Biological Sample Measurement With Label-Resilient Boundary Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biological sample measurement devices face challenges in accurately specifying a measurement target region due to scattering of transmitted light caused by labels, leading to decreased detection accuracy and device size issues when scanning mechanisms are required.
Innovation Solution
A biological sample measuring device that specifies the upper and lower surface boundaries of a measurement target region by determining the intermediate point of luminance values in a captured image and applies a correction amount to the meniscus width, reducing the influence of label orientation and enabling miniaturization without a rotation mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rotation mechanism is added to align label orientation, then measurement accuracy improves, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation mechanism with an optical/image processing approach. Instead of physically rotating the specimen to align the label, the system captures images at multiple orientations and uses image processing to identify the measurement target region boundaries regardless of label orientation. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical moving parts while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary identification of the measurement target region by analyzing the captured images before actual measurement. The system pre-processes the images to detect boundaries and specify the measurement region, ensuring accurate measurement without requiring subsequent mechanical adjustments or rotations.
2Measurement precision
If a vertical scanning mechanism is used to measure sample height, then measurement accuracy improves, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the vertical scanning mechanism with a stationary imaging system. Instead of mechanically scanning the specimen vertically, the system uses a fixed camera to capture images and employs image processing algorithms to determine the heights of the upper and lower surfaces of the serum, thereby calculating the liquid amount without any moving scanning parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional vertical scanning approach to a two-dimensional imaging approach. By capturing the specimen in two dimensions and processing the image data, the system can extract height information and measurement region boundaries without requiring physical movement in the vertical direction.
3Ease of operation
If transmitted light is used for measurement, then non-contact measurement is achieved, but light scattering by labels reduces measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct transmitted light measurement with image-based optical measurement. Instead of measuring light transmission directly through the specimen (which is scattered by labels), the system captures images of the specimen and uses image processing to identify boundaries and measure the liquid amount, maintaining non-contact measurement while avoiding label interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces image processing as an intermediary between light interaction and measurement results. The captured images serve as an intermediary representation of the specimen, allowing the system to extract measurement information without directly measuring the scattered transmitted light, thus maintaining accuracy while preserving non-contact operation.
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 device enhances analysis accuracy by minimizing measurement variations due to label orientation and allows for device miniaturization, eliminating the need for large-sized imaging mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
by specifying an intermediate point of luminance values of a captured image
Implementation Method 2
a luminance of the transmitted light is detected, so that an upper surface boundary and a lower surface boundary of a measurement target portion are specified
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the disclosure is to provide a technique in which when measuring a biological sample stored in a container, to which a label is attached, and separated into a plurality of component regions, a target portion that is a measurement target can be accurately specified regardless of an orientation of the label without using a large-sized imaging mechanism. A biological sample measuring device according to the disclosure specifies an upper surface boundary and a lower surface boundary of a measurement target portion by specifying an intermediate point of luminance values of a captured image, and applies a correction amount of a meniscus width to a position of the specified upper surface boundary (see FIG. 1).