A camera tilt adjustment system and digital slide scanner

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of optical equipment, in particular to a camera inclination angle adjusting system and a digital slice scanner. The camera inclination angle adjusting system is borne on a moving piece and is used for bearing a surface array camera comprising an objective lens. A sample surface borne on a horizontal objective table has a center point corresponding to a point of an optical axis of the objective lens. The camera inclination angle adjusting system comprises a first sliding rail, a first sliding block, a transfer piece, a second sliding block and a bearing piece. The first sliding rail and the second sliding rail are vertically extended with the center point of the projection in the corresponding vertical plane as the center, and the first sliding rail is arranged on the moving piece. The first sliding block is controllably slid on the first sliding rail and is connected to the transfer piece. The transfer piece comprises the second sliding rail, the second sliding block is controllably slid and connected to the second sliding rail and is connected to the bearing piece. The surface array camera is controllably slid on the bearing piece along the optical axis direction. By automatically adjusting the direction and height of the focal plane of the surface array camera, the alignment of the digital slice scanner is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of optical equipment technology, and in particular to a camera tilt adjustment system and a digital slice scanner. Background Technology

[0002] A digital slide scanner is a precision instrument that integrates multiple disciplines such as optics, mechanics, electronics, and computers. It acquires continuous microscopic images of the sample surface through a transfer module driven by an optical imaging system, and then seamlessly stitches the continuous images to generate a whole-slice image (WSI). It has advantages such as full automation, high resolution, and high scanning speed, and has been widely used in fields such as pathological diagnosis, teaching and training, drug research, and scientific research.

[0003] Digital slide scanners require high precision and need to be periodically aligned to ensure that their focal plane coincides with the sample surface. Alignment is also necessary after the device is transferred. Manual alignment of digital slide scanners is cumbersome, time-consuming, and labor-intensive, presenting a high level of operational difficulty. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a camera tilt adjustment system and a digital slice scanner that can automatically align.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: A camera tilt adjustment system, supported on a movable component and used to support an area array camera, the area array camera including an objective lens, wherein when a horizontally arranged stage supports a sample of preset specifications, the point on the sample surface corresponding to the optical axis of the objective lens is the center point, and the camera tilt adjustment system includes: The first slide rail is disposed on the moving member, and is constructed in the shape of an arc, extending in the first vertical plane, with the projection of the center point in the first vertical plane as the center of the circle; The first slider is engaged with the first slide rail and can be controllably slid along the first slide rail; The transfer component is connected to the first slider and is connected to an arc-shaped second slide rail. The second slide rail extends in a second vertical plane and takes the projection of the center point in the second vertical plane as the center. The second vertical plane intersects the first vertical plane. The second slider is engaged with the second slide rail and can be controllably slid along the second slide rail; A carrier is connected to the second slider, and the area array camera is slidably connected to the carrier and can slide controllably along the optical axis.

[0006] Optionally, the camera tilt adjustment system further includes a first driving member and a second driving member. The two ends of the first driving member are rotatably connected to the moving member and the transfer member, respectively. The first driving member is arranged in a direction parallel to the first vertical plane and can be controllably extended or retracted. The two ends of the second driving member are rotatably connected to the transfer member and the bearing member, respectively. The second driving member is arranged in a direction parallel to the second vertical plane and can be controllably extended or retracted.

[0007] Optionally, the moving component, the transfer component, and the carrying component all include a vertically extending rectangular frame, and each of its sides is parallel to the first vertical plane and the second vertical plane, respectively. The moving component is sleeved on the outside of the transfer component, and the transfer component is sleeved on the outside of the carrying component.

[0008] Optionally, the moving component is connected to two opposing first slide rails, and the transfer component is connected to two opposing second slide rails.

[0009] This utility model also provides a digital slice scanner, including the aforementioned camera tilt adjustment system, the moving component, the area array camera, and the stage, and further including a transfer module and a light source. The moving component is supported by the transfer module and can be controllably moved along horizontal and intersecting x-axis and y-axis under the drive of the transfer module. The stage is disposed between the light source and the objective lens. The light source is used to provide incident light that passes through the stage and is transmitted to the objective lens. The area array camera is also used to detect the distance between the objective lens and the sample surface along the ranging direction.

[0010] Optionally, the carrier is fixedly connected to the light source.

[0011] Optionally, the area array camera further includes a housing and a rangefinder, the objective lens is connected to the housing, and the rangefinder is disposed inside the housing, with the ranging direction parallel to the optical axis.

[0012] Optionally, the first vertical plane is parallel to the x-axis, and the second vertical plane is parallel to the y-axis, with the first vertical plane perpendicular to the second vertical plane.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: by setting a first slide rail and a second slide rail, and controlling the area scan camera to slide along the first slide rail and the second slide rail, the setting direction of the area scan camera is deflected, that is, the tilt angle changes, thereby making the direction of the focal plane of the area scan camera adjustable, and making the area scan camera controllably slide along its optical axis, so that the focal plane coincides with the sample surface, realizing the automatic alignment of the area scan camera, thereby obtaining a scanning image with higher clarity, which helps to improve the quality and efficiency of scanning.

[0014] Furthermore, by using the first driving component to drive the transfer component to move relative to the moving component, and using the second driving component to drive the carrier component to move relative to the transfer component, a small rotation angle is converted into a large linear distance, which helps to achieve high precision at a lower cost.

[0015] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this utility model. In order to better understand the technical means of this utility model and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, the preferred embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a partial cross-sectional schematic diagram of the camera tilt adjustment system, objective lens, stage, and light source shown in Embodiment 1 of this utility model.

[0017] Legend: 1-Camera tilt adjustment system, 11-First slide rail, 12-First slider, 13-Transfer component, 131-Connecting frame, 132-Second slide rail, 133-First drive component, 14-Second slider, 15-Bearing component, 151-Axial frame, 152-Second drive component, 153-Third drive component, 154-Third slider, 2-Area scan camera, 21-Housing, 3-Stage, 4-Light source, 41-Light source board, 42-Lamp body, 43-Connecting frame. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solution of this utility model will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0019] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0020] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0021] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of this utility model described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0022] This utility model application protects a camera tilt adjustment system 1, which is supported on a movable component and used to support an area array camera 2, the area array camera 2 including an objective lens. When a horizontally arranged stage 3 carries a sample of a preset size, the point on the sample surface corresponding to the optical axis of the objective lens is the center point. The camera tilt adjustment system 1 includes a first slide rail 11, a first slider 12, a transfer component 13, a second slider 14, and a support component 15. The first slide rail 11 is disposed on the movable component, has an arc shape, extends in a first vertical plane, and has the projection of its center point in the first vertical plane as its center. The first slider 12 is engaged with the first slide rail 11 and can be controllably slid along the first slide rail 11. The transfer component 13 is connected to the first slider 12 and is connected to an arc-shaped second slide rail 132. The second slide rail 132 extends in a second vertical plane, and has the projection of its center point in the second vertical plane as its center. The second vertical plane intersects with the first vertical plane. The second slider 14 is engaged with the second slide rail 132 and can be controllably slid along the second slide rail 132. The carrier 15 is connected to the second slider 14. The area array camera 2 is slidably connected to the carrier 15 and can slide controllably along the optical axis.

[0023] By setting the first slide rail 11 and the second slide rail 132, and controlling the sliding of the area scan camera 2 along the first slide rail 11 and the second slide rail 132, the setting direction of the area scan camera 2 is deflected, that is, the tilt angle changes. This makes the direction of the focal plane of the area scan camera 2 adjustable, and allows the area scan camera 2 to controllably slide along its optical axis, so that the focal plane coincides with the sample surface. This achieves automatic alignment of the area scan camera 2, thereby obtaining a scanned image with higher clarity, which helps to improve the quality and efficiency of scanning.

[0024] Please refer to the following examples for details.

[0025] Example 1: Please see Figure 1The digital slice scanner shown in a preferred embodiment of this application includes a transfer module, a moving component, a camera tilt adjustment system 1, an area scan camera 2, a rangefinder, a stage 3, and a light source 4. The transfer module is a conventional two-axis robotic arm, and its structure will not be described in detail. The moving component is supported by the transfer module and can be controllably moved along horizontally extending and mutually perpendicular x-axis and y-axis under the drive of the transfer module. The camera tilt adjustment system 1 is connected to the moving component, and the area scan camera 2 is supported by the camera tilt adjustment system 1. The transparent stage 3 is horizontally positioned below the area scan camera 2 and has a fixed height, used to position and support samples of a preset size. The light source 4 is positioned below the stage 3 and faces the area scan camera 2.

[0026] The movable component is constructed as a hollow box-shaped structure with an open bottom, and its overall structure is rectangular. The movable component is vertically positioned, and its four sides are parallel to a first vertical plane and a second vertical plane, respectively. The first vertical plane is parallel to the x-axis, and the second vertical plane is parallel to the y-axis.

[0027] The camera tilt adjustment system 1 includes a first slide rail 11, a first slider 12, a transfer component 13, a second slider 14, and a support component 15. Two identical first slide rails 11 are bolted to two opposing inner walls of the moving component. The first slide rail 11 extends in a first vertical plane and is constructed as an axially symmetrical arc along the vertical direction. The radius of the first slide rail 11 matches its height difference from the sample surface, ensuring the center of the first slide rail 11 is located on the sample surface. The first slider 12 is constructed as an arc that fits the first slide rail 11 and is slidably connected to it. The transfer component 13 includes a connecting frame 131, a second slide rail 132, and a first drive component 133. The connecting frame 131 is a rectangular frame structure open at both ends and vertically fitted inside the moving component. Both first sliders 12 are bolted to the outer wall of the connecting frame 131 parallel to the x-axis. Two second slide rails 132 are bolted to the two inner walls of the connecting frame 131 parallel to the y-axis. The structure of the second slide rail 132 is the same as that of the first slide rail 11, and they are flush at the same height. The first driving member 133 is controllably telescopic, with one end rotatably connected to the first slider 12 and the other end rotatably connected to the inner wall of the moving member, and its extension direction remains parallel to the first vertical plane. The second slider 14 is constructed to fit the arc shape of the first slide rail 11 and is slidably connected to the second slide rail 132. The bearing member 15 includes an axial frame 151, a second driving member 152, a third driving member 153, and a third slider 154. The axial frame 151 is constructed as a rectangular frame structure with openings at both ends, and is vertically fitted inside the intermediate member 13. Both second sliders 14 are fixedly connected to the outer wall of the axial frame 151 parallel to the y-axis by bolts. The second driving member 152 is controllably telescopic, with one end rotatably connected to the second slider 14 and the other end rotatably connected to the inner wall of the connecting frame 131, and its extension direction remains parallel to the second vertical plane. The third slider 154 is a rectangular block and is fitted inside the axial frame 151, with its outer wall fitting into the inner wall of the axial frame 151. A controllable telescopic third drive member 153 connects the third slider 154 and the axial frame 151, used to drive the third slider 154 to slide controllably relative to the axial frame 151 along its axial direction. Two third drive members 153 are provided and respectively connected to two outer walls of the axial frame 151 parallel to the x-axis.

[0028] The area array camera 2 includes a housing 21 and an objective lens. The housing 21 is cylindrical and is fixedly connected to the bottom of the third slider 154, with its central axis parallel to the axis of the axial frame 151. The objective lens is connected to the end of the housing 21 away from the third slider 154, and its optical axis is parallel to the central axis of the housing 21.

[0029] The area scan camera 2, driven by the camera tilt adjustment system 1, can controllably rotate in directions parallel to the first and second vertical planes, respectively. In this embodiment, the maximum angle between the optical axis of the area scan camera 2 and the first and second vertical planes is 10 degrees. In other embodiments, the maximum angle between the optical axis of the area scan camera 2 and the first and second vertical planes can be any value between 8 and 15 degrees, for example, any value among 8, 9, 11, 13, and 15 degrees. In this embodiment, the first drive unit 133 and the second drive unit 152 are both servo motors with an accuracy of 0.1 mm, and the third drive unit 153 is a high-precision motor with an accuracy of sub-micron. In other embodiments, the first drive unit 133 and the second drive unit 152 can also be stepper motors.

[0030] The light source 4 includes a light source plate 41, a lamp body 42, and a connecting bracket 43. The light source plate 41 is disposed below the stage 3 and fixedly connected to the axial frame 151 via the connecting bracket 43, making the light source plate 41 perpendicular to the optical axis of the area scan camera 2. The lamp body 42 is connected to the upper surface of the light source plate 41 and its position corresponds to the objective lens of the area scan camera 2, and is used to provide incident light that passes through the stage 3 and is transmitted to the objective lens.

[0031] The area array camera 2 also includes a rangefinder disposed inside and fixedly connected to the housing 21. The rangefinder's measuring direction is parallel to the optical axis of the area array camera 2, and it is used to detect the distance between its transmitting end and the sample surface, thereby determining the distance between the objective lens and the sample surface. In this embodiment, the rangefinder is a laser coaxial rangefinder. In other embodiments, an ultrasonic rangefinder, an electro-optical rangefinder, etc., can also be used.

[0032] When the digital slice scanner performs automatic alignment, the rangefinder assists the area scan camera 2 in quickly focusing and capturing images. The sharpness of different positions in the same frame captured by the area scan camera 2 is compared to determine the parallelism between the focal plane and the sample surface. The camera tilt adjustment system 1 is used to adjust the setting direction of the area scan camera 2 so that the overall sharpness of the captured images is consistent, thus achieving automatic tilt alignment.

[0033] Example 2: The only difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that in this embodiment, only one of each of the first driving element 133 and the second driving element 152 is provided.

[0034] Example 3: The only difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that in this embodiment, a rangefinder is not set up, and the distance between the objective lens and the sample surface is measured by focusing and measuring the distance through the area array camera 2.

[0035] Example 4: The difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that, in this embodiment, the side of the first slider 12 away from the first driving member 133 is connected to a compression spring that abuts against the inner wall of the moving member and extends along the x-axis, and the side of the second slider 14 away from the second driving member 152 is connected to a compression spring that abuts against the inner wall of the connecting frame 131 and extends along the y-axis. Under the action of the compression spring, the first slider 12 and the inner wall of the moving member press against the first driving member 133, and the second slider 14 and the inner wall of the connecting frame 131 press against the second driving member 152, thereby eliminating the influence of small gaps inside each structure, such as the gap between the inner ball and the inner and outer rings of the ball bearing used to achieve the rotational connection, which helps to improve the deflection accuracy of the area array camera 2.

[0036] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0037] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A camera tilt adjustment system, characterized in that, A movable component is used to support an area array camera (2), the area array camera (2) including an objective lens. When a horizontally arranged stage (3) carries a sample of a preset size, the point on the sample surface corresponding to the optical axis of the objective lens is the center point. The camera tilt adjustment system (1) includes: The first slide rail (11) is disposed on the moving member, and is constructed in the shape of an arc, extending in the first vertical plane, with the projection of the center point in the first vertical plane as the center; The first slider (12) is engaged with the first slide rail (11) and can be controlled to slide along the first slide rail (11); The transfer component (13) is connected to the first slider (12) and is connected to an arc-shaped second slide rail (132). The second slide rail (132) extends in the second vertical plane and takes the projection of the center point in the second vertical plane as the center. The second vertical plane intersects the first vertical plane. The second slider (14) is engaged with the second slide rail (132) and can be controlled to slide along the second slide rail (132); The carrier (15) is connected to the second slider (14), and the area array camera (2) is slidably connected to the carrier (15) and can slide controllably along the optical axis.

2. The camera tilt adjustment system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a first driving member (133) and a second driving member (152). The two ends of the first driving member (133) are rotatably connected to the moving member and the transfer member (13), respectively. It is arranged in a direction parallel to the first vertical plane and can be extended or contracted in a controllable manner. The two ends of the second driving member (152) are rotatably connected to the transfer member (13) and the bearing member (15), respectively. It is arranged in a direction parallel to the second vertical plane and can be extended or contracted in a controllable manner.

3. The camera tilt adjustment system as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The moving part, the transfer part (13) and the bearing part (15) each include a vertically extending rectangular frame, and each side of the frame is parallel to the first vertical plane and the second vertical plane, respectively. The moving part is sleeved on the outside of the transfer part (13), and the transfer part (13) is sleeved on the outside of the bearing part (15).

4. The camera tilt adjustment system as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The moving part is connected to two opposing first slide rails (11), and the transfer part (13) is connected to two opposing second slide rails (132).

5. A digital slice scanner, characterized in that, The system includes a camera tilt adjustment system (1) as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the moving part, the area array camera (2), and the stage (3), and also includes a transfer module and a light source (4). The moving part is supported by the transfer module and can be controllably moved along horizontal and intersecting x-axis and y-axis under the drive of the transfer module. The stage (3) is disposed between the light source (4) and the objective lens. The light source (4) is used to provide incident light that passes through the stage (3) and is transmitted to the objective lens. The area array camera (2) is also used to detect the distance between the objective lens and the sample surface along the ranging direction.

6. The digital slice scanner as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The carrier (15) is fixedly connected to the light source (4).

7. The digital slice scanner as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The area array camera (2) also includes a housing (21) and a rangefinder. The objective lens is connected to the housing (21), and the rangefinder is located inside the housing (21). The ranging direction is parallel to the optical axis.

8. The digital slice scanner as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The first vertical plane is parallel to the x-axis, and the second vertical plane is parallel to the y-axis, while the first vertical plane is perpendicular to the second vertical plane.

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