Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image acquirer for obtaining an original image of a pathological specimen, an information acquirer for obtaining finding information relating to pathological finding and an image generator for generating an output image including a processed image obtained by superimposing visual information based on the finding information on a source image. A relative density between the source image and the visual information is set according to an operation input from a user. Processing modes for generating the output image include a first mode for generating the output image in which the source image and the processed image are arranged on one screen and a second mode for generating the output image in which a wide range image at a relatively low magnification and an enlarged image representing a partial region in the wide range image at a higher magnification on one screen.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image acquirer for obtaining an original image of a pathological specimen, an information acquirer for obtaining finding information relating to pathological finding and an image generator for generating an output image including a processed image obtained by superimposing visual information based on the finding information on a source image. A relative density between the source image and the visual information is set according to an operation input from a user. Processing modes for generating the output image include a first mode for generating the output image in which the source image and the processed image are arranged on one screen and a second mode for generating the output image in which a wide range image at a relatively low magnification and an enlarged image representing a partial region in the wide range image at a higher magnification on one screen.

Abstract: A culture quality evaluation method comprises: a first step of culturing a pluripotent stem cell under a predetermined culture condition and creating a sample; a second step of imaging a proliferated cell colony in the sample and accordingly capturing an original image; a third step of dividing the original image into smaller images of a predetermined size and calculating standard deviations of pixel values of pixels of the smaller images; and a fourth step of judging whether the sample is an acceptable sample based upon a ratio of a number of the smaller images whose values of the standard deviations are within a predetermined range to a total number of the smaller images.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for imaging a two-dimensional image of an imaging object comprises a holder which holds a sample container carrying a biological sample as the imaging object on a carrying surface, a light emitting part which emits light toward the carrying surface, an imager which includes a strip-like light receiving part, receives the light incident on the light receiving part and thereby images an image of a strip-like region of the carrying surface, a strip-like light shield which shields a part of light emitted from the illuminator toward the strip-like region, and a mover which integrally and relatively moves the light emitting part, the light receiving part and the light shield with respect to the sample container.

Abstract: A preliminary image is obtained by irradiating illumination light, whose light quantity distribution is set at a standard state, to a specimen obtained by injecting fluid into a well from an illuminator capable of arbitrarily setting the light quantity distribution, for example, by a liquid crystal shutter, and a luminance distribution of the preliminary image is detected. As a result, luminance nonuniformity in the preliminary image is canceled by performing imaging with a light quantity distribution of illumination light to be incident on the well set such that an incident light amount is larger in a part with lower luminance.

Abstract: The following processes are performed to improve the accuracy of the process of estimating the volume of a cell clump from an image including the cell clump. First, the image including the cell clump is acquired, and the optical density of the cell clump in the image is measured. Cross-section information about the cell clump is acquired by observation using a confocal microscope or by physical cutting. Based on the cross-section information, the vertical height of the cell clump is determined. Thereafter, data representing a relationship between the aforementioned optical density and the height is acquired. This improves the accuracy of the process of converting the optical density into the height to thereby achieve the accurate estimation of the volume of the cell clump.

Abstract: A culture quality evaluation method comprises: a first step of culturing a pluripotent stem cell under a predetermined culture condition and creating a sample; a second step of imaging a proliferated cell colony in the sample and accordingly capturing an original image; a third step of dividing the original image into smaller images of a predetermined size and calculating standard deviations of pixel values of pixels of the smaller images; and a fourth step of judging whether the sample is an acceptable sample based upon a ratio of a number of the smaller images whose values of the standard deviations are within a predetermined range to a total number of the smaller images.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for imaging a two-dimensional image of an imaging object comprises a holder which holds a sample container carrying a biological sample as the imaging object on a carrying surface, a light emitting part which emits light toward the carrying surface, an imager which includes a strip-like light receiving part, receives the light incident on the light receiving part and thereby images an image of a strip-like region of the carrying surface, a strip-like light shield which shields a part of light emitted from the illuminator toward the strip-like region, and a mover which integrally and relatively moves the light emitting part, the light receiving part and the light shield with respect to the sample container.

Abstract: The following processes are performed to improve the accuracy of the process of estimating the volume of a cell clump from an image including the cell clump. First, the image including the cell clump is acquired, and the optical density of the cell clump in the image is measured. Cross-section information about the cell clump is acquired by observation using a confocal microscope or by physical cutting. Based on the cross-section information, the vertical height of the cell clump is determined. Thereafter, data representing a relationship between the aforementioned optical density and the height is acquired. This improves the accuracy of the process of converting the optical density into the height to thereby achieve the accurate estimation of the volume of the cell clump.

Abstract: A preliminary image is obtained by irradiating illumination light, whose light quantity distribution is set at a standard state, to a specimen obtained by injecting fluid into a well from an illuminator capable of arbitrarily setting the light quantity distribution, for example, by a liquid crystal shutter, and a luminance distribution of the preliminary image is detected. As a result, luminance nonuniformity in the preliminary image is canceled by performing imaging with a light quantity distribution of illumination light to be incident on the well set such that an incident light amount is larger in a part with lower luminance.

Abstract: In a thermal type flowmeter 60, a heating/heat-sensitive coil 64 which is shaped as a coil is fit close into an approximately central portion of a duct pipe 63. A flow rate computing circuit 65 supplies electric power to the heating/heat-sensitive coil 64 in accordance with an instruction received from a control portion, the heating/heat-sensitive coil 64 develops heat, and the heat developing at the heating/heat-sensitive coil 64 heats up a hole transporting material 8 which flows through the duct pipe 63. Further, the flow rate computing circuit 65 which is electrically connected with the heating/heat-sensitive coil 64 detects a difference between an upstream-side temperature and a downstream-side temperature, and calculates the flow rate (mass flow rate) of the hole transporting material 8 based on this temperature difference, the amount of heating, physical properties data such as the specific heat and the heat capacity regarding the hole transporting material 8.

Abstract: In a thermal type flowmeter 60, a heating/heat-sensitive coil 64 which is shaped as a coil is fit close into an approximately central portion of a duct pipe 63. A flow rate computing circuit 65 supplies electric power to the heating/heat-sensitive coil 64 in accordance with an instruction received from a control portion, the heating/heat-sensitive coil 64 develops heat, and the heat developing at the heating/heat-sensitive coil 64 heats up a hole transporting material 8 which flows through the duct pipe 63. Further, the flow rate computing circuit 65 which is electrically connected with the heating/heat-sensitive coil 64 detects a difference between an upstream-side temperature and a downstream-side temperature, and calculates the flow rate (mass flow rate) of the hole transporting material 8 based on this temperature difference, the amount of heating, physical properties data such as the specific heat and the heat capacity regarding the hole transporting material 8.