Systems, devices, and methods for automatic microscopic focus
AssigneeNanotronics Imaging, Inc.
InventorsJohn B. Putman, Matthew C. Putman, Julie Orlando, Dylan Fashbaugh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An automatic focus system for an optical microscope that facilitates faster focusing by using at least two cameras. The first camera can be positioned in a first image forming conjugate plane and receives light from a first illumination source that transmits light in a first wavelength range. The second camera can be positioned at an offset distance from the first image forming conjugate plane and receives light from a second illumination source that transmits light in a second wavelength range.
Claims17
A system for automatically focusing a microscope, comprising:
- a first image sensor, configured for focusing, positioned on an image forming conjugate plane;
- a second image sensor, configured for focusing, positioned at an offset distance from the image forming conjugate plane;
- and
- a hardware processor coupled to the first image sensor and the second image sensor that is configured to:
- determine, using the first image sensor, when a specimen is in focus;
- determine, using the second image sensor, a sharpness setpoint for the specimen when the specimen is determined to be in focus for the first image sensor;
- after movement of the specimen, determine, using the second image sensor, a first sharpness value of the specimen;
- at least one of:
- determine whether the first sharpness value of the specimen is higher than the sharpness setpoint;
- and determine whether the first sharpness value of the specimen is lower than the sharpness setpoint;
- and
- adjust the microscope so that a second sharpness value of the specimen determined using the second image sensor corresponds to the sharpness setpoint.
A system for automatically focusing a microscope, comprising:
- a first image sensor, configured for taking images of a specimen when the specimen is determined to be in focus, positioned on an image forming conjugate plane;
- a second image sensor, configured for focusing, positioned on a second image forming conjugate plane;
- a third image sensor, configured for focusing, positioned at an offset distance from the second image forming conjugate plane;
- a hardware processor coupled to the second image sensor and the third image sensor that is configured to:
- determine, using the second image sensor, when the specimen is in focus;
- determine, using the third image sensor, a sharpness setpoint for the specimen when the specimen is determined to be in focus for the second image sensor;
- after movement of the specimen, determine, using the third image sensor, a first sharpness value of the specimen;
- at least one of:
- determine whether the first sharpness value of the specimen is higher than the sharpness setpoint;
- and determine whether the first sharpness value of the specimen is lower than the sharpness setpoint;
- and
- adjust the microscope so that a second sharpness value of the specimen determined using the third image sensor corresponds to the sharpness setpoint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.