Dark Field Illumination for High-Contrast Macro Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of virtual microscopes, acquiring high-resolution images of samples stained with fluorescent dyes is challenging due to reduced contrast when using transmitted illumination, making it difficult to set accurate image pickup conditions for microscopic image acquisition.
Innovation Solution
An image acquiring apparatus and method that utilize dark field illumination to capture macro images with high contrast, processing this data to generate a reference macro image, and setting image pickup conditions for microscopic image acquisition based on this reference, ensuring accurate and reliable acquisition of micro images, even for samples stained with fluorescent dyes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If transmitted illumination is used to acquire macro images of fluorescently stained samples, then the acquisition process is simple, but the contrast in the obtained macro image decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the illumination parameter from transmitted illumination to dark field illumination. This parameter change enables the macro image acquiring means to capture fluorescently stained samples with sufficient contrast, allowing the system to reliably identify the sample region and set appropriate image pickup conditions for subsequent micro image acquisition.
2Reliability
If dark field illumination is used to acquire macro images of fluorescently stained samples, then the macro image contrast improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the illumination system to serve multiple functions: it can perform both transmitted illumination and dark field illumination using the same macro image acquiring means. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to different sample types (absorptive dye vs. fluorescent dye) without requiring completely separate illumination systems, thereby controlling device complexity while maintaining high contrast for fluorescent samples.
3Device complexity
If macro image quality is insufficient, then the device structure remains simple, but the accuracy of image pickup condition setting decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a two-stage image acquisition process where dark field macro image acquisition is performed first as a preliminary step. This preliminary action creates a high-contrast reference image that enables accurate determination of the sample region and optimal setting of image pickup conditions (such as magnification and positioning) for the subsequent micro image acquisition, thereby ensuring high measurement precision without overcomplicating the device structure.
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
This approach allows for the acquisition of high-contrast macro images, enabling effective setting of image pickup conditions for high-resolution micro images, thereby improving the reliability and quality of image data for virtual microscopy applications.
Implementation Method 1
dark field illuminating means to be used to acquire a dark field macro image of a sample as a macro image
Data Source
AI summary
An image acquiring apparatus for acquiring images of a sample includes a macro image acquiring unit 20 for acquiring a macro image of the sample, a dark field light source 26 to be used for acquiring a dark field macro image of the sample as a macro image, a macro image processing unit 66 which generates a reference macro image by processing image data of the macro image, and an image pickup condition setting unit 65 which sets an image acquiring range corresponding to a range including an object of image acquisition as an image pickup condition of a micro image of the sample by referring to the reference macro image. This realizes an image acquiring apparatus, an image acquiring method, and an image acquiring program by which a macro image of a sample as an object of image acquisition is preferably acquired.