TDI Spatial Genomics Imaging for Continuous Multi-Wavelength Scanning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current biological imaging systems for spatial omics require significant time to capture high-resolution, multiplexed images of tissue samples due to mechanical repositioning, stabilization, and focus adjustments between scan lines, leading to lengthy imaging sessions of over 30-40 hours.
Innovation Solution
The use of Time Delay Integration (TDI) cameras with optimized illumination and simultaneous multi-wavelength capture techniques, such as fiber-optic bundles and beam splitters, allows for continuous scanning and simultaneous imaging of different wavelengths without mechanical repositioning, reducing the imaging time to approximately 5 hours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional imaging systems use mechanical repositioning and focus adjustments between scan lines, then measurement precision is maintained, but imaging time increases significantly to over 30-40 hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical repositioning and focus adjustment systems with a Time Delay Integration (TDI) camera system that uses synchronized electronic timing and integration. The TDI camera captures multiple frames with precise time delays, eliminating the need for mechanical stage movements and focus adjustments between scan lines, thereby reducing imaging time from 30-40 hours to a much shorter duration while maintaining spatial resolution through temporal integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The TDI imaging system enables continuous scanning and image capture without interruption for mechanical repositioning. The camera continuously integrates light signals over time across multiple scan lines, maintaining uninterrupted imaging action. This continuous operation eliminates the idle time associated with mechanical adjustments, achieving faster imaging while preserving measurement precision through cumulative signal integration.
2Measurement precision
If multiple wavelengths are captured sequentially with filter changes, then spectral resolution is maintained, but imaging time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple wavelength capture operations into a single simultaneous imaging process using the TDI camera. By capturing all wavelength channels concurrently through the time-delayed integration of light signals, the system eliminates the need to sequentially change filters or reposition components for each wavelength, thereby maintaining spectral resolution while dramatically reducing the total imaging time required to acquire complete multi-spectral data.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical repositioning is performed between scan lines, then positioning accuracy is maintained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical repositioning mechanisms with a TDI camera system that achieves positioning accuracy through synchronized electronic timing. The camera's internal time delay synchronization maintains precise spatial registration across scan lines without physical movement, eliminating mechanical errors and delays while increasing imaging throughput and productivity.
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 significantly reduces imaging time by eliminating the need for mechanical repositioning and focus adjustments, enabling faster capture of high-resolution, multiplexed spatial-omic images of biological tissue samples.
Implementation Method 1
a Time Delay and Integration (TDI) imager comprising at least one scan line; a controller configured to cause the TDI imager to scan the biological tissue sample using one or more TDI scans
Implementation Method 2
a light source configured to illuminate an area on the biological tissue sample that is being captured by the TDI imager with a plurality of distinct wavelengths
Implementation Method 3
The system may include a fiber optic bundle comprising a plurality of fiber-optic lines, each of which are configured to deliver different wavelengths
Implementation Method 4
The system/method may filter the plurality of distinct wavelengths using a plurality of filters in front of the TDI imager. The system/method may filter the plurality of distinct wavelengths using a beam splitter in front of the TDI imager
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system for capturing spatial-omic images of biological tissue samples may include an imaging chamber configured to secure a biological tissue sample placed in the imaging system; a Time Delay and Integration (TDI) imager comprising at least one scan line; a light source configured to illuminate an area on the biological tissue sample that is being captured by the TDI imager; and a controller configured to cause the TDI imager to scan the biological tissue sample using one or more TDI scans of the biological tissue sample.