Digital Pathology Autofocus Using Multicolor TDI Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional digital pathology systems face challenges in maintaining image focus during analysis and efficiently capturing full-color images, with autofocusing processes being time-consuming and requiring multiple TDI cameras for multicolor capture.
Innovation Solution
A digital pathology system with autofocusing capabilities using multiple Z planes equipped with sharpness sensors to determine best focus during image capture, and a single TDI sensor with a multicolor filter for efficient color image capture, reducing the need for multiple cameras.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional autofocusing schemes capture several images at different Z offsets at various widely spaced sites, then the system can determine the best focus by comparing sharpness, but the process becomes time consuming and significantly limits the speed of capturing best focus imagery data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the Z-axis into multiple discrete focal planes, with sharpness sensors positioned at each plane. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously capture focus information from multiple depths rather than sequentially scanning through them, thereby maintaining measurement precision while dramatically improving autofocusing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The sharpness sensors are pre-positioned at multiple Z-offset planes before the imaging process begins. This preliminary arrangement of sensors at predetermined focal planes eliminates the need for time-consuming sequential Z-scanning during actual imaging, allowing immediate determination of best focus across multiple depths.
2Measurement precision
If traditional multicolor TDI systems utilize three separate TDI cameras with single color filters, then each camera can capture its designated color, but the system requires multiple expensive cameras and becomes less cost effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of three separate single-color TDI cameras into a single multicolor TDI camera by incorporating multiple color filter arrays (CFAs) on one sensor. This consolidation maintains the ability to capture red, green, and blue color information with high precision while reducing the total number of cameras from three to one, thereby lowering system cost and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single TDI camera is designed with multi-functionality by integrating multiple color filter arrays that enable it to perform the roles of three separate single-color cameras. This universal device can capture full-color imagery while maintaining the specialized color sensitivity of individual single-color cameras, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated devices.
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 significantly reduces the time required for autofocusing and image capture, minimizing electronic and mechanical drift, while also making color image capture more cost-effective by using a single TDI sensor.
Implementation Method 1
an objective having a first end positioned proximate to the one or more specimens, wherein the objective is configured to direct at least a portion of light emanating from the one or more specimens along an image path to the TDI sensor
Implementation Method 2
a second lens configured to focus light from the image path onto a portion of the TDI sensor
Implementation Method 3
a multicolor filter having alternating sections of a first color filter, a second color filter, and at least a third color filter
Implementation Method 4
a time delayed integration (TDI) sensor having a plurality of rows of TDI pixels
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention may include an illumination source; a TDI sensor having a plurality of rows of TDI pixels, wherein each of the TDI pixels have a 1:1 aspect ratio; a multicolor filter contacted to the surface of the TDI sensor, wherein the multicolor filter has alternating sections of a first color filter, a second color filter, and at least a third color, wherein adjacent rows of TDI pixels are grouped in order to form a plurality of rows of integrated multicolor pixels; an objective having a first end positioned proximate to the specimen; a second lens configured to focus light from the image path onto the TDI sensor; and an anamorphic optics element configured to magnify an image of the one or more specimens such that the image is magnified by a factor of three along a direction orthogonal to an integrating direction of the TDI sensor.