Real-time focusing in a slide-scanning system
AssigneeLeica Biosystems Imaging, Inc.
InventorsAllen H. Olson, Yunlu Zou, Bharat Annaldas, Leng-Chun Chen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Real-time focusing in a slide-scanning system. In an embodiment, focus points are added to an initialized focus map while acquiring a plurality of image stripes of a sample on a glass slide. For each image stripe, a plurality of frames, collectively representing the image stripe, may be acquired using both an imaging line-scan camera and a tilted focusing line-scan camera. Focus points, representing positions of best focus for trusted frames, are added to the focus map. Outlying focus points are removed from the focus map. In some cases, one or more image stripes may be reacquired. Finally, the image stripes are assembled into a composite image of the sample.
Claims14
A method comprising using at least one hardware processor of a scanning system to:
- initialize a focus map;
- add focus points to the focus map while acquiring a plurality of image stripes of at least a portion of a sample on a glass slide, by, for each of the plurality of image stripes:
- acquiring each of a plurality of frames, collectively representing the image stripe, using both an imaging sensor and a focusing sensor, and
- adding focus points, representing positions of best focus for trusted ones of the plurality of frames, to the focus map;
- remove any outlying focus points from the focus map;
- determine whether or not to rescan one or more of the acquired plurality of image stripes based on a focus error for each of the plurality of frames in the plurality of image stripes;
- reacquire, for each image stripe from the plurality of image stripes determined to be rescanned, each of the plurality of frames that collectively represent the image stripe, wherein the reacquired plurality of frames replaces the previously acquired plurality of frames for the image stripe;
- and
- assemble the plurality of image stripes into a composite image of the at least a portion of the sample.
A scanning system comprising:
- an imaging sensor;
- a focusing sensor;
- at least one hardware processor;
- and
- one or more software modules configured to, when executed by the at least one hardware processor,
- initialize a focus map,
- add focus points to the focus map while acquiring a plurality of image stripes of at least a portion of a sample on a glass slide, by, for each of the plurality of image stripes:
- acquiring each of a plurality of frames, collectively representing the image stripe, using both the imaging sensor and the focusing sensor, and
- adding focus points, representing positions of best focus for trusted ones of the plurality of frames, to the focus map,
- remove any outlying focus points from the focus map,
- determine whether or not to rescan one or more of the acquired plurality of image stripes based on a focus error for each of the plurality of frames in the plurality of image stripes,
- reacquire, for each image stripe from the plurality of image stripes determined to be rescanned, each of the plurality of frames that collectively represent the image stripe, wherein the reacquired plurality of frames replaces the previously acquired plurality of frames for the image stripe, and
- assemble the plurality of image stripes into a composite image of the at least a portion of the sample.
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, wherein the instructions, when executed by a processor of a scanning system, cause the processor to:
- initialize a focus map;
- add focus points to the focus map while acquiring a plurality of image stripes of at least a portion of a sample on a glass slide, by, for each of the plurality of image stripes:
- acquiring each of a plurality of frames, collectively representing the image stripe, using both an imaging sensor and a focusing sensor, and
- adding focus points, representing positions of best focus for trusted ones of the plurality of frames, to the focus map;
- remove any outlying focus points from the focus map;
- determine whether or not to rescan one or more of the plurality of image stripes based on a focus error for each of the plurality of frames in the plurality of image stripes;
- reacquire, for each of the plurality of image stripes determined to be rescanned, each of the plurality of frames, collectively representing the image stripe, using both the imaging sensor and the focusing sensor;
- and
- assemble the plurality of image stripes into a composite image of the at least a portion of the sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.