Subpixel Line Sensor Scanning for Faster High-Resolution Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pixel-shifting technologies in whole-slide imaging are limited by pixel size and field-of-view constraints, restricting resolution enhancement and scanning speed in digital slide scanners.
Innovation Solution
A slide scanning device with multiple line sensors offset by a fraction of a pixel length, combined with an objective lens providing a consistent field of view, generates subpixels by combining line images at different offsets, and a processor aligns these images into a higher-resolution digital image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pixel-shifting technology is used to enhance resolution by moving the image sensor in increments smaller than pixel width, then resolution is improved, but device complexity and scanning time increase due to requiring multiple images and precise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the image sensor into multiple line sensors arranged in parallel, each capturing a line of the image simultaneously. This segmentation allows the system to achieve subpixel resolution enhancement without requiring multiple sequential images, as each line sensor captures spatial information at different subpixel positions in parallel, reducing device complexity and scanning time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from one-dimensional pixel shifting (moving sensor left-right or up-down sequentially) to a two-dimensional arrangement of multiple line sensors positioned at different longitudinal offsets. This dimensional change enables simultaneous capture of subpixel information across the entire field of view, eliminating the need for sequential positioning and reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If pixel-shifting technology moves the image sensor in small increments to sample subpixels, then resolution is enhanced, but scanning speed decreases due to requiring multiple sequential images
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the image sensor into multiple line sensors that operate in parallel, the system captures all necessary subpixel information simultaneously in a single scan pass. Each line sensor captures a different spatial offset, and all are processed together to generate the enhanced resolution image, eliminating the sequential multi-pass requirement and significantly improving scanning speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables continuous scanning by having multiple line sensors capture images simultaneously during a single continuous motion of the stage or scanner. This eliminates the stop-and-go nature of sequential pixel-shifting methods, maintaining continuous useful action throughout the scanning process and thereby increasing productivity.
3Measurement precision
If standard imaging optics are used with multiple line sensors offset by fraction of pixel length, then subpixel resolution is achieved, but alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates alignment markers or reference features that provide feedback during the alignment process. These markers enable automated adjustment of line sensor positions to achieve precise fractional pixel offsets, reducing the burden on manual manufacturing precision and ensuring consistent subpixel resolution across production batches.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses software-based parameter adjustment to compensate for minor manufacturing variations in line sensor positioning. By allowing digital repositioning and recalibration of the subpixel sampling grid after assembly, the system can achieve the required alignment precision without demanding extremely tight manufacturing tolerances.
Data Source
AI summary
Subpixel line scanning. A slide scanning device comprises a plurality of line sensors, each comprising a plurality of pixel sensors. Each line sensor is offset from an adjacent line sensor by a fraction of a length of each pixel sensor, and generates a line image of the same field of view at its respective offset. For each of a plurality of positions on a sample, a processor combines the line images of the same field of view, generated by the plurality of line sensors at their respective offsets, to produce a plurality of subpixels for each of at least a subset of pixels within the line images of the same field of view, and generates an upsampled line image of the position comprising the plurality of subpixels. Then, the processor combines the up-sampled line images of each of the plurality of positions on the sample into an image.