Basler’s Computer Vision Solutions for Medical & Life Sciences
From lab automation and diagnostics via artificial intelligence to contactless patient positioning in computer tomographs
Every medical computer vision solution is as unique as the underlying problem being addressed. Nevertheless, successfully completed projects can be instrumental in solving entirely new tasks. Why? Because a great wealth of experience is just as crucial for a good solution as the hardware and software components.
To meet your requirements in the fields of medical and healthcare computer vision, we use all three elements to develop and produce the right imaging solution to meet your needs.
Contract development and production
Our computer vision solution turns your idea into your product. For the optimal computer vision solution, it is essential to select the right individual components and bring them into harmony with your requirements. In addition to an extensive portfolio of hardware and software, we offer in-depth expertise across the entire imaging pipeline. As a result, we can guarantee an efficient consulting and development process leading all the way to series production and long-term lifecycle management.
Lens
In addition to the camera, the lens is a deciding factor for the quality of an image. The imaging performance that you require in your application determines which lens you should choose. Our needs-oriented portfolio includes S-, C- and F-mount lenses with formats ranging from 1/2.5” to Super 35 mm with all standard focal lengths. If needed, we will procure the appropriate lens during the development phase of your project.
Communications / connectivity
To be processed, image information must be transferred quickly and reliably from one component to the next within a vision system. Depending on the amount of image data, required speed or cable length, different interface standards such as MIPI, USB3 Vision or CXP 2.0 come into play. If you additionally need an IoT (Internet of Things) solution with cloud connectivity for external data communication, we will connect your vision system per your request.
Software
Capturing an image is one thing, evaluating the information it contains is another. You need drivers, system and application software for the image capture, processing and analysis. With our pylon Camera Software Suite you can record and process images or integrate the camera into your application via API. We also offer an extensive set of specific application tools and enable real-time applications based on AI (Artificial Intelligence). Furthermore, we assist you with our configuration support and customized software adaptations.
Peripherals
A vision system may also require additional components: If the precise synchronization of image and signal processing is important, we offer trigger boards. If your application needs illumination, we will take care of the appropriate lighting. And if you need a multi-camera system, we will integrate hubs or switches.
Camera
The centerpiece of a vision system – our standard camera portfolio comprises several hundred models. The right one for your application is guaranteed to be included: In line with your requirements regarding such variables as sensor format, resolution, frame rate, interface, housing type, lens mount as well as in-camera features, we will select the appropriate camera together as a component of your vision system.
Processing hardware
The computational power of the processing pipeline required for the image capture as well as the (pre-)processing and analysis differs according to the application. We rely on the state-of-the-art embedded vision processing technology from NVIDIA® or NXP® and additionally offer our in-house-developed processing board suitable for series production. Our high-performance frame grabbers round off our range of processing hardware for high-end applications.
Application areas: Computer vision solutions bring added value to Medical & Life Sciences applications
Application examples: Individual computer vision solutions for individual problems in medicine, medical technology and life sciences
Compact CNN-based bacteria classification
When it is combined with a CNN (Convolutional Neural Network), imaging automates and simplifies the evaluation of diagnostic or analytical samples. A compact system to support the microscopic determination of infectious diseases can be accomplished with the application example shown.
Contactless patient positioning in the CT
The COVID-19 pandemic shows that processes can be optimized by using computer vision. In medical imaging in CT (Computer Tomographs), for example: Patients are placed in the right examination position from a distance, which enables reliable results with the lowest possible radiation dose and reduced risk of infection.
Autom. microscopy for high through-
put blood-cell analysis via CNN
Large diagnostic labs have to handle immense sample volumes within a short time. Only very fast microscopy systems make same-day processing possible from the sample receipt to the results output. In the application example, such a system is also combined with the real-time inference of a CNN (Convolutional Neural Network).
100 % customized vision system for scalability in ophthalmology
Every type of examination device has a different purpose. The fact that many devices in ophthalmology are based on imaging is a common factor that creates synergies. The development of cross-device components lowers costs in the long term while offering a high degree of flexibility. This is because the final device specification is performed simply by adding further hardware and software.
Cost-effective urine sediment analysis with CNN-based vision system
Even in small laboratories, automated image captures and evaluations are increasingly replacing manual, microscopy-based examinations. The choice of appropriate image processing components and their integration – if necessary, combined with a CNN – is a crucial factor for success even in price-sensitive market segments.