Microscope 3D Imaging Sheet Light Rotation Translation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current plane laser beam microscopy techniques face challenges in producing high-resolution 3D images of transparent or semi-transparent samples due to anisotropy and require significant computing power and storage for generating images, especially when incorporating angular measurements, which increases exposure time and experimental complexity.

Innovation Solution

A new microscope and method that combines elements of plane laser beam microscopy and Optical Projection Tomography (OPT), using a single 2D projection image per angle of acquisition with statistical parameters and incorporating vertical translation to reduce system requirements and enhance resolution, allowing for faster image acquisition and processing of samples arranged vertically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple angular measurements are incorporated to reduce image anisotropy, then image quality improves, but computing power and storage requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidcomputing power and storage requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information needed for 3D reconstruction by using a single 2D projection image per angle rather than capturing complete image stacks. This extraction approach retains the necessary angular measurement data for reducing anisotropy while discarding redundant information that would otherwise consume excessive computing and storage resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by capturing only a single 2D projection image at each angular position rather than complete image stacks. This partial measurement approach is sufficient for achieving the desired 3D reconstruction quality and reducing anisotropy, while avoiding the excessive data collection that would lead to high computational demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Measurement precision

If multiple angular measurements are taken to enhance 3D image quality, then resolution isotropy improves, but exposure time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresolution isotropyVSAvoidexposure time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential projection data needed for 3D reconstruction by capturing a single 2D image per angle. This extraction minimizes the exposure time at each angular position while retaining sufficient information for achieving resolution isotropy through multiple angular measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses partial action by taking only a single 2D projection image at each angle rather than complete image stacks. This partial measurement approach achieves the necessary resolution isotropy with minimal exposure time, avoiding excessive data collection that would prolong the experimental duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Loss of information

If complete image stacks are captured at each angle, then measurement completeness improves, but data processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement completenessVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the critical projection information by capturing a single 2D image per angle. This extraction maintains measurement completeness for 3D reconstruction purposes while removing redundant data that would increase processing complexity, achieving an optimal balance between information retention and computational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by capturing only a single 2D projection image at each angular position rather than complete image stacks. This partial measurement approach provides sufficient information for accurate 3D reconstruction while significantly reducing data processing complexity compared to capturing full image stacks at each angle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 results in higher resolution 3D images with reduced anisotropy and lower computational demands, enabling faster image production and the ability to image multiple samples stacked vertically, which is not possible with existing technologies.

Implementation Method 1

a lighting means configured for emitting a plane sheet of light towards the collection of samples according to a direction perpendicular to the detection direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3211595B1Microscope and method for generating 3D images of a collection of samples
Publication Date: 2020.03.04 UNIVERSIDAD CARLOS III DE MADRID
  • EP3211595B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP3211595B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3211595B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~5c

AI summary

The invention relates to a microscope and a method for producing 3D images of various transparent or semi-transparent samples, fundamentally comprising: causing a relative movement according to the detection direction between the sheet of light and the sample while maintaining a constant angle of acquisition; producing, for said angle of acquisition, a single 2D projection image formed by a representative parameter for each pixel; modifying the angle of acquisition by means of a relative rotation between the sheet of light and the sample, combined with a relative vertical translation between the sheet of light and the sample, and repeating the previous steps; and generating a 3D image of each of the samples from the set of 2D projection images that are produced.