Optical method for measurement of number and shape of attached cells in real time.

A novel, on-line method of accurately parametrizing the shape of spreading cells is described. The substrate on which the cells are deposited serves as an optical waveguide. The method is based on the interaction between the evanescent part of the guided waves and the cells. No special labelling of the cells is required. A mathematical framework for interpreting the results is derived, and some illustrative results are presented.