Microscope Sample Overview Image via Segmented Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for generating overview contrast images in microscopy struggle with interference from non-sample structures, making it difficult to clearly visualize and navigate samples, and lack automation for setting recording parameters and sample localization.
Innovation Solution
A method and device using a two-dimensional illumination array with individually switchable light sources to capture multiple raw images, which are then processed to generate intermediate images by assigning brightness ranks and combining them to suppress interference, resulting in an overview contrast image that highlights sample structures while omitting overdriven areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple raw overview images are acquired using individually switchable light sources, then sample visibility and contrast are improved, but image processing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination array is divided into individually switchable light sources, allowing selective illumination of different sample regions. Each light source can be controlled independently to illuminate specific areas, enabling targeted image acquisition and reducing the need to process entire images, thus managing complexity while improving visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple raw overview images are acquired in advance using different individual light sources before final image processing. This preliminary acquisition of multiple illuminated views allows the system to pre-process and combine images to enhance sample visibility and contrast before presentation to the user.
2Measurement precision
If multiple raw overview images are acquired and processed to suppress interference, then sample recognizability is improved, but user interaction time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing of multiple raw overview images to generate an enhanced overview contrast image that suppresses interference from non-sample structures. This preprocessing automatically improves sample recognizability before the user needs to interact with the image, reducing the time users spend manually analyzing unclear images.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically processes multiple raw images to generate the final contrast-enhanced image without requiring manual user intervention for each processing step. The automated image processing and interference suppression functions serve themselves, reducing user interaction time while maintaining high sample recognizability.
3Area of stationary object
If all individual light sources are used for illumination, then complete sample coverage is achieved, but interference from non-sample structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination array is segmented into individually controllable light sources, allowing the system to selectively activate only those light sources that illuminate sample regions of interest. This segmentation enables complete sample coverage while excluding light sources that would illuminate non-sample structures, thereby reducing interference.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the illumination array provide different illumination qualities tailored to specific sample areas. By controlling individual light sources, the system optimizes illumination quality for sample regions while minimizing illumination of non-sample structures, achieving local optimization of both coverage and interference reduction.
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
This approach improves sample visibility and recognizability, enables automated sample recognition and localization, significantly reducing user interaction time and enhancing microscopy automation by clearly displaying both bright and dark structures.
Implementation Method 1
a two-dimensional illumination array (6) having individually switchable individual light sources (7) and illuminating the sample volume (3) in transmitted light
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method for generating an overview contrast image of a sample carrier (2) in a microscope (1), depicting a sample (4) arranged on the sample carrier (2), is disclosed. In a first step (S1), the sample carrier (2) is illuminated by transmitted light from a two-dimensional illumination array (6) having individually switchable light sources (7). In a second step (S2), several different raw overview images (R1 - Rn) of the sample carrier (2) are acquired by switching on exactly one of the individual light sources (7), with one individual light source (7) being switched on for each raw overview image (R1 - Rn), so that N raw overview images (R1 - Rn) are acquired.In a third step (S3), intermediate images (Z) are generated from the raw overview images (R1 - Rn) by defining brightness ranks for pixels (P(i, j)) of the raw overview images (R1 - Rn), assigning each intermediate image (Z) exactly one brightness rank, and in each intermediate image (Z), for each pixel (P(i, j)) of this intermediate image (Z), searching among the raw overview images (R1 - Rn) for the raw overview image (R1 - Rn) that has the brightness rank assigned to the respective intermediate image (Z) at the corresponding pixel (P(i, j)), and inserting the brightness value of the corresponding pixel (P(i, j)) of the found pixel (P(i, j)), and in a fourth step (S4), the intermediate images (Z) are combined to form the overview contrast image, whereby the intermediate image (Z) assigned to the first brightness rank is disregarded and not included in the overview contrast image. becomes.