OPRA-TDI Imaging With Patterned Illumination for High Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging systems face challenges in achieving high throughput, high resolution, and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) simultaneously, particularly in fluorescence imaging-based sequencing, where increasing resolution reduces the number of photons available for imaging, leading to reduced image data acquisition rates and sequencing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The integration of optical photon reassignment (OPRA) with time delay and integration (TDI) imaging and external illumination, utilizing passive optical transformation devices in both illumination and detection paths, and high numerical aperture (NA) illumination light to enhance image resolution without compromising throughput or SNR, achieved through patterned illumination and optical transformations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high resolution imaging is used to increase the ability to resolve small image features, then image resolution is improved, but the number of photons available for imaging is reduced, leading to reduced signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system divides the field of view into multiple regions and uses a lens array to create corresponding image regions on the sensor array. This segmentation allows simultaneous imaging of multiple areas with high resolution while maintaining sufficient photon collection in each region through the multi-region approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from conventional single-lens imaging to a lens array configuration that creates a two-dimensional array of image regions. This dimensional change enables parallel imaging across multiple spatial frequencies and locations, improving resolution without sacrificing photon collection efficiency.
2Productivity
If imaging throughput is increased to improve data acquisition rate, then productivity is improved, but image resolution deteriorates due to reduced photons available for imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple imaging functions into a single lens array configuration that simultaneously performs high-resolution imaging across multiple regions. This combination enables high throughput by acquiring multiple images in parallel without requiring sequential processing that would reduce resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens array configuration serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the imaging lens and the spatial filter, and creates multiple image regions that can be processed independently. This multi-functionality enables high throughput imaging while maintaining high resolution through the universal design of the optical system.
3Device complexity
If conventional imaging systems are used to maintain simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to resolve small features at high magnification is limited by diffraction
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates multiple copies of the object image across different regions of the sensor array through the lens array configuration. Each copy contains high-resolution information that can be independently processed, allowing the system to achieve super-resolution capabilities while maintaining the simplicity of a direct optical imaging approach without complex computational reconstruction.
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 allows for high-throughput imaging with enhanced resolution and SNR, enabling imaging of denser arrays of analytes without additional digital processing, and producing high-resolution images in a single scan.
Implementation Method 1
the use of a first optical transformation to create patterned illumination that is directed to an imaged object such that light reflected, transmitted, scattered, or emitted by the object comprises high-resolution spatial information about the object
Implementation Method 2
The resulting enhanced-resolution images can be acquired without requiring a change in the configuration, position, or orientation of the optical transformation devices used to generate the first and second optical transformations, with no additional digital processing required
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are systems and methods that combine the use of first and second optical transformations (e.g., implemented using optical photon reassignment (OPRA)) with time delay and integration (TDI) imaging and external illumination to provide high throughput imaging while maintaining a high signal to noise ratio and providing enhanced image resolution.