Method for defining a laser microdissection region, and associated laser microdissection system

A tangible non-transient computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon for defining a laser microdissection region of a prepared specimen that is held by a holder of a laser microdissection system, the computer-executable instructions including instructions for:

• driving the holder into a holding position using a control device of the laser microdissection system;
• capturing a first digital image that depicts a portion of the prepared specimen, the first digital image depicting the portion of the prepared specimen under at least one first microscopic examination method;
• capturing a second digital image of the same portion of the prepared specimen, the second digital image depicting the portion of the prepared specimen under at least a second microscopic examination method;
• generating a live overlay image of the same portion of the prepared specimen by overlaying the first digital image and the second digital image onto one another in a live mode;
• presenting the live overlay image on a display area;
• and
• generating and capturing a marking on the live image so as to define the laser microdissection region.

A laser microdissection system comprising:

• a holder for a prepared specimen;
• a control device for driving the holder into a holding position;
• a microscope for capturing a portion of the prepared specimen in the holding position under a first and at least one second microscopic examination method;
• a digital image capture device for capturing a first and a second digital image of the prepared specimen portion, the first digital image being generated under the first microscopic examination method, and the second digital image being generated under the at least one second microscopic examination method, the digital image capture device including a calculation unit configured so as to overlay the first and the second digital images in a live mode and present the overlaid first and second digital images on a display area as a live overlay image;
• a marking capture unit configured to capture a marking, generated on the live overlay image, for defining the laser microdissection region within the prepared specimen portion;
• and
• a laser device configured to dissect a laser microdissection region by laser-cutting the region out of the prepared specimen portion along the marking.