Full-automatic cell counter

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of biological experiments, and discloses a full-automatic cell counting instrument which comprises an objective table for placing a counting plate; the inverted optical assembly comprises a light source arranged above the objective table and an objective lens arranged below the objective table; the camera is used for collecting image information of the to-be-counted cell samples, and the light rays can irradiate into the camera through the to-be-counted cell samples and the objective lens; the camera is in signal connection with the control device, and the control device receives image information collected by the camera so as to count cells. Therefore, the light emitted by the light source illuminates a cell sample to be counted, the objective lens projects an amplified cell sample image into the camera, the camera collects corresponding image information, and the control device receives the image information and performs cell counting, so that compared with a traditional manual technical mode, the cell counting efficiency is remarkably improved, and the cell counting accuracy is improved. And the cell counting result is more accurate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of biological experimental technology, and more specifically, to a fully automated cell counter. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technologies, cell counting is typically performed manually. This involves placing the cell sample on a counting plate, then placing the plate on the stage of a microscope. The cell sample is observed through the eyepiece, and the cells within the eyepiece's field of view are counted manually. This manual counting method is not only labor-intensive, lacks repeatability, and has poor accuracy, but it also struggles to meet the counting needs of various carriers and scenarios.

[0003] In conclusion, how to automatically count cells is a problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a fully automatic cell counter that can automatically count cells with high cell counting efficiency and more accurate counting results.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0006] A fully automated cell counter, comprising:

[0007] A stage for placing the counting plate;

[0008] An inverted optical assembly includes a light source disposed above the stage and an objective lens disposed below the stage;

[0009] A camera is used to acquire image information of a cell sample to be counted. Light can pass through the cell sample to be counted and the objective lens to illuminate the camera.

[0010] A control device is provided, wherein the camera is signal-connected to the control device, and the control device receives image information acquired by the camera for cell counting.

[0011] Preferably, the axis of the camera is perpendicular to the axis of the objective lens, and light is reflected by a mirror after passing through the objective lens and enters the camera.

[0012] Preferably, the device further includes a fluorescent light source and a fluorescent excitation block. The fluorescent light source is disposed parallel above the camera, and the fluorescent excitation block is movably disposed between the objective lens and the reflector. The fluorescent excitation block is used to reflect fluorescent light of a specific wavelength to the cell sample and allow the reflected fluorescent light to pass through.

[0013] Preferably, the fluorescence excitation block is mounted on a fluorescence conversion platform, and the rotating shaft at the bottom of the fluorescence conversion platform is connected to the output shaft of a rotary motor. When the rotary motor rotates, the fluorescence excitation block rotates around the rotating shaft of the fluorescence conversion platform, so that the filters corresponding to different emission wavelengths of fluorescence light are aligned with the fluorescence light source and the objective lens.

[0014] Preferably, the stage can move relative to the objective lens in the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions, with each of the three directions being perpendicular to the others, so as to ensure accurate focusing of the cell sample with the objective lens.

[0015] Preferably, the stage and the light source are both located on the XY-axis platform, which can drive the stage and the light source to move along the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The objective lens is located on the Z-axis platform, which can drive the objective lens to move along the Z-axis direction.

[0016] Preferably, the stage is detachably mounted on the XY-axis platform so that the counting requirements of different sized counting plates can be met by replacing the stage with one of different sizes.

[0017] Preferably, it also includes a housing, in which the stage, the inverted optical assembly, the camera and the control device are all housed.

[0018] Preferably, the control device includes a display screen, the upper end of the housing is provided with a display screen mounting hole, the outer size of the display screen is larger than the size of the display screen mounting hole, and the display screen is snapped into the display screen mounting hole.

[0019] Preferably, the display screen is provided with a transparent protective layer, which is fitted into the mounting hole at the upper end of the outer casing.

[0020] The fully automated cell counter provided by this invention illuminates the cell sample to be counted with light emitted from a light source. The objective lens projects a magnified image of the cell sample into a camera, which then acquires the corresponding image information. The control device receives the image information and performs cell counting. Compared with traditional manual techniques, this invention significantly improves cell counting efficiency and provides more accurate cell counting results. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the fully automated cell counter provided by this utility model.

[0023] Figure 1 middle:

[0024] 1-Display screen; 2-Light source; 3-XY axis platform; 4-Objective lens; 5-Z axis platform; 6-Fluorescent laser block; 7-Fluorescent tube lens; 8-Fluorescent light source; 9-Fluorescent conversion platform; 10-Rotating motor; 11-Reflector; 12-Camera tube lens; 13-Camera; 14-Base plate. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0026] The core of this invention is to provide a fully automated cell counter that can automatically count cells with high cell counting efficiency and more accurate counting results.

[0027] The fully automated cell counter provided by this utility model includes:

[0028] A stage for placing the counting plate;

[0029] The inverted optical assembly includes a light source 2 disposed above the stage and an objective lens 4 disposed below the stage;

[0030] Camera 13 is used to acquire image information of the cell sample to be counted. Light can be shone into camera 13 through the cell sample to be counted and objective lens 4.

[0031] The camera 13 is connected to the control device via a signal. The control device receives the image information acquired by the camera 13 in order to perform cell counting.

[0032] The light source 2 of the inverted optical component is located above the stage and is usually set as a spotlight to provide light to illuminate the cell sample to be counted. The objective lens 4 is located below the stage and is used to magnify the image of the cell sample so that the camera 13 can subsequently image it. The camera 13 is used to receive the magnified image of the cell sample, image and acquire the image information of the cell sample, and transmit the image information to the control device for counting processing.

[0033] The specific types, models, locations, and installation methods of the light source 2, objective lens 4, camera 13, and control device are determined based on the actual production needs and with reference to existing technologies, and will not be elaborated here.

[0034] In this embodiment, the light emitted by the light source 2 illuminates the cell sample to be counted, the objective lens 4 projects the magnified image of the cell sample into the camera 13, the camera 13 acquires the corresponding image information, and the control device receives the image information and performs cell counting. Compared with traditional manual techniques, this significantly improves cell counting efficiency and makes the cell counting results more accurate.

[0035] The camera 13 can be vertically mounted below the objective lens 4, so that the axis of the camera 13 is collinear with the axis of the objective lens 4; the camera 13 can also be horizontally mounted, and a reflector 11 is placed between the objective lens 4 and the camera 13, so that the light passing through the objective lens 4 is reflected into the camera 13 by the reflector 11.

[0036] In order to shorten the optical axis height and reduce the height of the fully automated cell counter, it is preferable to set the axis of the camera 13 perpendicular to the axis of the objective lens 4, so that the light is reflected by the mirror 11 after passing through the objective lens 4 and enters the camera 13.

[0037] At this time, as Figure 1 As shown, the axis of the reflector 11 is at a 45° angle to the axis of the camera 13 and the axis of the objective lens 4. The light emitted by the light source 2 enters the objective lens 4 through the light aperture of the cell sample and the stage, and then the light is reflected by the reflector 11 into the camera 13.

[0038] To ensure image quality, preferably, the camera 13 is connected to the exit end of the reflector 11 via the camera tube 12. The type and model of the camera tube 13, as well as the connection method between the camera tube 12, the camera 13, and the reflector 11, are determined according to actual production needs and with reference to existing technologies, and will not be elaborated here.

[0039] Considering that some cell samples in biochemical testing are labeled with fluorescent dyes, it is difficult to distinguish fluorescently labeled cells from other cells using ordinary light source imaging, so it is necessary to use a fluorescent light source 8 to irradiate cell samples.

[0040] To meet the requirements of fluorescent cell counting, preferably, a fully automated cell counter can be set up including a fluorescent light source 8 and a fluorescent excitation block 6. The fluorescent light source 8 is arranged parallel above the camera 13, and the fluorescent excitation block 6 is movably arranged between the objective lens 4 and the reflector 11. The fluorescent excitation block 6 is used to reflect fluorescent light of a specific wavelength to the cell sample and allow the reflected fluorescent light to pass through.

[0041] The fluorescence excitation block 6 is equipped with multiple filters. The filters are used to select fluorescence light of a specific wavelength emitted by the fluorescence light source 8 so that it can pass through. The specific type and number of filters are determined according to the type of fluorescent dye used in the actual detection or experiment, so as to meet the counting requirements of fluorescent cells labeled with common fluorescent dyes.

[0042] During fluorescent cell counting, the control light source 2 is turned off and the fluorescent light source 8 is turned on. The fluorescent light source 8 emits fluorescent light across the entire wavelength range. Since the filter of the fluorescent excitation block 6 only allows fluorescent light of a specific wavelength to pass through, the fluorescent light of that specific wavelength is reflected by the fluorescent excitation block 6 to the cell sample. The fluorescent light illuminates the fluorescent cells labeled with fluorescent dyes. The wavelength of the reflected fluorescent light is different from that of the reflected fluorescent light. The reflected fluorescent light passes through the objective lens 4 and the filter in the fluorescent excitation block 6 in sequence, and is finally reflected by the mirror 11 to the camera 13, thus completing the image acquisition of the fluorescent cells.

[0043] When performing normal cell counting, the fluorescence light source 8 is turned off and the light source 2 is turned on, and the fluorescence excitation block 6 is moved to allow light to pass through, avoiding the fluorescence excitation block 6 from obstructing the light path; the fluorescence excitation block 6 can avoid the light path by rotating relative to the base plate 14, or by moving relative to the base plate 14 in the horizontal plane.

[0044] In this embodiment, by setting up a fluorescent light source 8 and a fluorescent excitation block 6, automatic counting of fluorescent cells is realized, enabling the cell counter to simultaneously meet the counting needs of ordinary cells and fluorescent cells, making it applicable to a variety of usage scenarios and highly adaptable.

[0045] To ensure imaging quality, preferably, the fluorescent light source 8 is connected to the incident end of the fluorescent excitation block 6 through the fluorescent tube lens 7; the type and model of the fluorescent tube lens 7, as well as the connection method between the fluorescent tube lens 7 and the fluorescent light source 8 and the fluorescent excitation block 6, are determined according to actual production needs and with reference to existing technologies, and will not be elaborated here.

[0046] To simplify the movement mechanism of the fluorescence excitation block 6, preferably, the fluorescence excitation block 6 can be mounted on the fluorescence conversion platform 9. The rotating shaft at the bottom of the fluorescence conversion platform 9 is connected to the output shaft of the rotary motor 10. When the rotary motor 10 rotates, the fluorescence excitation block 6 rotates around the rotating shaft of the fluorescence conversion platform 9, so that the filters corresponding to different emission wavelengths of fluorescence light are aligned with the fluorescence light source 8 and the objective lens 4, thereby meeting the requirements for counting fluorescent cells with different emission wavelengths of fluorescence light.

[0047] Based on the above embodiments, in order to achieve accurate focusing of cell samples and objective lens 4, the stage can move relative to objective lens 4 in the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions. The X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions are mutually perpendicular to each other. Typically, the X-axis direction is set to be the axis direction of camera 13, the Y-axis direction is the vertical direction of the X-axis direction in the horizontal plane, and the Z-axis direction is the axis direction of objective lens 4.

[0048] The stage can be positioned relative to the objective lens 4 in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions, which helps to adjust the center of the cell sample to be on the axis of the objective lens 4 and to position the cell sample at the focal point of the objective lens 4, thereby ensuring accurate focusing of the cell sample and the objective lens 4 and thus guaranteeing the quality of image acquisition.

[0049] To facilitate the setting of the motion mechanism, it is preferable to set the stage and the light source 2 on the XY axis platform 3. The XY axis platform 3 can drive the stage and the light source 2 to move along the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The objective lens 4 is set on the Z-axis platform 5. The Z-axis platform 5 can drive the objective lens 4 to move along the Z-axis direction.

[0050] At this time, the XY axis platform 3 can be controlled to adjust the center position of the cell sample so that the center of the cell sample falls on the axis of the objective lens 4, while the Z axis platform 5 can be controlled to adjust the distance between the cell sample and the objective lens 4 so that the cell sample is located at the focal point of the objective lens 4.

[0051] Based on the above embodiments, in order to facilitate the replacement of the stage and adapt it to counting plates of different sizes, the stage can be detachably mounted on the XY axis platform 3 so as to meet the counting requirements of counting plates of different sizes by replacing the stage of different sizes.

[0052] To connect and secure the stage and the XY-axis platform 3, they can be connected using common fasteners such as bolts and connecting pins; to quickly position the stage and the XY-axis platform 3, they can be positioned using a snap-fit ​​structure such as a positioning post and a positioning sleeve.

[0053] Based on the above embodiments, in order to prevent external dust and other contaminants from polluting the internal components of the cell counter, the fully automatic cell counter is also equipped with a housing, in which the stage, inverted optical components, camera 13 and control device are all housed.

[0054] Please refer to Figure 1 The outer shell includes an upper shell and a base plate 14. The upper shell and the base plate 14 are connected by common detachable connection methods such as snap-fit ​​connection, bolt connection, and pin connection. The specific materials, dimensions and connection methods of the upper shell and the base plate 14 can be determined by referring to common biochemical analysis instruments, and will not be elaborated here.

[0055] To facilitate the display of cell counting results, preferably, a control device including a display screen 1 can be provided. The display screen 1 is used to output cell counting results through images, text, etc. The upper end of the housing is provided with a display screen mounting hole. The outer size of the display screen 1 is larger than the outer size of the display screen mounting hole, and the display screen 1 is snapped into the display screen mounting hole.

[0056] Preferably, in order to avoid scratches on the outer surface of the display screen 1, a transparent protective layer may be provided on the outside of the display screen 1, and the transparent protective layer is snapped into the mounting hole at the upper end of the housing; it should be noted that the transparent protective layer is touch-sensitive and will not affect the user's input of control commands to the display screen 1.

[0057] The transparent protective layer can be clamped to the mounting hole by interference fit, or it can be connected to the positioning step surface of the outer edge of the display mounting hole by fasteners such as fastening bolts, so as to prevent the transparent protective layer from detaching from the shell and causing the display 1 to be directly exposed to the external environment.

[0058] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0059] The fully automated cell counter provided by this utility model has been described in detail above. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principle and implementation of this utility model. The descriptions of the embodiments above are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core idea of ​​this utility model. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications to this utility model without departing from the principle of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A fully automated cell counter, characterized in that, The utility model relates to a cell counting device, including: a stage for placing a counting plate; an inverted optical assembly including a light source (2) disposed above the stage and an objective lens (4) disposed below the stage; a camera (13) for capturing image information of a cell sample to be counted, light rays being able to pass through the cell sample to be counted and the objective lens (4) to reach the camera (13); a control device, the camera (13) being in signal connection with the control device, the control device receiving the image information captured by the camera (13) for cell counting; further comprising a fluorescent light source (8) disposed in parallel above the camera (13) and a fluorescent excitation block (6) movably disposed between the objective lens (4) and a mirror (11), the fluorescent excitation block (6) being used for reflecting fluorescent light rays allowed to pass through a filter to the cell sample and making the reflected fluorescent light rays pass through; the stage being movable relative to the objective lens (4) in X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions, the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions being perpendicular to each other in pairs, so as to accurately focus the cell sample and the objective lens (4); the stage and the light source (2) being disposed on an XY-axis platform (3), the XY-axis platform (3) being able to drive the stage and the light source (2) to move in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, so as to adjust the center position of the cell sample and make the center of the cell sample fall on the axis of the objective lens (4), the objective lens (4) being disposed on a Z-axis platform (5), the Z-axis platform (5) being able to drive the objective lens (4) to move in the Z-axis direction, so as to make the cell sample be located at the focal point of the objective lens (4); further comprising a housing, the stage, the inverted optical assembly, the camera (13) and the control device being disposed in the housing.

2. The fully automated cytometer of claim 1, wherein, An axis of the camera (13) is perpendicular to an axis of the objective lens (4), light rays passing through the objective lens (4) are reflected by the mirror (11) into the camera (13).

3. The fully automated cytometer of claim 1, wherein, The fluorescent excitation block (6) is mounted on a fluorescent conversion platform (9), a rotating shaft at the bottom of the fluorescent conversion platform (9) is connected with an output shaft of a rotating motor (10), when the rotating motor (10) rotates, the fluorescent excitation block (6) rotates around the rotating shaft of the fluorescent conversion platform (9), so that the filter corresponding to the fluorescent light rays of different emission wavelengths is aligned with the fluorescent light source (8) and the objective lens (4).

4. The fully automated cytometer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The stage is detachably disposed on the XY-axis platform (3), so as to meet the counting requirements of counting plates of different sizes by replacing the stage of different sizes.

5. The fully automated cytometer according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The control device includes a display screen (1), an upper end of the housing is provided with a display screen mounting hole, an outer dimension of the display screen (1) is greater than a dimension of the display screen mounting hole, and the display screen (1) is clamped and arranged in the display screen mounting hole.

6. The fully automated cell counter of claim 5, wherein, A transparent protective layer is arranged outside the display screen (1) and clamped on the mounting hole at the upper end of the housing.

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