Cell Image Analysis Using Morphology and Autofluorescence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies are unable to simultaneously acquire morphological and autofluorescence information of cells in culture, limiting analysis capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method involving morphological information image acquisition, autofluorescence image acquisition, cell region extraction, and luminance information extraction from cells, utilizing a computer program to analyze and display this information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If FACS (flow cytometry) is used to determine quantities of autofluorescence information, then autofluorescence information can be obtained, but morphological information of cells cannot be acquired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines flow cytometry for autofluorescence measurement with imaging technology for morphological information acquisition into a single integrated system, allowing simultaneous acquisition of both autofluorescence quantities and cell morphology without requiring separate analytical methods
2Loss of information
If image data analysis is used to non-invasively acquire morphological information, then morphological information can be obtained, but autofluorescence information cannot be acquired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges image analysis capabilities with flow cytometry functionality, creating an integrated system that performs both morphological analysis through imaging and autofluorescence measurement through flow cytometry simultaneously, eliminating the need to choose between these complementary analytical approaches
3Loss of information
If composite of phase difference image and autofluorescence image is displayed, then both images can be visualized, but morphological information of each cell cannot be extracted for individual analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by extracting and analyzing individual cell regions from the composite image data, enabling separate quantitative analysis of morphological information for each cell or cell clump while maintaining the visual context provided by the composite imaging approach
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 simultaneous acquisition and analysis of morphological and autofluorescence information of each cell or cell clump in culture, providing detailed metabolic and health state insights.
Implementation Method 1
In a cell, there are a plurality of substances that emit autofluorescence, and a plurality of coenzymes out of those fluorescent substances are known to indicate information of a redox state and a metabolic state in the cell.
Implementation Method 2
Hasegawa et al. have developed a system which determines the redox state of a living tissue by calculating a luminance ratio of respective fluorescence wavelengths of NADH and FAD from a captured image of an organ
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a cell image analysis method including: a morphological information image acquisition step of acquiring a morphological information image including morphological information of a cell; an autofluorescence image acquisition step of acquiring an autofluorescence image which is obtained by photographing autofluorescence of the cell and which includes the same field of view as in the morphological information image; a cell region extraction step of extracting one or more cell regions from the morphological information image; and a luminance information extraction step of extracting pieces of luminance information of two or more wavebands different from one another from the autofluorescence image, with respect to the one or more cell regions.