Specimen container detection

US9046506B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Beckman Coulter, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Martin Muller · Chicago, US
• Andreas Weihs · Landsberg, DE
• Gerhard Gunzer · Reinheim, DE
• Michael Eberhardt · Bartlett, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 7, 2012
• Grant date: Jun 2, 2015
• Expiry date: May 1, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T29/49826
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A system is disclosed. The system includes at least one image acquisition device configured to obtain one or more images of sample containers in a sample container holder. It also includes an image analysis device coupled to the at least one image acquisition device. The image analysis device is configured to analyze, by a processor, the one or more images of the sample containers in the sample container holder, to determine (a) a presence or absence of sample containers at sample container holder locations in the sample container holder, and (b) sample container characteristics of the sample containers in the sample container holder, wherein the sample container characteristics include one or more of cap color, cap shape, labels and markers associated with the sample containers, or one or more sample container holder characteristics.