Automated Cell Growth Detection via Variable Imaging Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual tracking of cell growth and migration in assays is labor-intensive and costly, as it requires human operators to periodically adjust microscopes and record changes over several hours.
Innovation Solution
An automated system using an image sensor with adjustable imaging depths and an actuator to capture and process images of cell surfaces at varying depths, eliminating the need for human intervention by determining cell growth and migration through image processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual tracking by human operators is used, then cell growth/migration can be observed and recorded, but labor intensity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of human operators using microscopes with an automated optical system comprising an image sensor, lens, and actuator. The actuator automatically adjusts the lens-to-cell-surface distance to vary imaging depths, while the image sensor captures images that are processed by a computer to quantify cell growth and migration, eliminating manual labor while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the computer automatically processes the captured images to determine cell growth and migration without human intervention. The actuator self-adjusts imaging parameters, and the image processing algorithm automatically analyzes the images to extract quantitative data, making the entire assay process autonomous
2Measurement precision
If manual microscope adjustment is performed, then focused images of cell surfaces can be obtained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator pre-adjusts the lens-to-cell-surface distance to optimal imaging depths before image capture. By automatically positioning the lens at the correct distance for each imaging cycle, the system eliminates the time-consuming manual focusing process while ensuring high-quality focused images are obtained for accurate cell measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs continuous automated imaging at multiple depths without interruption. The actuator continuously adjusts the imaging depth between cycles, and the image sensor continuously captures images, maintaining an unbroken workflow that eliminates the intermittent manual adjustment time inherent in traditional methods
3Device complexity
If single-depth imaging is used, then image capture is simple, but cell growth/migration assessment is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the imaging process from a single two-dimensional plane to multiple depth layers by varying the lens-to-cell-surface distance. The actuator adjusts the imaging depth across multiple cycles, capturing images at different focal planes, which provides comprehensive three-dimensional information about cell growth and migration that cannot be obtained from single-depth imaging
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
This automation significantly reduces labor costs and increases efficiency by providing quantitative assessments of cell growth and migration without human operators, enabling continuous monitoring and reducing the time required for assays.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor having a lens and capturing images through the lens
Data Source
AI summary
An automated cell growth/migration detection system includes: a container for containing a cell growth/migration matrix/medium into which deposited cells form a cell surface; an image sensor for capturing images; an actuator for incrementally varying distance between the image sensor lens and the cell surface such that the images correspond to varying imaging depths; and an image data processor for processing the images to determine cell growth/migration. An automated cell growth/migration detection method includes: capturing a first image series of a cell surface within a first imaging cycle corresponding to a sequence of imaging depths between the cell surface and an image sensor; capturing an additional image series of the cell surface within each of at least one additional imaging cycle and corresponding to the same sequence of imaging depths; processing each image series for each imaging cycle to determine a clearest-looking image; and determining cell growth/migration from the clearest-looking image.