Macro Image Artifact Correction via Dual Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital slide scanning apparatuses face challenges due to the inclusion of low-resolution camera sensors, which add cost and are prone to unwanted image artifacts such as dust and fingerprints, affecting image processing and the quality of digital slide images.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves using first and second illumination systems to capture two high-resolution macro images of a glass slide, one using bottom-illumination and the other using top-illumination. These images are then processed to identify and remove unwanted image artifacts from the first image, resulting in a clean high-resolution macro image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a low-resolution camera sensor is used for macro image capture, then cost is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to unwanted artifacts such as dust and fingerprints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the macro imaging function with the high-resolution camera sensor that is already present in the system, eliminating the need for a separate low-resolution sensor. The high-resolution sensor captures both macro and micro images, merging two functions into one component and avoiding the quality issues associated with dedicated low-resolution sensors.
2Reliability
If a high-resolution camera sensor is used for macro image capture, then image quality is improved, but unwanted image artifacts from dust and fingerprints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing into two distinct phases: first capturing a reference macro image to identify artifact locations, then using that information to correct the main macro image. This segmentation allows the system to separate artifact detection from artifact removal, effectively eliminating the harmful effects of dust and fingerprints while maintaining high image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing a reference macro image before the main imaging process. This reference image is used to pre-identify the locations of unwanted artifacts, allowing the system to prepare correction data in advance and apply it to remove artifacts from the final macro image, preventing rather than merely correcting the harmful effects.
3Reliability
If artifact removal processing is applied to macro images, then image quality is improved, but image processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs artifact identification in advance by capturing a reference macro image and detecting artifact locations before processing the main image. This preliminary detection creates a mask or correction map that can be quickly applied during the final image composition, significantly reducing the actual processing time compared to performing artifact removal after the fact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a reference macro image as a copy or template to identify artifact locations. This reference copy is processed to create artifact location data, which is then applied to correct the main macro image. By working with a separate reference copy rather than directly processing the main image repeatedly, the system minimizes processing time while maintaining quality.
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 effectively eliminates unwanted image artifacts, improving the quality of macro images and enhancing the accuracy of image processing tasks such as identifying tissue areas and determining initial focus points on the glass slide.
Implementation Method 1
a first illumination system for illuminating the slide from below
Implementation Method 2
a second illumination system for illuminating the slide from above
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
Two-pass capture of a macro image. In an embodiment, a scanning apparatus comprises a stage, a high-resolution camera, and a lens that provides a field of view, substantially equal in width to a slide width, to the high-resolution camera. The apparatus also comprises a first illumination system for transmission-mode illumination, and a second illumination system for reflection-mode illumination. Processor(s) move the stage in a first direction to capture a first macro image of a specimen during a single pass while the field of view is illuminated by the first illumination system, and move the stage in a second direction to capture a second macro image of the specimen during a single pass while the field of view is illuminated by the second illumination system. The processor(s) identify artifacts in the second macro image, and, based on those artifacts, correct the first macro image to generate a modified first macro image.