Lens Array Illumination for Digital Pathology Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital pathology scanners face limitations in efficiently utilizing available light for high-speed scanning, leading to suboptimal image acquisition and processing times.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a digital pathology scanner with a lens array arrangement comprising linear cylindrical lenses that modulate electromagnetic radiation to create intensified and weak radiation patterns, optimizing light distribution and usage, and a sensor unit with a specific pattern of photo-active and inactive areas to enhance scanning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional illumination system is used without lens array arrangement, then the light distribution is uniform and simple, but the scanning speed is limited due to inefficient use of available light
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is segmented into multiple linear cylindrical lenses arranged in arrays, where each lens creates a focused line of light on the sample. This segmentation allows concentrated illumination in specific regions, enabling faster scanning by efficiently utilizing the available light from the source.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniform illumination across the entire field, the system applies local quality by creating intensified radiation parts (bright lines) and weak radiation parts (dark spaces) through the lens array. This localized concentration of light where needed improves scanning speed without requiring increased overall illumination intensity.
2Speed
If the illumination intensity is increased to improve scanning speed, then the scanning speed increases, but the light source efficiency decreases and more energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the spatial distribution parameter of the illumination by using lens arrays to create a non-uniform radiation pattern with concentrated lines of light. This parameter change allows the same total light energy to be more effectively utilized for scanning, improving speed without increasing the overall energy consumption of the light source.
3Productivity
If a lens array arrangement is implemented to concentrate light, then the scanning speed and light efficiency improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens array arrangement serves multiple functions: it concentrates light to improve scanning speed, creates the illumination pattern needed for the sensor array, and enables both transmissive and fluorescence scanning modes. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple performance benefits from a single optical component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical scanning systems with a static lens array arrangement that optically achieves the same effect of concentrated illumination. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving scanning productivity through optical means.
4Speed
If the radiation is uniformly distributed across the sample, then the illumination is simple and covers the entire area, but the scanning speed is limited due to insufficient light concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The uniform illumination is segmented into multiple focused lines by the lens array, concentrating light intensity in specific regions. This segmentation allows the scanning system to acquire images faster by utilizing the intensified radiation parts, while the overall sample area remains covered through the array configuration.
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 configuration allows for more efficient use of light, significantly increasing scanning speed and enabling faster image acquisition and processing, while supporting both transmissive illumination and fluorescence modes.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one lens array comprises a plurality of linear cylindrical lenses that modulate the electromagnetic radiation from the source such that, in an object plane, a radiation distribution pattern is generated with a plurality of first parts of intensified radiation and a plurality of second parts of weak radiation
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to digital pathology. In order provide enhanced use of available imaging radiation, a digital pathology scanner (10) is provided that comprises a radiation arrangement (12), a sample receiving device (14), an optics arrangement (16), and a sensor unit (18). The radiation arrangement comprises a source (20) that provides electromagnetic radiation (22) for radiating a sample received by the sample receiving device. Further, the optics arrangement comprises at least one of the group of a lens (24) and a filter (26) that are arranged between the sample receiving device and the sensor unit. The sensor unit is configured to provide image data of the radiated sample. Still further, a lens array arrangement (28) is provided that comprises at least one lens array (30) arranged between the source and the sample receiving device. The at least one lens array comprises a plurality of linear cylindrical lenses (32) that modulate the electromagnetic radiation from the source such that, in an object plane, a radiation distribution pattern (34) is generated with a plurality of first parts of intensified radiation and a plurality of second parts of weak radiation.