Automated Immunoblot Evaluation Using Dynamic Exposure Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated evaluation of immunoblot strips is hindered by variations in membrane substrates and residual moisture, leading to inconsistent image quality and risk of overexposure, particularly when evaluating strips with different drying behaviors and background colors.
Innovation Solution
A method involving multiple recordings at varying times and conditions, such as different exposure times and brightness levels, to select the most suitable image for diagnosis proposal generation, ensuring high-quality evaluation by filtering out ideal records with significant color differences between bands and background.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single record is taken of an immunoblot strip, then the evaluation process is simple and quick, but the image quality may be poor due to variations in membrane substrates and residual moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts recording conditions by taking multiple records at different exposure times and selecting the optimal image based on color difference metrics, rather than using a fixed single exposure time
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the exposure time parameter to generate multiple records with different brightness levels, allowing selection of the record that best displays the color difference between bands and background
2Reliability
If multiple records are taken at different exposure times, then the best image can be selected for evaluation, but the recording time and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes a limited number of records (not exhaustive) at different exposure times, which is sufficient to find a suitable image without requiring excessive recording time
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation unit automatically selects the optimal record based on color difference calculations, eliminating the need for manual image selection and reducing processing time
3Adaptability or versatility
If records are taken from immunoblot strips with different drying behaviors, then all strip types can be evaluated, but the background color varies making evaluation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By varying the exposure time parameter, the system compensates for different background colors caused by different membrane drying behaviors, ensuring optimal contrast between bands and background for each strip type
4Measurement precision
If the exposure time is increased to capture weak bands, then weak positive samples become visible, but the image becomes overexposed and evaluation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple dynamic exposure times to capture both weak and strong bands appropriately, then selects the record that provides the best overall image quality without overexposure
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes multiple records with different exposure times (excessive action) to ensure that at least one record captures the bands at optimal exposure levels without overexposure
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
This approach enhances the reliability and accuracy of immunoblot strip evaluation by selecting the best records for each strip, reducing the impact of substrate differences and residual moisture, and minimizing overexposure risks, thereby improving diagnosis proposal quality.
Implementation Method 1
a camera (2) is used to take images, at least in regions, of a surface of an immunoblot strip which has antigens arranged thereon, in particular of the so-called discolored bands
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for automated evaluation of incubated immunoblot strips (5). What is essential for such immunoblot strips (5) is that these have regions coated with antigens, which regions discolour under the formation of so-called bands (6) as soon as a binding occurs, in particular between the antigen and an antibody present in a patient sample. Within the scope of the described technical solution, a camera (2) is initially used to make recordings of the surface of an incubated immunoblot strip (5) and these recordings are transmitted in digitized form to an evaluation unit (1). Finally, the discolourings, which occurred in the form of bands (6), are detected and at least partly quantified in the evaluation unit (1), such that a diagnosis suggestion is generated taking into account the number of bands (6) and the colour strength thereof. The described technical solution is distinguished by virtue of the camera (2) being used in each case to make at least two recordings at different times and/or under different recording conditions.