Scanning Microscopy Image Reconstruction via Signal Reassignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-resolution microscopy methods face challenges in achieving accelerated image reconstruction without introducing artifacts, as existing techniques fail to effectively combine data from detector pixels and correct for spatial variations in the point spread function.
Innovation Solution
The method involves focusing illumination radiation to create a non-diffraction-limited illumination spot, imaging it in a diffraction-limited fashion on a spatially resolving detector, and performing reassignment and unmixing steps to combine pixel data and correct for point spread function variations, allowing for increased scanning distances and reduced overlap between scanning positions, thereby accelerating the microscopy process while avoiding artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If coarse scanning is used to accelerate image recording, then scanning speed is improved, but image reconstruction quality deteriorates due to missing information and artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image reconstruction process into multiple processing steps: data collection from detector pixels, reassignment of signals to appropriate image locations, and unmixing to separate overlapping contributions. This segmentation allows coarse scanning data to be systematically processed into high-quality images without requiring fine scanning at every position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary data processing and modeling before final image reconstruction. By pre-characterizing the system response and preparing reconstruction algorithms in advance, the method enables faster acquisition with coarse scanning while maintaining reconstruction quality through pre-planned correction strategies.
2Device complexity
If simple spatial assignment of detector signals is used, then reconstruction process is simplified, but image quality deteriorates due to disturbing artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary unmixing step between simple spatial assignment and final image formation. This intermediary process separates the mixed signals from multiple detector pixels that contribute to each image location, removing artifacts while maintaining a manageable reconstruction process through modular processing steps.
3Manufacturing precision
If overlapping scanning positions are used, then image reconstruction accuracy is improved, but scanning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the scanning parameters by allowing larger distances between adjacent scanning lines while using computational reassignment and unmixing to maintain accuracy. This parameter change in scanning step size, combined with signal processing, reduces total scanning time while preserving reconstruction quality through mathematical correction of the sparser sampling.
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 enables faster scanning and improved image resolution beyond the optical imaging limit, reducing the occurrence of artifacts and enhancing the speed and accuracy of high-resolution microscopy.
Implementation Method 1
focusing of illumination radiation into an illumination spot in or on the sample
Implementation Method 2
stimulating the emission of detection radiation at a sample spot that coincides with the illumination spot
Implementation Method 3
The sample spot is imaged into an image that is static on a spatially resolving surface detector... the imaging has a resolution limit
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for high-resolution scanning microscopy of a sample, provision is made of focusing of illumination radiation into an illumination spot in or on the sample and stimulating the emission of detection radiation at a sample spot that coincides with the illumination spot. The sample spot is imaged into an image that is static on a spatially resolving surface detector having pixels of a size that spatially resolve the image, wherein the imaging has a an optical imaging resolution limit. The entire sample is captured by performing a scanning movement of the illumination spot and of the coinciding sample spot over the sample in a scanning operation. An image of the sample having a resolution that is increased beyond the optical imaging resolution limit of the imaging is produced from the data of the pixels for each scanning position.