FEATURE MACHINE VISION SYSTEMS
Industrial camera focuses on the management of sterile goods
The integration of the uEye XS miniature industrial camera from IDS Imaging Development Systems into the EuroSDS system from IBH Datentechnik GmbH has simplified the packing process for disinfected sterile goods
uroSDS is a powerful multi-user tracking & tracing system for sterile goods, such as surgical instruments. It is used by Central Sterile Supply Departments (CSSDs) in modern hospitals, as well as external health care service providers and supports quality assurance, documentation and archiving of all production cycles within the processing and tracking of sterile goods. It is compliant to the relevant EN Standards. The CSSD cleans, disinfects, sorts, sterilises, and supplies surgical instruments, among other things. Full, legally-compliant documentation of all process steps plays a key role within this processing cycle. Every detail in the processing cycle of surgical instruments, ranging from their use in operating theaters, through to their sterilisation and storage, needs to be recorded and managed.
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SIMPLIFYING THE PACKING PROCESS
The uEye XS has been introduced for use at the packing station to make the process of packing the disinfected sterile goods simpler and more reliable (Figure 2). Image acquisition and camera control functions are fully integrated into the quality management software with images or videos created with just a click of the mouse. Images of individual sterile goods or entire sets are captured and archived directly at the packing station. These images are fully integrated into the master data records for the instruments, making it easier for the operator to combine and pack the sets. Video sequences of the packing process for can be recorded and included in the packing list as a link, further making make the operator’s job easier. This integrated solution replaces a conventional digital camera which was used to capture images which were then
30 JUNE 2015 | AUTOMATION
Figure 1: Specially designed housing protects the camera and USB connector
transferred to the computer, reviewed and edited there if necessary, then linked manually to the respective data records. This was a laborious and time- consuming process, which was also prone to user error. The uEye XS combines easy operation and a range of automatic features usually only found in consumer cameras, with the compact design and software compatibility and connectivity of an industrial camera. It delivers excellent image quality even
Figure 2: IDS uEye XS camera at the packing station
in the difficult lighting and ambient conditions found at the packing station in the CSSD. For example, artificial light sources such as light bulbs and fluorescent tubes create flicker that can be seen in the camera image. An anti- flicker feature adjusts the recording parameters for exposure time and frame rate, thereby preventing any noise from appearing in the image. In addition, parameters such as exposure time, white balance, and ISO (gain) are adjusted automatically to the prevailing lighting conditions. Using various default settings for lighting types and fields of view, these functions can be fine-tuned even further, if necessary. The camera also has a backlight compensation function to adjust the brightness control. Using this function, objects in the foreground are always correctly exposed even when the picture is taken against the light. With autofocus and a 5 megapixel CMOS
sensor, the camera produces high quality true colour images, with a choice of seven fixed image formats ranging from VGA to the full 5 megapixel resolution. A digital zoom (x16) is also provided.
EASY INTEGRATION The compact camera measures approximately 23mm x 26.5mm x 21.5mm and IBH has produced a specially designed, 3D printed plastic housing to further protect the robust magnesium casing of the camera and the USB connector (Figure 1). The camera, together with its plastic chassis, is attached to a standard gooseneck. All functions are designed to enable integration in individual OEM applications through the associated software package using drivers and interfaces. The integrated lens has a 53° horizontal angle of view and the wide aperture angle captures a field of view that is sufficient for most applications. The autofocus function delivers crisp images from distances of only 10 cm. Connectivity is via a USB2 port and the camera is supplied with DirectShow, Twain and GeniCam interfaces and the IDS software development kit (SDK). This versatile SDK allows convenient integration via C, C++ or C# under Windows and Linux, with over 140 programming functions that provide access to all properties and performance features of the camera. This has allowed full integration of the camera control and image acquisition functions into the IBH quality management system. Each parameter of the camera can be changed using the software, if required, with the flexibility to process images independently of the PC. Since the SDK is identical for all cameras in the IDS range, there is the potential to seamlessly switch to another model should future requirements change.
IDS Imaging Development Systems
www.ids-imaging.com T: 0118 970 1704
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