Automated robotic microscopy systems
AssigneeThe J. David Gladstone Institutes
InventorsSteven M. Finkbeiner, Dale Michael Ando, Aaron C. Daub
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure provides automated robotic microscopy systems that facilitate high throughput and high content analysis of biological samples, such as living cells and/or tissues. In certain aspects, the systems are configured to reduce user intervention relative to existing technologies, and allow for precise return to and re-imaging of the same field (e.g., the same cell) that has been previously imaged. This capability enables experiments and testing of hypotheses that deal with causality over time with greater precision and throughput than conventional microscopy methods.
Claims25
An imaging system, the system comprising:
- an imaging device comprising a sample holder configured to facilitate automated deposition and removal of a sample, wherein the sample holder comprises at least two walls defining a cutout portion, wherein the cutout portion is centrally located in each of the at least two walls, an internal beveled edge, and an internal bottom lip portion,
- wherein the internal beveled edge extends from a plane of a top surface of the sample holder towards the internal bottom lip portion;
- a transport device configured to place a sample plate in the sample holder;
- a processor in communication with the imaging device and the transport device;
- and
- memory operably coupled to the processor, wherein the memory includes instructions stored thereon for acquiring an image of a sample, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
- move the sample plate via the transport device to the sample holder of the imaging device;
- identify a fiduciary mark on the sample plate using the imaging device;
- move the sample holder so that the fiduciary mark is in substantially the same position as in a reference image;
- and
- acquire an image of the sample using the imaging device.
A sample holding device, the device comprising:
- two first walls of approximately equal length positioned in opposition, the first walls each defining a cutout portion, wherein the cutout portion is centrally located in each of the first walls, an internal beveled edge and an internal bottom lip portion;
- and
- two second walls of approximately equal length positioned in opposition, the second walls each defining an internal beveled edge and an internal bottom lip portion;
- wherein each of the two second walls are shorter in length than each of the two first walls,
- the internal beveled edge extends from a plane of a top surface of the sample holding device towards the internal bottom lip portion and
- wherein the two first walls and the two second walls together define a sample receiving area, configured to receive a sample plate.
A computer-implemented method of acquiring an image of a sample, the method comprising:
- moving a sample plate using a transport device controlled by a processor to a sample holder of an imaging device;
- identifying, with the processor, a fiduciary mark on the sample plate;
- aligning, with the processor, the sample holder so that the fiduciary mark is in substantially the same position as in a reference image;
- and
- acquiring, using the imaging device controlled by the processor, an image of the sample, wherein the sample plate holder comprises at least two walls, each wall defining a cutout portion, wherein the cutout portion is centrally located in each of the at least two walls, an internal beveled edge, and an internal bottom lip portion, wherein the internal beveled edge extends from a plane of a top surface of the sample holder towards the internal bottom lip portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.