Cell Sorter with Fluorescence Imaging and Hydraulic Extraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cell sorting technologies face challenges in accurately and efficiently extracting specific cells from a culture plate based on fluorescence imaging, often requiring harsh removal processes and risking damage to the needle due to inadequate positioning and adherence issues.
Innovation Solution
A cell sorter system that includes a fluorescence imager, a cell extraction module with a needle and motorized translation stages for precise positioning, and a sensor to prevent needle contact with the plate, allowing hydraulic removal of selected cells while minimizing damage and using a de-adhering agent to reduce cell adherence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a needle is used to extract cells from a cell culture plate, then cell extraction can be performed, but the needle may come into contact with the plate bottom causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs fluorescence imaging and cell selection before extraction, and uses a sensor to detect needle proximity to the plate bottom before contact occurs. This preliminary detection and positioning prevents needle damage while maintaining extraction capability
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor provides real-time feedback on needle position relative to the plate bottom, allowing the system to adjust needle depth dynamically. This feedback mechanism prevents the needle from contacting the plate bottom while enabling effective cell extraction
2Measurement precision
If cells are firmly adhered to the cell culture plate, then cell positioning is stable for imaging, but cell extraction requires harsh removal processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the chemical parameter of the extraction environment by applying a de-adhering agent to the needle or plate surface. This parameter change reduces adhesion strength temporarily during extraction while maintaining stable cell positioning during imaging
Solution Approach 2:
A de-adhering agent acts as an intermediary substance between the cell and plate surface during extraction. This intermediary reduces the harmful adhesion force that would otherwise require harsh mechanical removal processes
3Manufacturing precision
If the needle is positioned precisely to extract a specific cell, then selective extraction is achieved, but positioning accuracy may be compromised by adherence variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical positioning alone with a combination of optical guidance (fluorescence imaging) and sensor-based feedback control. This substitution maintains positioning accuracy despite variations in cell adherence to the plate
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 precise and gentle extraction of cells based on fluorescence imaging, reducing the risk of needle damage and allowing for accurate, selective removal without harsh processes, facilitating efficient cell sorting and potential applications in drug discovery and biosensor processes.
Implementation Method 1
a fluorescence imager configured to view the cell culture plate, through bottom of the cell culture plate, to capture one or more fluorescence images of the fluorescently labeled sample of cells
Implementation Method 2
a needle configured to hydraulically remove the first cell from the cell culture plate
Data Source
AI summary
A cell sorter includes a base for holding a cell culture plate containing a fluorescently labeled sample of cells, a fluorescence imager for viewing the cell culture plate, through bottom of the cell culture plate, to capture one or more fluorescence images of the fluorescently labeled sample of cells, and a cell extraction module for extracting a cell selected based on the one or more fluorescence images. The cell extraction module includes a needle for hydraulically removing the selected cell from the cell culture plate, and a motorized translation stage for translating the needle in a z-dimension to reach the selected cell from above. The cell sorter further includes a motorized translation stage for translating one of the needle and the cell culture plate in x- and y-dimensions, relative to the other one of the needle and the cell culture plate, to position the needle over selected first cell.