Merged Microscope Imaging With Structured and Gaussian Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscopes face limitations in capturing large image sections with high optical quality due to shallow depth of field and interference from out-of-focus emissions, leading to blurred images, and existing methods like confocal microscopy are time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A method involving structured and Gaussian illumination to capture two fused images, applying low-pass and high-pass filters to discard out-of-focus information, allowing for fast and cost-effective generation of merged microscope images with high sharpness and large depth of field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If confocal microscopy with pinhole diaphragm is used to eliminate out-of-focus emissions, then image sharpness is improved, but recording time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image formation process into two parallel channels: a first channel capturing low-frequency information (background) and a second channel capturing high-frequency information (focused details). This segmentation allows simultaneous acquisition of different image components without the time-consuming scanning required by confocal microscopy, resolving the contradiction between image sharpness and recording time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the results of two parallel image capture processes into a single final image. The first image (low-frequency) and second image (high-frequency) are combined through fusion algorithms, achieving both speed and quality. This merging approach eliminates the need for sequential scanning while maintaining image sharpness, directly addressing the time contradiction.
2Productivity
If conventional microscopy captures entire sample at once, then recording speed is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to shallow depth of field
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality characteristics to different parts of the captured information. The first image captures low-frequency content with relaxed focus requirements, while the second image captures high-frequency content with strict focus requirements. This local quality differentiation allows fast recording of background information while maintaining sharpness of critical focused regions, resolving the contradiction between recording speed and image quality.
3Manufacturing precision
If HiLo microscopy with two images is used to eliminate out-of-focus emissions, then image sharpness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal illumination system that can operate in multiple modes (structured illumination for first image, uniform illumination for second image) using the same optical hardware. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate complex illumination systems for each capture mode, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to produce sharp images through the two-image HiLo approach.
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
Enables rapid creation of high-quality, high-resolution images with large depth of field by merging two images, eliminating the need for time-consuming scanning and enhancing image sharpness by discarding out-of-focus information.
Implementation Method 1
a capturing of a first image, whereby the sample is illuminated in a structured manner, in particular by a structured illumination device
Implementation Method 2
a capturing of a second image, the sample being uniformly illuminated, in particular by a Gaussian illumination device
Implementation Method 3
the first image is used for a low-frequency image information located in the focus by applying a low-pass filter
Implementation Method 4
the second image is used for a high-frequency image information located in the focus by applying a high-pass filter
Data Source
AI summary
A method for recording a merged microscope image of a sample includes a microscopic capturing of at least a first fused image and a second fused image. According to the method, there is capturing a first image in which the sample is illuminated in a structured manner; capturing a second image in which the sample is uniformly illuminated; fusing the first image and the second image; and merging the first fused image and the second fused image into the merged microscope image. The first image is used for low-frequency image information located in the focus and the second image is used for high-frequency image information located in the focus. The second fused image depicts a different position on the sample than the first fused image. A microscope system can be used with a computer program product to perform the method.