Digital Microscope Multi-Sensor Stitching for Pathology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital microscopes face delays in processing multiple biological samples due to the time-consuming process of scanning and displaying magnified images, which is inconvenient for pathologists and diagnosticians.
Innovation Solution
A digital microscope system that includes a computer with high-resolution imaging capabilities, multiple sensors, and interchangeable optics, allowing for rapid capture and display of overview images and subsequent stitching of images to cover entire slides, along with automatic slide loading and unloading, enabling efficient image capture and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If digital microscope scans and displays magnified images of multiple biological samples, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but processing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large biological sample into multiple smaller fields of view that can be captured simultaneously by multiple sensors. Each sensor captures a portion of the sample, and these segments are then stitched together to form a complete overview image, enabling rapid processing while maintaining diagnostic quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple low-magnification overview images captured by different sensors into a single composite overview image that covers the entire large biological sample. This merging process allows rapid scanning of multiple samples while preserving the ability to examine detailed regions of interest.
Solution Approach 3:
The patent performs preliminary capture of overview images at low magnification before detailed examination. This preliminary action allows rapid scanning and identification of multiple samples, enabling pathologists to quickly assess multiple specimens and then focus only on regions of interest for detailed high-magnification analysis.
2Measurement precision
If digital microscope captures detailed magnified images of samples, then diagnostic quality is improved, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic two-level imaging system that adapts between overview mode and detailed examination mode. The system first captures multiple overview images rapidly, then selectively captures detailed high-magnification images only of identified regions of interest, optimizing both processing speed and diagnostic quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the imaging process into two distinct stages: rapid overview capture using multiple sensors at low magnification, and selective detailed capture at high magnification. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high processing speed for screening while preserving the ability to achieve diagnostic quality when needed.
3Measurement precision
If digital microscope processes multiple samples sequentially, then image quality is maintained, but workflow efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the imaging capabilities of multiple sensors to simultaneously capture overview images of multiple large biological samples. By combining the fields of view of multiple sensors, the system can process multiple samples in parallel rather than sequentially, significantly improving workflow efficiency while maintaining image quality through the stitched composite images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional imaging system where multiple sensors serve both individual sample capture and collective multi-sample overview functions. The system can rapidly scan multiple samples using all sensors simultaneously, then focus on specific regions of interest, providing both high-speed screening and detailed examination capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and a computer-readable medium containing instructions to perform a method including sensing an image without magnification of a portion of a tissue sample on a substrate with a sensor; displaying the sensed image on a display at a sensor to display pixel ratio greater than one to one; and performing at least one of the following: refreshing the sensed image at a predetermined rate, storing the sensed image, modifying the sensor to display pixel ratio, and sensing a magnified view of an area of the portion of the tissue sample. An apparatus including a digital microscope comprising: at least one image sensor; a stage configured to support at least one microscope slide; a first optic configured to project an image with a magnification of one or less; a second optic disposed between the at least one sensor and the stage, the second optic configured to project an image with a magnification greater than one; and a light source; and a computer coupled to the digital microscope and operable to direct an image capture by the at least one image sensor of a portion of a microslide on the stage projected through the first optic or the second optic