Mid-Infrared Cell Culture State Evaluation via Quantum Cascade Laser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques lack an effective method for measuring and evaluating the culture state of cell samples, particularly due to cell damage and stress during passage operations, which affects the quality and differentiation capacity of cultured cells.
Innovation Solution
A cell sample measurement method and apparatus using mid-infrared light from a quantum cascade laser to irradiate multiple regions of a cell sample, measuring dead cell numbers, and correlating irradiation amount with culture state, allowing for evaluation of culture conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If passage operation is performed to proliferate cell system, then cell number increases, but cell quality and culture state deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of culture state parameters (passage number, confluency, morphology) before the passage operation. By establishing baseline data on cell density, morphology, and other parameters prior to passage, the system can monitor and evaluate the impact of passage on cell quality, enabling informed decisions about when to perform passage to maintain cell health while maximizing proliferation.
2Measurement precision
If measurement technique for culture state is developed, then evaluation accuracy improves, but measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement of culture state into multiple independent parameters, each measured by specific techniques: cell density by counting, morphology by imaging, and other physiological parameters by specialized sensors. This segmentation allows each parameter to be measured using optimized, relatively simple methods rather than requiring a single complex measurement system, thereby improving overall measurement precision while managing system complexity through modular approaches.
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 assessment of cell culture state by measuring dead cell numbers across varying irradiation conditions, providing insights into passage number and culture conditions, thereby improving experimental reliability.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating N irradiation regions (N is an integer of 2 or more) set by dividing a culture region of the plurality of cells in the object cell sample with evaluation light having a wavelength in a mid-infrared region supplied from an irradiation light source
Implementation Method 2
the generation of dead cells depends on the culture state such as the passage number of the cell sample
Data Source
AI summary
A cell sample measurement apparatus includes a sample stage for placing an object cell sample containing a plurality of cells cultured on a culture dish, an evaluation light irradiation unit for irradiating N irradiation regions set by dividing a culture region in the object cell sample with evaluation light having a wavelength in a mid-infrared region with irradiation amounts different from each other, a dead cell number measurement unit for measuring a dead cell number generated according to the irradiation amount of the evaluation light in each of the N irradiation regions, and a culture state analysis unit for obtaining, for the object cell sample, an object correlation between the irradiation amount of the evaluation light and the dead cell number for the N irradiation regions serving as an index of evaluation of a culture state of the object cell sample.