Individual counter using fluid

摘要

Provided is an individual counter by which even micro-sized individuals such as prawn larvae can be counted at a high accuracy with little risk of debilitation or death and which has a simple structure and can be miniaturized. Two channels (10A) and (10B), which are inclined in the reverse directions to each other, are located in the upper and lower stages and seawater in a tank (21) is circulated through the inclined channels (10A) and (10B). A mass of the individuals (60) to be counted are poured into the upstream of the inclined channel (10A) in the upper stage. The individuals (60) thus poured, which are dispersed as the water runs from the inclined channel (10A) in the upper stage to the inclined channel (10B) in the lower stage, are photographed by a camera (40) in the counting section (18B) provided in the course of the inclined channel (10B) and then counted by analyzing the photographed image in an image analysis section (50). In the downstream side of the individual-pouring section (12A) in the inclined channel (10A) and in the upstream side of the counting section (18B) in the inclined channel (10B), bow-shaped liquid pools (14A) and (14B), each being inclined at the bottom upward toward the downstream side and the inclination angle thereof gradually increasing from both sides toward the center, are provided respectively to thereby promote the dispersion of the individuals (60).