Parasite Imaging Cell for Enclosed Automated Sample Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual counting of parasites in biological samples is unpleasant and prone to errors, particularly in agricultural settings where parasitic infections affect livestock productivity and human health.
Innovation Solution
An automated parasite analysis system that uses a pressure vessel, imaging cell, and camera to capture chronological images of biological samples, applying computer vision and classifiers to count parasites, while maintaining sample enclosure and minimizing human exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual counting of parasites is performed, then human operators can directly evaluate treatment efficacy, but human operators are exposed to unpleasant biological samples and prone to errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates optical copies (images) of the biological sample containing parasites. A camera captures images of the sample in the imaging chamber, and these images are then analyzed by computer vision algorithms to count parasites. This copying approach allows accurate parasite counting without human operators directly handling or exposing themselves to the unpleasant biological samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual process of human operators visually inspecting and counting parasites with an automated optical and computational system. The system uses a camera to capture images and computer vision algorithms to automatically identify and count parasites, eliminating the need for human operators to directly examine the biological samples.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If automated image-based parasite counting is implemented, then human exposure to samples is minimized, but system complexity increases with multiple valves and imaging components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the imaging chamber to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a containment vessel for the biological sample and an imaging platform. The chamber is designed to be compatible with standard microscopy equipment, allowing it to function as both a sample holder and an optical observation window, thereby reducing the need for separate specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary that coordinates the operation of multiple valves and the imaging sequence. The controller manages the inlet and outlet valves to control sample flow through the imaging chamber, and triggers the camera at appropriate times, thereby simplifying the overall system coordination and reducing operational complexity.
3Measurement precision
If chronological image capture is used to track parasite movement, then parasite identification accuracy improves, but imaging time and data processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by capturing images at selected time points rather than continuous imaging. The system captures a chronological sequence of images at specific intervals, which is sufficient to track parasite movement and identify parasites based on their motion patterns, without the excessive time and data burden of continuous high-frequency imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic action by capturing images at regular time intervals. The camera is triggered to capture images at predetermined time points during the observation period, allowing the system to track parasite movement patterns over time while maintaining a manageable imaging rate that balances accuracy with time efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
A parasite analysis system includes a pressure vessel configured to store a biological sample, an imaging cell connected to the pressure vessel, and a waste depository connected to the imaging cell. An input valve controls whether biological sample can flow from the pressure vessel into the imaging cell and an output valve controls whether biological sample can flow from the imaging cell into the waste depository. The parasite analysis system also includes a camera that captures a chronological set of images of a portion of the biological sample in the imaging cell and an image analysis system that analyzes the chronological set of images to generate an estimate of a number of parasites in the portion of the biological sample. Estimates for multiple portions of the biological sample may be generated and sampling techniques used to estimate the number of parasites in the entire biological sample.