US 12,406,356 B2
Apparatus and method for image analysis of a fluid sample on a test card to determine whether the fluid sample tests positive or negative for a bacterium or virus
Tej Rushikesh Patel, Aliso Viejo, CA (US); Ryan Alan Revilla, Downey, CA (US); and Roy James Heltsley, Foothill Ranch, CA (US)
Assigned to Fluxergy, Inc., Irvine, CA (US)
Filed by FluxErgy, Inc., Irvine, CA (US)
Filed on Dec. 30, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/730,479.
Application 16/730,479 is a continuation of application No. 15/185,714, filed on Jun. 17, 2016, granted, now 10,519,493.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/187,471, filed on Jul. 1, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/182,992, filed on Jun. 22, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2020/0140926 A1, May 7, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G06T 7/00 (2017.01); B01L 7/00 (2006.01); C12Q 1/686 (2018.01); C12Q 1/689 (2018.01); C12Q 1/70 (2006.01); G01N 21/64 (2006.01)
CPC G06T 7/0012 (2013.01) [C12Q 1/686 (2013.01); C12Q 1/689 (2013.01); C12Q 1/701 (2013.01); G01N 21/6428 (2013.01); G06T 7/0016 (2013.01); B01L 7/52 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0654 (2013.01); B01L 2300/18 (2013.01); G01N 2021/6439 (2013.01); G01N 21/6456 (2013.01); G06T 2207/10016 (2013.01); G06T 2207/10024 (2013.01); G06T 2207/10064 (2013.01); G06T 2207/20021 (2013.01); G06T 2207/30072 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
 
1. A device for analyzing a fluid sample, the device comprising:
a housing defining a slot sized to receive a test card containing the fluid sample;
a camera imaging device positioned within the housing and configured to record an image of a target zone on the test card;
a light source positioned within the housing and configured to illuminate at least the target zone on the test card; and
a controller positioned within the housing communicatively coupled to the camera imaging device and the light source, the controller comprising:
a memory device comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium and storing instructions; and
a processor communicatively coupled to the memory device, wherein the processor is operable to execute the instructions stored on the memory device to:
activate the light source after detecting the test card was inserted through the slot,
control the camera imaging device to record at least one image of the target zone on the test card,
analyze the at least one image to distinguish wanted objects from unwanted objects within the at least one image, and
determine, from the analysis, whether the fluid sample tests positive or negative for a bacterium or a virus based on the wanted objects, wherein the wanted objects include at least one of nucleic acid molecules or cells, and wherein the unwanted objects include objects that do not have at least one of an average size or an average shape of the at least one of nucleic acid molecules or cells.