AUTOMATED SAMPLE SCANNING AND SEGREGATION SYSTEM AND METHODS
Provided are systems and methods for automated scanning and cutting of cells of interest from a tissue sample collector.
1 . A method for isolating cells of interest from a tissue sample collection kit, the method comprising:
a) receiving one or more sample collectors comprising cells of interest;
b) positioning the one or more sample collectors on a substrate;
c) imaging the one or more sample collectors to generate at least one first image;
d) applying a software algorithm to the at least one first image to identify a delineation between the cells of interest and a surrounding portion of each sample collector, and
e) cutting the cells of interest from a remaining portion of each sample collector with a cutting system based on the identified delineation.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sample collectors comprises one or more non-invasive, adhesive sample collectors.
3 - 4 . (canceled)
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sample collectors comprises a plurality of sample collectors arranged in an array of sample collectors.
6 - 8 . (canceled)
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein imaging the one or more sample collectors to generate at least one first image is performed by an optical scanning system.
10 . (canceled)
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the identified delineation comprises digital information comprising a plurality of points and one or more lines and/or one or more curves connecting the points to form an open or closed polygon.
12 - 13 . (canceled)
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the delineation between the cells of interest and a surrounding portion of a sample collector comprises delineating the cells of interest obtained from a lesion area from other cells obtained from a non-lesion surrounding area.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the software algorithm comprises a computer vision algorithm.
16 - 18 . (canceled)
19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the cutting is performed with a mechanical cutting system, a plasma cutting system, or a laser cutting system.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the cutting is performed with a laser cutting system.
21 - 22 . (canceled)
23 . The method of claim 1 , wherein steps c)-e) are performed by an automated, computer-controlled apparatus.
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the automated apparatus has a throughput of at least 16, at least 32, or at least 48 sample collectors per minute.
25 . (canceled)
26 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising analyzing the cells of interest.
27 . A system for isolating cells of interest from a tissue sample collection kit, the system comprising:
a) an imaging apparatus;
b) a cutting apparatus; and
c) a computing device comprising at least one processor, a communications interface, and instructions executable by the last least one processor to provide an application;
wherein the computing device is communicatively coupled to the imaging apparatus and the cutting apparatus through the communications interface;
wherein the application is configured to perform operations comprising:
i. instructing the imaging apparatus to image one or more sample collectors to generate at least one first image;
ii. applying a software algorithm to the at least one first image to identify a delineation between the cells of interest and a surrounding portion of each sample collector; and
iii. instructing the cutting apparatus to cut the cells of interest from a remaining portion of each sample collector with a cutting system based on the identified delineation.
28 . The system of claim 27 , wherein the imaging apparatus comprises an optical scanner.
29 . The system of claim 27 , wherein the cutting apparatus comprises a mechanical cutting system, a plasma cutting system, or a laser cutting system.
30 . The system of claim 29 , wherein the cutting apparatus comprises a laser cutting system.
31 - 36 . (canceled)
37 . The system of claim 27 , wherein the one or more sample collectors comprises one or more non-invasive, adhesive sample collectors.
38 . The system of claim 37 , wherein the tissue comprises skin tissue, and wherein the cells of interest comprise skin cells.
39 . (canceled)
40 . The system of claim 27 , wherein the one or more sample collectors comprises a plurality of sample collectors arranged in an array of sample collectors.
41 - 42 . (canceled)
43 . The system of claim 27 , wherein the identified delineation comprises digital information comprising a plurality of points and one or more lines and/or one or more curves connecting the points to form an open or closed polygon.
44 - 45 . (canceled)
46 . The system of claim 27 , wherein identifying the delineation between the cells of interest and a surrounding portion of a sample collector comprises delineating the cells of interest obtained from a lesion area from other cells obtained from a non-lesion surrounding area.
47 . The system of claim 27 , wherein the software algorithm comprises a computer vision algorithm.
48 - 50 . (canceled)
51 . The system of claim 27 , wherein the system has a throughput of at least 16, at least 32, or at least 48 sample collectors per minute.