Microscope Slide Focus Calibration to Prevent Lens Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscope slide processing systems face challenges in automated lens calibration, leading to potential damage from lens objectives touching the glass surface, cross-contamination, and degradation of image quality due to dirty objectives.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a slide processing unit with a slide positioner and clamp mechanism using stepper or servo motors for precise slide positioning, integrated sensors for calibration, and a treatment applicator for automated slide preparation and imaging, ensuring consistent slide orientation and preventing lens-objective contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated imaging is implemented without contact sensing, then productivity increases, but lens damage and sample destruction occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to detect the distance between the lens objective and slide surface in real-time, providing feedback to the control system. When contact is detected or predicted, the system automatically adjusts lens position or stops movement, preventing damage while maintaining automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary sensing before lens-slide contact to predict potential collisions. By detecting slide position and lens movement parameters in advance, the system takes preventive action to avoid contact, ensuring both productivity and reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual slide processing is used, then sample handling precision is maintained, but labor intensity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated slide processor performs all processing operations independently without human intervention. The system self-positiones slides, applies stains, and captures images using integrated sensors and actuators, eliminating manual labor while maintaining precision through automated control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical slide handling is replaced with automated mechanical positioning systems, sensors, and control algorithms. The system uses electronic sensing and actuation to perform tasks previously requiring manual dexterity, reducing labor intensity while preserving positioning accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If lens objectives are positioned close to slide surface for high resolution, then image quality improves, but contact risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors continuously monitor the gap between lens objective and slide surface, providing real-time feedback. The control system adjusts lens position to maintain optimal imaging distance while preventing contact, ensuring high resolution without contamination or destruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a safe minimum distance buffer between lens and slide based on sensor detection. This cushioning distance prevents direct contact while allowing the lens to be positioned close enough for high-resolution imaging, protecting against harmful effects before they can occur.
Data Source
AI summary
Various examples of systems and methods are provided for imaging calibration for slide processing. In one example, among others, a system for processing microscope slides includes a light source; an imaging device comprising a lens; and a slide positioner that can position the ground-glass portion of a slide between the light source and lens. Processing circuitry of the system can acquire an image of at least a section of the ground-glass portion at an initial position; analyze contrast of adjacent pixels with respect to a defined contrast characteristic; iteratively advance the lens and acquire additional images based upon analysis of contrast of adjacent pixels with respect to the defined contrast characteristic; and identify an optimal focal location of the lens based upon the defined contrast characteristic. Subsequent image acquisition via the lens can be based at least in part upon the optimal focal location.