Noninvasive Spheroid Quality Evaluation via OCT Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for observing unusual parts in biological spheroids, such as localization regions of cells, often cause damage to the sample and are invasive, making noninvasive evaluation challenging.
Innovation Solution
An evaluation method using optical coherence tomography (OCT) to image spheroids, extract localization regions, and calculate evaluation parameters based on area ratios, allowing for noninvasive assessment of spheroid conditions, including the secretion amount of specific proteins like CYP3A4, through image acquisition, region extraction, and analysis steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluorescent staining is used to observe unusual parts in spheroids, then observation accuracy is improved, but sample damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical coherence tomography (OCT) to create optical copies/images of the spheroid structure, allowing observation of unusual parts without physical contact or chemical staining. The OCT imaging captures refractive index variations to generate three-dimensional images that reveal localization regions, thus achieving accurate observation while preserving sample integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical staining process with an optical imaging system. Instead of using fluorescent reagents that require physical contact and chemical interaction with the sample, the system uses light waves to probe the spheroid structure, substituting a non-invasive optical field-based method for the invasive chemical staining approach.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional observation methods are used, then sample damage is avoided, but observation accuracy of unusual parts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The OCT system creates detailed optical copies of the spheroid's internal structure by measuring light reflection and refraction patterns. This allows the system to generate high-resolution three-dimensional images that accurately reveal unusual parts such as localization regions, achieving both non-invasive observation and high measurement precision simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in refractive index as a contrast mechanism to identify unusual parts in the spheroid. By detecting variations in optical parameters (refractive index) rather than relying on chemical staining, the system achieves accurate observation of structural anomalies while maintaining sample integrity.
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 and noninvasive evaluation of spheroid conditions, facilitating the selection of suitable materials for bio 3D printing by extracting localization regions and calculating evaluation parameters without damaging the samples, improving the assessment of spheroid quality and behavior.
Implementation Method 1
an image acquisition step of imaging the spheroid by optical coherence tomography and acquiring a photographic image
Data Source
AI summary
In an evaluation method, first, spheroids obtained by three-dimensional culture of multiple kinds of liver-derived cells are imaged by optical coherence photography, a localization region is extracted from the photographic image, the localization region is analyzed (analysis step), and the condition of the spheroid is evaluated. The analysis step includes a first calculation step of calculating the area of the entire spheroid in the photographic image, a second calculation step of calculating the area of the localization region, a third calculation step of calculating the ratio of the localization region on the basis of the two areas, and a fourth calculation step of calculating an evaluation parameter on the basis of the ratio.