BIOLOGICAL SPECIMEN IMAGING UNIT FOR USE IN INCUBATOR

An imaging unit can be configured for biological specimen sensing inside an incubator. Such an imaging unit can include an imager in communication with one or more biological specimen vessels for generating a corresponding specimen image of a specimen. Processing circuitry can control the imager to generate the specimen image. This can include controlling at least one of the imager and the individual vessel to locate the vessel in a field of view of the imager for obtaining the specimen image. The specimen image can be image-processed such as to determine an indication of a biological characteristic associated with the specimen.

BACKGROUND

Incubation of biological samples (such as sputum, urine, stool, or blood) can be used to help detect foreign bodies, such as bacteria, within a human patient. For example, a blood sample can be taken from the patient and incubated to determine whether an infection exists. During an incubation period, certain microorganism cultures can multiply within the blood. Incubation can help enable several techniques to detect infections. For example, an observable change in the sample's properties can develop throughout incubation. The sample can be analyzed to help form a medical diagnosis of the patient.

Incubation periods of biological samples can range between about four hours to >24 hours, depending upon the type of microorganism and the ambient temperature. The sample can be maintained at approximately body temperature (about 37° C.), or the temperature of the sample can be established such as to enhance growth of a certain target foreign body. Such incubation processes can involve combining the sample with a fluid, such as an aqueous buffered salt solution (BSS) with added nutrients, or on a solid media such as a petri dish or slant with nutrient agar. A blood sample can be separated into several components (e.g., plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, etc.) after collection. Such separated components can be similarly incubated, observed, and analyzed. Also, other body fluids can be used for similar incubation and analysis, such as spinal fluid, synovial fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, sweat, urine, and saliva.

SUMMARY

Certain biological specimen incubation techniques can involve one or more manual operations during or between incubation sessions. Intervening manually in the incubating of a specimen can present challenges, such as difficulty in obtaining repeatable results and possible operator-introduced errors. Further, an incubation technique can involve visual inspection of biological specimens, such as for signs of an infection. This can include observing for one or more signs of a change in color, clarity, size, or other characteristics of the specimen. Such visual inspection may introduce contamination or may lead to operator-introduced errors in determining whether a target foreign body is present within the biological specimen. The manual checking of petri dishes also limits the frequency at which incubation status can be checked, delaying the diagnosis. Moreover, removing samples from incubation can disturb the growth process, delaying the growth of the microorganisms. The present inventors have recognized a need for a more user-friendly, more reproducible, less operator-dependent, more sterile, and more cost-efficient technique for biological specimen incubation and analysis.

This document describes a specimen imaging unit that can be configured for biological specimen sensing inside an incubator. Such a specimen imaging unit can be inserted or retrofitted into an incubator. The specimen imaging unit can include an imager. The imager can be arranged to be placed inside the incubator in communication with one or more biological specimen vessels. The imager can be configured for generating a corresponding specimen image of a corresponding biological specimen. The specimen imaging unit can include or use a plurality of receptacles. An individual receptacle can be sized and shaped for receiving an individual one of the biological specimen vessels. The specimen imaging unit can also include an illuminator to illuminate the individual biological specimen vessel with electromagnetic energy. For example, the illuminator can include a broadband or tunable wavelength electromagnetic energy source.

The specimen imaging unit can include or can be communicatively coupled to processing circuitry. The processing circuitry can be configured to control the imager for generating the specimen image. For example, the processing circuitry can control at least one of the imager or the individual vessel such as to locate the vessel in a field of view of the imager for obtaining the specimen image. Once obtained, the specimen image can be processed. The image-processing can be performed to help determine an indication of a biological characteristic associated with the biological specimen. Once determined, the indication of the biological characteristic can be transmitted, such as via transceiver circuitry, to an interface device located outside the incubator. The specimen imaging unit can include a transporter communicatively coupled with the processing circuitry to move at least one of the imager or an individual biological specimen vessel with respect to the other. For example, the transporter can include a robotic manipulator for retrieving the individual vessel and placing the vessel in a field of view of the imager. Alternatively or additionally, the transporter can move the imager toward an individual receptacle of the plurality of receptacles. In an example, the specimen imaging unit can include a plurality of imaging subunits arranged within a sealed chamber. The plurality of imaging subunits can be configured for concurrently imaging respective vessels therein. For example, each imaging subunit can include a respective transporter. Alternatively or additionally, the transporter can service multiple imaging subunits each containing different respective pluralities of specimen vessels.

In an example, an individual vessel can include or be communicatively coupleable to an electrochemical transducer for transducing an electrical property, indicative of a target gas composition corresponding with the particular biological specimen, into an electrical response signal. Here, a presence of a particular biological specimen can be determined by analyzing both the specimen image and the electrical property, such as concurrently or otherwise. For example, the individual vessel can include a port such as can be communicatively coupled with a receptacle of the electrochemical transducer.

Each of the non-limiting examples described herein can stand on its own, or can be combined in various permutations or combinations with one or more of the other examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain biological specimen incubation techniques can be used to help determine a presence or other characteristic of a target substance, such as a target foreign body, within a biological specimen. For example, a plurality of individual biological specimens can be placed into an incubator, each for a respective incubation period. During the incubation period, a target foreign body within an individual biological specimen can become increasingly detectable. Following incubation, the biological specimens can be removed and assayed using one or more specific detection techniques.

One approach to biological specimen incubation involves visual inspection of biological specimens for signs of an infection. This can include observing for signs of a change in color, clarity, size, or other characteristics of the specimen. Here, “visual” inspection can refer to inspection of characteristics visible to a human observer at wavelengths visible to the human eye. Such visual inspection can present certain challenges. It can be difficult to inspect the entire specimen surface, such as to determine a presence of an infectious agent or other foreign body. Also, and manual visual inspection may be subject to possible operator-introduced errors. For example, such an approach can involve manual intervention, such as manual agitation of a sample, during incubation or in between incubation sessions. Such manual intervention can present challenges, such as difficulty in obtaining repeatable results, fluctuating temperatures within the incubator, and possible operator-introduced errors.

In another approach to biological specimen incubation, a sensor can be used to obtain some of the information necessary for determining the presence or other characteristic of the target foreign body within the biological specimen. However, certain approaches involving a sensor can increase the time required to perform the incubation as compared with some manual techniques. Further, using such sensors can require a relatively high level of expertise to configure and operate the system and can be relatively expensive and difficult to scale up.

This document describes, among other things, an automated biological specimen imaging unit, such as for retrofitting into an incubator, that can help address at least some of the challenges of other approaches such as discussed above. Further, an automated biological specimen imaging unit can help provide monitoring of an individual specimen vessel at more frequent intervals or at more accurate timing than is feasible with manual monitoring of multiple specimen vessels.

FIG.1Adepicts an example of a biological specimen incubator150.FIG.1Bdepicts a biological specimen imaging unit100for placement into a sealed region of the incubator150ofFIG.1A. The incubator150can include an incubator chamber110, which can be accessed, e.g., via a door111. In an example, the imaging unit100can include or use at least one assemblage or stack116, such as including one or more shelves118. An individual shelf118can include one or multiple receptacles for respectively receiving a respective biological specimen vessel. The biological specimen imaging unit100can be placed into the chamber110, such as to introduce biological specimen vessels115(depicted inFIG.1B) into the incubator150. For example, the specimen imaging unit100can be securable within the incubator150, such as via a coupler or docking mechanism. For example, the coupler can include a fastener, a pin, or other mechanism for attaching the imaging unit100to the incubator housing.

The shelves118or receptacles can be sized and shaped such as to accept respective biological specimen vessels115. Examples of a biological specimen vessel115can include, e.g., a Petri dish, a multiwell plate, a microtiter plate, a chip, a slide, a tube, such as a tube formed from a heat sealable plastic, a strip, a pad, or other suitable container that holds at least one specimen of a biological material. Once the imaging unit100, carrying the vessels115, is introduced into the chamber110, the incubator chamber110can be fluidly sealed off from an ambient environment, thereby enclosing the vessels115within the chamber110.

The imaging unit100can also include an imaging or other sensor120, arranged to be placed inside the incubator in communication with one or more biological specimen vessels for generating a corresponding specimen image of a corresponding biological specimen. In an example, the imaging sensor120can include a camera. The camera can be used to generate a digital representation of an individual specimen image. The digital representation can be processed to generate image data for further storage or display. The specimen image can be processed and analyzed to provide quantitative information on the biological material in the vessel(s). For example, the processing and analysis can include one or more of determining cell and/or pathogen counts, cell or nucleus morphometry, cell size measurements, growth rate measurements, or other suitable specimen monitoring techniques. The signal produced by the imaging or other sensor120can be signal-processed or analyzed, e.g., based on an electro-chemical detection characteristic or an electro-optical detection characteristic measured by the imaging or other sensor120within the chamber110. For example, the imaging or other sensor120can include an imaging array of photosensitive elements configured to detect electromagnetic energy within the specified wavelength band, e.g., visible light or the near-infrared spectrum. Also, for example, the imaging or other sensor120can include a solid-state imaging array of detector pixels that can be configured to detect specific scattering, fluorescence emissions, or other optical signatures from the target biological specimen. Other examples of imaging sensors120can include electro-chemical sensing systems configured to detect the presence of a gas component or gas components in the specimen fluid. These can be used to sense the presence or other characteristic of a target gas component of interest or a gas component that affects the optical or electro-chemical signatures from the target biological specimen. In an example, the at least one imaging or other sensor120can include a plurality of gas sensors each respectively positionable or locatable in communication with a respective vessel115or receptacle of the plurality of receptacles. The imaging or other sensor120can also include an illuminator, e.g., a broadband or tunable wavelength electromagnetic energy source, arranged to illuminate with electromagnetic energy the individual biological specimen vessel.

At least one of: a) an individual biological specimen vessel115or b) the imaging or other sensor120can be movable with respect to the other, such as via a manipulator or transporter122of the imaging unit100. The manipulator122can place at least one of: a) an individual biological specimen vessel115or b) the imaging or other sensor120in communication with the other in a field of view. This can help permit imaging of the respective specimen using the imaging or other sensor120. The manipulator122can include a robotic mechanism such as a gantry, an articulating arm, or an articulated platform. The manipulator122can include at least one placement sensor for providing feedback in placement using the manipulator122. For example, the at least one placement sensor can include an optical sensor, and the placement feedback can include one or more LEDs or other light sources emitting energy and one or more photodetectors that detect the emitted energy. The at least one placement sensor can also include one or more capacitive sensors, conductive sensors, IR sensors, or RF sensors, cameras, or combinations thereof.

The at least one imaging or other sensor120can generate and transmit a signal that can include information representing a measurement of a concentration or other characteristic of a specified gas component or composition associated with a target biological specimen in an individual one of the specimen vessels115. A reading of the measurement from the imaging or other sensor120can be communicated to and provided at a location outside of the incubator150, such as at a user interface (UI)124. For example, the UI124can include a display to display the result of the measurement, e.g., the type or concentration of a target gas component detected by the imaging or other sensor120, or an interpretation of the measurement, e.g., the presence or concentration of a target substance in the vessel115represented by the sensor detection. Also, the UI124can include other output means, e.g., a speaker, a speaker unit, a vibrator, a buzzer, or other similar output devices. The imaging unit100can include transceiver circuitry117for transmitting the electrical response signal or the determined presence or other characteristic to a location outside the chamber110of the incubator150. For example, the transceiver circuitry117can include an external receiver and a wired or wireless communication link to a device that is external to the chamber110, such as to a local or remote computer system that can be used to perform computational analysis. Also, for example, the transceiver circuitry117can include a communication link to an external device that can be used to perform additional processing to that performed by onboard processing circuitry, such as control of the temperature or pressure of the gas environment contained within the chamber110.

The imaging unit100can include a thermostat129to help regulate a temperature of the gas environment contained within the chamber110. The thermostat129can include, e.g., an analog, thermistor, or thermocouple type temperature sensor or electronic temperature sensor configured to determine a temperature. The temperature sensor can be communicatively coupled with a heating and cooling unit of the incubator150such as to help control the temperature of the gas environment within the chamber110. In an example, the heating and cooling unit can include a plurality of heating elements configured to heat a gas environment to a desired temperature. In an example, the heating and cooling unit can include a cooling element, e.g., a Peltier cooling element, to cool the gas environment to a desired temperature. Thus, in an example, the imaging unit100can include a thermostat configured to communicate with the incubator150such as to maintain a desired temperature by activating one or more heating elements when a temperature of the chamber110is below a specified level and activating one or more cooling elements when a temperature of the chamber110is above the specified level.

The imaging unit100can include an agitator128, e.g., coupled to the assemblage or stack116for moving the stack116and agitating the biological specimen vessels carried thereon. For example, the agitator128can be used to move liquid carried in the vessel, thereby causing movement in the biological specimen. The agitator128can include, e.g., one or more of a vibrating agitator, a rocking agitator, a reciprocal linear agitator, a reciprocating linear agitator, or a reciprocating rotary agitator, any of which can be operated by a motor or by manual operation. For example, the reciprocating linear agitator can include a motor for rotating a cam of the reciprocating linear agitator, such as a motor with an elongated rod and an eccentric weight at its end. In another example, a motor can be used to reciprocate the linear agitator along its length. Alternatively or additionally, the manipulator122can be used for agitating, such as to agitate an individual specimen vessel115.

Processing circuitry126can be included or used, such as onboard the imaging unit100. The processing circuitry126can be configured to help control or position the at least one imaging or other sensor120relative to the target biological specimen in the specimen vessel115, or to regulate the position of the at least one manipulator122. The processing circuitry126can include a processor circuit and a memory circuit that can store a program or a series of programs for instructing the processor to carry out the processing steps. For example, the programmed steps can be used such as to establish or adjust a selected temperature and pressure condition within the chamber110, or to detect the presence or other characteristic of the target gas component in the biological specimen. The processing circuitry126can also be used to perform or coordinate other steps, e.g., such as for transmitting the resulting measurement to the UI124, controlling agitation via the agitator128, regulating temperature via the thermostat129, operating the manipulator122, or communicating via the transceiver circuitry117. The processing circuitry126can include a plurality of processors and memory circuits for individually executing and storing the programs. The processing circuitry126can include an external interface that permits communication with devices, computers, and other programs that are external to the biological specimen incubator150. In an example, the external interface can be couplable to a device external to the incubator150via a wired connection, such as a universal standard bus (USB) connection. Here, the wired connection can be fed through an access port of the incubator150, and the access port can form a seal around the wired connection such as via a gasket or O-ring.

FIG.2depicts an example of a modular biological specimen imaging unit for placement within a biological specimen incubator. An individual imaging unit200, such as imaging unit200A or imaging unit200B, can be substantially similar to imaging unit100of the example ofFIG.1B. The components, structures, configuration, functions, etc. of imaging unit200A or imaging unit200bcan therefore be the same as or substantially similar to that described in detail above with reference to imaging unit100. In an example, an individual biological specimen stack216can include a canister or other assemblage including a plurality of biological specimen vessels. Here, biological specimen vessels can be loaded or assembled into a biological specimen stack, e.g., by a technician before the stack is inserted into an imaging unit200or an incubator.

In an example, an individual imaging unit200A can be arranged such that multiple biological specimen stacks216can be brought into a field of view of a single imaging or other sensor220. For example, a carousel230can be included such as to cycle a plurality of biological specimen stacks216towards or away from a manipulator222of the imaging unit200A. As depicted inFIG.2, a carousel230can be arranged such as to present an individual specimen stack216to the manipulator222, and the manipulator222can select or obtain an individual specimen vessel from the stack216. In an example, the manipulator222can select an entire specimen stack216from a plurality of specimen stacks216without the need of the carousel230or similar supplemental mechanism.

In an example, one or more additional imaging units, such as a second imaging unit200B can be used with or coupled to the imaging unit200A. As depicted, the two imaging units200A and200B can share a common single imaging or other sensor220. For example, each of the imaging units200A and200B can include respective pluralities of stacks216and respective manipulators. Also, the two imaging units200A and200B can share a common single manipulator222, such as accessing a common track223therebetween.

FIG.3is a block diagram that describes an example of portions of a biological specimen imaging system. A biological specimen imaging system300can include an incubator350, at least one imaging unit360A, and a plurality of biological specimen vessels315. As depicted by the diagram including ellipses inFIG.3, several imaging units,360A-360N, can be included in a single incubator350. Imaging units360A-360N can be substantially similar to imaging unit100of the example ofFIG.1Bor imaging unit200A or200B of the example ofFIG.2. The components, structures, configuration, functions, etc. of imaging units360A-360N can therefore be the same as or substantially similar to that described in detail above with reference to imaging unit100, imaging unit200A, or imaging unit200B. An individual biological specimen vessel315can also include or be communicatively coupleable to an electrochemical transducer340for transducing an electrical property, indicative of a target gas composition corresponding with the particular biological specimen, into an electrical response signal.

For example, a plurality of the biological specimen vessels315can include an onboard electrochemical transducer incorporated within the vessel. Thus, an individual specimen vessel315can be available for electrochemical transduction, such as gas sensing, concurrent with imaging of the respective vessel315via an imaging or other sensor330. Here, the onboard electrochemical transducer can include transceiver circuitry to transmit the electrical response signal to a location outside the incubator350. Also, as depicted inFIG.3, the biological specimen imaging system300can include an electrochemical transducer340arranged to interface with at least one of the individual specimen vessels315, such as via a port323of an individual vessel315. For example, the individual specimen vessel315can include the respective port323sized and shaped such as to be communicatively coupled with a corresponding receptacle of the electrochemical transducer340. Once connected to the port323, the electrochemical transducer340can transduce an electrical property, indicative of a target gas composition corresponding with the particular biological specimen, into an electrical response signal. An individual specimen vessel315can also be connected, such as via the respective port323, to an optical sensor for obtaining an optical property indicative of a target gas composition corresponding with the particular biological specimen, in a similar fashion to that described above with respect to connection with the electrochemical transducer340.

As depicted inFIG.3, the biological specimen imaging system can include processing circuitry326, such as at a location outside the incubator350, for processing an image obtained by the imaging or other sensor320, for processing an electrical response signal obtained by the electrochemical transducer, or both. For example, the processing circuitry326can receive the image from transceiver circuitry317concurrent with receiving the electrical response signal from the electrochemical transducer340. Such concurrent or simultaneous imaging and image-transduction of the biological specimen can help provide improved time efficiency relative to, e.g., separately transducing and imaging biological specimens in multiple individual vessels in separate sequential experiments. Also, the processing circuitry326can help facilitate conditional imaging, via the imaging or other sensor320, and based on the electrical response signal. For example, the processing circuitry326can facilitate retrieval and processing of a specimen image upon detection of an electrical response signal indicative of a target gas composition. The processing circuitry326can also help facilitate conditional electrochemical transduction based on image processing of a specimen image in a similar fashion.

FIG.4A,FIG.4B, andFIG.4Cdepict an example of a biological specimen imaging system. As shown inFIG.4A, a plurality of imaging units460can be arranged within a cabinet470. Imaging units460can be substantially similar to imaging unit100of the example ofFIG.1B, imaging unit200A or200B of the example ofFIG.2, or imaging units360A-360N of the example ofFIG.3. The components, structures, configuration, functions, etc. of imaging units460can therefore be the same as or substantially similar to that described in detail above with reference to imaging unit100, imaging unit200A, imaging unit200B, or imaging units360A-360N. Here, an individual imaging unit460can act as a miniature incubator for each individual biological specimen vessel415(e.g., a petri dish). As shown inFIG.4B, an imaging unit460can include temperature control, independent of other imaging units460, via a controllable heating element450within a chamber of the imaging unit460. At least one of the specimen vessel415or the imaging unit460can include an electrochemical transducer440, such as for gas sensing. As shown inFIG.4B, an individual imaging unit460can include an indicator462, such as an LED, for indicating, via visual indicia, the detection or presence of a target gas. An individual imaging unit460can also include an imaging or other sensor420. Alternatively or additionally, the cabinet470can include an imaging or other sensor, such as moveable with respect to the imaging units460via a manipulator. Here the moveable imaging or other sensor can navigate, e.g., a track system to interface with individual imaging units460, such as to image biological specimen contained therein. In an example, an individual imaging unit460can include a port sized and shaped to mate with a corresponding receptacle of the cabinet470such as to enable direct interfacing with a component within included in an individual imaging unit, e.g., an electronic or colorimetric gas sensor, a temperature controller, or a heating element.

FIG.5is a flowchart that describes an example of portions of a method of imaging a biological specimen.

At510, the method can include retrieving an individual biological specimen vessel from an arrangement defining a plurality of vessel receptacles. The biological specimen vessel can carry a particular biological specimen. The arrangement can be located within an incubated environment and isolated from an ambient environment. Also, the incubating of the individual biological specimen can be concurrent with the producing a specimen image.

At520, the method can include placing the individual vessel in a field of view of an imager. For example, an individual biological specimen vessel can be retrieved, e.g., by a biological specimen vessel manipulator. The biological specimen vessel manipulator (e.g., a carousel) can then be used to align the individual vessel with the imager. Once the vessel is properly aligned, the imager can be used to capture an image of the contents of the vessel. The carousel can then be used to rotate the vessel, allowing the imager to capture images of the vessel from multiple angles. Finally, the carousel can be used to remove the vessel from the field of view of the imager.

At530, the method can include producing, via the imager, a specimen image including an image-readable characteristic indicative a biological characteristic associated with the particular biological specimen carried by the vessel. Also, the method can include electrochemically transducing, concurrent with the producing the specimen image, an electrical property indicative of a target gas composition of the particular biological specimen into an electrical response signal.

At540, the method can include determining, using the image-readable characteristic, the biological characteristic associated with the particular biological specimen. This can include, for example, measuring enzyme activity, analyzing cell morphology, counting cells, assessing cell viability, or other methods. Additionally, this can include techniques such as colorimetry or AI-based image processing to determine the growth of the target substance during incubation. Furthermore, the method can include comparing the biological characteristic to a pre-determined threshold, or to the biological characteristic of a control sample. This can be done to help determine the efficiency of the sample, or to identify any potential abnormalities.

At550, the method can include transmitting a notification, such as via transceiver circuitry, of the determined presence or growth to a location outside the incubator.

FIG.6is a block diagram illustrating components of a machine600, according to some example embodiments, able to read instructions624from a machine-storage medium622(e.g., a non-transitory machine-storage medium, a machine-storage medium, a computer-storage medium, or any suitable combination thereof) and perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, in whole or in part. Specifically,FIG.6shows the machine600in the example form of a computer system (e.g., a computer) within which the instructions624(e.g., software, a program, an application, an applet, an app, or other executable code) for causing the machine600to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein can be executed, in whole or in part. For example, the instructions624can be processor executable instructions that, when executed by a processor of the machine600, cause the machine600to perform the operations outlined above.

The machine600includes a processor602(e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), or any suitable combination thereof), a main memory604, and a static memory606, which are configured to communicate with each other via a bus608. The processor602can contain microcircuits that are configurable, temporarily or permanently, by some or all of the instructions624such that the processor602is configurable to perform any one or more of the methodologies described herein, in whole or in part. For example, a set of one or more microcircuits of the processor602can be configurable to execute one or more modules (e.g., software modules) described herein.

The machine600can further include a graphics display610(e.g., a plasma display panel (PDP), a light emitting diode (LED) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a projector, a cathode ray tube (CRT), or any other display capable of displaying graphics or video). The machine600can also include an alphanumeric input device612(e.g., a keyboard or keypad), a cursor control device614(e.g., a mouse, a touchpad, a trackball, a joystick, a motion sensor, an eye tracking device, or other pointing instrument), a storage unit616, an audio generation device618(e.g., a sound card, an amplifier, a speaker, a headphone jack, any suitable combination thereof, or any other suitable signal generation device), and a network interface device620.

The storage unit616includes the machine-storage medium622(e.g., a tangible and non-transitory machine-storage medium) on which are stored the instructions624, embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The instructions624can also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory604, within the processor602(e.g., within the processor's cache memory), or both, before or during execution thereof by the machine600. Accordingly, the main memory604and the processor602can be considered machine-storage media (e.g., tangible and non-transitory machine-storage media). The instructions624can be transmitted or received over the network626via the network interface device620. For example, the network interface device620can communicate the instructions624using any one or more transfer protocols (e.g., Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)).

Executable Instructions and Machine-Storage Medium

The various memories (i.e.,604,606, and/or memory of the processor(s)602) and/or storage unit616can store one or more sets of instructions and data structures (e.g., software)624embodying or utilized by any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. These instructions, when executed by processor(s)602cause various operations to implement the disclosed embodiments.

Signal Medium

Computer Readable Medium

The following, non-limiting examples, detail certain aspects of the present subject matter to solve the challenges and provide the benefits discussed herein, among others. The above Detailed Description can include references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein.

In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls. In this document, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following aspects, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that can include elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a aspect are still deemed to fall within the scope of that aspect.