Apparatus and method for detecting and / or analyzing particles

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for detecting and / or analyzing particles which comprises a sample chamber (2), within which the particles are to be detected, and a light source (3) emitting light into the sample chamber. According to the invention, the apparatus (1) comprises an imaging system (4) configured for capturing an imaging region (5) provided for imaging light from the light source (3) that is deflected by the particles, and a device (6) for evaluating a recording of the imaging region (5) created by means of the imaging system (4). The sample chamber (2) is expediently formed within a container (7), which preferably contains a medium (8), in particular a liquid. In one embodiment of the invention, the imaging region (5) is formed by a wall (9) of the container (7), the wall preferably being at least partially light-transmissive, preferably transparent or translucent. The invention furthermore relates to a method and a computer program product for detecting and / or analyzing particles.

Description

[0001] Description:

[0002] K | Lens GmbH, D-66121 Saarbrücken (Germany)

[0003] Device and method for detecting and / or analyzing particles

[0004] The invention relates to a device for detecting and / or analyzing particles, which device comprises a sample chamber within which the particles are to be detected and a light source radiating into the sample chamber.

[0005] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method and a computer program product for the detection and / or analysis of particles.

[0006] Such devices for detecting and / or analyzing particles are known from their use. However, their applications are limited.

[0007] The present invention is based on the object of creating a device of the type mentioned above which covers a wider range of applications.

[0008] According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the device comprises an imaging system which is configured to detect an imaging region which is intended to image light from the light source deflected by the particles, and a device for evaluating an image of the imaging region created by means of the imaging system.

[0009] The device according to the invention enables detection and analysis that requires comparatively little equipment, and also allows particularly precise detection and analysis results to be achieved. The detection and / or analysis of the particles is expediently carried out using a structure, in particular a visible structure, that is formed by the deflected light in the imaging area. The structure is preferably a pattern formed by the light emitted by the light source and / or shadows caused by the particles. It has been shown that the properties, shapes, contours and sizes of the particles as well as their number in the imaging area create structures that can be used to detect and / or analyze the particles. Furthermore, it has surprisingly been shown that different particle types can be classified based on their structure.

[0010] In one embodiment of the invention, the classification is carried out automatically using a neural network that has been expediently trained for the classification and preferably for object recognition of particles.

[0011] In one embodiment of the invention, the sample chamber is formed within a container, which preferably contains a medium, in particular a liquid. The container, in particular a wall of the container, can be formed from a flexible material. The flexible material is preferably a plastic film. The container is expediently a bag, preferably a bag for holding medical substances, e.g., an infusion bag or a dialysis bag.

[0012] Preferably, the light rays emanating from the light source strike the container, preferably exclusively, in a light entry area.

[0013] The imaging region is expediently formed by at least one imaging surface. The imaging surface can comprise a plane that is perpendicular to an optical axis of an objective of the imaging system, expediently at a defined distance from the objective. Expediently, the objective is arranged at such a distance from the plane that focusing can take place in the plane. It can be provided that a plurality of imaging surfaces, which are formed in the imaging region at different distances from the objective, are detected. This makes it particularly easy to detect particles that are arranged at different distances from the imaging system in the sample space. Preferably, the imaging region, in particular the imaging surface, is formed on, at and / or within the container, in particular within the medium.Advantageously, the imaging region, in particular the imaging surface, is formed within a distance of 1 mm to 10 mm, preferably 2 mm to 5 mm, from a wall of the container.

[0014] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the wall forms the imaging region. The wall and / or the imaging region is preferably translucent, preferably transparent or translucent, at least in sections.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, the imaging system is a plenoptic imaging system.

[0016] The plenoptic imaging system proves to be particularly advantageous when several imaging surfaces, which are formed in the imaging area at different distances from the lens, are to be captured, since several such imaging surfaces can be captured in a single shot using the plenoptic imaging system.

[0017] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the imaging system comprises a kaleidoscope. Such a kaleidoscope expediently comprises at least one pair of flat mirror surfaces, wherein the mirror surfaces face one another and are arranged at a distance from one another. At least some, preferably all, of the beam paths run through the space between the mirror surfaces. Mirror surfaces are preferably arranged parallel to one another. The kaleidoscope can have two or more pairs of mirrors. The pairs of mirrors can form a tube which is polygonal in cross-section, preferably rectangular. Alternatively, the kaleidoscope could be formed by a cylindrical glass rod which is polygonal in cross-section and has mirrored side surfaces and end surfaces for the entry and exit of the light rays.The glass rod preferably has the shape of an isosceles triangle, a rectangle, in particular a square, or a regular pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, or octagon in cross-section. The mirrors and / or prisms are advantageously arranged such that the various images represent the object area from different viewing angles. This makes it possible to form a plenoptic camera.

[0018] The device according to the invention is particularly well suited for the detection and analysis of particles, in particular translucent or transparent particles, which are suspended in the sample space, in particular the medium, possibly evenly distributed and / or at least partially suspended, float on the surface of the medium and / or settle on the bottom of the sample space, in particular on the container bottom. Such particles in particular have edges that form an interface between the medium and the particles. Due to the different optical properties, in particular the refractive index, the incident light from the light source is reflected, refracted and / or diffracted by the particles. The contours of the individual particles can advantageously be imaged using the light beams.

[0019] The device according to the invention is expediently configured such that the container, on the one hand, and the light source and / or the imaging system, on the other hand, are movable relative to one another. This advantageously enables, among other things, the examination of sample spaces, in particular containers, of different sizes.

[0020] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a means for transporting the container, preferably a conveyor belt, a chute, in particular a pipe, a trough, a hook, a rope and / or a gripper arm, and / or a carrier, in particular a basket, a tub and / or a base, in or on which the container can be arranged and transported. This creates the possibility of examining several sample spaces, in particular several containers, one after the other. It has proven particularly advantageous to use the device or the method for checking and / or monitoring a production process in which objects, in particular containers, are produced which comprise the sample spaces.Advantageously, the particle analysis and / or detection is carried out at a rate similar, preferably identical or at least nearly identical, to the rate at which the sample compartments, in particular the containers, are dispensed during the production process. This allows the particle analysis and / or detection to be performed within a period of less than 1 second.

[0021] Accordingly, particle analysis and / or detection can be carried out at an exceptionally high frequency.

[0022] The conveying means can transport the container, particularly advantageously a plurality of containers, within the device or pull or push it along a surface. Preferably, the conveying means and / or the carrier are designed to move the container past the light source and / or the imaging system. Alternatively or additionally, the light source and / or the imaging system could be moved past the container.

[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, the conveying means and / or the carrier has a transmissive irradiation region, such that the light from the light source can pass through the conveying means and / or the carrier and onto the light entry region. The light source and / or the imaging system are preferably arranged near the transmissive region.

[0024] Advantageously, the irradiation area forms only a section of the means of transport and / or the carrier and is preferably slit-shaped.

[0025] It has proven particularly suitable to form the conveying device by at least one conveyor belt. The irradiation area can be formed by a gap in the conveyor belt, the longitudinal axis of which preferably extends perpendicular to the conveying direction. The irradiation area could also be formed by arranging two conveyor belts at a distance from one another in the conveying direction, with the irradiation area formed between the conveyor belts. The conveyor belts are preferably arranged such that the container can be moved directly from one conveyor belt to the next.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the light source, on the one hand, and the imaging region and / or the imaging system, on the other hand, are arranged on the same and / or opposite sides of the means of transport, the carrier, in particular the irradiation region, and / or the container. The imaging system is expediently arranged above and / or the light source below the irradiation region and / or the container. Such an arrangement allows for particularly good detection and / or analysis of particles suspended, in particular floating, in the medium.

[0027] If the imaging system is arranged below and / or the light source above the irradiation area and / or the container, particles whose density is greater than that of the medium can be detected and / or analyzed particularly well.

[0028] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the light source, on the one hand, and the imaging area and / or the imaging system, on the other hand, are arranged on the same side of the container, the means of transport, and / or the carrier, in particular the transmission area. It has been shown that this arrangement allows for particularly effective detection of particles suspended, suspended, and / or floating in the medium.

[0029] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is designed such that no light rays emanating from the light source in a continuous, straight line strike the imaging area.

[0030] The device is expediently provided in such a way that only light rays emanating from the light source which are deflected by the container and / or in the sample space, in particular by diffraction, refraction, reflection and / or the like, strike the imaging area.

[0031] In one embodiment of the invention, a diaphragm is arranged between the light source and the imaging area and / or the imaging system. The diaphragm is intended to keep the light rays emanating directly from the light source away from the imaging area. This ensures that only light emanating from the light source, which is deflected by the particles and / or, in particular by reflection, by the container, falls into the imaging area, in particular onto the imaging surface.

[0032] Preferably, the device is configured such that light rays emanating from the light source are kept away from the imaging system and / or the imaging area by at least part of the conveying means, the carrier and / or the aperture.

[0033] In one embodiment of the invention, the container is arranged on an analysis surface. The analysis surface is expediently configured to form at least two different analysis backgrounds that differ in their surface properties, refractive index, light reflection and / or light absorption properties, brightness, color, and / or polarization.

[0034] The analysis surface is expediently configured to change, in particular to switch, between the analysis backgrounds. The analysis surface could be electronic paper, a polarizing film, or an adjustable background light. Preferably, the analysis surface forms at least part of the conveying means and / or the carrier.

[0035] A first analysis background is advantageously configured such that it absorbs light differently or emits light of a different intensity and / or wavelength than a second analysis background. The first analysis background is advantageously dark, in particular black. Using such an analysis background, particles suspended in the medium can be particularly well detected and / or analyzed.

[0036] The second analysis background is preferably light, especially white. This allows for particularly good detection and / or analysis of particles with a higher density than the medium.

[0037] It has been shown that by arranging the imaging system and the light source above the container in conjunction with the analysis surface, particularly good results in the analysis and / or detection of particles could be achieved.

[0038] In one embodiment of the invention, the light beams radiating from the light source into the sample chamber are parallel, or the angle between individual light beams is less than 5°, preferably less than 2.5°, particularly preferably less than 1°. This allows particularly clear structures to be created in the imaging area, especially on the imaging surface.

[0039] The light beams can be collimated. The light source could be a diffuse light with a collimator, a laser, a laser array, and / or a random pattern projector laser.

[0040] Advantageously, an optical axis of an objective of the imaging system is arranged obliquely to the light rays radiating from the light source into the sample space, wherein the angle between the optical axis and the light rays is preferably at least 15° and / or at most 75°, particularly preferably at least 30° and / or at most 60°.

[0041] Preferably, the imaging area, in particular the imaging surface, and / or a portion of the imaging area captured by the imaging system is arranged offset in the vertical direction from the light entry area and / or transmission area. This advantageously makes it possible to produce particularly clear images of the imaging area.

[0042] In one embodiment of the invention, the angle at which the light rays penetrate the irradiation area and / or the sample chamber, and / or the distance of the light source from the sample chamber, are adjustable. Advantageously, the angle at which the optical axis of the objective of the imaging system captures the sample chamber, the size of a captured portion of the imaging area, in particular the imaging surface, the object distance of the objective, and / or the distance of the imaging system from the sample chamber are adjustable.

[0043] In a further development of the invention, the conveying means and / or the carrier, preferably the conveyor belt, has the same color as a marking provided on the container, in particular a lettering, which is preferably formed only on one side of the container. This advantageously prevents the marking from influencing the evaluation of the images.

[0044] Depending on the arrangement of the imaging system and the light source in relation to the sample space, the container is arranged on the conveying means and / or the carrier in such a way that one side of the container on which the marking is formed rests on the conveying means and / or the carrier or faces away from the conveying means and / or the carrier. For the detection and / or analysis of suspended and / or floating particles, the container is preferably arranged on the conveying means and / or the carrier in such a way that one side of the container on which the marking is formed rests on the conveying means and / or the carrier. For the detection and / or analysis of particles sedimented on the floor of the sample space, the container is preferably arranged on the conveying means and / or the carrier in such a way that one side of the container on which the marking is formed faces away from the conveying means and / or the carrier.

[0045] According to the invention, the imaging system, particularly preferably the plenoptic imaging system, comprises a camera, preferably a line scan camera, a digital area scan camera and / or a plenoptic camera. Preferably, the light source emits visible light, and the imaging system is designed to capture visible light. Depending on the application, it is conceivable that UV or IR light sources and a respective imaging system adapted thereto are also provided, wherein a polarizer is preferably arranged in the imaging system and / or in front of the lens, which can make the imaging features more clearly recognizable. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is designed to distinguish structures caused by particles from those caused by interfering bodies.

[0046] The disturbing bodies can be one or more bubbles formed in the medium or one or more formations of the container that lead to the formation of structures in the imaging area.

[0047] If images are created in which at least some sections of the same imaging area are depicted, analysis and / or detection can be performed with greater certainty. This creates the opportunity to compare and / or evaluate the results of the analysis and / or detection obtained from individual images.

[0048] It also proves advantageous that the particles, in particular the same particle, and / or the interfering bodies, in particular the same interfering body, are depicted in different positions in the different images. This allows for particularly robust measurements because, depending on the arrangement of the particle and / or interfering body relative to the light beams, the angle of incidence at the interface between the substance and the particle or interfering body changes, and the multiple images ensure that the structures of all particles or interfering bodies formed in the imaging area are depicted in at least one of the images.

[0049] Because the particles have different optical properties, shapes, and / or contours compared to the interfering bodies, different structures, particularly those with different colors, brightness, contours, and / or shapes, are created in the imaging area. It has been shown that the structures caused by the same particles differ less significantly in the different images than the structures caused by interfering bodies. This allows the particles to be distinguished particularly well from the interfering bodies.

[0050] This also enables particularly good analysis using a neural network and is advantageous for training a neural network.

[0051] In one embodiment of the invention, the frequency at which the imaging system generates the images is coordinated with the movement speed at which the container and the recording device move relative to each other. The recording frequency and the movement speed are expediently coordinated such that the same section of the container and / or the sample chamber is captured multiple times in the imaging area. The same section can then be displayed in different positions in different images.

[0052] Preferably, the recording frequency and the movement speed are coordinated in such a way that the container is completely captured by generating multiple images, preferably in sections. Complete capture can be achieved, for example, by generating at least two images, each of which only partially captures the container.

[0053] The imaging system expediently comprises a plurality of cameras, which are preferably arranged laterally offset from one another and / or one behind the other in the direction of movement of the container relative to the imaging system. Advantageously, the times at which the plurality of cameras record are synchronized or, preferably depending on the speed of movement, offset from one another in time. The plurality of cameras could be configured to capture different imaging areas, preferably arranged in a straight line.

[0054] Preferably, multiple imaging systems are provided so that multiple imaging regions can be captured, in particular simultaneously. Preferably, the multiple imaging regions are arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction. At least one imaging region could be arranged upstream of the light entry region and / or the transmission region, and at least one other light entry region could be arranged downstream.

[0055] The imaging system advantageously has an optical filter so that the light rays falling into the imaging area can be selected according to the wavelength and / or the direction of incidence.

[0056] In a further embodiment of the invention, the evaluation device comprises a computer configured by means of a computer program to automatically determine from the image whether particles are present in the sample space and / or to determine the properties of the particles. The computer program product for detecting and / or analyzing particles is expediently configured to automatically detect and / or analyze the particles from an image of the imaging area created by the imaging system.

[0057] The particles are expediently detected and / or analyzed based on the structure reproduced in the imaging region, preferably the imaging surface.

[0058] In one embodiment of the invention, the computer program is configured to determine the number of particles in the sample space.

[0059] The computer program product expediently comprises a neural network that is trained to automatically determine from the recording whether there are particles in the sample space and / or to determine properties of the particles.

[0060] The structures can be analyzed particularly well using a neural network. The neural network can advantageously be trained to consider only structures created by particles in the sample room, while ignoring and / or distinguishing between those created by interfering bodies in the medium.

[0061] The neural network is expediently trained to recognize the particles and / or the interfering bodies and / or, if necessary, to classify them into different categories according to their type and / or appearance, e.g. the particles into the following categories: fibers (e.g. from gloves), chips, hair, transparent particles (e.g. from hoses, connecting pieces, etc.), semi-transparent particles, non-transparent, possibly dark, particles, soft or solid particles (e.g. from rubber, seals, etc.), if necessary the interfering bodies in bubbles, container formations, etc.

[0062] Preferably, the neural network is trained to detect and, if necessary, classify different particles in the same image. It is understood that the neural network can be trained to detect and, if necessary, classify different particles in two or more images. Provision can be made for the neural network to be trained to recognize when the same particle is imaged in different images. This is expediently taken into account during analysis and / or detection, particularly when determining the number of particles in the sample space. This advantageously prevents structures attributable to the same particle from leading to multiple counting of the particle.

[0063] Results of object recognition and, if applicable, classification as the same particle can be compared and / or evaluated. The results are preferably weighted depending on the evaluation result. In one embodiment of the invention, the device is configured to mark and / or sort out a container in which a particle has been detected. The device can be designed to mark and / or sort out a container only under a specific condition. Conveniently, the condition includes a limit on the number of detected particles and / or the detection of at least one particle of a specific category.

[0064] In a further development of the invention, the device according to the invention is connected, preferably directly, to a device for producing a plurality of containers filled with the medium, preferably in such a way that containers filled with the medium can be examined by means of the device, preferably immediately after their production. The device according to the invention expediently comprises said production device.

[0065] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to several exemplary embodiments and drawings relating to the exemplary embodiments. The following schematically show: Fig. 1 shows a device according to the invention in plan view; Figs. 2 and 3 show a device according to Fig. 1 in a side view; Fig. 4 shows a further device according to the invention in a side view; and Fig. 5 shows a further device according to the invention in a side view.

[0066] A device 1 according to the invention, which is partially shown in Fig. 1, has two conveyor belts 15, 16, which are arranged at such a distance from one another that a bag 7 filled with a liquid can be moved from the first conveyor belt 16, viewed in the conveying direction v, to the second conveyor belt 15. It is understood that the bag 7 can also be moved in the opposite direction to the conveying direction v shown.

[0067] As can be seen from Fig. 2, a light source 3 is arranged below the conveyor belts 15, 16, which emits essentially parallel light beams 12, 12'. The light beams 12, which penetrate through a transmission region 11 formed in the opening between the conveyor belts 15, 16, fall on a light entry region 19 formed on a lower wall of the bag 7, and radiate into a sample chamber 2 formed in the bag 7. The light beams 12' are blocked by the conveyor belts 15, 16. Offset from the transmission region 11, an imaging system 4 is arranged above the conveyor belts 15, 16, which is aligned and adjusted such that an upper wall of the bag 7, which forms an imaging surface 5, can be recorded. Alternatively, the imaging surface 5 could be formed within the liquid at a distance of 1 mm to 10 mm from the upper wall of the bag 7.The imaging system 4 can be arranged such that only a region of the upper bag wall is captured, which, viewed in the vertical direction, is offset from the transmission region 11 and the light entry region 19. In the present example, an optical axis 13 of an objective of the imaging system 4 is arranged vertically. The imaging surface 5 is formed perpendicular to the optical axis 13. Alternatively, the imaging system 4 could be aligned such that the optical axis 13 is arranged obliquely to the imaging surface 5.

[0068] An angle at which the optical axis 13 of the objective of the imaging system 4 records the sample space 2, the size of the recorded area of ​​the imaging surface 5, the object distance of the objective and / or a distance of the imaging system 4 from the sample space 2 can be adjustable.

[0069] The light source 3 is arranged such that light rays 12 emanating directly from the light source 3 enter the sample chamber 2 at an angle, in the present example at an angle of 30° to the optical axis 13. The distance of the light source 3 to the sample chamber 2 and the angle of the incident light rays 12 to the optical axis 13 are also adjustable.

[0070] If the bag 7, which has a transparent and flexible wall, is transported over the irradiation area 11, the light rays 12 from the light source 3 hit the bag 7 and penetrate into the sample space 2 formed in the bag 7.

[0071] The light rays 12 form a visible structure on the upper wall of the bag 7. This structure is a pattern consisting of light emitted by the light source and / or shadows caused by the particles. The resulting pattern depends on the bag contents and thus on the contents of the sample chamber 2. In particular, the structures form differently depending on whether particles and possibly air bubbles are present in the liquid. It is understood that, depending on whether the light source 3 emits visible or invisible light, the structures may also be invisible. In this case, the imaging system 4 is configured to also capture invisible light. The imaging system 4 generates digital images of the imaging surface 5 and transmits them to an evaluation device 6.The frequency with which the imaging system 4 generates multiple images and the movement speed of the conveyor belts 15, 16 are selected such that the bag 7 is completely captured by the multiple images of different areas of the bag 7. Identical areas of the bag 7 can be captured in sections in different images.

[0072] The resulting structures of individual particles can be captured in multiple images if necessary. It is understood that the entire bag 7 could also be captured in a single image.

[0073] The evaluation device 6, which comprises a computer, uses a computer program to determine whether there are particles in the liquid and analyses the particles.

[0074] The computer program may comprise a neural network that has been trained to detect and / or analyze the particles from the images of the imaging surface 5.

[0075] The neural network is trained to detect particles in the image. It can be trained to detect different particles in the same image.

[0076] The neural network is trained to recognize structures in different images created by the same particle. This prevents multiple counting of the same particle and the incorrect determination of the number or particle content.

[0077] Alternatively or additionally, the neural network is trained to classify the particles, possibly according to their type and / or appearance, into different categories, for example into fibers, chips, hair, transparent, semi-transparent, translucent, non-transparent and / or dark particles, possibly soft or solid particles.

[0078] The computer program determines the number of particles in sample chamber 2.

[0079] The device 1 is configured to mark and / or sort out a bag 7 in which a particle has been detected. The device 1 can be designed to mark and / or sort out a bag 7 only under a specific condition. The condition expediently includes a limit on the number of detected particles and / or the detection of at least one particle of a specific category. It is understood that the marking can only be performed digitally in the computer program.

[0080] By means of the computer program, it can be arranged that a bag 7 to be sorted out is removed by means of a sorting device not shown here.

[0081] In the embodiment according to Fig. 3, in contrast to the example according to Fig. 2, images are created in several imaging surfaces 5, 5', 5", which are at different distances from the imaging system 4a and thus image different positions in the bag 7. The imaging system 4a of the device 1a in the present example is a plenoptic camera which, based on a single image, can capture the imaging surfaces 5, 5', 5", which are used for detection and / or analysis. Instead of this or in addition, the imaging system 4a could have at least one line scan camera and / or at least one digital area scan camera, by means of which at least one image is taken of each imaging surface 5, 5', 5" to be captured. This advantageously allows particularly good capture of particles which are floating inside the bag and are arranged at a distance from the upper bag wall.

[0082] In contrast to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, in the embodiment according to Fig. 4 the imaging system 4 is arranged below the conveyor belts 15, 16 and the irradiation area 11. The imaging surface 5 is formed 5 mm above the lower wall of the bag 7, but could also be arranged at a different distance between 1 mm and 10 mm from the wall. The light rays 12 of the light source 3 shine through the bag 7 from above and form visible structures on the imaging surface 5, which comprise a pattern of light and shadow. This arrangement allows particles whose density is greater than that of the medium and which arrange themselves in the lower region of the bag 7 and possibly sediment at the bottom of the bag to be particularly well detected and analyzed.

[0083] The devices 1; 1a shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 can be combined with the device 1b according to Fig. 4.

[0084] It is understood that for thin bags, the depth of field of the imaging system's optics can be designed such that particles can be detected from the bag bottom to the top of the bag wall, particularly particles sedimented, suspended, and floating in the liquid. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the light source 3 and the imaging system 4 are arranged on the same side of the bag 7 or the conveyor belt 15. To keep light rays 12' away from the imaging surface 5, which would otherwise fall directly into the imaging surface 5, an aperture 17 is arranged between the light source 3 and the imaging system 4.

[0085] An analysis surface in the form of an electronic paper 18 can be arranged beneath the bag 7. The analysis surface is part of a transport surface not shown here, e.g. a tray in which the bag 7 lies. The bag does not move relative to the transport surface; rather, it is the transport surface / tray and / or the imaging system that moves. In order to detect particles that have a greater density than the liquid, a white side, which forms an analysis background, is displayed using the electronic paper 18. This increases the contrast to the particles. If particles suspended in the medium are to be detected, a black side, which forms a different analysis background, is displayed using the electronic paper 18. This prevents light that is not deflected by the particles from falling onto the imaging surface 5, e.g. due to reflections on a surface of the tray.

[0086] Instead of the electronic paper 18, a light, particularly white, base could be provided, alternating with a dark, particularly black, base beneath the bag 7. Furthermore, a polarizing film could be arranged beneath the bag 7, whereby images of the imaging surface 5 with a white or black background can be taken using a polarizing filter provided in the imaging system 4. Furthermore, a planar background light could be provided beneath the bag 7, which, when switched on, forms a light background and, when switched off, a dark background for the imaging surface 5.

[0087] It is understood that the bags 7 mentioned above are merely examples, and the described method can be carried out with a different container instead of the bag 7, or the described device 1 for particle analysis and / or detection can be used and / or provided in a different container. The container could, for example, be a container made of a solid material that has at least one partially translucent, preferably transparent or translucent, wall.

Claims

Patent claims: 1 . Device for detecting and / or analyzing particles, comprising a sample chamber (2) within which the particles are to be detected, and a light source (3) radiating into the sample chamber, characterized by an imaging system (4) configured to capture an imaging region (5), in particular an imaging surface, which is intended to image light from the light source (3) deflected by the particles, and a device (6) for evaluating an image of the imaging region (5) created by means of the imaging system (4).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that no light rays (12, 12') emanating from the light source (3) in a continuous straight line strike the imaging area (5).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sample space (2) is formed within a container (7) which preferably contains a medium, in particular a liquid.

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that only light rays (12, 12') emanating from the light source (3) strike the imaging area (5), which are deflected by the particles and / or interfering bodies in the sample space, preferably the medium, in particular by diffraction, refraction and / or reflection.

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a wall of the container (7), which is preferably at least partially translucent, preferably transparent or translucent, forms the imaging region (5) and / or the imaging region (5) is arranged in the sample space (2), preferably within a distance of 1 mm to 10 mm, in particular of 2 mm to 5 mm, from the wall.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the container (7) is formed from a solid material or is a bag, preferably a bag for receiving medical substances, particularly preferably an infusion bag or a dialysis bag.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that light rays (12, 12') which radiate from the light source (3) onto a light entry area (19) of the container and into the sample space (2) are parallel or substantially parallel.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an optical axis (13) of an objective of the imaging system (4) is arranged obliquely to the light rays (12, 12'), wherein the angle between the optical axis (13) and the light rays (12, 12') is preferably at least 15 ° and / or at most 75 °, particularly preferably at least 30 ° and / or at most 60 °.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by a means (15, 16) for conveying the container, preferably a conveyor belt, and / or a carrier in or on which the container is arranged for conveyance.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the conveying means (15, 16) and / or the carrier has a transmission region (11) which is transparent to light, such that the light from the light source (3) can radiate through the conveying means (15, 16) and / or the carrier. 1 1. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the radiation region (1 1 ) forms only a section of the conveying means (15, 16) and / or the carrier and is preferably slit-shaped.

12. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the light source (3) and the imaging area (5) and / or the imaging system (4) are arranged on the same side of the container (7), the conveying means (15, 16) and / or the carrier.

13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the light source (3) on the one hand and the imaging area (5) and / or the imaging system (4) on the other hand are arranged on opposite sides of the container (7) and / or the conveying means (15, 16), in particular the irradiation area (11).

14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, viewed in the vertical direction, the imaging region (5) and / or a section of the imaging region (5) detected by the imaging system (4) is arranged offset from the light entry region (19) and / or the transmission region (11).

15. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that an angle at which the light rays (12) penetrate into the light entry area (1), transmission area (11) and / or the sample space (2), and / or a distance of the light source (3) from the sample space (2), is adjustable.

16. Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that an angle at which the optical axis (13) of the objective of the imaging system (4) records the sample space (2), the size of the recorded section of the imaging area (5), the object distance of the objective and / or a distance of the imaging system (4) from the sample space (2) are adjustable.

17. Device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the conveying means (15, 16), preferably the conveyor belt, has the same color as a marking, in particular a label, provided on the container (7).

18. Device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the evaluation device (6) comprises a computer which is set up by means of a computer program to automatically determine from the recording whether there are particles in the sample space and / or to determine properties of the particles.

19. Device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized by a computer program according to one of claims 20 to 22.

20. Method for the detection and / or analysis of particles which are arranged in a sample space (2), in which a light source (3) radiates into the sample space (2), characterized in that light from the light source (3) deflected by the particles is imaged in an imaging region (5), an imaging system (4) records the imaging region (5) and an image of the imaging region (5) created by means of the imaging system (4) is evaluated by means of a device (6) for evaluating the image.

21. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that the sample space (2) is formed within a container (7) which preferably contains a medium, in particular a liquid.

22. Method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that a wall of the container (7), which is preferably at least partially translucent, preferably transparent or translucent, forms the imaging area (5).

23. A computer program product for the detection and / or analysis of particles, which is designed to automatically determine whether particles are present in a sample space and / or to determine properties of the particles from an image of an imaging region (5) created by means of an imaging system (4), in which light from a light source deflected by the particles is imaged.

24. Computer program product according to claim 23, characterized in that the particles are detected and / or analyzed on the basis of a structure reproduced, in particular visible, in the imaging area (5).

25. Computer program product according to claim 23 or 24, characterized by a neural network which is trained to automatically determine from the at least one image, preferably from several of the images, whether there are particles in the sample space and / or to determine properties of the particles.

Images