Biological Particle Capture Alignment Using Optical Multi-Point Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic capture devices for biological particles suffer from inaccuracies due to deviations in the relative positions of mechanical arms and pipette tips, leading to lower sorting accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A correction and capture method involving an image observation unit that performs multi-point corrections using a terminal device to align the particle capture tool with correction points, calculating relative coordinates through a specific conditional formula to improve positioning accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a mechanical arm drives a pipette tip to move for automatic sorting, then the automation level is improved, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to tolerance between components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical positioning system with an optical system. An image observation unit captures images of biological particles and the carrier, and a terminal device processes these images to calculate precise coordinates. This optical-mechanical substitution eliminates the accumulation of mechanical tolerances in the mechanical arm and pipette tip connection, achieving sub-pixel positioning accuracy that surpasses mechanical precision limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the physical system through imaging. The image observation unit generates a digital representation of the carrier and particles, and the terminal device processes this digital copy to determine precise positions. This copying approach allows for mathematical calculation of coordinates without being constrained by mechanical tolerances, resolving the contradiction between automation and positioning accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If multi-point correction is implemented to improve positioning accuracy, then the positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a terminal device as an intermediary between the image observation unit and the particle capture tool. This terminal device performs coordinate transformation and multi-point correction calculations, serving as a computational mediator that translates image coordinates to physical coordinates. This intermediary approach handles the complexity of multi-point correction algorithms without requiring complex mechanical adjustments, resolving the contradiction between precision improvement and device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the image observation unit performs fixed point displacement to multiple observation basic coordinates, then the correction accuracy is improved, but the time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary correction by capturing images at multiple pre-defined observation basic coordinates before actual particle sorting. The terminal device processes these preliminary images to establish coordinate transformation relationships and correction parameters. This preliminary action separates the correction process from the sorting process, allowing accurate multi-point correction to be completed once beforehand, thereby reducing time consumption during actual particle sorting operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A correction and capture method for a biological particle capture device includes: providing an image observation unit (22) facing a side of a carrier platform (10) on an observation platform (20) and orientating a view region (221) of the image observation unit (22) towards a carrier region of the carrier platform (10) for taking images; performing a fixed point displacement on the observation platform (20) by the image observation unit (22) based on several observation basic coordinates on an observation platform coordinate system (A) and defining a correction point (41) in an image of the view region (221) when the image observation unit (22) is positioned at one observation basic coordinate and take the image; controlling a capture portion (321) of a particle capture tool (32) to enter the image of the view region (221); when the image observation unit (22) discovers a particle (G) in the carrier region of a carrier (12), a terminal device (40) uses a specific conditional formula to obtain a relative capture coordinate (Px,Py) for correspondingly moving the particle capture tool (32) to a position of the particle (G).