Tissue Slide Imaging via Beam Splitter and Shading Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image scanning systems for tissue slides are inefficient due to the need to repeatedly adjust the objective visual field and focal length when scanning multiple regions or switching between slides, which slows down the scanning process.
Innovation Solution
An image scanning system that allows multiple tissue slides to be loaded simultaneously, using a splitter module and shading module to direct light from each slide to an image capture element, with the shading module controlling light access to prevent overlap and improve scanning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple tissue slides are loaded simultaneously on the stage, then the scanning efficiency is improved, but the light paths from different slides may overlap causing imaging interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light path for each tissue slide into separate, independent channels using individual objective lenses and beam splitters. This segmentation prevents light path overlap while allowing multiple slides to be scanned simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between improved productivity and avoided harmful interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces beam splitters and shading modules as intermediary components between the multiple tissue slides and the image capture element. These intermediaries selectively direct and block light from different slides, enabling simultaneous scanning without light path interference.
2Measurement precision
If the researcher adjusts objective visual field and focal length for each slide separately, then the imaging quality is maintained, but the scanning time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple objective lenses with different visual fields and focal lengths, and pre-positioning the shading module covers. This allows the system to switch between slides and imaging parameters without requiring time-consuming adjustments, thereby maintaining imaging quality while reducing scanning time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control through the shading module with movable covers that can selectively block light paths. This dynamic mechanism allows rapid switching between different slides and imaging configurations, eliminating the need for manual adjustments and significantly reducing scanning time while maintaining imaging precision.
3Device complexity
If a single image capture element is used for multiple slides, then the system complexity is reduced, but the ability to capture images of multiple slides simultaneously is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses beam splitters to segment the light paths from multiple tissue slides and direct them to a single image capture element. This segmentation allows the single capture element to sequentially image multiple slides without requiring multiple capture elements, thus maintaining simple system architecture while improving imaging capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single image capture element serves multiple functions by capturing images from different tissue slides through the beam splitting and light path control mechanism. This multi-functionality allows one capture element to replace what would traditionally require multiple capture elements, reducing system complexity while maintaining high 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 system enables simultaneous imaging of multiple tissue slides, reducing the time required for loading and adjusting the microscope, thereby enhancing scanning speed and efficiency by allowing each slide to be imaged separately without overlapping images.
Implementation Method 1
the light source provides light, the stage is located between the light source and the objective lenses
Implementation Method 2
the splitter module includes a plurality of first splitters, each of the first splitters corresponds to one of the objective lenses, and each of the first splitters is used for guiding the light into the image capture element
Implementation Method 3
each of the covers is able to selectively block the light into the splitter module via each of the objective lenses
Data Source
AI summary
An image scanning system for tissue slides comprises a microscope, an image capture element, a splitter module and a shading module, wherein the microscope is used for carrying a plurality of tissue slides. The light pass through each of the tissue slides is able to enter the splitter module selectively by the shading module, and the light is guided into the image capture element via a plurality of splitters of the splitter module to make each of the tissue slides be imaged on the image capture element respectively for image scanning.