Image analysis
and Artificial
Intelligence
We develop a selection of sophisticated image analysis and artificial intelligence algorithms. These are integrated into automation systems for microbiology and molecular biology laboratories in both clinical and industrial applications.
Artificial intelligence in microbiology laboratories
Laboratory automation consists in the application of robotics, software and artificial intelligence to processes. As a result, the need for human intervention is minimised. The microbiology laboratories of the future must integrate disruptive technologies that will improve their operations. One of these technologies is the use of artificial intelligence and the development of algorithms based on image analysis.
Clinical microbiology laboratories currently face increased demand to reduce acquisition time and improve results. The integration of AI into these workflows as a complementary tool will improve the speed and quality of diagnosis, which is ultimately the aim of all laboratory automation.
For their part, industrial microbiology laboratories continue to perform many of their processes manually and repetitively, devoting a large proportion of their resources to tasks of little added value.
From initial processes to prepare media and samples, and inoculation and dilution of these, to culture, incubation, counting and detection and identification of pathogens, workflows are still tedious and far from optimised. Industrial microbiology laboratories are now in a position to evolve and become cutting-edge laboratories.
What benefits does artificial intelligence bring the laboratory?
There is a clear trend towards using artificial intelligence and the development of algorithms based on image analysis, due to the benefits they bring. The automation of tasks and processes promotes the emergence of advanced
laboratories with the capacity to save more lives. These are some of the advantages they offer:
Orientation of the technician
towards value-added tasks.
Greater reliability and
accuracy of results.
Shortening of result delivery times.
Greater number of patient parameters in the diagnostic process.
Interconnection of results
and diagnoses.
Holistic integration of all parts of the process.
Increased sustainability in use of space and energy.
What processes are these algorithms
and artificial intelligence used in?
There are various fields of application of image analysis and artificial intelligence used in
microbiology. Sener Diagnostics’ technology covers many fields in the clinical and industrial sectors.
These applications include, for example:
Image digitisation
Having access to all kinds of digital images markedly improves workflow traceability, increasing the possibility of interconnecting the results with other processes, facilitating evaluation in remote locations and opening up new diagnostic opportunities.
Sener Diagnostics’ image capture system offers customised, high-resolution images for subsequent use in the many image processing and artificial intelligence algorithms.
Growth detection
Approximately 80% of samples cultured are negative in the end. It is essential to be able to segregate this large quantity of samples very quickly and allow the
laboratory to focus on the positive samples, so it can make a diagnosis and proceed with treatment as soon as possible.
Thanks to our algorithms, laboratories can separate positive and negative samples by monitoring bacterial growth in real time, speeding up diagnosis ahead of anyone else in the market.
Detection of sufficient growth
Once our algorithms segregate the negative samples and detect the existence of growth, this is monitored in real time, determining when it is sufficient to be analysed and interpreted by laboratory technicians or by the subsequent diagnostic and artificial intelligence algorithms.
Detection of sufficient growth for subsequent analysis is key for speeding up diagnosis and proceeding with the corresponding treatment (treating the patient or processing production batches).
Colony counting
and morphology
Plate count is one of the methods used most to determine the number of viable microorganisms in a liquid medium. Morphology is concerned with the study of the structure of organisms, their components and characteristics.
Our algorithms, which are customised for each type of consumable, determine the morphology of the colonies grown in the sample and provide a count for subsequent analysis. The laboratory technician then treats the sample in accordance with information about the number and morphology of the colony.
Identification
As we have said, by using image analysis and artificial intelligence in microbiology laboratories, sample diagnostics can be speeded up and improved, leading to better patient treatment or improving production management in the industrial market.
Through Sener Diagnostics’ technology, image processing algorithms can be customised for many applications and numerous types of consumables.
Inhibition zones (AST)
Antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) or antibiograms are used to determine the most effective treatment against a bacterial infection. They determine the susceptibility of a microorganism (bacteria, fungi or viruses) to different antimicrobial medicines.
At Sener Diagnostics we customise image analysis algorithms, both for their use in routine tests and for rapid uses (Rapid-AST), ensuring that the tests are conducted in laboratories where the patient is offered the maximum quality, speed and safety. Our algorithms are developed according to the guidelines of EUCAST® (European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing) and CLSI® (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute Inc.).
Expert rules
Each type of laboratory has specific workflows and can draw on knowledge acquired over the course of many years. It is essential that the implementation of
image processing and artificial intelligence systems in microbiology laboratories should harness all this knowledge and support the customisation of these
algorithms according to the specific needs of each laboratory.
This is why our image processing systems can be customised according to each type of laboratory.
Image analysis and Artificial Intelligence in Sener Diagnostics’ technology
At present, all laboratories, independently of their size, are having to handle a larger volume of tests.
Fortunately, all can benefit from the advantages of laboratory automation.
Results can be obtained more quickly.
Improved performance and precision in processes.
Reduction of costs associated with laboratory automation.
Large laboratories can automate complete processes, whereas smaller ones can opt to automate just a few parts, such as test tube centrifugation or plate streaking.
Laboratory automation at Sener Diagnostics
Bearing in mind that laboratory automation is scalable, those
laboratories that plan to grow can begin by mechanising a
module and then gradually extend their activities according to
their needs.
Thanks to our technology and experience, we can undertake any redesign of laboratory workflows.
- We offer quality, reliability and speed of results.
- We introduce new tools which substantially increase operating capacity and traceability.
At Sener Diagnostics, we believe that automation must generate value.
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