Particle Image Analysis for Real-Time Size Distribution Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring changes over time in particle group characteristics, such as particle diameter distribution, face challenges due to laser stability issues and require blank measurements, leading to difficulties in prolonged monitoring and increased statistical errors when using image analysis systems.
Innovation Solution
A particle group characteristic measurement device that calculates particle group characteristics at each time point based on particle information extracted from multiple overlapping acquisition images, reducing statistical errors and enabling real-time monitoring of changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a laser diffraction and scattering system is used to measure particle group characteristics, then measurement capability is provided, but laser stability problems require blank measurements and prevent prolonged monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the laser diffraction and scattering system with an image analysis system that uses a light source and image acquisition device. This substitution eliminates the laser stability issues inherent in the original system while maintaining the capability to measure particle group characteristics through image processing of particles in the dispersion medium.
2Measurement precision
If particle density in the sample is reduced to secure sufficient transmission light for image acquisition, then image quality is improved, but the number of particles appearing in a single acquisition image decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple acquisition images into a single dataset for particle group characteristic calculation. By merging the particle information from multiple images, the system achieves sufficient statistical quantity of particle data without requiring high particle density in any single image, thus maintaining both image quality and measurement reliability.
3Reliability
If multiple acquisition images are processed to reduce statistical errors, then measurement reliability is improved, but the time required to attain necessary number of images increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously calculating particle group characteristics from the accumulating particle information in the acquisition images. The system monitors the measurement progress and can determine when sufficient statistical quantity is achieved, allowing for real-time assessment of particle group characteristic changes without requiring a fixed, potentially excessive number of images to be acquired in advance.
4Productivity
If particle group characteristic is calculated based on a single acquisition image, then calculation speed is maintained, but statistical errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from analyzing particles in a single two-dimensional image to analyzing particles across multiple time points and multiple images. This dimensional expansion from single-image to multi-image analysis provides sufficient statistical quantity while maintaining real-time measurement capability through continuous accumulation and processing of particle information.
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 device reduces statistical errors and allows for accurate, real-time assessment of changes in particle group characteristics by increasing the statistical quantity of particle information and shortening the time required to achieve reliable measurements.
Implementation Method 1
it is necessary to lower the density of particles in the sample in order to secure a sufficient quantity of transmission light from the sample obtained from the image acquisition
Data Source
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AI summary
A particle group characteristic measurement device measures changes over time in a particle group characteristic which is a characteristic of a particle group that is formed by a plurality of particles dispersed in a dispersion medium, and includes an image acquisition portion that acquires images of the particle group, a particle information extraction portion that processes the acquisition images acquired by the image acquisition portion, and then extracts particle information which is information about the particles appearing in the acquisition images, and a particle group characteristic calculation portion that calculates the particle group characteristic at a plurality of time points in a time series based on the particle information extracted from a plurality of the acquisition images acquired prior to the respective time points. The particle group characteristic calculation portion calculates the particle group characteristic at each time point based on the plurality of acquisition images used to calculate the particle group characteristic at time points previous to that time point, and on the particle information extracted from the plurality of acquisition images whose image acquisition time periods partially overlap each other.