Optical Platelet Counter Using Spherical Aberration Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microscopy methods for counting blood cells, particularly platelets and white blood cells, face challenges in accurately distinguishing and quantifying these cells due to optical distortions and background noise, especially when using imperfect spherical aberration correction and mismatched cover plate thicknesses.
Innovation Solution
The method involves varying the microscope focus through a range of values under a cover plate thicker than the objective's correction, generating a specific optical pattern by selecting the plate thickness and material relative to the objective correction, and using low numerical aperture illumination to record images at different focal depths, allowing for the detection and analysis of platelets and other cells through correlation analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a microscope objective is used with a cover plate thickness mismatched to the objective's correction, then the optical quality and image sharpness deteriorate, but the method can still function by accepting degraded performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful optical distortion caused by cover plate thickness mismatch into a beneficial effect. By deliberately using a thicker cover plate than the objective is corrected for, the invention creates characteristic optical patterns (bright and dark spots) that improve platelet detection. The distortion is not corrected but rather exploited to enhance the discrimination between platelets and background noise.
2Measurement precision
If conventional microscopy methods are used with standard optical correction, then image quality is maintained, but the ability to distinguish platelets from background noise deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful optical distortion into a beneficial detection mechanism. The thicker cover plate creates optical patterns where platelets appear as bright spots surrounded by dark rings, while background noise does not produce the same pattern. This enables effective discrimination between platelets and background without requiring perfect optical correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes optical pattern changes (analogous to color changes) to differentiate platelets from background. By varying focus depth, platelets exhibit characteristic bright and dark patterns that remain consistent, while background objects show different patterns. This optical signature enables reliable detection and counting.
3Measurement precision
If multiple images are taken at different focal depths, then platelet detection accuracy improves, but the time required for analysis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by capturing multiple images at different focal depths before final analysis. The focus is varied through a range of values to record images showing platelets at different depths, creating a comprehensive dataset that enables accurate detection while maintaining efficiency through automated correlation analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses feedback through correlation analysis of images at different focal depths. The system analyzes the optical patterns across multiple images and uses this feedback to identify and count platelets, improving detection accuracy while maintaining processing efficiency through automated algorithms.
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 enhances discrimination against background noise, enables the use of lower-cost microscope objectives, and improves the accuracy of platelet and white blood cell counting by generating characteristic optical patterns that correlate bright and dark spots across focal depths, leading to improved quantification and qualification of cells.
Implementation Method 1
The microscope objective lens is adapted to account for imperfect spherical aberration of the lens
Implementation Method 2
The microscope objective lens is adapted to account for the optical distortion produced the cover plate that covers the sample
Implementation Method 3
illumination source
Data Source
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AI summary
Platelets or blood cells are detected in a fluid sample by adjusting a focal depth of a microscope through a range of values, the microscope having a mounted sample and an objective lens adapted with one or both of (a) a spherical aberration correction unmatched to a utilized cover plate for the sample, or (2) a numerical aperture unmatched to a utilized illumination source for the sample. Images are recorded at different specific focal depths and in multiple z planes of a fluid bearing the platelets, where the position of platelets may overlap on different of the multiple z planes that are recorded, the images recorded through the cover plate, thus causing the generation of a specific light-dark pattern indicative of platelets at particular positions and at multiple depths in the fluid media. The images are analyzed for the specific light-dark pattern.