Multi-view imaging apparatus
AssigneeXenogen Corporation
InventorsDavid Nilson, Michael D. Cable, Bradley W. Rice
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for taking images of a sample. The sample is placed in an imaging box comprising a moveable stage that allows images of the sample to be taken from various positions and angles within the imaging box. The images are taken by a camera and sent to a processor. Structured light images obtained from one or more views within the imaging box may be used to build a structured light representations of the sample.
Claims30
An imaging system for capturing an image of a sample with a camera, the imaging system comprising:
- an imaging box having a set of walls enclosing an interior cavity;
- a camera mount configured to position the camera relative to a fixed datum on one of said walls for viewing by the camera;
- a light transmission device configured to rotate about the fixed datum;
- and
- a moveable stage apparatus including a transport mechanism and a stage configured to support the sample within the interior cavity, said stage being coupled to the transport mechanism for movement of the sample to one of a plurality of positions in said interior cavity, said transport mechanism and said light transmission device are configured to cooperatively direct light reflected or emitted from said sample to said fixed datum to capture said image by said camera.
An imaging apparatus used in capturing an image of a sample, the imaging apparatus comprising:
- an imaging box including an interior cavity for receiving the sample;
- a stage for supporting the sample;
- a first linear actuator attached to the imaging box and capable of positioning the moveable stage in a first direction;
- a second linear actuator attached to the first linear actuator, attached to the stage, and capable of positioning the moveable stage in a second direction,
- wherein said first linear actuator and said second linear actuator cooperate to position the stage at one of a plurality of positions in said interior cavity;
- and
- a light reception device and a light transmission device, wherein the light transmission device is coupled to the imaging box and configured to transmit light emitted from the sample to a fixed datum of the light reception device, wherein the fixed datum is a fixed axis perpendicular to a vertical wall of the imaging box.
- and wherein the light reception device rotates about the fixed axis.
An imaging apparatus for capturing an image of a sample, the imaging apparatus comprising:
- an imaging box including an interior cavity for receiving the sample;
- a stage for supporting the sample;
- and
- a positioning arm rotably coupled to the stage and rotably coupled to the imaging box such that the stage remains substantially horizontal for any rotational position of the positioning arm relative the imaging box;
- and
- a mirror attached to positioning arm, the mirror configured to reflect light emitted from the sample at least partially along a fixed datum.
A stage apparatus for use with an imaging system for capturing an image of a sample with a camera, the imaging system including an imaging box having a set of walls defining an interior cavity, and a camera mounted relative to a fixed datum on one of said walls, said stage apparatus comprising:
- a light transmission device configured to rotate about the fixed datum;
- and
- a transport mechanism;
- and
- a stage configured to support the sample within the interior cavity, said stage being coupled to the transport mechanism for movement of the sample to one of a plurality of positions in said interior cavity,
- wherein said transport mechanism and said light transmission device are configured to cooperatively direct light reflected or emitted from said sample on the stage to said fixed datum to capture said image by said camera.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.