Biological Observation Apparatus Macro-Micro Imaging Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microscope apparatuses struggle to track biological specimens as they move or change shape, especially when attempting high-resolution imaging, leading to the risk of losing the specimen from the viewing range.
Innovation Solution
A biological observation apparatus that combines macro and micro imaging units, with a biological-specimen specifying unit and adjuster to maintain the specimen within the viewing range by adjusting relative positions and scanning parameters, allowing for detailed fluorescence observation without losing the specimen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-resolution micro imaging is used to observe biological specimens, then image resolution is improved, but the viewing range becomes limited making it difficult to track moving specimens
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the imaging function into two segments: a macro imaging unit with a first imaging lens for large-area overview and a micro imaging unit with a second imaging lens for high-resolution detailed observation. This segmentation allows each unit to optimize for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between viewing range and image resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The macro image serves as an intermediary that guides the positioning and tracking of the micro image. By first acquiring a macro image to locate the biological specimen within the large viewing range, the system can then position the high-resolution micro image accurately on the specimen, enabling tracking without losing the specimen from view.
2Reliability
If the stage position is controlled to track specimen movement, then the specimen remains in view, but only the specified specimen can be tracked and the system becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a macro image copy of the large-area view and uses this copy to identify and track specimen positions. Instead of directly controlling the stage based on complex real-time analysis, the macro image serves as a simplified reference copy that guides the positioning of the micro imaging unit, reducing system complexity while maintaining tracking reliability.
3Measurement precision
If the biological specimen changes shape or size, then detailed observation is possible, but the specimen may exceed the viewing range making tracking impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts between macro and micro imaging modes based on specimen characteristics. When specimens change shape or size, the macro imaging unit continuously provides updated context information, allowing the system to adapt the micro imaging viewing range dynamically to keep changing specimens within view while maintaining high-resolution observation capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables long-term, detailed micro observation of biological specimens by maintaining them within the viewing range, even during movement or shape changes, using macro imaging to cope with specimen movement and providing higher resolution micro images.
Implementation Method 1
a macro-image acquisition unit that acquires a macro image of an observation region including the biological specimen
Implementation Method 2
a micro-image acquisition unit that acquires a micro image of the biological specimen... perform fluorescence observation by capturing fluorescence generated at the biological specimen by radiating excitation light
Data Source
AI summary
A biological observation apparatus includes a light source that radiates illumination light onto an observation region that includes a biological specimen; a CCD that acquires a macro image of the observation region; a light source that radiates excitation light onto the biological specimen; a micro-image acquisition unit that acquires a micro image of the biological specimen; an identification-information storing unit that stores identification information of the biological specimen; a biological-specimen specifying unit that extracts identification information of the biological specimen by performing image processing on the macro image, and specifies a biological specimen for which the extracted identification information corresponds to the identification information stored in the identification-information storing unit; and a pan controller that moves a capturing range of the micro-image acquisition unit such that the biological specimen is included in the viewing range of the micro image.