Image Processing for Biological Sample Analysis Error Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biological sample analysis in clinical settings faces challenges such as pre-analytical errors, operator errors, and the need for efficient process control, particularly in terms of sample handling, container identification, and condition monitoring, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
An image processing system that captures and processes images of biological samples and their containers to identify characteristics, detect handling errors, and output signals for result handling, including barcode decoding, image recognition, and decision-making algorithms to ensure accurate sample analysis and process control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual sample handling and identification methods are used, then operational simplicity is maintained, but pre-analytical errors and operator errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated image capture and processing that performs sample identification, container recognition, and error detection without requiring manual intervention. The image processing system automatically captures images of samples and containers, extracts characteristics, and generates control signals, allowing the system to monitor and control its own operations rather than relying on manual checking by operators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sample handling and identification processes with an automated image processing system. Instead of manual verification of sample characteristics and container identification, the system uses optical image capture combined with computational algorithms to automatically detect and verify sample properties, thereby eliminating operator errors while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If comprehensive sample monitoring is implemented, then detection capability improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary image capture and characteristic extraction immediately when samples are introduced, before analysis begins. By capturing images of samples and containers at the point of entry and pre-processing them to extract relevant characteristics, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming monitoring during the analysis process, thereby improving detection capability without adding processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential characteristics from the captured images using targeted image processing algorithms. Instead of analyzing every pixel and detail, the system selectively extracts specific features such as sample volume, container type, and visual indicators of degradation, thereby achieving comprehensive monitoring with minimal processing time and computational resources.
3Reliability
If automated image processing is implemented, then operator errors are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing system is designed with multi-functionality to handle various sample types and container configurations through a single unified platform. The system can identify different container types, measure various sample volumes, detect multiple types of degradation indicators, and generate appropriate control signals for different scenarios, thereby reducing operator errors across diverse applications without requiring separate specialized systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an image processing system. The system is configured to: receive at least one captured image depicting a) at least a portion of a collected biological sample, b) at least a portion of a container containing the biological sample, or both a) and b); process the received image to identify one or more characteristics of i) the biological sample, ii) the container, or both i) and ii); and output signals based on the identified one or more characteristics for result handling. The one or more characteristics comprise a pre-analytic sample condition of the biological sample.