Beam-Scanned Cell Sorting for High-Content Image Classification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cell sorting technologies rely solely on fluorescent and/or scattering intensity without utilizing high-content cell images, limiting their ability to provide detailed subcellular information and accurate sorting capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An image-guided cell sorting system that utilizes an optical beam scanner to acquire fast-traveling cell images, performs real-time image processing, and compares image features against sorting criteria to enable accurate and high-throughput cell classification and sorting based on high-content cell images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional cell sorting technologies are used, then the system is simpler and faster, but the measurement precision and sorting accuracy are limited due to lack of detailed subcellular information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional two-parameter sorting (fluorescence intensity vs. scatter intensity) to high-dimensional imaging-based sorting by capturing multiple spatial dimensions and subcellular structures through microscopy. This dimensional expansion enables access to detailed subcellular information such as nuclear morphology, cytoplasmic patterns, and organelle distribution, significantly improving sorting accuracy without requiring complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary image acquisition and processing before the actual sorting decision. By pre-acquiring high-content images and extracting features (cell size, shape, internal structure) in advance, the system enables more accurate sorting decisions to be made rapidly during cell flow, resolving the contradiction between accuracy and speed
2Loss of information
If high-content cell imaging is implemented, then detailed subcellular information is obtained, but the sorting throughput decreases due to time-consuming image processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and processes only the essential imaging features necessary for sorting decisions rather than analyzing every pixel in detail. By extracting key parameters such as cell area, perimeter, shape factors, and intensity distributions from the images, the system maintains comprehensive subcellular information while reducing processing time to enable high throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging and sorting operations are performed continuously as cells flow through the system. The beam scanner continuously images cells while they pass through the flow channel, and sorting decisions are made in real-time without interrupting cell flow, maintaining continuous productive action rather than batch processing
3Reliability
If real-time image processing is performed, then accurate sorting decisions are made, but the computational resources and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial image processing by focusing computational resources on extracting only the critical features needed for sorting decisions rather than complete image analysis. This selective processing approach maintains high reliability in sorting decisions while minimizing unnecessary computational time and resources
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables real-time cell classification and sorting with high throughput, supporting over 1000 cells per second, and provides detailed subcellular information such as cell size, nucleus size, and protein localization, surpassing conventional systems in accuracy and capability.
Implementation Method 1
obtain a cell image data including fluorescent information or cell image information of a cell
Implementation Method 2
cell image data including fluorescent information or cell image information
Data Source
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AI summary
A cell sorting system is provided to comprise: an imaging device including a beam scanner scanning a beam along a first direction to obtain a cell image data including fluorescent information or cell image information of a cell, the beam applied to the cell flowing in a channel along a second direction with an angle to the first direction; a data processing and control device in communication with the imaging device, the data processing and control device including a processor configured to process the cell image data obtained by the imaging device to determine one or more properties associated with the cell from the processed cell image data and to produce a control command based on a comparison of the determined one or more properties with a sorting criteria, and a cell sorting device in communication with the imaging device and the data processing and control device.