Incubation Chamber Imaging for Sterile Specimen Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biological specimen incubation techniques face challenges such as operator-introduced errors, contamination risks, and inconsistent data due to manual intervention and the need for costly, complex robotic systems, which disrupt the controlled environment and affect specimen growth.
Innovation Solution
An automated imaging system within an incubation chamber with high-resolution imagers and uniform illumination ensures consistent imaging and reduces contamination by allowing specimen access without manual intervention, using a sliding mechanism for drawers and integrated processing circuitry for environmental control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual intervention is used for specimen access and imaging, then operational flexibility is maintained, but contamination risk increases and data consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated imaging where the incubation chamber itself performs the imaging function without requiring manual intervention. The automated imager captures images of specimens while they remain in their incubation environment, eliminating the need for operators to open chambers or handle specimens manually, thus ensuring data consistency and reducing contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated imaging system. Instead of manually opening chambers, removing specimens, and taking images, the system uses an automated imager that can capture images through the chamber walls or opening mechanisms, substituting human mechanical actions with an automated optical-mechanical system.
2Extent of automation
If robotic systems are used for automated imaging, then manual intervention is eliminated, but system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the imaging function from complex robotic manipulation. Instead of using a robotic arm to pick and place specimens for imaging, the patent separates the imaging function into a dedicated automated imager that can capture images of specimens in their designated locations within the incubation chamber, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary imaging mechanism that bridges the gap between automated operation and specimen imaging. The automated imager acts as an intermediary that captures optical information about specimens without requiring direct physical contact or complex robotic manipulation, simplifying the system architecture.
3Reliability
If manual visual inspection is performed, then operational simplicity is maintained, but contamination risk and operator error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically capturing and processing images of specimens without requiring operator involvement in the imaging process. The automated imager and image processing system work independently to monitor specimen conditions, eliminating contamination risk and operator error while maintaining ease of operation through automated monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the automated imager continuously monitors specimen conditions and the image processing system analyzes changes over time. This feedback loop provides ongoing information about specimen status without requiring manual inspection, maintaining both reliability and ease of operation through automated monitoring and analysis.
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 system provides reproducible, sterile, and cost-efficient specimen analysis by capturing high-resolution images and analyzing optical data to characterize specimens, reducing variability and improving data reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an imager to capture an image of the biological specimen
Implementation Method 2
with uniform illumination
Data Source
AI summary
An advanced incubation system is disclosed for monitoring biological specimens. The system can include an incubation chamber and multiple specimen drawers, each drawer housing a plurality of receptacles designed to hold biological specimen vessels. These drawers can slide between an open position, allowing access to the receptacles, and a closed position, where they can be sealed within the incubation chamber. The system is equipped with a series of imagers, and each can be aligned with a receptacle to capture high-resolution digital images of the specimens. Additionally, the system can include a plurality of illuminators that provide consistent lighting across the receptacles.