Abstract
In recent years, the use of microinjections has increased in life science and biotechnology fields; specific examples include artificial insemination and gene manipulation. Microinjections are mainly performed based on visual information; thus, the operator needs high-level skill because of the narrowness of the visual field. Additionally, microinjections are performed as the operator views a microscopic image on a display; the position of the display requires the operator to maintain an awkward posture throughout the procedure. In this study, we developed a microscopic image display apparatus for microinjections based on a view-expansive microscope. The prototype of the view-expansive microscope has problems related to the variations in brightness and focal blur that accompany changes in the optical path length and amount of reflected light. Therefore, we propose the use of a variable-focus device to expand the visual field and thus circumvent the above-mentioned problems. We evaluated the observable area of the system using this variable-focus device. We confirmed that the observable area is 261.4 and 13.9 times larger than that of a normal microscope and conventional view-expansive microscopic system, respectively. Finally, observations of mouse embryos were carried out by using the developed system. We confirmed that the microscopic images can be displayed on a head-mounted display in real time with the desired point and field sizes.
Highlights
In 1980, the first study on a transgenic mouse created by injecting a foreign gene into the pronuclei of fertilized mouse oocytes was reported [1]
We developed a microscopic image presentation apparatus based on the concept of view-expansive microscope [5] to improve the efficiency of the microinjection process, and to reduce the burden on the operator
We demonstrate the effectiveness of the variable-focus device through the analysis of the microscopic images and comparison of the ranges in which clear images can be acquired under the condition that the target object on the plane is photographed on the variable-focus device
Summary
In 1980, the first study on a transgenic mouse created by injecting a foreign gene into the pronuclei of fertilized mouse oocytes was reported [1]. At the time of microinjection, because accurate injection into the pronucleus is critical, observation at a high magnification (high-resolution) is required. Both a large field of view and a high-resolution observation is required for this process. The objective lens must be changed, and the aperture must be adjusted Having to perform these tasks while maintaining an uncomfortable position for an extended period of time, i.e., to view the display, places a significant burden on the operator. We developed a microscopic image presentation apparatus based on the concept of view-expansive microscope [5] to improve the efficiency of the microinjection process, and to reduce the burden on the operator. The effectiveness of the system was verified through an experiment that involves the observation of mouse embryos
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