Cell-Image Acquisition Device Illumination Angle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell-image acquisition devices face challenges in acquiring high-contrast images of cells due to variations in the liquid surface of the culture fluid, such as meniscus formation or surface tension, which affect the illumination angle and contrast, leading to reduced visibility of cells against the background.
Innovation Solution
A cell-image acquisition device with a light source emitting illumination light obliquely upward, a focusing lens, an aperture to block background light, and an image acquisition element with a movement mechanism and illumination-angle adjustment part that adjusts the incident angle of illumination light to ensure optimal contrast by refracting light passing through cells differently than background light, even when the liquid surface is curved.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If illumination light is radiated from above the cell culture surface, then the structure is simple, but the contrast between cells and background is reduced due to liquid surface variations
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination direction is inverted from above to below the culture surface. The light source is positioned underneath the culture surface, and illumination light is made to enter the culture fluid from below, allowing the light to pass through the cells and be detected from above, thereby achieving high contrast imaging despite liquid surface variations
Solution Approach 2:
The incident angle of illumination light on the liquid surface is dynamically adjusted to optimize image contrast. The controller varies the illumination angle parameter to compensate for liquid surface variations, ensuring consistent high-contrast imaging conditions
2Measurement precision
If the liquid surface is curved due to meniscus or surface tension, then the illumination angle varies, but maintaining optimal contrast becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The controller adjusts the incident angle of illumination light based on feedback about liquid surface conditions. By monitoring the actual illumination angle and liquid surface position, the system dynamically modifies the illumination parameters to maintain optimal contrast despite meniscus or surface tension effects
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination angle is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The system can change the incident angle of illumination light in real-time to adapt to varying liquid surface conditions, ensuring consistent imaging quality across different liquid volumes and container geometries
3Device complexity
If a line-shaped photosensor array slides below the culture surface, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to adjust illumination angle is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The light source assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides illumination and simultaneously enables angle adjustment. By positioning the light source below the culture surface and making its angle adjustable, the system achieves both simplified structure and adaptability to different imaging conditions
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 the acquisition of high-contrast images where cells stand out from the background, maintaining optimal contrast conditions despite changes in the liquid surface, such as meniscus formation or surface tension, by dynamically adjusting the illumination angle.
Implementation Method 1
a focusing lens that is disposed below the stage and that focuses, when the illumination light emitted from the light source is made to enter from above a liquid surface of the culture fluid, light transmitted through the vessel
Implementation Method 2
refracting light passing through cells differently than background light
Data Source
AI summary
A cell-image acquisition device includes: a stage supporting a vessel containing a cell and a culture fluid; a light source emitting illumination light; a focusing lens disposed below the stage and focusing, when the illumination light is made to enter from above a liquid surface of the culture fluid, light transmitted through the vessel; an aperture disposed so as to block part of the focused light; an image acquisition element acquiring an image of light passing through the aperture and having pixels arrayed in a straight line; a movement mechanism including guide rails and a motor and moving the light source, the focusing lens, the aperture, and the image acquisition element, relative to the stage, in a horizontal direction perpendicular to an array direction of the pixels; and a controller adjusting an incident angle of the illumination light on the liquid surface, about an axis parallel to the array direction.