Patent ID: 7948632
Filing Date: 2011-05-24
Classification: G02B,G03H

Abstract:
1. Method for analyzing a sample comprising transparent living and/or dead cells, by means of digital holographic microscopy, where said sample is kept in a cell culture vessel and is exposed to light from a laser, comprising the steps of: (I) creating a first hologram at a first point in time, which comprises at least one matrix element, where said matrix element comprises phase and amplitude information; (II) calculating a phase shift of each matrix element in said first hologram by using said phase information; (III) determining a focal depth of said cells by use of said amplitude information or combined phase and amplitude information; (IV) constructing a first phase image of said first hologram by using said phase shifts of each matrix element in said first hologram, and analyzing the amount of phase shift in at least one pixel of said first phase image to determine the stage of development of a cell in said sample corresponding to said at least one pixel in said first phase image.