Auto-focus methods and systems for multi-spectral imaging

Abstract

Techniques for acquiring focused images of a microscope slide are disclosed. During a calibration phase, a "base" focal plane is determined using non-synthetic and / or synthetic auto-focus techniques. Furthermore, offset planes are determined for color channels (or filter bands) and used to generate an auto-focus model. During subsequent scans, the auto-focus model can be used to quickly estimate the focal plane of interest for each color channel (or filter band) rather than re- employing the non-synthetic and / or synthetic auto-focus techniques.

Description

technical field [0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to computer-based systems and autofocus techniques for imaging microscope slides. Background technique [0002] Digital pathology equipment is commonly used to produce digital images of microscope slides. Pathologists and blood testing equipment operators typically visually inspect digital images to gain information about tissue samples and identify the most appropriate treatment to improve clinical outcomes. To produce color images, automated slide scanners typically acquire images in each of the red, green, and blue (RGB) channels and combine the images to produce an RGB image. The scanner also acquires multiple image channels with different spectral characteristics, like for example a fluorescence imager with a bench of multi-section or tunable filters to acquire image data. To obtain suitable image data, automated slide scanning typically involves automatically scanning tissue samples at a large number of d...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, the common focus plane for all channels may not be the best focus plane for each channel, causing undesired image blur in composite images for features dominated by color rather than features that dominate the focusing process

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