Abstract: An image processing device includes: a processor; and a memory encoded with instructions executed by the processor, including: imaging pluripotent stem cells with time in a culture process and acquiring a plurality of images, extracting a colony region of the cells from the image, extracting a high luminance region on the basis of a group of pixels with larger luminance values than a standard value from among pixels constituting the image, extracting an extraction target region with relatively high contrast in the colony region on the basis of the colony and high luminance regions, and outputting the extraction target region as an extraction result, wherein as a relationship among the colony, high luminance, and extraction target regions, the colony region is formed, the high luminance region is then formed therein, and the extraction target region is then formed in the high luminance region in the culture process of the cells.

Abstract: A cell evaluation method includes acquiring a first evaluation index and a first index calculated using the first evaluation index with respect to comparative target cells in a culture process including a cell differentiation-inducing process in which cell differentiation is induced, calculating a second index on the basis of the first evaluation index with respect to evaluation target cells different from the comparative target cells, and evaluating differentiation of the evaluation target cells by comparing the first index with the second index.

Abstract: A culturing assistance device includes an image acquisition unit configured to acquire a captured image of cells during culturing at determined times, a storage control unit configured to store the captured image acquired by the image acquisition unit and event information indicating an event related to culturing of the cells, and a learning unit configured to learn a relationship between the stored captured image and the stored event information.

Abstract: An evaluation device includes a state determination unit which is configured to determine a state of cells which are an observation target under non-standard conditions on the basis of information acquired from an image of cells under standard conditions.

Abstract: An image processing device includes: a processor; and a memory encoded with instructions executed by the processor, including: imaging pluripotent stem cells with time in a culture process and acquiring a plurality of images, extracting a colony region of the cells from the image, extracting a high luminance region on the basis of a group of pixels with larger luminance values than a standard value from among pixels constituting the image, extracting an extraction target region with relatively high contrast in the colony region on the basis of the colony and high luminance regions, and outputting the extraction target region as an extraction result, wherein as a relationship among the colony, high luminance, and extraction target regions, the colony region is formed, the high luminance region is then formed therein, and the extraction target region is then formed in the high luminance region in the culture process of the cells.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an image processing unit that performs image processing on an observed image in which a cell is imaged and an image processing method selector that is configured to determine an observed image processing method for analyzing the imaged cell on the basis of information of a processed image obtained through image processing of the image processing unit.

Abstract: An observation apparatus includes: an area calculation unit that calculates a colony area based on an image in which a cell colony is captured; a cell number calculation unit that calculates, based on the image, the number of cells included in a target colony of which an area is calculated by the area calculation unit; and a density calculation unit that calculates, based on the area of the target colony calculated by the area calculation unit and the number of the cells included in the target colony calculated by the cell number calculation unit, a density of the cells included in the target colony.

Abstract: An image processing device includes: an associating unit configured to associate information on an identification element used to identify a cell in imaged cell information with information on a non-identification element serving as an element of the cell which is not the identification element on the basis of the information on the identification element and information of the non-identification element; and a status determination unit configured to determine a cell status on the basis of the information on the identification element and the information on the non-identification element associated together by the linking unit.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for analysis of target cells on a population or individual basis, including before and after contact with a stimulus in order to determine the effect of such stimulus on the target cells. Also provided are devices for performing such methods. The analysis methods involve identifying and measuring or tracking morphological changes that occur in target cells over a period of time. Tracking is accomplished using imaging systems capable of imaging target cells individually over a period of time either continuously or at discrete intervals of time.

Abstract: A stirring apparatus including a stirring mechanism configured to execute a stirring process on cells in a culture vessel, and a control unit programmed to at least one of control the stirring mechanism, determine the stirring process of the stirring mechanism, and determine whether the stirring process is performed or not.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for analysis of target cells on a population or individual basis, including before and after contact with a stimulus in order to determine the effect of such stimulus on the target cells. Also provided are devices for performing such methods. The analysis methods involve identifying and measuring or tracking morphological changes that occur in target cells over a period of time. Tracking is accomplished using imaging systems capable of imaging target cells individually over a period of time either continuously or at discrete intervals of time.

Abstract: An observation apparatus includes: an area calculation unit that calculates a colony area based on an image in which a cell colony is captured; a cell number calculation unit that calculates, based on the image, the number of cells included in a target colony of which an area is calculated by the area calculation unit; and a density calculation unit that calculates, based on the area of the target colony calculated by the area calculation unit and the number of the cells included in the target colony calculated by the cell number calculation unit, a density of the cells included in the target colony.

Abstract: An observation apparatus includes: an area calculation unit that calculates a colony area based on an image in which a cell colony is captured; a cell number calculation unit that calculates, based on the image, the number of cells included in a target colony of which an area is calculated by the area calculation unit; and a density calculation unit that calculates, based on the area of the target colony calculated by the area calculation unit and the number of the cells included in the target colony calculated by the cell number calculation unit, a density of the cells included in the target colony.

Abstract: An incubation apparatus, including a temperature-controlled room adjusted to be a predetermined environment condition, and incubating a sample of an incubation container inside the temperature-controlled room, includes a carrying apparatus, an imaging section, and an image analyzing section. The carrying apparatus carries the incubation container in the temperature-controlled room. The imaging section photographs a whole of the incubation container inside the temperature-controlled room. The image analyzing section analyses an operation state of the incubation apparatus or an incubating environment state of the sample based on a total observing image of the incubation container photographed at the imaging section, and outputs an error signal notifying an abnormality of the operation state or the incubating environment state in accordance with the analysis result.

Abstract: A culturing assistance device includes an image acquisition unit configured to acquire a captured image of cells during culturing at determined times, a storage control unit configured to store the captured image acquired by the image acquisition unit and event information indicating an event related to culturing of the cells, and a learning unit configured to learn a relationship between the stored captured image and the stored event information.

Abstract: A biological specimen observation apparatus whereby observation of a biological specimen can be performed accurately. In macro observation, a biological change region is extracted from a macro image, a micro observation point corresponding to an extracted biological change region is registered, and an object for tracking is identified. In micro observation, it is judged from the micro image whether or not biological change has continued in the biological change region at the micro observation point, and the registered micro observation point is updated on the basis of this judgment result. It is possible to carry out both macro observation for detecting a biological change region and micro observation for observing the progress of growth of a partial minute region where biological change has been exhibited, and to carry out accurate observation of a biological specimen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing neural stem cells, the method including a culture step of culturing cells using a medium that contains a TGF-? receptor inhibitor and a protein kinase C inhibitor. The method for producing neural stem cells is a method that includes a first culture step of culturing cells using a first medium that does not contain a TGF-? receptor inhibitor and a protein kinase C inhibitor, and a second culture step of culturing the cells using a second medium that contains a TGF-? receptor inhibitor and a protein kinase C inhibitor, after the first culture step. The method for producing neural stem cells is a method that includes a first culture step of culturing cells using a first medium that contains ascorbic acid or an ascorbic acid derivative, and a second culture step of culturing the cells using a second medium that contains a TGF-? receptor inhibitor and a protein kinase C inhibitor, after the first culture step.

Abstract: An evaluation device includes a state determination unit which is configured to determine a state of cells which are an observation target under non-standard conditions on the basis of information acquired from an image of cells under standard conditions.

Abstract: An image processing device includes: an associating unit configured to associate information on an identification element used to identify a cell in imaged cell information with information on a non-identification element serving as an element of the cell which is not the identification element on the basis of the information on the identification element and information of the non-identification element; and a status determination unit configured to determine a cell status on the basis of the information on the identification element and the information on the non-identification element associated together by the linking unit.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an image processing unit that performs image processing on an observed image in which a cell is imaged and an image processing method selector that is configured to determine an observed image processing method for analyzing the imaged cell on the basis of information of a processed image obtained through image processing of the image processing unit.