Wide field microscopic imaging system and method

A method of acquiring wide field microscopic images of a specimen on a microscope slide, the method comprising:

• providing first and second illuminators each having unique illumination characteristics;
• providing a microscope imaging system including an imaging device, an objective lens and a stage configured to digitally acquire a plurality of images from a scan area of the specimen using the first and second illuminators;
• and
• providing a controller configured to automatically control the microscope imaging system and scan the specimen on the microscope slide to acquire the plurality of images from the scan area using the first and second illuminators;
• wherein the microscope slide defines a first side of the microscope slide facing to the objective lens and a second side of the slide perpendicular to the first side;
• the first illuminator comprises a dark field illuminator that directs light into the second side of the microscope slide;
• the second illuminator comprises a fluorescent illuminator;
• and
• the controller is configured to acquire a first set of images of the scan area using the dark field illuminator, generate a dark field focus map defining a focal depth for each of the images within the first set of images, store the dark field focus map and acquire a second set images of the scan area using the fluorescent illuminator based on the stored dark field focus map.

A wide field microscopic image acquisition apparatus for acquiring images of a specimen on a microscope slide, the apparatus comprising:

• an illuminator configured to direct light into a side of the microscope slide and having a dark field light source with a first spectral output and a second light source with a second spectral output;
• a microscope imaging system including an imaging device and an objective lens and a stage configured to digitally acquire a plurality of images of the specimen;
• and
• a controller configured to automatically control the microscope imaging system and acquire the plurality of images of the specimen the controller being configured to acquire a first set of images of the scan area using the dark field light source, generate a dark field focus map defining a focal depth for each of the images within the first set of images, store the dark field focus map and acquire a second set images of the scan area using the second light source based on the stored dark field focus map;
• wherein the microscope slide defines a first side of the microscope slide facing to the objective lens and a second side of the slide perpendicular to the first side;
• and the dark field and second light sources direct light into the second side of the microscope slide, the controller being configured to acquire a first set of images of the scan area using the dark field light source, generate a dark field focus map defining a focal depth for each of the images within the first set of images, store the dark field focus map and acquire a second set images of the scan area using the second light source based on the stored dark field focus map;
• wherein the microscope slide defines a first side of the microscope slide facing to the objective lens and a second side of the slide perpendicular to the first side;
• and
• the dark field and second light sources direct light into the second side of the microscope slide.

A wide field microscopic image acquisition apparatus for acquiring images of a specimen on a microscope slide, the apparatus comprising:

• an illuminator with a plurality of light sources configured to direct light into a side of the microscope slide;
• a light guide configured to collimate light originating from the plurality of light sources;
• a microscope imaging system including an imaging device and an objective lens and a stage configured to digitally acquire a plurality of images of the specimen;
• and
• a controller configured to automatically control the microscope imaging system and acquire the plurality of images of the specimen a controller configured to automatically control the microscope imaging system and acquire the plurality of images of the specimen, the controller being configured to acquire a first set of images of the scan area using a dark field light source, generate a dark field focus map defining a focal depth for each of the images within the first set of images, store the dark field focus map and acquire a second set images of the scan area using a second light source based on the stored dark field focus map, the controller being configured to acquire a first set of images of the scan area using a dark field light source, generate a dark field focus map defining a focal depth for each of the images within the first set of images, store the dark field focus map and acquire a second set images of the scan area using a second light source based on the stored dark field focus map;
• wherein the microscope slide defines a first side of the microscope slide facing to the objective lens and a second side of the slide perpendicular to the first side;
• and
• a plurality of light sources direct light into the second side of the microscope slide.