Multiple-Exposure Specimen Imaging for Integrity and Obstruction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated testing systems face challenges in accurately assessing specimen integrity due to interferents, artifacts, and barcode label obstructions, leading to inaccurate test results and operational issues such as clogging and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using spectrally-switchable light sources and multiple exposure imaging to capture high dynamic range images of specimens and containers, enabling automated characterization of specimen integrity and container features, including interferent and artifact detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If visual inspection is performed by a skilled laboratory technician, then specimen integrity can be assessed, but it is subjective, labor intensive, and fraught with the possibility of human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated imaging system using a camera and light sources to capture and analyze specimen images. The system uses computational methods to assess specimen integrity, including detecting hemolysis, icterus, lipemia, clots, bubbles, and foam, thereby eliminating human subjectivity and labor while maintaining or improving assessment accuracy.
2Loss of information
If barcode labels are adhered to specimen containers for identification, then specimen tracking is enabled, but they may obscure views of the specimen from at least some viewpoints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple light sources positioned at different angles and orientations around the specimen container to illuminate the specimen from various directions. This multi-dimensional lighting approach allows the imaging system to capture specimen images from angles that avoid barcode label obstructions, ensuring complete specimen visibility while maintaining barcode label functionality for identification.
3Measurement precision
If multiple light sources are used to illuminate the specimen from different angles, then complete specimen characterization is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple light sources with different spectral characteristics (e.g., white light, blue light, green light, red light) into a unified imaging system that can selectively activate different light sources based on the specific specimen characteristics being assessed. This multi-functional light source assembly enables comprehensive specimen characterization including color analysis, turbidity detection, and various artifact identification, while sharing common optical paths and imaging hardware to manage system complexity.
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
Enables accurate and automated specimen characterization, reducing human error and improving test reliability by detecting hemolysis, icterus, lipemia, clots, bubbles, and foam, while ensuring proper probe placement and avoiding container obstructions.
Implementation Method 1
capturing multiple images including specimen images of the image location at multiple different exposures
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of imaging a specimen container and/or specimen. The method includes providing a specimen container containing a specimen at an imaging location, providing one or more cameras configured to capture images at the imaging location, providing one or more light sources adjacent to the imaging location, illuminating the imaging location with the one or more light sources, and capturing multiple images including: specimen images of the image location at multiple different exposures, with the specimen container and specimen being present at the image location. Quality check modules and specimen testing apparatus including a quality check module are described herein, as are other aspects.