Mobile Device Gel Imaging Box with Cloud Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gel documentation systems are overly complex and expensive, making them inaccessible to average educational institutions and personal consumers for analyzing results of gel electrophoresis and membrane blotting experiments.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device-based imaging system with cloud connectivity that includes an imaging box, a mobile app for user interaction, and cloud-based services for image analysis, providing a cost-effective solution for gel imaging and documentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional gel documentation systems are used, then imaging and analysis capabilities are provided, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a mobile device camera to capture images of gel samples instead of requiring a dedicated imaging system. The mobile device serves as a copy of the imaging function, providing sufficient capability for gel documentation without the complexity of traditional systems. The analysis is performed through image processing algorithms applied to the captured images rather than requiring specialized hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the mobile device perform multiple functions: capturing images, displaying results, and performing analysis. The mobile device is a universal platform that can handle gel imaging tasks without requiring specialized equipment. The system leverages the existing capabilities of mobile devices (camera, processor, display) to provide comprehensive gel documentation functionality.
2Reliability
If traditional gel documentation systems are used, then imaging and analysis capabilities are provided, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, dedicated gel imaging hardware with inexpensive mobile devices that are already widely available. The mobile devices serve as disposable-like components in terms of their widespread availability and low cost compared to specialized equipment. The system leverages the existing, affordable mobile device ecosystem to provide gel imaging capabilities without requiring significant investment in specialized hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a mobile device camera to capture images of gel samples instead of requiring a dedicated imaging system. The mobile device serves as a copy of the imaging function, providing sufficient capability for gel documentation without the complexity of traditional systems. The analysis is performed through image processing algorithms applied to the captured images rather than requiring specialized hardware.
3Measurement precision
If automated detection algorithms are implemented, then analysis accuracy improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary image capture and basic processing on the mobile device before cloud analysis. The mobile device captures images, performs initial denoising and enhancement, and prepares data for cloud processing. This preliminary action reduces the amount of data that needs to be processed in the cloud, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining high accuracy through the combination of mobile and cloud-based algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses cloud-based services as an intermediary to handle complex analysis tasks. The mobile device offloads computationally intensive tasks to the cloud, which provides powerful processing capabilities without requiring high-end hardware on the mobile device. The cloud service acts as an intermediary that processes images and returns results, enabling accurate analysis while keeping the mobile device simple and accessible.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile imaging system includes an imaging box, including an enclosure for blocking an interior of the imaging box from ambient light, where the imaging box includes an opening through the enclosure. A designated surface is positioned within the interior of the imaging box for supporting a sample, where the sample, when supported on the designated surface, is viewable through the opening. The imaging box includes an energy source for transmitting light through the sample. A support structure is fixedly attached to an exterior of the imaging box at the opening for releasably attaching a mobile device to the imaging box over the opening. When the mobile device is releasably attached to the imaging box, the support structure is configured to face a camera lens of the mobile device toward the sample.