Lensless Microscope Image Generation via Virtual Focal Plane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lensless microscope methods for observing cultured cells suffer from image quality deterioration due to discontinuity when fragmentary images are connected, leading to reduced sharpness and image quality in pseudo-sectional images.
Innovation Solution
An image generating system that includes multiple illuminators and an image sensor, where the system calculates and applies luminance values from each illuminator position to generate a high-quality focal image on a virtual focal plane, eliminating the need for a focusing lens and improving image resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fragmentary images are cut out and connected to generate pseudo-sectional images, then the sectional shape of cells can be evaluated, but discontinuity appears at connection portions causing image quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D image connection to 3D light propagation modeling. By calculating luminance values along light paths from multiple illuminators through the sample to the image sensor, the system constructs focal images on virtual focal planes without connecting fragmentary 2D images, thereby eliminating discontinuity artifacts while preserving sectional shape evaluation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light path calculation as an intermediary process between image acquisition and image generation. By computing luminance values along straight lines from illuminators through the sample to sensor pixels, the system creates continuous focal images without directly connecting fragmentary images, resolving the discontinuity problem
2Stability of the object's composition
If blurring processing is applied to discontinuous portions to reduce image quality deterioration, then continuity is improved, but sharpness of the pseudo-sectional image decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for blurring processing by transitioning from 2D image connection to 3D light propagation modeling. The calculated luminance values inherently provide continuous information across the entire focal plane, achieving both continuity and sharpness simultaneously without compromise
3Manufacturing precision
If a lens is used to focus light for image capture, then image quality can be improved, but the device becomes complex and cannot be used in restricted spaces like incubators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the focusing function from the optical domain to the computational domain. By removing the lens and using multiple illuminators combined with light path calculations, the system achieves focal image generation without mechanical optical components, reducing device complexity while maintaining image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical optical system (lens) with a computational approach. Instead of using a physical lens to focus light, the system uses multiple illuminators and calculates luminance values along light paths to generate focal images computationally, eliminating mechanical complexity
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 produces high-quality focal images of cultured cells without the limitations of discontinuity, enhancing image resolution and maintaining sharpness, suitable for continuous observation in high-humidity environments.
Implementation Method 1
a first image and a second image are captured by sequentially illuminating a target object with a plurality of illuminators and detecting transmitted light
Implementation Method 2
calculates a position of a target point, the target point being a point of intersection of a straight line connecting a position of the pixel on the focal plane and a position of the illuminator and a light receiving surface of the image sensor
Implementation Method 3
calculates a luminance value of a target point in the captured image acquired while the target object is illuminated from the position of the illuminator on the basis of the position of the target point on the light receiving surface of the image sensor
Data Source
AI summary
An image generating system that generates a focal image of a target object on a virtual focal plane located between a plurality of illuminators and an image sensor (b) carries out the following (c) through (f) for each of a plurality of pixels constituting the focal image, (c) carries out the following (d) through (f) for each of the positions of the plurality of illuminators, (d) calculates a position of a target point that is a point of intersection of a straight line connecting a position of the pixel on the focal plane and a position of the illuminator and a light receiving surface of the image sensor, (e) calculates a luminance value of the target point in the captured image by the illuminator on the basis of the position of the target point, (f) applies the luminance value of the target point to the luminance value of the pixel, and (g) generates the focal image of the target object on the focal plane by using a result of applying the luminance value at each of the plurality of pixels.