Moving Sample Imaging With Synchronized Pulsed Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems struggle to capture clear images of samples in motion due to limited illumination time, leading to insufficient photon collection and image blurriness.
Innovation Solution
A machine comprising a camera, a stage for moving a sample container, and an illumination source, where the controller obtains analysis images by taking multiple exposures of the sample while it is in motion, with the illumination source providing brief pulses to ensure sufficient photon collection without blurriness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the object is illuminated continuously while in the field of view, then sufficient photons can be collected, but the object must remain stationary or move very slowly
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination source operates in periodic pulses synchronized with the camera exposure timing. The illumination is turned on only during brief moments when the moving object is within the field of view, rather than continuously. This periodic illumination allows the system to collect sufficient photons during each pulse while permitting the object to move at higher speeds between pulses, resolving the contradiction between photon collection and object movement speed.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple exposures are taken while the sample is in motion, then sufficient photons can be collected, but the images become blurry without proper illumination timing
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination source provides brief, periodic pulses of light that are synchronized with the camera's exposure timing. Each pulse illuminates the moving sample for a short duration during which the camera captures an exposure. By controlling the pulse duration and timing, the system accumulates sufficient photons across multiple exposures while keeping the illumination period short enough to minimize motion blur in each individual exposure, thereby maintaining image clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-synchronizes the illumination pulses with the camera exposure timing and the expected position of the moving sample. Before each exposure is taken, the illumination is activated at the precise moment when the sample is predicted to be in the optimal position within the field of view. This preliminary coordination ensures that each exposure captures the sample with adequate illumination while minimizing blur, and allows multiple such synchronized exposures to be combined for improved signal without compromising clarity.
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
The system effectively captures clear analysis images of samples in motion by ensuring sufficient illumination during brief exposure periods, overcoming the limitations of traditional imaging systems.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination source to illuminate the field of view of the camera
Implementation Method 2
obtaining one or more exposures of the feature by, for each of the one or more exposures, performing acts. The acts may comprise exposing a sensor of the camera to illumination
Data Source
AI summary
A method is used to generate an analysis image of a moving sample based on one or more exposures. An illumination source illuminates a field of view of a camera for one or more pulses while the sample moves through the field of view. The distance moved by the sample during each of these one or more pulses may be less than the size of one pixel in an image captured by the camera.