Multi-pass Microscope Imaging for High-Content Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-content screening technologies for microscope imaging are limited by the tradeoff between resolution and field of view, often requiring single-pass imaging that can only capture single cells, which restricts the depth and size of the field of view, making it difficult to image complex biological samples effectively.
Innovation Solution
The OpenHiCAMM system, which includes a microscope, processor, and robotic slide loader, implements a multi-pass imaging technology that allows for flexible use of different microscopes and illumination during passes, using modules like SlideLoader, SlideImager, ROIFinder, and ImageStitcher to identify regions of interest and stitch high-resolution images, enabling efficient imaging of complex samples.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If single-pass imaging is used to capture single cells, then imaging speed is improved, but resolution and field of view are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging process is divided into multiple passes: a first pass captures low-resolution overview images of the entire slide to identify regions of interest, while a second pass captures high-resolution images of specific regions. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high imaging speed (through rapid low-res scanning) and high resolution (through focused high-res imaging of selected areas), resolving the contradiction between speed and resolution.
2Loss of time
If single-pass imaging is used, then imaging time is reduced, but field of view and depth are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary low-resolution imaging of the entire slide in the first pass to identify regions of interest and determine optimal imaging parameters. Based on this preliminary information, the second pass is then configured to capture high-resolution images of specific regions. This preliminary action enables the system to maintain high imaging speed while expanding the effective field of view and depth by strategically selecting what to image at high resolution.
3Manufacturing precision
If high-resolution imaging of complex samples is attempted in single pass, then resolution is improved, but imaging speed and throughput decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different imaging qualities to different regions of the sample: low-resolution imaging is applied to the entire slide for rapid overview, while high-resolution imaging is applied only to specific regions of interest identified in the first pass. This local quality approach maintains high imaging throughput by limiting high-resolution capture to only necessary areas, while still achieving high resolution where needed for complex biological samples.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems methods for high content screening for microscope imaging. In some embodiments, the system comprises: a microscope; and a processor configured to implement: a slide loader module; a reference imager module; a slide imager module; a region of interest (ROI) finder module; a compare imager module; a calibrator module; and an image stitcher module.