Cell culture incubators with integrated imaging systems

Abstract

Aspects relate to automated cell culture incubators comprising imaging systems, e.g., holographic or phase-contrast imagers, configured for imaging said cells within the incubators.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A cell culture incubator comprising:
 an incubator cabinet comprising an internal chamber for incubation of cells in one or more cell culture vessels,   a cell culture vessel transfer device for moving said one or more cell culture vessels within said internal chamber;   a storage location within said internal chamber for storing said one or more cell culture vessels;   a phase-contrast imager; and   a second imager,   wherein said phase-contrast imager and said second imager are configured for imaging said cells within said internal chamber.   
     
     
         13 . The incubator of  claim 12 , wherein said phase-contrast imager is a phase-contrast microscope. 
     
     
         14 . The incubator of  claim 12 , wherein the imaging field of said phase-contrast imager and the imaging field of said second imager are substantially aligned. 
     
     
         15 . The incubator of  claim 12 , further comprising a maintenance location at which one or more cell culture vessels can be maintained. 
     
     
         16 . The incubator of  claim 15 , wherein said cell culture vessel transfer device is configured to move said one or more cell culture vessels between locations within the internal chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The incubator of  claim 12 , further comprising a controller of said cell culture vessel transfer device. 
     
     
         18 . The incubator of  claim 17 , wherein said controller is located exterior to said incubator cabinet. 
     
     
         19 . The incubator of  claim 17 , wherein said controller comprises a computer. 
     
     
         20 . The incubator of  claim 12 , wherein the imager is configured for digitally marking a cell or cells. 
     
     
         21 . The incubator of  claim 20 , wherein the incubator comprises a plurality of workstations, each workstation comprising an imager configured to digitally mark a cell or cells. 
     
     
         22 - 29 . (canceled)