Lightsheet Microscope VOI Selection from Multi-Axis Border Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Determining a volume of interest in a sample for microscopy is challenging due to the difficulty in visually identifying objects, especially those extending in depth, leading to imprecise manual selection and hindering automated techniques.
Innovation Solution
An optical system for a lightsheet microscope that processes scanning image data to determine object borders along multiple axes, defining a volume of interest (VOI) that includes these borders, allowing for accurate and fast identification of the VOI.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual selection of volume of interest is used, then user expertise can be applied, but precision and accuracy are reduced with large error margins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual assessment and expert judgment with an automated image processing system that uses algorithmic border detection and volume calculation. The processor automatically analyzes scanning image data to determine object borders and define the volume of interest, eliminating the imprecision of manual selection while maintaining operational simplicity through automated processing.
2Measurement precision
If automated methods are used for volume of interest selection, then precision can be improved, but accuracy is insufficient for transparent samples with depth-extending objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the difficulty of identifying objects in transparent samples by utilizing multiple scanning directions (at least two axes) to capture objects extending in depth. By processing scanning image data from multiple dimensional perspectives, the system can accurately determine object borders and define the volume of interest even when objects are difficult to identify visually in transparent media.
3Reliability
If entire sample is analyzed, then complete coverage is achieved, but analysis time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates only the relevant volume of interest containing the objects to be analyzed, rather than processing the entire sample. By automatically determining object borders and defining the minimal necessary volume that includes all targets, the system maintains complete coverage of relevant features while significantly reducing analysis time and computational resources required.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system for a lightsheet microscope includes a processor configured to carry out a method for determining a volume of interest (VOI) in a sample. The method includes processing scanning image data obtained by scanning through the sample with a lightsheet in at least one scanning direction. The processing the scanning image data includes determining borders of an object in the scanning image data along at least two axes. The method further includes defining a proposed VOI based on the determined borders such that the borders along each of the at least two axes are included in the proposed VOI.