Apparatus for measuring cell activity and method for analyzing cell activity

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus that uses shadow images of cells to continuously measure cell activity at a high processing rate in order to provide cell activity and cell number results. According to one embodiment of the present invention, instead of a highly experienced examiner or technician using a microscope, ELISA reader, etc. having to collect various cell activity measurements and cell numbers, the collection of said information can be automated so as to reduce cost and largely reduce errors in measurements through the development of computer software coupled with hardware using low cost and compact optoelectronic components and simple image processing techniques.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cell activity measurement apparatus comprising:
 a cell chip providing a cell storage place configured to receive a culture fluid and a cell injected therein, the cell chip having a small thickness of 0.1 mm-1.0 mm for a bottom surface thereof;   a light-emitting element positioned over the cell chip and configured to emit light in a direction of the cell chip; and   an image sensor positioned under the cell chip and configured to capture a shadow image of the cell.   
     
     
         2 . The cell activity measurement apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a distance adjustment part coupled with the image sensor and configured to adjust a distance between the image sensor and the cell chip.   
     
     
         3 . The cell activity measurement apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an analysis module configured to analyze an activity state of the cell by using at least one of an SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) value, an SD (shadow diameter) value, a maximum pixel value, a position of a pixel having a maximum value, a minimum pixel value, a position of a pixel having a minimum value, a diameter of a first bright ring, a diameter of a first dark ring, a width between a bright ring and a dark ring, an area of the shadow image, and a circularity of the shadow image, extracted from the shadow image captured by way of the image sensor.   
     
     
         4 . The cell activity measurement apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the analysis module analyzes the activity state of the cell by using a degree of similarity between a pixel for the shadow image captured by way of the image sensor and a particular shape.