Method and system for capturing images of a liquid sample
Inventors
PENA DE SOUSA SANTOS, David • MARQUES BARREIROS, Miguel João • ROLO PEREIRA, Fábio Miguel
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-10362238-B2
Publication Date
2019-07-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method and system for capturing images of a liquid sample flowing through a field of view of an imaging device that can include stepping a focus mechanism of the imaging device through a plurality of focus values and capturing a plurality of images of the sample at each of the plurality of focus values as the sample flows through the field of view of the imaging device. In this way, image capture can proceed before a focus value has been determined and capture images that are in focus can be used for further processing subsequently.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a liquid-sample imaging method and system in which an imaging device images a liquid sample flowing through a field of view while a microfluidic cartridge is disposed relative to the field of view. The imaging device includes a focus mechanism for positioning at least a portion of the imaging device in accordance with a focus value. As the sample flows, the focus mechanism is stepped through a first plurality of focus values, and a plurality of images is captured at each focus value during flow.
For each captured image, the processor determines a focus measure. Based on the determined focus measures, the system identifies a subset of the captured images for further processing. The focus measure is used to select images corresponding to focus acceptability, and the selection supports downstream analysis of liquid sample contents.
In further aspects, the processor determines a focus value from the focus measures and generates a second plurality of focus values. The processor drives the focus mechanism through the second plurality of focus values and captures multiple images at each second focus value as the sample flows through the field of view. The selected image subset is then further processed to determine a characteristic of the liquid sample or a component within the liquid sample.
Claims Coverage
The partial content explicitly provides one independent claim. The main inventive features across the provided claim set focus on focus stepping during flow, computing focus measures for captured images, and selecting a subset of images for further processing; dependents further refine the focus-value strategy and the downstream analysis of sample or component characteristics.
Focus-stepped liquid-sample imaging with microfluidic cartridge in field of view
An imaging device for imaging a liquid sample flowing through a field of view, accepting a microfluidic cartridge such that a channel on the microfluidic cartridge through which the liquid sample flows is disposed relative to the field of view, where the imaging device has a focus mechanism for positioning in accordance with a focus value.
Capturing a plurality of images during flow at stepped focus values
A processor stepping a focus mechanism of the imaging device through a first plurality of focus values; capturing a plurality of images of the sample during flow at each of the first plurality of focus values as the sample flows through a field of view of the imaging device.
Determining focus measures and identifying a subset of images for further processing
The processor determining a focus measure for each of the plurality of captured images; identifying for further processing a subset of the captured images based on the determined focus measures.
Selecting focus values using a focus-measure-derived set
The processor determining a focus value from focus measures, generating a second plurality of focus values, driving the focus mechanism through the second set, and capturing multiple images at each second focus value as the sample flows through the field of view.
Determining a characteristic of the liquid sample or a component
Further processing a subset of images to determine a characteristic of a liquid sample or of a component within the liquid sample.
The disclosed claim coverage centers on imaging a flowing liquid sample while stepping the focus mechanism through a plurality of focus values, using computed focus measures to identify a subset of captured images for further processing, and optionally using a second, focus-measure-derived set of focus values before determining a characteristic of the liquid sample or one of its components.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
Interested in licensing this patent?