Slide Dissection Imaging With Fixed-Focal Relay Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated tissue dissection systems face challenges in achieving excellent optical performance while maintaining a low cost, particularly due to the use of costly zoom lenses and the inability to support both large field of view and high pixel density simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The instrument employs a relay lens system with a fixed focal length and symmetric or quasi-symmetric lens arrangement, coupled with a motorized xy-stage and imaging system, to achieve high optical performance and low cost, allowing for precise dissection of biological specimens on a slide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If zoom lenses are used to achieve large field of view and high pixel density, then optical performance is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging process is segmented into multiple sequential captures at different zoom levels. The system first captures a wide-field low-magnification image to identify the region of interest, then captures a high-magnification image of that specific region. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both large field of view and high pixel density without requiring an expensive zoom lens that must simultaneously provide both capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the zoom level between two discrete states (low magnification and high magnification) based on the imaging requirements. The objective lens is configured to switch between these two focal lengths, allowing the system to optimize optical performance for each specific imaging task while avoiding the need for a continuous zoom mechanism that would increase cost.
2Device complexity
If a single lens is used to capture both large field of view and high pixel density, then device complexity is reduced, but optical performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The objective lens is designed with dynamic focal length adjustment capability, allowing it to switch between two discrete focal lengths. This dynamic configuration enables the single lens to perform the function of what would traditionally require multiple fixed lenses, maintaining simplicity while achieving variable optical performance suitable for both wide-field and high-magnification imaging.
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 configuration enables precise and cost-effective dissection of biological specimens with excellent optical performance, supporting both large field of view and high pixel density without the need for multiple frame acquisitions.
Implementation Method 1
The relay lens system is configured for relaying an impinging light beam from the slide to the camera
Data Source
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AI summary
An instrument (110) for automatically dissecting a biological specimen (112) on a slide (114) is proposed. The instrument (110) comprises at least one imaging system (116). The imaging system (116) comprises at least one camera (118) configured for sequentially imaging at least one image of the slide (114) at a plurality of slide positions. The imaging system (116) comprises a relay lens system (120) having a fixed focal length. The relay lens system (120) is configured for relaying an impinging light beam (122) from the slide (114) to the camera (118). The instrument (110) further comprises a movable xy-stage (150) configured for setting the slide (114) position. The instrument (110) further comprises at least one processing unit (162) configured for generating a full slide (114) image by stitching the sequentially imaged images of the slide (114). Further, a method for automatically dissecting a biological specimen (112) on a slide (114) is proposed.