A digital slide scanner imaging module

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of digital slice scanner imaging module, by digital camera, camera height adjusting motor, gear and rack mechanism, focusing motor, screw rod, objective lens, guide rail, briquetting and support constitute.Working, camera height adjusting motor drives gear and rack to accurately adjust the height of digital camera through guide rail;Focusing motor drives screw rod to make objective lens smoothly up and down movement to complete accurate focusing;Digital camera efficiently collects high-definition image.The utility model is driven by double motor through camera height adjustment and objective lens focusing, adapt to the stability of the structure requirement height of microscopic imaging, accuracy, and higher flexibility, the module is realized the independent adjustment of the distance between camera and objective lens, objective lens and specimen by multi-component linkage, while ensuring that structure is stable and reliable, improve the adjustment range and flexibility, realize high-precision focusing, effectively eliminate image blur and partial defocus, make the whole image sharpness consistency improve to 95% or more.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of digital slice scanning imaging technology, specifically a digital slice scanner imaging module. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of high-resolution digital imaging and analysis of planar or micro-relief samples, digital slice scanners, as the core equipment for achieving panoramic, high-definition digital images, directly determine the quality of the final image, the reliability of the analysis results, and the efficiency of the equipment through the performance of their imaging modules. Currently, although fully automated scanning technology is widespread, imaging modules still have significant technical shortcomings when dealing with high-throughput, highly variable real-world samples, particularly in terms of autofocus accuracy, long-term operational stability, and ease of maintenance.

[0003] Traditional scanner imaging modules often employ a single drive and adjustment mechanism for focusing. This typically involves manually pre-adjusting the reference distance between the camera and objective lens, or using a single focusing motor to drive the objective lens for limited compensation. This approach is unsuitable and inefficient when dealing with samples of varying thicknesses or changing objective lenses with different magnifications. Manual pre-adjustment introduces human error, leading to an suboptimal initial optical path; while a single drive structure struggles to compensate for optical system drift caused by mechanical wear or environmental temperature fluctuations. The direct consequence is frequent localized image defocusing during long-duration full-field scanning, making it difficult to guarantee consistent image sharpness and severely impacting the reliability of large-field stitching and analysis.

[0004] The structural rigidity of the imaging module and the coordination between components are also key bottlenecks. Core components such as cameras and objectives are often mounted using separate brackets, resulting in numerous connection points and long rigid chains. After long-term operation in high-speed reciprocating motion, vibration and stress can easily cause micron-level relative displacement, compromising the initial optical axis alignment accuracy. Furthermore, traditional transmission mechanisms (such as ordinary lead screws) have backlash errors, leading to significant "hysteresis" in the focusing system, causing large fluctuations in repeated focusing accuracy at the same position. This not only affects the sharpness of individual images but also accelerates mechanical wear, further degrading the image quality.

[0005] The maintainability and long-term stability of the equipment face severe challenges. As the optical core, the imaging module is extremely cumbersome to calibrate and repair once the optical path is misaligned or the transmission components are worn. Often, the entire module needs to be disassembled, requiring time-consuming and labor-intensive recalibration by professionals using specialized tools, resulting in downtime of several hours per maintenance session. This not only reduces the effective utilization rate of the equipment but also poses a fundamental obstacle to its reliability in all-weather, unmanned applications. Furthermore, the mechanical adjustments required to adapt to different sample carriers (such as slides and petri dishes of varying thicknesses) lack rapid calibration capabilities, further restricting the equipment's application flexibility.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for a novel imaging module design that can fundamentally solve a series of problems such as insufficient focusing accuracy, poor structural rigidity, weak component coordination, and cumbersome maintenance and calibration. An imaging module with a high-rigidity integrated reference and the ability to achieve one-click precise positioning and focusing is urgently needed to comprehensively improve image clarity, consistency, long-term stability, and operational efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a digital slice scanner imaging module to solve problems such as insufficient focusing accuracy, poor structural rigidity, weak component coordination, and cumbersome maintenance and calibration in the prior art, so as to achieve high definition, high consistency and high stability of digital slice imaging.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a digital slice scanner imaging module, comprising a digital camera, a camera height adjustment motor, a gear and rack mechanism, a focusing motor, a lead screw, an objective lens, a guide rail, a bracket, and a pressure block. The bracket is a frame structure, forming the mounting base of the module. The digital camera is suspended on the upper part of the bracket via the camera height adjustment component, and the objective lens is correspondingly mounted in the middle of the bracket directly below the digital camera via the focusing adjustment component. The camera height adjustment motor and the gear and rack mechanism constitute the camera height adjustment component, and the focusing motor and the lead screw constitute the focusing adjustment component. The two components achieve coordinated action through an integrated electrical control module. The camera height adjustment motor is a worm gear motor, driving the gear and rack mechanism and precisely adjusting the height of the digital camera through the guide rail. The focusing motor is a lead screw motor, driving the lead screw to move the pressure block, enabling the objective lens to move smoothly up and down to achieve precise focusing. All components are fixed to the bracket via mounting bases, forming an integrated structure for adjusting focus and imaging with an upper, middle, and lower layout. The camera height adjustment motor uses a worm gear motor, and the focusing motor uses a lead screw motor. These two motors, working in conjunction with the electrical control module, achieve precise linkage between height adjustment and focusing. A rack and pinion mechanism and a lead screw are respectively adapted to the camera height adjustment motor and the focusing motor, forming an independent yet coordinated dual-adjustment transmission structure. The rack and pinion mechanism transmits motor power to achieve camera height adjustment, while the lead screw transmits motor power to achieve objective lens focusing adjustment, jointly ensuring smooth and precise height adjustment and focusing actions. The objective lens is a corrective optical lens with adjustable magnification. It achieves optical coordination with the digital camera through the driving of the focusing adjustment component, ensuring image accuracy. The digital camera lens and objective lens are coaxially positioned, and a precision mounting structure of the bracket ensures high-precision alignment of the optical axis. Precise focusing between the two is achieved through the driving of the focusing adjustment component. The electrical control module can preset multiple imaging parameters, enabling one-button triggering of adjustment and focusing actions, jointly ensuring optical stability during the imaging process. The guide rail is a high-precision linear guide rail, set parallel to the gear and rack mechanism, together forming the lifting and guiding system of the digital camera, ensuring the smooth movement and positional accuracy of the digital camera during height adjustment. The pressure block and the lead screw are connected by a threaded connection, and the objective lens is fixedly mounted on the pressure block. Driven by the forward and reverse rotation of the focusing motor, the objective lens achieves precise vertical lifting and lowering movement, completing the focusing adjustment.

[0009] During operation, the electrical control module automatically invokes the corresponding height adjustment program based on the preset objective magnification parameters. First, the camera height adjustment motor is activated. This worm gear motor, through a rack and pinion transmission mechanism, drives the digital camera mounting base to move vertically along a high-precision linear guide, quickly positioning the digital camera to the preset working distance range matching the current objective lens, completing the coarse adjustment of the imaging system. Subsequently, the system switches to fine adjustment mode, activating the focusing motor to drive the precision lead screw to rotate. This causes the pressure block, which is threaded into the lead screw, and the objective lens fixed to it to perform micron-level fine displacement in the vertical direction. Simultaneously, the system monitors image sharpness feedback in real time until the focal plane of the objective lens and the surface of the sliced ​​sample reach optimal alignment. Throughout this process, the actions of the two motors are precisely coordinated by the control module, achieving a seamless transition from coarse to fine adjustment. After positioning is complete, the digital camera finally acquires a high-resolution sample image.

[0010] Preferably, the camera height adjustment motor is a worm gear motor, and the focusing motor is a lead screw motor.

[0011] Preferably, the gear and rack mechanism works in conjunction with the guide rail to achieve height adjustment of the digital camera, and the lead screw and pressure block work in conjunction to achieve focusing adjustment of the objective lens, forming an independent yet coordinated dual-adjustment transmission structure, which together ensures the smoothness, accuracy and rapid response of height adjustment and focusing actions.

[0012] Preferably, the objective lens is a corrective optical objective lens with adjustable magnification, and is fixedly connected to the lead screw and nut seat of the focus adjustment component. It achieves precise optical coordination with the digital camera through the drive of the focus motor, ensuring the sharpness and accuracy of the image.

[0013] Preferably, the lens and objective lens of the digital camera are coaxially arranged, and the optical axis is initially aligned with high precision through the precision mounting structure of the integrated bracket. Precise focusing between the two can be achieved through the driving of the focusing subsystem. The electrical control module can preset multiple imaging parameters to achieve one-click rapid switching and imaging of different magnifications and samples.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, this invention utilizes a dual-motor coordinated drive for camera height adjustment and objective lens focusing to adapt to the high stability, precision, and flexibility requirements of microscopic imaging. This module achieves independent adjustment of the distance between the camera and objective lens, and between the objective lens and the specimen, through multi-component linkage. While ensuring structural stability and reliability, it improves the adjustment range and flexibility, achieves high-precision focusing, effectively eliminates image blur and local defocusing, and increases the overall image clarity consistency to over 95%, ensuring the long-term reliability and high repeatability of batch scanning results. Simultaneously, the modular design and one-click parameter preset greatly simplify operation, eliminating the need for tedious manual adjustments when changing objectives and switching samples, significantly reducing maintenance and calibration time, and increasing the equipment's effective operating rate to over 85%. Finally, with its high precision, high stability, and high convenience, this module can quickly adapt to different magnification objectives and multiple sample types, fully meeting the high standards of imaging quality, efficiency, and stability required by modern digital slide scanning. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the camera height adjustment mechanism of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the objective lens focusing mechanism of this utility model.

[0017] The reference numerals in the figure are as follows: 1. Digital camera; 2. Camera height adjustment motor; 3. Gear and rack mechanism; 4. Focusing motor; 5. Lead screw; 6. Objective lens; 7. Guide rail; 8. Support; 9. Pressure block. Detailed Implementation To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0018] Please see Figure 1-3 The present invention provides the following technical solution: Example 1 To achieve high-definition, rapid, and stable imaging of digital slides, the digital slide scanner imaging module of this invention demonstrates significant technological advantages in pathological diagnosis and life science research. Its highly integrated subsystems and precision components work collaboratively to integrate adjustment, focusing, and imaging functions into one unit. Specific applications are as follows: After the module is activated, the support bracket 8, as a high-rigidity integrated reference, provides stable support for the overall structure. The camera height adjustment subsystem and objective lens focusing subsystem mounted on it form a vertical top-middle-bottom layout. This integrated structure is the foundation for ensuring imaging accuracy.

[0019] During the imaging initialization phase, the camera height adjustment subsystem works first: according to the system's preset objective lens magnification parameters, the camera height adjustment motor 2 is activated. This worm gear motor drives the digital camera 1 to perform rapid coarse positioning in the vertical direction along the guide rail 7 through the gear and rack mechanism 3, lowering the digital camera to the target height range.

[0020] Subsequently, the objective lens focusing subsystem enters the fine focusing stage: the focusing motor 4, acting as a lead screw motor, drives the precision lead screw 5 to rotate, causing the pressure block 9 and the objective lens 6 fixed thereon to move in a nanometer-level precision along the vertical direction. The objective lens 6, as a correction optical system, achieves precise optical alignment with the digital camera 1 through the driving of the focusing adjustment components. Because the lens of the digital camera 1 and the objective lens 6 are kept coaxially aligned through the precision structure of the support 8, and the initial optical axis has already achieved high-precision alignment, this focusing process can quickly capture the optimal focal plane.

[0021] For applications requiring switching between samples of different thicknesses or objectives, the module's flexible adaptability plays a crucial role. When switching from a 20x objective to a 40x objective, the system automatically calls preset parameters, and the camera height adjustment motor 2 and the focusing motor 4 work together through the electrical control module to sequentially complete the camera height adjustment and precise objective focusing, all without manual intervention.

[0022] In batch scanning of pathological slides, this module demonstrated superior performance. By employing a rack and pinion mechanism 3 in conjunction with the guide rail 7 for camera height adjustment, and a lead screw 5 in conjunction with the pressure block 9 for objective lens focusing, an independent yet coordinated dual-adjustment transmission structure was formed, achieving a repeatability accuracy better than 1μm. Thanks to the precise linkage of each subsystem and the high-precision design of its components, this imaging module significantly improves the imaging quality and efficiency of digital slides, providing reliable image data for subsequent pathological analysis, image stitching, and AI-based diagnosis. This design, integrating high precision, high stability, and high convenience, makes the module suitable for various scenarios such as hospitals, research institutions, and testing centers, demonstrating excellent clinical application value and market prospects.

[0023] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A digital slice scanner imaging module, characterized in that: The system includes a digital camera (1), a camera height adjustment motor (2), a rack and pinion mechanism (3), a focusing motor (4), a lead screw (5), an objective lens (6), a guide rail (7), a bracket (8), and a pressure block (9). The bracket (8) is a frame structure that forms the mounting reference for the module. The digital camera (1) is suspended on the upper part of the bracket (8) via the camera height adjustment assembly, and the objective lens (6) is installed in the middle of the bracket (8) directly below the digital camera (1) via the focusing adjustment assembly. The camera height adjustment motor (2) and the rack and pinion mechanism (3) constitute the camera height adjustment assembly, which adjusts the camera height for various functions. The focus motor (4) and the lead screw (5) constitute the focus adjustment assembly. The two assemblies achieve coordinated action through an integrated electrical control module. The camera height adjustment motor (2) is a worm gear motor that drives the rack and pinion mechanism (3) and precisely adjusts the height of the digital camera (1) through the guide rail (7). The focus motor (4) is a lead screw motor that drives the lead screw (5) to drive the pressure block (9), so that the objective lens (6) can move smoothly up and down to complete precise focusing. All components are fixed to the bracket (8) through the mounting base, forming an integrated structure of "adjustment-focusing-imaging" with an "upper-middle-lower" layout.

2. The digital slice scanner imaging module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The camera height adjustment motor (2) is a worm gear motor, and the focusing motor (4) is a lead screw motor.

3. The digital slice scanner imaging module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gear and rack mechanism (3) and the lead screw (5) are respectively adapted to the camera height adjustment motor (2) and the focusing motor (4), forming an independent and cooperative dual adjustment transmission structure. The gear and rack mechanism transmits the motor power to realize the camera height adjustment, and the lead screw transmits the motor power to realize the objective lens focusing adjustment, jointly ensuring the smooth and accurate height adjustment and focusing action.

4. The digital slice scanner imaging module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The objective lens (6) is a corrective optical objective lens with adjustable magnification. It achieves optical coordination with the digital camera through the drive of the focus adjustment component, ensuring imaging accuracy.

5. The digital slice scanner imaging module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lens and objective lens (6) of the digital camera (1) are coaxially arranged, and the optical axis is aligned with high precision through the precision mounting structure of the bracket (8). The focus adjustment component can drive the two to achieve precise focusing. The electrical control module can preset multiple imaging parameters to achieve one-click triggering of adjustment and focusing actions, thus ensuring optical stability during the imaging process.

6. The digital slice scanner imaging module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The guide rail (7) is a high-precision linear guide rail, which is set in parallel with the gear rack mechanism (3) to form the lifting and guiding system of the digital camera (1), ensuring the smoothness of movement and position accuracy of the digital camera during the height adjustment process.

7. The digital slice scanner imaging module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure block (9) and the lead screw (5) are connected by a threaded connection. The objective lens (6) is fixedly installed on the pressure block (9). By driving the focusing motor (4) in both forward and reverse directions, the objective lens (6) can move up and down precisely in the vertical direction to complete the focusing adjustment.

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