Variable Scan Speed Imaging for High-Content Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current scanning imaging techniques, such as single-beam scanning in confocal microscopy, are slow due to sequential acquisition of image pixels, which is detrimental in high-content screening where thousands of images are needed, and existing speed enhancements often compromise spatial resolution or signal-to-noise ratio.
Innovation Solution
The method involves predicting regions of interest in an image and adjusting scan speed accordingly, using a variable scan speed profile with slower speeds over regions of interest and faster speeds elsewhere, based on previously acquired scan lines and threshold criteria, to optimize scanning efficiency without sacrificing image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If single-beam scanning is used to acquire image pixels sequentially, then spatial resolution can be maintained, but scanning speed becomes slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image into regions of interest (ROIs) and non-ROI areas, applying different scanning speeds to different segments. The scanning system sequentially scans ROIs at normal speed while skipping non-ROI areas at accelerated speeds, thereby maintaining resolution where needed while improving overall scan throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic scanning speed adjustment by varying the scan speed throughout the imaging process. The system accelerates through non-ROI regions and decelerates at ROI locations, creating a time-varying scan speed profile that optimizes both resolution and speed based on local image importance.
2Speed
If faster scanning mechanisms are used to improve scan speed, then scanning time is reduced, but spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different scanning qualities to different spatial locations. ROIs are scanned at higher quality (slower speed) while non-ROI areas are scanned at lower quality (faster speed), creating a spatially varying scan quality that matches the importance distribution of the image content.
3Productivity
If conventional methods are used to improve scanning speed while preserving image quality (increasing numerical aperture, improving throughput, increasing quantum efficiency), then image quality can be maintained, but these approaches are approaching physical limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the need for complex optical modifications by using computational methods instead. Rather than increasing numerical aperture or detector efficiency, the system uses algorithms to identify ROIs and adjusts scanning accordingly, eliminating the need for hardware complexity increases.
4Productivity
If full raster scan images are acquired to plan optimal scan patterns, then scanning efficiency can be improved, but system cost and complexity increase and photobleaching occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by acquiring a low-resolution preview image or using prior knowledge to predict ROI locations before the main high-resolution scan. This preliminary information is used to plan the optimal scan pattern, avoiding the need for full raster scans and reducing photobleaching while maintaining scanning efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for obtaining an image of object, for example an optical section of a sample, are disclosed. The image includes a plurality of scan lines to be acquired. The method includes, for a current one of the scan lines to be acquired, a step of determining positions of one or more predicted regions of interest along the current scan line based on at least one previously acquired predictive scan line. The method also includes a step of acquiring the current scan line along a scan path in accordance with a variable scan speed profile including at least one slower speed component along segments of the scan path corresponding to the positions of the one or more predicted regions of interest and at least one faster speed component elsewhere along the scan path.