Zebrafish Imaging Plate Water Discharge Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current imaging technologies face challenges in efficiently observing and imaging multiple small zebrafishes due to difficulties in positioning and posture correction, damage during handling, and inadequate water management, leading to suboptimal imaging and potential contamination.

Innovation Solution

An imaging device with a matrix-shaped imaging plate featuring a transparent bottom and partition walls, utilizing a preliminary water discharge operation to guide zebrafishes onto the bottom for clear imaging, and a water supply system for anesthesia and water replacement, simplifying the structure and improving image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If zebrafishes are manually positioned and posture-corrected in each well, then imaging quality is improved, but work complexity and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging qualityVSAvoidwork complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs automated imaging systems with multiple optical units that can automatically capture images of zebrafishes without manual intervention. The system includes a control unit that coordinates multiple imaging units to sequentially image zebrafishes in different wells, eliminating the need for manual positioning and posture correction while maintaining imaging quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging system is divided into multiple independent imaging units, each capable of imaging zebrafishes from different angles or positions. This segmentation allows the system to capture comprehensive images of multiple zebrafishes simultaneously or sequentially without requiring manual manipulation of each fish.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If manual handling tools are used to place zebrafishes in wells, then positioning is achieved, but fish damage and contamination risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning capabilityVSAvoidfish damage and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical handling tools with automated liquid discharge mechanisms. The system uses controlled liquid flow to guide zebrafishes into wells and position them appropriately, eliminating direct mechanical contact that causes damage and contamination. The liquid discharge unit creates gentle currents that move fish without physical manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If water is held in each well to maintain zebrafish living conditions, then fish health is improved, but water management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefish living conditionsVSAvoidwater management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into a single water management system. The liquid discharge unit serves multiple purposes: it provides water to maintain fish living conditions, guides fish into wells, positions fish for imaging, and can be used for anesthesia administration. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining fish health.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines water supply, fish positioning, and imaging coordination into an integrated system. The control unit coordinates the liquid discharge mechanism to simultaneously achieve proper water levels for fish health and appropriate fish positioning for imaging, eliminating the need for separate water management operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Measurement precision

If sequential imaging of multiple zebrafishes is performed manually, then individual observation is achieved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual observation capabilityVSAvoidimaging efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic imaging system with multiple imaging units that can sequentially and rapidly capture images of different zebrafishes. The control unit coordinates the movement and operation of imaging units to efficiently image multiple fish in sequence, maintaining individual observation quality while significantly improving throughput compared to manual methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging system operates continuously without interruption, with imaging units sequentially capturing images of zebrafishes in different wells. The automated coordination eliminates idle time between observations, maintaining continuous productive action while ensuring each fish receives individual attention and imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS10258990B2Imaging little fish management device and little fish imaging plate used in the same

Publication Date: 2019.04.16 HASHIMOTO ELECTRONICS IND

AI summary

An imaging plate includes a plurality of wells individually accommodating little fishes, and the little fishes inside the wells are imaged from bottom portions of the wells. In order to adjust imaging posture or imaging positions of the little fishes inside the wells, an imaging little fish management device includes a water unit which supplies and discharges water into and from each well of the imaging plate. The water inside each well flows through a discharge hole provided laterally at a lowermost portion of each well. The water unit is also used to breed the little fishes of the wells of the imaging plate.