System and methods for rapid and automated screening of cells
US7764822B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jul 27, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 17, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/30024
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for performing automated cell screening in drug discovery, includes an automated microscope, a fast autofocus device, and a digital imaging system. Processes are implemented in software through which relevant cellular material is segmented and quantified with minimal user interaction. Improvements in the following areas: known methods for image processing are implemented in such a way that automated segmentation is achieved; sets of known measurements (pixel counting, etc.) are implemented as methods which demonstrate aspects of biology in a reliable fashion; components for automated positioning, focusing, imaging and processing of a multiplicity of samples are integrated as systems within which the segmentation and measurement methods may be mounted; and components and methods are adapted into systems which yield more highly automated and more rapid cell screening.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.