Spatial Tissue Imaging With Parallel TDI Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems for biological tissue samples require numerous individual scans to generate full spatial images, limiting throughput and increasing imaging time due to mechanical movements and synchronization challenges.
Innovation Solution
Employing a system with multiple Time Delay Integration (TDI) imagers that simultaneously scan a biological tissue sample, synchronized with a light source and filter system to capture images from different fluorophores, reducing mechanical movements and enhancing imaging speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple individual imaging scans are performed to capture full spatial images of tissue samples, then comprehensive spatial coverage and high-resolution imaging are achieved, but imaging time increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system divides the tissue sample into multiple columns and uses multiple TDI imagers to simultaneously capture images of different columns. Each TDI imager is responsible for a specific column, allowing parallel processing of multiple regions of the sample, thereby maintaining high resolution while reducing total imaging time
Solution Approach 2:
The TDI (Time Delay Integration) imagers enable continuous scanning and image capture without interruption. The system continuously moves the sample through the imaging chamber while the TDI imagers continuously capture images, eliminating the stop-and-go nature of traditional scanning systems and significantly improving imaging throughput
2Productivity
If multiple TDI imagers are used to simultaneously scan different columns of the tissue sample, then imaging speed and throughput increase, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple TDI imagers are used that are identical in design and function, each capable of independently capturing images of a column. This modular approach allows the system to scale throughput by adding identical units rather than designing increasingly complex single-imager systems, simplifying the overall architecture while improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple copies of the same TDI imager design to simultaneously image multiple columns. Rather than developing a single complex imager, the solution replicates a simpler, proven TDI imager design across multiple channels, reducing development complexity and improving reliability through redundancy
3Loss of time
If continuous scanning with TDI imagers is implemented, then mechanical movements are reduced and imaging time decreases, but synchronization requirements between illumination and detection increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control where the position of the sample stage is continuously monitored and used to adjust the timing and triggering of the TDI imagers. This ensures that each imager captures images at the correct position along the scan path, maintaining image quality and spatial accuracy despite the continuous motion
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-synchronizes the TDI imager timing and stage movement before scanning begins. The scan parameters, timing sequences, and trigger configurations are all predetermined and pre-configured, allowing the system to execute the continuous scan without real-time decision-making complexity during actual 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
The use of TDI imagers allows for continuous scanning, significantly reducing imaging time and improving throughput by minimizing mechanical overhead and synchronization issues, enabling high-resolution, multi-omic analysis of tissue samples.
Implementation Method 1
directing light from a light source to illuminate an area on the biological tissue sample to activate a plurality of fluorophores in the biological tissue sample
Implementation Method 2
Each of the multiple TDI imagers can be configured with a corresponding filter to capture light from the activated fluorophores
Implementation Method 3
A light signal may be directed through a first filter onto a first TDI imager in the plurality of TDI imagers using a multiband dichroic mirror
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of Time Delay and Integration (TDI) imagers configured to simultaneously scan the biological tissue sample
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system for capturing spatial images of biological tissue samples may include an imaging chamber configured to hold a biological tissue sample placed in the imaging system; a light source configured to illuminate the biological tissue sample to activate a plurality of fluorophores in the biological tissue sample; and a plurality of Time Delay and Integration (TDI) imagers configured to simultaneously scan the biological tissue sample, where the plurality of TDI imagers may be configured to separately receive light from different ones of the plurality of fluorophores.