Cell Observation System Using Pre-Positioning to Reduce Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cell observation systems face challenges in efficiently and accurately locating target cells within a culturing vessel, especially when the vessel is moved outside the incubator, leading to difficulties in maintaining the cells in a healthy state and increasing the time and effort required for cell isolation.
Innovation Solution
A cell observation system comprising a first image-acquisition device within an incubator, a second image-acquisition device outside the incubator, a processing device, and a display, which extracts target cells from the first image, calculates their positions, and displays the correspondence relationship with the second image, allowing for precise alignment and isolation of cells using a movable support and position measuring unit or image matching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the culturing vessel is removed from the incubator for observation, then the cells can be observed outside the incubator, but the cells are exposed to non-culturing environments and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by acquiring images inside the incubator before removal, extracting target cell information, and storing position data. This allows the vessel to be quickly removed and positioned for observation without losing time, as all preparatory processing is completed in advance while the vessel is still in the incubator environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing device acts as an intermediary that bridges the incubator environment and the observation environment. It receives image data from the first image-acquisition device inside the incubator, processes the information, and provides position data to the second image-acquisition device outside the incubator, enabling seamless transition between environments.
2Ease of operation
If the culturing vessel is removed from the incubator, then the cells can be observed and handled, but the cells are exposed to harmful non-culturing environments
Solution Approach 1:
All cell identification and position determination are performed preliminarily inside the incubator while cells are still in a healthy culturing environment. The first image-acquisition device captures images, the processing device extracts target cell information and calculates positions, so that when the vessel is removed and positioned outside, the operator already knows exactly where the target cells are located, minimizing the time cells are exposed to harmful environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual search and identification methods with automated image processing. The processing device uses image analysis algorithms to automatically extract target cell information and calculate positions, eliminating the need for manual scanning and reducing the time cells are exposed to non-culturing environments during the observation process.
3Measurement precision
If manual search for target cells is performed after vessel removal, then cells can be located, but time and effort are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The processing device performs preliminary extraction of target cell information and calculation of positions while the vessel is still inside the incubator. The second image-acquisition device uses this pre-calculated position information to directly locate and capture images of target cells outside the incubator, eliminating the need for manual search and significantly reducing search time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using the position information extracted from first images to guide the second image-acquisition device. The processing device provides feedback about target cell positions to the second image-acquisition device, enabling precise and rapid location of cells outside the incubator without manual search.
Data Source
AI summary
A cell observation system according to the present invention includes: a first image-acquisition device disposed in an incubator and acquires a first image of cells in a culturing vessel; a second image-acquisition device disposed outside the incubator; a processing device connected to the first and second image-acquisition devices; and a display. The second image-acquisition device includes a second image-acquisition unit that acquires a second image of the interior of the culturing vessel that removed from the incubator, a support that supports the second image-acquisition unit and the culturing vessel, and a position measuring unit that measures a position between the culturing vessel and the second image-acquisition unit at the time of acquiring the second image. The processing device extracts target cells in the first image, calculates positions of the target cells, and displays the relationship between the positions of the target cells and the second image.