Specimen Slide Reference Points for Microscopy Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microscopy systems face challenges in accurately and simply determining and retrieving positions on specimen slides across different devices and configurations, requiring complex coordinate transformations and calibration processes.
Innovation Solution
A specimen slide with embedded reference points allows for the unequivocal determination of positions within a sample region, enabling reliable and uncomplicated position identification through pattern recognition, eliminating the need for device-dependent or device-independent coordinate systems and reducing the complexity of calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If device-dependent coordinate systems are used to determine positions on specimen slides, then position determination can be achieved within a single device, but the coordinates cannot be reproduced across different devices or after microscope repairs, leading to loss of position information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reference points with machine-readable identification as an intermediary between the specimen and the coordinate measurement system. These reference points serve as a universal mediator that can be recognized by any device equipped with the appropriate reading capability, enabling position information to be transferred across different devices without loss of accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a device-independent copy of position information by encoding spatial coordinates into machine-readable reference points that can be read and reproduced by any compatible device. This copying mechanism allows position data to be preserved and transferred across different microscopes and processing devices without relying on device-specific coordinate systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex coordinate transformation systems are implemented to enable device-independent position determination, then position data can be reproduced across different devices, but the system complexity and calibration requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the coordinate information from the complex device-dependent coordinate system and embeds it directly into machine-readable reference points on the specimen slide. This extraction eliminates the need for complex coordinate transformations between devices, as each device independently reads the same reference point data to determine positions
Solution Approach 2:
The reference points on the specimen slide serve themselves as the universal reference standard, containing all necessary position information in machine-readable form. Any device can directly read these self-contained reference points without requiring calibration or transformation to device-specific coordinate systems, greatly simplifying the system
3Loss of information
If manual coordinate recording and transformation methods are used, then position data can be stored, but the process requires complex calculations and multiple setup steps for each device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary encoding of position information into machine-readable reference points during specimen slide preparation. This preliminary action stores all necessary coordinate data in advance on the slide itself, eliminating the need for time-consuming calibration and coordinate transformation procedures when the slide is later analyzed by any device
Data Source
AI summary
A specimen slide (100) having a sample region (101) in which a sample (200) that can be investigated microscopically can be arranged, and that comprises reference points (A-Z, 1-24, a-j, α-κ) arranged at least in the sample region (101), is proposed. The reference points (A-Z, 1-24, a-j, α-κ) are embodied in such a way that on the basis of an identification of at least a stipulated number of reference points (A-Z, 1-24, a-j, α-κ) in an arbitrary sub-region (102) of the sample region (101), the position of the arbitrary sub-region (102), and/or at least one position therein, on the specimen slide (100) can be unequivocally determined A method for determining and/or retrieving a position on a corresponding specimen slide, and a corresponding sample investigation system, are likewise subjects of the invention.