Imaging Optical Path Contaminant Detection and Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Imaging quality is compromised when contaminants lodge in critical locations within imaging devices, requiring manual detection and cleaning which can be challenging without immediate operator availability.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize an imaging device and a computing device to detect contaminants within the optical path by analyzing slide images and execute a contaminant cleaning protocol, including re-evaluation and user input requests as necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual detection and cleaning of contaminants is performed, then imaging quality is maintained, but operator availability and response time are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging qualityVSAvoidoperator availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically detecting contaminants in the optical path using image capture and analysis capabilities, eliminating the need for operator intervention. The computing device autonomously determines contaminant presence indicators and triggers cleaning protocols without human availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback loop where the imaging device continuously monitors for contaminants, the computing device analyzes the captured images to determine contaminant presence, and the system automatically executes cleaning protocols based on the analysis results. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains imaging quality autonomously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Extent of automation

If automated contaminant detection and cleaning is implemented, then operator availability is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated detection and cleaningVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device serves multiple functions: it captures images of slides for diagnostic purposes and simultaneously captures images to detect contaminants in the optical path. The computing device performs both slide image analysis and contaminant detection, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The computing device acts as an intermediary that processes image data from the imaging device, determines contaminant presence indicators through image analysis, and controls the cleaning mechanism. This intermediary layer manages the complexity by centralizing the decision-making logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If real-time contaminant detection is performed, then response time is improved, but imaging process disruption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse timeVSAvoidimaging process continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary contaminant detection by analyzing images captured during normal slide imaging operations. Contaminants are identified before they significantly degrade imaging quality, allowing proactive cleaning execution that prevents rather than reacts to quality issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging device continues to capture slide images for diagnostic purposes while simultaneously performing contaminant detection on the same images. This dual-purpose approach maintains the imaging process continuity without requiring separate detection operations that would interrupt workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Productivity

If automated cleaning protocols are executed, then contaminant removal efficiency is improved, but risk of false positives increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning execution efficiencyVSAvoidcontaminant detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system executes a re-evaluation process where the contaminant presence indicator is assessed again after cleaning execution. This partial additional action verifies whether the contaminant was actually present and removed, reducing false positive cleaning executions while maintaining overall efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback verification by re-evaluating the contaminant presence indicator after cleaning execution. If the indicator remains positive after cleaning, the system requests user input to verify whether cleaning should be executed again, preventing unnecessary repeated cleaning cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250130419A1System and methods for detecting and cleaning contaminants from an imaging optical path

Publication Date: 2025.04.24 PRAMANA INC

AI summary

A system for detecting and cleaning contaminants from an imaging optical path, comprising an imaging device configured to receive a slide and capture a first slide image, at least a computing device configured to determine a contaminant presence indicator associated with a contaminant within an optical path of the imaging device based on the first slide image and execute a contaminant cleaning protocol as a function of the contaminant presence indicator, a contaminant removal mechanism configured to remove the contaminant from the optical path according to the contaminant cleaning protocol, wherein the computing device is further configured to re-evaluate the contaminant presence indicator based on a second slide image of the slide captured using the imaging device and request a user input upon a positive re-evaluation of the contaminant presence indicator.