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Publication Number
US-12194462-B2
Publication Date
2025-01-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure concerns a system for imaging and monitoring fluids to identify the presence of objects therein. Objects that are being identified by the system include, for example, microorganisms, particles, bacteria, cells, foreign substances (e.g. bubbles of air in a liquid, substance that may change visual parameters of the main liquid such as color and transparency), etc. Identification of the objects by the system is then may be followed by analysis to conclude the status of the system (e.g. identifying contamination, impurities, etc.).
Core Innovation
The invention provides a device having a flow channel with a first portion, an imaging portion downstream thereto, and a second portion downstream said imaging portion so a liquid flows from said first portion through said imaging portion and exits through said second portion. The imaging portion is dimensioned with respect to flow of a liquid therethrough such that the flow of the liquid therethrough is laminar, and an imaging unit positioned in view of the imaging portion captures images of the liquid flowing therethrough.
A lead sloping segment links a first side of the first portion to the imaging portion at a first slope angle, and a drain sloping segment links a first side of the second portion to the imaging portion at a second slope angle, while second sides of the first and second portions opposite to said first sides are not sloped with respect to said imaging portion. This geometry is arranged so the liquid passes into and out of the laminar imaging portion through sloping segments.
In another aspect, the device further includes a bypass channel linking between the first portion and the second portion. A lead sloping segment diverts flow from the first portion at a first slope angle to the bypass channel and a drain sloping segment diverts flow from the bypass channel at a second slope angle to the second portion, such that a portion of the liquid flows through the bypass channel and another portion of the liquid flows through the imaging portion.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three inventive features: a laminar-flow imaging portion within a sloped lead-and-drain flow channel arrangement, a bypass channel that splits flow around the imaging portion, and synchronized light-unit and image-sensor imaging architecture. Dependent claims further refine the slope-angle relationships and illumination timing.
Laminar-flow imaging portion within a lead and drain sloped flow channel
A flow channel comprising a first portion, an imaging portion downstream thereto and a second portion downstream said imaging portion such that a liquid flowing through said flow channel flows from said first portion through said imaging portion and from said imaging portion to exit said flow channel through said second portion; the imaging portion is dimensioned with respect to flow of a liquid therethrough such that the flow of the liquid therethrough is laminar; and an imaging unit positioned in view of said imaging portion to capture images of the liquid flowing therethrough.
Lead and drain slope-angle linking to the imaging portion
A first side of said first portion linked by a lead sloping segment to said imaging portion at a first slope angle and a first side of said second portion linked by a drain sloping segment to said imaging portion at a second slope angle, with second sides of said first and second portions opposite to said first sides not sloped with respect to said imaging portion.
Bypass channel that splits flow between bypass and imaging portions
A bypass channel linking between said first portion and said second portion, wherein a lead sloping segment diverts flow from said first portion at a first slope angle to said bypass channel and a drain sloping segment diverts flow from said bypass channel at a second slope angle to said second portion, such that a portion of the liquid flows through said bypass channel and another portion of the liquid flows through said imaging portion.
Synchronized light-unit illumination and image-sensor detection during an illumination time period
The imaging unit includes a light unit and an image sensor that detects the illumination response to produce imaging data, and a control unit synchronizes the light unit and the image sensor so detection occurs during an illumination time period.
Independent claim coverage centers on imaging a liquid through a laminar-flow imaging portion using an imaging unit, with specific sloped lead and drain geometry. A second independent claim adds a bypass channel that splits flow between the bypass channel and the imaging portion, and dependent refinements further constrain slope-angle relationships and synchronized illumination/detection timing.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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