Multiwell Imaging Range Adjustment for Reliable Pixel Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multiwell imaging systems, the reduction in data points due to well size dependency leads to decreased signal intensity reliability, and increasing camera pixels or measurement time is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system with a light source, photodetector, lenses, and a drive mechanism that adjusts the relative position of measurement targets and the photodetector, ensuring targets are arranged at equal pitches and using imaging range adjustments based on peak intensity or standard deviation to optimize pixel coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of pixels of the camera is increased to increase the number of data points per well, then the measurement reliability is improved, but the camera cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the imaging magnification parameter to optimize the relationship between pixel size and well size. By adjusting the magnification, the system achieves sufficient data points per well using a camera with fewer pixels, thereby reducing camera cost while maintaining measurement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an adjustable imaging magnification mechanism that can be dynamically changed to adapt to different well sizes and camera configurations. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize the pixel-to-well ratio without requiring a fixed high-resolution camera
2Reliability
If the measurement device is enlarged and imaging is performed multiple times to increase the number of data points, then the measurement reliability is improved, but the measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-well imaging approach to multi-well parallel imaging. By imaging multiple wells simultaneously at optimized magnification, the system achieves sufficient data points for reliable measurement without requiring multiple sequential imaging operations, thereby reducing measurement time
3Productivity
If the well size is decreased to increase the number of wells, then the productivity is improved, but the number of data points per well is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the imaging magnification parameter to maintain an appropriate pixel-to-well ratio even when well size is reduced. This allows the system to image a larger number of smaller wells while still acquiring sufficient data points per well for reliable measurement
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 increases the number of well data points, enhances measurement accuracy, and maximizes the utilization of photodetector pixels, allowing more wells to be measured in a single instance.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that irradiates the plurality of measurement targets with light; a photodetector that detects light from the plurality of measurement targets
Implementation Method 2
one or more lenses; an adjustment mechanism that focuses imaging on the plurality of measurement targets
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system images measurement targets arranged on a plane and includes a light source that irradiates the measurement targets with light, a photodetector that detects light from the measurement targets, one or more lenses, an adjustment mechanism that focuses imaging on the measurement targets, and a drive mechanism that changes the relative position of the photodetector and the measurement targets. The measurement targets have the same shape and size and are arranged at equal pitches in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction on the plane, based on a value obtained by multiplying the pitch of the measurement targets by an imaging magnification that is an integer multiple of two or more times of a pixel pitch of the photodetector. In the changing of the relative position by the drive mechanism, an adjustment unit of an imaging range is equal to or less than the pixel pitch.