WO2013039010A1 - Microorganism examination device - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a microorganism examination device for performing microorganism examination of a culture medium fixed in a tray, wherein a bacterial culture identifier is allocated to each bacterial culture to be examined, and if a bacterial culture identifier and an examination item are input, a culture medium into which a bacterial culture specified by the bacterial culture identifier is inoculated is specified, a tray identifier and an intra-tray position identifier for fixing this culture medium are specified, and such information is displayed along with the bacterial culture identifier and type of culture medium. In accordance with such display, the operator can fix the culture medium in the tray and inoculate the bacterial culture, and can perform microorganism examination without registering the subject-of-examination number and the like to the culture medium.

Description

Microbiological testing device

The present invention relates to a microorganism testing apparatus for a medium fixed to a tray.

The Japanese Food Sanitation Law sets bacteriological component standards for specific foods such as meat products and fish paste products. For meat products, the number of general viable bacteria, coliforms, coliforms, Staphylococcus aureus, etc. Is required to meet certain standards. Counting with an agar medium has been adopted as an official method, but various microorganism culture sheets have been developed in place of the agar medium. As such a microorganism culture sheet, for example, there is a sheet-like culture medium having a structure in which a medium laminate composed of a porous matrix layer and a water-soluble polymer compound layer is adhered to an adhesive sheet and a transparent film is covered thereon (patented) Reference 1).

Regardless of whether an agar medium, a microorganism culture sheet, or other microorganism testing medium is used, the recording operation and the counting operation are performed in parallel in the microorganism test. Here, the recording operation refers to an operation for recording information about a sample in a ledger or the like. For example, a sample number, a sample collection date, a collection location, a sampler, a sample dilution rate, a microorganism name to be counted, and the number of colonies counted. This refers to the work of listing each sample number. In addition, the counting work refers to preparation of a medium suitable for a test item, preparation of a diluted bacterial solution, inoculation of the bacterial solution into the medium, culture operation, counting of colonies after culture, and the like.

In the microbiological test recording work, it is necessary to enter the sample number and the dilution rate in the culture medium in order to match the counted number of colonies with the sample or to specify the dilution rate of the inoculated sample. For example, when an agar medium is used, the specimen number and dilution rate are written with a pen on the petri dish lid, or a seal or tape is attached so that such contents can be understood. Next, the petri dish with the sample number attached is removed, the corresponding bacterial solution is inoculated, and after culturing for a predetermined time, colonies are counted. Thereby, the counting result can be recorded in correspondence with the sample number.

Microorganism inspection has many work processes, but the technology for automating the counting of microbial colonies described above is known. For example, receiving one or more image data of a biological growth medium; analyzing the received image data to identify a first number of colonies in the biological growth medium; Identifying a second number of colonies around the growth medium and one or more colonies within a defined distance from a growth region edge of the growth medium if the first number is less than a threshold value A method of automatically counting colonies including a step of excluding from the second number is known (Patent Document 2). In addition, a technique has been proposed in which biological growth medium is put into a scanning device one by one, the image data is formed, the obtained image data is transmitted to an external computer, and the computer counts colonies. .

JP 2001-245893 A Special table 2007-533296

In the microbiological examination, there are steps such as inoculating a culture solution prepared in advance into a culture medium, culturing, and counting colonies. If a colony counter is used, the counting step can be automated. However, since the agar medium to be counted is associated with the specimen number, it is not possible to omit the step of previously describing the specimen number on the agar medium.

Also, some microorganism culture sheets are given a unique identifier such as a barcode. If the sample information of the bacterial solution at the time of inoculating the bacterial solution and the barcode information of the microorganism culture sheet inoculated with the bacterial solution are stored in a computer, the corresponding sample is determined using the barcode as an index after culture and colony counting. The number of colonies can be stored in the record. However, even in this case, at the time of inoculating the bacterial solution, it is necessary to describe the sample number of the bacterial solution on the microorganism culture sheet to inoculate the bacterial solution.

On the other hand, since the microorganism culture sheet is generally a small, lightweight body with a length of about 90 mm, a width of about 70 mm, and a weight of less than 10 g, it is not easy to stably perform the inoculation work. The above problem can be solved by fixing the microorganism culture sheet to a larger tray. In addition, if a plurality of microorganism culture sheets are fixed to the tray, it is possible to efficiently carry in and out the culture apparatus. However, in order to record the sample number and the number of colonies correspondingly, it is troublesome to describe the sample number for each microorganism culture sheet or to read and store the barcode.

On the other hand, if a tray in which an agar medium is fixed, a culture device, and a colony counting device are used and a plurality of specimens are stored in the tray, the tray can be heated to the culture temperature and the tray can be heated. Since the colonies of each medium can be automatically counted while being stored, the specimen information and the counted number of colonies can be centrally managed. However, the above aspect is premised on the use of an apparatus in which a tray, a culture apparatus, and a colony counting apparatus are integrated, and a large number of apparatuses are required to process a large amount of specimens, which is not practical. Moreover, in order to make the culture medium correspond to the specimen at the time of inoculating the bacterial solution, it is necessary to describe the specimen number and the like in advance in the culture medium.

As described above, various improvements have been made so far to automate the microbiological examination. However, there is an apparatus that can process a large amount of specimens on a medium such as an agar medium or a microorganism culture sheet without describing specimen numbers. Therefore, it is one factor that complicates the counting work of the microbial test.

In view of the above-mentioned present situation, the present invention can carry out a microbial test by associating a culture medium with a specimen without describing the specimen number or the dilution rate of the bacterial solution in the culture medium, and further, the counted colony count as specimen information. An object of the present invention is to provide a microorganism testing apparatus that can be stored in association with each other.

In microbiological examination, inoculate the culture medium corresponding to the test item with the diluted bacterial solution of the specimen to generate colonies, and count the colonies. For example, when counting the number of general viable bacteria in a duplicate for a sample, the bacterial solution is inoculated on each of the two media for the number of general viable bacteria. If the identifier for identifying the bacterial solution to be inoculated on the medium is “bacterial solution identifier”, different bacterial solution identifiers are assigned to the two culture media. As a result of examining the microorganism test in detail, the present inventors can simplify the operation of carrying in and out the medium to and from the culture apparatus by fixing a plurality of culture media to the tray, and the bacteria for each bacterial solution inoculating the specimen with the culture medium. Managed by the liquid identifier, the microorganism testing apparatus identifies the type of medium based on the bacterial liquid identifier and the sample information corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier, and a tray for fixing the medium, and the fixing position of the medium in the tray If this information is specified and the information is displayed, the operator can fix the medium on the tray and inoculate the bacterial solution while observing this display. If the fungus identifier and the fixed position information in the tray and the tray are stored in association with each other, an image of the tray on which the medium is fixed is captured, and the colony is based on the medium image included in the captured image. Counting and detecting the corresponding bacterial liquid identifier by collating with the fixed position information of the culture medium image, finding that the counted number of colonies can be stored in association with the bacterial liquid identifier, and completed the present invention .

That is, the present invention is a microorganism testing apparatus for performing microorganism testing of a medium fixed to a tray,
The bacterial solution of the specimen is one in which a bacterial solution identifier is assigned for each bacterial solution,
Input means for inputting the test item for inspecting the bacterial solution specified by the bacterial solution identifier and the bacterial solution identifier;
Medium type specifying means for specifying the type of medium inoculated with the bacterial liquid specified by the bacterial liquid identifier based on the test item input by the input means;
A fixed position specifying means for specifying a tray identifier for specifying a tray for fixing the type of medium specified by the medium type specifying means, and a position identifier in the tray for specifying a position for fixing the medium in the tray;
Display means for displaying the bacterial cell identifier and information indicating the type of medium specified by the medium type specifying means together with the tray identifier specified by the fixed position specifying means and the position identifier in the tray;
The present invention provides a microorganism testing apparatus comprising storage means for storing the tray identifier and the in-tray position identifier in association with the fungus liquid identifier.

In the present invention, the input means further inputs a dilution rate of the bacterial liquid specified by the bacterial liquid identifier,
The display means provides the microorganism testing apparatus, which displays the bacterial liquid identifier and the dilution rate of the bacterial liquid specified by the bacterial liquid identifier together with information indicating the type of the culture medium. .

In the present invention, the input means accepts an input of a tray identifier for specifying a tray for fixing a medium corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier,
The storage means provides the microorganism testing apparatus, which updates the tray identifier specified by the fixed position specifying means with the tray identifier received by the input means.

Further, the present invention provides a captured image acquisition unit that acquires a captured image of the tray in which the culture medium is fixed according to a fixed position displayed by the display unit;
The tray identifier displayed on the tray image acquired by the captured image acquisition unit and the information indicating the position of the culture medium image displayed on the tray image in the tray image are acquired and stored by the storage unit The corresponding tray identifier and the position identifier in the tray are identified to identify the corresponding bacterial liquid identifier, and the bacterial liquid identifier acquisition means for acquiring the bacterial liquid identifier of the medium image;
A colony counting unit that counts colonies of the medium image corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier acquired by the bacterial liquid identifier acquisition unit;
The storage means provides the microorganism testing apparatus, which stores the number of colonies obtained by the colony counting means in association with the bacterial liquid identifier corresponding to the medium image.

The present invention further includes a culture medium table that associates the test item with the type of culture medium to be used,
The culture medium type identification means provides the microorganism testing apparatus, which identifies a culture medium corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier from the culture medium table based on the test item input by the input means.

According to the present invention, the apparatus specifies a medium suitable for the inspection of the bacterial solution based on information input by the operator, and the type of medium and the tray for fixing the medium together with the bacterial solution identifier for specifying the bacterial solution. In order to support microorganism testing such as displaying information on the fixed position of the medium to be fixed on the operator, the operator can inoculate the culture medium without subjecting the medium with a specimen number or the like.

Further, according to the present invention, after culturing a tray on which a medium is fixed, when the whole tray is imaged with a microorganism culture apparatus, colonies are counted based on the medium image included in the captured image, and the position of the medium on the tray And the counted number of colonies can be stored in association with each other, so that measurement results can be obtained very easily without human error.

It is a figure explaining the structure of the microbe test | inspection apparatus of this invention. It is a figure explaining the tray for agar medium used when performing a microbe test | inspection using the microbe culture apparatus of this invention. 2A is a plan view, FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view when the petri dish is fixed. It is a figure explaining the microorganism culture sheet | seat which can be used when performing a microorganism test using the microorganism culture apparatus of this invention. The mode by which a culture medium identifier is displayed is shown. It is a figure explaining the tray for microorganism culture sheets suitable for fixing the microorganism culture sheet shown in FIG. It is a top view at the time of fixing the microorganism culture sheet without a culture medium identifier to all the eight divisions of the tray for microorganism culture sheets by which a tray identifier is described as "1". It is a figure which shows the functional block of the microorganisms testing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the inspection request content of microbe inspection. It is a flowchart of the fixed position specific process which the microbe inspection apparatus of this invention performs. It is a figure explaining the input information input into the sample database by the operator via the input means based on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the aspect by which the fixed position information which consists of a tray identifier and a tray position identifier was added to the sample database illustrated in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the display content by the display means based on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining a display content in the aspect different from FIG. It is a figure explaining the content of the sample database of the modification 1. This is a mode in which the two-dimensional code A of the microorganism culture sheet fixed to the in-tray position identifier “1” is read, and the tray identifier “1” is updated with this information. It is a figure explaining the content of the sample database of the modification 2. This is a mode in which the two-dimensional code B which is the tray identifier of the tray to which the medium is fixed is read, and the tray identifier “1” is updated with this information. It is a flowchart of the colony counting process based on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the relationship between the area | region and coordinate of each culture medium image which are contained in the captured image based on embodiment of this invention. Bacterial liquid identifier in colony counting process, tray identifier and tray position identifier specified by fixed position specifying unit corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier, tray identifier and medium image tray position identifier specified from captured image, and colony It is a figure explaining the relationship with a number. It is a figure explaining the culture medium table which can be used when performing a microbe test | inspection with the microbe test apparatus of this invention.

The present invention is an apparatus for carrying out a microbial test for inoculating a bacterial solution into a medium for general viable count, coliform group, coliform count, Staphylococcus aureus, etc., and counting colonies generated in the cultured medium. is there. A culture medium is fixed to a tray, inoculated with a bacterial solution, cultured, and imaged. A “bacterial fluid identifier” is assigned to the bacterial solution of the specimen to be examined for each bacterial solution inoculated into the medium. Therefore, if the bacterial liquid identifier is “n”, the bacterial liquid “n” corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier “n” and the culture medium “n” inoculating the bacterial liquid “n” are uniquely identified. The For example, when using three culture media for the number of general viable bacteria, different bacterial fluid identifiers such as “n1”, “n2”, and “n3” are given to the bacterial fluid, even if they are prepared from the same specimen. Then, the medium for inoculating the bacterial solution is specified by the bacterial solution identifier.
When an operator inputs a bacterial liquid identifier and an inspection item of the bacterial liquid specified by the bacterial liquid identifier to the microorganism testing apparatus, the medium composition corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier based on the inspection item input by the apparatus The type of the medium identified in (1) is specified, and a tray for fixing the medium and an identifier (hereinafter, referred to as an in-tray position identifier) indicating a position for fixing the medium in the tray are specified. The apparatus displays the bacterial liquid identifier and the type of medium corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier together with the tray identifier and the tray position identifier for fixing the medium. Bacteria solution can be inoculated without filling in. When this tray is carried into the culture apparatus, predetermined culture can be performed.
When the microbiological examination apparatus includes a captured image acquisition unit and a colony counting unit that counts colonies based on the captured image, the tray identifier or the tray image displayed on the obtained captured image is imaged after the culture is performed. The information on the fixed position of the medium image in the inside is acquired, and the corresponding bacterial solution identifier can be acquired by collating with the tray identifier stored in the storage means or the position identifier in the tray. Furthermore, when colony counting is performed based on the medium image, the number of colonies can be stored in association with the acquired bacterial liquid identifier.

(1) Hardware Configuration A description will be given with reference to FIG. 1 showing an example of an embodiment of a hardware configuration of a microorganism testing apparatus 100 provided with an imaging unit and a colony counting unit. As shown in FIG. 1, a microbiological test apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a storage device 104, an input device 105, a communication device 106, and an imaging control. Unit 107, image storage unit 109, display control unit 110, sound processing unit 112, and code reader 115. These components included in the microorganism testing apparatus 100 are connected to each other by a bus 120. Note that an imaging device 108 is connected to the imaging control unit 107. In addition, a display device 111 is connected to the display control unit 110. In addition, an audio output device 113 is connected to the audio processing unit 112. The communication device 106 is connected to an Internet database server 114.

The CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the microorganism testing apparatus 100. Note that the CPU 101 operates according to a program stored in the ROM 102 and uses the RAM 103 as a work area.

The ROM 102 stores a program and data for controlling the overall operation of the microorganism testing apparatus 100.

The RAM 103 functions as a work area for the CPU 101. That is, the CPU 101 temporarily writes programs and data in the RAM 103 and refers to these programs and data as appropriate.

The CPU 101, the ROM 102, and the RAM 103 constitute a control unit. The control unit controls each unit connected to the bus 120 to specify the type of medium, the fixed position where the medium is fixed, and the like.

The storage device 104 stores programs, captured images, a specimen database, a culture medium table, a fixed position information table, and other parameters described later. In addition, a program for performing barcode and two-dimensional code reading processing, a program for performing optical character recognition processing, and data are stored. The storage device 104 may be a built-in storage device or a removable storage device. The storage device 104 includes, for example, a hard disk device, a memory card slot including a memory card, a CD-ROM drive including a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), and the like.

The input device 105 is a device that receives an operation input from an operator or the like. The input device 105 includes, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen, a code reader, a controller, and buttons.

The communication device 106 establishes communication with an external device of the microorganism testing device 100 by wireless communication or wired communication under the control of the CPU 101, and receives and transmits data. For example, the communication device 106 receives a captured image captured by the imaging device 108 or the like from the database server 114 connected to the microorganism testing device 100 via an electric communication network such as the Internet. The communication device 106 includes a NIC (Network Interface Card), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, and the like.

The imaging control unit 107 controls the imaging device 108 connected to the imaging control unit 107 under the control of the CPU 101. For example, the imaging control unit 107 controls the operation of the imaging device 108 by transmitting a control signal indicating an imaging start instruction, an imaging end instruction, or the like to the imaging device 108. In addition, the imaging control unit 107 sets imaging conditions in the imaging device 108 by transmitting imaging settings such as resolution, exposure time, and brightness to the imaging device 108, for example. Then, the imaging control unit 107 receives the captured image acquired by the imaging device 108 from the imaging device 108.

The imaging device 108 images a subject and generates a captured image indicating the subject. The imaging device 108 images a subject in accordance with a control signal supplied from the imaging control unit 107. The imaging device 108 transmits the generated captured image to the imaging control unit 107. The captured image is, for example, a color image in which each pixel is represented by a luminance value of R (Red), a luminance value of G (Green), and a luminance value of B (Blue). However, the captured image may be a monochrome image in which each pixel is represented by one luminance value. The captured image is represented by digital data, for example. The aspect ratio and resolution of the captured image can be adjusted as appropriate. The imaging device 108 includes a digital camera, a digital video camera, a flat bed scanner, a dedicated reader, and the like.

Note that the subject to be imaged by the imaging device 108 is a tray after a medium is fixed on the tray, inoculated with a bacterial solution, and cultured. FIG. 1 shows an agar medium tray 300 on which six agar medium dishes 400 are fixed. The imaging device 108 images this tray and generates a captured image. The captured image is, for example, 300 dpi, 2472 × 3496 Pixels, 2.7 Mbytes. However, the resolution and the like are not limited to this example.

The image storage unit 109 stores a captured image acquired from the imaging device 108, a captured image stored in the storage device 104, a captured image acquired from an external device by the communication device 106, or the like. The image storage unit 109 is configured by, for example, a flash memory.

The display control unit 110 controls the display device 111 under the control of the CPU 101. For example, the display control unit 110 generates an image signal representing an image to be displayed on the display device 111 and supplies the generated image signal to the display device 111.

Display device 111 displays an image based on the image signal supplied from display control unit 110. The display device 111 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence). The display device 111 may be a touch screen. The touch screen functions not only as a display device but also as an input device 105.

The audio processing unit 112 converts the digital audio signal supplied from the CPU 101 into an analog audio signal by a D / A (Digital / Analog) converter (not shown), and supplies the analog audio signal to the audio output device 113. The audio processing unit 112 may include a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) that performs various processes on the digital audio signal supplied from the CPU 101.

The audio output device 113 converts the analog audio signal supplied from the audio processing unit 112 into audio and outputs it. The audio output device 113 is configured by a speaker, for example. The audio output device 113 may include an amplifying device that amplifies a digital audio signal or an analog audio signal.

(2) Tray and culture medium It is assumed that an operator uses a tray on which a culture medium is fixed in a microbiological test performed using a microbiological test apparatus. As the medium, an agar medium, a microorganism culture sheet, and other plate media can be widely used. The method of fixing to the tray differs depending on the shape of the medium. For example, FIG. 2 shows an agar medium tray 300 when an agar medium is used. FIG. 2A is a plan view of a square agar medium tray 300 on which six petri dishes for agar medium can be fixed, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the tray on which the petri dish 400 filled with the agar medium 410 is placed. The petri dish lid 413 is locked to the protrusion 305 of the agar medium tray 300 and fixed in position. As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the tray 300 has a through-hole 303 formed in a flat plate, and a protrusion 305 protruding toward the center of the through-hole at the edge of the through-hole 303. The petri dish 400 which is formed and accommodates the agar medium 410 by the protrusion 305 can be locked. In the microbiological examination, the top and bottom of the petri dish are usually reversed and cultured with the lid portion 413 of the petri dish 400 facing down. For this reason, the outer periphery of the lid portion 413 of the petri dish 400 is locked by the protrusion 305. By forming the through hole 303, it is possible to irradiate light from the lower part and to image the colonies grown in the agar medium from the upper part. The shape of the agar medium tray 300 may be a square shape, a disc shape, or the like. There is no limitation on the size of the medium to be fixed to the agar medium tray 300. Therefore, the culture medium of a different size may be fixed according to the size of the petri dish 400 to be used. Furthermore, when using what has 1 or more protrusion parts formed in the outer periphery of the cover part of a petri dish, the tray in which the recessed part which can be fitted with a protrusion part was formed can be used. By forming the fitting portion on the tray, the petri dish can be attached and the lid portion can be prevented from rotating.
The material of the agar medium tray 300 is not limited, but a material having a strength capable of fixing a plurality of petri dishes 400 can be widely used. For example, metals such as aluminum and synthetic resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester are suitable.

In the present invention, a microorganism culture sheet can be used as a medium, and a tray different from the agar medium tray 300 is used. FIG. 3 shows an example of the microorganism culture sheet. 3A is a plan view, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view. As shown in FIG. 3B, the microorganism culture sheet 500 includes a base material sheet 501, a culture layer 502 formed on the upper surface of the base material sheet 501, and a cover sheet 503 that covers the culture layer 502. It is a thing. In FIG. 3A, the culture layer 502 is disposed in the approximate center of the base sheet 501, but the culture layer 502 may be formed on the entire surface of the base sheet 501. As the microorganism culture sheet 500 used in the present invention, a medium identification color bar 505 that displays red for general viable count, green for Escherichia coli, yellow for Staphylococcus aureus, and the like may be displayed. With the medium identification color bar 505, the type of the culture layer can be visually determined from its appearance. Further, an identifier unique to the microorganism culture sheet (hereinafter simply referred to as a medium identifier) 504 may be displayed on the surface.

FIG. 4 illustrates a tray 350 for fixing such a microorganism culture sheet 500 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as “culture sheet tray”). The culture sheet tray 350 shown in FIG. 4 is formed by forming eight sections (a) separated by a partition line (L) having two rows of four squares on the inner side of the dark border. The microorganism culture sheet 500 can be fixed to each of the compartments (a). The culture sheet tray 350 may have no partition line (L) as long as the position where the microorganism culture sheet 500 is fixed can be specified. For example, if a slit (b) or the like for inserting a corner of the microorganism culture sheet 500 is formed corresponding to the position to be fixed, the fixing position can be specified without the partition line (L). The slit (b) and the partition line (L) can be appropriately selected according to the material of the culture sheet tray 350. The partition line (L) may be formed by embossing unevenness in addition to printing. In FIG. 4, the aspect which has both a partition line (L) and a slit (b) is shown. The material of the culture sheet tray 350 is not only paper but also synthetic resin, metal, and a composite material thereof.

The method for fixing the microorganism culture sheet to the culture sheet tray 350 can be appropriately selected according to the material of the culture sheet tray 350 and the like. FIG. 4 shows an aspect of the culture sheet tray 350 that forms slits (b) into which the corners of the microorganism culture sheet can be inserted, but the corners of the microorganism culture sheet are replaced with such slits (b). What forms the photo corner etc. to fix, or what an adhesive layer has may be used. After the microorganism culture sheet is fixed, it is preferable that a fixing force sufficient to prevent the microorganism culture sheet from being detached even when the culture sheet tray 350 is turned upside down can be secured. This is because, as will be described later, in the slat bed scanner, the culture sheet tray 350 is turned over to take an image. FIG. 4 shows an example in which a total of eight sections are formed in two rows of four squares in the horizontal direction. As a stand, 4 squares each with 2 squares, 8 sections in total, 3 squares each with 2 squares, 6 sections in total, other shapes of microorganism culture sheet to be fixed, and subsequent imaging means It can be appropriately selected according to the above.

As the tray for fixing the medium, a tray with an identifier unique to the tray (hereinafter referred to as “tray identifier”) can be suitably used regardless of the type of the medium to be fixed. Examples of the tray identifier include a serial number, a bar code, a two-dimensional code, letters, numbers, pictures, and other symbols. FIG. 2 shows a mode in which the serial number “1” is displayed as the tray identifier at the approximate center of the agar medium tray 300. If the tray identifier is a serial number, it is easy for humans to visually recognize, and the operator can easily prepare the tray specified by the display means. As will be described later, when the tray identifier is attached to the surface of the tray, since the captured image also includes the tray identifier, the tray identifier and the fixed position information in the tray image of each medium image included in the captured image are displayed. The corresponding bacterial liquid identifier can be identified by referring to these information and the information on the fixed position stored by the storage means. After identifying the bacterial liquid identifier of the culture medium image and counting colonies based on the culture medium image, the number of colonies can be stored in association with the bacterial liquid identifier.

Furthermore, the tray may be attached with a position recognition marker indicating the top and bottom or left and right. By referring to such a position recognition marker, it is possible to perform image alignment and to improve the efficiency of processing of the captured image.

Furthermore, a color chart for color correction or a color sample arrangement table such as gray scale may be displayed on the tray. Although there is no limitation on the size of the tray, for example, JIS standard A4 size and B4 size can be exemplified. This is because it is easy to carry in and out of the culture apparatus and to image.

As will be described later, the microorganism testing apparatus identifies the position where the medium is fixed in the tray by the position identifier in the tray. There is no limitation on the specification of the position identifier in the tray. For example, in a tray that can fix a total of 8 media in 4 rows and 2 rows, in the order of the upper row, from the left side to the right end, in the order of integers 1 to 4, from the bottom row, from the left side to the right end An integer of 5 to 8 can be assigned as the position identifier in the tray. Such specification of the in-tray position identifier is stored in the storage device 104 or the like of the microorganism testing apparatus. Therefore, the tray position identifier need not be attached to the tray.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a mode in which the microorganism culture sheet 500 is fixed to all eight sections of the culture sheet tray 350 in which the tray identifier “1” is clearly specified.

(3) Functional Configuration Next, a functional configuration of the microorganism testing apparatus 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the microorganism testing apparatus 100 includes an input information acquisition unit 10, a medium type specification unit 20, a fixed position specification unit 30, a display control unit 40, a storage unit 50, an image acquisition unit 60, and a bacterial liquid identifier acquisition unit. 70, an image processing unit 80, and a colony counting unit 90. The microorganism testing apparatus 100 should also be called a microorganism testing support apparatus in that it can support a worker's microorganism testing.

The input information acquisition unit 10 acquires input information input by the worker from the input device 105. The input information includes information such as the acquisition date of the specimen, the bacterial liquid identifier of the bacterial liquid prepared from the specimen, the inspection item of the bacterial liquid specified by the bacterial liquid identifier, and the dilution rate of the bacterial liquid. Further, information such as a barcode and a two-dimensional code from the code reader 115 can be used as input information. The input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 10 is stored in the RAM 103 or the storage unit 50, for example. The input information acquisition unit 10 includes a CPU 101, for example.

The culture medium type identification unit 20 identifies the type of medium suitable for the inspection of the bacterial liquid based on the inspection item of the bacterial liquid specified by the bacterial liquid identifier acquired by the input information acquisition unit 10. When there is only one type of medium corresponding to the inspection item, the type of medium is uniquely specified by the input inspection item. The culture medium type specifying unit 20 includes, for example, a CPU 101.

The fixed position specifying unit 30 specifies a tray identifier for specifying a tray for fixing the type of medium specified by the medium type specifying unit 20, and an in-tray position identifier for specifying the fixed position of the medium in the tray for fixing the medium. Is identified in correspondence with the bacterial liquid identifier. Accordingly, the fixed position of the culture medium is specified by the tray identifier and the in-tray position identifier. The tray identifier and the in-tray position identifier specified by the fixed position specifying unit 30 are stored in the RAM 103 or the storage unit 50 in correspondence with the bacterial liquid identifier. The fixed position specifying unit 30 includes, for example, a CPU 101.

The display control unit 40 corresponds to the bacterial liquid identifier the bacterial liquid identifier acquired by the input information acquisition unit 10 and information indicating the type of medium specified by the medium type specifying unit 20 corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier. Then, it is displayed on the display device 111 together with the tray identifier and the tray internal position identifier specified by the fixed position specifying unit 30. The display may be performed for each bacterial solution identifier or for each tray identifier. Further, when the dilution rate of the bacterial solution specified by the bacterial solution identifier is input as input information, the dilution rate of the bacterial solution specified by the bacterial solution identifier is displayed together with the bacterial solution identifier. The display control unit 40 includes, for example, a CPU 101 and a display control unit 110.

The storage unit 50 stores the input information acquired by the input information acquisition unit 10, and further acquires the fixed position information such as the tray identifier and the tray position identifier acquired by the fixed position specifying unit 30, the image acquisition unit 60 acquires, The image stored in the image processing unit 80, the number of colonies counted by the colony counting unit 90, and the like are stored in correspondence with the bacterial liquid identifier. The storage unit 50 includes, for example, a RAM 103 and a storage device 104. Note that the storage unit 50 may include a database server 114 connected to the communication device 60 via a telecommunication network such as the Internet.

The image acquisition unit 60 acquires an image captured by the imaging device 108 or an image showing an entire state of the tray after the culture medium is cultured from the storage unit of the database server 114 via the communication device 106. The image acquisition unit 60 includes, for example, a CPU 101.

The bacterial liquid identifier acquisition unit 70 acquires the tray identifier displayed in the tray image displayed in the captured image and information indicating the position of the medium in the tray image of the medium image included in the captured image. Subsequently, the acquired tray identifier and the fixed position information of the medium in the tray are collated with the tray identifier and the position identifier in the tray stored in the storage unit 50, and the corresponding liquid identifier is acquired. To do. The bacterial liquid identifier acquisition unit 70 includes, for example, a CPU 101.

The image processing unit 80 aligns the captured image acquired by the image acquisition unit 60 with reference to a coordinate axis and the like, and performs color adjustment with reference to a color sample built in the storage unit 50. Further, a cutting process is performed for each culture medium image displayed in the tray image displayed in the captured image. The image processing unit 80 includes, for example, a CPU 101.

The colony counting unit 90 counts the number of colonies contained in the medium based on the cut-out medium image. The colony counting unit 90 includes, for example, a CPU 101.

(4) Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, an example of a preferred embodiment in which the microorganism inspection apparatus 100 performs the microorganism inspection will be described.
As the medium, an agar medium of general viable cell count, coliform group, and Staphylococcus aureus abbreviated as AC, CC and SA, respectively. The culture medium type identification unit 20 of the microorganism testing apparatus 100 selects “AC” when the test item acquired by the input information acquisition unit 10 is “general viable count”, and selects “CC” for the coliform group. Then, it is set to select “SA” for S. aureus and stored in the storage device 104 or the like. The “AC” is an abbreviation for a medium composition suitable for counting the number of general viable bacteria, and “CC” and “SA” are abbreviations for a medium composition suitable for counting coliform bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. It is.
In the approximate center of the surface of the tray, a tray identifier is represented by an integer of “1”, “2”, “3”... “N” for each tray. When the tray is specified, the fixed position specifying unit 30 of the microorganism testing apparatus 100 is set to be assigned in ascending order from the tray identifier “1”, and is stored in the storage device 104 or the like.
The tray is formed in two rows of 4 squares in total, for a total of 8 sections. The fixed position specifying unit 30 of the microbiological testing apparatus 100 sets an integer of “1” to “4” in order from the upper stage and the left side to the right side for the eight sections of the tray, and from the lower stage and the left side to the right side. The integers “5” to “8” are set to be assigned as tray position identifiers in order and stored in the storage device 104 or the like.
Furthermore, the fixed position specifying unit of the microorganism testing apparatus 100 is set to select the position identifier in the tray so that the culture items corresponding to the adjacent bacterial liquid identifiers are fixed above and below the same row of the tray with the same test item. And stored in the storage device 104 or the like.
Bacteria prepared by diluting the specimen at a dilution ratio of 1/10 using the bread produced in July 3rd, 2011, as shown in the contents of the inspection request in FIG. The microorganism testing apparatus will be described in the case where the liquid is counted by the test number “2” for each test item.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of execution contents of the microorganism testing apparatus 100. For example, when the microbe inspection apparatus 100 detects that an instruction to start processing by an operator is received by the input device 105, the microbe inspection apparatus 100 starts the processing illustrated in FIG.

First, the CPU 101 instructs the display control unit 40 to display the sample database stored in advance in the storage device 104 or the like as an input screen. FIG. 9 shows an example of the sample database. In the present invention, a bacterial cell identifier is assigned to each bacterial solution inoculated into the culture medium. As shown in FIG. 7, when the bread produced in Production 3 Section is used as a specimen, and the number of general viable bacteria, coliform bacteria, and Staphylococcus aureus are counted in duplicates, the number of general viable bacteria, coliform bacteria, yellow Two each of three types of staphylococcal media are used. The bacterial liquid inoculated in each medium is specified by a total of six different bacterial liquid identifiers. The specimen database includes at least a bacterial fluid identifier and a test item of the bacterial fluid specified by the bacterial fluid identifier as display items. One record is provided for each bacterial fluid identifier, and various types of information regarding the bacterial fluid identifier are stored. It is configured to allow input. The display items of the specimen database include the information on the collection date of the specimen, the collection place, the sampler, the inspection items of the bacterial liquid, etc. before preparing the bacterial liquid specified by the bacterial liquid identifier, in addition to the bacterial liquid identifier Can be included. Further, when the sample is food, the expiration date, date of manufacture, storage conditions, etc. of the food can be set as display items and stored in the storage device 104 or the like. The worker inputs at least the content corresponding to the bacterial fluid test item specified by the bacterial fluid identifier and the bacterial fluid identifier from the input device 105 corresponding to the display item of the specimen database indicated by the display device 111. Note that the specimen database may be set to display the bacterial solution identifiers in ascending order by serial number. Such a setting can be stored in advance in the storage device 104 and executed.

The CPU 101 acquires, as input information, information on each of the bacterial fluid identifiers “0901” to “0906” input by the operator from the input device 105 or automatically selected and displayed by setting (step S101). ). The CPU 101 stores the input information in the RAM 103 or the storage device 104.

When the CPU 101 completes the process of step S101, the CPU 101 specifies the type of medium inoculated with the bacterial liquid corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier “0901” (step S102). The inspection item corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier “0901” is “the number of general viable bacteria”. The culture medium type identifying unit 20 of the microorganism testing apparatus 100 identifies “AC” when the test item acquired by the input information acquiring unit 10 is “general viable count”, and identifies “CC” for the coliform group. Then, it is set to specify “SA” for S. aureus and stored in the storage device 104 or the like. The CPU 101 specifies “AC” as the type of culture medium inoculated with the bacterial liquid corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier “0901”. Next, as shown in FIG. 10, a medium of a type called “AC” as the general viable cell count is specified for the bacterial fluid identifier “0902”, and the bacterial fluid identifiers “0903”, “ A medium called “CC” that counts the number of coliforms in food is identified for “0904”, and “SA” that counts Staphylococcus aureus in all foods is identified for “bacteria identifiers” “0905” and “0906”. The types of media to be identified are identified sequentially. The CPU 101 stores the type of the medium specified corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier in the RAM 103 corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier.

Next, when the CPU 101 completes the process of step S102 for all the input bacterial fluid identifiers, the CPU 101 acquires a tray identifier that specifies a tray for fixing a medium inoculating the bacterial fluid corresponding to the bacterial fluid identifier “0901”. (Step S103). The fixed position specifying unit 30 of the microorganism testing apparatus 100 is set to be assigned in ascending order from the tray identifier “1” when specifying the tray, and is stored in the storage device 104 or the like. Therefore, the CPU 101 obtains the tray identifier “1” for the bacterial liquid identifier “0901”. Next, the tray identifier “1” is sequentially obtained for the bacterial fluid identifiers “0902” to “0906”. The CPU 101 stores the acquired tray identifier in the RAM 103 in association with the bacterial liquid identifier.

Next, the CPU 101 specifies the position where the medium for inoculating the bacterial liquid corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier “0901” is fixed to the tray specified by the tray identifier “1” acquired corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier “0901”. An in-tray position identifier is acquired (step S104). The microorganism testing apparatus 100 sets the integers of “1” to “4” in order from the upper stage and the left side left edge to the right edge as the arrangement of the position identifiers in the eight sections of the tray, from the lower stage and the left side left to the right edge. Sequentially set to assign integers of “5” to “8”, and adjacent bacterial liquid identifiers having the same test item are set to allocate tray position identifiers above and below the tray and stored in the storage device 104 or the like. Has been. Therefore, the CPU 101 assigns the in-tray position identifier “1” to the bacterial liquid identifier “0901”. Thereafter, the CPU 101 assigns the in-tray position identifier “5” to the bacterial liquid identifier “0902”, and similarly, the in-tray position identifiers “2” and “0904” are assigned to the bacterial liquid identifiers “0903” and “0904”. 6 is assigned to the in-tray position identifiers “3” and “7” with respect to the bacterial liquid identifiers “0905” and “0906”. The culture medium “AC” inoculated with the bacterial liquid corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier “0901” is specified to be fixed at the position specified by the tray internal position identifier “1” of the tray specified by the tray identifier “1”. Is done. For example, the CPU 101 stores the allocated tray position identifier in the RAM 103 in association with the fungus liquid identifier. Further, it may be stored as a part of the specimen database in the storage device 104.

FIG. 10 shows an aspect in which the type of medium inoculated with the bacterial liquid specified by the bacterial liquid identifier, the tray identifier for fixing the medium, and the position identifier in the tray are stored in the specimen database for each bacterial liquid identifier. . In FIG. 10, the tray identifier and the in-tray position identifier are stored as “fixed position information”, and an abbreviation indicating the type of medium is stored as the medium information together with the fixed position information.

When the CPU 101 assigns an in-tray position identifier to all the input bacterial solution identifiers, for each tray identifier, the tray position identifier, the type of medium fixed to each tray position identifier, and the bacterial solution inoculated into the medium The display control unit 40 is instructed to display the bacterial fluid identifier (step S105). An example of the display content is shown in FIG. FIG. 11 shows the tray identifier assigned by the CPU 101, the tray position identifier, the corresponding bacterial fluid identifier, the abbreviation of the type of medium inoculated with the bacterial fluid identified by the bacterial fluid identifier, and the dilution rate of the bacterial fluid It is an example displayed by. Note that the tray identifier for specifying the tray to be used is clearly shown in the center.

The display format is not limited to the table format shown in FIG. 11, and may be displayed with an image that approximates the real thing, such as a tray or an agar medium used, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 12. In FIG. 12, it is devised so that the letters “Miss” are indicated in a section where the culture medium is not fixed, and the medium non-attachment is clearly displayed. In FIG. 12, the type of medium is indicated by abbreviations “AC”, “CC”, “SA”, etc., but “AC” is yellow, “CC” is blue, “SA” is red, etc. The area may be displayed in color. For example, the CPU 101 stores display contents in the RAM 103.

The CPU 101 displays the tray position identifier, the type of medium fixed to each tray position identifier, and the bacterial liquid identifier of the bacterial liquid inoculated on the medium for all the bacterial liquid identifiers assigned the tray identifier “1”. After instructing the display control unit 40, the presence / absence of the bacterial liquid identifier assigned the tray identifier “2” is confirmed (step S106). If there is an undisplayed bacterial liquid identifier to which the tray identifier “2” is assigned, step S105 is executed for the tray identifier “2”. The presence / absence of the undisplayed bacterial solution identifier is confirmed until there is no tray identifier “n” to which the undisplayed bacterial solution identifier is assigned.

When the CPU 101 determines that there is no undisplayed fungal fluid identifier to which the tray identifier “n” is assigned, the CPU 101 locates the tray identifier corresponding to each fungus fluid identifier, the position identifier in the tray, and the position specified by the position identifier in the tray. The type of medium to be fixed is stored in the storage device 104 as a specimen database (step S107). The CPU 101 may store the sample database from the communication device 106 in the database server 114 connected to the microorganism testing device 100 via an electric communication network such as the Internet. After saving, the above process is terminated.

In the above embodiment, since the number of bacterial liquid identifiers is six and the medium corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier can be fixed to one tray, the CUP 101 completes step S101 for all the bacterial liquid identifiers. Step S102 was executed later, and Step S103 was executed after completing Step 102 for all bacterial fluid identifiers. Similarly, each step was executed for all bacterial fluid identifiers. However, it is necessary to use two or more trays, such as when a different tray identifier is assigned for each type of medium in advance, or when the number of bacteria identifiers exceeds nine. When a plurality of trays are used in this way, for example, the above steps S103 to S106 may be performed for the tray identifier “n”, and then the above steps S103 to S106 may be performed for the tray identifier “n + 1”. In this case, unlike FIG. 8, when there is a bacterial liquid identifier to which an undisplayed tray identifier “n” is assigned, the process returns to step S103, and steps S103 to S106 are repeated for the tray identifier “n”. . If it is determined that there is no undisplayed tray identifier “n”, the CPU 101 determines, for each bacterial solution identifier, the corresponding tray identifier, fixed position information such as the tray position identifier, and the type of medium fixed to the tray position identifier. The sample database is stored in the storage device 104 (step S107).

According to the microorganism testing apparatus 100, the bacterial liquid identifier and the type of medium corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier are displayed on the display device 111 together with the tray identifier and the tray position identifier in step S105. Therefore, the operator can prepare a tray to which a tray identifier is assigned according to the display content, and can fix the culture medium at the position indicated by the tray position identifier.

(5) Modification 1
In the first embodiment, when input information is acquired in step S101, steps S102 to S107 are performed based on the input information. However, in the first modification, the CPU 101 accepts an input by the operator after displaying the medium type and the bacterial liquid identifier and the tray identifier and the tray position identifier for fixing the corresponding medium in step S105. This is a mode in which the information of the tray identifier is updated with the received information.

The storage device 104 of the microorganism testing apparatus 100 is fixed at the position specified by the in-tray position identifier “1” input by the operator via the input device 105, with the in-tray position identifier specified by the fixed position specifying unit 30. It is preset and stored to be updated with the two-dimensional code of the culture medium. The medium identifier may be a serial number or a two-dimensional code as long as it is attached to the surface of the medium. Hereinafter, the case where the medium identifier is a two-dimensional code will be described.

As in the first embodiment, the CPU 101 executes steps S101 to S105. The CPU 101 instructs the display control unit 40 to display the bacteria identifier and the type of medium corresponding to the bacteria identifier together with the tray identifier “1” and the tray position identifier (step S105).

The operator uses the same tray as the tray used in the first embodiment for arranging the position identifiers in the tray regardless of the display contents of the apparatus, and fixes the medium at the position specified by the position identifier in the tray indicated by the display contents. To do. A medium identifier is attached to the surface of the medium.

After fixing the medium on the tray, the operator reads the medium identifier of the medium fixed at the position of the tray position identifier “1” with the input device 105 such as a code reader or the imaging device 108. The CPU 101 receives the medium identifier information from the input device 105 and the imaging device 108, and updates the tray identifier “1” assigned by the CPU 101 with the medium identifier information (step S105 ′). The CPU 101 stores the tray identifier updated with the culture medium identifier in the RAM 103.

Next to step S105 ', the CPU 101 confirms the presence or absence of the bacterial liquid identifier to which the tray identifier "2" is assigned in the same manner as in the first embodiment (step S106). If there is an undisplayed bacterial fluid identifier to which the tray identifier “2” is assigned, Steps S105 and S105 ′ are executed for the tray identifier “2”.

When the CPU 101 determines that there is no undisplayed fungal fluid identifier to which the tray identifier “n” is assigned, the CPU 101 uses the tray identifier corresponding to each fungus fluid identifier, the fixed position information such as the tray position identifier, and the tray position identifier. The type of medium fixed at the specified position is stored in the storage device 104 as a specimen database (step S107). After saving, the above process is terminated. FIG. 13 shows an example of the specimen database stored in the first modification. In FIG. 13, the two-dimensional code of the medium identifier is displayed as a two-dimensional code A.

According to the first modification, the worker can use the tray without being limited to the tray identifier assigned by the CPU 101. Since any tray can be arbitrarily selected and used, the preparation of the tray is easy and the work efficiency is excellent. Note that the information on the medium identifier to be updated is not limited to the information fixed in the tray position identifier “1”, but may be derived from the position specified by any tray position identifier. However, it is a condition that in the microorganism testing apparatus 100, the position identifier in the tray of the medium for acquiring information about the medium identifier for update is stored in advance.

(6) Modification 2
In step S105, after displaying the medium type and the bacterial liquid identifier, and the tray identifier and the tray position identifier for fixing the corresponding medium, the CPU 101 accepts the input by the operator, and the information of the tray identifier by the input information. Another mode of updating the will be described as a second modification. Modification 2 is a mode in which the operator fixes the culture medium to an arbitrary tray, reads the tray identifier attached to the surface of the tray after fixing, and updates the tray identifier assigned by the CPU 101 with the read tray identifier. is there.

The storage device 104 of the microorganism testing apparatus 100 is preset and stored so as to update the in-tray position identifier specified by the fixed position specifying unit 30 with the two-dimensional code of the tray input by the operator via the input device 105. ing. The tray identifier to be updated may be a serial number or a two-dimensional code. Hereinafter, the case where the medium identifier is a two-dimensional code will be described.

As in the first embodiment, the CPU 101 executes steps S101 to S105. The CPU 101 instructs the display control unit 40 to display the bacteria identifier and the type of medium corresponding to the bacteria identifier together with the tray identifier “1” and the tray position identifier (step S105).

Regardless of the display content, the operator uses any tray whose tray position identifier array is the same as the tray used in the first embodiment, and is in a position specified by the tray position identifier indicated by the display content. Fix the medium. A tray identifier is attached to the surface of the tray.

After fixing the medium on the tray, the operator reads the two-dimensional code attached to the tray with the input device 105 such as a code reader or the imaging device 108. The CPU 101 receives tray identifier information from the input device 105 and the imaging device 108, and updates the tray identifier “1” assigned by the CPU 101 with the information of the tray identifier made up of this two-dimensional code (step S105 ′). The CPU 101 stores the updated tray identifier in the RAM 103.

Next to step S105 ', the CPU 101 confirms whether or not there is an undisplayed fungal fluid identifier to which the tray identifier "2" is assigned, as in the first embodiment (step S106). If there is a bacterial liquid identifier to which the tray identifier “2” is assigned, Steps S105 and S105 ′ are executed for the tray identifier “2”.

When the CPU 101 determines that there is no undisplayed fungal fluid identifier to which the tray identifier “n” is assigned, the CPU 101 uses the tray identifier corresponding to each fungus fluid identifier, the fixed position information such as the tray position identifier, and the tray position identifier. The type of medium fixed at the specified position is stored in the storage device 104 as a specimen database (step S107). FIG. 14 shows an example of the sample database stored in the second modification. After saving, the process ends. In FIG. 14, the two-dimensional code of the updated tray identifier is displayed as a two-dimensional code B.

According to the second modification, the worker can use the tray without being limited to the tray identifier assigned by the CPU 101. Since any tray can be arbitrarily selected and used, the preparation of the tray is easy and the work efficiency is excellent. The tray identifier is not limited to a two-dimensional code as long as it is attached to the surface of the tray, and may be a barcode or a serial number.

(7) Application The method of assigning tray identifiers by the CPU 101 may be set so that the same tray identifier is assigned to the bacterial solution identifier of the bacterial solution having the same test item, culture time, and the like. Such a setting can be stored in advance in the storage device 104 and executed by the CPU 101. Further, the CPU 101 may be set to allow the operator to select which setting is to be performed at the start of the microorganism test.

The method for assigning tray position identifiers is the same. A fixed position information table in which the arrangement of the position identifiers in the tray is stored in advance for each different tray such as the position where the medium is fixed is stored in the storage device 104, and the operator can start the microorganism test or end the step S102. You may set so that a tray type can be selected. The CPU 101 acquires information related to the selected tray type, and executes step S103 and subsequent steps according to the acquired information.

Furthermore, after displaying the assignment contents in step S105, the CPU 101 may set the worker so that any of the display contents can be changed. For example, in FIG. 12, the medium “SA” corresponding to the bacterial solution identifier “0906” is fixed to the in-tray position identifier “7”. In such a case, when the operator inputs the culture medium “SA” corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier “0906” to the in-tray position identifier “4” from the input device 105, the CPU 101 receives this input information, and the bacterial liquid Information on the position identifier in the tray with the identifier “0906” is updated to “4”. Next, the CPU 101 instructs the display control unit 40 to redisplay the updated content. The CPU 101 stores update information in the RAM 103. The CPU 101 stores the input information and fixed position information (tray identifier, updated tray position identifier) in the storage device 104 as a sample database (step S107).

(8) Bacterial fluid inoculation and imaging processing The operator fixes the medium on the tray according to the display of the microorganism culture apparatus 100, inoculates the bacterial liquid specified by the bacterial liquid identifier, and then transports the whole tray to the culture apparatus for culturing. . The inoculation of the bacterial solution is not limited to the plate smearing method when an agar medium is used, and may be a pour method.

The operator takes an image of the tray with the imaging device 108 during or after the culture. A change in the number of colonies over time can be evaluated by taking an image of the tray taken out of the culture apparatus after the predetermined culture time has elapsed with the imaging apparatus 108. When imaging a plurality of trays, if the top and bottom are oriented in the same direction, the correspondence between the medium contained in the tray and the tray position identifier becomes easy.

The imaging device 108 can be appropriately selected depending on the tray and the culture medium, but when a microorganism culture sheet is used as the culture medium, a flat bed scanner or a digital camera connected to the main body of the apparatus 100 can be preferably used. The flatbed scanner is general-purpose and inexpensive and easy to operate. In the case of imaging with a scanner, the cultured microorganism culture sheet can be turned over while being fixed to a tray, set on a glass platen of a flatbed scanner, and image data can be scanned according to the usage of the scanner. When the size of the tray is fixed, the position of each microorganism culture sheet in the captured image is also substantially fixed, so that the position correction of the image data can be omitted.

On the other hand, when the medium is an agar medium, light may be irradiated from the lower part of the tray, and the upper part of the agar medium may be imaged with the petri dish covered. Also in this case, an image for each tray is taken. By capturing an image for each tray, the tray identifier can be stored in the image. In addition, when a water droplet adheres to the cover part of a petri dish and influences the count of colonies, when the whole tray is heated in advance, the water droplet in the petri dish is scattered, so that the colony can be accurately imaged.

The resolution of the captured image is not particularly limited as long as the tray identifier, the medium identifier can be read and the colony count is possible. The captured image is stored in the image storage unit 109. Further, the communication device 106 may store the captured image in the database server 114 connected to the microorganism testing device 100 via an electric communication network such as the Internet.

(9) Colony Counting Process FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the colony counting process executed by the microorganism testing apparatus 100.

The microbe inspection apparatus 100 starts the colony counting process shown in FIG. 15 when detecting that the input device 105 has received an instruction to start the colony counting process by the operator, for example.

CPU 101 obtains a captured image stored in image storage unit 109 (step S201). The acquisition source of the captured image is typically the imaging device 108, but may be an external device or server with which the storage device 104, the image storage unit 109, and the communication device 106 can communicate.

The captured image is an image obtained by capturing an image of the tray cultured for a predetermined time after the operator fixed the medium on the predetermined tray and inoculated with the bacterial solution according to the display content of step S105 of the first embodiment. The CPU 101 adjusts the tray image included in the captured image to a predetermined position according to the position recognition marker, or according to the coordinate axis of the captured image, when the acquired captured image has a position recognition marker indicating the top and bottom or left and right. Alternatively, when a color sample arrangement table is displayed in the image data, the color tone correction process may be executed with reference to this color sample arrangement. For example, the CPU 101 stores the acquired captured image in the RAM 103.

CPU101 will acquire the tray identifier displayed on the tray image of a captured image, if the process of step S201 is completed about one captured image (step S202). For convenience, the relationship between the captured image and the pixel coordinates is shown in FIG. FIG. 16 illustrates a case where 300 dpi, the image size of the tray is 2480 × 3508 Pixels, and the upper left of the image is the origin (0, 0).

The position of the tray identifier included in the image is stored and managed in the storage device 104 or the like. For example, the CPU 101 is set to recognize a rectangle having two corners of coordinates (1600, 1150) and (1900, 1330) as diagonal corner coordinates as the image position of the tray identifier, and is stored in the storage device 104. Yes. In FIG. 16, this rectangle is indicated by a broken line. In this area, “1” is displayed. The CPU 101 reads the rectangular image and converts it into character information using an optical character recognition program stored in the storage device 104. The CPU 101 stores the converted character information in the RAM 103.

CPU101 will complete | finish the process of step S202, and will classify | categorize the culture medium image displayed on a tray image into eight culture medium images based on an imaging coordinate equally with the division of the tray which fixed the culture medium. Next, in-tray position identifiers are assigned to the eight medium images according to the arrangement of the tray position identifiers in the tray set in the first embodiment, and are acquired as in-tray position identifiers of the medium images. CPU101 memorize | stores the position identifier in a tray of a culture medium image, for example in RAM103 (step S203).

In the first embodiment, for a tray in which a total of 8 sections are formed in two rows of four squares in the horizontal direction, an integer of “1” to “4” is sequentially added from the upper row and the horizontal left end to the right end, and from the lower row and the horizontal left end. The integers “5” to “8” are set so as to be assigned as tray position identifiers in order toward the right end, and these settings are stored in the storage device 104. The CPU 101 stores, in the storage device 104 or the like, a program that classifies the captured image for each medium image on the basis of the coordinates of the captured image, corresponding to the setting stored in the storage device 104.
As shown in FIG. 16, in the culture medium image included in the captured image, the upper left corner coordinates of the culture medium image are (0, 0), (877, 0), (1754, 0), and (2631, 0). The lower right corner coordinates are (877, 1140), (1754, 1140), (2631, 1140), and (3508, 1140), respectively. The partial coordinates are (0, 1340), (877, 1340), (1754, 1340), (2631, 1340), and the lower right corner coordinates are (877, 2480), (1754, 2480), ( 2631, 2480) and (3508, 2480), and four areas divided by rectangles are divided into a total of eight areas. The storage device 104 is set to add “1” to “8” as tray position identifiers in the above-described order to the eight regions of the captured image. The CPU 101 sets “1” as an in-tray position identifier to the culture medium image in a region divided by a rectangle in which the upper left corner coordinate is (0, 0) and the lower right corner coordinate is (877, 1140). And obtained as a position identifier in the tray corresponding to the culture medium image.

Next, the CPU 101 refers to the sample database for the medium image specified by the tray identifier “1” and the tray position identifier “1”, and corresponds to the tray identifier “1” and the tray position identifier “1”. The fungus identifier to be acquired is acquired (step S204). In addition, although the above showed the method of dividing a culture medium image into eight on the basis of the corner coordinate of the upper left corner of a picked-up image regarding specification of each culture medium image, what attached a position recognition marker etc. which shows top and bottom as a tray When used, the CPU 101 is made to recognize the position recognition marker included in the captured image in advance, perform alignment, and / or store the medium image by dividing into predetermined sections based on the position recognition marker. It may be stored in the device 104.

Information on the bacterial liquid identifier is stored in the storage device 104 as a specimen database. The CPU 101 collates the information on the tray identifier and tray position identifier of the medium image with the information shown in the display items “tray identifier” and “tray position identifier” of the sample database, and information on the tray identifier and the tray position identifier. Is searched for, and “0901” is identified as the fungus identifier associated with the tray identifier “1” and the in-tray position identifier “1”, and “0901” is associated with the medium image. Obtained as a liquid identifier. The CPU 101 stores the acquired bacterial liquid identifier in, for example, the RAM 103.

CPU101 performs colony count based on the said image about a culture medium image after completion | finish of step S204 (step S205).

As colony counting, colonies can be counted by detecting pixels corresponding to the colonies of the medium contained in the image data. When counting colonies in a medium for general living bacteria, TPE (triphenylformazan) reduced with TTC (triphenyltetrazolium chloride) is observed as a red colony. What is necessary is just to select and count the pixel of the red colony which exists in the position to perform. Since the culture medium varies depending on the bacterial solution to be evaluated, colonies of different culture media can be accurately counted by setting the color of the culture medium and the color of the colony in advance. The colony counting method is not limited to the above, and may be a conventionally known method or any method newly developed in the future.

The CPU 101 stores, for example, the RAM 103 in the RAM 103, the number of colonies in the medium image assigned with “1” as the tray position identifier. In FIG. 17, regarding the bacterial liquid identifier “0901”, the tray identifier and the tray position identifier specified by the fixed position specifying unit 30, the tray identifier acquired from the culture image, the tray position identifier of the culture image, and the count The relationship with the number of colonies made is shown. The number of colonies in the medium image corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier “0901” was set to “136”.

When step S205 is completed for the medium image assigned with “1” as the tray position identifier, the CPU 101 has the upper right corner coordinates (877, 0) and the lower left corner coordinates (1754, 1140). Is assigned to the medium image divided into rectangles as a position identifier in the tray, is acquired as a position identifier in the tray corresponding to the medium image, and is stored in, for example, the RAM 103 (step S203). Next, in the same manner as the medium image to which “1” is assigned as the tray position identifier, the corresponding fungal fluid identifier is acquired (step S204), and the colonies are counted (step S205).

When the step S205 is completed for the medium image assigned “2” as the position identifier in the tray, the CPU 101 sequentially determines the position in the tray for the medium image specified in the above eight regions with reference to the coordinates of the captured image. “3”... “N” are assigned as identifiers, acquired as in-tray position identifiers corresponding to the culture medium images, and stored in, for example, the RAM 103 (step S203). Next, in the same manner as the medium image to which “1” is assigned as the position identifier in the tray, the corresponding bacterial liquid identifier is acquired (step S204), and the colonies are counted (step S205). In addition, when there is no bacteria identifier associated with the tray identifier and the tray position identifier assigned to the medium image, colony count is not performed.

CPU 101 determines whether or not there is a medium image in an area to which no tray position identifier is assigned (step 206). If there is a medium image to which no tray position identifier is assigned, the tray position identifier is assigned according to the above, and steps S204 and S205 are executed. On the other hand, if there is no medium image to which the tray position identifier is not assigned, the number of colonies is stored in the storage device 104 in association with the bacterial liquid identifier (step 207). In addition, you may preserve | save a captured image with the number of colonies. In that case, for example, the CPU 101 instructs the display control unit 40 to display the culture medium image and the colony count result in association with the fungal fluid identifier. The CPU 101 may store the number of colonies and the culture medium image corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier in the database server 114 connected to the microorganism testing apparatus 100 from the communication apparatus 106 via an electric communication network such as the Internet.

When the CPU 101 ends step S207 for all the medium images included in one captured image, the CPU 101 confirms the presence or absence of an unprocessed captured image or confirms whether the operator has continued or not (step 208). If there is an unprocessed captured image, steps S201 to S207 are executed. If there is no unprocessed captured image, the colony counting process is terminated (step 209).

(10) Modification 1
A mode in which the two-dimensional code of the medium identifier of the medium fixed at the position of the in-tray position identifier “1” is read and the information of the tray identifier assigned by the CPU 101 is updated with the information will be described. In the first modification, the coordinates of the display area of the medium identifier in the captured image are stored in advance in the storage device 104 or the like.
In step S <b> 202, the CPU 101 reads an image of the coordinates of the preset display area of the medium identifier instead of acquiring the tray identifier displayed on the tray image. Since the culture medium identifier is a two-dimensional code and is input and updated via a code reader, the CPU 101 reads an image in the display area with a two-dimensional code reading program stored in the storage device 104 in advance, and serves as a tray identifier for the captured image. For example, it is stored in the RAM 103. Thereafter, steps S202 to S209 are executed in the same manner as described above.

(11) Modification 2
A mode in which the information of the tray identifier “1” assigned by the CPU 101 is updated with the information of the two-dimensional code attached to the tray will be described. In the second modification, the coordinates of the display area of the tray identifier in the captured image are stored in advance in the storage device 104 or the like.
In step S202, the CPU 101 reads an image of the coordinates of the display area of the preset tray identifier instead of acquiring the tray identifier displayed on the tray image. Since the tray identifier is a two-dimensional code and is input and updated via a code reader, the CPU 101 reads an image in the display area with a two-dimensional code reading program stored in advance in the storage device 104, and as a tray identifier of the captured image, For example, it is stored in the RAM 103. Thereafter, steps S202 to S209 are executed in the same manner as described above.

(12) Application The microorganism culture apparatus includes a culture medium table in which test items are associated with types of media to be used in advance, and the culture medium type specifying unit 20 is based on the test items input by the input information acquiring unit 10. You may identify the culture medium corresponding to a microbe identifier from a table. An example of such a medium table is shown in FIG. In FIG. 18, the test item is associated with the abbreviation of the type of the medium to be used, the culture conditions such as the culture temperature and the culture time of the medium, the properties of the generated colonies, and a suitable inspection target product. As shown in FIG. 18, there are a culture medium in which all foods are tested for counting the number of coliforms and a food for which the target food is specialized for mineral forter. Some culture media have different culture times and different colors. A culture medium table in which a test item, a medium type, and other information are associated in advance is stored in the storage device 104 of the microorganism testing apparatus, and programmed so that the type of the medium corresponding to the test item or the inspection target product can be specified. By storing various settings in the storage device 104, it is possible to specify a culture medium suitable for the purpose of inspection.

According to the microorganism testing apparatus, the test items, the type of medium, the number of colonies, the medium image, and the like are stored in a unified manner corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier, so that a report can be easily created. The medium is not limited to a microorganism culture sheet or an agar medium, and may be a so-called stamp medium that can be used in the stamp agar method. If the shape of the tray is adjusted in accordance with the shape of the culture medium, the microorganism test can be performed using various culture media.

Microbiological testing devices can be implemented with so-called personal computers and photocopiers such as photocopiers and conventional microbiological culture devices, so they can be installed in any facility that requires microbiological testing, such as a food manufacturing factory or hospital. it can.

The present invention is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-202424 filed on September 15, 2011. The specification, claims, and entire drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-202424 are incorporated herein by reference.

Since the microorganism culture device displays a tray for fixing the medium for each bacterial liquid identifier, the medium and bacterial liquid must be prepared according to the displayed contents and the microorganism test can be performed without describing the sample number or dilution factor on the medium. Can be useful.

100 microbiological testing device, 10 input information acquisition unit, 20 medium type identification unit, 30 fixed position identification unit, 40 display control unit, 50 storage unit, 60 image acquisition unit, 70 fungal fluid identifier acquisition unit, 80 image processing unit, 90 Colony counting unit, 101 CPU, 102 ROM, 103 RAM, 104 storage device, 105 input device, 106 communication device, 107 imaging control unit, 108 imaging device, 109 image storage unit, 110 display control unit, 111 display device, 112 audio Processing unit, 113 audio output device, 114 database server, 120 bus, 200 tray, 300 agar medium tray, 350 microorganism culture sheet tray, 410 agar medium, 500 microorganism culture sheet, 501 substrate sheet, 502 culture layer, 503 Cover sheet 504 medium identifier, 505 medium identification color bar

Claims (5)

A microorganism testing apparatus for performing microorganism testing of a medium fixed to a tray,
The bacterial solution of the specimen is one in which a bacterial solution identifier is assigned for each bacterial solution,
Input means for inputting the test item for inspecting the bacterial solution specified by the bacterial solution identifier and the bacterial solution identifier;
Medium type specifying means for specifying the type of medium inoculated with the bacterial liquid specified by the bacterial liquid identifier based on the test item input by the input means;
A fixed position specifying means for specifying a tray identifier for specifying a tray for fixing the type of medium specified by the medium type specifying means, and a position identifier in the tray for specifying a position for fixing the medium in the tray;
Display means for displaying the bacterial cell identifier and information indicating the type of medium specified by the medium type specifying means together with the tray identifier specified by the fixed position specifying means and the position identifier in the tray;
A microorganism testing apparatus, comprising: a storage unit that stores the tray identifier and the in-tray position identifier in association with the bacterial liquid identifier. The input means is further for inputting a dilution rate of the bacterial liquid specified by the bacterial liquid identifier,
The microorganism testing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays a dilution rate of the bacterial liquid specified by the bacterial liquid identifier together with the information indicating the type of the bacterial liquid identifier and the medium. The input means receives an input of a tray identifier for specifying a tray for fixing a medium corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier,
The microorganism testing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage means updates the tray identifier specified by the fixed position specifying means with the tray identifier received by the input means. Captured image acquisition means for acquiring a captured image of the tray in which the culture medium is fixed according to the fixed position displayed by the display means;
The tray identifier displayed on the tray image acquired by the captured image acquisition unit and the information indicating the position of the culture medium image displayed on the tray image in the tray image are acquired and stored by the storage unit The corresponding tray identifier and the position identifier in the tray are identified to identify the corresponding bacterial liquid identifier, and the bacterial liquid identifier acquisition means for acquiring the bacterial liquid identifier of the medium image;
A colony counting unit that counts colonies of the medium image corresponding to the bacterial liquid identifier acquired by the bacterial liquid identifier acquisition unit;
The microorganism testing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the storage unit stores the number of colonies obtained by the colony counting unit in association with the fungus liquid identifier corresponding to the medium image. Furthermore, it has a medium table that associates the inspection items with the type of medium to be used,
The microorganism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the medium type specifying means specifies a medium corresponding to the bacterial cell identifier from the medium table based on the inspection item input by the input means. Inspection device.

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