Cell imaging apparatus and cell imaging method

A cell imaging method using a first specimen cell and a second specimen cell each including an inner space which is capable of holding a liquid specimen and is elongated in one direction, the first and the second specimen cells arranged such that the inner spaces are aligned in a row in a longitudinal direction of the inner spaces, the method comprising:

• introducing a first liquid specimen containing cells into the inner space of the first specimen cell;
• introducing a second liquid specimen containing cells into the inner space of the second specimen cell;
• capturing images of cells contained in the first liquid specimen held in the inner space of the first specimen cell at multiple image capture positions by moving at least one of:
• a) the first and second specimen cells;
• and b) an objective lens in the longitudinal direction;
• and
• capturing images of cells contained in the second liquid specimen held in the inner space of the second specimen cell at multiple image capture positions by moving at least one of:
• a) the first and second specimen cells;
• and b) the objective lens in the longitudinal direction, wherein
• each of the first specimen cell and the second specimen cell comprises:
• an inlet port extending from one end of the inner space in the longitudinal direction and through which the first liquid specimen and the second liquid specimen are introduced into the inner space of the first specimen cell and the inner space of the second specimen cell, respectively;
• and
• an outlet port extending from another end of the inner space in the longitudinal direction and through which the first liquid specimen and the second liquid specimen flow out from the inner space of the first specimen cell and the inner space of the second specimen cell, respectively.

A cell imaging method, comprising:

• introducing a first liquid specimen containing cells into an inner space of a first specimen cell;
• introducing a second liquid specimen containing cells into an inner space of a second specimen cell during a period in which the cells in the first liquid specimen are allowed to settle in the first specimen cell;
• capturing images of the cells contained in the first liquid specimen in the first specimen cell during a period in which the cells in the second liquid specimen are allowed to settle in the second specimen cell;
• after completion of the capturing of the images of the cells contained in the first liquid specimen, discharging the first liquid specimen from the first specimen cell and introducing a third liquid specimen containing cells into the first specimen cell;
• and
• during a period in which the cells in the third liquid specimen are allowed to settle in the first specimen cell, capturing images of the cells contained in the second liquid specimen in the second specimen cell, wherein
• each of the first specimen cell and the second specimen cell comprises:
• an inlet port extending from one end of the inner space in a longitudinal direction of the inner space and through which the first liquid specimen and the second liquid specimen are introduced into the inner space of the first specimen cell and the inner space of the second specimen cell, respectively;
• and
• an outlet port extending from another end of the inner space in the longitudinal direction of the inner space and through which the first liquid specimen and the second liquid specimen flow out from the inner space of the first specimen cell and the inner space of the second specimen cell, respectively.