Microscopic Bacteria Growth Detection Using Luminance Time-Series
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining bacterial growth and susceptibility using microscopic images face challenges with threshold variability due to varying bacterial growth, leading to inaccurate determinations.
Innovation Solution
A bacteria test apparatus that captures images of bacteria in culture wells at multiple time points, calculates luminance features such as mean, median, or mode, and uses these values to determine bacterial growth accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If binarization threshold is automatically adjusted according to bacterial growth degree, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional processing algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter used for binarization from fixed threshold to dynamic threshold that automatically adjusts based on bacterial growth degree. The determination unit calculates a threshold based on the degree of growth of bacteria, enabling accurate detection across different growth stages without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanism where the determination unit continuously monitors the degree of growth of bacteria and uses this information to adjust the binarization threshold. This closed-loop approach ensures that the threshold adapts to current bacterial conditions, improving measurement precision while maintaining automated operation.
2Measurement precision
If conventional culture methods are used for bacterial identification and susceptibility testing, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to long culture periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical/cultural method of bacterial identification with an optical detection system. Instead of relying on physical culture growth over days, the system uses microscopic imaging and image processing to detect bacterial characteristics and growth responses to antibiotics in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous monitoring of bacterial growth and response to antibiotics through repeated microscopic imaging at different time points. This continuous observation allows real-time detection of bacterial characteristics and susceptibility patterns, eliminating the need for extended static culture periods.
3Productivity
If microscopic image analysis is used for rapid bacterial growth detection, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to threshold setting difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic threshold adjustment based on bacterial growth degree rather than using fixed thresholds. The determination unit calculates appropriate thresholds for each image based on the current state of bacterial growth, enabling both rapid processing and accurate detection across varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the binarization threshold parameter from static to dynamic values that adapt to bacterial growth degree. By calculating thresholds based on actual growth conditions, the system maintains high measurement precision while achieving rapid automated detection.
Data Source
AI summary
A bacteria test apparatus that identifies bacteria and conducts an antibacterial susceptibility test includes a microscope optical system which captures for each of a plurality of wells holding a culture solution containing an antibacterial drug and the bacteria undergoing the antibacterial susceptibility test, a plurality of images of the well including the bacteria at a plurality of time points, a display device which displays a determination result output based on a calculation of, for each of the plurality of wells, a feature of luminance value for each of the images, and for the each of the plurality of wells, a determination of whether growth of the bacteria has occurred in the plurality of wells based on a temporal change in the feature of luminance value.