Optical Measurement Apparatus for Cell Size Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) measurements face challenges in accurately determining the size and number of cells due to measurement errors caused by boundary reflection light, which is stronger than the signal light and introduces noise, and the need for fluorescent molecule attachment for precise measurements, leading to increased processing time and reagent costs.
Innovation Solution
An optical measurement method that acquires relationship data between light intensity and specimen size, and corrects for vessel inclination by subtracting boundary reflection components from detection signals, improving measurement accuracy by reducing noise and processing time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If boundary reflection light is measured along with signal light in OCT, then the measurement process is simple, but measurement precision deteriorates due to noise from boundary reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process by measuring boundary reflection light and signal light separately at different time points. The boundary reflection light is measured first when the specimen is not in the measurement position, then the signal light is measured when the specimen is positioned. This temporal segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity while achieving high measurement precision by eliminating noise from boundary reflection.
2Measurement precision
If fluorescent molecules are attached to cells for size measurement, then measurement precision improves, but processing time and reagent costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables cells to serve themselves by utilizing their inherent optical properties (refraction, reflection, absorption) for measurement without requiring external fluorescent labeling. The OCT system directly detects light interactions with the cells themselves, eliminating the need for fluorescent molecule attachment and associated processing steps, thus maintaining high measurement precision while significantly reducing processing time and reagent costs.
3Device complexity
If boundary reflection light is not corrected, then device complexity is low, but measurement precision deteriorates due to vessel inclination effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of boundary reflection light before specimen measurement. By capturing the boundary reflection characteristics in advance (when the specimen is not in position), the system can later subtract this pre-measured boundary reflection component from the specimen measurement signals. This preliminary action approach maintains relatively simple device complexity while significantly improving measurement precision by correcting for vessel inclination effects.
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 method effectively enhances measurement precision and accuracy by minimizing the impact of boundary reflection light and eliminating the need for fluorescent molecule attachment, thereby improving the reliability of cell size and number measurements.
Implementation Method 1
the signal light reflected from the specimen is multiplexed with the reference light, thereby causing interference with each other to acquire detection signals
Implementation Method 2
an objective lens is set to a focus point z＝z0 on a specimen
Implementation Method 3
The generated interference light is dispersed by spectroscope
Data Source
AI summary
An objective of the present invention is to provide a technique for reducing measurement errors when measuring specimen using light. An aspect of an optical measurement method according to the present invention: acquires relationship data that describes a relationship between an intensity of reflection light when irradiating light onto a specimen and a size of the specimen; and acquires the size of the specimen using the relationship data and the intensity of the reflection light. Another aspect of an optical measurement method according to the present invention subtracts a component due to an inclination of a vessel of a specimen from a detection signal representing an intensity of reflection light when irradiating light onto the specimen, thereby correcting the inclination of the vessel.