Automatic inspection device for HCV antibody rapid test strips for the production line

摘要

The paper presents an automatic inspection system for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody rapid test strip, using computer vision device and new image processing algorithm. The rapid test strip contains a membrane strip which is pre-coated with HCV recombinant protein (NS3, NS4, NS5, core protein) on the test line region, which is on a fixed T line. One drop of specimen dilution is placed on the collection region. When specimen dilution rises to the T line position the system makes a colour judgment by digital CCD in a computer vision inspection system, without using human vision. Within 0.3 s after reaction, we can get a quantitative result. System operations are very simple and easy to use. Experiments were conducted to illustrate the comparison between this image-based system and many typical specimens with specific antigens that were prepared in the test assay configuration. This system can provide accurate measurement data in inspection within few minutes, and quality verification for the production line of rapid test strip is more convenient.