Cell Sheet Thickness Evaluation via OCT Interpolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging methods require extensive time to evaluate the thickness distribution of large cell sheets due to the need for multi-point observation, which is inefficient for quality control and manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves scanning light at a feed pitch larger than the pixel size in the sub-scanning direction to capture tomographic images, allowing for interpolation to obtain a two-dimensional thickness distribution, thereby reducing imaging time while maintaining accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multi-point observation is performed to obtain thickness distribution of the entire cell sheet using conventional OCT imaging, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cell sheet imaging into multiple cross-sections at different Y-direction positions. Each cross-section is imaged separately with high precision, and the results are synthesized to obtain the complete thickness distribution. This segmentation allows precise measurement of each section while reducing the total imaging time compared to capturing the entire sheet in one go.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional cross-sectional imaging to three-dimensional thickness distribution mapping by adding the Y-direction dimension. Multiple cross-sections at different Y positions are acquired and combined to create a comprehensive 3D thickness map, enabling accurate evaluation of the entire cell sheet while optimizing imaging efficiency.
2Productivity
If the feed pitch is set larger than pixel size to reduce imaging time, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the feed pitch parameter to be larger than the pixel size, creating a deliberate undersampling condition. This parameter change accelerates imaging by reducing the number of measurement positions. The resulting data is then processed through interpolation algorithms that reconstruct the continuous thickness distribution, maintaining measurement precision despite the coarser sampling interval.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a complete thickness distribution map by interpolating between discrete measurement points. The interpolation process generates virtual measurement data that fills the gaps between actual measurements, effectively copying the thickness information to unmeasured positions and restoring full spatial resolution from coarse sampling data.
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 approach significantly shortens the time required for imaging while ensuring accurate thickness distribution evaluation of cell sheets, balancing speed and precision.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging apparatus described in JP 2017-106849A (patent literature 1) is an imaging apparatus of an optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging type. In OCT imaging, low coherence light is caused to be incident on a specimen such as cells and interference light of diffuse reflection light from the specimen and reference light is detected, whereby a tomographic image of the specimen can be non-invasively captured.
Data Source
AI summary
A thickness evaluation method of the cell sheet according to the invention includes tomographically imaging a cell sheet by optical coherence tomography and obtaining a thickness distribution of the cell sheet based on a result of the tomography imaging. A tomographic image corresponding to one cross section of the cell sheet is obtained by tomography imaging while scanning the light in a main scanning direction. The tomography imaging is performed in every time while moving an incident position of the light at a predetermined feed pitch in a sub-scanning direction, thereby a plurality of the tomographic images corresponding to a plurality of cross-sections are obtained. One-dimensional thickness distributions of the cell sheet in the corresponding cross-sections are obtained based on each of the plurality of tomographic images, and a two-dimensional thickness distribution of the cell sheet is obtained by interpolating the one-dimensional thickness distributions.