Design of an automated robotic microinjection system for batch injection of zebrafish embryos and larvae
Abstract This paper presents the design of a vision-based automated robotic microinjection system for batch injection of both zebrafish embryos and larvae. A novel visual recognition algorithm based on an automatic threshold and excessive dilatation is introduced to accurately identify the center of...
Main Authors: | , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Nature Publishing Group
2024-01-01
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Series: | Microsystems & Nanoengineering |
Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-023-00645-6 |
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author | Zhongyi Guo Nana Ai Wei Ge Qingsong Xu |
author_facet | Zhongyi Guo Nana Ai Wei Ge Qingsong Xu |
author_sort | Zhongyi Guo |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Abstract This paper presents the design of a vision-based automated robotic microinjection system for batch injection of both zebrafish embryos and larvae. A novel visual recognition algorithm based on an automatic threshold and excessive dilatation is introduced to accurately identify the center of zebrafish embryos and larval yolks. A corresponding software system is developed using the producer-consumer model as the framework structure, and a friendly user interface is designed to allow operators to choose from a range of desired functions according to their different needs. In addition, a novel microstructural agarose device is designed and fabricated to simultaneously immobilize mixed batches of embryos and larvae. Moreover, a prototype microinjection system is fabricated by integrating hardware devices with visual algorithms. An experimental study is conducted to verify the performance of the robotic microinjection system. The results show that the reported system can accurately identify zebrafish embryos and larvae and efficiently complete batch microinjection tasks of the mixtures with an injection success rate of 92.05% in 13.88 s per sample. Compared with manual and existing microinjection systems, the proposed system demonstrates the merits of versatility, excellent efficiency, high success rate, high survival rate, and sufficient stability. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:56:14Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-313a7076cf0f44539bb3fe36a62d275b |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2055-7434 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:56:14Z |
publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
publisher | Nature Publishing Group |
record_format | Article |
series | Microsystems & Nanoengineering |
spelling | doaj.art-313a7076cf0f44539bb3fe36a62d275b2024-03-05T19:24:28ZengNature Publishing GroupMicrosystems & Nanoengineering2055-74342024-01-0110111510.1038/s41378-023-00645-6Design of an automated robotic microinjection system for batch injection of zebrafish embryos and larvaeZhongyi Guo0Nana Ai1Wei Ge2Qingsong Xu3Department of Electromechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of MacauDepartment of Biomedical Sciences and Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of MacauDepartment of Biomedical Sciences and Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of MacauDepartment of Electromechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of MacauAbstract This paper presents the design of a vision-based automated robotic microinjection system for batch injection of both zebrafish embryos and larvae. A novel visual recognition algorithm based on an automatic threshold and excessive dilatation is introduced to accurately identify the center of zebrafish embryos and larval yolks. A corresponding software system is developed using the producer-consumer model as the framework structure, and a friendly user interface is designed to allow operators to choose from a range of desired functions according to their different needs. In addition, a novel microstructural agarose device is designed and fabricated to simultaneously immobilize mixed batches of embryos and larvae. Moreover, a prototype microinjection system is fabricated by integrating hardware devices with visual algorithms. An experimental study is conducted to verify the performance of the robotic microinjection system. The results show that the reported system can accurately identify zebrafish embryos and larvae and efficiently complete batch microinjection tasks of the mixtures with an injection success rate of 92.05% in 13.88 s per sample. Compared with manual and existing microinjection systems, the proposed system demonstrates the merits of versatility, excellent efficiency, high success rate, high survival rate, and sufficient stability.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-023-00645-6 |
spellingShingle | Zhongyi Guo Nana Ai Wei Ge Qingsong Xu Design of an automated robotic microinjection system for batch injection of zebrafish embryos and larvae Microsystems & Nanoengineering |
title | Design of an automated robotic microinjection system for batch injection of zebrafish embryos and larvae |
title_full | Design of an automated robotic microinjection system for batch injection of zebrafish embryos and larvae |
title_fullStr | Design of an automated robotic microinjection system for batch injection of zebrafish embryos and larvae |
title_full_unstemmed | Design of an automated robotic microinjection system for batch injection of zebrafish embryos and larvae |
title_short | Design of an automated robotic microinjection system for batch injection of zebrafish embryos and larvae |
title_sort | design of an automated robotic microinjection system for batch injection of zebrafish embryos and larvae |
url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41378-023-00645-6 |
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