Top-View Foam Detection for Automated Pipetting Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for detecting foam on liquid surfaces in vessels are unable to accurately distinguish between foam and non-foam areas, leading to potential errors in automated pipetting processes, as they do not provide specific results on foam distribution on the upper liquid surface.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize an image sensing device to take images from the top of the vessel, with an image evaluation program identifying foam areas by processing the images and detecting the vessel border and center, allowing for the differentiation between foam and non-foam regions, thereby determining if a central region is free of foam for pipetting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image processing is used to detect foam distribution on the liquid surface, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The image processing system segments the liquid surface into distinct foam and non-foam areas by analyzing pixel intensity values and gradients. The evaluation program divides the image into regions of interest and applies thresholding techniques to identify foam boundaries, enabling precise localization of foam distribution without requiring complex hardware modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
An image evaluation program serves as an intermediary between the simple image capture device and the foam detection function. This software intermediary processes the captured images by comparing pixel patterns against foam characteristics, translating basic image data into meaningful foam distribution information without requiring complex optical or mechanical systems.
2Reliability
If the pipette tip is immersed slightly into the liquid to avoid air bubbles, then reliability is improved, but the risk of foam contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foam detection system performs preliminary assessment of the liquid surface before the pipetting operation begins. By capturing and evaluating an image of the liquid surface in advance, the system identifies foam locations and provides this information to the pipetting control, allowing the pipette tip to be positioned in foam-free areas before immersion occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where image evaluation results about foam distribution are fed back to control the pipetting operation. The evaluation program continuously monitors the liquid surface and provides real-time information about foam presence, enabling dynamic adjustment of pipette positioning to avoid foam contamination while maintaining reliable liquid pickup.
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 accurate detection of foam distribution on the liquid surface, ensuring that pipetting can be performed safely without foam contamination, thereby improving the reliability of automated liquid handling systems.
Implementation Method 1
taking at least one image from a region suspected to contain foam in the vessel by using an image sensing device providing corresponding image data
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a method for detecting foam on a liquid surface (14) in a vessel (10), comprising the steps: - a) providing a vessel (10), particularly a tube-shaped vessel, which has an upper opening (12) surrounded by a border and which includes an amount of a liquid, - b) taking at least one image from a region suspected to contain foam in the vessel by using an image sensing device (20) providing corresponding image data, - c) performing an automatic evaluation of said image on the basis of said image data by means of a data processing system (30) using an image evaluation program, characterized in that the at least one image according to step - b) is taken with view from the top of the vessel (10) through the open upper opening (12) onto the liquid surface (14) and in that the image evaluation program of said data processing system (30) is adapted to identify foam areas and non foam areas in the image and to provide information about the presence or absence of foam areas in said image as a result of the image evaluation. Subject of the invention is also an apparatus for performing the method.