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US 2011/0216953 A1Published application
Visual-servoing optical microscopy
AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California
InventorsDaniel E. Callahan, Bahram Parvin
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Abstract
The present invention provides methods and devices for the knowledge-based discovery and optimization of differences between cell types. In particular, the present invention provides visual servoing optical microscopy, as well as analysis methods. The present invention provides means for the close monitoring of hundreds of individual, living cells over time; quantification of dynamic physiological responses in multiple channels; real-time digital image segmentation and analysis; intelligent, repetitive computer-applied cell stress and cell stimulation; and the ability to return to the same field of cells for long-term studies and observation. The present invention further provides means to optimize culture conditions for specific subpopulations of cells.
Claims20
An automated method for storing cellular image data, said method comprising:
- A. providing a computer, living cells, and a detection device, wherein said detection device is configured to monitor said living cells and obtain said cellular image data,
- wherein said automated method is visual-servoing optical microscopy,
- wherein said computer is an automated machine configured to follow machine-readable instructions that facilitate the performance of said visual-servoing optical microscopy,
- wherein said computer is configured with machine-readable medium,
- wherein said machine-readable medium is computer-readable medium,
- wherein machine-readable instructions are code,
- wherein said computer configured to follow said code employs machine-readable data that facilitate the performance of said visual-servoing optical microscopy as directed by said code,
- wherein said code includes code to continue, alter or stop said visual-servoing optical microscopy operations at any time,
- wherein said cellular image data is said machine-readable data,
- wherein said cellular image data is computer-readable data,
- and wherein said cellular image data is stored as a function of time on computer-readable medium on said computer as directed by said code;
- B. obtaining a first set of said cellular image data from said living cells;
- C. automatically communicating said first set of cellular image data to said computer;
- D. defining said first set of cellular image data with said computer, wherein said defining comprises at least one analysis selected from the group consisting of analyzing the location of said living cells, the morphometry of said living cells, analyzing the subcellular components of said living cells, analyzing the color of said living cells, and analyzing the motion of said living cells;
- E. automatically stimulating said living cells to evoke a cellular response, wherein said automatically stimulating said living cells to evoke a cellular response is performed by said one or more stimulating devices configured to interact with said living cells, wherein said automatically stimulating comprises one or more actions specified prior to obtaining said first set of cellular image data;
- F. obtaining a responsive set of cellular image data from said living cells with said detection device upon evocation of said cellular response;
- G. automatically communicating said responsive set of cellular image data to said computer;
- H. defining said responsive set of cellular image data with said computer, wherein said defining comprises at least one analysis selected from the group consisting of analyzing the location of said living cells, the morphometry of said living cells, analyzing the subcellular components of said living cells, analyzing the color of said living cells, and analyzing the motion of said living cells;
- I. automatically identifying a first set of differences between said defined first set of cellular image data and said defined responsive set of cellular image data, wherein said automatically identifying differences comprises identifying differences between
- i) said defined first set of cellular image data and/or said defined responsive set of cellular image data, and
- ii) a database of defined cellular image data, wherein said database of defined cellular image data is comprised of machine-readable data, wherein said database is stored on computer-readable medium, and wherein said database of defined cellular image data comprises one or more of
- a) identified sets of differences between sets of defined cellular image data, and
- b) additional defined machine-readable data that facilitates the performance of said visual-servoing optical microscopy;
- J. generating a signal from said computer in response to said identified first set of differences;
- K. independently automatically actuating in response to said signal one or more stimulating devices configured to interact with said living cells;
- wherein said independently automatically stimulating comprises one or more actions not specified prior to obtaining said a first set of cellular image data;
- L. obtaining a second responsive set of cellular image data from said living cells following said independent automatic actuating of said one or more stimulating devices;
- M. automatically communicating said second responsive set of cellular image data to said computer;
- N. defining said second responsive set of cellular image data with said computer, wherein said defining comprises at least one analysis selected from the group consisting of analyzing the location of said living cells, the morphometry of said living cells, analyzing the subcellular components of said living cells, analyzing the color of said living cells, and analyzing the motion of said living cells;
- O. automatically identifying a second set of differences between said defined first set of cellular image data, said defined responsive set of cellular image data, and said defined second responsive set of cellular image data, wherein said automatically identifying differences comprises identifying differences between
- i) said defined second set of cellular image data and/or said defined responsive set of cellular image data, and
- ii) a database of defined cellular image data, wherein said database is stored on computer-readable medium, and wherein said database of defined cellular image data comprises one or more of
- a) identified sets of differences between sets of defined cellular image data, and
- b) additional defined machine-readable data that facilitates the performance of said visual-servoing optical microscopy;
- P. generating a second signal from said computer in response to said identified second set of differences;
- Q. independently automatically actuating in response to said second signal said one or more stimulating devices configured to interact with said living cells;
- R. obtaining a third responsive set of cellular image data from said living cells with said detection device upon evocation of said third cellular response;
- S. continuing, altering or stopping said visual-servoing optical microscopy operations as directed by said code;
- and
- T. as directed by said code, updating as a function of time said database of defined cellular image data stored on said computer-readable medium.
37 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.