Fluorescence Microscope Image Processing for Invalid Pixel Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluorescence microscopic images often contain invalid pixels due to saturation, detection errors, or calculation errors, which interfere with the determination of relevant sample information when displaying or processing the image.
Innovation Solution
A fluorescence microscope system that identifies and marks invalid pixels with a predetermined value, determines a range of valid pixel brightness values, and generates a processed image based on these values, allowing for efficient extraction of sample information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the full dynamic range of the detector is used to display weak fluorescence signals, then the signal visibility is improved, but invalid pixels interfere with the determination of the brightness value range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes invalid pixels from the image data before determining the brightness value range. The processor identifies saturated pixels and other invalid pixels, excludes them from the statistical calculation of the brightness range, thereby preventing them from interfering with the accurate determination of the signal range while maintaining full dynamic range utilization for display.
2Measurement precision
If invalid pixels are excluded from image processing, then the accuracy of sample information extraction is improved, but additional memory is required to store validity information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the validity information with the brightness value data by using the same data structure to store both the brightness values and the validity flags. This integration allows the system to track invalid pixels for accurate range determination without requiring separate memory allocation, thus improving accuracy while minimizing additional memory consumption.
3Shape
If the dynamic range is extended to display weak signals, then the contrast is improved, but invalid pixels create artifacts in the displayed image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary identification and marking of invalid pixels before the image display and processing operations. By pre-processing the image data to flag saturated and invalid pixels, the system can subsequently apply appropriate handling (such as exclusion from range determination or special display treatment) that prevents artifacts while maintaining the enhanced contrast benefits of full dynamic range extension.
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
The system effectively filters out invalid pixels, enabling reliable and robust image processing by highlighting valid data, thereby improving user efficiency and accuracy in interpreting fluorescence images.
Implementation Method 1
A fluorescence microscopic image comprises a plurality of pixel that each correspond to a data point of a fluorescence microscopic measurement. Each pixel has a brightness value that corresponds to a detected fluorescence intensity.
Data Source
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Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A fluorescence microscope system (100) comprises an optical detection system (106) configured to capture a raw image (300) of the sample (102), the raw image (300) comprising a plurality of pixel, each pixel having a brightness value. The fluorescence microscope system (100) further comprises a processor (116). The processor (116) is configured to determine invalid pixel in the raw image (300), to assign a predetermined value to each invalid pixel, to determine a range of brightness values (410) comprising the brightness values of a majority of the plurality of pixel excluding the invalid pixel, and to generate a processed image (306) of the sample (102) based on the determined range of brightness values (410).