Floating Cell Image Acquisition With Settlement-Based Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for analyzing small numbers of cells in a suspension face challenges in focusing on multiple cells and determining appropriate image capturing timing, especially when cells settle at varying rates, leading to issues like fluorescence bleaching and changes in cell state.
Innovation Solution
An image acquisition system and method that utilizes a transmitted light image capturing unit, fluorescence image capturing unit, and information acquisition unit to determine appropriate image capturing timing based on multiple transmitted light images, ensuring cells are on a focus plane before capturing fluorescence images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If cells are observed by focusing on the nuclei of cells in a suspension, then cell images can be captured, but it is difficult to focus on multiple cells simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing transmitted light images at multiple time points before fluorescence imaging to determine cell settlement status. This allows the system to identify when cells have settled sufficiently to be imaged, enabling accurate fluorescence capture of multiple cells without requiring manual focusing adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from transmitted light images to control the fluorescence imaging process. By continuously monitoring cell settlement through transmitted light imaging and using this information to determine optimal imaging timing, the system achieves both accurate single-cell imaging and multi-cell imaging capability
2Quantity of substance
If the suspension includes only a small number of cells, then cell analysis is possible, but reconcentration by centrifugal separation is required which is difficult to perform
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and utilizes the natural settling behavior of cells in suspension to achieve cell concentration at the bottom of the vessel without requiring external centrifugal separation equipment. This allows analysis of small numbers of cells while avoiding the complex reconcentration process
3Ease of operation
If cells are allowed to stand in a culture vessel to be observed, then cell imaging is possible, but fluorescence bleaching and changes in cell state occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary transmitted light imaging to assess cell settlement before initiating fluorescence imaging. This allows the system to capture fluorescence images at the optimal moment when cells have settled sufficiently for stable imaging, minimizing the time cells remain in suspension and thereby reducing fluorescence bleaching and cell state changes
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous monitoring of cell settlement through transmitted light imaging while preparing for fluorescence imaging. This continuous observation allows precise timing of fluorescence capture at the optimal moment, ensuring both cell settlement and fluorescence signal stability without requiring extended waiting periods
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 rapid and accurate fluorescence imaging of floating cells at the right time, preventing fluorescence bleaching and maintaining cell state integrity, even with varying cell settlement rates.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitted light image capturing unit configured to acquire a transmitted light image of the floating cell
Implementation Method 2
a fluorescence image capturing unit configured to acquire a fluorescence image of the floating cell
Data Source
AI summary
An image acquisition system is configured to acquire an image of a floating cell included in a cell suspension within a vessel, and includes a transmitted light image capturing unit configured to acquire a transmitted light image of the floating cell, a fluorescence image capturing unit configured to acquire a fluorescence image of the floating cell, and an information acquisition unit configured to acquire information about an image capturing condition for the fluorescence image using a first transmitted light image captured at a first time and a second transmitted light image captured at a second time different from the first time.