Whole Slide Imaging With Tilted Optics for 3D Focus Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital imaging systems for biological specimens suffer from slow acquisition times due to the need for multiple scans at different focal planes and limited depth of field, which results in out-of-focus areas outside the focal plane.
Innovation Solution
An automated imaging system with a first and second camera configuration, where the second camera forms a non-orthogonal angle with the slide, allowing for the acquisition of micro images at orthogonal angles, and a robotic arm system to move the slide for comprehensive imaging, generating a whole specimen image with objects in focus across a three-dimensional volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple scans at different focal planes are performed to achieve comprehensive coverage of the specimen depth, then the depth of field coverage is improved, but the acquisition time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tilted camera configuration where the optical axis forms a non-orthogonal angle with the slide surface. This dimensional change in camera orientation allows the focal plane to extend through the depth of the specimen in a single scan, converting a multi-dimensional scanning problem (multiple focal planes) into a single-plane imaging solution that captures the entire specimen depth simultaneously.
2Productivity
If a single focal plane is used to reduce acquisition time, then the speed of imaging is improved, but areas outside the focal plane become out of focus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric camera configuration where the camera optical axis is tilted at a non-orthogonal angle relative to the slide surface. This asymmetric arrangement allows the focal plane to traverse through the specimen depth diagonally, enabling single-plane imaging that captures the entire depth of the specimen in focus without requiring multiple focal plane scans.
3Device complexity
If traditional orthogonal camera configuration is used, then the system simplicity is maintained, but the depth of field is limited and multiple scans are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the camera orientation from the traditional orthogonal configuration to a tilted configuration where the optical axis forms a non-orthogonal angle with the slide. This dimensional change in the imaging geometry extends the depth of field coverage across the entire specimen depth in a single scan, improving measurement precision without significantly increasing system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Automated systems and methods for evaluating specimens affixed to substrates, such as slides, an exemplary system including a slide imager configured for acquiring a plurality of micro images of a specimen affixed to an substrate, the specimen including a plurality of objects distributed within a three-dimensional volume, and for generating a whole specimen image of the specimen using the micro images, wherein objects contained in the specimen are depicted substantially in focus in the whole specimen image regardless of a z-depth of the respective objects within the specimen. The whole specimen image is stored on a storage medium for subsequent review by a cytotechnologist using a computer-controlled review station including a display and a user interface, wherein the review station user interface is configured such that the cytotechnologist can review and classify the stored whole specimen images.