Intelligence with a Vision: Machine Vision in Life Sciences

Life sciences firms are looking to machine vision technology to increase throughput and ensure process traceability in their operations.

FREMONT, CA: Today's machine vision systems feature miniaturized, easy-to-integrate cameras, allowing automated inspection. The life sciences industry benefits from the expanding use of digital image acquisition and processing, with cameras being used extensively within medical and life science applications. Regardless of whether they are looking at medical devices, laboratory automation, or the operating room, there are many everyday applications where cameras are a significant component in almost every field. Read on to know more.

Machine vision software helps systems sequence DNA, count, perform image analysis, classify biological cells, help doctors with 3D imaging during surgery to decide where to cut, and perform pattern matching in automated environments. Some major machine vision software manufacturers are active in the life science industry, and some smaller vendors and those developing application-specific software. 

The techniques for customers in the life science industry are also used in other sectors.

The machine vision software must work no matter what type of camera is used. Users should be able to shift the hardware while running the same software or make minor adjustments. It is very challenging for life science users to re-qualify machine vision systems after FDA approval, and the last thing users want to do is re-write their software. Inconsistency between images is expected in the life science industry and a significant hurdle for machine vision software manufacturers. In other sectors, machine vision tools are used to evaluate multiple parts that are the same and compare them to a template.

When deciding which machine vision software to purchase for a life science application, performance, speed, and hardware independence are the most important factors to consider. Users should keep the same software if they change cameras and have the flexibility and ability to fine-tune the software to their application, which often won't be standard. It should have development tools that come with it to make it easier to test prototypes and be easy to use.

See also: Top Machine Vision Consulting Companies