Imaging device for observing bacterial colony density change
The imaging device addresses the challenge of observing bacterial colony density changes by using a compact setup with adjustable components and short optical paths to minimize environmental interference, enabling clear and efficient imaging of bacterial colony density variations.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202421827246.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-15
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-07-31
AI Technical Summary
The prior art cannot easily and effectively observe the changes in bacterial colony density, and traditional imaging methods are limited by long optical paths, small depth of field, cumbersome operation and susceptible to environmental interference.
An imaging device for observation of bacterial colony density changes is designed, including a base, a pole, a shooting assembly, a tray assembly and a calibration platform. The thick concave mirror and the camera are used for interference and shadow imaging, and the light source and camera position and the angle of the petri dish are adjusted to achieve short-range density changes observation.
It achieves efficient and intuitive observation of bacterial colony density changes, clear images, simple operation, reduces space occupation and reduces costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN223102988U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to a device for observing the change of bacterial colony density in semi - transparent and transparent culture dishes, belonging to the technical field of microscopic bacterial colony imaging. Background Technique
[0002] When studying the development shape of bacterial colonies cultured in a culture medium, bacterial colonies, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, will absorb water from the culture medium by secreting surfactants, thereby expanding their colony area. When preparing experimental materials, it is necessary to pour the culture medium liquid boiled in a high - temperature and high - pressure autoclave into a culture dish to mix the nutrients required by bacteria with the gel and perform pasteurization, so as to obtain the culture medium gel (i.e., the culture medium, usually soy peptone agar). The temperature difference between the high - temperature culture medium liquid and the surrounding environment will cause the culture medium gel to solidify and show density differences in different parts. Thus, in the area where the cooling is faster, the texture of the gel network is denser, and in the area where the cooling is slower, the texture of the gel network is more uniform. When culturing the initial strain inoculated at the gelling center of the culture medium gel that has returned to room temperature and solidified, various mechanical factors inside the colony will also affect the density change of the biofilm at different positions. For example, due to the unique swarming movement mode of some bacteria, periodic annular accumulations will appear at the colony edge during colony expansion, resulting in an increase in density. In addition, when the surfactant secreted by bacteria (such as rhamnolipid) infiltrates and diffuses in the culture medium gel with high water content, the culture medium gel will undergo a slight expansion due to the osmotic pressure difference, thereby generating dendritic colony structures of different sizes in the bacterial population accumulated in the annular zone at the colony edge. In short, under the combined action of the above factors, the colonies will produce different morphological changes at different development stages, and thus different density changes will occur in different parts of the bacterial colonies.
[0003] The observation of the change in bacterial colony density is of great significance for studying cell dynamics, and it plays a positive role in aspects such as disease treatment research and biological product development. Currently, although existing imaging means (such as traditional cameras, parallel light scanning, schlieren imaging, interferometric imaging, and electron microscopes) can image and observe the appearance, contour, and surface texture of colonies from different technical perspectives, it is still impossible to directly observe the density change in a local area of the colony. For example: Cameras and scanners can only record the contour of the high diffuse reflection area of the biofilm. Electron microscopes can only observe the surface contour of the colony and the culture medium, but cannot image its details. Traditional schlieren imaging (such as single-mirror off-axis optical path imaging) can measure the density change of the transparent medium, but due to its sensitivity and the relatively long optical path required, environmental media are likely to interfere with the measurement of the target, making it impossible to accurately measure the target area. Moreover, the instrument is large in size, cumbersome to operate, and inconvenient to use. Traditional interferometric imaging has a clear target, but due to its too small depth of field, the sample thickness is required to be as thin as possible to reduce the influence of non-target areas on the measurement, which is not easy to achieve.
[0004] In summary, designing a design solution that can conveniently and effectively image a bacterial colony (or the collection of a bacterial colony and its secretions, etc., and the culture medium gel it is in) to achieve density change observation is an urgent problem to be solved currently. Utility Model Content
[0005] The purpose of the present utility model is to provide an imaging device for observing the density change of a bacterial colony, which can achieve efficient imaging of a transparent bacterial colony, thereby achieving the purpose of directly observing the density change of the bacterial colony.
[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the present utility model adopts the following technical solutions:
[0007] An imaging device for observing the density change of a bacterial colony includes a base, a vertical rod is fixed on the base, a shooting component, a tray component, and a calibration platform are installed on the vertical rod from top to bottom. A thick concave mirror is arranged on the calibration platform. The shooting component, the tray component, and the calibration platform can adjust their respective heights on the vertical rod, where: The shooting component includes a point light source and a camera, and the shooting component can adjust the positions of the point light source and the lens of the camera; The tray component is used to hold a culture dish, and the culture dish contains a bacterial colony. The culture dish is a transparent or semi-transparent culture dish. The tray component is used to adjust the position and tilt angle of the culture dish; The calibration platform is used to adjust the position of the thick concave mirror fixed thereon.
[0008] The advantages of the present utility model are:
[0009] The imaging device of the present utility model can perform efficient magnified imaging on transparent bacterial colonies in a petri dish (or the collection of bacterial colonies and their secretions, etc. and the culture medium gel where they are located), and the images are clear and distinguishable, achieving the purpose of directly observing the density change of bacterial colonies.
[0010] The optical path required by the imaging device of the present utility model is much smaller than that of the traditional schlieren imaging method, achieving the purpose of observing density changes with a shorter optical path, avoiding interference with imaging caused by environmental factors such as air disturbance, having a good imaging effect, greatly reducing the space occupied by operation, being convenient to adjust, easy to operate, having a low cost, and being suitable for popularization. Brief Description of the Drawings
[0011] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the imaging device of the present utility model.
[0012] Figure 2 is another three-dimensional schematic diagram of the imaging device of the present utility model.
[0013] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the shooting component.
[0014] Figure 4 is another three-dimensional schematic diagram of the shooting component.
[0015] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the tray component.
[0016] Figure 6 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the calibration platform.
[0017] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram for the implementation description of the imaging device of the present utility model.
[0018] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram for the description of an imaging method implemented using the imaging device of the present utility model. Detailed Embodiment
[0019] The present utility model proposes an imaging device for observing the density change of bacterial colonies, as Figures 1 to 6As shown in the figure, it includes a base 10, on which a vertical rod 11 is fixed. A shooting component 20, a tray component 30 and a calibration platform 50 are installed on the vertical rod 11 from top to bottom. A thick concave mirror 40 is arranged on the calibration platform 50. The shooting component 20, the tray component 30 and the calibration platform 50 can adjust their respective heights on the vertical rod 11. Among them: The shooting component 20 includes a point light source 22 and a camera 21, and the shooting component 20 can adjust the positions of the point light source 22 and the lens 210 of the camera 21; The tray component 30 is used to hold a culture dish 60, and a bacterial colony is placed in the culture dish 60. The culture dish 60 is a transparent or semi-transparent culture dish. The tray component 30 is used to adjust the position of the culture dish 60 and the tilt angle relative to the horizontal plane; The calibration platform 50 is used to adjust the position of the thick concave mirror 40 fixed thereon.
[0020] In actual application, the point light source 22 and the camera 21 are respectively located on both sides of the optical axis L of the thick concave mirror 40, and the point light source 22 and the lens 210 point to the set center C of the thick concave mirror 40. The vertical distance from the point light source 22 to the set center C of the thick concave mirror 40 is twice the focal length of the thick concave mirror 40. The set center C is the midpoint of the connection line of the lowest points of the top and bottom mirrors of the thick concave mirror 40. Among them, by adjusting the position of the culture dish 60 relative to the thick concave mirror 40, the bacterial colony to be observed in the culture dish 60 is magnified and imaged based on the interference and schlieren imaging methods, and then the observation of the density change is realized.
[0021] In the present utility model, the bacterial colony for observing the density change actually refers to the collection of the bacterial colony (more precisely, including secretions) and the culture medium gel where it is located. In other words, observing the density change of the bacterial colony means observing the density change of the bacterial colony (including secretions) in the culture medium gel.
[0022] In the present utility model, the relative height position between the point light source 22 and the lens 210 depends on the focusing ability of the camera. In an ideal state, it is sufficient for the point light source 22 and the lens 210 to be at the same height. However, due to the focusing limitation problem of the camera lens, usually the point light source 22 is placed slightly lower than the lens 210.
[0023] In the imaging device of the present utility model, the point light source 22 usually refers to an LED point light source and is powered by USB. The camera 21 can be any existing camera that meets the shooting pixel requirements. The thick concave mirror 40 refers to a concave mirror with a certain thickness and a uniform thickness. In the present utility model, a set center C is designed for the thick concave mirror 40. The set center C is the midpoint of the connection line of the lowest points of the top and bottom mirrors of the thick concave mirror 40. As Figure 7 shown, the thick concave mirror 40 has an optical axis, and a single incident light can be reflected on the top and bottom mirrors of this concave mirror respectively, so as to reflect a pair of parallel reflected lights.
[0024] In the present utility model, the bacteria to be observed are usually placed in a transparent or semi-transparent culture dish 60 in the shape of a flat cylinder for cultivation.
[0025] The shooting component 20, the tray component 30 and the calibration platform 50 of the imaging device of the present utility model can each adjust their own height, the position of their respective components, the tilt angle, etc.
[0026] Specifically, as Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the shooting component 20 can adjust the overall height of the point light source 22 and the camera 21, and can adjust the relative position of the point light source 22 and the camera 21, that is, adjust the distance between the point light source 22 and the lens 210 of the camera 21 and the relative position between the two and the thick concave mirror 40.
[0027] As Figure 1 and Figure 5 , the tray component 30 can adjust the height of the culture dish 60 it holds, that is, adjust the distance between the culture dish 60 and the lens 210 of the camera 21 and the thick concave mirror 40, and can adjust the tilt angle of the culture dish 60 relative to the horizontal plane.
[0028] As Figure 1 and Figure 6 , the calibration platform 50 can adjust the height of the thick concave mirror 40 fixed thereon, that is, adjust the distance between the thick concave mirror 40 and the culture dish 60 and the lens 210 of the camera 21.
[0029] Here, the base 10 is regarded as being consistent with the horizontal plane.
[0030] Figure 3 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6 respectively show the X, Y, and Z directions defined for the shooting component 20, the tray component 30, and the calibration platform 50 respectively. In actual implementation, the X, Y, and Z directions of the above three usually only need to be kept consistent. Therefore, the X, Y, and Z directions defined for the whole of the present utility model in Figure 1 are the same as the X, Y, and Z directions defined for the shooting component 20, the tray component 30, and the calibration platform 50 above, for the convenience of understanding and adjustment. Of course, it is also possible that the X, Y, and Z directions defined for the shooting component 20, the tray component 30, and the calibration platform 50 are different from each other and different from the X, Y, and Z directions of the whole of the present utility model, as long as the observation requirements are met.
[0031] As Figure 3 and Figure 4, the shooting component 20 includes a camera 21. One side of the camera 21 is connected to a caliper 25 through an extension adjustment mechanism. The caliper 25 is used to clamp on the vertical rod 11. A height fixing knob 26 for locking the height is provided on the caliper 25. When the height adjustment of the caliper 25 on the vertical rod 11 is completed, the height of the caliper 25 on the vertical rod 11 is fixed by tightening the height fixing knob 26. The other side of the camera 21 is fixed with a point light source 22 through an L-shaped adjustment mechanism.
[0032] Furthermore, the extension adjustment mechanism includes a vertical rod 243 and a horizontal rod 242. The bottom end of the vertical rod 243 is fixed on the caliper 25. The top end of the vertical rod 243 and one end of the horizontal rod 242 are rotatably clamped in a clamping plate 241. An extension fixing knob 245 is installed on the clamping plate 241. After the relative rotation adjustment of the clamping plate 241 relative to the vertical rod 243 and the horizontal rod 242 relative to the clamping plate 241 is completed, the relative positions of the clamping plate 241, the vertical rod 243, and the horizontal rod 242 are fixed by tightening the extension fixing knob 245. That is, the camera 21 and the point light source 22 are extended and retracted in the Y direction by means of the extension adjustment mechanism. The other end of the horizontal rod 242 is connected to the camera 21 through an XZ plane camera tilt adjustment knob 244. The XZ plane camera tilt adjustment knob 244 is rotatable relative to the horizontal rod 242 and fixed to the camera 21. The XZ plane camera tilt adjustment knob 244 is used to adjust the tilt angle of the lens 210 of the camera 21 in the XZ plane.
[0033] Furthermore, the L-shaped adjustment mechanism includes a first connecting rod 234 and a second connecting rod 233. The second connecting rod 233 is rotatably connected to the first connecting rod 234 through a spacing fixing knob 235. After the spacing adjustment between the point light source 22 and the lens 210 is completed by rotating the second connecting rod 233, the second connecting rod 233 is fixed on the first connecting rod 234 by tightening the spacing fixing knob 235. The first connecting rod 234 is connected to the camera 21 through an XZ plane light source tilt adjustment knob 236. The XZ plane light source tilt adjustment knob 236 is rotatable relative to the camera 21 and fixed to the first connecting rod 234. The XZ plane light source tilt adjustment knob 236 is used to adjust the tilt angle of the point light source 22 in the XZ plane. The second connecting rod 233 is connected to a handle-shaped light source base 231 through a rotation knob 232. The bottom of the light source base 231 is fixed with a point light source 22. The rotation knob 232 is rotatably connected to the second connecting rod 233 and fixed to the light source base 231. The rotation knob 232 is used to rotate and adjust the position of the lens 210.
[0034] In summary, the height positions of the camera 21 and the point light source 22 are adjusted by the caliper 25 and the extension adjustment mechanism. The relative positions between the camera 21 and the point light source 22, including the height position and the spacing, are adjusted by the XZ plane camera tilt adjustment knob 244, the XZ plane light source tilt adjustment knob 236, the rotation knob 232, and the first link 234 and the second link 233. Of course, in actual implementation, other adjustment means can also be used to achieve the adjustment purpose, without being limited by the above.
[0035] In actual implementation, a spherical end can be provided at the top of the vertical rod 243 and one end of the horizontal rod 242. This end is rotatably clamped between the two plates of the clamping plate 241, so as to achieve the purpose of rotatable adjustment of the vertical rod 243 and the horizontal rod 242 along the Y direction with respect to the clamping plate 241. Of course, there is no limitation.
[0036] Such as Figure 3 , for the shooting assembly 20, the Z direction is the vertical direction, that is, the height direction, the XY plane formed by the X direction and the Y direction is the horizontal plane, the X direction is the direction perpendicular to the Y direction, the Y direction is the direction where the spacing between the point light source 22 and the lens 210 is located, and the X direction is the direction for adjusting the inclination of the point light source 22 and the lens 210.
[0037] Such as Figure 5 , the tray assembly 30 includes an annular tray 31. The tray 31 is used to hold the culture dish 60. The tray 31 is connected to one end of the prism rod 32 through a connecting member 310. The prism rod 32 is movably inserted through the sleeve 331. The sleeve 331 is clamped on the sleeve caliper 334. A fixed caliper 335 is provided on one side of the sleeve caliper 334, and a height locking knob 336 is provided on the fixed caliper 335. Among them, when the height adjustment of the fixed caliper 335 on the vertical rod 11 is completed, the fixed caliper 335 is fixed on the vertical rod 11 by tightening the height locking knob 336.
[0038] In actual design, the prism rod 32 can be selected as a triangular prism rod with a triangular cross-section. Correspondingly, the sleeve 331 is provided with a triangular cross-section perforation for the prism rod 32 to pass through.
[0039] Furthermore, a prism rod locking knob 332 is provided on the sleeve 331, and a sleeve locking knob 333 is provided on the other side of the sleeve caliper 334. Among them: when the length of the prism rod 32 extending out of the sleeve 331 is adjusted, the prism rod 32 is fixed in the sleeve 331 by tightening the prism rod locking knob 332; when the inclination angle of the prism rod 32 and the tray 31 is adjusted by rotating the sleeve 331 in the sleeve caliper 334 and the adjustment is completed, the sleeve 331 is fixed in the sleeve caliper 334 by tightening the sleeve locking knob 333.
[0040] In summary, the height position of the tray 31 and the culture dish 60 thereon is adjusted by the fixed caliper 335. The position of the tray 31 and the culture dish 60 thereon in the Y direction is adjusted by adjusting the length of the adjusting rod 32 extending out of the sleeve 331. The tilt angle of the tray 31 and the culture dish 60 thereon relative to the horizontal plane is adjusted by rotating the sleeve 331. Of course, in actual implementation, other adjustment means can also be used to achieve this, without being limited by the above.
[0041] As Figure 5 , for the tray assembly 30, the Z direction is the vertical direction, that is, the height direction. The XY plane formed by the X direction and the Y direction is the horizontal plane. The X direction is the direction perpendicular to the Y direction. The Y direction is the direction in which the adjusting rod 32 extends out of the sleeve 331. That is, the length direction of the rod 32 is defined as the Y direction.
[0042] As Figure 6 , the calibration platform 50 includes a sliding sleeve 557 for sleeving on the vertical rod 11. A fixed rod 555 is fixed on one side of the sliding sleeve 557. The sliding sleeve 557 is connected to the sliding sleeve locking knob 556 provided on the fixed rod 555. The fixed rod 555 is connected to a Y-axis fixed rod 554. A Y-axis moving rod 553 is movably provided on the Y-axis fixed rod 554. The Y-axis moving rod 553 is movably connected to the Y-axis adjusting knob 558 provided on the Y-axis fixed rod 554. One end of the Y-axis moving rod 553 extending out of the Y-axis fixed rod 554 is fixed with an X-axis fixed rod 551. An X-axis moving rod 54 is movably provided on the X-axis fixed rod 551. The X-axis moving rod 54 is movably connected to the X-axis adjusting knob 552 provided on the X-axis fixed rod 551. The X-axis moving rod 54 is connected to the suction cup holder 52. Suction cups 53 are provided on the suction cup holder 52. The suction cup holder 52 is fixed on a lifting platform 51. The lifting height of the lifting platform 51 is controlled by the lifting adjustment knob 510. Among them: by screwing the Y-axis adjusting knob 558, the position of the Y-axis moving rod 553 on the Y-axis fixed rod 554 can be adjusted, that is, the position of the Y-axis moving rod 553 can be adjusted along the Y direction; by screwing the X-axis adjusting knob 552, the position of the X-axis moving rod 54 on the X-axis fixed rod 551 can be adjusted, that is, the position of the X-axis moving rod 54 can be adjusted along the X direction; when the height adjustment of the lifting platform 51 is completed by the lifting adjustment knob 510, the height adjustment of the calibration platform 50 is completed, and the sliding sleeve 557 is fixed on the fixed rod 555 by tightening the sliding sleeve locking knob 556.
[0043] As Figure 6 , for the calibration platform 50, the Z direction is the vertical direction, that is, the height direction. The XY plane formed by the X direction and the Y direction is the horizontal plane. The X direction is the direction perpendicular to the Y direction. The X direction and the Y direction of the calibration platform 50 should be respectively consistent with the X direction and the Y direction of the tray assembly 30. Usually, the length direction of the Y-axis moving rod 553 is the Y direction, and the length direction of the X-axis moving rod 54 is the X direction.
[0044] In actual implementation, adjusting the position of the Y-axis moving rod 553 along the Y direction and adjusting the position of the X-axis moving rod 54 along the X direction respectively achieve the position adjustment of the thick concave mirror 40 adsorbed and fixed on the suction cup 53 along the Y and X directions. Adjusting the height of the lifting platform 51 along the Z direction realizes the height adjustment of the thick concave mirror 40 along the Z direction. Thus, the position of the thick concave mirror 40 in the X, Y, and Z directions is determined, and the position of the set center C of the thick concave mirror 40 is determined. In practice, usually, the position of the thick concave mirror 40 in the X and Y directions is adjusted first, and then the position in the Z direction is adjusted.
[0045] In summary, the position adjustment of the thick concave mirror 40 in the X, Y, and Z directions is respectively achieved through the X-axis adjustment knob 552, the Y-axis adjustment knob 558, and the lifting adjustment knob 510.
[0046] In the present utility model, the lifting platform 51 with the lifting adjustment knob 510 adopts an existing lifting platform. The sliding sleeve 557 is made of a flexible belt. One end of the belt forming a circular opening is fixed to the fixed rod 555, and the other end is fixed to the sliding sleeve locking knob 556. Thus, rotating the sliding sleeve locking knob 556 can tighten the end of the belt fixed thereto, thereby tightening the opening of the sliding sleeve 557. Of course, there is no limitation.
[0047] The structure of the connection between the Y-axis moving rod 553 and the Y-axis adjustment knob 558, and the structure of the connection between the X-axis moving rod 54 and the X-axis adjustment knob 552 can be realized by well-known structures in the art without limitation. For example, a guide groove is provided on the Y-axis fixed rod 554. The Y-axis adjustment knob 558 is installed perpendicular to the guide groove and passes through the guide groove. A gear is provided on the part of the Y-axis adjustment knob 558 extending into the guide groove. A rack is provided on the Y-axis moving rod 553, and the rack is slidably placed in the guide groove and meshes with the gear. Thus, by screwing the Y-axis adjustment knob 558, the Y-axis moving rod 553 can be moved along the guide groove on the Y-axis fixed rod 554, that is, the position adjustment of the Y-axis moving rod 553 along the Y direction is realized. Another example is that a guide groove is provided on the X-axis fixed rod 551. The X-axis adjustment knob 552 is installed parallel to the guide groove and penetrates into the guide groove. The part of the X-axis adjustment knob 552 extending into the guide groove is a screw rod. A nut is fixed on one side of the X-axis moving rod 54, and the nut is screwed onto the screw rod and is located in the guide groove. Thus, by screwing the X-axis adjustment knob 552 (only rotating), the X-axis moving rod 54 can be moved along the guide groove on the X-axis fixed rod 551 by the rotation of the nut on the screw rod, that is, the position adjustment of the X-axis moving rod 54 along the X direction is realized.
[0048] Here, in addition to the above ways of adjusting the position of the thick concave mirror 40 in the X, Y, and Z directions, other ways can also be adopted to achieve this without limitation.
[0049] Such as Figure 6, in practical applications, the bottom of the lifting platform 51 can be fixed to the base 10 by, for example, magnets or screws. Additionally, after the thick concave mirror 40 is adsorbed on the suction cup 53, it is necessary to ensure that the centers of their cross-sections coincide, so that the position of the calibration platform 50 can be adjusted to effectively adjust the position of the set center C of the thick concave mirror 40.
[0050] When using the imaging device of the present utility model, adjust the height positions of the shooting component 20, the tray component 30 and the calibration platform 50 on the vertical rod 11. Generally, the calibration platform 50 is placed on the base 10, the thick concave mirror 40 is fixed on the calibration platform 50, and the culture dish 60 is placed on the tray component 30.
[0051] Then, adjust the positions of the point light source 22 and the camera 21 of the shooting component 20 and their relative positions to each other. By adjusting the calibration platform 50, complete the position adjustment of the thick concave mirror 40 thereon, so that the point light source 22 and the lens 210 of the camera 21 are respectively located on both sides of the optical axis L of the thick concave mirror 40, the point light source 22 and the lens 210 point to the set center C of the thick concave mirror 40, and the vertical distance from the point light source 22 to the set center C of the thick concave mirror 40 is twice the focal length of the thick concave mirror 40, that is, complete the optical path adjustment. Generally, when the circular light spot emitted by the point light source 22 captured by the camera 21 shows a target-shaped annular interference strip with a uniform width emerging from the center of the light spot, the calibration platform 50 can be locked to fix the position of the thick concave mirror 40, realizing the calibration of the point light source 22, that is, completing the above optical path adjustment. Then, according to the observation requirements, adjust the height of the culture dish 60 held on the tray component 30 and the inclination angle of the culture dish 60 relative to the horizontal plane. Here, according to the imaging method used, correspondingly adjust the distance between the culture dish 60 and the lens 210 of the camera 21 and the thick concave mirror 40.
[0052] The following takes Figure 8 the shown imaging method (not limited, other imaging methods can also be used) as an example to illustrate the process of using the imaging device of the present utility model to observe density changes. Combining Figure 8 and Figures 1 to 6Understand that since the point light source 22 of the imaging device of the present utility model is slightly lower than the lens 210, the point light source 22 is made as close to the lens 210 as possible. Specifically, by adjusting the respective knobs on the shooting assembly 20, the positions of the point light source 22 and the lens 210 of the camera 21 are adjusted, and by adjusting the respective knobs on the calibration platform 50, the position of the thick concave mirror 40 is adjusted according to the positions where the point light source 22 and the lens 210 are located, so that the point light source 22 and the lens 210 of the camera 21 are respectively located on both sides of the optical axis L of the thick concave mirror 40, the point light source 22 and the lens 210 point to the set center C of the thick concave mirror 40, and the vertical distance from the point light source 22 to the set center C of the thick concave mirror 40 is twice the focal length of the thick concave mirror 40. Thus, the optical path adjustment is completed. Then, by adjusting the respective knobs on the tray assembly 30, the position of the culture dish 60 is adjusted to make the culture dish 60 as close to the mirror surface of the thick concave mirror 40 as possible, and then the inclination angle of the culture dish 60 is adjusted to a suitable state according to the observation requirements, so that the bacterial colonies to be observed in the culture dish 60 are in the overlapping area E, thereby based on Figure 8 the imaging method shown, the density change of the bacterial colonies to be observed in the culture dish 60 is observed.
[0053] Combined with Figure 7 and Figure 8 to understand, Figure 8 the imaging method shown specifically includes the steps:
[0054] 1) Place a point light source 22 and a camera 21 above a thick concave mirror 40, and make the point light source 22 and the lens 210 of the camera 21 respectively located on both sides of the optical axis L of the thick concave mirror 40;
[0055] 2) Adjust the positions of the point light source 22 and the thick concave mirror 40, make the point light source 22 and the lens 210 both point to the set center C of the thick concave mirror 40, and make the vertical distance from the point light source 22 to the set center C of the thick concave mirror 40 be twice the focal length of the thick concave mirror 40 (or the midpoint of the line connecting the centers of the top and bottom mirror surfaces of the thick concave mirror 40 is at the same height as the point light source 22), where the set center C is the midpoint of the line connecting the lowest points of the top and bottom mirror surfaces of the thick concave mirror 40, and the point light source 22 and the lens 210 are at the same height or the point light source 22 is slightly lower than the lens 210;
[0056] 3) Place a culture dish 60 on the thick concave mirror 40, and adjust the distance from the culture dish 60 to the thick concave mirror 40 according to requirements such as the size of the area to be imaged, the imaging magnification, and the clarity, so that all the bacterial colonies to be observed in the culture dish 60 are in the overlapping area E, where the overlapping area E is the area where the incident light of the point light source 22 intersects with the outgoing light reflected by the thick concave mirror 40, and usually the overlapping area E presents a conical shape;
[0057] 4) The lens 210 magnifies and images the bacterial colonies to be observed in the culture dish 60, realizing the observation of the change in the density of the bacterial colonies.
[0058] In step 3), the culture dish 60 is arranged close to the thick concave mirror 40, and the distance from the culture dish 60 to the thick concave mirror 40 does not exceed half of the height of the overlapping area E.
[0059] Here, the bacterial colonies in the culture dish 60 actually refer to the collection of the bacterial colonies, their secretions, etc. and the culture medium gel where they are located. The bacterial colonies to be observed should be placed within the overlapping area E. The point light source 22 usually refers to an LED point light source, and the camera 21 can be an existing camera that meets the pixel requirements for shooting. The relative height position between the point light source 22 and the lens 210 depends on the focusing ability of the camera 21. Ideally, the heights of the point light source 22 and the lens 210 are kept the same. However, due to the focusing limitation of the camera 21 lens, the point light source 22 can be placed slightly lower than the lens 210 to solve the problem. And the point light source 22 should be made as close as possible to the lens 210, and the culture dish 60 should be made as close as possible to the mirror surface of the thick concave mirror 40 to obtain the best imaging effect.
[0060] As Figure 7 , two incident light rays 71, 72 are schematically shown in the figure. From Figure 7 it can be seen that the incident light ray 71 is reflected by the top and bottom mirror surfaces of the thick concave mirror 40 to obtain the outgoing light rays 73, 74, and the incident light ray 72 is reflected by the top and bottom mirror surfaces of the thick concave mirror 40 to obtain the outgoing light rays 75, 76. The area formed by the intersection of all the incident light rays emitted by the point light source 22 and all the outgoing light rays reflected by the thick concave mirror 40 is the overlapping area E, and the overlapping area E is in the shape of a cone. Here, Figure 7 what is shown is the ideal state, that is, the heights of the point light source 22 and the lens 210 are the same. In addition, the size of the overlapping area E can be adjusted by adjusting the distance between the point light source 22 and the lens 210, so as to meet different imaging requirements.
[0061] Specifically, as Figure 8 , the imaging principle is as follows: First, place the culture dish 60 on the thick concave mirror 40 (or say place the culture dish 60 close to the thick concave mirror 40), and then adjust the distance between the culture dish 60 and the thick concave mirror 40 according to the requirements such as the size of the area to be imaged, the imaging magnification, and the clarity. At this time, all the bacterial colonies to be observed in the culture dish 60 should be within the overlapping area E.
[0062] Here, Figure 8Taking an incident light ray as an example for illustration. The incident light ray 71 emitted by the point light source 22 passes downward through the culture dish 60 and reaches the thick concave mirror 40. Then, two outgoing light rays (regarded as parallel) are respectively reflected by the top and bottom mirrors of the thick concave mirror 40. Then, when the two outgoing light rays pass through the bacterial colonies in the culture dish 60, due to the different colony densities, their directions are both changed, that is, the different densities cause the interference between the outgoing light rays to change (compared with the interference phenomenon between the two outgoing light rays reflected in parallel). Therefore, as Figure 8 , compared with the outgoing light ray 73 directly emitted without placing the culture dish 60, the outgoing light ray 73' emitted through the culture dish 60 has its direction changed (deflected). Similarly, compared with the outgoing light ray 74 directly emitted without placing the culture dish 60, the outgoing light ray 74' emitted through the culture dish 60 has its direction changed (deflected). Here, the direction change of the incident light ray when it directly enters the bacterial colonies in the culture dish 60 is very small and can be ignored.
[0063] Thus, after the camera 21 captures the outgoing light rays with interference changes, the schlieren effect generated by the interference changes can be reflected on the captured imaging image (this schlieren effect is different from the schlieren effect generated by traditional schlieren imaging), that is, the density change of the bacterial colonies to be observed in the culture dish 60 by the lens 210 is observed through magnified imaging. Specifically, what the camera 21 actually captures is an image formed by the superposition of the real image generated by the interference change (the outgoing light ray changes direction) and the real image directly captured by the camera 21 of the bacterial colonies in the culture dish 60. This image visually magnifies and reflects the density change of the bacterial colonies. For the image directly captured by the camera 21 of the culture dish 60, in this image, the middle black part is the area where the bacterial colonies are dense. For the image actually captured by the camera 21, that is, the image obtained by the superposition of the image generated by the interference change and the image directly captured by the camera 21 of the culture dish 60, in this image, the bacterial colonies are magnified. The darker the color, the greater the density. The colonies in the middle dark black part are the densest. And the color change in the image indicates that the density has changed, and the greater the density change, the more obvious the sudden change between the colors.
[0064] In actual implementation, the greater the distance between the culture dish 60 and the thick concave mirror 40, the greater the magnification of the image captured by the camera 21, and the smaller the area of the region where the observed bacterial colonies are located, that is, the observation of different regions and different magnification degrees of the overall bacterial colonies is realized. However, if the magnification is too large, serious overlapping ghosting problems will occur when the image generated by the interference change overlaps with the image directly captured by the camera 21, which is not conducive to distinguishing the density change. Therefore, the distance between the culture dish 60 and the thick concave mirror 40 should not exceed half of the height of the overlapping region E.
[0065] When using the imaging device of the present utility model, the optical path used is less than 1 meter (if the focal length of the thick concave mirror 40 is 15 cm, the optical path is only 60 cm). The traditional schlieren imaging observes the change in the density of bacterial colonies through the refraction principle. Usually, the optical path is greater than 3 meters, and the greater the optical path, the better the observation effect. It can be seen that the optical path required for observing the density change based on the imaging device of the present utility model is much smaller than that of the traditional schlieren imaging. That is, the imaging device of the present utility model realizes the purpose of observing the density change with a shorter optical path, greatly reducing the space occupied by the operation, improving the operation convenience, and having strong practicability.
[0066] The advantages of the present utility model are:
[0067] The imaging device of the present utility model can efficiently magnify and image the transparent bacterial colonies in the petri dish (or the collection of bacterial colonies and their secretions, etc. and the culture medium gel where they are located), and the image is clear and distinguishable, achieving the purpose of directly observing the change in the density of bacterial colonies.
[0068] The optical path required by the imaging device of the present utility model is much smaller than that of the traditional schlieren imaging, realizing the purpose of observing the density change with a shorter optical path, avoiding interference with imaging caused by environmental factors such as air disturbance, having a good imaging effect, greatly reducing the space occupied by the operation, being convenient to adjust, easy to operate, having a low cost, and being suitable for popularization.
[0069] The above is the preferred embodiment of the present utility model and the technical principles applied. For those skilled in the art, any obvious changes such as equivalent transformation and simple substitution based on the technical solution of the present utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of the present utility model shall fall within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. An imaging device for observing the change in bacterial colony density, characterized in that, It includes a base, on which a vertical rod is fixed. A shooting component, a tray component and a calibration platform are installed on the vertical rod from top to bottom. A thick concave mirror is arranged on the calibration platform. The shooting component, the tray component and the calibration platform can adjust their respective heights on the vertical rod, where: The shooting component includes a point light source and a camera, and the shooting component can adjust the positions of the point light source and the lens of the camera; The tray component is used to hold a culture dish in which bacterial colonies are placed. The culture dish is a transparent or semi-transparent culture dish, and the tray component is used to adjust the position and tilt angle of the culture dish; The calibration platform is used to adjust the position of the thick concave mirror fixed thereon.
2. The imaging device for observing the change in bacterial colony density according to claim 1, wherein The shooting component includes the camera. One side of the camera is connected to a caliper through an extension adjustment mechanism. The caliper is used to clamp on the vertical rod, and a height fixing knob for locking the height is provided on the caliper. The other side of the camera is fixed with the point light source through an L-shaped adjustment mechanism.
3. The imaging device for observing the change in bacterial colony density according to claim 2, characterized in that, The extension adjustment mechanism includes a vertical rod and a horizontal rod. The bottom end of the vertical rod is fixed to the caliper. The top end of the vertical rod and one end of the horizontal rod are rotatably clamped in a clamping plate. An extension fixing knob is installed on the clamping plate. After the clamping plate rotates relative to the vertical rod and the horizontal rod rotates relative to the clamping plate and the adjustment is completed, the relative positions of the clamping plate, the vertical rod and the horizontal rod are fixed by tightening the extension fixing knob. The other end of the horizontal rod is connected to the camera through an XZ plane camera tilt adjustment knob. The XZ plane camera tilt adjustment knob is rotatable relative to the horizontal rod and fixed to the camera. The XZ plane camera tilt adjustment knob is used to adjust the tilt angle of the lens of the camera in the XZ plane. The L-shaped adjustment mechanism includes a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod. The second connecting rod is rotatably connected to the first connecting rod through a spacing fixing knob. After the spacing between the point light source and the lens is adjusted by rotating the second connecting rod, the second connecting rod is fixed on the first connecting rod by tightening the spacing fixing knob. The first connecting rod is connected to the camera through an XZ plane light source tilt adjustment knob. The XZ plane light source tilt adjustment knob is rotatable relative to the camera and fixed to the first connecting rod. The XZ plane light source tilt adjustment knob is used to adjust the tilt angle of the point light source in the XZ plane. The second connecting rod is connected to a handle-shaped light source seat through a rotation knob. The point light source is fixed to the bottom of the light source seat. The rotation knob is rotatably connected to the second connecting rod and fixed to the light source seat. The rotation knob is used to rotationally adjust the lens position.
4. The imaging device for observing the change in bacterial colony density according to claim 1, wherein The tray assembly includes an annular tray. The tray is connected to one end of a prism rod through a connecting member. The prism rod is movably inserted through a sleeve. The sleeve is clamped on a sleeve caliper. A fixed caliper is provided on one side of the sleeve caliper. A height locking knob is provided on the fixed caliper. Wherein, after the height of the fixed caliper is adjusted on the vertical rod, the fixed caliper is fixed on the vertical rod by tightening the height locking knob.
5. The imaging device for observing the change in bacterial colony density according to claim 4, wherein A prism rod locking knob is provided on the sleeve. A sleeve locking knob is provided on the other side of the sleeve caliper. Wherein: after adjusting the length of the prism rod extending out of the sleeve, the prism rod is fixed in the sleeve by tightening the prism rod locking knob; after adjusting the inclination angle of the prism rod and the tray by rotating the sleeve in the sleeve caliper, the sleeve is fixed in the sleeve caliper by tightening the sleeve locking knob.
6. The imaging device for observing the change in bacterial colony density according to claim 1, characterized in that, The calibration platform includes a sliding sleeve for sleeving on the vertical rod. A fixed rod is fixed on one side of the sliding sleeve. The sliding sleeve is connected to a sliding sleeve locking knob provided on the fixed rod. The fixed rod is connected to a Y-axis fixed rod. A Y-axis moving rod is movably provided on the Y-axis fixed rod. The Y-axis moving rod is movably connected to a Y-axis adjusting knob provided on the Y-axis fixed rod. One end of the Y-axis moving rod extending out of the Y-axis fixed rod is fixed to an X-axis fixed rod. An X-axis moving rod is movably provided on the X-axis fixed rod. The X-axis moving rod is movably connected to an X-axis adjusting knob provided on the X-axis fixed rod. The X-axis moving rod is connected to a suction cup holder. Suction cups are provided on the suction cup holder. The suction cup holder is fixed on a lifting platform. The lifting height of the lifting platform is controlled by a lifting adjusting knob. Wherein: the position of the Y-axis moving rod on the Y-axis fixed rod can be adjusted by screwing the Y-axis adjusting knob; the position of the X-axis moving rod on the X-axis fixed rod can be adjusted by screwing the X-axis adjusting knob; after the height of the lifting platform is adjusted by the lifting adjusting knob, the calibration platform completes the height adjustment, and the sliding sleeve is fixed on the fixed rod by tightening the sliding sleeve locking knob.