Sample Tube Image Unwrapping for Accurate Label-Aware Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for determining specimen state and measuring solution volume in biological samples face challenges with colored labels, leading to reduced color extraction accuracy due to misidentification of label colors and detection target regions.

Innovation Solution

A biological specimen analysis device that uses a fixed camera, light sources, and a controller to capture and process images of labeled biological sample tubes, employing image processing units to distinguish and separate label regions from detection targets, thereby improving color and volume measurement accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a magnetic element is disposed between the magnetic disc and the magnetic head to prevent magnetic flux leakage, then magnetic flux leakage is reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex and the write gap cannot be made sufficiently small

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic flux containmentVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic shielding function is extracted from a separate magnetic element and integrated into the magnetic head yoke itself. The yoke is designed with high magnetic permeability and specific geometric features (such as curved surfaces or recesses) that provide magnetic shielding without requiring additional components between the head and disc.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic shielding function is merged with the magnetic head yoke structure. The yoke simultaneously performs its primary function of guiding magnetic flux to the write gap and provides magnetic shielding by containing flux lines through its high permeability material and geometric design, eliminating the need for separate shielding elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If the write gap is made small to improve recording resolution, then recording resolution improves, but magnetic flux leakage increases and signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecording resolutionVSAvoidsignal-to-noise ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic head structure is designed with non-uniform magnetic permeability distribution. The yoke has higher magnetic permeability in regions where flux containment is needed, while maintaining appropriate permeability at the write gap for efficient flux transmission. This localized optimization allows small write gaps without sacrificing signal-to-noise ratio.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic head design incorporates geometric features (such as curved surfaces or varying thickness) that dynamically guide magnetic flux lines. The yoke geometry is optimized to concentrate flux at the small write gap while simultaneously containing flux lines to prevent leakage, achieving both high resolution and good signal-to-noise ratio.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a magnetic shield is used to prevent magnetic flux leakage, then magnetic flux leakage is prevented, but the write gap cannot be made sufficiently small due to increased device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic flux containmentVSAvoidwrite gap size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic shielding function is extracted from a separate component and integrated into the yoke structure itself. The yoke is designed with high magnetic permeability and specific geometric features that provide magnetic shielding without requiring additional components, enabling smaller write gaps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic head yoke is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: guiding magnetic flux to the write gap, providing magnetic shielding to contain flux lines, and enabling a small write gap for high resolution. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate shielding components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 achieves high-accuracy detection of sample colors and volumes by distinguishing between label and detection target regions, reducing erroneous extractions and enhancing analysis precision.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic head 14 to write data on the magnetic disc 12

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

If a magnetic element is disposed between the magnetic disc and the magnetic head to prevent magnetic flux leakage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic shielding: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

a pickup head 15 to read data from the magnetic disc 12

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux detection: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP4134677B1Biological sample analysis device
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP4134677B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4134677B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4134677B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique capable of acquiring an analysis target region and color information without causing a decrease in extraction accuracy of the analysis target region due to erroneous extraction of a color of a colored label, measuring a solution volume of the specimen, and determining a specimen type. The biological specimen analysis device according to the present disclosure creates a developed view by cutting out a partial region from a color image of a biological sample tube and connecting the partial region along a circumferential direction of the biological sample tube, and extracts a detection target region from the developed view .