Line Camera Microscopy with Tracking Autofocus for Continuous Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microscopy-based analysis methods are limited in their ability to quickly and efficiently detect and count small objects such as bioparticles, molecules, and cells, as they struggle with uneven sample holder surfaces and require extensive start-stop motion, which slows down the imaging process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a line camera and a tracking autofocus system that adjusts the focal plane in real-time as the sample holder moves, allowing for rapid imaging by maintaining focus on uneven surfaces and minimizing mechanical vibrations, while using a line camera to capture images along strips without the need for extensive start-stop motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional microscopy methods are used to image samples, then imaging can be performed, but the process is slow due to extensive start-stop motion and inability to handle uneven surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous motion imaging by moving the sample holder continuously through the imaging line without start-stop operations. The support system transports the sample holder along a path that passes the imaging line, allowing the line camera to continuously capture images of different strips of the sample, thereby eliminating time loss from repeated starting and stopping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a tracking autofocus system that dynamically adjusts the focal plane in real-time as the sample holder moves. This dynamic focus adjustment compensates for uneven surfaces during continuous motion, maintaining image quality without requiring the system to stop and refocus, thus improving imaging speed and productivity.
2Productivity
If the sample holder moves continuously, then imaging speed improves, but maintaining focus on uneven surfaces becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a tracking autofocus system that provides real-time feedback on the focal plane position as the sample holder moves. The system monitors the focus condition continuously and adjusts the focal plane dynamically to compensate for uneven surfaces, ensuring measurement precision is maintained during high-speed continuous imaging.
3Productivity
If a line camera is used instead of area camera, then imaging speed improves, but the system complexity increases due to continuous motion requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sample holder into multiple strips that are imaged sequentially as the sample holder moves past the imaging line. This segmentation approach allows the line camera to capture one strip at a time while the sample holder continues moving, simplifying the motion control requirements compared to attempting to image the entire sample simultaneously with an area camera during continuous motion.
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 rapid and accurate imaging of large areas with high resolution, suitable for antimicrobial susceptibility testing and other applications, by continuously moving the sample holder and adjusting the focal plane to maintain focus, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
determining a focal plane using an autofocus system as the sample holder is moved
Implementation Method 2
determining a focal plane using an autofocus system as the sample holder is moved
Implementation Method 3
moving the sample holder in a first direction, from a starting position on a first strip of the sample holder, to move the sample holder relative to an imaging line of a line camera, to capture an image of the first strip
Data Source
AI summary
A method for performing microscopy-based imaging of samples includes: loading a sample holder onto a support configured to receive the sample holder; moving the sample holder in a first direction, from a starting position on a first strip of the sample holder, to move the sample holder relative to an imaging line of a line camera, to capture an image of the first strip of the sample holder; monitoring a focal plane using an autofocus system as the sample holder is moved in the first direction; in response to a determination by the autofocus system, moving an objective lens along an optical axis to adjust the focal plane; and moving the sample holder in a second direction, to align the imaging line of the line camera with a position on a second strip of the sample holder.