Integrated Camera Processor for Super-Resolution Microscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluorescence microscopy techniques require processing a large number of images to achieve super-resolution, which is computationally demanding and inefficient, necessitating the development of less computationally intensive systems and methods.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a camera with integrated processors in fluorescence microscopy instruments that control excitation light, capture intermediate images, and perform image processing to produce a final super-resolution image, thereby reducing data transfer and processing requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large number of intermediate images are captured to achieve super-resolution, then the resolution of the final image is improved, but the amount of data to be processed and stored increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary image processing operations directly in the camera's memory buffer before data is transferred to the computer. Intermediate images are processed to extract relevant information (such as fluorophore positions and intensities) while still in the camera, converting 40,000 intermediate images into a compact representation that requires minimal storage and transfer, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving high resolution and managing data volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential information from the large number of intermediate images - specifically the positions, intensities, and temporal characteristics of individual fluorophores - rather than transferring and processing the complete image datasets. This extraction approach reduces the data volume from 20 gigabytes to a manageable size while preserving all information needed for super-resolution reconstruction
2Measurement precision
If 40,000 intermediate images are processed to generate a single final image, then the super-resolution quality is improved, but the processing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of intermediate images directly in the camera's memory buffer, extracting fluorophore position and intensity information before data leaves the camera. This preliminary action eliminates the need for the computer to process 40,000 full-resolution intermediate images, reducing processing time from potentially hours to minutes while maintaining super-resolution quality
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system performs self-processing of the captured images by executing image processing algorithms locally within the camera's processor and memory buffer. The camera autonomously identifies fluorophores, tracks their positions across frames, and prepares the final super-resolution image data, eliminating the need for external computer processing and significantly reducing processing time
3Power
If image processing is performed on a external computer, then processing power is improved, but data transfer requirements and interface speed requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the image processing functions with the camera system by integrating the processor and memory buffer directly into the camera. This combination eliminates the need for high-speed data transfer interfaces between camera and computer, as only the final processed results (not the raw 40,000 intermediate images) need to be transferred, thus resolving the contradiction between processing power and data transfer speed requirements
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 significantly reduces data storage needs and eliminates the need for high-speed interfaces between the camera and computer, enhancing the overall performance of the fluorescence microscopy instrument by performing most image processing within the camera.
Implementation Method 1
exciting fluorescent emission from activated fluorophores in a specimen
Implementation Method 2
process the captured images to produce a final image of the specimen
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for executing super-resolution microscopy of a specimen with most of the image processing performed in a camera of a fluorescence microscopy instrument are described. In one aspect, the camera includes one or more processors to execute machine-readable instructions that control excitation light output from a multi-channellight source, control capture of intermediate images of the specimen, and perform image processing of the intermediate images to produce a final super-resolution image of the specimen.