Microscope Manual Focus Adjustment via Computer Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of microscopes with manual focus adjustment face difficulty in finding the correct focus, leading to low-contrast images and unclear structures due to the microscope optics focusing on planes above or below the useful focal plane within the specimen.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that obtains information about manually adjusted focus, determines a proposed focus, calculates the difference between the adjusted and proposed focus, and provides user feedback through visual, auditory, or haptic signals to guide the user in adjusting the focus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual focus adjustment is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocus adjustment mechanismVSAvoidfocus adjustment process

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time feedback to the user by displaying a focus indicator on the screen that shows whether the current focus position is correct or needs adjustment, and in which direction. This feedback loop enables users to manually adjust focus with guidance, resolving the contradiction by maintaining simple manual adjustment while significantly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A computer system acts as an intermediary between the user and the microscope optics, processing images to determine focus quality and providing visual guidance through displayed indicators. This intermediary provides intelligent assistance without replacing the manual adjustment mechanism, maintaining simplicity while enhancing operability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If manual focus adjustment is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocus adjustment mechanismVSAvoidtime to achieve proper focus

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The real-time focus feedback displayed on the screen allows users to quickly determine whether focus adjustment is needed and in which direction, eliminating trial-and-error adjustments. This significantly reduces the time required to achieve proper focus while maintaining the simplicity of manual adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the captured image to determine focus quality before the user makes adjustments. By pre-processing the image and providing guidance indicators, the system prepares information in advance that guides the user's manual adjustment, reducing the time needed to achieve proper focus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If manual focus adjustment is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefocus adjustment mechanismVSAvoidfocus position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides precise feedback about focus quality by analyzing image sharpness and displaying indicators that show whether the current focus position is optimal. This enables users to achieve accurate focus positions through manual adjustment, resolving the contradiction by maintaining simple mechanisms while improving measurement precision through intelligent feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20240329383A1Computer-implemented methods for manual focus adjustment of a microscope and microscopes with manual focus adjustment

Publication Date: 2024.10.03 LEICA MICROSYSTEMS CMS GMBH

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for manual focus adjustment of a microscope includes obtaining information about a manually adjusted focus relative to a sample in a microscope, determining information about a proposed focus for the sample, determining a difference between the adjusted focus and the proposed focus, and providing information about a signal to a user based on the determined difference.