Adaptive Microscope Sensing for Depth Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microscopes face challenges with shallow depth of focus, leading to time-consuming focus stacking and reduced image quality, especially with thicker samples, which increases acquisition and processing times and storage requirements.
Innovation Solution
The system employs adaptive sensing by detecting sample attributes to determine an optimal acquisition process, allowing for high-resolution image capture across multiple focal planes using various illumination conditions, reducing unnecessary image captures and improving data quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If focus stacking is used to capture multiple focal planes, then image quality is improved, but acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing images at multiple focal planes simultaneously using a multi-layer camera system, rather than sequentially scanning through focal planes. This preliminary parallel capture eliminates the need for time-consuming sequential focus stacking while maintaining comprehensive image quality across different depths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension by using a multi-layer camera system that captures multiple focal planes simultaneously in the depth dimension. Instead of sequentially scanning through focal planes (time dimension), the system captures multiple planes at once using stacked camera layers, fundamentally changing how focus stacking is performed.
2Measurement precision
If focus stacking is used to capture multiple focal planes, then image quality is improved, but storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple camera layers into a single integrated imaging system that captures multiple focal planes simultaneously. By combining the capture capabilities of multiple cameras into one unified system, the patent reduces the total data volume compared to sequential focus stacking while maintaining comprehensive image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a multi-layer camera system that stacks camera elements in the depth dimension, allowing simultaneous capture of multiple focal planes. This dimensional arrangement reduces the total number of images required compared to sequential scanning, thereby reducing storage requirements while maintaining image quality.
3Measurement precision
If conventional microscopy is used with high numerical aperture lenses, then resolution is improved, but depth of focus decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by stacking camera layers in the depth dimension, allowing the system to simultaneously capture multiple focal planes. This dimensional approach enables the use of high numerical aperture lenses for high resolution while compensating for the shallow depth of focus by capturing multiple planes at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer camera system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it captures images at different focal planes, provides depth information, and maintains high resolution through the use of high numerical aperture lenses. This multi-functionality allows the system to overcome the limitations of conventional single-plane microscopy.
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope for adaptive sensing may comprise an illumination assembly, an image capture device configured to collect light from a sample illuminated by the assembly, and a processor. The processor may be configured to execute instructions which cause the microscope to capture, using the image capture device, an initial image set of the sample, identify, in response to the initial image set, an attribute of the sample, determine, in response to identifying the attribute, a three-dimensional (3D) process for sensing the sample, and generate, using the determined 3D process, an output image set comprising more than one focal plane. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.