Automated cell analyser and method

An automated cell analyzer for determining a property of a cell, comprising:

• a sampling system capable of sampling a cell culture, comprising a microfluidic device, a sampling line for conveying a cell culture sample from a container adapted to contain the cell culture to a channel of the microfluidic device, and at least one pump located downstream of and in-line with the microfluidic device that moves the sample from the cell culture container to the channel, wherein the sample comprises at least one cell;
• an imaging system associated with the microfluidic device, adapted to capture one or more images of the at least one cell of the sample located within the channel;
• an image recognition system capable of a recognizing the at least one cell within the one or more captured images of the sample, to thereby determine a property of the at least one cell, wherein the image recognition system utilizes artificial intelligence/machine learning to determine the property of the at least one cell, and wherein the image recognition system carries out a first cell detection step based on the detection of cell contour, and a subsequent cell property recognition step;
• a sample-cleaning system capable of cleaning the channel and the sampling line or part thereof, comprising at least one pump located downstream of and in-line with the microfluidic device that is operable to displace the sample from the microfluidic device and return the sample or most of the sample to the cell culture container, and is operable to convey a cleaning agent of the sample-cleaning system to the channel and the sampling line or part thereof;
• and
• a controller capable of automating the sampling, imaging, image recognition and sample-cleaning systems.