Microscope Depth Extension for Multi-Dyed Specimens
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microscopes face challenges in effectively generating depth-extended images of multi-dyed specimens, particularly in preventing weak signals from being obscured by mixing with light from other dyes and in maintaining clear observation without color fading.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system that includes a stage for multi-dyed specimens, an objective lens, Z-axis and XY-axis movement sections, an image acquisition unit, and a depth-extension processing unit that performs dye-specific processing to generate clear depth-extended images by moving the stage and objective lens along the optical axis, allowing for simultaneous display of dynamic and depth-extended images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional image acquisition is used for multi-dyed specimens, then the imaging process is simple, but weak signals are obscured by mixing with light from other dyes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process by performing depth extension processing separately for each dye channel. The image acquisition unit captures images for multiple dyes at different Z-axis positions, and the depth-extension processing unit processes each dye's image stack independently to generate depth-extended images. This segmentation prevents signal mixing between dyes while maintaining system simplicity.
2Reliability
If depth extension processing is performed on multi-dyed specimens without dye-specific processing, then the processing is faster, but signals from different dyes mix and obscure weak signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation by processing depth extension separately for each dye. The depth-extension processing unit receives image stacks for different dyes and generates depth-extended images for each dye independently. This ensures signal clarity by preventing cross-dye contamination while maintaining reasonable processing speed through efficient algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using dye-specific processing parameters and evaluation criteria. Each dye's image stack is processed with parameters optimized for that specific dye's characteristics, allowing weak signals to be preserved while maintaining overall processing efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If multiple color images are acquired at different Z-axis positions, then depth information is improved, but the number of images and data volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential depth information needed for each dye by performing depth extension processing that generates a single depth-extended image per dye from multiple Z-axis images. This extraction process consolidates the depth information while discarding redundant data, reducing the final data volume while maintaining depth resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards redundant intermediate images after depth extension processing is complete. The system temporarily stores multiple Z-axis images during processing but discards them after generating the depth-extended images, effectively recovering storage space while preserving the essential depth information.
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 clear observation of weak signals from multi-dyed specimens by evaluating and extending the depth of field for each dye, preventing signal obscuration and maintaining image clarity without color fading.
Implementation Method 1
an objective lens for collecting light from the specimen mounted on the stage
Implementation Method 2
an image acquisition unit for acquiring a color image by capturing the light collected by the objective lens
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a microscope system including: a stage on which a multi-dyed specimen is mounted; an objective lens for collecting light from the specimen mounted on the stage; a Z-axis movement section for relatively moving the stage and the objective lens in a direction along the optical axis L of the objective lens; an XY-axis movement section for moving the stage in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis L; an image acquisition unit for acquiring a color image by capturing the light collected by the objective lens; and a depth-extension processing unit for generating a depth-extended image by performing depth extension processing dye by dye on the basis of a plurality of the color images that are acquired by the image acquisition unit at different positions of the stage relative to the objective lens set with the Z-axis movement section.