Imaging Reference Device for Digital Microscope Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for calibrating digital microscope systems in histopathology face challenges due to variations in color appearance caused by different imaging and reproduction equipment, and the difficulty in producing standardized tissue samples that degrade over time, leading to inaccurate color reproduction and metamerism issues.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating an imaging reference device by overlapping stained regions on optically transmissive substrates, such as cellophane, with different biological tissue stains to produce standardized color reference patches that mimic the spectral characteristics of stained tissue samples, allowing for improved calibration and accuracy in digital microscope systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standardised tissue samples are used for calibration, then color reference can be obtained, but the samples degrade over time leading to inaccurate color reproduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates artificial tissue analogues that replicate the optical properties of biological tissue without using actual tissue samples. These synthetic substitutes maintain stable color characteristics over time while mimicking the spectral properties of stained tissue, thus providing a reliable long-term calibration reference.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the calibration medium by using synthetic materials with controlled optical properties. These artificial tissue analogues have stable spectral characteristics that do not degrade, unlike biological tissue, ensuring consistent color reference across multiple uses.
2Measurement precision
If digital microscope systems are calibrated using standard equipment, then color mapping can be achieved, but variations in equipment color response cause metamerism issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs homogeneous artificial tissue analogues with consistent and uniform optical properties across different batches and manufacturing runs. This homogeneity ensures that the calibration reference behaves predictably across various imaging systems, reducing metamerism caused by equipment variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The artificial tissue analogue serves as a universal calibration reference that works across multiple different microscope systems and imaging equipment. By designing the reference material to have stable, equipment-independent spectral properties, it provides consistent color reference regardless of the specific imaging device used.
3Loss of information
If real tissue samples are stained and imaged, then authentic biological color information is obtained, but tissue thickness and stain concentration variations affect diagnostic accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates artificial copies of stained tissue that replicate the color information without the variability inherent in biological samples. These synthetic analogues provide consistent color reference points that eliminate the need for precise control of tissue thickness and stain concentration, while still representing the relevant biological color spectrum.
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 enables the production of high-quality reference devices that minimize metamerism and color variation, providing a reliable calibration system for digital microscopes by using substrates that accurately replicate the spectral effects of biological tissue stains, ensuring consistent color reproduction across different imaging systems.
Implementation Method 1
providing at least one first region of a first substrate, the first substrate being formed from an optically transmissive material which is an analogue of biological tissue
Implementation Method 2
light incident upon a pair is modulated by the respective first and second biological tissue stains of the respective regions
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided of forming an imaging reference device for a biological material imaging system. A first region is provided in a substrate formed from an optically transmissive material which is an analogue of biological tissue. This first region is stained using a first biological tissue stain. A second region is provided in second substrate which is optically transmissive and an analogue of biological tissue. The second region is stained with a second biological tissue stain. The first and second regions are overlapped as a pair, such that light incident upon the pair is modulated by the respective first and second biological tissue stains of the respective regions. Multiple regions of the first and second type may be provided, stained to different degrees.