Biological Sample Imaging With Multi-Angle Colony Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for imaging biological samples, such as bacterial and viral colonies, often fail to accurately identify small colonies due to limitations in image quality, leading to false positives or negatives.
Innovation Solution
A device with multiple cameras and optical radiation sources positioned at different angles and observation points, along with a rotating mechanism, to capture images of biological samples from various perspectives, enhancing accuracy in identifying small colonies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single camera is used to image the culture medium, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision of small colonies is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is segmented into multiple independent observation points (first observation point and second observation point) with separate cameras. Each camera captures images from a different angle, allowing the system to overcome the limitations of single-point imaging and improve detection accuracy of small colonies without requiring a single complex high-resolution camera
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-plane imaging to multi-plane imaging by positioning cameras at different angles relative to the culture medium support. This dimensional change enables observation of colonies from multiple perspectives, improving measurement precision while distributing the complexity across multiple simpler imaging components
2Reliability
If images are acquired from a single observation point, then the device structure is simple, but false positives and negatives increase
Solution Approach 1:
The observation system is divided into multiple independent observation points, each with its own camera. This segmentation allows independent verification of colony presence from different angles, reducing false positives and negatives while distributing the reliability improvement across multiple simpler components rather than requiring a single complex verification system
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple observation points to provide cross-validation feedback. Images from different angles are compared and correlated to confirm colony detection, creating a feedback mechanism that reduces false results. This feedback-based reliability improvement is achieved through multiple simple cameras rather than a single complex verification device
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution improves the ability to accurately detect and count small bacterial and viral colonies by reducing false positives and negatives, providing higher-quality image data.
Implementation Method 1
A sample is irradiated with a light beam, which impacts on the sample at an angle β with respect to the normal line of the culture medium. An optical receiver receives a reflected, scattered and/or diffused light beam
Implementation Method 2
the face of the container for biological samples is made translucid by means of a deposit of matter diffusing the optical radiation, in particular condensation droplets
Data Source
AI summary
Device (1) for observing and for acquiring images of biological samples comprising a supporting element (2, 2a, 2b) configured for housing a support (3) for biological samples and at least a first camera (6) oriented towards the supporting clement (2, 2a, 2b) and configured for framing at least one portion of the supporting element (2, 2a, 2b) and/or, in use. at least one predefined portion of the support (3) when housed on the supporting element (2, 2a, 2b), from a first point of observation (P1) and at least along a first inclined main direction of observation. The device comprises at least a first source of optical radiation (10) configured for irradiating at least said predefined portion of the support (3) from a first direction of irradiation. The device comprises an actuator configured for moving the supporting element (2, 2a, 2b) and the support (3) therein housed with respect to the first camera (6) and/or for moving the first camera with respect to the supporting element (2, 2a, 2b) and to the support (3) when therein housed. The device is configured for