Scan-based imaging with variable scan speed using predictions of region-of-interest positions

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions for determining a variable scan speed profile of a scan for acquiring a current scan line of an image of an object, the computer executable instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the following steps:

• receiving at least one previously acquired predictive scan line, each of which provided as a series of pixel values as a function of position along the previously acquired predictive scan line;
• determining positions of one or more predicted regions of interest along the current scan line based on the pixel values of the at least one previously acquired predictive scan line;
• and
• determining the variable scan speed profile from the determined positions of the one or more predicted regions of interest, the variable scan speed profile comprising at least one slower speed component along segments of the scan corresponding to the positions of the one or more predicted regions of interest and at least one faster speed component along other segments of the scan.

An imaging system for obtaining an image of an object, the image comprising a plurality of scan lines to be acquired, the imaging system comprising:

• an illumination assembly generating an illumination beam;
• a scanner assembly scanning the illumination beam along a scan path across a portion of the object;
• a detector assembly detecting an object signal emanating from the scanned portion of the object and generating, from the detected object signal, a current one of the scan lines;
• and
• a processor configured to determine positions of one or more predicted regions of interest along the current scan line based on at least one previously acquired predictive scan line, and to control the scanner assembly to scan the illumination beam over the portion of the object corresponding to the current scan line in accordance with a variable scan speed profile comprising 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 along other segments of the scan path.