Microscope Scan Patterns Reduce Tile Boundary Artifacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microscopy of biological tissue samples often results in imaging artifacts due to sample motion during imaging, especially when using conventional raster scan patterns, which can distort the image and complicate interpretation.
Innovation Solution
The use of an array of micro optical elements with optimized scan patterns, such as spiral or alternating rows, to reduce the time difference between the acquisition of adjacent pixels in adjacent tiles, thereby minimizing discontinuities at tile boundaries and reducing sample motion artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional raster scan patterns are used to acquire images, then image acquisition is systematic and straightforward, but sample motion artifacts occur due to time differences between acquiring adjacent tiles
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by acquiring perimeter pixels of adjacent tiles simultaneously or near-simultaneously before moving to interior pixels. This preliminary acquisition of boundary pixels ensures that tile boundary regions are captured at nearly the same time, preventing motion artifacts at boundaries while maintaining the systematic nature of raster scanning.
2Area of stationary object
If imaging time is extended to capture larger sample areas, then more comprehensive image coverage is achieved, but sample motion artifacts increase due to prolonged acquisition time
Solution Approach 1:
The image acquisition is segmented into distinct phases: perimeter pixel acquisition and interior pixel acquisition. By dividing the scanning process this way, the system can prioritize simultaneous capture of tile boundaries (perimeter) while allowing sequential capture of interior regions, thereby maintaining image quality across large areas without compromising boundary continuity.
3Measurement precision
If scan resolution is increased to capture finer details, then image quality improves, but acquisition time increases leading to more sample motion
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by alternating between acquiring perimeter pixels and interior pixels in a structured pattern. This periodic switching ensures that high-resolution boundary regions are captured with minimal time differences, while interior regions are filled in subsequently, maintaining both resolution and minimizing motion artifacts throughout the acquisition process.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods to identify and/or reduce or eliminate sample motion artifacts are disclosed. Sample motion artifacts may be reduced or eliminated using scan patterns where an acquisition time difference between when perimeter pixels in adjacent tiles are acquired is reduced, as compared to a conventional raster scan to reduce or eliminate discontinuities that would otherwise appear at tile boundaries in an image. In some embodiments, test images acquired using relatively small test scan patterns or intensities of test points acquired at different times may be compared to determine whether sample motion has occurred. In some embodiments, intensity of adjacent pixels at a tile boundary are compared. In some embodiments, intensity of one or more single pixels is monitored over time to determine whether sample motion has occurred over a period of time. In some embodiments, a flattening or reshaping tool may be used to suppress sample motion during imaging.