Egg Embryo Gender Detection Through Rotational Narrow-Band Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-invasive methods for determining the gender of avian egg embryos during incubation suffer from poor lighting homogeneity, prediction errors, embryo damage, and complexity in distinguishing the embryo's eye from the cardiovascular system, especially in mulard duck eggs, due to varying light absorption by biological compounds.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing a specific spectral band (650-750nm) to enhance contrast between melanin and hemoglobin, combined with mechanical agitation to position the embryo's organ near the shell, and image analysis to reliably detect the presence of melanin-containing organs like the eye, using a narrow spectral band filter and mechanical stirring to optimize visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If visible light LED candling is used to illuminate the egg, then the egg can be illuminated for imaging, but the lighting homogeneity is poor due to strong absorption by hemoglobin and yolk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the light source from visible range (400-620nm) to near-infrared range (700-1100nm). This parameter change exploits the fact that hemoglobin has minimal absorption in the near-infrared region, thereby reducing light absorption losses and improving lighting homogeneity throughout the egg without requiring higher illumination intensity.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the embryo is shaken to bring the eye to the shell surface, then the eye becomes visible for detection, but the shaking process is violent and can damage the embryo
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary positioning of the embryo by gentle rotation before the imaging process. This preliminary action allows the embryo to naturally migrate to a favorable position near the shell surface without requiring violent shaking, thereby achieving eye visibility while minimizing mechanical stress and potential damage to the embryo.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses gentle rotational movement rather than violent shaking to position the embryo. This controlled mechanical motion is sufficient to bring the eye near the shell surface for detection while avoiding the harmful effects of excessive vibration and impact forces that could damage the embryo.
3Device complexity
If monochrome camera is used with visible light LED, then the system is simple, but the contrast between the eye and cardiovascular system is poor leading to prediction errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter from visible light to near-infrared light (700-1100nm). This parameter change dramatically improves the contrast between the melanin-containing eye and the hemoglobin-containing cardiovascular system, as hemoglobin has minimal absorption in this range while melanin maintains its absorption characteristics. This enables accurate gender detection using a simple monochrome camera without requiring complex multi-spectral systems.
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
Enables reliable, non-invasive, and early-stage gender determination of avian embryos with high accuracy, adaptable to existing installations, minimizing embryo damage and improving hatchability rates.
Implementation Method 1
the presence of said organ being revealed by absorption contrast between the constituent components of the egg containing blood and said organ of the embryo containing melanin
Implementation Method 2
filtering the luminous flux in a narrow spectral band... the narrow spectral band is between 650nm and 750nm
Implementation Method 3
Placing the egg thus positioned so that the embryo of the egg migrates towards the top of the egg
Implementation Method 4
Mechanical agitation of the egg by rotation of the egg around its longitudinal axis, in order to optimize the positioning of said organ as close as possible to the shell
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for characterizing the gender of an egg embryo (O) based on the presence of an organ within the egg embryo, said method comprising the following steps: - Preparation of the egg, consisting of placing the egg (O) horizontally on a support, the longitudinal axis (X) of the egg being parallel to said support on which it rests, - Holding the egg (O) thus positioned to allow the egg embryo to migrate towards the top of the egg, - Mechanical agitation of the egg by rotating it around its longitudinal axis (X), in order to optimize the positioning of said organ as close as possible to the shell, - During the mechanical agitation step, emission of a light beam through the egg by a light source (E), and acquisition of several images of the egg, - Analysis of the generated images of the egg (O).the presence of said organ being revealed by absorption contrast between the constituent components of the egg (O) containing blood and said organ of the embryo containing melanin.