Microscope Stage Positioning with Scale Plate Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microscope systems lack the accuracy to manage and reproduce the three-dimensional position of the stage, particularly in pathological diagnosis, due to mechanical errors and coarse coordinate measurement capabilities, which affects the precision of observing and recording microscopic images.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system with a ΔZ stage and ΔΘ stage that corrects tilt and rotational errors, combined with a digital camera and precise scale plates, allows for accurate position management in the X, Y, and Z axes, enabling precise alignment and reproduction of observation positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional coordinate measurement methods are used in microscope systems, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision is insufficient for accurate three-dimensional position management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces scale plates as intermediary measurement elements that are placed on the stage to provide reference markings for coordinate measurement. These scale plates act as mediators between the stage positioning system and the measurement system, enabling precise three-dimensional position measurement without requiring complex integrated sensors in the stage itself. The scale plates provide a simple yet effective reference framework that can be read by the microscope's imaging system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning sensors with an optical measurement approach using scale plates and image capture. Instead of relying on sophisticated mechanical encoders or interferometric systems, the invention uses the microscope's existing optical path to capture images of the scale plate markings, thereby substituting mechanical measurement complexity with optical measurement simplicity while achieving high precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If mechanical stage systems are used without tilt correction, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision of the observation surface is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary tilt correction by measuring the tilt of the observation surface using the scale plate reference markings before conducting the actual microscopic observation. The system calculates the tilt angles based on the captured scale plate images and applies correction transformations to the coordinate data, thereby preliminarily compensating for the mechanical imperfections without requiring complex real-time mechanical adjustment mechanisms during observation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a corrected coordinate system model that copies and transforms the original stage coordinates into an adjusted reference frame that accounts for tilt and rotational errors. This virtual copying of the coordinate system with mathematical corrections allows the system to achieve high manufacturing precision without physically modifying the stage mechanism, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
3Reliability
If simple stage positioning is used, then the ease of operation is high, but the reliability of position reproduction is insufficient for pathological diagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the actual position of the stage through scale plate measurements and comparing it with the commanded position. The system calculates correction values based on the measured deviations from the reference scale plate markings and applies these corrections to subsequent positioning operations, thereby ensuring high reliability of position reproduction while maintaining ease of operation through automatic correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calibration by capturing images of the scale plate at known reference positions to establish an accurate coordinate transformation model before actual diagnostic work begins. This preliminary action creates a reliable reference framework that enables accurate position reproduction throughout subsequent observations without requiring continuous manual intervention or complex real-time adjustments, thereby maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A microscope system includes an observation optical system including an objective lens, an imaging unit configured to capture an image of an observation object obtained by the observation optical system, and a stage movable in an X-axis direction, a Y-axis direction, and a Z-axis direction, on which a slide of the observation object is placed. The microscope system obtains position information defined by the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction, and stores the obtained position information and the image of the observation object obtained by capturing the observation object by the imaging unit in a storage in association with each other.