Abstract: Disclosed is a cell analysis method comprising: extracting target cells from a population of cells derived from an epithelial tissue on the basis of N/C ratio representing a relative size of a nucleus to a cytoplasm; classifying the target cells into at least a first group and a second group by difference of amount of DNA; and evaluating a pathology of the epithelial tissue by comparing a ratio of numbers of cells between the first and second groups with a threshold; wherein the threshold varies according to a proportion of the target cells in the population.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cell analysis method comprising: extracting target cells from a population of cells derived from an epithelial tissue on the basis of N/C ratio representing a relative size of a nucleus to a cytoplasm; classifying the target cells into at least a first group and a second group by difference of amount of DNA; and evaluating a pathology of the epithelial tissue by comparing a ratio of numbers of cells between the first and second groups with a threshold; wherein the threshold varies according to a proportion of the target cells in the population.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sample dispensing method. The method comprises: suctioning a urine sample from a sample container by a first nozzle; moving the first nozzle to a holding chamber after the first nozzle has suctioned the urine sample from the sample container, and discharging the urine sample into the holding chamber; moving the first nozzle to a first wash tank and washing the first nozzle in the first wash tank after the first nozzle has discharged the urine sample into the holding chamber; and moving a second nozzle to the holding chamber after the first nozzle has started moving to the first wash tank, and moving the second nozzle which has suctioned the urine sample from the holding chamber to respective plurality of processing chambers and discharging a part of the urine sample to the respective plurality of processing chambers.

Abstract: There is provided a canceration information providing method which can detect the possibility of cancer in the initial stage with high accuracy. The canceration information providing method for providing information pertaining to canceration of cells includes: acquiring measurement data including first data pertaining to size of a cell nucleus and second data pertaining to size of a cytoplasm for each cell contained in a measurement sample which includes cells collected from epithelial tissue; extracting the measurement data of cells to be analyzed, which are at least some of the cells located toward the basal membrane side of the cells existing in the surface layer in the epithelial tissue, from the measurement data of a plurality of cells in the measurement sample based on the first data and the second data acquired for each cell; and analyzing the extracted measurement data and outputting the information pertaining to the canceration of cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cell analyzer comprising: a measuring device that includes a collecting section configured to collect target cells in a specimen with a filter, and is configured to measure the target cells collected by the collecting section; and a data processing device configured to analyze the target cells based on measurement data obtained by the measuring device, wherein the cell analyzer is operable in a first mode of measuring a clinical specimen collected from a subject and a second mode of measuring a quality control specimen containing particles having size capturable by the filter; and the data processing device is programmed to acquire an amount of particles collected by the collecting section based on measurement data of the quality control specimen obtained in the second mode, and output an alarm when the amount of particles meets a predetermined condition.

Abstract: Provided is a canceration information providing method capable of presenting the information related to canceration of the cells with high reliability. A cell in which the amount of DNA is greater than or equal to the amount of DNA of the normal cell in the S period is extracted from a cell group of V11?N/C ratio?V12 (first counting step). If the number of cells obtained in the first counting step is greater than or equal to the threshold value S1 (S107: YES), “Cancer” is set to a flag 1. A cell in which the amount of DNA is 2C is extracted from a cell group of V13?N/C ratio?V11 (second counting step). A ratio of the number of cells obtained in the second counting step and number of cells obtained in the first counting step is calculated, and “Cancer” is set to a flag 2 if the ratio is greater than or equal to a threshold value S2 (S111: YES). If one of the flags 1, 2 is “Cancer” (S113: YES), the display of retest necessary is performed.

Abstract: Provided is a canceration information providing method capable of presenting information related to canceration of cells with high reliability. A cell in which an amount of DNA is greater than or equal to an amount of DNA of a normal cell in a S period is extracted from a cell group of V11?N/C ratio?V12 (first counting step). If a number of cells obtained in the first counting step is greater than or equal to a threshold value S1 (S107: YES), “Cancer” is set to a flag 1. A cell in which an amount of DNA is 2C is extracted from a cell group of V13?N/C ratio<V11 (second counting step). A ratio of a number of cells obtained in the first counting step and a number of cells obtained in the second counting step is calculated, and “Cancer” is set to a flag 2 if the ratio is greater than or equal to a threshold value S2 (S111: YES). If either one of the flags 1, 2 is “Cancer” (S113: YES), retest necessary is displayed.

Abstract: A sample preparation device includes: a filter member including a filter configured to separate cells being an analysis target from other components in a sample; a first receptacle and a second receptacle configured to be connected to each other via the filter; a third receptacle capable of holding the sample therein; a negative pressure section configured to apply a negative pressure into the second receptacle, thereby to move the sample in the third receptacle toward the filter via the first receptacle, and thereby to move components other than the analysis target into the second receptacle via the filter; and a positive pressure section configured to apply a positive pressure from the second receptacle side to the filter to which cells being the analysis target are attached.

Abstract: The present invention provides a filter member. The filter member comprises: a filter for discriminating cells to be analyzed in a sample from other components; a first filter holding member which comprises a first through hole and has a plate-like shape; and a second filter holding member which comprises a second through hole and is fitted into the first filter holding member. When the first and second filter holding members are integrated by fitting the second filter holding member into the first filter holding member, the filter is sandwiched between the first filter holding member and the second filter holding member, and the first through hole is opposed to the second through hole through the filter. A first elastic body is formed on a surface of the first filter holding member, the surface being in contact with the filter. A second elastic body is formed on a surface of the second filter holding member, the surface being in contact with the filter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sample dispensing method. The method comprises: suctioning a urine sample from a sample container by a first nozzle; moving the first nozzle to a holding chamber after the first nozzle has suctioned the urine sample from the sample container, and discharging the urine sample into the holding chamber; moving the first nozzle to a first wash tank and washing the first nozzle in the first wash tank after the first nozzle has discharged the urine sample into the holding chamber; and moving a second nozzle to the holding chamber after the first nozzle has started moving to the first wash tank, and moving the second nozzle which has suctioned the urine sample from the holding chamber to respective plurality of processing chambers and discharging a part of the urine sample to the respective plurality of processing chambers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a container cleaning device which cleans a container for holding a sample. The device comprises: a container holding section for holding the container which has a substantially spherical inner bottom; a discharge section which is inserted into the container; and a cleaning nozzle which discharges a cleaning liquid into the container. The discharge section comprises an aperture at the bottom, and comprises a discharge flow path which is connected to the aperture and discharges the sample or the cleaning liquid in the container, and the discharge section is insertable to the deepest part of the container, and the bottom part of the discharge section conforms to the shape of the substantially spherical inner bottom of the container.

Abstract: A cell processing apparatus includes a storage container that contains liquid L including a biological sample; a filter that prevents a first cell C1 in the biological sample from passing and allows a second cell C2 having a smaller diameter than that of the first cell C1 to pass; and a filtration cylinder for separating, in the storage container and via the filter, the liquid L into a first liquid L1 mainly including the first cell C1 and a second liquid L2 mainly including the second cell C2. A measurement target cell filtered by the filter among other cells can be easily collected.

Abstract: A sample preparation apparatus comprising: a filter which separates predetermined cells from a liquid sample containing a plurality types of cells; a rotor which includes a magnetic body and detaches the predetermined cells attached to the filter by rotation; a driving unit which rotates the rotor using a magnetic force; and a rotation information acquiring unit which acquires a rotation information of the rotor when the driving unit rotates the rotor. A method and a computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sample preparation device includes: a filter member including a filter configured to separate cells being an analysis target from other components in a sample; a first receptacle and a second receptacle configured to be connected to each other via the filter; a third receptacle capable of holding the sample therein; a negative pressure section configured to apply a negative pressure into the second receptacle, thereby to move the sample in the third receptacle toward the filter via the first receptacle, and thereby to move components other than the analysis target into the second receptacle via the filter; and a positive pressure section configured to apply a positive pressure from the second receptacle side to the filter to which cells being the analysis target are attached.

Abstract: Provided are a cell analyzer, and a cell analysis method. A cell analyzer 1 includes a measurement device 2 for detecting information of each cell from a measurement specimen containing cells harvested from an epithelial tissue, and a data processing device 3 for determining appropriateness of the cell harvesting of parabasal cells and acquiring information related to canceration of the cell based on the information detected by the measurement device 2. The data processing device 3 displays on a display section a dialogue showing “cell harvesting inappropriate” when determined that the harvesting of parabasal cells is inappropriate.

Abstract: A sample preparation apparatus, comprising: an ultrasonic vibrating unit which applies ultrasonic vibration to a sample including an analyte held in a measurement sample container; a sample preparation unit which prepares a measurement sample by mixing the sample including the analyte to which the ultrasonic vibration is applied and a predetermined reagent; and a container transporting unit which transports the measurement sample container holding the sample including the analyte from the ultrasonic vibrating unit to the sample preparation unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a container cleaning device which cleans a container for holding a sample. The device comprises: a container holding section for holding the container which has a substantially spherical inner bottom; a discharge section which is inserted into the container; and a cleaning nozzle which discharges a cleaning liquid into the container. The discharge section comprises an aperture at the bottom, and comprises a discharge flow path which is connected to the aperture and discharges the sample or the cleaning liquid in the container, and the discharge section is insertable to the deepest part of the container, and the bottom part of the discharge section conforms to the shape of the substantially spherical inner bottom of the container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cell analysis method comprising: extracting target cells from a population of cells derived from an epithelial tissue on the basis of N/C ratio representing a relative size of a nucleus to a cytoplasm; classifying the target cells into at least a first group and a second group by difference of amount of DNA; and evaluating a pathology of the epithelial tissue by comparing a ratio of numbers of cells between the first and second groups with a threshold; wherein the threshold varies according to a proportion of the target cells in the population.