3-D Video Image-Based Microscopic Robotic Targeting
Description of Invention:
The invention is a robotic software and hardware system that allows a microscopic object such as a living biological cell to be targeted in 3-D optical space for micromanipulation or probing (e.g., drug testing, transgenic manipulation, nucleation/anucleation). The software permits the selection of an object for targeting by a point and click operation with a computer mouse, and performs the transforms between video pixel space, optical space and micro-manipulator mechanical coordinate space to translate the point and click operation into the precision targeting movements of the micro-positioner. The object is viewed in real time through a microscope system via a video output camera and displayed on a computer terminal.
Applications include a variety of biological laboratory precision tools such as positioning of microelectrodes for electrophysiological recording from living cells, micro-injection and micro-manipulation of cells and micro-delivery of pharmacological agents to cells for drug testing and diagnostics.
The invention may also find application in microelectronics fabrication.
Inventors:
Jeffrey C. Smith (NINDS) James W. Nash (EM)
For Additional Information Please Contact: Michael Shmilovich J.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301) 435-5019
Email: shmilovm@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
