Cell Observation Device Using Shifting Illumination for Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cell culture devices require expensive phase difference microscopes to detect cell area and number, as they necessitate phase difference image analysis, which is costly and not universally accessible.
Innovation Solution
An observation device that uses a planar light source with bright and dark portions to create dark field regions, shifting illumination to calculate cell occupation ratio based on luminance information and statistical data processing, eliminating the need for phase difference imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If phase difference microscopy is used to detect cell area and number, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive phase difference microscopes with ordinary microscopes combined with affordable color cameras and computational algorithms. The system uses disposable-like computational approaches (preset correlation data, statistical processing) to achieve phase difference imaging capabilities without the costly hardware, making the detection system economically accessible while maintaining measurement precision for cell area and number detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/optical phase difference imaging system with a computational imaging approach. Instead of using complex phase difference optical paths and specialized microscopes, the system captures ordinary color images and uses image processing algorithms with preset correlation data to extract cell information, replacing sophisticated optical mechanics with computational methods
2Measurement precision
If phase difference imaging is used for cell detection, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical and optical structure of phase difference microscopes with a simplified system consisting of ordinary microscopes, color cameras, and computational processing. The phase difference imaging function is achieved through software algorithms that process color image data, eliminating the need for complex optical path design, phase plates, and specialized illumination systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a computational copy of phase difference imaging functionality through image processing algorithms. By capturing color images and applying statistical processing with preset correlation data, the system reproduces the cell detection capabilities of phase difference microscopes without requiring the actual phase difference optical hardware, effectively copying the functional outcome through software
3Measurement precision
If color image processing with shifting illumination is used, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to multiple images required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing correlation data that represents the relationship between cell occupation ratios and color image characteristics. This preset correlation data allows the system to process captured images rapidly by comparing them against pre-established statistical models, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations and enabling fast occupation ratio determination from multiple shifted images
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 accurate and cost-effective calculation of cell occupation ratio within culture vessels using affordable equipment, reducing the reliance on expensive phase difference microscopes and improving processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the illumination device illuminates the culture vessel with a planar light source consisting of bright portions and dark portions repeated, so that dark field regions are formed in the image acquired by the image-capturing device
Implementation Method 2
a calculation unit that obtains the statistically processed data based upon luminance information in a specified color of the test specimen captured by the image-capturing device
Data Source
AI summary
An observation device that observes a test specimen such as cultured cells or the like includes: an illumination device that illuminates the test specimen; an image-capturing device that acquires an image of the test specimen illuminated by the illumination device; a storage unit that stores correlation data manifesting a correlation relationship between an occupation ratio of the test specimen within a culture vessel, and statistically processed data regarding to luminance information of the test specimen; and a calculation unit that obtains the statistically processed data based upon luminance information in a specified color of the test specimen captured by the image-capturing device, and calculates the occupation ratio of the test specimen within the culture vessel using the correlation data in the storage unit.