3D Digital Slide Viewing with Volumetric Slicing and Focus Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microscope systems are limited in capturing and viewing three-dimensional virtual microscope slide images, as they typically only allow for a single focus level, making it difficult to accurately focus on thicker specimens due to poor optical quality, illumination, or operator visual acuity, and lack the capability to effectively extract and manipulate three-dimensional image objects.
Innovation Solution
The development of a system and method that utilizes an image library module to retrieve, manipulate, and view three-dimensional image objects from 3D digital slide images, allowing for the construction of cross-layer planar views, 3D prisms, and other shaped image areas, enabling users to rotate, flip, and slice 3D image objects for comprehensive tissue sample interrogation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional microscopes use mechanical focusing mechanisms, then focus accuracy can be achieved for thin specimens, but the process becomes extremely difficult and time-consuming for thicker specimens due to impaired feedback loop from poor optical quality, insufficient illumination, or poor visual acuity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical focusing system with an optical field-of-view indicator system. Instead of relying on mechanical feedback through the focusing mechanism, the system uses visual indicators (colored bars or regions) that directly display the current field of view depth and position, allowing operators to quickly adjust focus without time-consuming manual feedback loops
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a field-of-view indicator as an intermediary between the optical system and the operator. This indicator provides real-time visual feedback about the current focus depth and field of view extent, enabling faster and more accurate focus adjustment without requiring direct visual inspection of the specimen at each focus level
2Area of stationary object
If conventional imaging systems create large images to capture entire specimen at moderate or high magnification, then the entire specimen can be viewed, but the virtual slides are limited to a single focus level (z-plane)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the traditional two-dimensional virtual slide into three dimensions by incorporating the z-axis (depth/focus) dimension. The system creates a volumetric representation of the specimen that allows navigation through multiple focus levels, enabling users to view the entire specimen across multiple z-planes rather than being restricted to a single focal plane
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the three-dimensional virtual slide into multiple discrete z-planes or focal levels. Each z-plane represents a specific focus depth, and the system allows users to navigate between these segmented layers, enabling comprehensive examination of thick specimens by accessing different focal levels within the same virtual slide
3Measurement precision
If remote controlled or robotic microscopes are used to create virtual slides, then high resolution images can be captured remotely, but the systems lack the capability to extract and manipulate three-dimensional image objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the two-dimensional virtual slide data into three-dimensional image objects by incorporating depth information from multiple z-planes. The system allows users to extract, manipulate, and view specimens in 3D space, enabling rotation, slicing, and navigation through the volumetric data structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional system that combines high-resolution image capture with advanced 3D manipulation capabilities. The virtual slide system not only captures images at multiple focus levels but also provides tools for extracting, rotating, slicing, and navigating three-dimensional image objects, making the system versatile for both imaging and analysis functions
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for retrieving, manipulating, and viewing 3D image objects from 3D virtual microscope slide images (“3D digital slides”) are provided. An image library module provides access to the imagery data in a 3D digital slide and constructs 3D image objects that are coextensive with the 3D digital slide or a 3D sub-portion thereof. From within the 3D image object, cross layer planar views spanning various depths of the 3D digital slide are constructed as well as 3D prisms and other shaped image areas. The image library module allows a 3D image object to be sliced into horizontal and vertical views, skewed cross layer views and regular and irregular shaped 3D image areas for viewing by a user.