ASSEMBLY FOR USE IN MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR ANALYSIS OF SAMPLES

Abstract

An assembly for use in a medical diagnostic device and system for analysis of one or more samples is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, the assembly includes at least one extendable sample tray configured to hold the one or more samples. Additionally, the assembly includes at lease one holding unit coupled to the at least one extendable sample tray, wherein the holding unit is configured to hold a calibration marker. Furthermore, the extendable sample tray and the holding unit are arranged in the same plane and when the extendable sample tray is extended, the at least one holding unit is brought in a field of view of an image capturing unit.

Claims

1. An assembly for use in a medical diagnostic device configured for analysis of one or more samples, the assembly comprising: at least one extendable sample tray configured to hold the one or more samples; and at least one holding unit coupled to the at least one extendable sample tray, wherein the at least one holding unit is configured to hold a calibration marker; wherein the at least one extendable sample tray and the at least one holding unit are arranged in a same plane; and wherein when the at least one extendable sample tray is extended, the at least one holding unit is brought in a field of view of an image capturing unit.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one holding unit is rollable into a casing unit.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the extension of the at least one sample tray causes rolling out of the rollable at least one holding unit from the casing unit.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a bristled attachment placed at the opening of the casing unit.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising one or more motorized gears coupled to the at least one extendable sample tray and the at least one holding unit for performing extension of the at least one sample tray and movement of the at least one holding unit.

6. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the image capturing unit is positioned in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the at least one sample tray and the at least one holding unit.

7. The assembly unit according to claim 1, wherein when the at least one extendable sample tray is brought in the field of view of the image capturing unit, the one or more samples on the extendable sample tray are illuminated by a light source.

8. A medical diagnostic device for analysis of one or more samples, the device comprising: an assembly as claimed in claim 1; an image capturing unit configured to capture one or more images of the one or more samples; an illumination unit configured to illuminate the one or more samples; an analyzer unit configured to analyze the one or more samples; a processing unit; and a memory coupled to the processing unit, the memory comprising a module, wherein the module is configured to perform an extension of at least one extendable sample tray in the medical diagnostic device such that wherein when the at least one extendable tray is extended, at least one holding unit is brought in a field of view of the image capturing unit.

9. A system for analysis of one or more samples, the system comprising: one or more servers; and a medical diagnostic device as claimed in claim 8, communicatively coupled to the one or more servers, wherein the one or more servers comprise computer readable instructions, which when executed by the one or more servers causes the one or more servers to perform an extension of at least one extendable sample tray in the medical diagnostic device such that wherein when the at least one extendable sample tray is extended, at least one holding unit is brought in a field of view of an image capturing unit in the medical diagnostic device.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having machine-readable instructions stored therein, that when executed by a server, cause the server to perform an extension of at least one sample tray in a medical diagnostic device such that wherein when the at least one sample tray is extended, at least one holding unit is brought in a field of view of an image capturing unit in the medical diagnostic device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The present invention is further described hereinafter with reference to illustrated embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates block diagram of a client-server architecture which provides geometric modeling of components representing different parts of a real-world object, according to an embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a medical diagnostic device for analysis of one or more samples, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a medical diagnostic device for analysis of one or more samples, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of an assembly for use in a medical diagnostic device for analysis of one or more samples, according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 4B illustrates a side view of the assembly for use in a medical diagnostic device, according to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates an assembly for use in a medical diagnostic device for analysis of one or more samples, according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0017] FIG. 6A and 6B illustrate plurality of views of an assembly for use in the medical diagnostic device for analysis of one or more samples, according to a third embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention are described in detail. The various embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purpose of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident that such embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring embodiments of the present disclosure. While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 1 provides an illustration of a block diagram of a client-server architecture that is a geometric modelling of components representing different parts of real-world objects, according to an embodiment. The client-server architecture 100 includes a server 101 and a plurality of client devices 107.1-107.2. Each of the client devices 107.1-107.2 is connected to the server 101 via a network 106, for example, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), WiFi, etc. In one embodiment, the server 101 is deployed in a cloud computing environment. As used herein, “cloud computing environment” refers to a processing environment comprising configurable computing physical and logical resources, for example, networks, servers, storage, applications, services, etc., and data distributed over the network 106, for example, the internet. The cloud computing environment provides on-demand network access to a shared pool of the configurable computing physical and logical resources. The server 101 may include a database 102 that comprises captured images of one or more samples. The server 101 may include a module 103 that may be configured to perform an extension of at least one sample tray in a medical diagnostic device. Additionally, the server 101 may include a network interface 104 for communicating with the client devices 107.1-107.2 via the network 105.

[0020] The client devices 107.1-107.2 include the medical diagnostic device 107.1 for analyzing one or more samples. The device 107.1 may be configured to analyze one or more samples and capture an image of the one or more samples. Such image may be sent to the server 101 via a network interface. The client devices 107.1-107.2 also include a user device 107.2, used by a user. In an embodiment, the user device 107.2 may be used by the user, to receive one or more information from the medical diagnostic device 107.1. The one or more information can be accessed by the user via a graphical user interface of an end user web application on the user device 107.2.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system 200 in which an embodiment can be implemented, for example, as a system for analysis of one or more samples, configured to perform the processes as described therein. It is appreciated that the server 101 is an exemplary implementation of the system in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the system 200 comprises a processing unit 201, a memory 202, a storage unit 203, an input unit 204, an output unit 205 a network interface 104, a standard interface or bus 206. As an alternative, the system 200 can be a real or a virtual group of computers (the technical term for a real group of computers is “cluster”, the technical term for a virtual group of computers is “cloud”).

[0022] The processing unit 201, as used herein, means any type of computational circuit, such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, microcontroller, complex instruction set computing microprocessor, reduced instruction set computing microprocessor, very long instruction word microprocessor, explicitly parallel instruction computing microprocessor, graphics processor, digital signal processor, or any other type of processing circuit. The processing unit 201 may also include embedded controllers, such as generic or programmable logic devices or arrays, application specific integrated circuits, single-chip computers, and the like. In general, a processing unit 201 can comprise hardware elements and software elements. The processing unit 201 can be configured for multithreading, i.e. the processing unit 201 can host different calculation processes at the same time, executing the either in parallel or switching between active and passive calculation processes.

[0023] The memory 202 may be volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The memory 202 may be coupled for communication with the processing unit 201. The processing unit 201 may execute instructions and/or code stored in the memory 202. A variety of computer-readable storage media may be stored in and accessed from the memory 202. The memory 202 may include any suitable elements for storing data and machine-readable instructions, such as read only memory, random access memory, erasable programmable read only memory, electrically erasable programmable read only memory, a hard drive, a removable media drive for handling compact disks, digital video disks, diskettes, magnetic tape cartridges, memory cards, and the like. In the present embodiment, the memory 202 includes a module 103 stored in the form of machine-readable instructions on any of the above-mentioned storage media and may be in communication to and executed by processing unit 201. When executed by the processing unit 201, the module 103 causes the processing unit 201 to perform an extension of at least one sample tray in the medical diagnostic device 107.1.

[0024] The storage unit 203 may be a non-transitory storage medium which stores the database 102. The database 102 is a repository of images and other associated information associated with the one or more samples analyzed by the medical diagnostic device 107.1. The input unit 204 may include input means such as keypad, touch-sensitive display, camera, etc. capable of receiving input signal. The bus 206 acts as interconnect between the processing unit 201, the memory 202, the storage unit 203, the communication interface 107 the input unit 204 and the output unit 205.

[0025] Those of ordinary skilled in the art will appreciate that the hardware depicted in FIG. 2 may vary for particular implementations. For example, other peripheral devices such as an optical disk drive and the like, Local Area Network (LAN)/Wide Area Network (WAN)/Wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi) adapter, graphics adapter, disk controller, input/output (I/O) adapter, network connectivity devices also may be used in addition or in place of the hardware depicted. The depicted example is provided for the purpose of explanation only and is not meant to imply architectural limitations with respect to the present disclosure.

[0026] A system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an operating system employing a graphical user interface. The operating system permits multiple display windows to be presented in the graphical user interface simultaneously with each display window providing an interface to a different application or to a different instance of the same application. A cursor in the graphical user interface may be manipulated by a user through the pointing device. The position of the cursor may be changed and/or an event such as clicking a mouse button, generated to actuate a desired response.

[0027] One of various commercial operating systems, such as a version of Microsoft Windows™, a product of Microsoft Corporation located in Redmond, Wash. may be employed if suitably modified. The operating system is modified or created in accordance with the present disclosure as described.

[0028] The present invention is not limited to a particular computer system platform, processing unit, operating system, or network. One or more aspects of the present invention may be distributed among one or more computer systems, for example, servers configured to provide one or more services to one or more client computers, or to perform a complete task in a distributed system. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention may be performed on a client-server system that comprises components distributed among one or more server systems that perform multiple functions according to various embodiments. These components comprise, for example, executable, intermediate, or interpreted code, which communicate over a network using a communication protocol. The present invention is not limited to be executable on any particular system or group of systems, and is not limited to any particular distributed architecture, network, or communication protocol.

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a medical diagnostic device 107.1 for analysis of the one or more samples, according to an embodiment. The device 107.1 may include an enclosure 301 to hold one or more components associated with the medical diagnostic device 107.1. The one or more components in the enclosure 301 may include an assembly of one or more components. The assembly includes at least one extendable sample tray 302 configured to hold one or more samples, at least one holding unit 303 configured to hold a calibration marker, an illumination unit 305, an image capturing unit 304 and an analyzer unit 306. The one or more samples may be, for example, urinalysis cassettes. The extendable sample tray 302 may protrude or extend out of the enclosure of the medical diagnostic device 107.1 on receiving a trigger. The trigger may be, for example, manual or a signal received from the processing unit associated with the medical diagnostic device 107.1. The manual trigger may be provided, for example, by pushing one or more buttons on the medical diagnostic device 107.1 configured to trigger the extension of the extendable sample tray 302. In an embodiment, such extension or protrusion of the extendable sample tray 302 may occur in a plane parallel to a plane of a surface on which the medical diagnostic device 107.1 is placed. The at least one holding unit 303 may be coupled to the extendable sample tray 302 such that the extension of the extendable sample tray 302 causes the at least one holding unit 303 to be brought in a field of view of the image capturing unit 304. In an embodiment, the extendable sample tray 302 may have a width proportional to an average width of the one or more samples. The length of the extendable sample tray 302 may be, for example, in the range of 15-20 cm.

[0030] One or more markings may be present on a surface of the extendable sample tray 302 configured to receive the one or more samples for further analysis. The one or more markings may be an indication of a location on the extendable sample tray 302 where the one or more samples are to be placed for further analysis. Therefore, when the one or more samples are placed on the one or more markings, closing of the extendable sample tray 302 causes the one or more samples to appear in the field of view of the image capturing unit 304. In a further embodiment, the extendable sample tray 302 may have one or more arrangements for securing the one or more samples to a surface of the extendable sample tray 302. Securing the one or more samples to the surface of the extendable sample tray 302 may prevent the one or more samples from moving away from a designated area or spilling on to the assembly. When brought in the field of view of the image capturing unit 304, the one or more samples may be illuminated using the illumination unit 305 in the medical diagnostic device 107.1. The illumination unit 305 may uniformly illuminate the one or more samples for effective analysis of the one or more samples. The illumination unit 305 may include, for example, one or more LED bulbs capable of generating light of a pre-defined intensity and wavelength.

[0031] In an embodiment, the at least one holding unit 303 may include a receptacle for holding the calibration marker. The calibration marker may include, for example, a color checker card. The color checker card may be used for performing a calibration of the medical diagnostic device 107.1. The at least one holding unit 303 may be positioned in a same plane as that of the extendable sample tray 302. The receptacle in the at least one holding unit 303 may be an indentation in which the calibration marker can be placed. The size of the receptacle may be proportional to that of the calibration marker. In an alternative embodiment, the receptacle may be capable of holding multiple calibration markers. In another embodiment, the holding unit 303 may be a part of the extendable sample tray 302. In a further embodiment, the at least one holding unit 303 may have an arrangement to avoid any portion of the one or more samples to come in contact with the calibration marker due to sample spillage. The arrangement may include a layering of a hydrophobic substance that may prevent the sample from coming in contact with the calibration marker. Alternatively, a bristled attachment may be positioned at the entrance of the holding unit which may prevent the contact of the one or more samples with the calibration marker.

[0032] The image capturing unit 304 may be positioned in a plane perpendicular to that of the at least one extendable sample tray 302 and the at least one holding unit 303. The image capturing unit 304 may be positioned such that the one or more samples on the extendable sample tray 302 or the calibration marker on the at least one holding unit 303 are completely within a field of view of the image capturing unit 304. The image capturing unit 304 may include imaging lenses and an imaging sensor, configured to capture an image of the one or more samples. The imaging sensor may be, for example, a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS). In a further embodiment, the image captured by the image capturing unit 304 may be analyzed by the analyzer unit 306. The analyzer unit 306 may be configured to analyze one or more color(s) associated with the one or more samples.

[0033] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a top view and a side view respectively of an assembly 415, 420 for use in a medical diagnostic device 107.1 for analysis of one or more samples, according to a first embodiment. In the embodiment, the extendable sample tray 401 is coupled to a motorized gear 402 on one side. The motorized gear 402 may be, for example, a spur gear. A rack gear 403, 405 may be attached to the extendable sample tray 401 on both sides, i.e. along the height of the extendable sample tray 401. The motorized spur gear 402 may be coupled to the extendable sample tray 401 such that teeth of the motorized spur gear fit 402 into at least one slot of the rack gear 403 attached to the extendable sample tray 401. Therefore, a rack and pinion gear set-up is achieved. The extendable sample tray 401 may be coupled to a non-motorized gear 404 on the opposite side of the motorized spur gear 402. The non-motorized gear 404 may have a similar arrangement with a rack gear 405 attached to the extendable sample tray 401 such that teeth of the non-motorized gear 404 fits into a slot of the rack gear 405. The non-motorized gear 404 may further be coupled to an extended arm 406. The extended arm 406 is connected to the at least one holding unit 407, holding a calibration marker 409. In an embodiment, when the motorized spur gear 402 spins clockwise, the non-motorized gear 404 spins anticlockwise, and vice versa. Therefore, for example, as depicted in assembly 420, when the motorized spur gear 402 rotates anticlockwise, the extendable sample tray 401 extends out of the medical diagnostic device 107.1. Additionally, extension of the extendable sample tray 401 causes the non-motorized gear 404 to rotate clockwise. Thus, the extended arm 406 attached to the non-motorized gear 404 moves clockwise, thereby causing the at least one holding unit 407 to come into a field of view 408 of an image capturing unit 410 which may be located in a plane perpendicular to the extendable sample tray 401. A clockwise rotation of the motorized spur gear 402 would cause the extendable sample tray 401 to retract in the medical diagnostic device 107.1. Additionally, the non-motorized gear 404 rotates anticlockwise thereby causing the extended arm 406 connected to the at least one holding unit 407 to move away from the field of view of the image capturing unit 410.

[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates yet another embodiment of an assembly for use medical diagnostic device 107.1 for analysis of one or more samples. In the embodiment, in an enclosure 501 of the device 107.1, the at least one holding unit 502 is connected with the extendable sample tray 503. Therefore, the at least one holding unit 502 is in a same plane as that of the extendable sample tray 503. The at least one holding unit 502 is attached to one end of the extendable sample tray 503 such that when the extendable sample tray 503 is extended, the at least one holding unit 503 appears in the field of view 504 of the image capturing unit 505 of the medical diagnostic device 107.1. The image capturing unit 505 may be communicatively coupled to an analyzer unit 507. In a further embodiment, the at least one holding unit 502 is rollable into a coil. The holding unit 502 may be placed inside a casing unit 506 once rolled such that when the extendable sample tray 503 is extended, the holding unit 502 is rolled out of the casing unit 506. The holding unit 502 may be made of a malleable material such that the rolling of the holding unit 502 can be achieved. For example, the holding unit 502 may be made of a synthetic polymerized material which may be rollable but can maintain a firm shape when unwounded. For example, the holding unit 502 may be composed of silica fiber, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), etc. The calibration marker may be embedded or fixated on a surface of the holding unit 502 which may face the image capturing unit 505 when the holding unit 502 is in the field of view of the image capturing unit 505. Therefore, winding of the holding unit 502 may also cause winding of the calibration marker into the casing unit 506. In an embodiment, the casing unit 506 may have an opening through which the holding unit 502 enters and radially coils around a roller unit. The holding unit 502 may be engageable with the roller unit such that winding and unwinding of the holding unit 502 may be achieved. In an embodiment, the roller unit in the casing unit 506 may be controlled using a motor. The opening of the casing unit 506 may have a bristled attachment 508 which may enable wiping of the holding unit 502 before the holding unit 502 rolls into the casing unit 506. The bristled attachment 508 may also wipe the holding unit 502 when being unwound from the casing unit 506. Advantageously, any dust that may be present on the holding unit 502 is removed by the bristled attachment 508.

[0035] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate plurality of views of an assembly for use in a medical diagnostic device 107.1 for analysis of one or more samples, according to another embodiment. The medical diagnostic device 107.1 includes the extendable sample tray 601 and the at least one holding unit 602 in the same plane and in alignment with each other. The extendable sample tray 601 is coupled to the at least one holding unit 602 such that extension of the extendable sample tray 601 causes the at least one holding unit 602 to come in the field of view of the image capturing unit. An upper surface of the at least one holding unit 602 holds a calibration marker 603. Therefore, at a given point in time, either the extendable sample tray 601 or the at least one holding unit 602 is in the field of view of the image capturing unit. In the figure, the image capturing unit is present inside a housing 604 located above the extendable sample tray 601 and the coupled holding unit 602. In the embodiment, when triggered, the extendable sample tray 601 extends out of a slot in the medical diagnostic device 107.1, as depicted in assemblies 610, 620, 630, 640. On extension of the extendable sample tray 601, the at least one holding unit 602 is brought in the field of view of the image capturing unit. Retracting the extendable sample tray 601 into the medical diagnostic device 107.1 causes the extendable sample tray 601 to come in the field of view of the image capturing unit while moving the at least one holding unit 602 away from the field of view of the image capturing unit, as depicted in assembly 610. A slot 605 may separate the extendable sample tray 601 and the at least one holding unit 602. In a further embodiment, the extension and retraction of the extendable sample tray 601 and the at least one holding unit 602 from the field of view of the image capturing unit may be performed by a motor. Such motor may be coupled to the extendable sample tray 601 and/or the at least one holding unit 602.

[0036] The advantage of the invention is that the overall footprint of the medical diagnostic device 107.1 is reduced in a laboratory setup. Therefore, the medical diagnostic device 107.1 occupies less space. Additionally, the extendable sample tray and the holding unit may be arranged in a way that the holding unit may not block the field of view during image acquisition of the one or more samples placed on the extendable sample tray. Furthermore, as the movement of the extendable sample tray and the holding unit is automated, the need for manual handling and manual calibration of the device is eliminated. Therefore, accuracy of the results post analysis of the one or more samples is maintained. Additionally, the presence of the bristled attachment avoids contact of spilled samples with the calibration marker. Therefore, any contamination of the system is avoided.

[0037] The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention disclosed herein. While the invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Further, although the invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may effect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects.