Light Sheet Microscope Imaging With Oblique-Image User-Space Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Light sheet microscopes produce images that are not intuitively understandable for users due to oblique light sheet illumination, affecting their operation and requiring complex post-processing for conventional 3D visualization.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that transform oblique light sheet images from a camera space to a user space, enabling intuitive selection and control of image capture through a user interface, allowing conventional 3D visualization during acquisition without additional post-processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If oblique light sheets are used for illumination, then high-resolution imaging with minimal photodamage is achieved, but the resulting images are not intuitively intelligible for users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging resolutionVSAvoidimage intelligibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary transformation process that converts oblique light sheet images from camera space to user space. This intermediary step includes mathematical transformations and visualization algorithms that reorient the image data to match conventional microscope viewing perspectives, making the images intuitively intelligible without altering the high-resolution imaging capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the coordinate system and orientation parameters of the captured images. By changing the spatial parameters from the oblique camera coordinate system to a conventional user-friendly coordinate system, the images become more intelligible while preserving the original imaging resolution and quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If conventional post-processing is used to create 3D visualization, then 3D images can be generated, but additional time and processing steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improve3D visualization capabilityVSAvoidpost-processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by performing the 3D visualization transformation during the image acquisition process itself. The system pre-calculates and pre-transforms the oblique light sheet images into user-space representations with 3D visualization capabilities built-in, eliminating the need for separate post-processing steps and reducing the time loss associated with later conversion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables users to interact with light sheet microscopes as if using a conventional widefield microscope, reducing photodamage and improving image processing efficiency by allowing direct 3D visualization and selection of regions of interest.

Implementation Method 1

A light sheet microscope is a fluorescence microscopy technique that illuminates a sample with one or more sheets of light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP4621469A1Methods for operating a light sheet microscope and devices therefore
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 LEICA MICROSYSTEMS CMS GMBH
  • EP4621469A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4621469A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d
  • EP4621469A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A first aspect of the present disclosure is related to a method for operating a light sheet microscope, comprising the steps: - capturing an image of a volume in a camera space by exciting the volume with one or more light sheets that are oblique relative to an optical axis of a primary lens of a microscope and that are emitted at different positions in the volume and by capturing a light sheet image for each of the one or more exciting light sheets; - transforming the captured image from the camera space to a user space , by mapping information from one or more light sheet images to one or more single-view focus planes ; - displaying the volume in the user space at a user interface; - receiving a selection information in the user space from the user interface about a part of the volume ; - retransforming the selection information from the user space to the camera space to control the microscope capturing an image based on the selection information ; - capturing a selected image about the part of the volume .