Digital Microscope LED Illumination Layout for Faster Overview Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital microscopes generate low resolution overview images of samples on a microscope slide inefficiently, requiring multiple partial images and taking a long time, with suboptimal speed and image quality.
Innovation Solution
A digital microscope design featuring a plurality of overview illumination LEDs arranged around the center axis of the overview camera optics, providing even illumination for faster and higher quality full overview image generation, allowing assembly from a smaller number of partial images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single overview illumination LED is used at the center axis, then the device complexity is reduced, but the illumination evenness and image quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The single illumination LED is segmented into multiple LEDs arranged around the center axis of the overview camera optics. This segmentation allows each LED to illuminate a specific region, and the combined effect provides even illumination across the entire sample area, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and illumination quality
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple individual LED illumination sources are merged into a unified illumination system. The light outputs of the plurality of LEDs are combined to create a uniformly illuminated field of view for the overview camera, achieving both even illumination and manageable device complexity through integrated design
2Area of stationary object
If twelve partial overview images are assembled, then the full overview image coverage is achieved, but the time consumption and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination arrangement in another dimension (spatial distribution of multiple LEDs around the center axis) enables a larger field of view to be evenly illuminated simultaneously. This dimensional change in illumination geometry allows capturing more area in fewer images, reducing the 12-image requirement and associated processing time
3Measurement precision
If more partial overview images are captured, then the full overview image quality improves, but the number of images and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination parameters are changed by transitioning from a single central LED to multiple LEDs distributed around the center axis. This parameter change in illumination geometry improves image quality by providing even illumination across the field of view, while the increased field of view coverage per image reduces the total number of images needed, thereby improving productivity
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
The solution enables quicker and higher quality full overview image generation, reducing the number of required partial images by up to 50% compared to previous methods, enhancing image quality and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the overview illumination assembly comprises a plurality of overview illumination LEDs
Data Source
AI summary
A digital microscope includes a stage for holding a sample; and an overview image generation assembly, including an overview digital camera, arranged on a first side of the stage and directed towards the stage, wherein the overview digital camera includes an overview image sensor and overview camera optics, with the overview camera optics having a center axis; and an overview illumination assembly; wherein the overview illumination assembly includes a plurality of overview illumination LEDs, wherein the plurality of overview illumination LEDs are arranged on a second side of the stage, opposite the first side, and wherein the plurality of overview illumination LEDs are arranged around the center axis of the overview camera optics of the overview digital camera.