Method for distinguishing living cells during cell observation, image processing program for cell observation, and image processing device

A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with an image processing program for cell observation, the program when executed by a computer causes the computer to perform a method comprising:

• obtaining a first image and a second image of an object positioned in an observation field of view by an imaging device, the first image and the second image being taken at a predetermined time interval;
• extracting, from the obtained first and second images, a first representation of the object shown in the first image and a second representation of the object shown in the second image, and aligning the rotational angular orientation of the object in the image plane;
• computing a correlation value or a difference between the first representation and the second representation in which the rotational angular orientation has been aligned;
• determining whether the object is a living cell based on the computed correlation value or difference;
• and
• outputting the decision result made in relation to the object.

An image processing device for cell observation, comprising:

• an imaging device configured to photograph an object;
• an image analysis section obtaining a first image and a second image of an object photographed at a predetermined time interval by the imaging device, and determining whether the object is a living cell from a first representation of the object shown in the first image and a second representation of the object shown in the second image;
• and
• an output section outputting a result of a decision made by the image analysis section, wherein
• the image analysis section is configured to extract the first representation and the second representation, align the rotational angular orientation of the object in the image plane, compute a correlation value or a difference between the first representation and the second representation in which the rotational angular orientation has been aligned, and determine whether the object is a living cell based on the computed correlation value or difference.