; and an image display unit that reads out the image received from the mobile terminal, transmits the image to the mobile terminal, and causes the mobile terminal to display the image. According to this embryo image delivery system, images of embryos can be made available to patients who have viewing rights to the embryos. The image of the embryo may be captured as a still image or as a moving image. The embryos may also be embryos in culture and may include pre-freeze and post-thaw images. Of course. Only images before freezing and after thawing may be used.

(2) In such an embryo image distribution system, the embryo culture device incorporates an imaging device that captures the image, the management device includes the authentication unit, and the portable terminal is configured to provide the management device with the image of the patient. When the information is registered, the information that enables the patient to identify that the patient has the right to view the embryo may be shared with the management device. In this way, the mobile terminal operated by the patient and the management device can share the information of the patient who has the right to view the embryo. If there is, it is possible to easily construct a mechanism that enables confirmation.

(3) In such an embryo image distribution system, the embryo culture device includes a patient information storage unit that stores information specifying a patient whose embryos are to be cultured, and the patient information stored in the patient information storage unit of the embryo culture device may include at least a patient identification card number, and the information of the patient registered by the management device may include at least a password in addition to the patient identification card number. By doing so, not only the management device that constitutes the system but also the embryo culture device has information on the patient, so that the security of the entire system can be enhanced.

(4) The images stored in the image storage unit may be images edited as moving images by shortening the imaging interval. The so-called time-lapse video, which shortens the imaging interval, makes it easy to get a feel for how the embryo is growing in a short amount of time.

(5) In this embryo image distribution system, at least one of the date and time when the image edited as the moving image was first captured, the date and time when the last image was captured, the date and time when the image was made available for distribution as the moving image, and the distribution end date and time is included in the moving image. One may be displayed within the animation or on a selection screen of the animation. This way, you can feel the embryo's situation more in real time.

(6) When there are a plurality of embryos for which the patient has the right to view, the image may be prepared for each container in which the embryo is stored, together with information indicating the container. In this way, images of multiple embryos of a single patient can be delivered.

(7) Furthermore, the image may be distributed to the portable terminal together with information on the growth stage of the embryo. The patient can view the images along with information on the stage of development of the embryo, making it easier to perceive growth.

(8) As a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an embryo image delivery method for delivering an image of an embryo. In this embryo image distribution method, patient information is registered, an image of an embryo stored in a container is captured at a predetermined timing, and a plurality of captured images of the embryo are given to the embryo. a request for viewing the image of the embryo from the mobile terminal together with the information specifying the patient; with reference to the patient's information received, if the viewing request using the mobile terminal is from the patient who has the right to view, authenticate the request; and when the authentication is performed, the patient's information and the image associated with it is read out, transmitted to the mobile terminal, and displayed on the mobile terminal. According to this embryo image distribution method, images of embryos can be made available to patients who have viewing rights to the embryos.

(9) As a third aspect of the present disclosure, a management device for managing embryos is provided. When a plurality of captured images of the embryo are stored in the storage, information specifying the patient who has the right to view the captured embryo is given to the embryo culture apparatus that captures the image at the timing of a receiving unit for receiving a viewing request for the embryo image transmitted by the mobile terminal together with the information specifying the patient; and when the viewing request is received from the mobile terminal, the given patient information an authentication unit that refers to the information and authenticates the request for viewing using the portable terminal when the request is made by a patient who has the right to view; and a transmission control unit configured to transmit the image associated with the mobile terminal to the mobile terminal for display on the mobile terminal. According to this management device, the image of the embryo can be confirmed by the patient who has the right to view the embryo on his/her mobile terminal.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above aspect, and can be implemented in other aspects such as a control method of a management device, a mobile terminal capable of viewing a plurality of images of embryos, and a control method thereof.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an embryo image delivery system according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a patient management server; FIG. The schematic block diagram which shows a time-lapse embryo culture apparatus. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of services realized by the embryo image delivery system; 4 is a flowchart showing an overview of patient reception and application registration processing. Explanatory drawing which illustrates the initial screen of a fertility treatment application. 4 is a flow chart showing the main routine of the application; 4 is a flowchart showing an imaging processing routine in the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the correspondence between processing on the side of an application that displays an embryo image and the side of a patient management server; FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image on the mobile terminal side when delivering an embryo image;

A. First embodiment:
A first embodiment will be described. The embryo image delivery system 10 of the first embodiment includes a patient management server 20, a time-lapse embryo culture device 50, and a mobile terminal 70, as shown in FIG. The patient management server 20 and the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 are connected by a local area network LAN that is cut off from external networks. Also, the mobile terminal 70 can be connected to the patient management server 20 via a wide area network WAN such as the Internet. A label printer 45 capable of printing on labels 47 is connected to the patient management server 20 .

A time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 connected to the patient management server 20 via a local area network LAN includes a plurality of trays 63 and 64 in which embryos subjected to fertilization treatment are stored, and an imaging apparatus that images each tray 63 and 64. Cameras 61 and 62 are built in. Although two trays and two cameras are shown in the drawing, the number of trays and cameras may be one or three or more depending on the scale of the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 . Further, each of the trays 63 and 64 is provided with a label sticking base 65 . This labeling table 65 can be labeled with printed information identifying the patient of the fertilized embryos. Detailed configuration and operation of the time-lapse embryo culture device 50 will be described in detail later.

Portable terminal 70 is connected to a base station (not shown) provided in wide area network WAN using a high-speed communication network such as 4G, and performs data communication with patient management server 20 . As the mobile terminal 70, various terminals can be used as long as they are terminals that can be connected to a wide area network WAN via WiFi, in addition to so-called mobile phones, particularly smart phones, feature phones, and the like.

In addition to a well-known CPU 71 and memory 75, the mobile terminal 70 includes a display control unit 72 for displaying on the screen, an input unit 73 for performing gestures and character input including a touch panel provided on the screen, and a wide area network WAN. It includes a communication unit 74 for data communication, a storage 77 for storing data such as images and moving images, an internal bus 78 for interconnecting these, and the like. The memory 75 stores an application program (hereinafter also referred to simply as an application) 80, which will be described later. By operating this application 80, processing including patient management and delivery of embryo images, which will be described later, is realized. Application 80 manages patient information 82 . The distributed images can be stored in the storage 77, but the distributed moving images are not stored in the mobile terminal 70 because they are reproduced by streaming. If the mobile terminal 70 is a dedicated terminal, the application 80 may be installed on the mobile terminal 70 from the beginning, or may be downloaded from an application store or the like, and installed on the mobile terminal 70 as necessary. may be used. Of course, the application 80 may be configured as cloud service software for providing cloud services, the application 80 may be placed on the cloud side, and the cloud side application 80 may be called from the mobile terminal 70 via a general-purpose browser. It is possible. The cloud service software may use a general-purpose service, but operating it on the patient management server 20 is desirable in terms of security.

Next, the patient management server 20 as a management device will be explained using FIG. The patient management server 20 includes a well-known CPU 21 and memory 30, a communication unit 22 for communicating with a wide area network WAN and a local area network LAN, and a patient database (hereinafter abbreviated as patient DB) corresponding to a patient information storage unit. ) 37, a storage 35 for storing a video database (hereinafter abbreviated as video DB) 38, a printing unit 40 for controlling a label printer 45, an internal bus 25 for interconnecting these, and the like. The patient management server 20 is provided with a keyboard and a mouse for data input as well as a display for display, which is not shown here. These input and display devices do not have to be directly connected to the patient management server 20, and may be prepared as terminals connected via the local area network LAN.

A dedicated program is loaded into the memory 30, and the CPU 21 executes the loaded program to implement an authentication unit 31, an image display unit 32, a password storage unit 33, a growth stage storage unit 34, and the like. The processing that implements each unit will be described later using flowcharts, but the functions that each unit implements are as follows. The authentication unit 31 manages patient information and authenticates the patient using the patient DB 37 when the patient accesses the patient management server 20 using the portable terminal 70 . The image display unit 32 causes the mobile terminal 70 to display images including moving images stored in the moving image DB 38 in response to a request from the mobile terminal 70 . The password storage unit 33 stores a password that identifies a patient and performs personal authentication using the password. The growth stage storage unit 34 identifies and stores the growth stage of the embryo based on the embryo image sent from the time-lapse embryo culture device 50 .

The printing unit 40 controls information printed on the label 47 by the label printer 45 . On the label 47, "patient name", "medical card number", and a two-dimensional bar code are printed as necessary. By attaching this label 47 to the mount of the patient registration card and laminating it, it can be handled as it is as a patient registration card. The label printer 45 also prints at the timing of creating a patient's medical chart, for example. Also, when the trays 63 and 64 storing fertilized embryos are stored in the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50, a label 47 is printed to be attached to the trays 63 and 64. FIG. By using labels printed with patient names, patient registration card numbers, and two-dimensional barcodes, misidentification of patient information and patient-derived embryos can be prevented. Operation of the label 47 will be described later.

Next, the time-lapse embryo culture device 50 will be described. It has already been explained that the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 has a plurality of cameras 61, 62 for imaging a plurality of trays 63, 64 containing fertilized embryos. In addition to these devices, the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 includes an environment maintenance device (not shown) that maintains the trays 63 and 64 at constant temperature and humidity. Since such an environment maintenance device for preparing a culture environment for embryo culture is well known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 includes a well-known CPU 51, memory 52, a communication unit 53 for communicating with the patient management server 20 via a local area network LAN, and an image editing unit for editing images. 55, a storage 57 as an image storage section for storing images to be edited and edited results, an image input section 58 for inputting images from the cameras 61 and 62, and the like. The image input unit 58 is connected to the cameras 61 and 62 and also outputs imaging instructions to the cameras 61 and 62 .

A plurality of cameras 61 and 62 respectively image embryos in a plurality of dishes DS accommodated in trays 63 and 64 at once. Needless to say, the imaging range of the cameras 61 and 62 may be set so that one or a smaller number of dishes DS than the number of dishes DS in the trays 63 and 64 can be imaged, and a mechanism for changing the imaging position may be provided. To change the imaging position, the cameras 61 and 62 may be moved, the trays 63 and 64 may be moved, or both may be moved. Also, the cameras 61 and 62 may have a shallow depth of focus and a mechanism for changing the focal position so that the focal points of the cameras 61 and 62 may be changed to capture a plurality of images. In this way, cross-sectional images at different heights of the embryo, which is the subject, can be captured. Of course, the depth of focus of the cameras 61 and 62 may be increased so that a wide range in the height direction of the embryo can be imaged in one or several imagings.

The image input unit 58 issues imaging instructions to the cameras 61 and 62 at predetermined timings, and stores the images captured by the cameras 61 and 62 in a predetermined area of the storage 57 . A storage area is prepared in the storage 57 for each camera and for each tray placed in the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 for culture. When a new image is saved in the storage 57, the image editing unit 55 edits it as a moving image. Editing as a moving image means that a plurality of images captured at predetermined intervals, eg, every 10 minutes, are sequentially displayed for a predetermined period of time, eg, one second at a time, as a moving image. Time lapse (time compression) or frame-by-frame shooting is to convert a plurality of images captured at predetermined intervals into a moving image of continuous still images whose time axis is compressed.

B. Treatment and treatment overview:
An outline of processing performed by the embryo image delivery system 10 comprising the patient management server 20, the time-lapse embryo culture device 50, and the mobile terminal 70 described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing services realized by the embryo image delivery system 10, divided into columns of treatment stage, use of application, and laboratory/embryo culture apparatus. "Treatment phase" means a characteristic treatment of fertility treatment performed on a patient. There are more detailed treatments and instructions for infertility treatment, but only representative treatments are shown here. In addition, "use of an application" means a function corresponding to each treatment stage among the functions realized by the application 80. FIG. This is shown in FIG. 4 as a menu provided in application 80 . “Lab/embryo culture device” indicates typical treatments performed in the embryo culture room (abbreviated as lab) and the time-lapse embryo culture device 50 .

The patient first undergoes an initial visit ME1. At the first visit, it is necessary to register the patient at a hospital or the like where infertility treatment is performed. When information necessary for infertility treatment such as the patient's name, age, sex, pre-existing diseases, etc. is registered in the patient management server 20, a unique number is assigned to the patient so that the patient can be identified. The patient installs the application 80 on the mobile terminal 70 owned by the patient, activates the application 80, and registers himself/herself in the application 80 (step S100). The registration process for the initial medical examination ME1 will be described later in detail.

The patient may then receive phase 1 hormone replacement therapy ME2. This phase 1 hormone replacement therapy is a treatment in which the patient is supplemented with maturation hormones that stimulate follicle growth. Patients diagnosed with insufficient follicular maturation and undergoing such treatment receive multiple doses of hormone replacement to coincide with their menstrual cycle. To do so, make an appointment for a hospital visit or examination. This reservation process can be performed using the application 80 . This is the reservation process (step S200). Each time the patient visits the hospital, the application 80 is used to make an appointment (step S200).

After the first period of hormone replacement therapy is performed, and when it becomes possible to collect eggs, egg collection ME3 is performed from the patient. The schedule for egg retrieval is determined in agreement with the patient. Although FIG. 4 shows this as one of the reservation processes (step S200) using the application 80, the reservation for egg retrieval is registered on the patient management server 20 side, that is, on the hospital side, and is confirmed by the patient.

When egg collection ME3 is performed on the reserved day, various treatments are performed on the collected eggs in the embryo culture room. The highest priority in this process is to accurately associate the ovum to be processed with the patient who has accepted the ovum retrieval. Therefore, egg collection is performed, and at the same time that the eggs are carried into the embryo culture room, a label is printed by a printer provided in the embryo culture room (step S110). The printed label is first affixed to the container containing the ovum brought into the embryo culture room, and then moved together with the ovum. The system 10 handles only one patient's ova at a time when the retrieved ova are transported into the embryo culture room. This ensures that the label printed each time an egg is delivered to the embryo culture chamber is associated with the container of the delivered egg.

Fertilization treatment is performed on the eggs carried into the embryo culture chamber (treatment P10), and the fertilized eggs are stored one by one in dishes DS of trays 63 and 64 (treatment P20). In the present embodiment, tray preparation means storing the fertilized ova one by one in the dish DS and allocating one tray to each patient. Next, this tray is housed in the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 and registered (procedure P30). Tray registration is performed by attaching a previously printed label to trays 63 and 64 . This processing will be described later in detail.

After that, the embryos cultured in the time-lapse embryo culture device 50 (because they have undergone fertilization treatment, hereinafter referred to as embryos regardless of the fertilization result) are cultured in the time-lapse embryo culture device 50 and captured by the camera. Images are taken periodically by 61 and 62 in the time-lapse embryo culture device 50 . This image is viewed by an embryologist to evaluate the embryo (Procedure P40). At the same time, images captured by the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 at predetermined intervals are generated as moving images (step Q10), and are provided for viewing by the patient (step S300).

Embryos that have been cultured and evaluated in the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 are frozen (procedure P50) when it is confirmed that they have grown to a predetermined stage after fertilization. The purpose of freezing the fertilized egg is to freeze the embryo and wait until the patient has undergone second stage hormone therapy and is in a state suitable for implantation of the fertilized egg.

Therefore, the patient who has completed the egg retrieval receives the second stage hormone replacement therapy ME4 as soon as her physical condition returns. In the second stage hormone replacement therapy, after a certain period of time after supplementing hormones for maturing follicles, hormones that grow the uterine lining where embryos that have undergone fertilization treatment can easily implant are introduced. It is a treatment that is supplemented as needed. Since hospital visits and treatments such as hormone injections are required for the second stage of hormone replacement therapy, a reservation for a hospital visit is made using the application 80 of the portable terminal 70 (step S200). During this time, the frozen embryos have stopped growing and are waiting (treatment P60) for embryo transfer.

When it is determined that the patient is in a state suitable for embryo transfer after the second phase hormone replacement therapy ME4 has progressed, the embryo transfer schedule is determined and reserved (step S200). Prior to embryo transfer, cryopreserved embryos are thawed in the embryo culture room (treatment P70). The patient arrives at the hospital at the scheduled date and time, and the thawed embryo is transferred (procedure P80). After that, confirmation ME6 as to whether or not the patient is pregnant is performed.

The above is an outline of the infertility treatment and an outline of the processing performed accompanying this. As the fertility treatment progresses, the patient management server 20 registers and manages patients in cooperation with the application 80 in the mobile terminal 70, and the application 80 in the mobile terminal 70 supports the progress of the fertility treatment. Along with this, a moving image showing the state of the ovum (embryo) after the fertilization treatment is reproduced and provided for the patient's viewing. Therefore, the processing of the patient management server 20 and the portable terminal 70 that realize these will be described in detail.

C. Overview of processing with the application:
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the patient reception processing routine executed by the patient management server 20 and the processing of the application 80 in the patient's portable terminal 70 performed in correspondence with the processing on the patient management server 20 side. . First, when a patient comes to the hospital, it is determined whether it is the first visit (step S100). In the case of the first visit, a holder for storing patient information is secured in the patient DB 37, and the patient information is registered in the patient DB 37 for registration (step S110). The patient information includes bibliographic items such as name, sex, age, birthday, and address, as well as items necessary for infertility treatment, such as medical history, allergies, and history of infertility treatment at other medical institutions. Such patient information is registered in the patient DB 37 so that it can be read at any time using the patient registration card number as a key.

When the input of the patient information is completed, the patient registration card is printed (step S120). As shown in FIG. 5, at least the patient's name, patient registration number, and two-dimensional bar code are printed on the patient registration card 47 . In the two-dimensional barcode, the patient's name, patient registration number, and authentication number are encrypted to form a two-dimensional image. The two-dimensional barcode may be printed on the back of the patient registration card.

The patient who receives the printed patient registration card 47 installs the application 80 on his/her mobile terminal 70 and reads the two-dimensional bar code on the patient registration card 47 with the mobile terminal 70 (step S125). When the two-dimensional bar code on the patient registration card 47 is read, the portable terminal 70 activates the application 80 if it is not running, and performs communication with the patient management server 20 (step S135). Specifically, the patient registration card number read from the patient registration card 47 and the authentication number are transmitted.

When the patient management server 20 determines that there is a request from the application 80 on the patient's portable terminal 70 (step S130), it receives the patient registration card number and the authentication number, and stores the combination of the patient registration card number and the authentication number in the storage 35. If the two match, the information necessary for operating the application 80 on the mobile terminal 70, such as the patient name and password, is sent from the patient DB 37 to the mobile terminal 70 side. Send (step S140). It should be noted that personal identification may be performed using a patient registration card number and a password.

The reason why the two-dimensional bar code printed on the patient registration card 47 includes not only the patient registration card number but also the authentication number in encrypted form is to prevent forgery of the patient registration card. Since the personal information of the patient is registered in the patient management server 20, in order to prevent access to the patient DB 37 by forging a patient registration card and pretending to be a patient, authentication is performed in addition to the registration card number. The numbers are combined and encrypted. Of course, once the application 80 of the patient's portable terminal 70 is registered, it is possible to operate such that the second registration is not permitted. Since the operation of the terminal may be started, the system of this embodiment allows multiple registrations. Therefore, in order to eliminate registration with a forged patient registration card, the authentication number is encrypted and included in the two-dimensional barcode.

The application 80 on the side of the mobile terminal 70 that has received the registration information from the patient DB 37 displays at least the patient's name and date of birth as the registration information on the display of the mobile terminal 70, and asks the patient to confirm his or her identity (step S145). At this time, if the other person's name and date of birth are displayed, he/she will notice that for some reason the patient has not been correctly registered in the patient DB 37, so he/she should select "NO" for identity verification. . In this case, you may request a correction of the registration. The reason why not only the patient name but also the date of birth is displayed is to eliminate erroneous registration due to the same name.

If the patient's information is sent from the patient management server 20 side and the patient confirms this (step S145: "YES"), the application 80 registers the patient's information, and furthermore, password, fingerprint authentication, etc. is registered (step S155) and shared with the patient management server 20 side. The patient management server 20 side registers the person himself/herself and the personal identification information (such as a password) registered on the mobile terminal 70 side as authentication information (step S150).

By performing the above processing, the registration of the patient is reliably performed on the patient management server 20 side and the mobile terminal 70 side. The application 80 can be used as soon as the identity is confirmed by such means. Further, in response to this, the patient management server 20 can immediately accept requests from the mobile terminal 70 side. In addition, in order to further enhance security, when the patient's mobile terminal 70 is registered in the patient management server 20, a number unique to the mobile terminal 70, such as a serial number or a MAC address individually assigned to the communication module, is registered. , a number unique to the hardware of the mobile terminal 70 is also registered, and authentication may be performed using these numbers. If the mobile terminal 70 is a mobile phone, the SIM card number may be used for registration.

After completing the registration process described above, the patient can activate the application 80 of the mobile terminal 70 and make an appointment for examination/treatment. FIG. 6 shows an example of the screen of the mobile terminal 70 immediately after the application 80 is activated. When the patient taps the icon of the application 80 installed on the mobile terminal 70 to start the application 80, the home screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. In this screen, five buttons are arranged at the bottom of the display, and the relationship between the patient and treatment, such as appointment information, is displayed thereon. This area D200 displays individual information that is directly related to the patient regarding infertility treatment. Above this area D200 is provided an area D300 in which general notices are displayed. In this area D300, for example, information such as notice of a temporary non-consultation day, etc., is displayed from a hospital, an embryo culture room, or the like, where fertility treatment is being performed.

FIG. 7 shows the processing of the application 80 of the portable terminal 70 that performs such screen display. FIG. 7 shows the main routine executed after the application 80 is activated. When this process is started, 80 first communicates with patient management server 20 (step S600). The application 80 exchanges the information for personal identification described with reference to FIG. 5 with the patient management server 20, and executes the process of receiving the necessary authentication (step S610). The authenticated application 80 first displays the home screen illustrated in FIG. 6, and waits for the next instruction from the patient (step S620).

A patient who needs some treatment taps one of the five buttons displayed at the bottom of the display. If the tapped button is the leftmost home button SH, the screen returns to the home screen (illustrated in FIG. 6) regardless of which screen is displayed (step HOME). Next, when the adjacent reservation button SR is tapped, the reservation screen is displayed (step S200). Although a detailed explanation of the reservation process is omitted, vacant times for medical examinations and treatments at medical institutions that perform infertility treatment are displayed along a calendar, and the patient can easily make a reservation by selecting this. can.

When the patient taps the moving image button SV in the center of the bottom row, image browsing processing (step S300) is executed. This processing will be described later in detail. When the notification button SI on the right side is tapped, notification reception processing (step S400) for receiving information to be individually notified to the patient in the form of e-mail is executed. The notification is delivered in the form of an e-mail, and the patient can reply to it. In addition, the patient can also make an individual consultation or the like on the screen displayed by operating this notification button SI. A setting button SS at the right end of the bottom of the screen is a button for moving to a setting screen and performing various settings of the application 80 (step S500). The various settings include, for example, login settings including password changes, e-mail address settings for exchanging e-mails, and the like.

D. Video generation process:
Prior to moving image viewing processing on the mobile terminal 70 side using the application 80, the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 and the patient management server 20 generate moving images. First, this process will be explained. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an imaging processing routine executed by the CPU 51 of the time-lapse embryo culture device 50. As shown in FIG. This process starts when the door (not shown) of the tray storage chamber of the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 is opened and the fertilized embryos are stored in the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 .

When the tray 63 storing the embryos is accommodated, the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 uses the camera 61 to image the tray 63 and the label attached to the tray 63 (step S700). The label is issued when the ovum to be fertilized is brought into the embryo culture room, and is attached to the tray 63 when the fertilized egg (embryo) is stored in the tray 63 . Therefore, the label is imaged together with the tray 63, and the two-dimensional bar code printed on this label is recognized (step S710).

By recognizing the two-dimensional bar code printed on the label, the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 can know which patient's embryo belongs to the tray. The time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 determines whether this patient matches the patient managed by the patient management server 20 (step S720). Since it is possible to identify the patient who received the egg collection on the day and whose eggs are stored in the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 at this timing, it is possible to confirm that the label actually attached to the tray 63 matches the recognized patient. To prevent mix-up due to mistaken sticking of the label. If they do not match, nothing is done and the processing is terminated by going to "END". At this time, a warning to prompt the confirmation work may be given by voice or display on the display of the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50, or the like.

If both match (step S720: "YES"), then the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 reads the imaging schedule (step S730). The imaging schedule is a chronological sequence of timings for imaging the embryos in the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 . Of course, the imaging of the embryos may be performed at regular intervals such as predetermined intervals of 10 minutes, or immediately after the fertilization treatment, i. It may be done at high intervals and spaced out as time passes. The imaging schedule may be individually set for each tray, or all imaging may be performed according to the same schedule. In this embodiment, the cameras 61 and 62 are provided for each of the trays 63 and 64, so that the timing for capturing images of each tray can be freely set. Of course, the number of cameras may be smaller than the number of trays, for example, one camera may be prepared and moved relative to the trays to sequentially image each tray. In this case, it is difficult to schedule multiple trays to be imaged at the same time, but the time required for imaging itself is not so long. There is no problem even if it is set to .

Whether or not it is time to take an image is determined according to the read imaging schedule (step S740). If it is determined that it is not the imaging timing, the process returns to step S730 to repeat the process from reading the imaging schedule. If the image capturing timing comes at some point (step S740: "YES"), the camera 61 and the camera 62 are driven to image the tray 63 and the tray 64 (step S750). The imaging is performed on a tray-by-tray basis, but in practice, one image is captured for each dish DS included in the tray. Therefore, if five dishes DS are stored in the tray, five images are produced. The captured image is automatically saved in the storage 57 .

When the imaging is completed in this way, it is determined whether or not this imaging is the first imaging for the tray (step S760). If it is determined that it is the first time, it is registered as the first moving image of the embryo stored in the dish DS and stored in the moving image DB 38 of the patient management server 20 (step S770). On the other hand, if it is determined that the captured image is not the first image, it is determined that there is already a captured and edited moving image, which is read from the moving image DB 38 (step S780), and the captured image is added to the end of the existing moving image. , the moving image is updated (step S790).

At this time, the newly added image is added as a moving image lasting 0.1 seconds to the edited image. For example, if the imaging schedule is to capture still images every 10 minutes, the still images captured every 10 minutes are edited as moving images that continue for 0.1 seconds each. If the image is taken 24 hours a day,
0.1 second x 24 hours x 6 images/hour = 14.4 seconds of moving image will be created.

After that, the moving image added with the captured image is stored in the moving image DB 38 (step S800). Therefore, in the moving image DB 38 of the patient management server 20, moving images obtained by frame-by-frame shooting of images taken every 10 minutes, for example, are created and stored for each dish DS of each patient according to the imaging schedule. When the above processing, that is, the image registration at the time of the first imaging (step S770) or the saving of the moving image to which the captured image is added (step S800) is completed, it is next determined whether the imaging schedule is completed (step S810), if not completed, return to step S730 and repeat the above-described steps S730 through S810. When the imaging schedule is completed, the process exits to "END" and ends the imaging processing routine. Completion of the imaging schedule, in this embodiment, is either when the normal embryo culture period ends or when the tray is removed from the time-lapse embryo culture device 50 .

E. Video viewing process:
By the processing described above, the time-lapse embryo culture apparatus 50 takes images of the tray and creates a moving image for each dish DS of the patient. This processing will be described with reference to FIG. The left side of FIG. 9 shows an image display processing routine executed by the application 80 of the portable terminal 70, and the right side shows a video distribution processing routine executed by the patient management server 20 side.

When the patient who has activated the application 80 of the portable terminal 70 taps the video button SV among the buttons arranged on the bottom side of the screen on the screen shown in FIG. is requested (step S300). At this time, the application 80 encrypts and transmits the patient's patient identification card number and password. Upon receiving this request, the patient management server 20 refers to the patient DB 37 to determine whether the patient has the right to view the moving image of the embryo based on the patient's name, patient registration card number, and password. Authenticate (step S305). Note that authentication may be performed using a patient registration card number and a password. Once the patient is authenticated, the patient's video is retrieved using the patient registration card number (step S310). If the retrieved patient's ova are housed in the embryo culture apparatus 50, a search using the patient registration card number will find videos of a plurality of corresponding dishes DS. Send (step S320). If authentication cannot be performed (step S305: "NO"), nothing is done, and the process ends by going to "END".

When the patient management server 20 encrypts and transmits the video list (step S320), the application 80 of the mobile terminal 70 receives this and displays the video list on the display of the mobile terminal 70 (step S330). An example of this display is shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, it is displayed in the list display area D300 that there are 3 moving images as time-lapse moving images of transplanted embryos of patients. Of course, if the number of videos is larger, a scroll bar is displayed, and four or more videos can be viewed. Below the list display area D300, a list of explanatory videos viewable by the patient is displayed. This explanatory video is a compilation of information in a video format that will be helpful for patients in infertility treatment. The patient can easily know when the egg retrieval cycle starts and points to be careful about before egg retrieval from the explanation video.

Thumbnails VS1, VS2, and VS3 and bibliographic information VI1, VI2, and VI3 are displayed for each moving image displayed as a list of transplanted embryo time-lapse moving images. The bibliographic information VI1, VI2, and VI3 includes the embryo number, growth stage, egg retrieval date, latest photographing date and time, viewing deadline, and the like. The embryo number is the number of the dish DS containing the fertilized embryo. Growth stage indicates any of growth stages 1 to 6 after fertilization. The growth stage is given by the embryologist after examining the captured images.

With the list of displayable videos displayed in the list display area D300, the application 80 determines whether any of the videos has been selected (step S340). When the patient taps one of the thumbnails VS1, VS2, and VS3 of the listed videos, the application 80 determines that the tapped video has been selected on the selection screen, and transfers the video selected by the patient to the patient. A request is made to the management server 20 (step S350). Upon receiving the request from the application 80, the patient management server 20 distributes the requested moving image (step S360). At this time, the patient management server 20 encrypts and streams the moving image.

The application 80 receives the encrypted moving image (step S370), decodes the moving image, and performs a reproducing process (step S380) for displaying the decrypted moving image on the display of the mobile terminal 70. FIG. When the playback ends, the process exits to "END" and the above processing is temporarily terminated. However, if no other button is pressed, the above processing is repeated from the processing for requesting a list of patient moving images (step S300). The reason why the request for list of patient moving images is executed again is that there is a possibility that new images will be captured and the moving images will be updated according to the imaging schedule. In the present embodiment, security is ensured by encrypting moving images when transmitting them. However, the video may be transmitted via VPN.

According to the first embodiment described above, a patient undergoing infertility treatment can check the status of his or her embryo at any time as a moving image. The video is not recorded in real time, but is a time-compressed frame-by-frame video. can be recognized. The fact that the status of the embryos being cultured in the embryo culture system can be checked by the patient at any time is a great way to reduce the anxiety that arises when fertility treatment is performed externally, instead of ovulation, fertilization, and cleavage, which normally proceed inside the body. to help support the psychological aspects of the patient's fertility treatment. It can be said that externalized fertility treatment is internalized for the patient by "seeing" the situation of the embryo being cultured, especially its development. Such internalization of embryo culture for patients is extremely important because fertility treatment is positioned at the entrance of a series of processes leading to pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare.

In addition, in this embodiment, a moving image showing the progress of such embryo culture is provided almost in real time, although there is a slight delay. Therefore, the patient can feel as if he or she is witnessing the growth of the embryo. For this reason, the patient can have a clear image of the early stages of pregnancy, in which the developing embryo is intuitively understood by watching the time-lapse video, and the embryo is raised after the transplantation. The patient will prepare physically for the embryo transfer by watching videos of growing embryos in culture, as well as physically preparing for the second stage of hormone replacement therapy.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, all states of embryos stored in each of the plurality of dishes DS can be viewed as time-lapse moving images. Therefore, it is possible to realize that the information regarding the patient is not hidden from the patient and is open to the patient. As a result, the relationship of trust between the patient undergoing the fertility treatment and the party performing the fertility treatment is strengthened. A strong relationship of trust is the foundation of any medical treatment, but in fertility treatment, which has large individual differences and takes a long time to complete, a strong relationship of trust based on correct information is especially essential. Providing videos of all embryos helps strengthen this relationship of trust.

Moreover, in this embodiment, not only is it possible to watch moving images on the portable terminal 70 by using the application 80 that can be easily registered using a two-dimensional bar code, but also a combination of the patient's name, patient registration card number, and password can be registered. and information encryption to prevent videos from being leaked to unauthorized third parties. In addition, since moving images are reproduced by streaming and are not stored in the mobile terminal 70, the moving images stored in the mobile terminal 70 are not leaked.

F. Other embodiments:
In the above embodiment, moving images are distributed, but images of embryos being cultured are not limited to moving images, and still images may be distributed. Even if it is a static image, if multiple images of the embryo in culture are delivered, the patient can understand and feel the growth of the embryo, etc., as if it were a moving image. If the imaging time is described in the image, it is easier to feel the growth of the embryo, which is more desirable. Further, in the above embodiment, moving images are generated by frame-by-frame shooting, but the cameras 61, 62, etc. may be video cameras to directly capture moving images. The moving images may be captured continuously, or moving images may be captured at predetermined intervals and connected to form one moving image. Alternatively, it is also possible to generate a moving image whose entire length (playback time) is shortened by skipping frames from the captured moving image, and distribute this. The videos are not limited to those during embryo culture after fertilization, and may be videos of embryos after thawing.

In the above-described embodiment, the video list display screen D300 displays the date of egg collection, the date and time of the latest image capture, and the expiration date for viewing. , the date and time when it became possible to distribute as a moving image, the date and time when the distribution ended, and the like may be displayed. Further, these dates and times may be displayed on the list display screen D300, or may be displayed directly within the moving image, for example, at least one of the beginning and end of the moving image.

In addition, the application 80 has other functions such as reservations and notifications, but it may be implemented as a dedicated application for distributing still images and moving images of embryos. Further, image requests and image delivery may be implemented by separate applications. After requesting the delivery of images, the patient management server 20 prepares for delivery of images, for example, time-lapse moving images, and when the moving images are ready, the patient management server 20 notifies the delivery of the moving images by e-mail or the like, The patient may stream the video by clicking on the URL described in the email. In this way, videos can be delivered using a browser or the like without using a dedicated application. Moreover, since the URL for reproducing the moving image is different each time, the confidentiality of the moving image distribution can be further enhanced. Also, in this way, the video can be prepared after receiving a request, so the load for video editing can be reduced. It is also possible to reduce the capacity of the moving image DB 38 compared to the case where moving images are edited and prepared each time they are captured. In the above embodiments, a two-dimensional bar code or a label printed thereon is used to manage the patient and the patient's eggs or embryos. can be used only. An electronic tag such as an RFID may be used instead of the label.

In each of the above embodiments, part of the configuration implemented by hardware may be replaced with software. At least part of the configuration implemented by software can also be implemented by a discrete circuit configuration. In addition, when part or all of the functions of the present disclosure are realized by software, the software (computer program) can be provided in a form stored in a computer-readable recording medium. "Computer-readable recording medium" means not only portable recording media such as flexible disks and CD-ROMs, but also various internal storage devices such as RAM and ROM, and fixed to computers such as hard disks. It also includes an external storage device. That is, the term "computer-readable recording medium" has a broad meaning including any recording medium capable of fixing data packets instead of being temporary.

The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various configurations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, it may be implemented as an embryo image delivery method or as a program therefor. Alternatively, it may be implemented as a management device for managing embryos in culture. When implemented as a management device, the process of registering patient information in the patient DB 37 by the CPU 21 corresponds to a patient information registration unit. The process of attaching and storing corresponds to the patient information providing unit. Further, the process of accepting a moving image request from an application corresponds to the receiving unit, the authentication process (step S305) corresponds to the authenticating unit, and the process of transmitting the requested moving image to the mobile terminal corresponds to the transmission control unit. In addition, the technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described in the Summary of the Invention column are used to solve some or all of the above problems, or to solve one of the above effects. Substitutions and combinations may be made as appropriate to achieve part or all. Also, if the technical features are not described as essential in this specification, they can be deleted as appropriate.

10 Embryo image delivery system 20 Patient management server 21 CPU 22 Communication unit 30 Memory 31 Authentication unit 32 Image display unit 33 Password storage unit 34 Growth stage storage unit 35... Storage, 37... Patient DB, 38... Moving image DB, 40... Printing unit, 45... Label printer, 47... Consultation card, label, 50... Time lapse embryo culture device, 51... CPU, 52... Memory, 53... Communication unit , 55... Image editing unit, 57... Storage, 58... Image input unit, 61, 62... Cameras, 63, 64... Trays, 65... Labeling base, 70... Mobile terminal, 71... CPU, 72... Display control unit, 73... Input unit, 74... Communication unit, 75... Memory, 77... Storage, 80... Application, 82... Patient information, DS... Dish, LAN... Local area network, SH... Home button, SI... Notification button, SR... Reservation button, SS...setting button, SV...video button, VI1 to VI3...bibliographic information, VS1 to VS3...thumbnail, WAN...wide area network

Claims (6)

An embryo image delivery system for delivering images of embryos in fertility treatment,
a management device that registers patient information and manages access from mobile terminals;
an embryo culture apparatus that maintains an embryo that has undergone fertilization treatment and is stored in a container in a predetermined environment, and that captures images of the stored embryo at predetermined intervals;
The captured images are edited into a video for distribution showing the state of the embryo by compressing the imaging interval, and the video is used as information specifying a patient who has the right to view the embryo. an image storage unit that associates and stores
a mobile terminal that transmits a viewing request for the moving image for distribution to the management device along with information identifying the patient via a network;
an authentication unit that refers to the registered patient information when the viewing request is received from the mobile terminal and authenticates the viewing request if the patient has the right to view;
an image display unit that, when the authentication is performed, reads the moving image for distribution linked with the patient information from the image storage unit, transmits the moving image to the mobile terminal, and displays the moving image on the mobile terminal ; ,
When there are a plurality of fertilized embryos for which the patient has the right to view, the moving image for distribution is prepared for each embryo stored in the container together with information indicating the type of the embryo, Embryo image delivery system listed with information indicating different embryos . The embryo image delivery system according to claim 1,
The embryo culture device incorporates an imaging device that captures the image,
The management device includes the authentication unit,
When the patient information is registered in the management device, the mobile terminal transmits information that can identify the patient as a patient who has the right to view the embryo to the management device. Embryo image delivery system for sharing among others. 3. The embryo image delivery system according to claim 1 or 2,
The management device comprises a patient information storage unit that stores information identifying a patient whose fertilized embryos to be cultured,
The information specifying the patient stored in the patient information storage unit includes at least the patient's patient registration card number,
The embryo image delivery system, wherein the information of the patient registered by the management device includes at least a password, which is personal identification information registered on the mobile terminal side, in addition to the patient's patient registration card number. 4. The embryo image delivery system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the moving image for delivery is delivered to the portable terminal together with information on the growth stage of the fertilized embryo. An embryo image delivery method for delivering an image of an embryo in fertility treatment, comprising:
storing patient information in a storage device provided in a server and registering the patient information;
An image of the embryo stored in the container after fertilization treatment is captured by an imaging device provided in the embryo culture device,
The embryo culture device generates a video for distribution showing the state of the embryo from the captured image of the embryo, and the video for distribution includes a plurality of fertilized embryos that the patient has the right to view. In some cases, each embryo stored in the container is prepared together with information indicating the identity of the embryo, and is linked with information specifying the patient who has the right to view the video for distribution with respect to the embryo. and storing in a storage device provided in the server,
From the mobile terminal, a viewing request for the video for distribution is sent to the server along with information identifying the patient,
When the viewing request is received from the mobile terminal, the server refers to the registered patient information, and if the viewing request using the mobile terminal is from a patient who has the right to view, the server authenticate this
When the authentication is performed, the server reads the video for distribution linked with the patient information from the storage device, transmits it to the mobile terminal, and displays it on the mobile terminal ;
If there are multiple videos for distribution, they are listed together with information indicating the embryo.
Embryo image delivery method. A management device for managing images of embryos in fertility treatment,
a patient information registration unit for registering patient information;
When causing an embryo culture apparatus that captures an image of an embryo that has undergone fertilization treatment and is stored in a container to generate a moving image for distribution from the captured image and store the moving image for distribution in a storage, a patient information providing unit for providing information specifying a patient who has the right to view the imaged embryo;
a reception unit that receives a viewing request for the video for distribution, which is transmitted by the mobile terminal together with the information identifying the patient;
When the viewing request is received from the mobile terminal, referring to the given patient information, if the viewing request using the mobile terminal is made by the patient who has the viewing right, the viewing request is confirmed. an authentication unit that authenticates;
a transmission control unit for transmitting and displaying the moving image for distribution linked with the patient information to the mobile terminal for display on the mobile terminal when the authentication is performed ,
When there are a plurality of fertilized embryos for which the patient has the right to view, the moving image for distribution is prepared for each embryo stored in the container together with information indicating the type of the embryo, A management device listed with information indicating the different embryos .

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