System and method for motorized adjustment of objective lens correction color

Abstract

A system for selectively adjusting an objective lens correction collar includes a gear ring sized and shaped to fit around the correction collar of the objective lens. The system also includes an adjustment mechanism having a motor operably connected to a complementary gear configured to selectively engage the gear ring to cause movement of the gear ring, thereby adjusting the correction collar.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for electric adjustment of an objective lens correction color.

Background Art

[0002] Microscopy is related to the observation of small, often living cells and other microscopic objects. A microscope objective lens includes a configuration of optical elements that focus light from a sample onto an image sensor to facilitate image capture. The optical elements of a microscope objective lens are carefully selected and manufactured to balance optical aberrations; otherwise, distortion and / or blurring may occur in the captured image. However, microscope objective lenses are often used to image samples under various conditions, which can upset the balance of the optical elements of the microscope objective lens. For example, different samples, immersion media, and / or cover glasses used in microscopy can cause refractive index changes, which may result in distortion and / or blurring in the captured image. For example, light rays coming from the periphery of the objective lens aperture approach the focus at a larger angle than light rays coming from the center of the objective lens. Therefore, light rays coming from the periphery of the objective lens aperture undergo greater refraction than light rays coming from the center of the objective lens. This results in spherical aberration, where the focal positions of the central and peripheral light rays are different. Spherical aberration can lead to lower resolution and / or lower fluorescence intensity in a microscope image.

[0003] Some microscope objective lenses have emerged that attempt to compensate for spherical aberration (and / or other types of aberration) by including an adjustable correction color, which changes the relative positioning of the optical elements of the microscope objective lens to realign the focus of the light rays (for example, such adjustments can compensate for different substrate thicknesses and / or materials).

[0004] Some color corrections are manually adjusted by the user. However, manual color correction is cumbersome, especially since the amount of aberration can change with depth of field. Therefore, the user may need to readjust the color correction as the focus moves deeper into the sample.

[0005] Some microscope objective lenses include auto-correcting collars. However, such collars are often bulky and include an electromechanical housing that surrounds the optical elements of the objective lens. Consequently, conventional auto-correcting collars often transfer heat to the optical elements of the objective lens, which can cause focal drift that negatively affects imaging. Conventional auto-correcting collars also often hinder manual access to the lens. Furthermore, under conventional approaches, each microscope objective lens, including its own auto-correcting collar, also includes its own motor, which results in inefficiencies and high costs for manufacturers and consumers alike.

[0006] Therefore, there is a continuing need and demand for improved motorized color correction systems for microscope objective lenses.

[0007] The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any defects or embodiments that operate only in the environment described above. Rather, this background is provided merely to illustrate one exemplary area of ​​technology in which some of the embodiments described herein may be carried out. [Overview of the project]

[0008] Embodiments of this disclosure include, at a minimum, systems and methods for selectively adjusting the objective lens correction color.

[0009] Some embodiments provide a system including a gearing ring sized and molded to fit around a corrective collar of an objective lens. The system also includes an adjustment mechanism having a motor operably connected to a complementary gear configured to selectively engage with the gearing ring to cause the gearing ring to move, thereby adjusting the corrective collar. Some embodiments further include a controller for operating the adjustment mechanism.

[0010] Several embodiments provide a method for motorized adjustment of an objective lens correction collar. This method includes positioning an objective lens translation device to a first position. The objective lens translation device includes an objective lens having a correction collar fitted to a gearing ring. The method also includes engaging a z-drive unit to move the objective lens over a z-distance to the correction collar adjustment position. At the correction collar adjustment position, the gearing ring is associated with a complementary gear of the adjustment mechanism. The method also includes engaging a motor of the adjustment mechanism to adjust the correction collar.

[0011] This summary is provided to introduce the selection of concepts in a simplified form, which will be further explained in the detailed description below. This summary is not intended to identify the main or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] To illustrate the modes by which the above-mentioned advantages and other advantages and features can be obtained, a more specific description of the subject matter briefly described above will be made by referring to the specific embodiments shown in the attached drawings. Understanding that these drawings only show typical embodiments and should therefore not be considered limiting, the embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificities and details through the use of the attached drawings.

[0013] [Figure 1A]This is a top view showing exemplary components of a system for the motorized adjustment of the objective lens correction collar. [Figure 1B] This is a side view showing an example of moving a gear ring to engage with a complementary gear of the adjustment mechanism. [Figure 1C] This is a side view showing an example of moving a gear ring to engage with a complementary gear of the adjustment mechanism. [Figure 1D] This is a side view showing the configuration of complementary gears and gearing. [Figure 2A] This figure shows exemplary components of a system for the motorized adjustment of multiple objective lenses with corrective color. [Figure 2B] This figure shows an example of moving the gearing of a specific objective lens in a set of objective lenses to engage it with the complementary gear of the adjustment mechanism. [Figure 2C] This figure shows an example of moving the gearing of a specific objective lens in a set of objective lenses to engage it with the complementary gear of the adjustment mechanism. [Figure 2D] This figure shows an example of disengaging the gearing of the objective lens correction collar from the adjustment mechanism to facilitate imaging. [Figure 3] This figure shows an exemplary representation of an objective lens, including corrective color and gearing. [Figure 4] This figure shows an exemplary representation of an objective lens, including corrective color and gearing. [Figure 5A] This figure shows an exemplary representation of an objective lens, including corrective color and gearing. [Figure 5B] This figure shows an exemplary representation of an objective lens, including corrective color and gearing. [Figure 6] This figure shows an illustrative depiction of a graphical user interface associated with the operation of a system for motorized adjustment of the objective lens correction color. [Figure 7] This figure shows an illustrative depiction of a graphical user interface associated with the operation of a system for motorized adjustment of the objective lens correction color. [Figure 8]A diagram showing an exemplary depiction of a graphical user interface associated with the operation of a system for the electric adjustment of an objective lens correction color. [Figure 9] A diagram showing an exemplary depiction of a graphical user interface associated with the operation of a system for the electric adjustment of an objective lens correction color. [Figure 10] An exemplary flowchart showing operations related to the electric adjustment of an objective lens correction color. **DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION**

[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure extend at least to systems and methods for the electric adjustment of an objective lens correction color. The disclosed embodiments can facilitate various advantages over the prior art for facilitating the adjustment of an objective lens correction color. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a motor for adjusting an objective lens correction color that does not share the objective lens itself and the housing. Thus, the techniques of the present disclosure substantially avoid significant heat transfer between the motor and the lens elements of the objective lens. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a correction color that can be used to adjust a plurality of different objective lens correction colors, thereby facilitating cost - efficiency and operational efficiency gains over existing systems. Further, by substantially eliminating the need for a plurality of correction color adjustment motors in a microscope system including a plurality of sets of objective lenses, the number of wires extending towards the set of objective lenses can be reduced, thereby reducing clutter and the number of points where the system wears.

[0015] Now, note FIGS. 1A - 10 which provide various supplementary diagrams related to the disclosed embodiments.

[0016] Exemplary systems and techniques for the electric adjustment of an objective lens correction color Figure 1A is a top view showing exemplary components of a system for electrically adjusting an objective lens correction color. In particular, Figure 1A shows an objective lens 102 that can be used to facilitate microscopy. Figure 1A also shows a correction color 104 of the objective lens 102. As described above, the correction color 104 is adjustable (e.g., rotatable) to change the relative positioning of the optical elements of the objective lens 102. However, manual adjustment of the correction color 104 is cumbersome and inefficient, as described above.

[0017] Figure 1A shows a gear ring 106 attached around the correction color 104 of the objective lens 102. The gear ring 106 is configured to cooperate with an adjustment mechanism 108 to facilitate electrical and / or automatic adjustment of the gear ring 106, thereby effecting electrical and / or automatic adjustment of the correction color 104 around which the gear ring 106 is fitted. The adjustment mechanism 108 in the example of Figure 1A includes a motor operably connected to a worm gear 112 that is complementary to the teeth of the gear ring 106. When the worm gear 112 is moved so as to engage with the gear ring 106 (or when the objective lens 102 having the gear ring 106 is moved so as to engage with the worm gear 112), the motor 110 rotates the worm gear 112, thereby causing rotation of the gear ring 106 and the correction color 104.

[0018] The worm gear 112 in Figure 1A is shown as a non-enveloping worm gear (e.g., having a tilt of 2 mm / rotation), but other types and / or configurations of worm gears (e.g., globoid worm gears) may be used in accordance with this disclosure. In fact, the adjustment mechanism 108 in the example shown in Figure 1A includes a worm drive unit including the worm gear 112, but other types of adjustment mechanisms including elements that complement the gearing 106 may be used in this disclosure. For example, an adjustment mechanism for rotating the gearing 106 may include a meshing gear, which, when moved to engage with the gearing 106, forms a gear train with the gearing 106. For example, the meshing gear may have teeth that are sized, molded, and angled to mesh with the teeth of the gearing 106 to form an interlocking fit. When engaged, the meshing gear may rotate in the same plane as the gearing 106.

[0019] Figures 1B and 1C are side views illustrating an example of moving a gearing to engage with a complementary gear of the adjustment mechanism. In particular, Figure 1B shows the worm gear 112 of the adjustment mechanism 108, which is in a fixed position relative to the gearing 106 of the objective lens 102. Figure 1B illustrates the gearing 106 of the objective lens 102 in a first position offset perpendicularly from the worm gear 112 (for example, by a distance of "z" through the "z" axis, as shown in Figures 1B and 1C), so that the gearing 106 is not rotatable via the operation of the worm gear 112 while the gearing 106 and the objective lens 102 are in the first position.

[0020] Figure 1B shows a Z-drive unit 114 which may include any components configured to translate the objective lens 102 (e.g., an objective lens slider or a Z-drive unit for moving individual lenses of an objective lens turret). The Z-drive unit 114 is operable to move the objective lens 102 to a corrective collar adjustment position in the z direction, and the gearing 106 engages with the worm gear 112 such that the operation of the worm gear 112 causes the gearing 106 and the corrective collar associated with the objective lens 102 to rotate (as shown in Figure 1C).

[0021] Figure 1D shows that in some embodiments, the worm gear 112 of the adjustment mechanism 108 is positioned such that the gear teeth of the worm gear 112 and the gear teeth of the gear ring 106 are parallel to each other (for example, tilted or rotated by the threads of the worm), which can facilitate engagement between the worm gear 112 and the gear ring 106.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1A to 1D, the adjustment mechanism 108 can adjust the corrective color of the objective lens 102 in a manner that substantially avoids significant heat transfer between the motor of the adjustment mechanism 108 and the optical elements of the objective lens 102. For example, the motor 110 of the adjustment mechanism 108 is not located in the same housing as the optical elements of the objective lens 102. Instead, the motor 110 operates a worm gear (or other gear) in conjunction with the gearing 106 on the outside of the objective lens 102, thereby providing a less hot heat path between the motor 110 and the objective lens.

[0023] In some cases, according to this disclosure, a single adjustment mechanism 108 can be advantageously used to facilitate the adjustment of the corrective collars of multiple objective lenses, thereby avoiding the need for separate motors to adjust each corrective collar of the microscope system. Figure 2A shows exemplary components of a system for motorized adjustment of multiple objective lenses having corrective collars. In particular, Figure 2A illustrates various objective lenses 202A, 202B, and 202C, each having its own gearing 206A, 206B, and 206C that fit around its respective corrective collar. The objective lenses 202A, 202B, 202C and gearing 206A, 206B, 206C in Figure 2A generally correspond to the objective lenses 102 and gearing 106 described above with reference to Figures 1A and 1C.

[0024] Figure 2A shows objective lenses 202A, 202B, and 202C, as well as their respective gearings 206A, 206B, and 206C, associated with the objective lens slider 210. The objective lens slider 210 facilitates the translational motion of various objective lenses 202A, 202B, and 202C, allowing the selected objective lens to be aligned with various components of the microscope system. For example, Figure 2A conceptually depicts an optical train 216, which may include a configuration of various optical elements (e.g., lenses, mirrors, beam splitters, filters, and / or others) for performing microscopic imaging. For example, Figure 2A conceptually represents the optical train 216 as guiding light toward an image sensor 218 to acquire an image of a sample. The objective lens slider 210 may align the objective lens 202A with the optical train 216 to facilitate imaging of a sample visible through the objective lens 202A, as conceptually shown in Figure 2A.

[0025] Figure 2A shows an exemplary adjustment mechanism 108, including a motor 110 and a worm gear 112, as previously described. The adjustment mechanism 108 in Figure 2A is adjacent to the optical axis of the imaging system shown in Figure 2A (e.g., the optical axis of the objective lens 202A when aligned with the optical train 216). Figure 2A also shows the adjustment mechanism 108 and objective lens slider 210, which are controllable via a controller 214. The controller 214 may comprise one or more processors, logic units, registers, control units, integrated circuits, and / or storage media that can be used to control the operation of the adjustment mechanism 108 and the objective lens slider 210 (separate components may be used to control the adjustment mechanism 108 and the objective lens slider 210 separately).

[0026] Figure 2A provides the x, y, and z axes for reference. In some embodiments, the controller 214 translates the objective lenses of the objective lens slider 210 along the y and z axes to facilitate correction color adjustment, and the gearings 206A, 206B, and 206C of different objective lenses 202A, 202B, and 202C are made available for use in alignment with the worm gear 112. For example, the objective lens slider 210 may translate along the y axis until the gearing 206A of objective lens 202A is positioned in alignment with the worm gear 112, excluding the z offset. Briefly referring to Figures 2B and 2C, Figure 2B shows the gearing 206A of objective lens 202A positioned in alignment with the worm gear 112, excluding the z offset. Figure 2C shows that the Z drive unit 220 of the objective lens slider 210 translates the objective lens 202A in the z direction, engaging the gearing 206A with the worm gear to facilitate adjustment of the correction color of the objective lens 202A.

[0027] Referring again to Figure 2A, after operating the motor 110 to adjust the corrective color of objective lens 202A, the controller 214 can facilitate the adjustment of the corrective color of objective lens 202B by selectively engaging the gearing 206B of objective lens 202B with the worm gear 112 using the objective lens slider 210. Such a function can be performed for any number of objective lenses (e.g., objective lens 202C).

[0028] In some cases, to facilitate alignment between the adjustment mechanism 108 and various gearings 206A, 206B, or 206C, the adjustment mechanism 108 (or at least the worm gear 112 of the adjustment mechanism) may be additionally or alternatively translatable along the y-axis and / or z-axis.

[0029] In some cases, the objective lenses include different lens diameters. For example, as shown in Figure 2A, objective lens 202B has a smaller diameter than objective lens 202A or 202C. In some cases, gearing rings with different inner diameters may be placed on different objective lenses to allow the adjustment mechanism 108 to adapt to objective lenses of different diameters. Gearing rings placed on different objective lenses may have the same outer diameter despite their different inner diameters, and therefore the adjustment mechanism 108 can more easily work with different gearing rings associated with different objective lenses of different diameters.

[0030] For example, in Figure 2A, the gearing 206B of the objective lens 202B has a smaller inner diameter than the gearing 206A of the objective lens 202A, but both gearing 206B and gearing 206A have the same outer diameter. The smaller inner diameter of gearing 206B allows it to fit around the corrective collar of the objective lens 202B, while the larger inner diameter of gearing 206A allows it to fit around the corrective collar of the objective lens 202A. The uniform outer diameters of gearing 206A and 206B allow both gearing 206A and 206B to work with the worm gear 112 for adjustment.

[0031] In some embodiments, to accommodate objective lenses having different lens diameters, the objective lens slider 210 and / or adjustment mechanism 108 (e.g., the worm gear 112 of the adjustment mechanism 108) is translatable along the x-axis so as to allow different objective lenses to work in conjunction with the adjustment mechanism 108. This can be used, for example, when objective lenses of different sizes have similar gearing thicknesses and, consequently, different overall outer diameters.

[0032] In the example shown in Figure 2A, each objective lens 202A, 202B, and 202C is associated with its respective magnet 208A, 208B, and 208C. Figure 2A also shows a Hall effect sensor 212 associated with the system shown in Figure 2A. In some embodiments, the Hall effect sensor 212 and the magnets 208A, 208B, and 208C work together to determine the respective origin return positions of the corrective collars of the objective lenses 202A, 202B, and 202C. In this regard, the magnets 208A, 208B, and 208C may be used to calibrate the adjustment mechanism 108 by performing desired adjustment operations for various objective lens corrective collars.

[0033] In some cases, magnets 208A, 208B, and / or 208C are mounted on gearings 206A, 206B, and / or 206C, respectively. In some cases, magnets 208A, 208B, and / or 208C are mounted on the corrective collars of objective lenses 202A, 202B, and / or 202C separately from the gearings 206A, 206B, and / or 206C (for example, on a separate ring mounted on the corrective collar). In some embodiments, the positions of the Hall effect sensors and magnets are swapped. For example, each objective lens 202A, 202B, 202C and / or gearings 206A, 206B, 206C may incorporate a Hall effect sensor to enable positional reference with respect to a reference magnet. In some embodiments, other sensor mechanisms besides the Hall effect sensors and magnets (e.g., optical sensors, limit switches, etc.) are used to determine the home positions of the various gearings relative to the adjustment mechanism.

[0034] In consideration of this disclosure, it will be understood that the exemplary systems described with reference to Figures 2A to 2C may include additional or alternative components not expressly shown in Figures 2A to 2C. For example, the system may comprise any number of processors and / or hardware storage devices to perform any of the disclosed functions (e.g., those associated with the functions of the controller 214 and / or the image sensor 218). Furthermore, the system may optionally comprise aberration detection components such as a focus detection unit (FDU) and / or a module for optimizing the focal position using signal processing techniques (e.g., phase detection, contrast detection, etc.).

[0035] Referring again to Figures 2B and 2C, in some cases, the corrective collar of the objective lens 202A is adjusted before focusing the objective lens 202A for imaging. For example, Figure 2B may represent the starting position of the objective lens after the objective lens 202A has been translated in the y-direction via the objective lens slider 210 (e.g., using the controller 214) in preparation for imaging. The Z drive unit 220 may then translate the objective lens 202A in the z-direction to engage the gearing 206A of the objective lens 202A with the worm gear 112 of the adjustment mechanism 108. The controller 214 can then operate the motor 110 to rotate the worm gear 112 and gearing 206A to perform any desired adjustment to the corrective collar of the objective lens 202A. The adjustment may be made to adapt to the thickness of the container supporting the sample to be imaged (e.g., the bottom of the container of an inverted microscope). For example, the thickness of the container may be stored in a data structure (e.g., a table) along with a corresponding correction color setting optimized for the thickness of each container, and the correction color may be adjusted based on the data structure (using possible interpolation). The controller 214 may then advance the objective lens 202A further in the z direction to a desired z height for imaging (or multiple z heights to obtain a z stack). For example, Figure 2D shows the objective lens 202A driven beyond the worm gear 112 in the z direction to a desired z height for imaging. In this way, external forces on the objective lens 202A (e.g., forces from the worm gear 112) can be avoided during imaging.

[0036] However, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the adjustment mechanism 108 is configured to remain engaged (or nearly engaged) with the gearing 206A of the objective lens 202A during imaging to enable corrective color adjustment during imaging protocols (e.g., z-stack protocols). For example, in some cases, at least a portion of the adjustment mechanism 108 is configured to translate in the z-direction together with the objective lens 202A (e.g., via a z-drive) to enable corrective color adjustment during imaging. In some embodiments, the height of the gearing 206A is selected to allow the gearing 206A to remain accessible to the adjustment mechanism 108 (e.g., its worm gear 112) over a range of objective lens z-heights for imaging.

[0037] In some embodiments where the adjustment mechanism 108 is configured to adjust the corrective color of the objective lens 202A during imaging, there is a risk that the vibration force of the motor of the adjustment mechanism 108 may disturb the objective lens 202A during imaging, thereby affecting image quality. Therefore, to prevent the motor's vibration force from disturbing the objective lens during imaging, the adjustment mechanism 108 may be configured or controlled to perform the reverse process after adjusting the gearing 206A, thereby moving the adjustment mechanism 108 away from contact with the gearing 206A.

[0038] For example, the system may rotate the worm gear 112 in a first direction to bring the gear teeth of the worm gear 112 into contact with the gear teeth of the gear ring 206A. The system may continue to rotate the worm gear 112 in the first direction and rotate the gear ring 206A in a corresponding manner to facilitate adjustment of the corrective collar of the objective lens 202A. After adjustment, the system may perform the reverse process by rotating the worm gear 112 in a second direction (opposite to the first direction) to disengage the gear teeth of the worm gear 112 from contact with the gear teeth of the gear ring 206A (utilizing the play between the gear teeth). When the gear teeth of the worm gear 112 and the gear ring 206A are disengaged after the reverse process as described above, (i) vibrations from the motor of the adjustment mechanism 108 are prevented from reaching the gear ring 206A of the objective lens, and (ii) the ease of positioning the worm gear 112 relative to the gear ring 206A remains unchanged, allowing subsequent correction color adjustment to be performed.

[0039] In some cases, the controller 214 controlling the adjustment mechanism 108 works together with the focus detection unit (FDU) (or other components for detecting aberrations) to automatically calculate the corrected color position / setting based on data provided via the FDU (e.g., physical information of the optical interface of the FDU's array detector, such as the fitted peak positions of reflections at the top and bottom of the sample window). For example, the FDU may include a light source (e.g., a laser) that emits light (e.g., collimated light) toward the cover substrate of the sample (e.g., toward the bottom side of the glass coverslip). The FDU may further include an array detector configured to detect the light emitted by the light source and reflected by the cover substrate. The array detector can detect a first peak associated with light reflected from a first side of the cover substrate (e.g., the bottom surface of the coverslip) and a second peak associated with light reflected from a second side of the cover substrate (e.g., the top surface of the coverslip after the light has passed through the bottom side of the coverslip and through the coverslip substrate). The offset between the first peak and the second peak may be used to detect the thickness of the cover substrate.

[0040] The detected thickness of the cover substrate may be used (e.g., automatically) as an input to cause the adjustment mechanism 108 to adjust the correction collar of the objective lens (e.g., via gearing) to compensate for aberrations associated with the detected thickness.

[0041] The basic scheme described herein can be applied to substantially any type of microscope objective lens, including a corrective color (e.g., an inverted microscope or an upright microscope).

[0042] Figures 3, 4, 5A, and 5B are diagrams illustrating exemplary representations of objective lenses including a corrective collar and gearing. In Figure 3, the objective lens 302 includes a magnet 304 mounted on a ring 306 separate from the gearing 308 connected to the corrective collar 310 of the objective lens 302. However, as described above, the magnet may be mounted on the gearing 308 itself or on a separate part of the objective lens 302.

[0043] In Figure 4, the objective lens 402 has a corrective collar 404 with an adjustment range of approximately 120 to 150° (for example, in the case of a Zeiss objective lens). The corrective collar 404 also includes a numerical indicator 406 that indicates different cover glass thicknesses (e.g., 0.14 mm to 0.19 mm) to which the corrective collar 404 may be configured to adapt. In the example shown in Figure 4, the objective lens 402 includes a gearing ring 410 having a window 408 that exposes the numerical indicator 406 of the corrective collar 404. Such functionality allows the user to ensure proper operation and / or calibration of the adjustment mechanism 108. Furthermore, in the example in Figure 4, the gearing ring 410 has teeth omitted in the area including the window 408.

[0044] Figure 5A shows an exemplary objective lens 502, including a corrective collar and gearing, according to the present disclosure. Figure 5B provides an exploded view of the components shown in Figure 5A. Component 1 in Figure 5B is an exemplary objective lens with a ZEISS C-apochromat 40x / 1.2W Korr UV-VIS-IF mounted on it. Component 2 in Figure 5B is a gear with a C-APO 40x / 1.2 gear mounted on it. Component 3 in Figure 5B is a socket magnet, and component 4 is a magnet. Component 5 in Figure 5B is a threaded ring, and component 6 is a rotatable objective lens pod / cup. Component 7 is a set screw, and component 8 is an O-ring. Specific forms of this embodiment are exemplary, and other similar components may be used.

[0045] The components shown in Figure 5B advantageously allow the use of different types and models of objective lenses in a system for motorized adjustment of the objective lens correction collar. For example, by using a threaded ring (component 5) for mounting to the objective lens pot / cup (component 6), it becomes possible to rotate the objective lens relative to the pot / cup to an operable position. Otherwise, the threads of standard components may not provide the desired operable orientation when fully tightened. That is, since the gearing ring (component 2) needs to be oriented to work properly with the adjustment mechanism, the function of adjusting the orientation provides effective positioning without modifying or customizing standard objective lens and / or pot / cup components.

[0046] Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9 illustrate exemplary graphical user interfaces associated with the operation of a system for motorized adjustment of objective lens correction collars. The techniques described herein may implement one or more computer systems, including one or more processors, hardware storage devices, and / or user interfaces for presenting content to the user and receiving user input. One or more computer systems may enable the user to select a motorized correction collar function and calibrate individual objective lenses. During calibration, the user may be prevented from performing other microscopy actions (e.g., the system may block the user from accessing other functions during calibration).

[0047] Figure 6 shows an exemplary graphical user interface (GUI) for operating a corrective color adjustment mechanism (e.g., adjustment mechanism 108). Element 1 in Figure 6 is a selectable initialization button for activating the corrective color adjustment mechanism to its home position (e.g., aligning the magnet of the corrective color gearing with the Hall effect sensor of the corrective color adjustment mechanism). The home position can establish a starting point to facilitate calibration of the corrective color adjustment system (e.g., to establish the relationship between motor step / operation and corrective color setting) and may allow the system to adapt to mechanical limitations associated with the hardware. Element 2 in Figure 6 is a text box for receiving user input indicating the thickness of the substrate. In addition to or instead of the text box, other selection functions (e.g., drop-down menus, selectable arrows, mouse wheel function down menus, selectable arrows, mouse wheel function, etc.) can be implemented.

[0048] Figure 7 shows a graphical user interface for calibrating a corrective color adjustment mechanism (e.g., adjustment mechanism 108). Scaling of the objective lens corrective color may be a function of a worm gear and a stepper motor gear. The GUI in Figure 7 can display the physical motion of the worm gear position. Calibration from a selected scaling number can be interpolated (e.g., linearly). The GUI in Figure 7 also shows a limit switch monitor (e.g., by displaying "1" or "0") which may indicate whether the home position has been detected via the Hall effect sensor and magnet. In some cases, if the home position is not detected, the user is prompted to adjust the z height of the objective lens (or worm gear 112), but other microscope functions are disabled.

[0049] Figure 8 shows various calibration settings and / or parameters that can be stored for different objective lenses under different imaging conditions (e.g., different immersion media). At least some of the data may be obtained based on focus detection unit (FDU) data.

[0050] Figure 9 shows various GUIs associated with adapting corrective color adjustments within the z-stack protocol (via adjustment mechanism 108 and controller 214). In some embodiments, the test is performed by manually driving the objective lens through a thick sample while adjusting the corrective color at various points to optimize image intensity (e.g., while recording the corrective color value that provides the optimal intensity). A corrective color start value may then be set, and a corrective color shift protocol may be used to define a specific corrective color adjustment (e.g., a negative or positive adjustment) (see GUI 902). The corrective color adjustment may then be incorporated into the protocol from a partial z-stack (e.g., with the "return to start position after experiment" setting unchecked), and the corrective color adjustment is implemented to adapt the corrective color setting across various z positions (see GUIs 904 and 906).

[0051] In some embodiments, corrective color adjustments are included in the z-stack protocol itself. For example, a function may be provided that allows the user to modify (1) the color step size, (2) the z-step count between color steps (which may be interpolated), and (3) the number of color steps (which may be interpolated) (see GUI908).

[0052] Exemplary method for imaging using objective lens correction color Herein, the following description refers to several methods and method operations that can be performed by one or more systems including components described herein, such as a controller 214, a motor 110, an image sensor 218, a worm gear 112, a Hall effect sensor 212, a magnet, a gearing, an objective lens, and an objective lens slider 210. The method operations are described in a specific order and illustrated in the flowchart as occurring in a specific order, however, since one operation depends on another operation being completed before it is performed, no specific ordering is required unless specifically stated or required. It should be understood that certain embodiments of the disclosure may omit one or more of the operations described herein.

[0053] Figure 10 shows an exemplary flowchart 1000 illustrating the operation related to the motorized adjustment of the objective lens correction collar. The operation related to flowchart 1000 may incorporate and / or utilize one or more of the system components described above with respect to Figures 1A to 9. Therefore, some of the elements listed in the following operations include, for illustrative purposes, parenthetical references to the elements described above.

[0054] Operation 1002 in flow chart 1000 includes positioning an objective lens translation device (e.g., an objective lens slider 210, or an objective lens turret) to a first position, the objective lens translation device comprising an objective lens (202A) having a corrective collar mated with a gearing (206A). Operation 1004 in flow chart 1000 includes identifying the type of objective lens (202A) having a corrective collar. One or more attributes of the objective lens may be acquired / utilized for future adjustments to the corrective collar of the objective lens.

[0055] Operation 1006 in flow chart 1000 includes engaging a z-drive unit (e.g., Z-drive unit 220) to move the objective lens (202A) over a z-distance to the corrective color adjustment position, where the gearing (206A) is associated with a complementary gear (e.g., worm gear 112) of the adjustment mechanism (108) at the corrective color adjustment position. In some embodiments, the z-distance between the first position and the corrective color adjustment position is based on the type of objective lens (e.g., as determined above according to operation 1004).

[0056] Operation 1008 in flow chart 1000 includes engaging a motor of the adjustment mechanism to adjust the corrective collar. In some embodiments, engaging the motor causes motion of a complementary gear, which is converted into a gear ring fitted around the corrective collar. Furthermore, in some embodiments, adjusting the corrective collar corrects one or more aberrations produced by the objective lens adjusting the corrective collar. In addition, in some cases, the degree to which the corrective collar is adjusted depends on specific imaging parameters associated with the objective lens and / or the medium through which light passes along the imaging path.

[0057] Further details about the computer system A system configured to implement the disclosed techniques may include various hardware elements, such as one or more processors and / or one or more hardware storage devices. The system may include any number of additional or alternative components and may take on various forms.

[0058] A processor may comprise one or more sets of electronic circuits, including any number of logic units, registers, and / or control units, to facilitate the execution of computer-readable instructions (e.g., instructions that form a computer program). Such computer-readable instructions may be stored in computer-readable storage (e.g., hardware storage). The storage may include physical system memory and may be volatile, non-volatile, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, the storage may comprise local storage, remote storage (e.g., accessible via a communication system or otherwise), or any combination thereof.

[0059] The processor may be configured to execute instructions stored in computer-readable storage to perform specific actions related to facilitating rapid genome sequencing analysis. These actions may rely, at least partially, on data stored on the computer-readable storage in a volatile or non-volatile manner.

[0060] In some cases, the action may rely at least in part on one or more communication systems for receiving data and / or commands from one or more remote systems, which may include, for example, separate systems or computing devices / nodes / clusters, sensors, and / or others. The communication system may comprise any combination of software or hardware components that can operate to facilitate communication between on-system components / devices and / or with off-system components / devices. For example, the communication system may comprise structures, ports, buses, or other connectivity devices for communicating with other devices / components. Additionally or alternatively, the communication system may comprise, in non-limiting examples, systems / components that can operate to wirelessly communicate with external systems and / or devices through any suitable communication channel, such as Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, Wi-Fi, WLAN, infrared communication, etc.

[0061] The disclosed embodiments may comprise or utilize a special-purpose or general-purpose computer, including computer hardware, as will be considered in more detail below. The disclosed embodiments may also comprise physical and other computer-readable media for carrying or storing computer-executable instructions and / or data structures. Such computer-readable media may be any available media accessible by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system. A computer-readable medium that stores computer-executable instructions in data form is one or more “physical computer storage media” or “hardware storage devices.” A computer-readable medium that simply transmits computer-executable instructions without storing them is a “transmission medium.” Thus, as an example rather than an limitation, the current embodiments may comprise at least two distinctly different types of computer-readable media, namely computer storage media and transmission media.

[0062] Computer storage media (also known as "hardware storage devices") include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, RAM-based solid-state drives ("solid state drives, SSDs"), flash memory, and phase-change memory. Computer-readable hardware storage devices such as memory (PCM), other types of memory, or other optical disk storage devices, magnetic disk storage devices, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code means in hardware in the form of computer executable instructions, data, or data structures, and that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0063] A “network” is defined as one or more data links that enable the transfer of electronic data between computer systems and / or modules and / or other electronic devices. When information is transferred to or provided to a computer via a network or another communication connection (wired, wireless, or a combination of wired and wireless), the computer appropriately recognizes the connection as a transmission medium. A transmission medium may include networks and / or data links that can be used to carry program code in the form of computer executable instructions or data structures and are accessible by general-purpose or special-purpose computers. The aforementioned combinations are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0064] Furthermore, upon reaching various computer system components, program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures can be automatically transferred from a transmission computer-readable medium to a physical computer-readable storage medium (or vice versa). For example, computer-executable instructions or data structures received via a network or data link are buffered in RAM within a network interface module (e.g., a "NIC") and ultimately transferred to the computer system RAM and / or the computer system's less volatile computer-readable physical storage medium. Thus, computer-readable physical storage media may be included in computer system components that also (or primarily) utilize the transmission medium.

[0065] Computer executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data that cause a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, or a dedicated processing device to perform a specific function or group of functions. Computer executable instructions can be, for example, binary, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, or even source code.

[0066] The disclosed embodiments include or may utilize cloud computing. Cloud models may comprise various characteristics (e.g., on-demand self-service, wide area network access, resource pooling, rapid resilience, measured service, etc.), service models (e.g., Software as a Service ("SaaS"), Platform as a Service ("PaaS"), Infrastructure as a Service ("IaaS")), and deployment models (e.g., private cloud, community cloud, public cloud, hybrid cloud, etc.).

[0067] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in network computing environments involving many types of computer system configurations, including personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, message processors, handheld devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile phones, PDAs, pagers, routers, switches, wearable devices, and the like. The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in a distributed system environment in which multiple computer systems (e.g., local and remote systems) linked through a network (either by wired data links, wireless data links, or a combination of wired and wireless data links) perform tasks. In a distributed system environment, program modules may reside in local and / or remote memory storage devices.

[0068] Alternatively or additionally, the functions described herein may be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. For example, but not limited to, exemplary types of hardware logic components that may be used include: Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), program-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), application-specific standard products (ASSPs), system-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), central processing units (CPUs), and graphics processing units (graphics processors). Including processing units (GPUs) and / or other components.

[0069] As used herein, the terms “executable module,” “executable component,” “component,” “module,” or “engine” may refer to a hardware processing unit or a software object, routine, or method that can run on one or more computer systems. Different components, modules, engines, and services described herein may be implemented as objects or processors (for example, as separate threads) that run on one or more computer systems.

[0070] In some embodiments, the systems of the present disclosure may comprise or be configured to run any combination of software and / or hardware components that are capable of operating to facilitate processing using machine learning models or other artificial intelligence-based structures / architectures. For example, one or more processors may include, and / or utilize, hardware components and / or computer executable instructions capable of operating to execute functional blocks and / or processing layers, such as, in non-limiting examples, single-layer neural networks, feedforward neural networks, radial basis function networks, deep feedforward networks, recurrent neural networks, long-short-term memory (LSTM) networks, gated recurrent units, autoencoder neural networks, variational autoencoders, denoising autoencoders, sparse autoencoders, Markov chains, Hopfield neural networks, Boltzmann machine networks, restricted Boltzmann machine networks, deep belief networks, deep convolutional networks (or convolutional neural networks), deconvolutional neural networks, deep convolutional inverse graphics networks, generative adversarial networks, liquid state machines, extreme learning machines, echo state networks, deep residual networks, Kohonen networks, support vector machines, neural Turing machines, and the like.

[0071] Various modifications and / or alterations to the features of the inventions exemplified herein, and additional uses of the principles shown herein, arising from persons skilled in the relevant art and owners of this disclosure, may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as defined by the claims, and should be considered within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, although various aspects and embodiments are disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. Numerous methods and components similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in particular embodiments of this disclosure, but only specific materials and methods are described herein.

[0072] It will also be understood that systems, devices, products, kits, methods, and / or processes according to specific embodiments of this disclosure may include, incorporate, or otherwise include characteristics, features (e.g., components, members, elements, parts, and / or parts) described in other embodiments disclosed and / or described herein. Accordingly, various features of a particular embodiment may be compatible with, combined with, included in, and / or incorporated in other embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the disclosure of certain features relating to a particular embodiment of this disclosure should not be construed as limiting the application or inclusion of such features to a particular embodiment. Rather, it will be understood that other embodiments may include such features, members, elements, parts, and / or parts without necessarily departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0073] Furthermore, unless a feature is described as requiring another feature in combination with it, any feature herein can be combined with any other feature of the same or different embodiments disclosed herein. Moreover, various well-known embodiments of exemplary systems, methods, apparatus, etc., are not described in particular detail herein to avoid obscuring the embodiments of the exemplary models. However, such embodiments are contemplated herein as well.

Claims

1. A system for selectively adjusting the objective lens correction color, An objective lens translation device configured to move the objective lens between a first position and a corrective color adjustment position, A gear ring sized and molded to fit around the corrective collar of the objective lens, The adjustment mechanism comprises a motor operably connected to a complementary gear configured to selectively engage with the gearing to cause the gearing to move, thereby adjusting the corrective collar, The complementary gear engages with the gear ring only when the objective lens is in the corrective color adjustment position, and does not engage with the gear ring when the objective lens is in the first position.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the objective lens translation device includes an objective lens slider or an objective lens turret.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first position and the corrective color adjustment position are separated by a z-distance, and the objective lens translation device includes a z-drive unit configured to move the objective lens by at least the z-distance.

4. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustment mechanism is fixed in a fixed position.

5. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the complementary gear is configured to move in at least one dimension of a two-dimensional plane.

6. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a worm drive unit.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the complementary gear includes a non-entangled worm gear.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the complementary gear includes a globoid worm gear.

9. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the complementary gear includes a meshing gear that forms a gear train together with the gear ring at the corrective collar adjustment position.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the meshing gear is rotatable in the same plane as the gear ring at the corrective collar adjustment position.

11. The system according to claim 6, wherein the gearing and the complementary gear constitute an interlocking fit when selectively engaged.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the interlocking mating is formed by teeth on the gear ring that are sized, molded, and angled to mesh with the complementary gear.

13. The system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second gearing ring sized and molded to fit around each corrective collar of a second objective lens, wherein the adjustment mechanism is further configured to selectively engage with the second gearing ring to cause movement of the second gearing ring, thereby adjusting each corrective collar of the second objective lens.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the adjustment mechanism can selectively engage with either the gearing or the second gearing.

15. A magnet attached to the aforementioned correction collar, The system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a Hall effect sensor not connected to the gearing and the objective lens, wherein the magnet and the Hall effect sensor contribute to determining the home position of the system.

16. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the gearing has a window extending around a portion of the outer circumference of the gearing, and the window is configured to expose the scale of the objective lens.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the gearing has teeth omitted on the portion of the outer circumference on which the window extends around it.

18. It is an imaging system, A system according to claim 1 or 2 for selectively adjusting the objective lens correction color, An imaging system comprising a controller for operating the adjustment mechanism.

19. The imaging system according to claim 18, wherein the adjustment mechanism is positioned adjacent to the optical axis of the imaging system.

20. The imaging system according to claim 18, further comprising an image sensor.

21. The imaging system according to claim 18, further comprising an aberration detection component.

22. The aberration detection component is communicatively coupled to a computer system comprising one or more processors and one or more hardware storage devices for storing instructions, and the instructions communicate the computer system to The aberration detection component receives data defining one or more aspects of the aberration, When implemented in the aforementioned corrected color, a corrected color adjustment is calculated to reduce the aberration. The imaging system according to claim 21, wherein one or more processors can be configured to automatically implement the corrective color adjustment in the controller.

23. A method for motorized adjustment of the objective lens correction color, The objective lens translation device is positioned in a first position, wherein the objective lens translation device comprises an objective lens with a gear ring fitted around a corrective collar, and the positioning is such that the complementary gear of the adjustment mechanism does not engage with the gear ring in the first position. By engaging with the z-drive unit and moving the objective lens from the first position to the corrective color adjustment position by a distance of z, the complementary gear is engaged with the gear ring. A method comprising driving the motor of the adjustment mechanism to operate the complementary gear, thereby operating the gear ring and adjusting the correction collar.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein adjusting the corrective color corrects one or more aberrations generated by the objective lens that adjusts the corrective color.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the degree to which the corrective color is adjusted depends on specific imaging parameters associated with the objective lens and / or the medium through which light passes along the imaging path.

26. The method according to claim 23, further comprising identifying the type of the objective lens having the corrective color, wherein the z-distance between the first position and the corrective color adjustment position is based on the type of the objective lens.

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