Superresolution Image Generation via High-Frequency Emphasis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing specimen observation apparatuses struggle to generate superior superresolution images when the proportion of high-frequency components in image data is small, leading to inefficient emphasis of high-frequency components and noise issues.
Innovation Solution
A specimen observation apparatus that includes an objective lens to irradiate laser light on a specimen, an image-data obtaining portion to detect return light, a control portion to repeatedly detect and add image data from the same region, and an image computational processing portion to emphasize high-frequency components, along with optional confocal aperture, scanning, and mask configurations to enhance image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-frequency components are emphasized in image data with small proportion of high-frequency components, then superresolution image generation is attempted, but the emphasis is inefficient and noise is not smoothed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by acquiring multiple sets of image data before performing high-frequency emphasis. The control portion repeatedly detects return light from the same specimen region to obtain multiple image data sets, which are then added together. This preliminary accumulation of data ensures that when high-frequency emphasis is applied, the signal is sufficiently strong and noise is reduced, enabling effective superresolution image generation.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple sets of image data are added to increase luminance and smooth noise, then the proportion of high-frequency components increases, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple sets of image data through addition processing. The image-data processing portion adds together multiple image data sets acquired from the same specimen region, combining their signals to increase overall luminance and reduce random noise. This merging operation is integrated into the existing superresolution processing workflow, adding minimal complexity while significantly improving image quality.
3Measurement precision
If confocal aperture portion with smaller opening is used to increase high-frequency components, then measurement precision improves, but light intensity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The confocal aperture portion with a smaller opening than the spot diameter is used to preferentially transmit high-frequency components while blocking low-frequency background. Although this reduces overall light intensity, the preliminary acquisition of multiple image data sets compensates for the reduced signal by accumulating sufficient photons through repeated measurements, ensuring adequate signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining high spatial frequency content.
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
This approach allows for the generation of superior superresolution images with increased luminance and reduced noise, effectively visualizing high-frequency components by improving the proportion of high-frequency components in the image data.
Implementation Method 1
an objective lens that radiates laser light emitted from a light source onto a specimen
Implementation Method 2
an objective lens that radiates laser light emitted from a light source onto a specimen
Implementation Method 3
a confocal lens that focuses return light from the specimen irradiated with the laser light by the objective lens and that projects a spot of the return light at the opening position of the confocal aperture portion
Implementation Method 4
a confocal aperture portion that has an opening at a position that is optically conjugate with a focal position of the objective lens... only the central portion of the return light is passed by the confocal aperture portion
Implementation Method 5
an image computational processing portion that emphasizes high-frequency components in the addition image data obtained by the image-data processing portion
Data Source
AI summary
A superior superresolution image can be generated. Provided is a specimen observation apparatus including an objective lens that radiates excitation laser light emitted from a light source onto a specimen; and a main controller that obtains a plurality of sets of image data of the same region on the specimen by repeatedly detecting fluorescence from the same region on the specimen irradiated with the excitation laser light by the objective lens, and that emphasizes high-frequency components in an addition image data obtained by adding the obtained plurality of sets of image data of the same region on the specimen.