CA2059903A1 - Method and apparatus for analyzing particles - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for analyzing particlesInfo
- Publication number
- CA2059903A1 CA2059903A1 CA 2059903 CA2059903A CA2059903A1 CA 2059903 A1 CA2059903 A1 CA 2059903A1 CA 2059903 CA2059903 CA 2059903 CA 2059903 A CA2059903 A CA 2059903A CA 2059903 A1 CA2059903 A1 CA 2059903A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sample liquid
- state
- scale factor
- sample
- temperature
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 43
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 10
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 181
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 238000012937 correction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 210000002700 urine Anatomy 0.000 abstract description 5
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 210000004027 cell Anatomy 0.000 description 16
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 12
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 210000000601 blood cell Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 210000002919 epithelial cell Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004043 dyeing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 210000000265 leukocyte Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 description 1
- ATJFFYVFTNAWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Tin Chemical compound [Sn] ATJFFYVFTNAWJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 210000004369 blood Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000008280 blood Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013078 crystal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000975 dye Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000000981 epithelium Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000005337 ground glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G01N15/1433—
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N15/00—Investigating characteristics of particles; Investigating permeability, pore-volume, or surface-area of porous materials
- G01N15/10—Investigating individual particles
- G01N15/14—Electro-optical investigation, e.g. flow cytometers
- G01N15/1456—Electro-optical investigation, e.g. flow cytometers without spatial resolution of the texture or inner structure of the particle, e.g. processing of pulse signals
- G01N15/1459—Electro-optical investigation, e.g. flow cytometers without spatial resolution of the texture or inner structure of the particle, e.g. processing of pulse signals the analysis being performed on a sample stream
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/2496—Self-proportioning or correlating systems
- Y10T137/2499—Mixture condition maintaining or sensing
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
- Optical Measuring Cells (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The apparatus for analyzing particles classifies or counts components in sample liquid by image processing, by passing a liquid sample of urine or the like in a flattened flow. This apparatus for analyzing particles comprises sheath liquid supply means (21), sample liquid discharge means (18), temperature sensor (36) for detecting the ambient temeprature, temperature measuring circuit (38) for measuring the temperature depending on the changes of the temperature sensor, and driving circuit (34) for driving the sample liquid discharge means by correcting the sample liquid discharge flow rate depending on the signal from the temperature measuring circuit.
Moreover, the sheath liquid is supplied at a specific pressure, and the sample liquid discharge quantity is corrected depending on the ambient temperature. When changed to the high scale factor taking state or low scale factor taking state, a different correction rate is set.
Thus, if the environmental conditions such as temperature should vary, the sample liquid volume is kept constant, so that particles may be analyzed at high precision.
The apparatus for analyzing particles classifies or counts components in sample liquid by image processing, by passing a liquid sample of urine or the like in a flattened flow. This apparatus for analyzing particles comprises sheath liquid supply means (21), sample liquid discharge means (18), temperature sensor (36) for detecting the ambient temeprature, temperature measuring circuit (38) for measuring the temperature depending on the changes of the temperature sensor, and driving circuit (34) for driving the sample liquid discharge means by correcting the sample liquid discharge flow rate depending on the signal from the temperature measuring circuit.
Moreover, the sheath liquid is supplied at a specific pressure, and the sample liquid discharge quantity is corrected depending on the ambient temperature. When changed to the high scale factor taking state or low scale factor taking state, a different correction rate is set.
Thus, if the environmental conditions such as temperature should vary, the sample liquid volume is kept constant, so that particles may be analyzed at high precision.
Description
20~9903 SPECIFICATION
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING PARTICBES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for analyzing particles by passing a sample liquid such as urine taken from a subject in a flattened flow, and classifying or counting visible components in sample liquid by processing the image.
Hitherto i9 known an apparatus for taking cells or particles in a flat sheath flow by a video camera, and classifying or counting the particles by iamge processing.
A flat sheath flow is to pass a particle suspension by covering its surroundings with a laminar flow liquid, and to form the particle suspension in a flattened flow with a large slenderness ratio.
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of such apparatus, which is intended to analyze components (blood cells, epithelial cells, cylinders, etc.) in urine sample. The urine sample pretreated by dyeing or the like is discharged from a nozzle 12 at a specific flow rate by sample liquid discharge means 18, and is led into a flat sheath flow cell 10. At the same time, in the flow cell 10, a sheath liquid is also 20~9903 fed in by sheath liquid feed means 21, and an extremely flat (thin and broad) sample liquid flow is formed in a rectangular pas~age 14 with a section having a large slenderness ratio.
The sheath liquid is fed by a pump 22 through a sheath liquid chamber 20 (a syringe may be used for feeding the sheath liquid, but the cost is higher). The sample liquid discharge means 18 is a syringe type driven, for example, by a motor 19 .
From one side across the rectangular passage 14 (from the back side of the sheet of paper in Fig. 1), a strobe is emitted, and a still image of the sample liquid is taken by a video camera disposed on the other side (not shown). Numeral 16 is a part where an objective lens (not shown) is disposed.
The taken picture is analyzed by an image processor, and the cell images are drawn, and particles are classified and counted.
When the ambient temperature changes, the viscosity of a fluid varies, which affects the liquid flow. In a system where the sheath liquid is supplied at a specific pressure, the flow rate of the sheath liquid varies due to change of fluid resistance, and the balance of the flow rate of sample liquid and sheath liquid is broken. When the temperature becomes higher, the flow rate increases abruptly.
Fig. 2 to Fig. S are drawings for explaininy the flow of sample liquid in the flat sheath flow cell 10. Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 are front views, Fig. 3 is a sectional view oE
line 3~3 in Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a sectional view of line 5-5 in Fig. 4. Numeral 26 shows a sample liquid flow part.
Numeral 28 is a video camera taking area.
At low temperature, the viscosity of the liquid (the sheath liquid in this case) is high, and the flow rate of the sheath liquid is low, and the sample liquid Elows in a broad width Wl and a great thickness Dl as shown in Figs. 2, 3. At high temperature, to the contrary, as shown in Figs.
4, 5, the sample liquid flows in a narrow width W2 and a small thickness D2.
On the other hand, the taking area 28 is not changed.
Therefore, a difference is caused in the volume of the sample liquid that can be taken in the entire sample liquid, which may affect the result of analysis. For example, the number of taken particles differs.
The axis of ordinates in Fig. 6 denotes the changing rate of the number of taken particles, and the axis of abscissas represents the liquid temperature. The peformance is ba~ed on the liquid temperature of 24C. The solid line indicates the change of the number of taken particles in the con~entional apparatus, in which the number of taken particles is larger at low temperature, and smaller at high temperature.
In an ordinary flow cytometer, on the other hand, when 20599~3 supplying the sheath liquid at a specific pressure, the thic-kness of the sample liquid flow varies similarly.
As shown in Fig. 7, however, the light 30 is emitted by completely crossing the sample liquid flow 32, and the entire sample liquid flow can be detected. Therefore, if the temperature fluctuates, only the frequency band of the particle signals changes somewhat due to flow rate changes of the sample liquid, and serious problems such as change of counting due to change of sample liquid volume to be detected can be avoided.
Thus, in an apparatus design to detect a part, not all, of the sample liquid flow, it is very important to eliminate the fluctuations of flow due to temperature variations.
To solve this problem, for example, in the sheath liquid piping 24 shown in Fig. 1, (a) a thermostatic unit may be disposed, or (b) flow rate detecting means may be provided to control the pump pressure.
In the case of (a), a heater or a cooler and its temperature control means are needed, which results in increase of cost and size of apparatus. Practically, a block of high thermal conductivity in which a flow passage is formed is necessary, and in order to keep this block at a constant temperature, a heater of a larger thermal capacity is required.
2û~9903 In the case of (b), flow rate detecting means and pump output pressure control means are necessary, and the cost is similarly raised, Besides it is difficult to control the pump output pressure precisely.
.; , OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is hence a primary object of the invention to present a method and apparatus for analyzing particles capable of analyzing at high precision while keeping constant the width and thickness of the flow of sample, regardless of changes of ambient conditions such as temperature, without increasing the cost or size of apparatus, To achieve the above object, as eviaent from comparison between Fig. 1 ~a block diagram of a conventional apparatus) and Fig, 8 (a block diagram of the invention), the apparatus for analyzing particles of the invention comprises, among others, a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature and a temperature measuring circuit for measuring the temperature on the basis of changes of the temperature sensor, in which driving of the sample liquid discharge means i9 controlled on the basis of the signal from the temperature measuring circuit by a driving circuit of the sample liquid discharge means, More .specifically, the invention presents an apparatus for analyzing particles by emitting a strobe light to a sample flow in an extremely flattened flow having a sheath liquid as outer layer to obtain a still picture, and analyzing components in the sample liquid by image processing, in which the sheath liquid is supplied at a specific pressure, the discharge flow rate of the sample liquid discharge means is variable, and the apparatus further comprises a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temeprature, a temperature measuring circuit for measuring the temperature on the basis of the changes of the temeprature sensor, and a driving circuit for driving the sample liquid discharge means so that the discharge flow rate of the sample liquid discharge means may agree with a specific value depending on the signal from the temperature measuring circuit.
In the driving circuit, data for defining the relation between the temperature information and the operating speed of the sample liquid discharge means is prepared, and the operating speed of the sample liquid discharge means is determined from the temperature information and the data.
Besides, in an apparatus design to photograph a same sample liquid by varying the taking scale factor on the way, same correction cannot be done because the taking area and other conditions are different. That is, data for low scale factor and data for high scale factor are prepared.
The invention presents a method for analyzing particles by emitting a strobe light to a sample flow in an extremely flattened flow having a sheath liquid as outer layer to obtain a still picture, and analyzing components in the sample liquid by image processing, wherein the sheath liquid is supplied at a specific pressure, and the sample liquid discharge flow rate is corrected depending on the ambient temperature.
The invention also presents a method for analyzing particles by emitting a strobe light to a sample flow in an extremely flattened flow having a sheath liquid as outer layer to obtain a still picture, and analyzing components in the sample liquid by image processing, wherein in a same sample liquid, either the low scale factor taking state for simultaneously selecting the states of (a), (c), and (e), that is, (a) the state of reducing the quantity of light emitted to the region where the sample liquid flows, ~c) the state of passing the sample liquid by increasing its thickness, and (e) the state of taking the still picture of the sample liquid at a low scale factor, or the high scale factor taking state for simultaneously selecting the states of (b), (d), and (f), that is, (b) the state of increasing the quantity of light, (d~ the state of passing by reducing the thickness, and (f) the state of taking the picture at a high scale factor is selected, and the sheath liquia is supplied at a specific pressure, the discharge flow rate of the sample liquid discharge means is controlled, and the correction factor is changed whether in t:he high scale factor taking state or in the low scale factor taking state when correcting the sample liquid discharge flow rate depending on the ambient temperature.
The invention further presents an apparatus for analyzing particles by emitting a strobe light to a sample flow in an extremely flattened flow having a sheath liquid as outer layer to obtain a still picture, and analyzing components in the sample liquid by image processing, comprlsing:
sheath liquid supply means for supplying a sheath liquid at a specific pressure, sample liquid discharge means capable of controlling the discharge flow rate, a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature, a temperature measuring circuit for measurins the temperature on the basis of the changes of the temperature sensor, and a driving circuit for driving the sample liquid discharge means by correcting the discharge flow rate of the sample liquid discharge means depending on the signal from the temperature measuring circuit.
20~9903 The inventiOn moreover presents an apparatus for analyzing particles by emitting a strobe light to a sample flow in an extremely flattened flow having a sheath liquid as outer layer to obtain a still picture, and analyzing components in the sample liquid by image processing, comprislng:
an aperture iris disPosed before a flow cell, variable means for varying the opening area of the aperture iris, projection lenses differing in the scale factor, being disposed after the flow cell and before image pickup means, and means for changing over the projection lenses, being composed so as to possess, in a same sample, either the low scale factor taking state for simultaneously selecting the states of (a), (c), and (e), that is, (a~ the state of reducing the quantity of light emitted to the region where the sample liquid flows, (c) the state of passing the sample liquid by increasing its thickness, and (e) the state of taking the still picture of the sa~ple liquid at a low scale factor, or the high scale factor taking state for simultaneously selecting the states of (b), td), and (f), that is, (b) the state of increasing the quantity of light, (d) the state of passing by reducing the thickness, and (f) the state of g _ taking the picture at a high scale factor, further comprising:
sheath liquid supply means for supplying a sheath liquid at a specific pressure, sample liquid discharge means capable oE controlling the discharge flow rate, a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature, a temperature measuring circuit for measuring the temperature on the basis of the changes of the temperature sensor, and a driving circuit for driving the sample liquid discharge means by correcting the discharge flow rate of the sample liquid discharge means depending on the signal from the temperature measuring circuit, wherein the correction factor is changed whether in the high scale factor taking state or in the low scale factor taking state when correcting the sample liquid discharge flow rate depending on the ambient temperature.
The ambient temperature is measured by the temperature sensor and the temperature measuring circuit, and the temperature information is sent to the driving circuit.
In the driving circuit, from the obtained temperature information and the preset data, the operating speed of the sample liquid discharge means is determined. From the sample liquid discharge means, the sample liquid is discharged at a flow rate corresponding to the ambient temperature. That is, at low temperature, the flow rate of the sample liquid is small, and at high temperature it i5 large, so that the flow rates of the sheath liquid and sample liquid are always constantly balanced regardless of the temperature, and hence the width and thickness of the sample liquid are always the same. Hence, the number oE photographed particles is also constant.
When photographing by varying the scale factor on the way, depending on the data for low scale factor and the data for high scale factor, the discharge volume of the sample liquid is optimally corrected individually, so that the number of photographed particles is always the same whether taken at high scale factor or at low scale factor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWIN~S
Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional apparatus for analyzing particles;
Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of low temperature for explaining the flow of sample liquid in a flat sheath flow cell;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of line 3-3 in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of high temperature for explaining the flow of sample liquid in a flat sheath flow cell;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view of line 5-5 in Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a graph showing the relation between the liquid temperature and the changing rate of detected particle number Fig. 7 is a explanatory diagram showing the relation between the sample liquid flow and emitted light in an ordinary flow cytometer;
Fig. 8 is a fluid block diagram showing an embodiment of an apparatus for analyzing particles of the invention;
Fig. 9 is a block diagram for explaining the changeover of photographic scale factors in the invention;
Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a flattened flow of sample liquid;
Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the ~lattened sample liquid in Fig. 10:
Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing other example of a flattened flow of sample liquid; and Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the flattened sample liquid in Fig. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, some of the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below.
In Fig. 8, numeral 36 is a temperature sensor for 20~9903 detecting the temperature of a sheath liquid, being mounted on the outer wall of a sheath liquid chamber 20. The temperature sensor 36 is enough, if not detecting the temperature of the sheath liquid itself, as far as the temperature of a point corresponding to the temperature of the sheath llquid can be detected.
The signal of the temperature sensor 36 is amplified by a temperature measuring circuit 38. As the case may be, it may be A/D converted. A signal containing temperature information is sent from the temperature measuring circuit 38 to a driving circuit 34. Numeral 14 is a rectangular passage (flattened passage), and a reducing passage 13 is connected to its upper part.
The sample liquid discharge means 18 is, for example, of syringe type for moving the piston by converting the normal and reverse rotary motion of the motor 19 into a reciprocal linear motion. By a drive signal from the driving circuit 34, the discharge flow rate and suction flow rate of the discharge means 18 may be set to desired values. The flow rate and rotating speed of the motor 19 are in proportional relation. Numeral 21 is sheath liquid supply means, being composed of sheath liquid chamber 20, pump 22, sheath liquid piping 24 and others.
In Fig. 6, when not corrected at all as indicated by solid lines 40, 42, when the liquid temperature varies, the number of detected particles is changed. The lines 40, 42 represent the changes of the number of detected particles in the high scale ~actor image ~HPF) and the low scale factor image ~LPF), respectively.
There is, however, a speclfic relation between the number of detected particles and the sample liquid discharge flow rate. Accordingly, when the relation between each number of detected particles and temperature is disclosed by the solid lines 40, 42 in Fig. 6, it is now how fast the motor 19 of the sample liquid discharge means 18 should be rotated in order to keep constant the number of detected particles regardless of the temperature at each scale factor.
That is, the correspondence of the temperature and the correction amount of the rotating speed o the motor can be obtalned. This correspondence data is stored in the driving circuit 34. By a signal from the temperature measuring circuit 38, the motor 19 rotates at a speed corresponding to the measured temperature, and the sample liquid discharge means 18 also discharges the sample liquid at a discharge flow rate corresponding to the temperature. Or, by installing a circuit for data processing between the temperature measuring circuit 38 and the motor driving circuit 34, the arithmetic operation may be done in this circuit.
More specifically, the rotating speed of the sample 2~9903 liquid discharge means 18 is determined in the Eollowing formula.
Rotating speed at l.ow scale factor:
Q~(t) = Q~2~ x [1 + 7.32 x 10-3 x It - 24) + 2.85 x 10-5 x (t - 24)21 Rotating speed at high scale factor:
QH(t) = QL24 x [1 ~ 1.86 x 10-2 x (t - 24) + 5.05 x 10-4 x tt - 24)21 where t: ambient tempe~ature [C~
Q~24: rotating speed at 24C (at low scale Eactor) QH24: rotating speed at 24 ~C ( at high scale factor) Incidentally, the correspondence data may be also obtained by measuring the volume of the sheath liquid flowing within a specific time while varying the temperature, and determining the relation between the temperature and sheath liquid flow rate.
Thus by correcting and varying the rotating speed of the motor 19 depending on the temperature, the number of detected particles may be kept constant, regardless of the temperature, whether at high scale factor or at low scale factor. Broken lines 44, 46 in Fig. 6 represent fluctuations of the detected particles at high scale factor and low scale factor in corrected cases, respectively.
The changeover oE photographic scale factor is explained below by reference to Fig. 9. The single-dot chain line denotes the optical axis.
Numeral 50 is a strobe, which emits light, for example, for about 5 ~s in every 1/30 second. The light from the strobe 50 is focused by collector lens 52. It is further transformed into parallel light by a field lens 54, and is reflected nearly 90 degrees by a mirror 56, and enters an aperture iris 58. In this embodiment, between the collector lens 52 and field lens 54, a diffuser plate 56 and its moving means 57 are provided. The diffuser plate 56 is, for example, a ground glass, and it is supported by a holder 60.
The holder 60 is mounted on a rotatable shaft 64 of rotary actuator 62 or motor or the like, and as the shaft 64 rotates, the pulse light from the strobe 50 passes through the diffuser plate 56 in one state, and does not pass in the other state. By passing through the diffuser plate 56, the light is diffused, and unevenness of luminous intensity is canceled to form a uniform light. As the aperture iris 58 is rotated about the shaft, the area of the light passing opening varies, so that the quantity of light may be regulated. The aperture iris 58 is rotated by variable means 66, and the area of the opening is changed. The variable means 66 is composed by, for example, attaching a toothed pulley 70 on a rotatably shaft of motor 68 or the like, fitting also a toothed pulley 72 to the outer circumference of the aperture iris 58, and applying a timing belt 74 on both toothed pulleys 72, 70.
2059~03 The light passing through the opening of the aperture iris 58 is focused by a condenser lens 76 to illuminate the small region in which the sample liquid of the flattened passage 80 of the Elow cell 78 flows. As the aperture iris 58 is throttled, the quantity of light becomes smaller, and the depth of focus increases. The light passing through the flow cell 78 is magnified, for example, by an objective lens 82 of lO times of magnification, and is reflected by a mirror 84 to pass through projection lens 86 or 88 so as to be taken by image pickup means 90 of video camera or the like. The projection lens 86, 88 magnify, for example, by 1 and 4. The projection lenses 86, 88 are supported by a holder 92, and the holder 92 is reciprocally and linearly moved by changeover means 94. The changeover means 94 is realized, for example, by fitting a piston 98 of an air cylinder 96 to the holder 92.
To move the holder 92 without excessive play, a linear slider is used. When the projection lens 86 is selected, for example, the scale factor is lO times in total, and the light passing through the lens 86 directly enters the image pickup means 90 to focus an image on the pickup plane. When the projection lens 88 is selected, the scale factor is, for example, 40 times in total, and the light passing through the lens 88 is reflected by reflection mirrors lO0, 102, 104, 106, and enters the image pickup means 90, lengthening optical paths, to focus an image on the pickup plane. It is necessary to cover 2059~03 the optical path from the objective lens 82 to the image pickup means 90 so as to be protected from effects of disturbance light.
Fig. 10 to Fig. 13 are diagrams showing liquid samples 108, llO flowing in the central part of the flattened passage 80 of the flow cell 78. Figs. 11, 13 are sectional views of liquid samples 108, llO. In Figs. 10, 12, numerals 112, 114 indicate the viewing field (pickup area) at the scale factors of, for example, 40 times, lO times. The optical system is designed so that 0.61 NA/~ and 2 x pixel interval/M may be approximately equal to each other at high scale factor, where NA is the numebr of openings of the lens, ~ is the light wavelength, and M is the scale factor of lens. At 40 times, the object field depth is relatively shallow. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. ll, it is necessary to prepare the thickness of the sample liquid flow slightly less than the object field depth. Besides in order to take picture of as many particles as possible, it is necessary that the sample liquid be flow-ing so as to cover the entire region of the viewing field.
At lO times, the obejct field depth is relatively deep.
Accordingly, as shown in Fig. ll, the focus is matched when the thickness of the sample liquid flow is thin. However, for the smallness of the thickness of the sample liquid flow, the photographed sample liquid is smaller, and the number of obtained particles is smaller, and the precision of analysis is lowered. The urine sample is very small in the number of particles contained as compared with blood or other sample.
Preferably, therefore, the thickness of the sample liquid flow should be slightly less than the object field depth of the lens. When desired to lower the scale factor, accordingly, it is desired to pass the sample liquid so that the thickness may be sufficient as shown in Fig. 13.
To vary the thickness of the sample liquid flow, either one or both of sheath liquid supply volume and sample liquid supply volume should be changed. The structure is simple when it is designed to change only the sample liquid supply volume while fixing the sheath li~uid supply volume.
When changing over the lenses, if the lens position i8 shiftea upon every changeover, the lens becomes off focus or the image cannot be picked up correctly. It is therefore nece~sary to arrange so that such troubles may not occur if the lens position is changed only slightly. It is preferable in this respect to keep low the scale factor of the lens to be moved tin this example, the scale factor of the projection lenses is 1 and 4). On the other hand, the scale factor of the fixed objective lens 82 is set larger (10 times in the objective lens in this example).
In the apparatus shown in Fig. 9, when photographing the sample liquid at low scale factor, the object field depth of the lens is deep. Therefore, the focus can be adjusted 2û~9903 within the range if the thickness of the sample liquid flow is great. At a low scale factor, the region of photographing the sample flow, that is, the viewing field is wide. Hence, a sufficient light signal reaches the image pickup means, and a bright image is obtained if the quantity of illuminating light is small.
When photographing the sample liquid at high scale factor, the object field depth of the lens is shallow.
Therefore, unless the thickness of the sample flow is reduced, off-focus parts are caused. Therefore, the thickness of the sample flow is reduced. At a high scale factor, the viewing field is narrow. When the quantity of illuminating light is same as at a low scale factor, the quantity oE light reaching the pickup means is smaller. Accordingly, in the case of high scale factor, the quantity of illuminating light is increased as compared with the ca9e of low scale factor so that a nearly same quantity of light may reach the image pickup means.
Thus, whether at low scale factor or at high scale Eactor, a focused, sharp image without change in brightness i 9 obtained.
If the intensity of the illuminating light is uneven ln the pickup viewing field, the intensity may be made uniform by diffusing light. By emitting the uniform light to the sample flow, an image of uniform background will be obtained.
The unevenness of luminous intensity is possible to appear withln the viewing field when the viewing field is wide and the scale factor is low.
Blood corpuscles and epithelial cells are easily dyed by dyestuff. On the other hands, the cylinders are larger than small epithelial cells, crystals, leukocytes and bacteria, and are hardly dyed. Accordingly, in the first place, at high scale factorl relatively small blood corpuscles and epithelials are photographed, then at low factorl relatively large cylinders, squamous epithelium, leukocyte clots and others are targeted, so that the dyeing time of cylinders and others may be extended, if only slightly, thereby obtaining well dyed cylinders.
Besides, the flow rate ratio of the sample liquid and sheath liquid may be varied by changing the feed amount of sample liquid without changing the feed amount of sheath liquid, so that the volume of sample liquid flowing in a flat sheath flow may be varied.
Moreover, in the apparatus shown in Fig. 9, the sample liquid is forced out from the tip of the nozzle by the sample liquid supply means, and flows through a reducing passage (numeral 13 in Fig. 8) of the flow cell 78. On the other hand, sheath liquid is supplied from the sheath liquid supply means into the reducing passage of the flow cell 78.
The sample liquid is surrounded with sheath liquid, and 20~9903 flows through the reducing passage of the flow cell 78 and the communicating flattened passage 80 (numeral 14 in Fig.
8). The flattened passage 80 is smaller in thickness as compared with the width, and the sample follows the shape of this flattened passage 80 to be formed into an extremely flattened flow smaller in thickness as compared with the width.
The light oE a short emission time is continuously emitted from the strobe 50. This light passes through the aperture iris 58. The aperture iris 58 is varied in the opening area by the variable means 66, and the quantity of passing light is changed. The light passing through the aperture iris S8 is converged by a condenser lens 76, and is emitted to the measuring area in which the sample liquid of the flattened passage 80 flows. The light passing through the flattened passage 80 of the flow cell 78 is magnified to a specific factor by the objective lens 82, projection lens 86 or 88, and is picked up by the image pickup means 90. The projection lenses 86, 88 are held by the holder 92, and this holder 92 is moved by the changeover means 94, thereby changing over the projection lenses. By properly selecting the sample feed speed by the sample supply means, the opening area of the aperture iris 58 by the variable means ~6, and the projection lens 86 or 88 by the changeover means 94, and synchronizing, the state of low scale factor and the state 20~9903 of high scale factor may be produced.
Besidesl by the moving means 57, the state of disposing the diffuser plate 56 and the state of not disposing between the strobe 59 and aperture iris 58 may be producea.
Having thus composed, the invention brings about the following effects.
tl) In the method and apparatus for analyzing only a part of the sample liquid by feeding the sheath liquid at a specific pressure, the sample discharge flow rate is corrected and varied depending on the temperature, and the thickness and width of the sample liquid may be kept constant if the ambient temperature fluctuates, and hence the number of detected particles is unchanged and the precision of analysis may be kept constant.
(2) Comparing with the method (a) or (b) in Prior Art, the cost is lower and the size is smaller.
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING PARTICBES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for analyzing particles by passing a sample liquid such as urine taken from a subject in a flattened flow, and classifying or counting visible components in sample liquid by processing the image.
Hitherto i9 known an apparatus for taking cells or particles in a flat sheath flow by a video camera, and classifying or counting the particles by iamge processing.
A flat sheath flow is to pass a particle suspension by covering its surroundings with a laminar flow liquid, and to form the particle suspension in a flattened flow with a large slenderness ratio.
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of such apparatus, which is intended to analyze components (blood cells, epithelial cells, cylinders, etc.) in urine sample. The urine sample pretreated by dyeing or the like is discharged from a nozzle 12 at a specific flow rate by sample liquid discharge means 18, and is led into a flat sheath flow cell 10. At the same time, in the flow cell 10, a sheath liquid is also 20~9903 fed in by sheath liquid feed means 21, and an extremely flat (thin and broad) sample liquid flow is formed in a rectangular pas~age 14 with a section having a large slenderness ratio.
The sheath liquid is fed by a pump 22 through a sheath liquid chamber 20 (a syringe may be used for feeding the sheath liquid, but the cost is higher). The sample liquid discharge means 18 is a syringe type driven, for example, by a motor 19 .
From one side across the rectangular passage 14 (from the back side of the sheet of paper in Fig. 1), a strobe is emitted, and a still image of the sample liquid is taken by a video camera disposed on the other side (not shown). Numeral 16 is a part where an objective lens (not shown) is disposed.
The taken picture is analyzed by an image processor, and the cell images are drawn, and particles are classified and counted.
When the ambient temperature changes, the viscosity of a fluid varies, which affects the liquid flow. In a system where the sheath liquid is supplied at a specific pressure, the flow rate of the sheath liquid varies due to change of fluid resistance, and the balance of the flow rate of sample liquid and sheath liquid is broken. When the temperature becomes higher, the flow rate increases abruptly.
Fig. 2 to Fig. S are drawings for explaininy the flow of sample liquid in the flat sheath flow cell 10. Fig. 2 and Fig. 4 are front views, Fig. 3 is a sectional view oE
line 3~3 in Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a sectional view of line 5-5 in Fig. 4. Numeral 26 shows a sample liquid flow part.
Numeral 28 is a video camera taking area.
At low temperature, the viscosity of the liquid (the sheath liquid in this case) is high, and the flow rate of the sheath liquid is low, and the sample liquid Elows in a broad width Wl and a great thickness Dl as shown in Figs. 2, 3. At high temperature, to the contrary, as shown in Figs.
4, 5, the sample liquid flows in a narrow width W2 and a small thickness D2.
On the other hand, the taking area 28 is not changed.
Therefore, a difference is caused in the volume of the sample liquid that can be taken in the entire sample liquid, which may affect the result of analysis. For example, the number of taken particles differs.
The axis of ordinates in Fig. 6 denotes the changing rate of the number of taken particles, and the axis of abscissas represents the liquid temperature. The peformance is ba~ed on the liquid temperature of 24C. The solid line indicates the change of the number of taken particles in the con~entional apparatus, in which the number of taken particles is larger at low temperature, and smaller at high temperature.
In an ordinary flow cytometer, on the other hand, when 20599~3 supplying the sheath liquid at a specific pressure, the thic-kness of the sample liquid flow varies similarly.
As shown in Fig. 7, however, the light 30 is emitted by completely crossing the sample liquid flow 32, and the entire sample liquid flow can be detected. Therefore, if the temperature fluctuates, only the frequency band of the particle signals changes somewhat due to flow rate changes of the sample liquid, and serious problems such as change of counting due to change of sample liquid volume to be detected can be avoided.
Thus, in an apparatus design to detect a part, not all, of the sample liquid flow, it is very important to eliminate the fluctuations of flow due to temperature variations.
To solve this problem, for example, in the sheath liquid piping 24 shown in Fig. 1, (a) a thermostatic unit may be disposed, or (b) flow rate detecting means may be provided to control the pump pressure.
In the case of (a), a heater or a cooler and its temperature control means are needed, which results in increase of cost and size of apparatus. Practically, a block of high thermal conductivity in which a flow passage is formed is necessary, and in order to keep this block at a constant temperature, a heater of a larger thermal capacity is required.
2û~9903 In the case of (b), flow rate detecting means and pump output pressure control means are necessary, and the cost is similarly raised, Besides it is difficult to control the pump output pressure precisely.
.; , OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is hence a primary object of the invention to present a method and apparatus for analyzing particles capable of analyzing at high precision while keeping constant the width and thickness of the flow of sample, regardless of changes of ambient conditions such as temperature, without increasing the cost or size of apparatus, To achieve the above object, as eviaent from comparison between Fig. 1 ~a block diagram of a conventional apparatus) and Fig, 8 (a block diagram of the invention), the apparatus for analyzing particles of the invention comprises, among others, a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature and a temperature measuring circuit for measuring the temperature on the basis of changes of the temperature sensor, in which driving of the sample liquid discharge means i9 controlled on the basis of the signal from the temperature measuring circuit by a driving circuit of the sample liquid discharge means, More .specifically, the invention presents an apparatus for analyzing particles by emitting a strobe light to a sample flow in an extremely flattened flow having a sheath liquid as outer layer to obtain a still picture, and analyzing components in the sample liquid by image processing, in which the sheath liquid is supplied at a specific pressure, the discharge flow rate of the sample liquid discharge means is variable, and the apparatus further comprises a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temeprature, a temperature measuring circuit for measuring the temperature on the basis of the changes of the temeprature sensor, and a driving circuit for driving the sample liquid discharge means so that the discharge flow rate of the sample liquid discharge means may agree with a specific value depending on the signal from the temperature measuring circuit.
In the driving circuit, data for defining the relation between the temperature information and the operating speed of the sample liquid discharge means is prepared, and the operating speed of the sample liquid discharge means is determined from the temperature information and the data.
Besides, in an apparatus design to photograph a same sample liquid by varying the taking scale factor on the way, same correction cannot be done because the taking area and other conditions are different. That is, data for low scale factor and data for high scale factor are prepared.
The invention presents a method for analyzing particles by emitting a strobe light to a sample flow in an extremely flattened flow having a sheath liquid as outer layer to obtain a still picture, and analyzing components in the sample liquid by image processing, wherein the sheath liquid is supplied at a specific pressure, and the sample liquid discharge flow rate is corrected depending on the ambient temperature.
The invention also presents a method for analyzing particles by emitting a strobe light to a sample flow in an extremely flattened flow having a sheath liquid as outer layer to obtain a still picture, and analyzing components in the sample liquid by image processing, wherein in a same sample liquid, either the low scale factor taking state for simultaneously selecting the states of (a), (c), and (e), that is, (a) the state of reducing the quantity of light emitted to the region where the sample liquid flows, ~c) the state of passing the sample liquid by increasing its thickness, and (e) the state of taking the still picture of the sample liquid at a low scale factor, or the high scale factor taking state for simultaneously selecting the states of (b), (d), and (f), that is, (b) the state of increasing the quantity of light, (d~ the state of passing by reducing the thickness, and (f) the state of taking the picture at a high scale factor is selected, and the sheath liquia is supplied at a specific pressure, the discharge flow rate of the sample liquid discharge means is controlled, and the correction factor is changed whether in t:he high scale factor taking state or in the low scale factor taking state when correcting the sample liquid discharge flow rate depending on the ambient temperature.
The invention further presents an apparatus for analyzing particles by emitting a strobe light to a sample flow in an extremely flattened flow having a sheath liquid as outer layer to obtain a still picture, and analyzing components in the sample liquid by image processing, comprlsing:
sheath liquid supply means for supplying a sheath liquid at a specific pressure, sample liquid discharge means capable of controlling the discharge flow rate, a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature, a temperature measuring circuit for measurins the temperature on the basis of the changes of the temperature sensor, and a driving circuit for driving the sample liquid discharge means by correcting the discharge flow rate of the sample liquid discharge means depending on the signal from the temperature measuring circuit.
20~9903 The inventiOn moreover presents an apparatus for analyzing particles by emitting a strobe light to a sample flow in an extremely flattened flow having a sheath liquid as outer layer to obtain a still picture, and analyzing components in the sample liquid by image processing, comprislng:
an aperture iris disPosed before a flow cell, variable means for varying the opening area of the aperture iris, projection lenses differing in the scale factor, being disposed after the flow cell and before image pickup means, and means for changing over the projection lenses, being composed so as to possess, in a same sample, either the low scale factor taking state for simultaneously selecting the states of (a), (c), and (e), that is, (a~ the state of reducing the quantity of light emitted to the region where the sample liquid flows, (c) the state of passing the sample liquid by increasing its thickness, and (e) the state of taking the still picture of the sa~ple liquid at a low scale factor, or the high scale factor taking state for simultaneously selecting the states of (b), td), and (f), that is, (b) the state of increasing the quantity of light, (d) the state of passing by reducing the thickness, and (f) the state of g _ taking the picture at a high scale factor, further comprising:
sheath liquid supply means for supplying a sheath liquid at a specific pressure, sample liquid discharge means capable oE controlling the discharge flow rate, a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature, a temperature measuring circuit for measuring the temperature on the basis of the changes of the temperature sensor, and a driving circuit for driving the sample liquid discharge means by correcting the discharge flow rate of the sample liquid discharge means depending on the signal from the temperature measuring circuit, wherein the correction factor is changed whether in the high scale factor taking state or in the low scale factor taking state when correcting the sample liquid discharge flow rate depending on the ambient temperature.
The ambient temperature is measured by the temperature sensor and the temperature measuring circuit, and the temperature information is sent to the driving circuit.
In the driving circuit, from the obtained temperature information and the preset data, the operating speed of the sample liquid discharge means is determined. From the sample liquid discharge means, the sample liquid is discharged at a flow rate corresponding to the ambient temperature. That is, at low temperature, the flow rate of the sample liquid is small, and at high temperature it i5 large, so that the flow rates of the sheath liquid and sample liquid are always constantly balanced regardless of the temperature, and hence the width and thickness of the sample liquid are always the same. Hence, the number oE photographed particles is also constant.
When photographing by varying the scale factor on the way, depending on the data for low scale factor and the data for high scale factor, the discharge volume of the sample liquid is optimally corrected individually, so that the number of photographed particles is always the same whether taken at high scale factor or at low scale factor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWIN~S
Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional apparatus for analyzing particles;
Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of low temperature for explaining the flow of sample liquid in a flat sheath flow cell;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view of line 3-3 in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of high temperature for explaining the flow of sample liquid in a flat sheath flow cell;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view of line 5-5 in Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a graph showing the relation between the liquid temperature and the changing rate of detected particle number Fig. 7 is a explanatory diagram showing the relation between the sample liquid flow and emitted light in an ordinary flow cytometer;
Fig. 8 is a fluid block diagram showing an embodiment of an apparatus for analyzing particles of the invention;
Fig. 9 is a block diagram for explaining the changeover of photographic scale factors in the invention;
Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a flattened flow of sample liquid;
Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the ~lattened sample liquid in Fig. 10:
Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing other example of a flattened flow of sample liquid; and Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the flattened sample liquid in Fig. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, some of the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below.
In Fig. 8, numeral 36 is a temperature sensor for 20~9903 detecting the temperature of a sheath liquid, being mounted on the outer wall of a sheath liquid chamber 20. The temperature sensor 36 is enough, if not detecting the temperature of the sheath liquid itself, as far as the temperature of a point corresponding to the temperature of the sheath llquid can be detected.
The signal of the temperature sensor 36 is amplified by a temperature measuring circuit 38. As the case may be, it may be A/D converted. A signal containing temperature information is sent from the temperature measuring circuit 38 to a driving circuit 34. Numeral 14 is a rectangular passage (flattened passage), and a reducing passage 13 is connected to its upper part.
The sample liquid discharge means 18 is, for example, of syringe type for moving the piston by converting the normal and reverse rotary motion of the motor 19 into a reciprocal linear motion. By a drive signal from the driving circuit 34, the discharge flow rate and suction flow rate of the discharge means 18 may be set to desired values. The flow rate and rotating speed of the motor 19 are in proportional relation. Numeral 21 is sheath liquid supply means, being composed of sheath liquid chamber 20, pump 22, sheath liquid piping 24 and others.
In Fig. 6, when not corrected at all as indicated by solid lines 40, 42, when the liquid temperature varies, the number of detected particles is changed. The lines 40, 42 represent the changes of the number of detected particles in the high scale ~actor image ~HPF) and the low scale factor image ~LPF), respectively.
There is, however, a speclfic relation between the number of detected particles and the sample liquid discharge flow rate. Accordingly, when the relation between each number of detected particles and temperature is disclosed by the solid lines 40, 42 in Fig. 6, it is now how fast the motor 19 of the sample liquid discharge means 18 should be rotated in order to keep constant the number of detected particles regardless of the temperature at each scale factor.
That is, the correspondence of the temperature and the correction amount of the rotating speed o the motor can be obtalned. This correspondence data is stored in the driving circuit 34. By a signal from the temperature measuring circuit 38, the motor 19 rotates at a speed corresponding to the measured temperature, and the sample liquid discharge means 18 also discharges the sample liquid at a discharge flow rate corresponding to the temperature. Or, by installing a circuit for data processing between the temperature measuring circuit 38 and the motor driving circuit 34, the arithmetic operation may be done in this circuit.
More specifically, the rotating speed of the sample 2~9903 liquid discharge means 18 is determined in the Eollowing formula.
Rotating speed at l.ow scale factor:
Q~(t) = Q~2~ x [1 + 7.32 x 10-3 x It - 24) + 2.85 x 10-5 x (t - 24)21 Rotating speed at high scale factor:
QH(t) = QL24 x [1 ~ 1.86 x 10-2 x (t - 24) + 5.05 x 10-4 x tt - 24)21 where t: ambient tempe~ature [C~
Q~24: rotating speed at 24C (at low scale Eactor) QH24: rotating speed at 24 ~C ( at high scale factor) Incidentally, the correspondence data may be also obtained by measuring the volume of the sheath liquid flowing within a specific time while varying the temperature, and determining the relation between the temperature and sheath liquid flow rate.
Thus by correcting and varying the rotating speed of the motor 19 depending on the temperature, the number of detected particles may be kept constant, regardless of the temperature, whether at high scale factor or at low scale factor. Broken lines 44, 46 in Fig. 6 represent fluctuations of the detected particles at high scale factor and low scale factor in corrected cases, respectively.
The changeover oE photographic scale factor is explained below by reference to Fig. 9. The single-dot chain line denotes the optical axis.
Numeral 50 is a strobe, which emits light, for example, for about 5 ~s in every 1/30 second. The light from the strobe 50 is focused by collector lens 52. It is further transformed into parallel light by a field lens 54, and is reflected nearly 90 degrees by a mirror 56, and enters an aperture iris 58. In this embodiment, between the collector lens 52 and field lens 54, a diffuser plate 56 and its moving means 57 are provided. The diffuser plate 56 is, for example, a ground glass, and it is supported by a holder 60.
The holder 60 is mounted on a rotatable shaft 64 of rotary actuator 62 or motor or the like, and as the shaft 64 rotates, the pulse light from the strobe 50 passes through the diffuser plate 56 in one state, and does not pass in the other state. By passing through the diffuser plate 56, the light is diffused, and unevenness of luminous intensity is canceled to form a uniform light. As the aperture iris 58 is rotated about the shaft, the area of the light passing opening varies, so that the quantity of light may be regulated. The aperture iris 58 is rotated by variable means 66, and the area of the opening is changed. The variable means 66 is composed by, for example, attaching a toothed pulley 70 on a rotatably shaft of motor 68 or the like, fitting also a toothed pulley 72 to the outer circumference of the aperture iris 58, and applying a timing belt 74 on both toothed pulleys 72, 70.
2059~03 The light passing through the opening of the aperture iris 58 is focused by a condenser lens 76 to illuminate the small region in which the sample liquid of the flattened passage 80 of the Elow cell 78 flows. As the aperture iris 58 is throttled, the quantity of light becomes smaller, and the depth of focus increases. The light passing through the flow cell 78 is magnified, for example, by an objective lens 82 of lO times of magnification, and is reflected by a mirror 84 to pass through projection lens 86 or 88 so as to be taken by image pickup means 90 of video camera or the like. The projection lens 86, 88 magnify, for example, by 1 and 4. The projection lenses 86, 88 are supported by a holder 92, and the holder 92 is reciprocally and linearly moved by changeover means 94. The changeover means 94 is realized, for example, by fitting a piston 98 of an air cylinder 96 to the holder 92.
To move the holder 92 without excessive play, a linear slider is used. When the projection lens 86 is selected, for example, the scale factor is lO times in total, and the light passing through the lens 86 directly enters the image pickup means 90 to focus an image on the pickup plane. When the projection lens 88 is selected, the scale factor is, for example, 40 times in total, and the light passing through the lens 88 is reflected by reflection mirrors lO0, 102, 104, 106, and enters the image pickup means 90, lengthening optical paths, to focus an image on the pickup plane. It is necessary to cover 2059~03 the optical path from the objective lens 82 to the image pickup means 90 so as to be protected from effects of disturbance light.
Fig. 10 to Fig. 13 are diagrams showing liquid samples 108, llO flowing in the central part of the flattened passage 80 of the flow cell 78. Figs. 11, 13 are sectional views of liquid samples 108, llO. In Figs. 10, 12, numerals 112, 114 indicate the viewing field (pickup area) at the scale factors of, for example, 40 times, lO times. The optical system is designed so that 0.61 NA/~ and 2 x pixel interval/M may be approximately equal to each other at high scale factor, where NA is the numebr of openings of the lens, ~ is the light wavelength, and M is the scale factor of lens. At 40 times, the object field depth is relatively shallow. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. ll, it is necessary to prepare the thickness of the sample liquid flow slightly less than the object field depth. Besides in order to take picture of as many particles as possible, it is necessary that the sample liquid be flow-ing so as to cover the entire region of the viewing field.
At lO times, the obejct field depth is relatively deep.
Accordingly, as shown in Fig. ll, the focus is matched when the thickness of the sample liquid flow is thin. However, for the smallness of the thickness of the sample liquid flow, the photographed sample liquid is smaller, and the number of obtained particles is smaller, and the precision of analysis is lowered. The urine sample is very small in the number of particles contained as compared with blood or other sample.
Preferably, therefore, the thickness of the sample liquid flow should be slightly less than the object field depth of the lens. When desired to lower the scale factor, accordingly, it is desired to pass the sample liquid so that the thickness may be sufficient as shown in Fig. 13.
To vary the thickness of the sample liquid flow, either one or both of sheath liquid supply volume and sample liquid supply volume should be changed. The structure is simple when it is designed to change only the sample liquid supply volume while fixing the sheath li~uid supply volume.
When changing over the lenses, if the lens position i8 shiftea upon every changeover, the lens becomes off focus or the image cannot be picked up correctly. It is therefore nece~sary to arrange so that such troubles may not occur if the lens position is changed only slightly. It is preferable in this respect to keep low the scale factor of the lens to be moved tin this example, the scale factor of the projection lenses is 1 and 4). On the other hand, the scale factor of the fixed objective lens 82 is set larger (10 times in the objective lens in this example).
In the apparatus shown in Fig. 9, when photographing the sample liquid at low scale factor, the object field depth of the lens is deep. Therefore, the focus can be adjusted 2û~9903 within the range if the thickness of the sample liquid flow is great. At a low scale factor, the region of photographing the sample flow, that is, the viewing field is wide. Hence, a sufficient light signal reaches the image pickup means, and a bright image is obtained if the quantity of illuminating light is small.
When photographing the sample liquid at high scale factor, the object field depth of the lens is shallow.
Therefore, unless the thickness of the sample flow is reduced, off-focus parts are caused. Therefore, the thickness of the sample flow is reduced. At a high scale factor, the viewing field is narrow. When the quantity of illuminating light is same as at a low scale factor, the quantity oE light reaching the pickup means is smaller. Accordingly, in the case of high scale factor, the quantity of illuminating light is increased as compared with the ca9e of low scale factor so that a nearly same quantity of light may reach the image pickup means.
Thus, whether at low scale factor or at high scale Eactor, a focused, sharp image without change in brightness i 9 obtained.
If the intensity of the illuminating light is uneven ln the pickup viewing field, the intensity may be made uniform by diffusing light. By emitting the uniform light to the sample flow, an image of uniform background will be obtained.
The unevenness of luminous intensity is possible to appear withln the viewing field when the viewing field is wide and the scale factor is low.
Blood corpuscles and epithelial cells are easily dyed by dyestuff. On the other hands, the cylinders are larger than small epithelial cells, crystals, leukocytes and bacteria, and are hardly dyed. Accordingly, in the first place, at high scale factorl relatively small blood corpuscles and epithelials are photographed, then at low factorl relatively large cylinders, squamous epithelium, leukocyte clots and others are targeted, so that the dyeing time of cylinders and others may be extended, if only slightly, thereby obtaining well dyed cylinders.
Besides, the flow rate ratio of the sample liquid and sheath liquid may be varied by changing the feed amount of sample liquid without changing the feed amount of sheath liquid, so that the volume of sample liquid flowing in a flat sheath flow may be varied.
Moreover, in the apparatus shown in Fig. 9, the sample liquid is forced out from the tip of the nozzle by the sample liquid supply means, and flows through a reducing passage (numeral 13 in Fig. 8) of the flow cell 78. On the other hand, sheath liquid is supplied from the sheath liquid supply means into the reducing passage of the flow cell 78.
The sample liquid is surrounded with sheath liquid, and 20~9903 flows through the reducing passage of the flow cell 78 and the communicating flattened passage 80 (numeral 14 in Fig.
8). The flattened passage 80 is smaller in thickness as compared with the width, and the sample follows the shape of this flattened passage 80 to be formed into an extremely flattened flow smaller in thickness as compared with the width.
The light oE a short emission time is continuously emitted from the strobe 50. This light passes through the aperture iris 58. The aperture iris 58 is varied in the opening area by the variable means 66, and the quantity of passing light is changed. The light passing through the aperture iris S8 is converged by a condenser lens 76, and is emitted to the measuring area in which the sample liquid of the flattened passage 80 flows. The light passing through the flattened passage 80 of the flow cell 78 is magnified to a specific factor by the objective lens 82, projection lens 86 or 88, and is picked up by the image pickup means 90. The projection lenses 86, 88 are held by the holder 92, and this holder 92 is moved by the changeover means 94, thereby changing over the projection lenses. By properly selecting the sample feed speed by the sample supply means, the opening area of the aperture iris 58 by the variable means ~6, and the projection lens 86 or 88 by the changeover means 94, and synchronizing, the state of low scale factor and the state 20~9903 of high scale factor may be produced.
Besidesl by the moving means 57, the state of disposing the diffuser plate 56 and the state of not disposing between the strobe 59 and aperture iris 58 may be producea.
Having thus composed, the invention brings about the following effects.
tl) In the method and apparatus for analyzing only a part of the sample liquid by feeding the sheath liquid at a specific pressure, the sample discharge flow rate is corrected and varied depending on the temperature, and the thickness and width of the sample liquid may be kept constant if the ambient temperature fluctuates, and hence the number of detected particles is unchanged and the precision of analysis may be kept constant.
(2) Comparing with the method (a) or (b) in Prior Art, the cost is lower and the size is smaller.
(3) When changing over the scale factor in the midst of measuring, the correction amount of the sample liquid discharge flow rate is changed whether at low scale factor or at high scale factor, and anyway, regardless of the temperature, a specific number of particles may be always detected.
Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those 20~9903 precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those 20~9903 precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (4)
1. A method for analyzing particles by emitting a strobe light to a sample flow in an extremely flattened flow having a sheath liquid as outer layer to obtain a still picture, and analyzing components in the sample liquid by image processing, wherein the sheath liquid is supplied at a specific pressure, and the sample liquid discharge flow rate is corrected depending on the ambient temperature.
2. A method for analyzing particles by emitting a strobe light to a sample flow in an extremely flattened flow having a sheath liquid as outer layer to obtain a still picture, and analyzing components in the sample liquid by image processing, wherein in a same sample liquid, either the low scale factor taking state for simultaneously selecting the states of (a), (c), and (e), that is, (a) the state of reducing the quantity of light emitted to the region where the sample liquid flows, (c) the state of passing the sample liquid by increasing its thickness, and (e) the state of taking the still picture of the sample liquid at a low scale factor, or the high scale factor taking state for simultaneously selecting the states of (b), (d), and (f), that is, (b) the state of increasing the quantity of light, (d) the state of passing by reducing the thickness, and (f) the state of taking the picture at a high scale factor is selected, and the sheath liquid is supplied at a specific pressure, the discharge flow rate of the sample liquid discharge means is controlled, and the correction factor is changed whether in the high scale factor taking state or in the low scale factor taking state when correcting the sample liquid discharge flow rate depending on the ambient temperature.
3. An apparatus for analyzing particles by emitting a strobe light to a sample flow in an extremely flattened flow having a sheath liquid as outer layer to obtain a still picture, and analyzing components in the sample liquid by image processing, comprising:
sheath liquid supply means for supplying a sheath liquid at a specific pressure, sample liquid discharge means capable of controlling the discharge flow rate, a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature, a temperature measuring circuit for measuring the temperature on the basis of the changes of the temperature sensor, and a driving circuit for driving the sample liquid discharge means by correcting the discharge flow rate of the sample liquid discharge means depending on the signal from the temperature measuring circuit.
sheath liquid supply means for supplying a sheath liquid at a specific pressure, sample liquid discharge means capable of controlling the discharge flow rate, a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature, a temperature measuring circuit for measuring the temperature on the basis of the changes of the temperature sensor, and a driving circuit for driving the sample liquid discharge means by correcting the discharge flow rate of the sample liquid discharge means depending on the signal from the temperature measuring circuit.
4. An apparatus for analyzing particles by emitting a strobe light to a sample flow in an extremely flattened flow having a sheath liquid as outer layer to obtain a still picture, and analyzing components in the sample liquid by image processing, comprising:
an aperture iris disposed before a flow cell, variable means for varying the opening area of the aperture iris, projection lenses differing in the scale factor, being disposed after the flow cell and before image pickup means, and means for changing over the projection lenses, being composed so as to possess, in a same sample, either the low scale factor taking state for simultaneously selecting the states of (a), (c), and (e), that is, (a) the state of reducing the quantity of light emitted to the region where the sample liquid flows, (c) the state of passing the sample liquid by increasing its thickness, and (e) the state of taking the still picture of the sample liquid at a low scale factor, or the high scale factor taking state for simultaneously selecting the states of (b), (d), and (f), that is, (b) the state of increasing the quantity of light, (d) the state of passing by reducing the thickness, and (f) the state of taking the picture at a high scale factor, further comprising:
sheath liquid supply means for supplying a sheath liquid at a specific pressure, sample liquid discharge means capable of controlling the discharge flow rate, a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature, a temperature measuring circuit for measuring the temperature on the basis of the changes of the temperature sensor, and a driving circuit for driving the sample liquid discharge means by correcting the discharge flow rate of the sample liquid discharge means depending on the signal from the temperature measuring circuit, wherein the correction factor is changed whether in the high scale factor taking state or in the low scale factor taking state when correcting the sample liquid discharge flow rate depending on the ambient temperature.
an aperture iris disposed before a flow cell, variable means for varying the opening area of the aperture iris, projection lenses differing in the scale factor, being disposed after the flow cell and before image pickup means, and means for changing over the projection lenses, being composed so as to possess, in a same sample, either the low scale factor taking state for simultaneously selecting the states of (a), (c), and (e), that is, (a) the state of reducing the quantity of light emitted to the region where the sample liquid flows, (c) the state of passing the sample liquid by increasing its thickness, and (e) the state of taking the still picture of the sample liquid at a low scale factor, or the high scale factor taking state for simultaneously selecting the states of (b), (d), and (f), that is, (b) the state of increasing the quantity of light, (d) the state of passing by reducing the thickness, and (f) the state of taking the picture at a high scale factor, further comprising:
sheath liquid supply means for supplying a sheath liquid at a specific pressure, sample liquid discharge means capable of controlling the discharge flow rate, a temperature sensor for detecting the ambient temperature, a temperature measuring circuit for measuring the temperature on the basis of the changes of the temperature sensor, and a driving circuit for driving the sample liquid discharge means by correcting the discharge flow rate of the sample liquid discharge means depending on the signal from the temperature measuring circuit, wherein the correction factor is changed whether in the high scale factor taking state or in the low scale factor taking state when correcting the sample liquid discharge flow rate depending on the ambient temperature.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP3-102116 | 1991-04-05 | ||
| JP10211691A JP3075367B2 (en) | 1991-04-05 | 1991-04-05 | Particle analysis method and device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2059903A1 true CA2059903A1 (en) | 1992-10-06 |
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2059903 Abandoned CA2059903A1 (en) | 1991-04-05 | 1992-01-23 | Method and apparatus for analyzing particles |
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| US (1) | US5374398A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0508688B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP3075367B2 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU645169B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2059903A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69215735T2 (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| JPH07294414A (en) * | 1994-04-25 | 1995-11-10 | Hitachi Ltd | Grain image analyzing method and device therefor |
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| KR100274605B1 (en) * | 1997-12-05 | 2000-12-15 | 윤종용 | Chip leveling apparatus of stepper for wafer exposure |
| US6315952B1 (en) | 1998-10-05 | 2001-11-13 | The University Of New Mexico | Plug flow cytometry for high throughput screening and drug discovery |
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| US9429509B2 (en) * | 2002-01-28 | 2016-08-30 | Sysmex Corporation | Particle analyzer and particle analysis method |
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| US8021039B2 (en) * | 2007-11-07 | 2011-09-20 | Frank Amato | Quality control material monitor |
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| DE2543310C2 (en) * | 1975-09-27 | 1982-04-29 | Gesellschaft für Strahlen- und Umweltforschung mbH, 8000 München | Device for counting and classifying particles suspended in a liquid |
| US4515274A (en) * | 1981-12-02 | 1985-05-07 | Coulter Corporation | Particle analyzing and sorting apparatus |
| US4683212A (en) * | 1982-09-30 | 1987-07-28 | Technicon Instruments Corporation | Random access single channel sheath stream apparatus |
| US4600302A (en) * | 1984-03-26 | 1986-07-15 | Becton, Dickinson And Company | Flow cytometry apparatus with uniform incoherent light excitation |
| US4660971A (en) * | 1984-05-03 | 1987-04-28 | Becton, Dickinson And Company | Optical features of flow cytometry apparatus |
| DE3420018A1 (en) * | 1984-05-29 | 1985-12-05 | Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V., 3400 Göttingen | DEVICE FOR MEASURING SPECIFIC PROPERTIES OF PARTICLES SUSPENDED IN A CARRIER MEDIUM |
| JPS61153546A (en) * | 1984-12-26 | 1986-07-12 | Canon Inc | Particle analyzer |
| DE3851458T2 (en) * | 1987-04-08 | 1995-02-09 | Hitachi Ltd | Device with a vaginal flow cell. |
| JPS63262565A (en) * | 1987-04-20 | 1988-10-28 | Hitachi Ltd | Flow cell |
| US5040890A (en) * | 1987-11-25 | 1991-08-20 | Becton, Dickinson And Company | Sheathed particle flow controlled by differential pressure |
| CA1324894C (en) * | 1989-03-31 | 1993-12-07 | Maritime Scientific Services Ltd. | Method and apparatus for the identification of particles |
| US5030002A (en) * | 1989-08-11 | 1991-07-09 | Becton, Dickinson And Company | Method and apparatus for sorting particles with a moving catcher tube |
-
1991
- 1991-04-05 JP JP10211691A patent/JP3075367B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1992
- 1992-01-16 US US07/821,035 patent/US5374398A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-01-17 AU AU10305/92A patent/AU645169B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1992-01-23 CA CA 2059903 patent/CA2059903A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-04-03 DE DE1992615735 patent/DE69215735T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1992-04-03 EP EP19920302934 patent/EP0508688B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0508688A3 (en) | 1993-05-19 |
| EP0508688A2 (en) | 1992-10-14 |
| JP3075367B2 (en) | 2000-08-14 |
| US5374398A (en) | 1994-12-20 |
| AU645169B2 (en) | 1994-01-06 |
| JPH04309841A (en) | 1992-11-02 |
| DE69215735D1 (en) | 1997-01-23 |
| EP0508688B1 (en) | 1996-12-11 |
| AU1030592A (en) | 1992-10-08 |
| DE69215735T2 (en) | 1997-05-15 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Discontinued |