A biological sample container identification and collection device

Abstract

This invention discloses a biological sample container identification and acquisition device, including a device body, a stage disposed within the device body, a top camera disposed at the top of the device body, and an annular reflector disposed at a corresponding position on the stage and located on the outer periphery of the biological sample container. The annular reflector is provided with an inner mirror surface for reflecting the side of the biological sample container on the stage to the top camera for imaging. This invention has the following beneficial effects: (1) The side of the biological sample container is reflected to the top camera by the annular reflector, realizing the synchronous acquisition of the front sample image and the side identification; (2) The light-transmitting area and the light source are matched to ensure uniform illumination; (3) The integrated acquisition process completely eliminates the information matching errors caused by step-by-step operations, improving data accuracy and experimental reliability; (4) The top camera integrates counting and recognition functions, further optimizing the workflow and improving efficiency in high-throughput applications.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a biological sample container identification and collection device. Background Technology

[0002] In microbiology laboratories, samples such as bacteria and cells are typically cultured in round petri dishes or rectangular multi-well plates. To enable efficient tracking and management of large numbers of samples, barcode or QR code labels containing sample information are usually affixed to the side of the biological sample containers to avoid obstructing the view of the samples when viewed from the front.

[0003] Existing microbial analysis systems, such as colony counters, inhibition zone analyzers, and algae analyzers, typically use top-mounted image acquisition devices (such as cameras) to photograph and analyze samples inside biological sample containers. However, when it is necessary to read the markings on the side of biological sample containers, the system faces a series of technical challenges: First, because the markings are located on the side of the biological sample container, there is a large angle between them and the vertical view of the top camera, and they are outside the camera's field of view, making direct shooting impossible and resulting in difficulties in collecting marking information; Second, to solve the view problem, existing technologies usually adopt two methods: one is for manual scanning with a handheld barcode scanner before or after counting, which is inefficient, prone to human error, and unsuitable for high-throughput applications; the other is to add an additional rotating mechanism or a dedicated side-viewing camera to the automated equipment, rotating the biological sample container to a specific angle or using a side-viewing camera to photograph the markings, but this greatly increases the mechanical complexity, manufacturing cost, and maintenance difficulty of the equipment, and may also affect the system's stability and lifespan; Finally, the step-by-step operation process (such as scanning before counting or counting before scanning) has a serious risk of mismatch between sample markings and counting results, such as associating the markings of sample A with the analytical data of sample B, which poses a serious threat to the accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility of experimental data, especially in medical diagnosis or scientific research experiments, which may lead to erroneous conclusions. Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for a technical solution that can achieve synchronous and integrated acquisition of front sample images and side markings without adding complex mechanical structures, so as to simplify operation, improve efficiency and ensure the accuracy of data matching. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve at least some of the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides a biological sample container identification and acquisition device with simple structure and convenient operation, which realizes the simultaneous acquisition of the identification on the side of the biological sample at the same time as capturing the image of the biological sample, thereby simplifying the operation steps, improving work efficiency, and completely avoiding information matching errors that may be caused by step-by-step operation.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A biological sample container label acquisition device includes a device body, a stage disposed within the device body, and a top camera disposed at the top of the device body. As an improvement, it further includes a ring-shaped reflector. The reflector is disposed around the biological sample container at a corresponding position on the stage. The ring-shaped reflector has an inner mirror surface for reflecting the side label of the biological sample container on the stage to the top camera for image capture. This allows the top camera to simultaneously acquire images of the sample from the top of the biological sample container and the label from the side of the biological sample container. By adopting the above technical solution, the ring-shaped reflector reflects the side of the biological sample container to the top camera, enabling simultaneous acquisition of the side label while capturing the front sample image. This achieves integrated acquisition without additional equipment or complex operations, improving data matching accuracy and work efficiency. The ring-shaped reflector is a circular ring reflector.

[0006] Preferably, the stage has a light-transmitting area for accommodating biological sample containers, and the bottom of the stage has a light source that can at least pass through the light-transmitting area and emit light upwards onto the stage. By adopting the above technical solution, the light-transmitting area and the light source work together to provide uniform illumination for the biological sample containers, ensuring a clear frontal image. At the same time, the reflector enhances the reflective effect of the markers under illumination, improving the contrast and reliability of marker acquisition.

[0007] Preferably, the stage is a light-transmitting plate. By adopting the above technical solution, the light-transmitting plate facilitates light transmission, reduces light loss, and, in conjunction with the light source and reflector, optimizes the overall optical path design, ensuring consistent image quality for the sample and the label.

[0008] Preferably, the reflector is disposed on the upper surface of the stage and surrounds the biological sample container. By adopting the above technical solution, the reflector is directly disposed around the biological sample container, maximizing the reflective area and ensuring that the side markings are reflected to the top camera without any blind spots, thus simplifying the structure and improving the acquisition efficiency.

[0009] Preferably, the reflector is positioned below the stage. By adopting the above technical solution, the reflector is located below the stage, avoiding direct contact with the biological sample container, while also facilitating the placement of the biological sample container and reducing the risk of contamination. Optimized reflection paths maintain image integrity and enhance system durability.

[0010] Preferably, the reflector is positioned above the stage and the biological sample container. By adopting the above technical solution, the reflector positioned above can cover a wider reflection angle, adapt to biological sample containers of different heights, and match the viewing angle of the top camera, further improving the flexibility and adaptability of identification and acquisition.

[0011] Preferably, the top camera is used as an imaging counting and identification camera for imaging and counting bacterial colonies within the biological sample container. By adopting the above technical solution, the imaging counting and identification camera combines sample counting and identification functions, enabling one-click synchronous acquisition, reducing data processing steps, avoiding information mismatch, and improving system integration and automation.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: (1) The side of the biological sample container is reflected to the top camera by the ring reflector, so as to realize the synchronous acquisition of the front sample image and the side label. No additional mechanical structure is required, which simplifies the equipment design and reduces the cost. At the same time, it eliminates the need for a separate barcode scanning step and barcode scanner; (2) The light-transmitting area and the light source are matched to ensure uniform illumination, improve image quality and label recognition rate; (3) The multi-position setting of the reflector is adapted to different types of biological sample containers, which enhances the versatility and ease of operation of the equipment and is suitable for various biological sample containers such as round petri dishes and square culture plates; (4) The integrated acquisition process completely eliminates the information matching error caused by step-by-step operation, improves data accuracy and experimental reliability; (5) The top camera integrates counting and recognition functions, further optimizes the workflow and improves efficiency in high-throughput applications. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a front view of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a front view of Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a front view of Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 7 This is an actual photograph of the barcode collected by this invention.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a barcode image generated by the reflector of this invention.

[0021] Figure 9 This is an example of the recognition results.

[0022] In the diagram: 1. Device body; 2. Stage; 3. Biological sample container; 4. Top camera; 5. Reflector; 51. Inner mirror; 6. Barcode. Detailed Implementation

[0023] See Figure 1-6 To make the technical problems to be solved, the technical solutions, and the beneficial technical effects of the present invention clearer, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] A biological sample container label acquisition device includes a device body 1, a stage 2 disposed within the device body 1, a top camera 4 disposed at the top of the device body 1, and a ring-shaped reflector 5. The reflector 5 is disposed around the biological sample container 3 at a corresponding position on the stage 2. The ring-shaped reflector 5 has an inner mirror surface 51 for reflecting the side label of the biological sample container 3 on the stage 2 to the top camera 4 for imaging. This allows the top camera 4 to simultaneously acquire the sample image from the top of the biological sample container 3 and the label image from the side of the biological sample container 3. In this structure, the ring-shaped reflector 5 reflects the side label of the biological sample container into the field of view of the top camera 4 through the inner mirror surface. This allows the top camera 4 to capture the side label image while capturing the sample image from the front of the biological sample container, achieving integrated acquisition. At the same time, the ring-shaped design of the reflector 5 covers the entire outer periphery of the biological sample container, ensuring that the label is reflected without omission, avoiding acquisition failures due to viewing angle issues, thereby simplifying the operation process and improving data matching accuracy and system efficiency. The ring-shaped reflector is a circular ring-shaped reflector, which can reflect the label on the outside of the circular biological sample container more efficiently.

[0025] Preferably, the top camera 4 is an imaging counting and identification camera used to image and count colonies within the biological sample container. In this structure, the imaging counting and identification camera inherent in the colony imaging counting system captures sample counts and labels, thus enabling simultaneous frontal sample analysis and side label acquisition in a single shot. Simultaneously, the camera's high-performance imaging technology ensures image resolution and processing speed, working in conjunction with the reflector 5 and the light source to achieve efficient and automated data management, significantly reducing the risk of human error.

[0026] In some embodiments, the stage 2 has a light-transmitting area for accommodating biological sample containers, and a light source at the bottom of the stage 2 that can at least pass through the light-transmitting area and emit light upwards onto the stage 2. In this structure, the light-transmitting area allows light to penetrate uniformly, providing optimal illumination conditions for the samples inside the biological sample containers and ensuring high clarity of the frontal image. Simultaneously, the synergy between the light source and the light-transmitting area enhances the reflection effect of the reflector 5 on the side markings, making the markings appear more contrasting in the camera image, facilitating automatic identification and processing, and further improving the reliability and adaptability of the acquisition. Preferably, the entire stage 2 is a light-transmitting plate, allowing for arbitrary placement of the light source to illuminate the biological sample containers 3.

[0027] Example 1, as Figure 1-2 As shown, the reflector 5 is positioned below the stage 2. In this structure, the reflector 5 is located below the stage 2 to avoid direct contact with the biological sample container, preventing contamination and damage. At the same time, the reflection path below optimizes the optical path angle, making the reflected image of the side marker more closely match the viewing angle of the top camera 4, reducing image distortion, and ensuring accurate data acquisition. This structure is suitable for various types of biological sample containers and experimental environments. The mirror surface of the reflector 5 positioned below is set to have a certain angle with the axis of the stage.

[0028] Example 2, as Figure 3-4 As shown, the reflector 5 is positioned above the stage 2 and the biological sample container 3 on which it is placed. By adopting the above technical solution, the reflector 5 positioned above can cover a wider reflection angle, adapt to biological sample containers of different heights, and match the viewing angle of the top camera, further improving the flexibility and adaptability of identification and acquisition.

[0029] Example 3, as Figure 5-6 As shown, a reflector is mounted on the upper surface of the stage 2 and surrounds the biological sample container 3. The reflector 3 is positioned at the same or approximately the same height as the biological sample container 3 on the stage 2. In this structure, the reflector 5 is directly positioned around the biological sample container 3, maximizing space utilization and ensuring that the side markings are reflected to the top camera 4 from all directions. At the same time, the design of being positioned outside the biological sample container 3 maintains the authenticity and stability of the reflected image. It is fixedly engaged with the stage 2, enhancing the overall structural compactness and durability. It also facilitates the centered placement of the biological sample container inside the ring-shaped reflector, further benefiting the scanning of the outer wall of the biological sample container 3.

[0030] The working principle of this invention is as follows: A biological sample container 3 is placed on a stage 2. As needed, the biological sample container 3 can be placed on the light-transmitting area of ​​the stage 2. A light source at the bottom of the stage 2 emits light from the bottom, penetrating the light-transmitting area to illuminate the sample and side label inside the biological sample container 3. The top camera 4 starts capturing images, and a ring-shaped reflector 5 reflects the side label of the biological sample container into the camera's field of view. This allows the camera to simultaneously capture images of the front sample and the reflected side label. The imaging counting and recognition camera automatically processes the images, completing sample counting and label recognition, and outputting the data. Throughout the process, the reflector 5 ensures no blind spots in the reflection of the side label, and the light source provides uniform illumination, achieving integrated acquisition without manual intervention or additional equipment. This effectively avoids information mismatch and improves work efficiency and data accuracy. This device has a simple structure and is easy to operate, making it suitable for high-throughput microbial analysis scenarios, such as colony counting and inhibition zone measurement, significantly improving experimental reliability and automation.

[0031] See Figure 6-9 , Figure 6 It is an actual photo of the barcode taken by the top camera 4. Figure 7 It is a photo of the barcode reflected by mirror 5. Figure 9 This is an example of the results from the identification process.

[0032] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the directions or positional relationships indicated by up, down, left, right, inner end, outer end, one end, and the other end are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the purpose of more clearly describing the technical solutions of this invention, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0033] Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein, they are given for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Various substitutions, alterations, and modifications can be conceived without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A biological sample container identification and collection device, comprising a device body, a stage disposed within the device body, and a top camera disposed at the top of the device body, characterized in that: It also includes a ring-shaped reflector, which is arranged around the biological sample container at a corresponding position on the stage. The ring-shaped reflector has an inner mirror surface for reflecting the side markings of the biological sample container on the stage to the top camera for imaging, so that the top camera can simultaneously capture the sample image on the top of the biological sample container and the marking image on the side of the biological sample container.

2. The biological sample container identification and collection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The stage is provided with a light-transmitting area for accommodating biological sample containers, and the bottom of the stage is provided with a light source that can at least pass through the light-transmitting area and emit light upwards onto the stage.

3. The biological sample container identification and collection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The stage is a light-transmitting plate.

4. The biological sample container identification and collection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The reflector is disposed on the upper surface of the stage and surrounds the biological sample container.

5. The biological sample container identification and collection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The reflector is positioned below the stage.

6. The biological sample container identification and collection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The reflector is positioned above the stage and the biological sample container on which it is placed.

7. The biological sample container identification and collection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The top camera is an imaging counting and recognition camera used to image and count bacterial colonies inside biological sample containers.

8. The biological sample container identification and collection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The ring-shaped reflector is a circular ring-shaped reflector.

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