Specimen processing systems and related methods
A specimen processing system includes a plate for supporting a specimen system, wherein the specimen system includes a container and a specimen contained therein. The specimen processing system further includes a camera disposed above the plate and configured to generate images of the specimen system, a light source disposed beneath the plate for radiating light towards the plate, a light stop for blocking a portion of the light from reaching the specimen system to produce darkfield illumination of the specimen at the camera, and one or more processors electronically coupled to the camera and configured to track a position of the specimen within the specimen container during a specimen processing protocol based on the images.
1. A specimen processing system, comprising:
a plate for supporting a specimen system at a processing station, the specimen system comprising a specimen container and a specimen contained therein;
a camera disposed above the plate and configured to generate images of the specimen system;
a rotatable platform to which the processing station is secured for applying a centripetal force to the specimen to cause the specimen to move within the specimen container;
one or more processors electronically coupled to the camera and configured to track a position of the specimen within the specimen container in real time during a vitrification protocol based on the images;
a microcontroller configured to control a rotational speed, a spin direction, and an acceleration of the rotatable platform to maintain the centripetal force on the specimen at a substantially constant value during the vitrification protocol; and
a cutting station configured to cut and release a distal portion of the specimen container with the specimen contained therein following completion of the vitrification protocol.
2. The specimen processing system of claim 1 , further comprising the processing station, wherein the processing station locates the camera.
3. The specimen processing system of claim 2 , wherein the processing station defines a receptacle adjacent the plate for positioning the specimen container.
4. The specimen processing system of claim 2 , wherein the processing station comprises a mount for selectively positioning the camera at the processing station.
5. The specimen processing system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to convert the images from color to greyscale.
6. The specimen processing system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to remove noise from the images.
7. The specimen processing system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to detect an object corresponding to the specimen in the images.
8. The specimen processing system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to determine parameters including one or more of a position, a speed, and a direction of the specimen as the specimen moves within the specimen container.
9. The specimen processing system of claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to output one or more of the parameters.
10. The specimen processing system of claim 9 , wherein the specimen processing system comprises a motor that can adjust movement of the rotatable platform based on one or more of the parameters to optimize a duration of one or more phases of the vitrification protocol.
11. The specimen processing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a light source disposed beneath the plate for radiating light towards the plate;
a light stop for blocking a portion of the light from reaching the specimen system to produce darkfield illumination of the specimen at the camera.
12. The specimen processing system of claim 11 , further comprising an adjustable lens for focusing the light onto the specimen system.
13. The specimen processing system of claim 11 , wherein the light stop is arranged to block the portion of the light from reaching a central axis of the specimen container such that edges of the specimen remain visible to produce darkfield illumination at the camera.
14. The specimen processing system of claim 11 , wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes.
15. The specimen processing system of claim 1 , wherein the camera is configured to scan an identification label of the specimen container.
16. The specimen processing system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors are configured to track respective positions of a plurality of specimens within the specimen container based on the images during the vitrification protocol.
17. The specimen processing system of claim 1 , further comprising a vibration assembly configured to direct movement of the specimen within the specimen container during the vitrification protocol.
18. The specimen processing system of claim 1 , wherein the specimen comprises a reproductive specimen.
19. A method of processing a specimen within a specimen container, the method comprising:
generating images of the specimen within the specimen container at a camera disposed above a plate supporting the specimen container at a processing station;
applying a centripetal force to the specimen to cause the specimen to move within the specimen container by rotating a platform to which the specimen processing station is secured;
tracking a position of the specimen within the specimen container in real time based on the images at one or more processors in electronic communication with the camera during a vitrification protocol;
controlling a rotational speed, a spin direction, and an acceleration of the rotatable platform to maintain the centripetal force on the specimen at a substantially constant value during the vitrification protocol; and
cutting and releasing a distal portion of the specimen container with the specimen contained therein at a cutting station following completion of the vitrification protocol.