In a method for imaging a container holding a sample, the container is illuminated with a laser sheet that impinges upon the container in a first direction corresponding to a first axis. A plane of the laser sheet is defined by the first axis and a second axis orthogonal to the first axis. The method also includes capturing, by a camera having an imaging axis that is substantially orthogonal to at least the first axis, an image of the container. The method further includes analyzing, by one or more processors, the image of the container to detect particles within, and/or on an exterior surface of, the container.

Provided are a liquid surface inspection device, an automated analysis device, and a liquid surface inspection method with which instances of contamination can be minimized and the accuracy of the manner in which the surface conditions, such as bubbles or the like, of a liquid substance are detected can be enhanced. The device has: a light illumination unit for illuminating a container holding a liquid substance, as well as the surface of the liquid substance, with light; an image capture unit for acquiring a video image having at least color information and brightness information of light from the container and the liquid substance which are illuminated by the light illumination unit; and a detection unit for using the color information and brightness information in the video image captured by the image capture unit to detect the condition of the liquid surface.

Assemblies (10), devices, and methods are described herein that allow an examiner to inspect a container (12) of liquid product (14) through a bottom wall (18) of the container using a line-of-sight diversion member (28, e.g. beam splitter, mirror or prism). In some forms, the assemblies described herein can be provided with mounts and connecting arms to couple the devices to inspection booths.

An apparatus for inspecting transparent cylindrical containers comprising a support and/or gripping device for a cylindrical container adapted to support and make it rotate about a vertical rotation axis, a video camera directed to capture images of a window of a side wall of the cylindrical container, a first collimated lighting device that illuminates said window, a second lighting device that illuminates said window and is arranged opposite the first lighting device in a symmetrical position with respect to the window, a control unit operationally connected to the support and/or gripping device, to the video camera and to said first and second lighting devices, and programmed to capture images of said window at constant angular intervals, alternately activating the first and second lighting devices for each angular range until a complete 360° rotation of the cylindrical container is made, and processing the images obtained.

A manual inspection workstation, including abase and a body pivotally connected to one another and moveable between an upright position and compacted stowed position. A hood is connected to the body opposite the base and at least partially houses a light source. The manual inspection workstation includes a surface coating with physical properties that meet and exceed various FDA and U.S. Pharmacopeia guidelines and requirements. The light source includes a plurality of lighting options including intensity, color output, hue, and saturation. The light source further includes a communications module that allows multiple light sources to be wired together In a sequence or ring. The communications module further includes wireless connectivity to a remote computing device. The light source may further include an internal microprocessor and memory for instituting certain preconfigured light profile protocols.

The invention is a flexible and configurable inspection system for the inspection of container units that combines and integrates a holding assembly for multiple containers integrating servo-controlled rotation of the units, transport and positioning of the containers that simulate human handling, and camera stations employing automated vision inspection. The system performs horizontal inspection for particulate and any other container defect that promotes particulate to better locate within the inspection area of the cameras. Inspection sequences and product recipes combine the typical manual inspection agitation with automated inspection rotational techniques to optimize detection. The system allows for semi-automatic operation with the operator at the front of the station feeding and out-feeding material manually or fully automated with conveyance system feeding and out-feeding material from the back of the station.

The apparati, methods, and computer program products disclosed herein can be used to nondestructively detect undissolved particles, such as glass flakes and/or protein aggregates, in a fluid in a vessel, such as, but not limited to, a fluid that contains a drug.

An apparatus for nondestructive detection of transparent or reflective objects in a vessel includes an imager configured to acquire data that represent light reflected from spatial locations in the vessel as a function of time, a memory operably coupled to the imager and configured to store the data, and a processor operably coupled to the memory and configured to detect the objects based on the data by (i) identifying a respective maximum amount of reflected light, over time, for each location in the spatial locations based on the data representing light reflected from the spatial locations as a function of time, and (ii) determining a presence or absence of the objects in the vessel based on the number of spatial locations whose respective maximum amount of reflected light, over time, exceeds a predetermined value.

An apparatus for inspecting containers includes a rotation device which is adapted to rotate the container about the axis of symmetry; a camera sensitive to said predetermined electromagnetic radiation and with the container located in the field of view thereof; a processing unit to control the rotation device to move the container at a first angular speed constant for a first time period; acquiring at least a first and a second series of images of a portion of the container in a rotation thereof through 360′; to identify defective areas having at least one characteristic different from the characteristics of adjacent areas, generating first and second maps of the defective areas; to compare the position of the defective areas of the maps; to establish that first impurities are present in the container or in the liquid contained in the container.

An apparatus for inspection of IV bags includes a base having a working surface. A conveyor is raised above the working surface with conveyor supports and includes a plurality of bag clips, each adapted to hold one of the IV bags in an inverted position at one of a plurality of workstations. A controller moves the conveyor such that the bag clips each move from one workstation to the next at set intervals. A loading workstation places one of the IV bags into one of the bag clips. A bubble mitigation station agitates a fluid within the IV bag to dislodge any air bubbles. Two particle agitation stations agitate the fluid and any debris particles. An inspection station includes a backlighting apparatus, a camera, a display, and a rejection chute leading to a disposal receptacle. An unloading workstation unloads IV bags that have passed inspection.