SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CULTURE IN A SOLID MEDIUM IN A ROBOTISED INCUBATOR

Abstract

A system for controlling the development of a culture in solid medium in a robotised incubator (100), having an imaging system (1) configured to take images without moving a Petri dish (5) from the location in which the culture is carried out, and a system for analysing the images obtained by the imaging system, wherein, on the basis of the information provided by the system for analysing the images from the imaging system, which analyses the images provided by the imaging system by a growth detection algorithm, the development of the culture in an incubator (100) is determined, without moving the Petri dish (5) from the location in which the culture is carried out.

Claims

1. A system for controlling the development of a culture in solid medium in a robotic incubator (100), comprising: an imaging system (1), comprising a mobile camera (2) configured to take images without moving a Petri dish (5) from the location wherein the culture is carried out at least one way to choose between: directly on the Petri dishes (5), (100), or by using at least one mirror (3) to focus on the Petri dish (5), a system for analysing the images obtained by the imaging system comprising a processor configured to process images, wherein the processor of the system for analysing the images processes the images from the imaging system and by means of a growth detection algorithm provides information on the development of the culture in an incubator (100) without moving the Petri dish (5) from the location wherein the culture is carried out.

2. The system for controlling the development of the culture in solid medium in a robotic incubator (100) according to claim 1, that wherein the growth detection algorithm is an option to choose from: identification of differences of the images with respect to an initial image, taken at time zero where there is no growth; an artificial intelligence growth detection algorithm trained with Deep Learning techniques is able to classify the images according to the level of growth they have; or a mixed technique wherein the artificial intelligence growth detection algorithm also uses the image at time zero.

3. The system for controlling the development of the culture in solid medium in a robotic incubator (100) according to claim 1 wherein the imaging system (1) comprises an illumination system (4) configured to illuminate the Petri dish (5) inside the incubator (100) and facilitate imaging by the imaging system (1).

4. The system for controlling the development of the culture in solid medium in a robotic incubator (100) according to claim 3 wherein the illumination system (4) comprises at least one of the following elements: light sources inside the incubator (100), a spotlight outside the incubator (100) focussed on the Petri dish (5), and an optical fibre system that guides the light up to the Petri dish (5).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] To complement the description that is going to be made below and in order to help a better understanding of the features of the invention, this description is accompanied by a set of drawings based on which the innovations and advantages of the object of the invention will be more easily understood.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a robotic incubator for culture in solid medium with the system for controlling the development of the culture object of the invention.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the imaging system of the system for controlling the development of the culture object of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Before defining in detail the system for controlling the development of the culture in solid medium in a robotic incubator (100) object of the invention, it is necessary to emphasise that the culture in solid medium is developed on Petri dishes (5), which are appropriate for this type of culture.

[0034] The system for controlling the development of the culture in solid medium in a robotic incubator (100) object of the invention comprises: [0035] an imaging system (1) configured to take images of the Petri dishes (5) inside the incubator (100); [0036] a system for analysing the images taken by the imaging system (1), configured to determine the existence or not of growth of a culture in a Petri dish (5).

[0037] The imaging system (1) is configured to take images of the Petri dishes (5), that is, the sample in a solid medium, periodically, but, unlike the imaging systems for control of the development of a culture in solid medium known in the state of the art, these images are taken without the need to move the Petri dish (5) with the culture in solid medium from the location wherein the culture is carried out.

[0038] To know the dishes that are developing correctly according to the test being carried out, the system for analysing images of the system for controlling the development of a culture in an incubator (100) object of the invention uses a growth detection algorithm that assesses the possible growth or not of a culture based on the aforementioned photograph.

[0039] For the growth detection algorithm, the system for controlling the development of the culture in solid medium in a robotic incubator (100) object of the invention envisages several options: [0040] one is based on the identification of differences of the images with respect to an initial image, taken at time zero where there is no growth; [0041] another option is based on artificial intelligence wherein the growth detection algorithm is trained with Deep Learning techniques to be able to classify the images according to the level of growth they have; [0042] another option is mixed techniques wherein the artificial intelligence growth detection algorithm also uses the image at time zero.

[0043] The trained growth detection algorithm works based on a library of images classified in interest groups, carried out by a specialist, which is used to train the growth detection algorithm by teaching it the classification based on the image, so that, once the classified image library has been taught, the growth detection algorithm has the ability to classify new images automatically. It is necessary to review the classification carried out by the growth detection algorithm, because if during nominal operation any image not classified correctly is detected, this erroneously classified image is used a posteriori to improve the training of the growth detection algorithm.

[0044] In the system for controlling the development of the culture in solid medium in a robotic incubator (100) object of the invention, the most basic classification is carried out in two groups (growth and no growth), although it can be extended to several groups classified by different growth levels.

[0045] For the imaging of the imaging system (1), said imaging system (1) comprises a camera (2) that can take the images in two different ways: [0046] directly on the Petri dishes (5), (100), or [0047] by using mirrors (3) to focus on the Petri dish (5).

[0048] Similarly, there are two options for taking images, images of the Petri dish (5) can be taken, either from the top or from the bottom portion thereof.

[0049] The images taken by the imaging system (1) are taken in a continuous cycle, one Petri dish (5) after another, taking into account two limitations: [0050] the ability to move of the camera (2), and [0051] biological criteria of culture growth, since it does not make any sense to take images every minute since the cultures do not develop as fast.

[0052] The imaging system also has an illumination system (4) that, together with the mirrors (3) or the orientation of the camera (2), facilitates imaging by the aforementioned imaging system. As the images are taken, the illumination system (4) can illuminate the Petri dish (5) from above or illuminate the Petri dish (5) from below.

[0053] The Petri dishes (5), inside the incubator, are separated from each other, in height, so that the gap between Petri dish (5) and Petri dish (5) is used to illuminate them and obtain the images either by direct vision or by means of a mirror (3).

[0054] There are different options of the illumination system since said system may comprise light sources inside the incubator (100), a spotlight outside pointing to the Petri dish (5) or can be an optical guide system (optical fibre) that guides the light up to the Petri dish (5).

[0055] Thanks to the images from the imaging system and to the system for analysing the images obtained by the imaging system, the system for controlling the development of the culture in an incubator (100) makes it possible to exclusively act on those Petri dishes (5) wherein the culture is being developed according to the requirements of a test or, on the contrary, discard those Petri dishes (5) that do not comply with the provisions of the test, without affecting the development conditions of the other Petri dishes (5).