Multimodal Sample Imaging With Calibration-Based Image Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscopy systems struggle to efficiently combine images from different imaging modalities due to the need for manual alignment and recalibration, leading to inconsistent and complex data sets that hinder multimodal analysis and diagnostic accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An imaging system that automates the capture and alignment of images from multiple imaging devices on a common platform, using a pick-and-place robot and calibration symbols to ensure precise registration and calibration of images from different modalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual alignment and recalibration are used to combine images from different imaging modalities, then image combination is achieved, but the process becomes complex and inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
A calibration slide with known geometric features serves as an intermediary reference object between different imaging modalities. The calibration slide provides a common coordinate system that mediates the transformation and alignment of images from different modalities, eliminating the need for complex manual alignment procedures while ensuring consistent and accurate image combination.
2Reliability
If multiple imaging modalities are used to analyze samples, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but the data aggregation becomes difficult and information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms images from different imaging modalities into a unified coordinate system and standardized parameter space using the calibration slide reference. By changing the spatial parameters and coordinate references of each modality to a common framework, the system enables accurate data aggregation without information loss, preserving all diagnostic information while improving reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If images from different imaging devices are combined, then multimodal analysis is enabled, but recalibration is required for each device
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration slide is prepared in advance with known geometric features that serve as reference markers. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming recalibration when combining images from different devices, as the pre-established reference framework allows for rapid and automatic alignment during image combination.
4Measurement precision
If conventional microscopes are used with interchangeable lenses, then different magnifications are achieved, but only a small portion of the sample can be viewed at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from viewing samples in a single spatial dimension (through interchangeable lenses at different magnifications) to capturing the entire sample area in a digital format that can be displayed and analyzed on a computer monitor. This dimensional change allows the entire sample to be visible simultaneously while maintaining the ability to zoom and focus on specific areas of interest.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides an imaging system (100) for capturing different images of a sample (10), comprising: a first imaging device (50) for acquiring a first digital image (36) of the sample (10) with a first imaging modality; a second imaging device (50) for acquiring a second digital image (38) of the sample (10) with a second imaging modality, different to the first; a mechanism (70) for translating the sample relative to each of the first and second imaging devices (50) to position the sample, in turn, at an imaging position at each of the first and second imaging devices (50); and a processor (90) configured to: control the mechanism (70) for translating the sample (10); receive the first digital image (36) of the sample (10) from the first imaging device (50); and receive the second digital image (38) of the sample (10) from the second imaging device (50).