Method and apparatus for selectively targeting specific cells within a cell population
View Patent ↗This invention provides a method and apparatus for selectively identifying, and targeting with an energy beam, specific cells within a cell population, for the purpose of inducing a response in the targeted cells. Using the present invention, every detectable cell in a population can be identified and affected, without substantially affecting non-targeted cells within the mixture.
1. An apparatus for imaging cells in a biological specimen held in a container, comprising:
a scanning lens that defines a field of view;
a computer system that divides said field of view into a plurality of frames of cells within a biological specimen in a container;
an illumination source for illuminating a frame of cells within said field of view;
an image capture system that captures an image of said frame of cells;
a reflective or diffractive device for imaging a second frame of cells within said field of view without moving said container; and
commands for determining a morphological or physiological characteristic of one or more cells in said biological specimen by reference to said image.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said reflective or diffractive device comprises one or more galvanometric mirrors, one or more piezo-electric tilt platforms, or one or more acousto-optical deflectors.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said reflective or diffractive device comprises one or more galvanometric mirrors.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a moveable member to move said container to position a second field of view above or below said scanning lens.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said scanning lens is of F-theta design.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the diameter of said field of view is between 8 millimeters and 18 millimeters.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the number of said plurality of frames of cells within said field of view is between 4 and 24.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said container has specific markings to ensure proper location and focus by said apparatus.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said container has specific markings to allow identification of said container by said apparatus.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said illumination source provides back illumination to facilitate the imaging of non-florescent cells.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of frames of cells comprises two or more cells.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reflective or diffractive device is a reflective device.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the reflective or diffractive device is a diffractive device.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the number of said plurality of frames of cells within said field of view is between 4 and 24.
15. An apparatus for imaging a target in a biological specimen held in a container, comprising:
a scanning lens that defines a field of view;
a computer system that divides said field of view into a plurality of frames of targets within a biological specimen in a container;
an illumination source for illuminating a frame of targets within said field of view;
an image capture system that captures an image of said frame of targets;
a reflective or diffractive device for imaging a second frame of targets within said field of view without moving said container; and
commands for determining a characteristic of targets in said biological specimen by reference to said image.
16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said target is a cell.
17. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said target is a cell component.
18. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said target is a protein. or a genetic material.
19. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the number of said plurality of frames of targets within said field of view is between 4 and 24.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the diameter of said field of view is between 8 millimeters and 18 millimeters.
21. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein two or more frames each comprise a plurality of targets.
22. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said illumination source provides back illumination to facilitate the imaging of non-florescent cells.
23. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein said scanning lens is of F-theta design.
24. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the reflective or diffractive device is a reflective device.
25. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the reflective or diffractive device is a diffractive device.
26. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the diameter of said field of view is between 8 millimeters and 18 millimeters.
27. An apparatus for imaging cells in a biological specimen held in a container, comprising:
a scanning lens that defines a field of view, wherein a diameter of said field of view is between 8 millimeters and 18 millimeters;
a computer system that divides said field of view into a plurality of frames of cells within a biological specimen;
an illumination source for illuminating a frame of cells within said field of view;
an image capture system that captures an image of said frame of cells; and
commands for determining a morphological or physiological characteristic of cells in said biological specimen by reference to said image.
28. The apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the number of said plurality of frames of cells within said field of view is between 4 and 24.
29. The apparatus of claim 27 , further comprising a means to illuminate and image a second frame of cells within said first field of view without moving said container.
30. The apparatus of claim 27 , wherein said illumination source provides back illumination to facilitate the imaging of non-florescent cells.
31. The apparatus of claim 27 , wherein said scanning lens is of F-theta design.