18560723. IMAGING DEVICE simplified abstract (HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION)

IMAGING DEVICE

Organization Name

HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION

Inventor(s)

Manabu Ochi of Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (JP)

Yosuke Horie of Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (JP)

Takashi Saegusa of Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (JP)

Tetsuji Kawahara of Minato-ku, Tokyo (JP)

Yoichiro Suzuki of Minato-ku, Tokyo (JP)

Kenshiro Sakata of Minato-ku, Tokyo (JP)

IMAGING DEVICE - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18560723 titled 'IMAGING DEVICE

The abstract describes a technique for detecting deviation amounts in two directions between the tip of a nozzle of a pipetting device and a target stop position from one image.

• The imaging device in the patent application is installed in a pipetting device with a nozzle that aspirates and dispenses liquid and an arm that holds the nozzle and moves it by a rotation operation.
• The imaging device includes a camera with an image sensor and a lens, as well as a pair of mirrors with reflective surfaces facing each other.
• The pair of mirrors is arranged between the tip of the nozzle and the bottom surface of the arm, on both sides across a plane that includes a rotation axis of the arm and a central axis of the nozzle.
• The first mirror is closer to the arm than the second mirror, with the first reflective surface facing toward the tip of the nozzle and the second reflective surface facing toward the camera.

Potential Applications: - Laboratory automation systems - Biotechnology research facilities - Pharmaceutical manufacturing processes

Problems Solved: - Ensuring precise positioning of the pipetting device - Detecting deviations in nozzle position accurately

Benefits: - Improved accuracy in liquid handling processes - Enhanced efficiency in laboratory workflows - Reduction in human error during pipetting operations

Commercial Applications: Title: Precision Liquid Handling System for Laboratory Automation This technology can be utilized in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and research laboratories to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of liquid handling processes. The market implications include increased productivity, reduced wastage, and improved quality control in sample preparation and analysis.

Questions about the technology: 1. How does the imaging device detect deviation amounts in two directions between the tip of the nozzle and the target stop position? 2. What are the key advantages of using mirrors in the imaging device for precise positioning of the pipetting device?

Original Abstract Submitted

Provided is a technique for detecting deviation amounts in two directions between a tip of a nozzle of a pipetting device and a target stop position from one image. An imaging device of the present disclosure is an imaging device installed in a pipetting device including a nozzle that aspirates and dispenses liquid and an arm that holds the nozzle and moves the nozzle by a rotation operation. The imaging device includes: a camera that includes an image sensor and a lens; and a pair of mirrors that includes a first mirror having a first reflective surface and a second mirror having a second reflective surface. The pair of mirrors is arranged such that the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface face each other. The pair of mirrors is arranged one by one between the tip of the nozzle and a bottom surface of the arm, on both sides across a plane that includes a rotation axis of the arm and a central axis of the nozzle. The first mirror is disposed closer to the arm than the second mirror, with the first reflective surface facing toward the tip of the nozzle, and the second reflective surface facing toward the camera.