Method and system for imaging a cell sample
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for use with a cell sample, the method comprising:
- obtaining data representative of a series of images captured by performing a depth scan of the cell sample using a microscope, the series of images being associated with a series of depth levels of the cell sample;
identifying one of the depth levels as being an optimum focal plane for imaging one or more entities within the sample using the microscope, by;
detecting a plurality of depth levels as corresponding to drops in image contrast;
identifying one of the plurality of detected depth levels as corresponding to a deepest drop in image contrast; and
identifying the depth level that corresponds to the deepest drop in image contrast as the depth level that is the optimum focal plane;
andimaging the cell sample using the microscope, by focusing the microscope at an investigative depth level that is based on the identified depth level.
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides a method of determining a reference depth level within a cell sample. The method comprises obtaining data representative of a series of images captured by performing a depth scan of the cell sample using a digital microscope, the series of images being associated with a series of depth levels of the cell sample; processing said data for detecting at least one depth level corresponding to a drop in image contrast; and identifying the detected depth level as the reference depth level.
142 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for use with a cell sample, the method comprising:
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obtaining data representative of a series of images captured by performing a depth scan of the cell sample using a microscope, the series of images being associated with a series of depth levels of the cell sample; identifying one of the depth levels as being an optimum focal plane for imaging one or more entities within the sample using the microscope, by; detecting a plurality of depth levels as corresponding to drops in image contrast; identifying one of the plurality of detected depth levels as corresponding to a deepest drop in image contrast; and identifying the depth level that corresponds to the deepest drop in image contrast as the depth level that is the optimum focal plane; and imaging the cell sample using the microscope, by focusing the microscope at an investigative depth level that is based on the identified depth level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An autofocus computation module for use with a digital microscope, the autofocus computation module comprising:
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an input unit configured for receiving from the digital microscope data representative of a series of images captured by performing a depth scan of the cell sample using the digital microscope, the series of images being associated with a series of depth levels of the cell sample; a calculation unit configured for identifying one of the depth levels as being an optimum focal plane for imaging one or more entities within the sample using the microscope, by; detecting a plurality of depth levels as corresponding to drops in image contrast; identifying one of the plurality of detected depth levels as corresponding to a deepest drop in image contrast; and identifying the depth level that corresponds to the deepest drop in image contrast as the depth level that is the optimum focal plane; an autofocus adaptation module configured for commanding the digital microscope to vary a distance between a focus plane of the microscope and a sample carrier intended to receive the cell sample; and an output unit for outputting data indicative of the identified depth level to the autofocus adaptation module, such that the autofocus adaptation module commands the digital microscope to set the focus plane at an investigative depth level that is based upon the identified depth level. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification