Device and method for acquiring images of biological samples

Method for observing and for acquiring images of biological samples comprising:

• a step of observing a support containing a biological sample wherein the support is positioned on a supporting element configured for housing a support, wherein, in the step of observing said support, a first camera, being a linear camera and being oriented toward the supporting element, frames at least a portion of the supporting element and/or at least a predefined portion of the support, when housed on the supporting element, from a first point of observation;
• a step of irradiating the support, comprising activating at least a first optical radiation source and irradiating with said at least a first optical radiation source at least said predefined portion of the support from a first irradiation direction, in such a way to irradiate at least a predefined portion of the biological sample through the optical radiation of the first optical radiation source;
• a step of activating at least an actuator or motor, wherein said actuator or motor is connected to the supporting element, said step of activating said at least an actuator determining a rotation of the supporting element and the support housed therein in use, around a rotation axis, preferably centered on the supporting element and/or on the support, and/or wherein said actuator or motor is connected to the first camera, said step of activating said at least an actuator determining a rotation of said first camera with respect to said supporting element and said support therein housed;
• a step of generating, after the activation of the at least a first camera and of the actuator, at least a first plurality or first set of N images of N predefined portions of the support, comprising acquiring each image of the first plurality or first set of N images in correspondence of at least a predetermined angular detection position, optionally fixed, and of a respective and proper angle of rotation of the supporting element and of the support with respect to an angular starting position, said step of generating preferably taking place during the activation of said actuator determining the rotation of the supporting element and of the support, and/or of the first camera;
• the method comprising a step of generating at least a first intermediate image comprising a juxtaposition of at least part of the N images of the first set of N images,
• the first set of N images comprising N linear images,
• the step of generating the intermediate image comprising juxtaposing at least part of the N images of the first set of N images along a direction orthogonal with respect to a direction of maximum extension of each of the N linear images.

Device for observing and for acquiring images of biological samples comprising:

• a supporting element configured for housing a support for biological samples;
• at least a first camera, being a linear camera and being oriented toward the supporting element and configured for framing at least a portion of the supporting element and/or, in use, at least a predefined portion of the support when housed on the supporting element, from a first point of observation, wherein said predefined portion of the support comprises, in use, a biological sample;
• at least a first optical radiation source configured for irradiating at least said predefined portion of the support from a first irradiation direction, in such a way that, in use, at least a predefined portion of the biological sample is irradiated through the optical radiation of the first optical radiation source;
• an actuator, optionally a motor, configured for rotating the supporting element and of the support housed therein in use, around a rotation axis, preferably centered on the supporting element and/or on the support, and/or for rotating at least said first camera with respect to said supporting element and said support housed therein;
• the device being configured for activating at least the first camera and the actuator to generate, preferably during the rotational actuation of the supporting element and of the support, and/or of the first camera carried out by the actuator:
• at least a first plurality or first set of N images of N predefined portions of the support, wherein each image of the first plurality or first set of N images is acquired in correspondence of at least a predetermined, optionally fixed, angular detection position and a respective and proper angle of rotation of the supporting element and of the support with respect to a starting angular position;
• said device comprising of a motion device configured for moving at least a support between a pick-up position and a predetermined observation position;
• wherein the motion device comprises a centering device configured to determine a movement of the support on the supporting element to determine the achievement of said predetermined observation position by said support and to retain said support in the predetermined observation position on the supporting element;
• said centering device comprises at least a pusher movable between a first position and a second position;
• the centering device comprising at least a first releasing configuration wherein the at least a pusher is spaced with respect to the support and second retaining configuration wherein the at least a pusher touches the support and retains the support in said observation position.