Microscope Optical Imaging Device for Distortion-Corrected Image Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microscopy techniques face challenges in combining images from different imaging modes, such as confocal and wide-field imaging, due to optical distortions and positional misalignments, making precise image fusion difficult and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An optical imaging device with two optical systems, each capable of forming images in different modes, uses distortion correction data and transformation data to align and combine images, allowing for precise merging of images from distinct imaging modes, with a processor generating and storing these data for automatic alignment and calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual registration or alignment of images from different imaging modes is performed, then image fusion can be achieved, but the process is cumbersome and precise image fusion is not possible in many cases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing distortion correction data for each optical system during the imaging device setup phase. This distortion correction data is then automatically applied during image acquisition, eliminating the need for manual registration and enabling precise automatic image fusion. The transformation data is also pre-computed to map coordinates between different optical systems.
2Loss of information
If different imaging modes are used to image the same sample, then comprehensive image information can be obtained, but optical distortions and positional misalignments make image combination difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces transformation data as an intermediary element that bridges different optical coordinate systems. This transformation data, combined with distortion correction data, acts as a mediator to accurately map and align images from different imaging modes (e.g., confocal and wide-field) into a common coordinate system, enabling precise image combination without manual intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical systems are used for different imaging modes, then various imaging advantages can be utilized, but each optical system introduces independent optical distortions that complicate image merging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by treating each optical system independently - each optical system has its own distortion correction data stored in memory. This segmented approach allows each optical system to be calibrated and corrected separately, simplifying the overall complexity while maintaining the ability to handle multiple imaging modes with different distortion characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical imaging device for a microscope comprises a first optical system configured to form a first optical image corresponding to a first region of a sample in accordance with a first imaging mode, a second optical system configured to form a second optical image corresponding to a second region of said sample, wherein said first and second regions spatially coincide in a target region of said sample and said first and second imaging modes are different from each other, a memory storing first distortion correction data suitable for correcting a first optical distortion caused by said first optical system in said first optical image, second distortion correction data suitable for correcting a second optical distortion caused by said second optical system in said second optical image, and transformation data suitable for correcting positional misalignment between said first and second optical images, and a processor which is configured to process first image data representing said first optical image based on said first distortion correction data for generating first distortion corrected image data, to process second image data representing said second optical image based on said second distortion correction data for generating second distortion corrected image data; and to combine said first and second distortion corrected image data based on said transformation data for generating combined image data representing a combined image which corresponds to said target region of said object.