Cell Culture Imaging via Flow Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring particle size distribution of cell masses in suspension culture for regenerative medicine are inefficient, as they involve biological contamination risks, require significant time and effort, and provide inaccurate measurements due to the need for manual collection and observation of small cell samples, leading to incomplete representation of the culture solution and high costs for imaging multiple areas.
Innovation Solution
A cell culture apparatus with a flow passage and an imaging unit that continuously images cells as they flow, allowing for the acquisition of statistical data on particle size distribution without the need for cell collection, using a flat flow passage and telecentric lenses to minimize distortion and improve measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual collection and observation of small cell samples is performed, then measurement can be conducted, but the risk of biological contamination increases and measurement accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from manual collection processes by implementing an imaging unit that directly observes cell masses in the culture vessel. The imaging unit captures images of cell masses without requiring physical collection, thereby eliminating contamination risk while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy of the cell masses through imaging rather than physical sampling. The imaging unit produces visual representations of cell masses that can be analyzed to determine particle size distribution, replacing the need for manual collection with a non-contact copying method.
2Measurement precision
If manual collection and observation of cell samples is performed, then particle size distribution can be measured, but significant time and effort are required
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging unit enables continuous observation of cell masses in the culture vessel without interruption. Multiple images can be captured continuously to track particle size distribution changes over time, eliminating the discontinuous nature of manual sampling and significantly reducing the time required for measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-observation of cell masses through the imaging unit, eliminating the need for external manual intervention. The culture vessel with cell masses serves its own measurement needs through automated imaging, freeing up time and effort that would otherwise be required for manual sampling and analysis.
3Measurement precision
If manual collection of cell samples is performed, then measurement can be conducted, but the representation of the entire culture solution becomes incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging unit provides universal observation capability across the entire culture vessel. By positioning the imaging unit to capture multiple areas of the culture solution, the system can observe cell masses throughout the entire volume, making the measurement representative of the whole culture rather than a small sample.
4Measurement precision
If multiple areas are imaged to improve representation, then measurement accuracy improves, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the observation task into multiple image captures of different areas within the culture vessel. By systematically imaging multiple regions, the system builds a comprehensive representation of particle size distribution across the entire culture solution, improving accuracy without requiring an overly complex single-system approach.
Data Source
AI summary
A cell culture apparatus includes a flow passage in which cell suspension containing at least one of cells or cell masses as granular bodies is to flow, and an imaging unit that is provided in a middle of the flow passage and continuously images the plurality of granular bodies contained in the cell suspension to acquire a plurality of images while the cell suspension flows in the flow passage.