Apparatus for measuring cell activity and method for analyzing cell activity

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus that uses shadow images of cells to continuously measure cell activity at a high processing rate in order to provide cell activity and cell number results. According to one embodiment of the present invention, instead of a highly experienced examiner or technician using a microscope, ELISA reader, etc. having to collect various cell activity measurements and cell numbers, the collection of said information can be automated so as to reduce cost and largely reduce errors in measurements through the development of computer software coupled with hardware using low cost and compact optoelectronic components and simple image processing techniques.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 14 / 385,829 filed Sep. 17, 2014, which claims the benefit of PCT International Application No. PCT / KR2012 / 011555, which was filed on Dec. 27, 2012, and which claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0032808, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Mar. 30, 2012, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0138741, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 3, 2012. The disclosures of the above patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Technical Field[0003]The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring cell activity and a method for analyzing cell activity, more particularly to a cell activity measurement apparatus that uses shadow images of cells to measure cell activity continuously and at a high processing rate and a cell activity analysis method that can analyze the ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011]An objective of the present invention is to provide a cell activity measurement apparatus based on shadow imaging technology with which cells can be observed continuously without destroying the specimen and without requiring a separate reagent treatment.

[0018]A cell activity measurement apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention uses a simple, inexpensive setup while allowing a continuous observation of a large amount of cells without employing a separate reagent.

[0019]According to an embodiment of the invention, work that could only be performed by experienced examiners or technicians who are capable of using various cell activity measurement equipment such as a microscope, etc., can be automated with the development of computer software coupled with a simple image processing technique, with the results of decreased costs and greatly reduced errors in measurement.

[0020]Also, a cell activity analysis method according to an embodiment of the invention may use pixel values from the shadow image of cells, so that the activity of the cells can be easily analyzed without expensive microscopes or devices such as ELISA Reader.

Problems solved by technology

The methods listed above require large, expensive equipment or entail dyeing cells and observing through a microscope or measuring absorbency, etc., for the measuring of cell activity and determining whether the cells are living or dead, and hence require high costs, a complicated system, and a large space.

Also, since the specimen must inevitably be destroyed for analysis, it is impossible to observe certain cells continuously.

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