Image recognition and analysis system and software
First Claim
1. A method of analyzing bubbles, cells or other particles in a process liquid contained in a vessel, comprising the steps of:
- obtaining images of the bubbles, cells or other particles in the liquid in-situ with a vision probe extending into the vessel;
generating a binary image for each image, each binary image having a background with spots located thereon corresponding to the bubbles, cells or particles appearing in the images;
analyzing the binary images with image recognition software to determine information concerning a process occurring within the vessel; and
adjusting a process condition of the process occurring within the vessel based on the information determined from said analyzing step;
said analyzing step including measuring at least one of bubble, cell or particle size, mean diameter, surface area, flow rate, flow pattern, population distribution, viability, agglomerates or clumping, color change, viscosity, Sauter mean, ratio of surface area of bubbles relative to volume of bubbles, gas hold-up ratio of gas volume to volume of liquid, and interfacial area;
said analyzing step including identifying valid or viable bubbles, cells or particles from invalid or non-viable bubbles, cells, or other particles appearing in the images by distinguishing the invalid bubbles, cells or particles that appear in the images and that are stuck to the vision probe relative to the valid bubbles, cells or particles that are freely flowing in the process liquid; and
said distinguishing step being accomplished by determining which bubbles, cells or particles appear in the same location in each of the images.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of analyzing bubbles, cells, cell viability, or other particles or agglomerates in a process liquid contained in a vessel is provided. Images of bubbles, cells or other particles in the liquid are obtained in-situ with a vision probe extending through a wall of the vessel. The images are analyzed with image recognition software. The software measures at lease one of bubble, cell or particle size, mean diameter, surface area, flow rate, flow pattern, population distribution, viability, agglomerates or clumping, color change, viscosity, Sauter mean, ratio of surface area of bubbles relative to volume of bubbles, gas hold-up ratio of gas volume to volume of liquid, or interfacial area. The software distinguishes valid or viable bubbles, cells or particles that should be included in an analysis from invalid or non-viable bubbles, cells or particles that should not be included. The software can be configured to provide an analysis of the valid bubbles, cells or particles that fall within pre-set size and shape or viability parameters.
56 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of analyzing bubbles, cells or other particles in a process liquid contained in a vessel, comprising the steps of:
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obtaining images of the bubbles, cells or other particles in the liquid in-situ with a vision probe extending into the vessel; generating a binary image for each image, each binary image having a background with spots located thereon corresponding to the bubbles, cells or particles appearing in the images; analyzing the binary images with image recognition software to determine information concerning a process occurring within the vessel; and adjusting a process condition of the process occurring within the vessel based on the information determined from said analyzing step; said analyzing step including measuring at least one of bubble, cell or particle size, mean diameter, surface area, flow rate, flow pattern, population distribution, viability, agglomerates or clumping, color change, viscosity, Sauter mean, ratio of surface area of bubbles relative to volume of bubbles, gas hold-up ratio of gas volume to volume of liquid, and interfacial area; said analyzing step including identifying valid or viable bubbles, cells or particles from invalid or non-viable bubbles, cells, or other particles appearing in the images by distinguishing the invalid bubbles, cells or particles that appear in the images and that are stuck to the vision probe relative to the valid bubbles, cells or particles that are freely flowing in the process liquid; and said distinguishing step being accomplished by determining which bubbles, cells or particles appear in the same location in each of the images. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of analyzing bubbles in a process liquid contained in a vessel, comprising the steps of:
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releasing gas in the form of bubbles from a sparger in the process liquid within the vessel; agitating the process liquid with an agitator within the vessel; obtaining images of the bubbles in the process liquid in-situ with a vision probe extending into the vessel, the images being obtained by projecting light from the vision probe into the vessel to illuminate the gas bubbles and recording the images of illuminated bubbles with a camera mounted on the vision probe, the step of projecting light including emitting or reflecting light directionally from behind the gas bubbles relative to the camera to produce back lit images; generating a binary image for each of the images, each binary image having a background with spots located thereon corresponding to the bubbles appearing in the image; and analyzing the binary images with image recognition software; said analyzing step including identifying valid or viable bubbles from invalid or non-viable bubbles appearing in the images; said identifying of valid or viable bubbles including distinguishing the invalid bubbles that appear in the images and that are stuck to the vision probe relative to the valid bubbles that are freely flowing in the process liquid, the invalid bubbles being distinguished from the valid bubbles by determining which bubbles appear in the same location in each of the binary images; and said analyzing step including measuring bubble size, mean diameter, surface area, flow rate, flow pattern, population distribution, viscosity, Sauter mean, ratio of surface area of bubbles relative to volume of bubbles, gas hold-up ratio of gas volume to volume of liquid, and interfacial area. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification