Microscope Scanner Variable Velocity Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscope scanners face challenges in maintaining constant velocity during imaging, leading to spatial distortions in digitized images and inefficiencies due to 'dead-time' periods before and after reaching constant velocity.
Innovation Solution
A microscope scanning apparatus with a sample holder configured to move to target positions based on position control signals, allowing image capture during accelerating and decelerating phases, and a detector array capturing images based on these signals to ensure uniform imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sample is moved at constant velocity to ensure uniform imaging intervals, then spatial accuracy is improved, but the system requires expensive high-precision mechanisms and has reduced productivity due to dead-time periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a feedback mechanism where the controller receives signals from the detector array about when images are captured and adjusts the sample holder velocity accordingly. The controller issues velocity control signals that vary during the scan, slowing down at image capture points and speeding up between them, ensuring accurate spatial positioning without requiring constant high-precision mechanical movement throughout the entire scan cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static constant velocity movement to dynamic variable velocity movement. The sample holder velocity is continuously adjusted based on the imaging requirements, being slow during image capture phases and fast during transit phases. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain measurement precision when needed while maximizing productivity during non-capture periods.
2Measurement precision
If the system waits for constant velocity before imaging to ensure uniform spacing, then spatial accuracy is improved, but scan duration increases due to dead-time periods
Solution Approach 1:
The controller prepares velocity control signals in advance that account for the acceleration and deceleration phases. Instead of waiting for constant velocity to be achieved before imaging, the system pre-plans the velocity profile to ensure images are captured at the correct spatial intervals even during accelerating and decelerating phases. This eliminates dead-time by making image capture possible throughout the entire scan cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action by allowing image capture during all phases of motion - accelerating, decelerating, and at variable velocities. There are no dead-time periods where the system is moving but not imaging. The controller continuously issues velocity control signals that ensure proper spatial spacing of images regardless of the instantaneous velocity state, making the entire scan duration productive.
3Manufacturing precision
If high-precision constant velocity mechanisms are used to eliminate spatial distortions, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the need for complex high-precision mechanical constant velocity mechanisms with a control system that uses software-based velocity adjustment. Instead of relying on expensive mechanical precision to maintain constant velocity, the controller uses computational algorithms to calculate and issue appropriate velocity control signals that achieve the same effect of uniform image spacing through dynamic adjustment rather than mechanical precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope scanner is provided comprising a detector array for obtaining an image from a sample and a sample holder configured to move relative to the detector array. The sample holder can be configured to move to a plurality of target positions relative to the detector array in accordance with position control signals issued by a controller and the detector array is configured to capture images during an imaging scan based on the position control signals.