Noninvasive 3D Cell Structure Evaluation via Optical Tomography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for evaluating three-dimensional cell-based structures are invasive and unable to accurately capture the temporal changes or express the stereoscopic configuration of these structures, making it difficult to assess their state and the medicinal effects of chemicals on them.
Innovation Solution
A noninvasive method using tomography, such as optical coherent tomography (OCT), to generate stereoscopic data of the three-dimensional cell-based structures, allowing for the counting of isolated structures and providing a quantitative evaluation of their state and the medicinal effects of chemicals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional processing methods (slicing, staining) are used to evaluate three-dimensional cell-based structures, then observation is enabled, but the structures are damaged and continuous temporal evaluation becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical processing methods (slicing, sectioning) with optical imaging technology. Conventional methods required physical cutting and staining of tissues, which damaged the structures. The invention uses light-based tomography to obtain three-dimensional images without physical contact or mechanical intervention, thereby eliminating structure damage while maintaining evaluation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical imaging as an intermediary between the evaluator and the three-dimensional cell-based structure. Instead of directly processing and observing the structure (which causes damage), the invention uses light as a mediator to capture images of the structure in its native state, allowing repeated observations without harm to the sample
2Ease of operation
If two-dimensional projection imaging is used, then image capture is simple, but the stereoscopic configuration cannot be correctly expressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional projection imaging to three-dimensional tomographic imaging. Conventional two-dimensional images collapse the three-dimensional structure onto a flat plane, losing depth and spatial relationship information. The invention captures images in three dimensions by acquiring data from multiple angles and reconstructing the full three-dimensional structure, preserving all stereoscopic configuration information while maintaining operational simplicity through automated processing
3Measurement precision
If invasive processing methods are used, then quantitative evaluation becomes possible, but the samples are damaged and cannot be used for continuous observation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical processing with noninvasive optical imaging. Methods like slicing and staining that enabled quantitative analysis also killed the cells and destroyed the structure. The invention uses light-based tomography to obtain quantitative data (volume, surface area, shape parameters) without any physical contact, allowing the same sample to be observed continuously over time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous observation of the same three-dimensional cell-based structure over time. Conventional methods required destroying the sample for each observation point. The invention allows repeated imaging of the intact structure, creating a continuous timeline of developmental changes or treatment effects, thereby extending the duration for which the sample remains useful for evaluation
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 noninvasive and quantitative evaluation of the state and medicinal effects on three-dimensional cell-based structures, facilitating the assessment of culture environment and chemical influences without damaging the samples.
Implementation Method 1
a stereoscopic image of a three-dimensional cell-based structure may be captured noninvasively by a method using tomography technique such as optical coherent tomography (OCT)
Data Source
AI summary
It is provided a technique capable of noninvasively and quantitatively evaluating the state of cultured three-dimensional cell-based structure. A method of evaluating a three-dimensional cell-based structure according to the present invention comprises: performing tomography of the cultured three-dimensional cell-based structure (step S103); generating stereoscopic data indicating the three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional cell-based structure based on image data acquired by the tomography (step S104); and counting the number of structures isolated from each other in the three-dimensional cell-based structure based on the stereoscopic data (step S105).