Data management computer, sample analyzing system, and computer program

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-100526 filed on Apr. 28, 2011, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a data management computer including a display section for displaying measurement results obtained by measuring a sample. The present invention also relates to an analyzing system including a sample measuring apparatus for measuring a sample, and the data management computer. The present invention further relates to a computer program for operating a computer for displaying the measurement results obtained by measuring a sample.

2. Description of the Related Art

A sample analyzer for displaying the measurement results obtained by measuring a sample is conventionally known.

U.S. Patent application publication No. 2007-0179715 discloses an analyzer including a measuring apparatus for measuring a sample and generating particle measurement data, and a computer for analyzing the particle measurement data received from the measuring apparatus, and generating detailed information including numerical value data, particle size distribution diagram, and scattergram. The computer includes a display. As shown in FIG. 3 of U.S. Patent application publication No. 2007-0179715, the computer can display a list of measurement results for a plurality of samples. The operator can select one measurement result from the list. The operator can see the detailed information of the selected measurement result, such as the particle size distribution and the scattergram, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 of U.S. Patent application publication No. 2007-0179715 by selecting one from the list.

When users such as clinical laboratory technicians refer the measurement results, they sometimes refer one measurement result as well as other measurement results related thereto. For instance, to determine whether a validation should be made on a measurement result of a re-test, the users sometimes refer a measurement result of an initial test of the same sample. Or, in other case, to determine whether a validation should be made on a measurement result of a sample, the users sometimes refer a measurement result of the past sample obtained from the same patient.

In the prior art, if the users desire to see detailed information of related measurement result while referring detailed information of one measurement result, the users have to once close the detailed information screen, open a list, search a related measurement result therefrom, and then open the detailed information screen of the searched measurement result.

A first aspect of the present invention is a data management computer for a sample measuring apparatus comprising: a data storage for storing results of measurements for a sample obtained by the sample measuring apparatus, the measurements including an initial measurement for a sample and a secondary measurement which is performed on the sample following the initial measurement; a display section; an input device; and a controller programmed to: cause the display section to display a first result screen which shows a result of the initial measurement for a sample; receive a predefined operation by use of the input device while displaying the first result screen; and cause the display section to display, in a response to the predefined operation, a second result screen which shows a result of the secondary measurement for the sample.

A second aspect of the present invention is a sample analyzing system comprising: one or more sample measuring apparatuses for measuring a sample; a data storage for storing results of measurements for a sample obtained by the sample measuring apparatus, the measurements including an initial measurement for a sample and a secondary measurement which is performed on the sample following the initial measurement; a data management computer communicably connected to the data storage, wherein the data management computer includes a display section; an input device; and a controller which is programmed to: cause the display section to display a first result screen which shows a result of the initial measurement for a sample; receive a predefined operation by use of the input device while displaying the first result screen; and cause the display section to display, in a response to the predefined operation, a second result screen which shows a result of the secondary measurement for the sample.

A third aspect of the present invention is a computer program product for causing a computer including an input device and a display section to function as a data management computer for a sample measuring apparatus, the computer program product comprising: a computer readable medium; and an instruction stored in the computer readable medium, wherein the instruction comprising: causing the display section to display a first result screen which shows a result of an initial measurement for a sample; receiving a predefined operation by use of an input device while displaying the first result screen; and causing the display section to display, in a response to the predefined operation, a second result screen which shows a result of a secondary measurement which is performed on the sample following the initial measurement.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a data management computer for a sample measuring apparatus comprising: a data storage for storing results of measurements for samples obtained by the sample measuring apparatus, the measurement result including a plurality of results for a plurality of samples collected from a same patient; a display section; an input device; and a controller programmed to: cause the display section to display a first result screen which shows a result of measurement on a first sample collected from a patient; receive a predefined operation by use of the input device while displaying the first result screen; and cause the display section to display, in response to the predefined operation, a second result screen which shows a result of measurement on a second sample collected from the patient.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a sample analyzer according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of when the interior of the sample analyzer according to the embodiment is seen from an upper side;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing unit according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a view schematically showing a data structure of a measurement result list according to the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sample analyzer according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing a data structure of an order list according to the embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a re-test determination rule in the sample analyzer according to the embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a displaying process according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a sub-routine of the flowchart of FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 10 is an illustrative view of a menu screen according to the embodiment;

FIG. 11 is an illustrative view of a sample explorer screen according to the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an illustrative view of a data browser screen according to the embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of a sample analyzing system according to another embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an illustrative view of a data browser screen according to another embodiment; and

FIGS. 15A and 15B are views describing an input method of a display instruction according to another embodiment.

[Configuration of Sample Analyzer]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sample analyzer according to the present embodiment. A sample analyzer 100 according to the present embodiment is a multi-item blood cell analyzer for measuring a blood sample contained in a sample container T including a vacuum blood collecting tube, classifying the blood cells contained in the blood sample to white blood cells, red blood cells, blood platelets, and the like, and counting each blood cell.

The sample analyzer 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes two measurement units 2 , 3 , a sample transport unit 4 arranged on the front surface side of the measurement units 2 , 3 , and an information processing unit 5 for controlling the measurement units 2 , 3 and the sample transport unit 4 .

[Configuration of Measurement Unit]

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a configuration of the sample analyzer 100 shown in FIG. 1 . The measurement unit 2 is arranged on an upstream side (X2 direction side) in the transporting direction of the sample of the sample transport unit 4 , and the measurement unit 3 is arranged on a downstream side (X1 direction side) in the transporting direction.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the measurement unit 2 includes a sample aspirating portion 21 for aspirating the blood sample from the sample container (blood collecting tube) T, a specimen preparing portion 22 for preparing a measurement specimen used in the measurement of the blood component such as the blood cell from the blood aspirated by the sample aspirating portion 21 , and a detecting portion 23 for detecting the blood cell from the measurement specimen prepared by the specimen preparing portion 22 .

The measurement unit 2 further includes a take-in port 24 (see FIG. 1 ) for taking in the sample container T accommodated in a sample rack L transported by the sample transport unit 4 into the measurement unit 2 , and a sample container transporting portion 25 for taking in the sample container T from the sample rack L into the measurement unit 2 , and transporting the sample container T up to an aspirating position 21 a by the sample aspirating portion 21 .

The sample container transporting portion 25 includes a hand part 25 a capable of gripping the sample container T, and a sample container setting part 25 b with a hole for receiving the sample container T. The hand part 25 a is movable in an up and down direction and in a front and back direction (Y1 direction and Y2 direction), and can grip the sample container T accommodated in the sample rack L, take out the sample container T from the sample rack L, and set the same in the sample container setting part 25 a . When the sample container setting part 25 b is moved backward (Y2 direction), the sample container T is taken into the measurement unit 2 , and the sample container T is transported up to the aspirating position 21 a.

[Configuration of Sample Transport Unit]

The sample transport unit 4 includes a pre-measurement rack holding portion 41 in which the sample rack L holding the sample container before the measurement is arranged, a transport path 42 for transporting the sample rack L to the left and right (X1 direction and X2 direction), and a post-measurement rack holding portion 44 in which the sample rack L holding the sample container after the measurement is arranged. The sample transport unit 4 further includes a barcode reader 43 for reading a barcode label attached to the sample container T held in the sample rack transported by the transport path 42 . The barcode label of the sample container T stores sample identification information (hereinafter referred to as sample ID) for identifying the blood sample contained in the sample container.

[Configuration of Information Processing Unit]

A configuration of the information processing unit 5 will now be described. The information processing unit 5 analyzes the measurement data output from the measurement units 2 , 3 , creates a particle size distribution (histogram) of red blood cells and a two-dimensional distribution diagram (scattergram) of white blood cells, and counts the number of blood cells of each sub-class (NEUT, LYMPH, EO, BASO, and MONO) of the white blood cells to generate the measurement result of the sample and display such measurement result.

The information processing unit 5 is configured by a computer. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the information processing unit 5 . As shown in FIG. 3 , the information processing unit 5 includes a computer main body 51 , a display section 52 , and an input section 53 . The computer main body 51 includes a CPU 51 a , a ROM 51 b , a RAM 51 c , a hard disc 51 d , a readout device 51 e , an input/output interface 51 f , a communication interface 51 g , and an image output interface 51 h . The CPU 51 a , the ROM 51 b , the RAM 51 c , the hard disc 51 d , the read-out device 51 e , the input/output interface 51 f , the communication interface 51 g , and the image output interface 51 h are connected by a bus 51 j.

The readout device 51 e can read out a computer program 54 a for causing the computer to function as the information processing unit 5 from a portable recording medium 54 , and install the computer program 54 a in the hard disc 51 d.

The input/output interface 51 f is configured by serial interface such as USB, IEEE1394, RS-232C; parallel interface such as SCSI, IDE, IEEE1284; analog interface such as D/A converter, A/D converter, and the like. The input/output interface 51 f is connected to the input section 53 including a keyboard, mouse, and a touch panel, so that the user can use the input section 53 to input data to the computer 5 a or operate the screen of the computer 5 a . The input/output interface 51 f is also connected to the measurement units 2 , 3 and the sample transport unit 4 through a communication cable. The information processing unit 5 thus can control each of the measurement units 2 , 3 and the sample transport unit 4 .

The hard disc 51 d includes a measurement result database DB 1 for storing a plurality of measurement results for a plurality of samples.

[Structure of Measurement Result Database]

A data structure of the measurement result database DB 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 . FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a data structure of a measurement result list L 100 stored in the measurement result database DB 1 of the hard disc 51 d.

As shown in FIG. 4 , the measurement result list L 100 includes a result ID column C 1 , a received date and time column C 2 , a measurement date and time column C 3 , a patient ID column C 4 , a sample ID column C 5 , an order type column C 6 , an error information column C 7 , a unit information column C 8 , and numerical value data columns C 9 , C 10 , . . . .

The result ID column C 1 stores a result ID, which is an identification number for identifying each row (also referred to as record) stored in the measurement result list L 100 . The result ID is newly assigned every time a record is added to the measurement result list L 100 .

The received date and time column C 2 stores a date and time at which the sample analyzer 100 received the sample. The date and time at which the sample is received is the date and time at which the barcode label of the sample container is read by the barcode reader 43 .

The measurement date and time column C 3 stores a date and time at which the sample is measured. The date and time at which the sample is measured is the date and time at which the measurement data output from the sample measurement units 2 , 3 is input to the information processing unit 5 through the communication interface 51 g.

The patient ID column C 4 stores a patient ID as identification information for identifying the patient from whom the sample is collected. The patient ID is assigned for every patient to identify each patient.

The sample ID column C 5 stores a sample ID for identifying the sample contained in the sample container. The sample ID is assigned for every sample to identify each sample, where the information is incorporated in the barcode label attached to the sample container. The sample ID obtained by reading the barcode label with the barcode reader 43 is stored in the column C 5 by the information processing unit 5 .

The order type column C 6 stores a type of measurement carried out to generate the measurement result. In the present embodiment, the type of measurement includes the following six types, “Initial”, “Initial/Repeat”, “Rerun”, “Rerun/Repeat”, “Reflex”, and “Reflex/Repeat”. One of them is stored in the order type column C 6 .

In the present specification, “Initial” is referred to as initial measurement (or initial test) which is initially performed on a sample. Also, in the present specification, “re-measurement” (or re-test) means a measurement which is performed on the same sample with the initial test, following the initial test. That is, the initial test includes an aspiration of a quantity of sample from a sample container and a measurement on the aspirated sample. The re-test includes an aspiration of a quantity of sample from the same sample container and a measurement on it.

“Initial” is the initial measurement. The initial measurement is the measurement carried out first when the sample analyzer 100 receives the sample.

“Initial/Repeat” is the measurement executed when error occurs in “Initial”. The error occurs when analysis cannot be executed since there is too much noise in the measurement data received from the measurement unit 2 , or when the sample cannot be aspirated although the measurement unit 2 attempts to aspirate the sample, due to lack of sample amount. In the measurement by such type, the measurement is carried out for the measurement item same as in the initial measurement.

“Rerun” is the measurement executed when the numerical value data of the measurement result by “Initial” or “Initial/Repeat” is within an abnormal numerical value range. In the measurement by such type, the measurement is carried out for the measurement item same as in “Initial”.

“Rerun/Repeat” is the measurement executed when error occurs in “Rerun”. In the measurement by such type, the measurement is carried out for the measurement item same as in “Rerun”.

“Reflex” is the measurement executed when the numerical value data of the measurement result by “Initial” or “Initial/Repeat” is within a numerical value range defined in advance. In the measurement by such type, an additional measurement item is measured in addition to the measurement item of “Initial”. For instance, if the measurement item of “Initial” is “CBC+DIFF”, “RET” is added and “CBC+DIFF+RET” is measured.

“Reflex/Repeat” is the measurement executed when error occurs in “Reflex”. In the measurement by such type, the measurement is carried out for the measurement item same as in “Reflex”.

The error information column C 7 stores presence/absence of error for the measurement carried out to generate the measurement result.

The unit information column C 8 stores an identification number of the measurement unit that carried out the measurement for generating the measurement result. In the present embodiment, the identification number of the measurement unit 2 is defined as “XN-10000-1-R”, and the identification number of the measurement unit 3 is defined as “XN-10000-1-L”.

The numerical value data columns C 9 , C 10 store numerical value data of the measurement result. In FIG. 4 , the numerical value data of the number of white blood cells (WBC) is stored in the column C 9 , and the numerical value data of the number of red blood cells (RBC) is stored in C 10 . In FIG. 4 , only C 9 and C 10 are illustrated, and the illustrations of subsequent columns are omitted.

[Measurement Operation]

The processing operation in units of a sample rack of the sample analyzer 100 will now be described. The operation starts when the user sets the sample rack in the pre-measurement rack holding portion 41 , and instructs the start of processing through the input section 53 of the information processing unit 5 .

When the operation is started, the sample transport unit 4 first transports the sample. Specifically, the sample transport unit 4 moves the sample rack L backward (Y2 direction) from the pre-measurement rack holding portion 41 towards the transport path 42 when receiving the instruction to start the process. When receiving the sample rack L, the transport path 42 moves the sample rack L towards the downstream (X1 direction) in the transporting direction, and transports the sample rack so that a plurality of sample containers T held in the sample rack L is positioned in front of the barcode reader 43 one by one. The barcode reader 43 reads the barcode of each sample container T.

After the barcode label of all the sample containers T held in the sample rack L is read, each sample container T is transported to either the measurement unit 2 or the measurement unit 3 . Specifically, the sample container T held at the odd number from the X1 direction of the sample rack L is transported to the measurement unit 2 . The sample container T held at the even number from the X1 direction of the sample rack L is transported to the measurement unit 3 . The measurement units 2 , 3 also carry out the first measurement (also referred to as initial test) on the sample contained in the transported sample container T.

When the measurement is carried out on the sample, whether re-measurement is necessary is determined for the relevant sample. If determined that the re-measurement is necessary, the sample container T containing such sample is transported to either the measurement unit 2 or the measurement unit 3 , and re-measurement is carried out. If determined that the re-measurement is not necessary for all the sample containers T held in the sample rack L, the transport path 42 transports the sample rack L to the back side (Y2 direction side) of the post-measurement rack holding portion 44 . The sample rack L is moved forward (Y1 direction side), and fed to the post-measurement rack holding portion 44 .

[Sample Measuring Operation]

The processing operation in units of a sample container will be described below using a flowchart. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the sample analyzer 100 .

After the barcode label attached to the sample container T is read by the barcode reader 43 , the read result is transmitted to the information processing unit 5 , so that the information processing unit 5 acquires an order based on the received read result and adds the same to an order list (step S 101 ).

Specifically, the information processing unit 5 transmits a sample ID contained in the read result to the host computer HC and inquires the host computer HC on the measurement order when receiving the read result. The patient ID and the measurement order are registered in advance in the host computer HC in association with the sample ID. The host computer HC transmits the registered measurement order and the patient ID associated with the received sample ID to the information processing unit 5 . The information processing unit 5 registers a new order in the order list when receiving the measurement order.

FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing a data structure of an order list. As shown in FIG. 6 , an order list L 200 includes a sample ID column C 11 storing a sample ID, an order type column C 12 storing an order type, and a measurement discrete column C 13 storing a measurement discrete item.

When receiving the measurement order from the host computer HC, the information processing unit 5 adds a new order to the bottom line of the order list. The sample ID read from the sample container T is input to the column C 11 of the new order. The measurement discrete item contained in the received measurement order is input to the column C 13 . The order type is input to the column C 12 . “Initial” is input to the column C 12 in the case of a new order, and an order type set according to the re-test determination rule (see FIG. 7 ), to be described later, is input in the case of an additional order. The new order is an order added to the list based on the measurement order received from the host computer HC. The additional order is an order automatically generated by the information processing unit 5 when the information processing unit 5 determines as according with the re-test determination rule (see FIG. 7 ), to be described later, as a result of executing the measurement based on the measurement order registered in the order list L 200 .

Returning back to FIG. 5 , the information processing unit 5 determines a transporting destination of the sample container T in which the barcode is read (step S 102 ). Specifically, the information processing unit 5 determines whether to transport the sample container T to the first measurement unit 2 or the second measurement unit 3 . A case in which the transporting destination of the sample container T is determined as the first measurement unit 2 will be illustratively described below.

The sample transport unit 4 transports the sample container T to the measurement unit determined as the transporting destination (step S 103 ). Specifically, the sample transport unit 4 transports the sample container T to a position immediately below the hand part 25 a of the first measurement unit 2 .

The first measurement unit 2 measures the sample contained in the transported sample container T (step S 104 ). Specifically, the measurement unit 2 grips the sample container T with the hand part 25 a and takes out the sample rack L from the sample container T. The hand part 25 a sets the sample container T in the sample container setting part 25 b of the sample transporting portion 25 . The sample container transporting portion 25 is then moved backward, and the sample container T is taken into the measurement unit 2 . The sample container T is transported to the aspirating position 21 a by the aspirating portion 21 . The aspirating portion 21 is pierced into the sample container T transported to the aspirating position 21 a , and aspirates the blood sample contained in the sample container T. The aspirated blood sample is sent to the specimen preparing portion 22 . The specimen preparing portion 22 prepares a measurement specimen by mixing the supplied blood sample and a reagent. The prepared measurement specimen is supplied to the detecting portion 23 . The detecting portion 23 electrically and optically measures the supplied measurement specimen, and generates measurement data including electrical signals. The measurement data is provided to the information processing unit 5 .

The information processing unit 5 stores the provided measurement data in the hard disc 51 d , and analyzes the measurement data to generate the measurement result (step S 105 ). Specifically, the information processing unit 5 analyzes the measurement data to generate numerical value data such as number of red blood cells, number of white blood cells, and number of blood platelets, and creates a particle size distribution (histogram) of the red blood cells and the blood platelets as well as a two-dimensional distribution diagram (scattergram) two-dimensionally showing a distribution of sub-classes of the white blood cells.

The information processing unit 5 stores the generated measurement result in the measurement result database DB 1 (step S 106 ). Specifically, the information processing unit 5 adds a new record to the bottom line of the measurement result list L 100 of the measurement result database DB 1 . The date and time at which the barcode label of the sample container T is read by the barcode reader 43 is input to the received date and time column C 2 of the row of the new record. The date and time at which the measurement data output from the sample measurement unit 2 is input to the information processing unit 5 via the communication interface 51 g is input to the measurement date and time column C 3 . The patient ID provided from the host computer HC with the measurement order is input to the patient ID column C 4 . The sample ID obtained by reading the barcode label of the sample container T with the barcode reader 43 is input to the sample ID column C 5 . The order type input to the column C 12 of the order list L 200 is input to the order type column C 6 . “Yes” is input to the error information column C 7 if error occurs, and “No” is input if error does not occur. “XN-10000-1-R”, which is the identification number of the measurement unit 2 is input to the unit information column C 8 in the above example. The numerical value data of the measurement result obtained in step S 106 is input to the corresponding column in the numerical value data columns C 9 , C 10 . The histogram and the scattergram created in step S 106 are stored in the hard disc 51 d in association with the added new record.

The information processing unit 5 then determines whether or not to generate an additional order (step S 107 ). This process will be described with reference to FIG. 7 .

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a re-test determination rule for determining whether or not to generate the additional order. The information processing unit 5 automatically determines whether or not to generate the additional order, that is, whether or not re-test is necessary with reference to the re-test determination rule every time one measurement is completed.

When “Initial” is measured for a certain sample (step S 11 ), the information processing unit 5 determines whether or not an error occurred in the measurement of “Initial” (step S 12 ).

If determined that error occurred (step S 12 : Yes), the information processing unit 5 generates “Initial/Repeat” as the additional order (step S 13 ).

As will be described in detail later, the generated additional order is added to the bottom line of the order list L 200 , and the re-measurement is automatically executed based on the additional order.

If determined that the error did not occur (step S 12 : No), the process proceeds to step S 14 .

The information processing unit 5 determines whether or not the condition to measure “Rerun” is satisfied as a result of the measurement of “Initial” or “Initial/Repeat” (step S 14 ). In the present embodiment, the condition of “Rerun” is satisfied when the numerical value of one measurement item measured by “Initial” or “Initial/Repeat” is in an abnormal numerical value range set in advance. If determined that the condition of “Rerun” is not satisfied (step S 14 : No), the process proceeds to step S 18 . If determined that the condition of “Rerun” is satisfied (step S 14 : Yes), the information processing unit 5 generates “Rerun” as the additional order (step S 15 ).

The information processing unit 5 determines whether or not an error occurred as a result of the measurement of “Rerun” (step S 16 ). The determination on whether or not an error occurred is similar to step S 12 . If determined that error occurred, the information processing unit 5 generates “Rerun/Repeat” as the additional order (step S 17 ). If determined that the error did not occur (step S 16 : No), the additional order is not generated, and a series of measurements on such sample is terminated.

In step S 18 , whether or not the result of “Initial” or “Initial/Repeat” accords with the condition to measure “Reflex” (step S 18 ) is determined. In the present embodiment, the condition of “Reflex” is satisfied when the numerical value of one measurement item measured by “Initial” or “Initial/Repeat” is not in the abnormal numerical value range but in a numerical range set in advance. If determined that the condition of “Reflex” is not satisfied (step S 18 : No), the additional order is not generated, and a series of measurements on such sample is terminated. If determined that the condition of “Reflex” is satisfied (step S 18 : Yes), the information processing unit 5 generates “Reflex” as the additional order (step S 19 ).

The information processing unit 5 determines whether or not an error occurred as a result of the measurement of “Reflex” (step S 20 ). The determination on whether or not an error occurred is similar to step S 12 . If determined that error occurred, the information processing unit 5 generates “Reflex/Repeat” as the additional order (step S 21 ). If determined that the error did not occur (step S 20 : No), the additional order is not generated, and a series of measurements on such sample is terminated.

Returning back to FIG. 5 , the information processing unit 5 determines whether or not to generate an additional order with reference to the re-test determination rule in step S 107 .

If determined not to generate the additional order (step S 107 : No), a series of processes on the relevant sample is completed. If determined to generate the additional order (step S 107 : Yes), the process returns to step S 101 , and the information processing unit 5 adds the additional order at the bottom line of the order list L 200 . The adding process of the additional order to the order list L 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 .

With reference to FIG. 6 , if “Initial/Repeat” is generated for the additional order as a result of measuring “Initial” for the sample of sample ID: 442 based on a new order of M 101 , sample ID: 442 same as “Initial” is input to the column C 11 of the additional order M 102 , and “Initial/Repeat” is input to the column C 12 . “Initial/Repeat” is the order type for measuring the same measurement discrete item as “Initial”, and thus “CBC+DIFF” same as the order M 101 is input to the column C 13 .

If “Reflex” is generated for the additional order as a result of measuring “Initial/Repeat” for the sample of sample ID: 442 based on the additional order of M 102 , sample ID: 442 same as “Initial/Repeat” is input to the column C 11 , and “Reflex” is input to the order type. In “Reflex”, the measurement discrete item measured immediately before for the relevant sample is added. Thus, “RET” is added to the measurement discrete item of “CBC+DIFF”, and “CBC+DIFF+RET” is input to the column C 13 of the additional order M 103 .

If “Reflex/Repeat” is generated for the additional order as a result of measuring “Reflex” for the sample of sample ID: 442 based on the additional order of M 103 , sample ID: 442 same as “Reflex” is input to the column C 11 of the additional order M 104 , and “Reflex/Repeat” is input to column C 12 . “Reflex/Repeat” is the order type for measuring the same measurement discrete item as “Initial”, and thus “CBC+DIFF+RET” same as the order M 103 is input to the column C 13 .

Returning back to FIG. 5 , when determining to generate the additional order (step S 107 : YES), the information processing unit 5 adds the additional order to the order list L 200 (step S 101 ), and again executes the processes of step S 102 to step S 106 based on the added order.

After the processes up to step S 106 are finished for the additional order, the information processing unit 5 registers the measurement result by the additional order in the measurement result list L 100 of the measurement result database DB 1 (step S 106 ).

The process of when registering the measurement result by the additional order in the measurement result database DB 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 . The information processing unit 5 adds the measurement result generated by the additional order as a new record to the bottom line of the measurement result list.

The process of when registering the measurement result generated by the additional order M 102 (see FIG. 6 ) will be described here by way of example. The additional order M 102 is an additional order of re-measurement based on the new order M 101 (see FIG. 6 ), and thus the measurement result record (result ID: X1015) of the additional order M 102 is created based on the measurement result record (result ID: X1003) of the new order M 101 . Specifically, the received date and time, the patient ID, and the sample ID same as the record (X1003) are input to the columns C 2 , C 4 , C 5 of the record (X1015). The date and time at which the additional order M 102 is measured is input to the column C 3 . The order type “Initial/Repeat” set in the additional order M 102 is input to the column C 6 . The identification information of the measurement unit that carried out the measurement of the additional order is input to the column C 8 . The numerical value data obtained by the measurement of the additional order is input to the columns C 9 , C 10 .

The measurement of the sample is terminated by the processes described above. A plurality of measurement result records is accumulated in the measurement result database DB 1 by performing the process over plural times.

[Measurement Result Displaying Process]

The process of displaying the measurement result stored in the measurement result database DB 1 will now be described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the displaying process. First, the information processing unit 5 displays a menu screen D 1 shown in FIG. 10 on the display section 52 when the application program stored in the hard disc 51 d is started (step S 201 ).

FIG. 10 shows the menu screen D 1 . The menu screen D 1 includes a tool bar display region A 1 where a tool bar is displayed, and a main display region A 2 where a plurality of icons for transitioning to other screens is displayed.

The tool bar display region A 1 includes a sample explorer icon H 1 for transitioning to a “sample explorer screen” for displaying in a list a plurality of measurement result records stored in the measurement result database DB 1 , and a data browser icon H 2 for transitioning to a “data browser screen” for displaying in detail one of the plurality of measurement result records stored in the measurement result database DB 1 .

The main display region A 2 includes a sample explorer icon F 1 having the same function as the sample explorer icon H 1 , and a data browser icon F 2 . The main display region A 2 also includes an end icon F 3 for terminating the application program of the information processing unit 5 .

Returning back to FIG. 8 , the information processing unit 5 determines whether or not an instruction to display the sample explorer screen is input (step S 202 ). The display instruction of the sample explorer screen can be input by clicking the sample explorer icons H 1 , F 1 with a mouse in the menu screen of FIG. 10 . If the display instruction of the sample explorer screen is not input (step S 202 : NO), the information processing unit 5 repeats the determination until receiving the display instruction. If determined that the display instruction is input (step S 202 : YES), the information processing unit 5 displays the sample explorer screen D 2 shown in FIG. 11 on the display section 52 .

FIG. 11 shows the sample explorer screen D 2 . The sample explorer screen D 2 includes the tool bar display region A 1 and the main display region A 2 . The tool bar display region A 1 has the same configuration as that of the menu screen D 1 of FIG. 10 , and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

The main display region A 2 includes a sample list W 100 in which a plurality of measurement result records stored in the measurement result database DB 1 is displayed in a list, and a numerical value data list W 200 displaying the numerical value data of the measurement result record selected in the sample list W 100 .

As shown in FIG. 11 , the sample list W 100 includes a sample ID field S 1 , an order type field S 2 , an error information field S 3 , a measurement date and time field S 4 , and a received date and time S 5 .

The information stored in the sample ID column C 5 of FIG. 4 is displayed in the sample ID field S 1 . The information stored in the order type column C 6 of FIG. 4 is displayed in the order type field S 2 . The information stored in the error information column C 7 of FIG. 4 is displayed in the error information field S 3 . The information stored in the measurement date and time column C 3 of FIG. 4 is displayed in the measurement date and time field S 4 . The information stored in the received date and time column C 2 of FIG. 4 is displayed in the received date and time field S 5 .

The numerical value data list W 200 displays in a list the numerical value data of the measurement result record selected in the sample list W 100 . Specifically, the information stored in the columns C 9 , C 10 , . . . of the measurement result record selected in the sample list W 100 is displayed in the numerical value data list W 200 .

Each row of the sample list W 100 can be selected by placing the cursor on an arbitrary row with the mouse and clicking. The sample explorer screen D 2 can be closed by clicking a close icon at the upper right of the screen, where the screen returns to the menu screen D 1 when the sample explorer screen D 2 is closed.

With reference to FIG. 8 , the information processing unit 5 determines whether or not a display instruction of the data browser screen D 3 is received in the sample explorer screen D 2 of FIG. 11 (step S 204 ). The display instruction of the data browser screen D 3 can be input by double clicking the data browser icon H 2 with the mouse with the row of the measurement result to display selected in the sample list W 100 in the sample explorer screen D 2 of FIG. 11 . The display instruction can also be input by double clicking the row of the measurement result to display in the sample list W 100 with the mouse. Furthermore, it can be input by clicking the data browser icons H 2 , F 2 with the mouse in the menu screen D 1 of FIG. 10 . In this case, the measurement result record with the most recent measurement date and time of the measurement result records stored in the measurement result database DB 1 is assumed to be selected. Therefore, one measurement result record of the plurality of stored measurement result records is specified regardless of how the display instruction of the data browser screen D 3 is input.

The information processing unit 5 proceeds to step S 205 when determining that the display instruction of the data browser screen D 3 is received (step S 204 : YES). The information processing unit 5 proceeds to step S 208 when determined that the display instruction of the data browser screen D 3 is not received (step S 204 : NO).

When determining that the display instruction of the data browser screen D 3 is received (step S 204 : YES), the information processing unit 5 searches for the measurement result record including the same received date and time and the sample ID as the specified measurement result record (step S 205 ). Specifically, the information processing unit 5 searches the measurement result list L 100 of the measurement result database DB 1 with the sample ID of the specified record as the search query, and extracts the measurement result record including the same sample ID from the measurement result list L 100 . Furthermore, the information processing unit 5 searches for the extracted measurement result record with the received date and time of the specified record as the search query, and extracts the measurement result record including the same received date and time as the specified record.

The information processing unit 5 then searches for the measurement result including the patient ID same as the specified measurement result record and including the received date and time different from the specified measurement result record (step S 206 ). Specifically, the information processing unit 5 searches the measurement result list L 100 of the measurement result database DB 1 with the patient ID of the specified measurement result record as the search query, and extracts the measurement result record including the same patient ID from the measurement result list L 100 . Furthermore, the information processing unit 5 excludes the measurement result record including the received date and time of the specified measurement result record from the extracted measurement result records to extract only the measurement result record including the received date and time different from the specified record.

The information processing unit 5 displays the data browser screen D 3 (step S 207 ). This process will be described later.

The information processing unit 5 determines whether or not an instruction to end the display is input (step S 208 ). The instruction to end the display can be input by clicking an IPU end icon F 3 with the mouse in the menu screen D 1 . If determined that the instruction to end the display is input (step S 208 : YES), the information processing unit 5 ends the displaying process. If the instruction to end the display is not input (step S 208 : NO), the process returns to step S 202 .

The process of displaying the data browser screen will now be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9 and the data browser screen of FIG. 12 .

The information processing unit 5 displays the data browser screen (step S 301 ). FIG. 9 shows the data browser screen D 3 . The data browser screen D 3 is a screen for displaying detailed information of one specified measurement result record. The detailed information referred to herein is the information that is not displayed in the sample explorer screen D 2 , and specifically includes image data. In the present embodiment, the image data of the particle size distribution (histogram) of the red blood cells and the blood platelets created with the numerical value data, and the image data of the two-dimensional distribution diagram (scattergram) of the white blood cells correspond to the detailed information.

The data browser screen D 3 includes the tool bar display region A 1 and the main display region A 2 , similar to other screens.

Similar to the menu screen D 1 and the sample explorer screen D 2 , a screen transitioning icon group including the sample explorer icon H 1 and the data browser icon H 2 is displayed in the tool bar display region A 1 . An operation icon group for executing operations on the measurement result being displayed is displayed adjacent to the screen transitioning icon. The operation icon group includes a correction icon N 1 for correcting the information (patient's name, attending physician) of the measurement result record being displayed, a validation icon N 2 for acknowledging (validating) the measurement result being displayed, and a close icon N 3 for ending the data browser screen D 3 . A previous value button Y 1 and a next value button Y 2 are also displayed in the operation icon group. The functions of the previous value button Y 1 and the next value button Y 2 will be described later.

The detailed information of one measurement result is displayed in the main display region A 2 . In the example of FIG. 12 , the main display region A 2 includes a numerical value data region P, a flag region Q, and a graph region R. The numerical value data region P includes a CBC column P 1 in which the numerical value data of the CBC item is displayed, a DIFF column P 3 in which the numerical value data of the DIFF item is displayed, and a RET column P 2 in which the numerical value data of the RET item is displayed. The flag region Q is a region in which the set flag is displayed when the flag is set as a result of the measurement, and includes a WBC flag column Q 1 in which the flag associated with the white blood cells (WBC) is displayed, a RBC flag column Q 2 in which the flag associated with the red blood cells (RBC) is displayed, and a PLT flag column Q 3 in which the flag associated with the blood platelets (PLT) is displayed. The graph region R is a region in which the image contained in the measurement result is displayed, and includes a plurality of scattergrams R 1 , a histogram R 2 of the red blood cells (RBC), and a histogram R 3 of the blood platelet (PLT).

A sample link button display region X is arranged on the upper side of the main display region A 2 . In the example shown in FIG. 12 , a plurality of sample link button groups X 1 to X 4 is displayed. In the data browser screen D 3 shown in FIG. 12 , the measurement result of “Initial” of the sample indicated with the sample ID: 439 in which a total of four measurements of “Initial”, “Initial/Repeat”, “Reflex”, and “Reflex/Repeat” is carried out is shown. The sample link button is displayed by the number corresponding to the number of measurements of the sample, and thus four sample link buttons are displayed in the example shown in FIG. 12 according to the number of measurements, which is a total of four measurements. The sample link buttons X 1 to X 4 are corresponded to the measurement results of “Initial”, “Initial/Repeat”, “Reflex”, and “Reflex/Repeat” of the sample ID: 439, respectively. More specifically describing, the sample link button X 1 is a button for displaying the measurement result of “Initial” of the sample having the sample ID: 439. The sample link button X 2 is a button for displaying the measurement result of “Initial/Repeat” of the sample having the sample ID: 439. The sample link button X 3 is a button for displaying the measurement result of “Reflex” of the sample having the sample ID: 439. The sample link button X 4 is a button for displaying the measurement result of “Reflex/Repeat” of the sample having the sample ID: 439. In the state shown in FIG. 12 , the sample link button X 1 is disabled. As will be described later, such buttons function as buttons for displaying the measurement result corresponded in advance in the main display region A 2 by being clicked.

Each sample link button X 1 to X 4 includes order type of the corresponded measurement result, and identification information of the measurement units 2 , 3 that executed the measurement, which is the basis of the corresponded measurement result. The user can know to which measurement result of the order type each button is corresponded by simply looking at the button, and can know which measurement unit executed the measurement that became the basis of the corresponded measurement result.

The sample link buttons X 1 to X 4 are lined as “Initial”, “Initial/Repeat”, “Reflex”, and “Reflex/Repeat” in order from the left. This order is the same as the order in which the measurement is carried out with respect to one sample, as also apparent from FIG. 6 . The user can browse through the measurement results along the order of measurement by clicking the sample link button in order from the left.

In the present embodiment, the initial test (measurement of “Initial”) is always carried out once, and the re-measurement is carried out a maximum of three times. In corresponding thereto, at least one and a maximum of four sample link buttons are displayed. That is, the sample link button is displayed by the number corresponding to the number of measurements on one sample, and thus the user can know how many measurement results associated with the measurement result being displayed exist by simply looking at how many buttons are displayed in the sample link button display region X when the data browser is opened. In other words, the number of re-measurements can be known by counting the number of buttons displayed in the sample link button display region X.

In the example shown in FIG. 12 , the “Initial” button X 1 is displayed in a different color from the other buttons X 2 to X 4 (“Initial” button X 1 is shaded in the drawing to indicate that it is displayed in a different color). This indicates that the order type of the measurement result displayed in the main display region A 2 is “Initial”. As will be described later, when the other sample link buttons X 2 to X 4 are selected in the screen of FIG. 12 , the measurement result corresponded in advance to the selected sample link button is displayed in the main display region A 2 , and only the selected sample link button is displayed in a different color. Therefore, the user can visually grasp which measurement result of the associated measurement results is being displayed in the main display region A 2 when displaying the data browser screen.

With reference to FIG. 9 , the information processing unit 5 displays the data browser screen D 3 (step S 301 ). Specifically, the information processing unit 5 reads out the measurement result record specified in step S 204 (see FIG. 8 ), and displays the information contained in the read measurement result record in each area of the main display region A 2 .

Furthermore, when the measurement result record having the same sample ID as the specified measurement result record is extracted as a result of the search in step S 205 (see FIG. 8 ), the information processing unit 5 displays the sample link button corresponding to the extracted measurement result record.

For instance, with reference to FIG. 4 , assume that the measurement result record (result ID: X1003) of “Initial” of the sample ID: 442 is specified and the display instruction of the data browser screen D 3 is input. In this case, three records of the measurement result record (result ID: X1015) of “Initial/Repeat”, the measurement result record (result ID: X1022) of “Reflex”, and the measurement result record (result ID: X1030) of “Reflex/Repeat” are extracted as other measurement results including the sample ID: 442. In this case, therefore, a total of four sample link buttons are displayed, where each sample link button is displayed with “Initial”, “Initial/Repeat”, “Reflex”, and “Reflex/Repeat”. In this case, the extracted measurement result records all have the information stored in the unit information column C 8 of “XN-10000-1-L”, and thus “XN-10000-1-L” is displayed for all as the apparatus identification information of each sample link button. This state is shown in FIG. 12 .

With reference to FIG. 4 , assume that the measurement result (result ID: X1001) of the sample ID: 440 is specified, and the display instruction of the data browser screen D 3 is input. In this case, the other measurement result records including the sample ID: 440 are not stored, that is, the sample of sample ID: 440 is a sample in which the re-measurement is not carried out, and thus the other measurement result records other than “Initial” are not extracted. In this case, therefore, only the sample link button of “Initial” is displayed on the data browser screen D 3 of FIG. 12 .

Furthermore, if the measurement result record having the same patient ID as the specified measurement result record is extracted as a result of searching in step S 206 (see FIG. 8 ), the information processing unit 5 displays the previous value button/next value button in accordance with the extracted measurement result record.

With reference to FIG. 4 , assume that the measurement result record of result ID: X4003 is specified, and the display instruction of the data browser screen D 3 is input. In this case, two records of the measurement result record of result ID: X1002 and the measurement result record of result ID: 9600 are extracted as the measurement result records having the same patient ID.

The measurement result record of X1002 has a received date and time of before the specified measurement result record of X4003, and thus the measurement result record of X1002 corresponds to “previous value” with respect to the measurement result record of X4003. The measurement result record of X9600 has a received date and time of after the specified measurement result record of X4003, and thus the measurement result record of X9600 corresponds to “next value” with respect to the measurement result record of X4003.

In this case, therefore, the measurement result of X4003 is displayed in the main display region A 2 , and the previous value button Y 1 for displaying the measurement result of X1002 and the next value button Y 2 for displaying the measurement result of X9600 are displayed in the data browser screen D 3 .

With reference to FIG. 4 , assume that the measurement result record of result ID: X1001 is specified and the display instruction of the data browser screen D 3 is input. In this case, only one measurement result record of patient ID: P837 is stored, and hence the other measurement result records are not extracted, and the previous value button and the next value button are not displayed.

Assume that the measurement result record of result ID: X1003 is specified and the display instruction of the data browser screen D 3 is input. In this case, three records of X1015, X1022, and X1030 exist other than X1003 for the measurement result records having the patient ID: P1001, but they all have the same received date and time, and thus do not correspond to “previous value”/“next value” with respect to the record of X1003. Therefore, such records are not extracted in the search process of step S 206 , and the previous value/next value buttons are not displayed.

The data browser screen D 3 is displayed through the above processes.

The information processing unit 5 determines whether or not one of the sample link buttons X 2 to X 4 is clicked with the mouse (step S 311 ). When one of the sample link buttons X 2 to X 4 is clicked (step S 311 : YES), the information processing unit 5 reads out the measurement result record corresponded in advance to the clicked sample link button from the measurement result database DB 1 (step S 312 ), and displays the read measurement result record on the main display region A 2 (step S 313 ). For instance, in the screen shown in FIG. 12 , when the sample link button X 3 is clicked, the information processing unit 5 reads out the measurement result record of “Reflex”, and displays the measurement result in the main display region A 2 . In this case, the display color of the sample link button X 3 is changed, and the display color of the sample link button X 1 becomes a default.

If the sample link button is not clicked (step S 311 : NO), the information processing unit 5 determines whether or not the previous value button Y 1 is clicked (step S 321 ). If the previous value button Y 1 is clicked (step S 321 : YES), the information processing unit 5 reads out the measurement result record corresponding to the previous value with respect to the measurement result being displayed from the measurement result database DB 1 (step S 322 ).

The information processing unit 5 then determines whether the measurement result record to be displayed next has the oldest received date and time among the measurement result records extracted in step S 207 (step S 323 ). In other words, the information processing unit 5 determines whether or not the measurement result record earlier than the record of the measurement result to be displayed next exists. If it is the oldest measurement result record (step S 323 : YES), the information processing unit 5 non-displays the previous value button Y 1 (step S 324 ). If it is not the oldest measurement result record (step S 323 : NO), the information processing unit 5 skips step S 324 .

The information processing unit 5 displays the measurement result record read out in step S 322 on the main display region A 2 (step S 325 ).

If the previous value button Y 1 is not clicked (step S 321 : NO), the information processing unit 5 determines whether or not the next value button Y 2 is clicked (step S 331 ). If the next value button Y 2 is clicked (step S 331 : YES), the information processing unit 5 reads out the record of the measurement result corresponding to the next value with respect to the measurement result being displayed from the measurement result database DB 1 (step S 332 ).

The information processing unit 5 then determines whether the measurement result record to be displayed next has the newest received date and time among the measurement result records extracted in step S 207 (step S 333 ). In other words, the information processing unit 5 determines whether or not the measurement result record later than the record of the measurement result to be displayed next exists. If it is the newest measurement result record (step S 333 : YES), the information processing unit 5 non-displays the next value button Y 2 (step S 334 ). If it is not the newest measurement result record (step S 333 : NO), the information processing unit 5 skips step S 334 .

The information processing unit 5 displays the measurement result record read out in step S 332 on the main display region A 2 (step S 335 ).

The processes of steps S 321 to 325 and steps S 331 to 335 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 . Assume that the measurement result of the record of the result ID: X4003 of FIG. 4 is displayed in the main display region A 2 of FIG. 12 . The measurement result record of result ID: X4003 includes X1002 for the previous value and X9600 for the next value. When the previous value button Y 1 is clicked (step S 321 ), the measurement result record of X1002 is read out as the previous value (step S 322 ). X1002 is the measurement result record of the oldest received date and time in the measurement result records including the patient ID: P37, and thus the earlier measurement result record does not exist. Therefore, step S 323 becomes YES, and the previous value button Y 1 is not displayed in the data browser screen D 3 of X1002. Similarly, when the next value button Y 2 is clicked (step S 331 ), the measurement result record of X9600 is read out as the next value (step S 332 ). X9600 is the measurement result record of the newest received date and time in the measurement result records including the patient ID: P37, and thus the later measurement result record does not exist. Therefore, step S 333 becomes YES, and the previous value button Y 1 is not displayed in the data browser screen D 3 of X1002.

As the previous value button Y 1 is not displayed when displaying the oldest measurement result, and the next value button Y 2 is not displayed when displaying the newest measurement result, the user can know if the measurement result currently being displayed is the newest measurement result or the oldest measurement result by simply looking at whether the previous value button Y 1 and the next value button Y 2 are displayed.

If the next value button Y 2 is not clicked (step S 331 : NO), the information processing unit 5 determines whether or not an operation to terminate the data browser screen D 3 is carried out (step S 341 ). The operation for terminating the data browser screen D 3 can be carried out by clicking the “close” icon N 3 included in the screen transition icon group. When the terminating operation is performed (step S 341 : YES), the information processing unit 5 closes the data browser screen D 3 and transitions the screen to the menu screen D 1 or the sample explorer screen D 2 .

When the operation to terminate the data browser screen D 3 is not performed (step S 341 : NO), the information processing unit determines whether or not the operation is performed on the data browser screen D 3 (step S 351 ), and carries out the process corresponding to the operation if the operation is performed (step S 351 : YES). For instance, if the correction icon N 1 is clicked, a dialogue for inputting the changing content of the information of the measurement result being displayed is displayed, and the stored patient information is changed and the screen is updated when the change is confirmed. If the validate icon N 2 is clicked, the measurement result being displayed is acknowledged (validated), and the measurement result is transmitted to the host computer HC. If the operation is not performed (step S 351 : NO), the process returns to step S 311 .

According to the present embodiment, the measurement result (“Initial/Repeat” etc.) of the re-measurement of the same sample can be displayed by simply clicking the sample link button when browsing the measurement result (“Initial”) of the initial measurement of the sample in which re-measurement is carried out in the data browser screen D 3 . Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the operations of once closing the data browser screen D 3 to return to the sample explorer screen D 2 , inputting the sample ID in the search box to search or sorting the measurement results displayed in a list are unnecessary to display the measurement result of the re-measurement from a state in which the measurement result of the initial measurement is displayed, whereby the operability can be enhanced.

According to the present embodiment, when the instruction to display the data browser screen D 3 is input, other measurement results including the same sample ID are searched and the sample link buttons corresponded to the relevant other measurement results are displayed only when the other measurement results are stored. The user thus can recognize that the other measurement results including the same sample ID as the measurement result displayed in the data browser screen are stored by simply checking the presence/absence of the display of the sample link buttons. Therefore, when the measurement result of the initial measurement is displayed, whether the sample of the measurement result being displayed is the sample in which the measurement is carried out at least two or more times or the sample in which the measurement is carried out only once can be recognized by checking whether or not the sample link button corresponded to the measurement result of the re-measurement is displayed. Furthermore, the sample link button is displayed by the number corresponding to the number of measurements, and hence how many times the measurement is carried out for the sample of the measurement result being displayed can be recognized by simply counting the number of sample link buttons.

In the present embodiment, the sample link button corresponding to the measurement result displayed in the main display region A 2 of the data browser screen D 3 is displayed in a display format different from the other sample link buttons. Thus, to which one of the plurality of sample link buttons the measurement result currently displayed in the data browser screen is corresponded can be recognized at a glance.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of sample link buttons are displayed in a line from the left in the order the measurement of the measurement result corresponded to the respective button is carried out. Therefore, the measurement result can be browsed in the order of the measurement by clicking the sample link buttons in order from the left, and hence the operability enhances for the user.

In the present embodiment, the identification information of the measurement unit that carried out the measurement, which is the basis of the measurement result corresponded to the respective button, is displayed in the sample link button. The user thus can grasp the measurement unit that carried out the measurement by simply looking at the sample link button. The error occurrence frequency and the measurement sensitivity of when the measurement is carried out differ depending on the measurement units. Thus, recognizing in which measurement unit the measurement result where error occurred is measured when referencing the data browser screen is an important element in knowing the cause of occurrence of error. If there is a difference in the measurement result between the first measurement and the second measurement when the same measurement item is re-measured, the influence of measurement sensitivity of the measurement unit is presumed. Therefore, information useful for the user can be provided by displaying the identification information of the measurement unit with the sample link button.

According to the present embodiment, when browsing one measurement result in the data browser screen D 3 , the measurement result of another sample collected from the same patient as the sample of the measurement result being displayed can be displayed by simply clicking the previous value button or the next value button.

According to the present embodiment, when the instruction to display the data browser screen D 3 is input, other measurement results including the same patient ID are searched, and the previous value/next value buttons are displayed only when the other measurement results are stored. Therefore, the user can recognize whether the other measurement results of the same patient ID as the measurement result being displayed in the data browser screen exist by simply looking at whether or not the previous value/next value button is displayed.

According to the present embodiment, the measurement result in which the measurement is carried out immediately before of the measurement results including the same patient ID as the measurement result being displayed is displayed when the previous value button is clicked. The measurement result in which the measurement is carried out immediately after of the measurement results including the same patient ID as the measurement result being displayed is displayed when the next value button is clicked. Therefore, the measurement results can be browsed along a time series by simply clicking the previous value/next value buttons.

In the present embodiment, the previous value button is non-displayed if the measurement result displayed in the data browser screen D 3 is the oldest measurement result of the measurement results of the same patient ID, and the next value button is non-displayed if the measurement result displayed in the data browser screen D 3 is the newest measurement result of the measurement results of the same patient ID. Therefore, whether the measurement result being displayed is the oldest measurement result or the newest measurement result can be easily recognized by simply looking at whether the previous value/next value button is displayed.

Description of other Embodiments

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications may be made.

FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view showing an overall configuration of a sample analyzing system according to another embodiment. In the sample analyzing system of the present embodiment, the host computer 290 unifies the management of the measurement results obtained from the plurality of measurement units, different from the embodiment described above. The host computer 290 has a configuration similar to the configuration of the information processing unit 5 shown in FIG. 3 , and can cause a display section 291 to display the measurement result stored in the measurement result database DB 1 arranged in the host computer 290 when the operator operates an input section 292 .

As shown in FIG. 13 , the sample analyzing system 200 includes a sample sending unit 210 , a transport unit 300 , measurement units 230 a , 240 a , 250 a , a smear creating unit 260 , an information processing unit 220 , a sample collecting unit 270 , and a system control unit 280 . The information processing unit 220 and the system control unit 280 are communicably connected to the host computer 290 through a communication network.

The transport unit 3 includes transport lines 310 a , 310 b , 310 c , and 310 d , which transport lines 310 a , 310 b , 310 c and 310 d are connected in series to each other so as to extend in a lateral direction in the figure. The measurement unit 230 a and a sampler 230 b for supplying the sample to the measurement unit 230 a are arranged on the back side of the transport line 310 a . The measurement unit 240 a and a sampler 240 b for supplying the sample to the measurement unit 240 a are arranged on the back side of the transport line 310 b . The measurement unit 250 a and a sampler 250 b for supplying the sample to the measurement unit 250 a are arranged on the back side of the transport line 310 c . Furthermore, the smear creating unit 260 is arranged on the back side of the transport line 310 d . The measurement units 230 a , 240 a , 250 a have configurations similar to the measurement unit 2 ( 3 ) of the first embodiment. The samplers 230 b , 240 b , 250 b have a configuration similar to the sample transport unit 4 of the first embodiment other than having the function of carrying in the sample rack L from the transport line and the function of carrying out the sample rack L from the sample transport unit 4 to the transport line.

In the sample processing system 1 , the sample rack L containing a plurality of sample containers T is set in the sample sending unit 210 by the operator. The sample rack L set in a rack accommodating section 201 is carried out from the sample sending unit 210 through a path shown with an arrow in the figure, and collected by the sample collecting unit 7 through the transport lines 310 a , 310 b , 310 c , and 310 d . The sample sending unit 210 includes a barcode reader 213 to read the barcode of the sample container T held in the sample rack L set in the sample sending unit 210 . The read barcode information is transmitted to a system control unit 280 .

The system control unit 280 transmits the received barcode information to the host computer 290 and inquires the measurement order. When receiving the inquiry of the measurement order, the host computer 290 determines the measurement order based on the sample ID contained in the barcode information, and transmits the same to the system control unit 280 . When receiving the measurement order, the system control unit 280 determines the transporting destination of the sample rack L from the measurement units 230 a , 240 a , 250 a , and the smear creating unit 260 based on the received measurement order. After determining the transporting destination, the system control unit 280 controls the transport unit 300 to transport the sample rack L to the transport line arranged in correspondence with the unit (apparatus) of the relevant transporting destination. A case in which the measurement unit 240 a is determined for the transporting destination will be illustrated and described below.

The system control unit 280 controls the transport unit 300 to transport the sample rack L to the transport line 310 b when transporting the sample rack L to the measurement unit 240 a . When the sample rack L arrives at the transport line 310 b , the system control unit 280 carries in the sample rack L from the transport line 310 b to the sampler 240 b . The sampler 240 b carries in the sample rack L to the sampler 240 b as shown with an arrow, supplies the sample rack L to the measurement unit 240 a , and again carries out the sample rack L to the transport line 310 b.

The measurement unit 240 a aspirates the sample from the sample container T held in the supplied sample rack L, and executes the initial measurement. The measurement data obtained by measuring the sample with the measurement unit 240 a is provided to the information processing unit 220 . The information processing unit 220 analyzes the measurement data and transmits the measurement result to the host computer 290 . The host computer 290 stores the received measurement result in the measurement result database DB 1 with the order type of “Initial”.

The host computer 290 stores the measurement result and also determines the necessity of re-measurement of the sample based on the received measurement result. If determined that re-measurement is necessary, the host computer 290 generates an additional order to carry out the re-measurement. When the additional order is generated, the host computer 290 transmits the additional order to the system control unit 280 . When receiving the additional order, the system control unit 280 determines the transporting destination based on the received additional order information. Assume that the measurement unit 250 a arranged on the downstream side of the measurement unit 240 a is determined as the transporting destination.

When transporting the sample rack L to the measurement unit 250 a , the system control unit 280 controls the transport unit 300 to transport the sample rack L to the transport line 310 c . When the sample rack L arrives at the transport line 310 cb , the system control unit 280 carries in the sample rack L from the transport line 310 b to the sampler 250 b . The sampler 250 b carries in the sample rack L, supplies the sample rack L to the measurement unit 250 a , and again carries out the sample rack L to the transport line 310 c.

The measurement unit 250 a aspirates the sample from the sample container T held in the supplied sample rack L, and executes the re-measurement. The measurement data obtained by measuring the sample with the measurement unit 250 a is provided to the information processing unit 220 . The information processing unit 220 analyzes the measurement data and transmits the measurement result to the host computer 290 . The host computer 290 stores the received measurement result in the measurement result database DB 1 with the type of additional order. The measurement results are accumulated in the measurement result database DB 1 of the host computer 290 through the processes described above. The host computer 290 can cause the display section 291 to display the measurement result stored in the measurement result database DB 1 when the operator operates the input section 292 .

In the example shown in FIG. 13 , one information processing unit 220 intensively performs the information processing on the measurement data from the plurality of measurement units, but the information processing unit 220 may be arranged in plurals.

In the embodiment described above, the measurement result is stored in any one of the computers, but a cloud server for intensively managing the measurement results may be arranged, and the measurement results stored in the cloud server may be browsed from the computer when referencing the measurement results.

A configuration in which the sample analyzer automatically executes the re-measurement has been described in the above embodiments, but this is not the sole case. For instance, the sample analyzer may measure the set sample rack only once, where when determined that re-measurement is necessary as a result of the user referencing the measurement result, the user may manually input the order of re-measurement to execute the re-measurement.

In the embodiment described above, a configuration in which the measurement result displayed in the main display region A 2 is switched when the sample link button X or the previous value/next value button Y is clicked is illustrated, but is not limited thereto. For instance, a configuration in which the measurement result corresponded in advance to the sample link button is popup displayed may be adopted. This mode will be described with reference to FIG. 14 . FIG. 14 is a view showing a variant of the data browser screen. The configuration of the data browser screen D 4 is a configuration substantially the same as the data browse screen of FIG. 12 , and thus the detailed description will be omitted.

Assume that the measurement result of “Initial” corresponding to the sample link button X 1 is displayed in the main display region A 2 with reference to FIG. 14 . When the sample link button X 2 is clicked in this state, a different window D 5 displaying the measurement result of “Initial/Repeat”, which is the measurement result corresponded in advance to the sample link button X 2 , is popup displayed. The title bar D 51 arranged at the upper part of the window D 5 displays the order type of the measurement result being displayed and the identification number of the measurement unit that executed the measurement. From which measurement the measurement result displayed in the window D 5 is from can be grasped at a glance.

The window D 5 can be displayed a maximum of three by clicking the sample link button X of the data browser screen D 4 . Each window can be displayed in a superimposed manner, and each measurement result can be displayed side by side.

A case in which the sample link button X is clicked has been described by way of example, but a different window is similarly popup displayed when the previous value button Y 1 and the next value button Y 2 is clicked.

In the embodiment described above, an example of measuring the additional measurement items in addition to the measurement item of “Initial” or “Initial/Repeat” when measuring “Reflex” has been described. This is not the sole case, and only the additional measurement may be measured when measuring “Reflex”.

In the embodiment described above, “Rerun” is measured if the measurement result contains an abnormal numerical value, and “Reflex” is measured if the numerical value in the measurement result is within a predetermined numerical value range, but various conditions can be set for the conditions of determining whether or not re-measurement is necessary, and are not particularly limited. For instance, the user may arbitrarily set the numerical value range. The conditions of re-measurement are not limited to the numerical value range. For instance, when the measurement result of a certain sample is obtained, the past sample collected from the same patient as the relevant sample may be searched from the measurement result database for comparison, and determination may be made that re-measurement is necessary if a significant difference is detected in the two measurement results. Furthermore, instead of the numerical value data, the pattern of the scattergram or the histogram may be analyzed, and the necessity of the re-measurement may be determined based on the analysis result.

In the embodiment described above, a mode of displaying the sample link button on the data browse screen D 3 in an overlapping manner is shown, but is not limited thereto. For instance, the sample link button may be displayed outside the screen of the data browser screen D 3 .

In the embodiment described above, an example in which the sample link button is provided to input the display instruction of other measurement results has been described, but a predetermined character string may be displayed in place of the sample link button, and a hyperlink may be set thereto.

In the embodiment described above, a mode in which the display instruction of the measurement result corresponded in advance to the sample link button is input when the sample link button is clicked on the screen has been described, but the display instruction is not limited to being input from the screen. For instance, a message related to the operation for displaying the associated measurement result may be displayed with the data browser screen D 3 , and the associated measurement result may be displayed when the operation described in the message is performed.

One example of such mode will be described with reference to FIG. 15 . FIG. 15( a ) is a view showing one example of a message displayed on the data browser screen. FIG. 15( b ) is a view schematically showing the message displayed on the data browser screen along the order the display is switched.

In this mode, a specific key of the keyboard is assigned to each of the other measurement results associated with the one measurement result in advance, and a message MSG 1 of FIG. 15( a ) is displayed with the data browser screen D 3 . When the specific key input is received, the measurement result corresponding to the input key is displayed. In the example of FIG. 15( a ) , when the F2 key assigned to “Initial/Repeat” is pressed, the data browser screen of the measurement result of “Initial/Repeat” is displayed. When the F3 key assigned to “Reflex” is pressed, the data browser screen of the measurement result of “Reflex” is displayed.

In another mode, the message of FIG. 15( b ) is displayed with the data browser screen D 3 . When the key input of a specific key (Tab key) is received, the measurement results to display are sequentially switched. Describing with reference to FIG. 15( b ) , a message MSG 2 is displayed when the measurement result of “Initial” is being displayed on the data browser screen. When the Tab key is pressed with the message MSG 2 being displayed, the measurement result of “Initial/Repeat” is displayed on the data browser screen, and the message MSG 2 switches to a message MSG 3 . Thus, the measurement results to display are switched in the order of “Initial”, “Initial/Repeat”, “Reflex”, “Reflex/Repeat” every time the Tab key is pressed, and the message to be displayed is also switched therewith.

In the embodiment described above, the blood analyzer has been described by way of example, but the present invention can be widely applied to apparatus for analyzing a clinical sample collected from a patient. For instance, application can be made to a urine analyzer, an immune analyzer, a coagulation time measurement apparatus, a biochemical analyzer, and the like.