Abstract: Automatic prefilled syringe inspection systems, apparatus and methods are provided. The automatic syringe inspection systems, apparatus and methods may determine a plunger depth within a syringe that has been pre-filled with a medication. The plunger depth may be based on digital image data that is representative of a silhouette of at least a portion of a tubular vessel and at least a portion of a plunger within the tubular vessel.

Abstract: An automated visual inspection (AVI) system may include at least one profile view imager having an optical axis that passes through an inspection object, a proximal polarizing film axially aligned with the optical axis, a liquid crystal device axially aligned with the optical axis, a distal polarizing film axially aligned with the optical axis, and at least one light source oriented to emit illumination toward the distal polarizing film. Alternatively, or additionally, an AVI system may include a profile view imager having an optical axis that enters a container through a side wall of the container, and a ring light that is coaxially aligned with a central axis of the container, below the container, and oriented to emit light toward a bottom of the container. The AVI system may also include a bottom imager coaxially aligned with the central axis and oriented to view the bottom of the container.

Abstract: Systems and methods of using machine learning for identifying glass breakage events can include (a) accessing or obtaining the machine learning mode, (b) obtaining audio data, (c) determining, by processing the audio data using the machine learning mode, whether a glass breakage event has occurred, and (d) when determined that the glass breakage event has occurred, indicating the glass breakage event has occurred. Methods and instructions for training a machine learning model for identifying a glass breakage event can include (a) obtaining training audio data, (b) classifying the training audio data into a plurality of subsets, and (c) generating the machine learning model for identifying glass breakage events using the classified subsets.

Abstract: A robotic inspection platform comprises a robotic arm, an imager, and a controller. The controller causes the robotic arm to retrieve, using its end effector, a container, and to manipulate the container such that the container is sequentially placed in a plurality of orientations while in view of the imager. The controller also causes the imager to capture images, with each of the images being captured while the container is in a respective one of the orientations. The controller also determines one or more attributes of the container, and/or a sample within the container, by analyzing the images using a pattern recognition model and, based on the attribute(s), determines whether the container and/or sample satisfies one or more criteria. If the container and/or sample fails to satisfy the criteria, the controller causes the robotic arm to place the container in an area (e.g., bin) reserved for rejected containers and/or samples.

Abstract: A system for dispensing, inspecting, and/or processing drug includes a tray adapted to be operably coupled with a workstation, a handle member operably coupled with the tray, and a funnel region operably coupled with the tray. The tray has a body defining a recessed region and a sidewall positioned adjacent to the recessed region. The handle member is positioned at or near a first corner of the tray. The funnel region is positioned at or near a second corner of the tray. The first corner is opposite the second corner.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, or method for vial seal inspection may be based on three-dimensional data that is representative of at least a portion of a vial seal. More particularly, apparatuses, systems, and methods for vial seal inspection may include at least one laser triangulation sensor.

Abstract: A telepresence system may include at least one telepresence device including a digital camera having camera control inputs and a video feed output. The system may also include at least one remote device having a web browser. The camera control inputs may be communicated from the remote device to the at least one telepresence device via an embedded webserver. The video feed output may be communicated to the remote device via a video server configured to transmit real-time video data from the digital camera, over a secure socket connection, to the remote device.

Abstract: Fill-finish assemblies facilitating the manufacture of a drug delivery device are disclosed. The fill-finish assembly may include a container, an insertion mechanism, a fluid pathway connection assembly disposed between the container and the insertion mechanism, and a carrier. The insertion mechanism may include a delivery member and an insertion mechanism housing. The insertion mechanism may be configured to move the delivery member from a retracted position inside the insertion mechanism housing to a deployed position outside the insertion mechanism housing. The fluid pathway connection assembly may be selectively activatable to establish fluid communication between the container and the delivery member. The carrier may have a hollow interior containing at least a portion of each of the container, the insertion mechanism, and the fluid pathway connection assembly.

Abstract: A method of aligning images for 3D imaging of a sample includes, for each of multiple cameras located around a vessel, activating a respective light source that provides backlighting for the vessel, and capturing a respective 2D calibration image of the vessel. The method also includes, for each 2D calibration image, measuring a respective vertical position, horizontal position, and rotation of the image, in part by detecting edges of the vessel as depicted in the image. The method also includes generating calibration data based on the measured vertical positions, horizontal positions, and rotations for the respective 2D calibration images, capturing, by each camera, a respective set of 2D images of the sample in the vessel, and digitally resampling, using the calibration data, at least one of the respective sets of 2D images to correct for vertical offset, horizontal offset, and rotational offset of the set(s) of 2D images.

Abstract: Various techniques facilitate the development of an image library that can be used to train and/or validate an automated visual inspection (AVI) model, such an AVI neural network for image classification. In one aspect, an arithmetic transposition algorithm is used to generate synthetic images from original images by transposing features (e.g., defects) onto the original images, with pixel-level realism. In other aspects, digital inpainting techniques are used to generate realistic synthetic images from original images. Deep learning-based inpainting techniques may be used to add, remove, and/or modify defects or other depicted features. In still other aspects, quality control techniques are used to assess the suitability of image libraries for training and/or validation of AVI models, and/or to assess whether individual images are suitable for inclusion in such libraries.

Abstract: A method for 3D imaging of a sample, in a vessel having a longitudinal axis orthogonal to a horizontal plane, includes capturing, by at least three cameras located at different positions around the vessel, respective 2D images of the sample. Each image comprises pixels having associated pixel values. The optical axis of a first camera is inclined or declined at a first angle relative to the horizontal plane, with the first angle being greater than or equal to zero degrees. The optical axis of a second camera is inclined or declined at a second, larger angle relative to the horizontal plane. The method also includes generating a 3D image of the sample based on the pixel values associated with the 2D image pixels, and one or more look-up tables that collectively indicate, for pixels in each image, expected paths for light traversing the vessel and the sample.

Abstract: In a method for imaging a container holding a sample, the container is illuminated with a laser sheet of a first color, and one or more images of the container are capturing by a first imager configured to filter out colors other than the first color. Simultaneously with illuminating the container with the laser sheet of the first color, the container is illuminated with light of a second color different than the first color, wherein the light of the second color illuminates at least a majority of an entire volume of the container. One or more additional imagers of the container are captured by a second imager configured to filter out colors other than the second color. The one or more images and the one or more additional images are analyzed to detect particles within, and/or on an exterior surface of, the container.

Abstract: A robotic inspection platform comprises a robotic arm, an imager, and a controller. The controller causes the robotic arm to retrieve, using its end effector, a container, and to manipulate the container such that the container is sequentially placed in a plurality of orientations while in view of the imager. The controller also causes the imager to capture images, with each of the images being captured while the container is in a respective one of the orientations. The controller also determines one or more attributes of the container, and/or a sample within the container, by analyzing the images using a pattern recognition model and, based on the attribute(s), determines whether the container and/or sample satisfies one or more criteria. If the container and/or sample fails to satisfy the criteria, the controller causes the robotic arm to place the container in an area (e.g., bin) reserved for rejected containers and/or samples.

Abstract: Methods and systems of performing an assay. A system for performing an assay includes an enclosure defining a temperature-controlled space. An imaging system, an actuator and a dispenser are disposed within the space. The actuator receives a well plate having wells. The actuator is to move the well plate relative to the imaging system to enable the imaging system to obtain image data of one of the wells. The dispenser includes a pump, an outlet and a reservoir holder to receive a reservoir containing a compound. The pump is to be fluidly coupled to the reservoir and an outlet. The pump is to pump the compound from the reservoir through the outlet into one of the wells. The system also includes a controller. The controller is to cause the dispenser to dispense the compound into the first one of the wells while the imaging system obtains the image data.

Abstract: In a method for imaging a container holding a sample, the container is illuminated with a laser sheet of a first color, and one or more images of the container are capturing by a first imager configured to filter out colors other than the first color. Simultaneously with illuminating the container with the laser sheet of the first color, the container is illuminated with light of a second color different than the first color, wherein the light of the second color illuminates at least a majority of an entire volume of the container. One or more additional imagers of the container are captured by a second imager configured to filter out colors other than the second color. The one or more images and the one or more additional images are analyzed to detect particles within, and/or on an exterior surface of, the container.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of purifying native and recombinant biomolecules, e.g., proteins, from mammalian cells using purification protocols incorporating harvest recovery operations involving decanter centrifugation of at least one target biomolecule from at least one particulate component of cell culture fluid. The unexpected capacity of decanter centrifuge separation of biological materials of similar densities found in mammalian cell culture fluid has been found to yield high quantities of functional protein in efficient, low-cost harvest recovery steps of biomolecule purification protocols.

Abstract: A method for 3D imaging of a sample, in a vessel having a longitudinal axis orthogonal to a horizontal plane, includes capturing, by at least three cameras located at different positions around the vessel, respective 2D images of the sample. Each image comprises pixels having associated pixel values. The optical axis of a first camera is inclined or declined at a first angle relative to the horizontal plane, with the first angle being greater than or equal to zero degrees. The optical axis of a second camera is inclined or declined at a second, larger angle relative to the horizontal plane. The method also includes generating a 3D image of the sample based on the pixel values associated with the 2D image pixels, and one or more look-up tables that collectively indicate, for pixels in each image, expected paths for light traversing the vessel and the sample.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A system is described to facilitate the characterization of particles within a fluid contained in a vessel using an illumination system that directs source light through each vessel. One or more optical elements may be implemented to refract the source light and to illuminate the entire volume of the vessel. As the refracted source light passes through the vessel and interacts with particles suspended in the fluid, scattered light is produced and directed to an imager, while the refracted source light is diverted away from the imager to prevent the source light from drowning out the scattered light. The system can therefore advantageously utilize an imager with a large depth of field to accurately image the entire volume of fluid at the same time, facilitating the determination of the number and size of particles suspended in the fluid.