Imaging Calibration Regions for Stable Color Gamut Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging calibration devices for biological materials in microscopy face challenges with metamerism due to unstable stains, limiting their effectiveness in high saturation regions and requiring precise manufacturing controls that increase variability.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a first set of discrete regions with color-stable tissue stains and a second set of colored filters, each with predetermined optical responses, to expand the gamut and reduce metamerism, using a chromaticity diagram to define stable and unstable regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tissue stains are used in high saturation regions to expand color gamut, then color representation is improved, but metamerism increases and stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration device is divided into two distinct sets of discrete regions: a first set containing color-stable tissue stains and a second set containing colored filters. This segmentation allows each region to serve its specific function - the first set provides stability for calibration while the second set expands color gamut in high saturation regions, thereby resolving the contradiction between stability and color representation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the calibration device are assigned different materials with specific local properties. The first set of regions uses color-stable tissue stains for reliable calibration, while the second set uses colored filters for expanded color representation. Each local region has optimized quality suited to its specific calibration needs, allowing simultaneous achievement of stability and broad color gamut.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise manufacturing controls are applied to reduce variability, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic element (unstable stains) from the calibration device and replaces it with colored filters in the second set. This extraction eliminates the need for complex manufacturing controls to stabilize stain colors, as the filters provide inherent color stability. The solution reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining or improving color consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from tissue stains to colored filters in the second set of discrete regions. This parameter change fundamentally alters the stability characteristic, eliminating the need for precise manufacturing controls to maintain color consistency. The filter-based approach provides inherent stability across manufacturing batches.
3Adaptability or versatility
If colored filters are added to expand gamut, then color representation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two types of discrete regions (tissue stain regions and colored filter regions) into a single integrated calibration device structure. Both sets of regions are positioned on the same substrate and can be viewed together by the imaging system, allowing the device to simultaneously provide color stability and expanded gamut without requiring separate calibration devices or complex multi-component systems.
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 solution enhances calibration accuracy in high saturation regions by minimizing metamerism and reducing manufacturing variability, ensuring consistent color representation across different devices.
Implementation Method 1
Each said discrete region of the first set and each said discrete region of the second set modulates incident light to produce a respective homogenous spectral response
Data Source
AI summary
A method of forming an imaging calibration device for a biological material imaging system is provided. A first set of one or more discrete regions is provided upon or within a retaining member. Each said region of the first set comprises a selected tissue stain material, wherein each of the selected tissue stain materials exhibits a predetermined optical response inside a colour-stable region of a chromaticity diagram defined by the ellipse x2/a2+y2/b2=1, where a=0.21, b=0.135, the rotation is −0.07 rad and the translation is (0.38,0.333). A second set of one or more discrete regions is also provided upon or within the retaining member. The second set is formed of one or more coloured filters having a predetermined optical response outside the colour-stable region.