Apparatus and method for multimode analytical sensing of items such as food
Inventors
Farkas, Daniel L. • Kang, Li • Sokolov, Stanislov • Vasefi, Fartash • Akhbardeh, Alireza
Assignees
Publication Number
US-11280777-B2
Publication Date
2022-03-22
Expiration Date
2039-03-19
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Abstract
A multimode biological sample inspection apparatus and method is provided. The apparatus includes illumination hardware arrangement including transmission and sensing hardware, the illumination hardware arrangement configured to inspect a biological sample using at least two modes from a fluorescence imaging mode, a reflectance imaging mode, a scattering imaging mode, and a Raman imaging mode, and processing hardware configured to operate the illumination hardware arrangement according to a protocol including inspection settings of the at least two modes. The processing hardware receives scan results from the illumination hardware arrangement and identifies attributes of the biological sample. The processing hardware is configured to employ the attributes of at least one biological sample to alter the protocol.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a multimode biological sample inspection apparatus and method that employs multiple optical imaging techniques including fluorescence imaging, reflectance imaging, scattering (speckle) imaging, and Raman imaging to analyze biological samples such as food. The apparatus comprises an illumination hardware arrangement capable of transmission and sensing in at least two of these modes, and processing hardware configured to operate the illumination based on a protocol with inspection settings. The processing hardware receives scan results, identifies attributes of the biological sample by constructing and analyzing a three-dimensional dataset with spatial and spectral dimensions, and employs the attributes to alter the inspection protocol dynamically.
The problem solved by this invention is the limitation of previous food inspection methods, which are often slow, rely on sparse sampling, and suffer from issues like low penetration depth and low contrast especially for low biomarker concentrations. Single optical imaging methods provide limited specificity and accuracy, and conventional biochemical methods such as PCR are too slow for real-time use. The invention addresses the need for a fast, efficient, accurate, and nondestructive inspection system that can assess multiple attributes of biological samples including composition, quality, spoilage, contamination, and adulteration.
By combining multiple optical imaging methods in a multimode system, the invention overcomes the individual method limitations and achieves improved detection accuracy. It uses feedback from inspection results to adjust and optimize the inspection protocol and modes employed depending on the sample and observed attributes. The system can be implemented in portable handheld or tabletop devices and employs advanced processing techniques including machine learning and artificial intelligence to extract relevant features and classify the biological samples with high specificity and speed.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes three independent claims that cover a biological sample inspection apparatus and method employing at least two optical imaging modes from a specified group, and processing hardware that operates according to a protocol and uses scan results to identify attributes and adjust the protocol dynamically.
Multimode biological sample inspection apparatus
An apparatus including illumination hardware configured to inspect biological samples using at least two modes selected from fluorescence imaging, reflectance imaging, scattering imaging, and Raman imaging modes, and processing hardware that operates the illumination arrangement according to a protocol with inspection settings, receives scan results, identifies sample attributes by constructing and analyzing a three-dimensional dataset comprising two spatial dimensions and one spectral dimension, and dynamically alters the protocol based on identified attributes.
Dynamic inspection protocol alteration based on sample attributes
The processing hardware employs attributes identified from at least one biological sample to alter the inspection protocol, including inhibiting scanning in specific modes under certain circumstances and determining protocol parameters based on expected sample attributes.
Inspection apparatus configured for sample authenticity determination
The apparatus is configured to inspect biological or food samples including meat products and determine authenticity using the multimode imaging configurations and processing.
The claims collectively protect a multimode biological sample inspection apparatus and method that employ at least two specific optical imaging modes combined with advanced processing to analyze samples through high-dimensional data and adapt inspection protocols based on identified attributes, including authentication functionalities.
Stated Advantages
The multimode optical imaging greatly reduces the time required for detection and enumeration of contaminants with minimal sample preparation.
The system provides nondestructive evaluation with fast acquisition times and visualization of spatial distribution of multiple components simultaneously.
Combining multiple inspection modes improves accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity by leveraging complementary strengths and overcoming limitations of individual methods.
The system is adaptable through feedback to optimize inspection protocols and modes based on examination results.
The invention supports portable, handheld, or tabletop implementations, making it suitable for on-site inspections.
Use of machine learning and artificial intelligence enhances classification and identification accuracy and enables training over time for improved performance.
Documented Applications
Inspection and analysis of food products for composition, quality, spoilage, impurities, contamination, adulteration, and authenticity, including differentiating meat types (e.g., halal authentication), fish species, and bacterial contamination.
Assessment of biological samples in the context of food safety and defense, including detecting pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella, fungal growth, fecal contamination, and microbial loads in meats, fruits, and vegetables.
Real-time assessment and authentication of seafood and meat products to detect substitution, fraud, and adulteration.
Use in plants and other biological materials beyond food, analyzing molecular, chemical, and biological constituents.
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