Slide-Scanner HDR Imaging for Variable-Brightness Microscopy Slides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide-scanner microscopy systems face challenges in capturing high dynamic range images of varying sample brightnesses across multiple slides without manual intervention, as setting optimal exposure times and gains is time-consuming and disrupts automated scanning.
Innovation Solution
A slide-scanner microscopy system with a controller that captures multiple images with varying exposure parameters and combines them to create high dynamic range images, using a predefined imaging mode that adjusts exposure time and gain for each slide, ensuring all sample regions are captured without saturation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple images with varying exposure parameters are captured and combined to create high dynamic range images, then image quality and signal-to-noise ratio are improved, but processing time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple images with different exposure parameters (short, medium, long exposure times and low, medium, high gains) in a predefined sequence before final image processing. This allows the system to prepare exposure data in advance, enabling efficient high dynamic range image generation without manual intervention during the scanning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies parameter changes by varying exposure parameters (exposure time and gain) across multiple image captures. The controller automatically adjusts these parameters according to a predefined imaging mode, capturing images with different exposure settings that are later combined to create high dynamic range images with improved quality and signal-to-noise ratio.
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of exposure time and gain is performed for each slide, then image quality is improved, but automation is disrupted and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by enabling automatic adjustment of exposure parameters through the controller. The controller autonomously selects and applies appropriate exposure times and gains from predefined imaging modes based on sample characteristics, eliminating the need for manual intervention. This allows the system to maintain high image quality while preserving automation and maximizing productivity in high-throughput laboratories.
3Measurement precision
If exposure time is increased to capture weak signals, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but bright regions become overexposed and details are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies segmentation by dividing the dynamic range capture into multiple segments, each handled by images with different exposure parameters. Short exposure images capture bright regions without overexposure, while long exposure images capture weak signals with high signal-to-noise ratio. The controller then combines these segmented exposure data to create a complete high dynamic range image that preserves details across the entire brightness spectrum.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamics by adaptively selecting and combining images captured with varying exposure parameters. The controller dynamically adjusts which exposure parameter sets are applied based on sample characteristics and automatically merges the results to achieve optimal dynamic range coverage, allowing the system to respond flexibly to different sample conditions while maintaining image quality.
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 efficiently generates high dynamic range images with increased signal-to-noise ratio and extended contrast range, allowing automated scanning of multiple slides without manual adjustments, enhancing image quality and reducing processing time.
Implementation Method 1
the gain adapts the degree of amplification of the original signal before the latter is digitized. The gain amplifies the electrical signal generated by the photodetectors.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a slide-scanner microscopy system comprising a mount system configured to receive a plurality of holding frames that fix a respective microscopy slide, and comprising a robotic assembly configured to pick up a respective holding frame from the mount system and position it in such a way that the microscopy slide is arranged in an object plane of a microscope of the slide-scanner microscopy system. The microscope is configured to provide a microscopic imaging of the object plane onto an image plane. The slide-scanner microscopy system furthermore comprises a camera configured to capture individual images of the image plane, and a controller configured, in a predefined imaging mode of the slide-scanner microscopy system, to control the camera to capture a respective set of two or more individual images with a plurality of exposure parameter values for each of a plurality of positionings of a respective holding frame in the beam path and to compute each set of two or more individual images to form a high dynamic range microscope image.