Digital Microscope Focus Mapping for Curved Sample Carriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital microscopes face challenges in accurately focusing on biological samples due to variations in focal depth caused by curvature in sample carriers and tolerance in microscope setup, leading to inconsistent image quality and diagnostic accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for calculating focus variation by analyzing a series of images captured at different depth levels, using focus analysis regions within a mapping field to determine optimal focus configurations for each region, and adjusting the microscope's focus accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single focus configuration is used for the entire sample, then the microscope operation is simple, but image quality becomes inconsistent due to focal depth variations
Solution Approach 1:
The sample is divided into multiple focus analysis regions, each requiring its own focus configuration. The mapping field is segmented into at least two focus analysis regions, with each region having potentially different focal depth characteristics. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized independently, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and image quality consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different focus configurations are applied to different regions of the sample based on their specific focal depth requirements. Each focus analysis region receives tailored focus treatment rather than uniform treatment across the entire sample. This local quality approach ensures optimal image quality in each region while maintaining overall system simplicity.
2Device complexity
If focus variation is not accounted for, then the system is simpler, but diagnostic accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Focus configurations are calculated and determined in advance for each focus analysis region before actual imaging or analysis is performed. The system performs preliminary calculations of focus variations and determines optimal focus settings ahead of time, allowing accurate diagnostics without adding complexity during the actual measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system calculates focus variations based on image data and uses this feedback to determine appropriate focus configurations for different regions. By continuously monitoring and adjusting focus settings based on actual image quality metrics, the system achieves high diagnostic accuracy while maintaining manageable complexity through automated feedback loops.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple focus configurations are calculated for different regions, then image clarity improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates focus configurations for multiple regions only when and where necessary, rather than uniformly processing the entire sample at all times. By applying partial action to only the regions requiring focus adjustment, the system improves image clarity in those specific areas without the time penalty of processing the entire sample uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts processing parameters based on the specific requirements of each focus analysis region. By changing parameters such as processing depth, resolution level, and computational intensity according to local needs, the system achieves high image clarity where required while minimizing overall processing time through parameter optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are described for use with a digital microscope unit that includes a digital microscope. A biological cell sample that is disposed within a sample carrier is received into the digital microscope unit. It is determined that there is a variation in the focal depth of the biological sample with respect to the microscope due to curvature in the sample carrier and/or due to tolerance in setup of the microscope. In response to determining that there is the variation in the focal depth of the biological sample with respect to the microscope, the variation in the focal depth of the biological sample with respect to the microscope is accounted for. Other applications are also described.