DYNAMIC AUTOFOCUS METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ASSAY IMAGER
First Claim
1. A method for controlling focus dynamically of a sample imager, comprising:
- scanning a sample with an optical assembly by apportioning the sample into a plurality of regions defined by a scan pattern, the optical assembly having a focal setting with respect to the sample, thereby obtaining images of the plurality of regions;
shifting the focal setting of the optical assembly during scanning of the sample, whereby the images have an associated degree of focus corresponding to the focal setting of the optical assembly;
analyzing the images to obtain at least two focus scores, the focus scores representing a degree to which the optical assembly was in focus when detecting the images; and
adjusting the focus setting based on a function of the at least two focus scores.
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Abstract
A method and system are provided for controlling focus dynamically of a sample imager. The method comprises scanning a sample with an optical assembly that apportions the sample into regions based on a scan pattern. The optical assembly has a focal setting with respect to the sample. The method further comprises shifting the focal setting of the optical assembly during scanning of the sample, and detecting one or more images representative of one of the regions from the sample. The one or more images have associated degrees of focus corresponding to the focal setting of the optical assembly. The method analyzes the image(s) to obtain a focus score or scores corresponding thereto, where the focus scores represent a degree to which the optical assembly was in focus when detecting the images. The method adjusts the focus setting based on the focus score(s).
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for controlling focus dynamically of a sample imager, comprising:
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scanning a sample with an optical assembly by apportioning the sample into a plurality of regions defined by a scan pattern, the optical assembly having a focal setting with respect to the sample, thereby obtaining images of the plurality of regions; shifting the focal setting of the optical assembly during scanning of the sample, whereby the images have an associated degree of focus corresponding to the focal setting of the optical assembly; analyzing the images to obtain at least two focus scores, the focus scores representing a degree to which the optical assembly was in focus when detecting the images; and adjusting the focus setting based on a function of the at least two focus scores. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An optical imaging system, comprising:
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a sample holder to receive a sample; an optical assembly to scan the sample, the optical assembly apportioning the sample into regions defined by a scan pattern, the optical assembly having a focal setting with respect to the sample; a focus control module to introduce a shift by a predetermined extent into the focal setting of the optical assembly; a detector to detect images representative of at least two regions from the sample, the images each having an associated degree of focus corresponding to the focal setting of the optical assembly; and an image analysis module to analyze the images to obtain at least two focus scores, each of the focus scores representing a degree to which the optical assembly was in focus when detecting the image, and to determine a desired focal setting based on a function of the at least two focus scores, wherein the focus control module adjusts the focus setting based on the desired focal setting.
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19. A method for controlling focus dynamically of a sample imager, comprising:
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(a) detecting a first region of a sample with an optical assembly, the optical assembly having a first focal setting with respect to the sample, thereby obtaining a first image; (b) analyzing the first image to obtain a first focus score;
the first focus score representing a degree to which the optical assembly was in focus when detecting the first image;(c) shifting the focal setting of the optical assembly by a predetermined extent to a second focal setting; (d) detecting a second region of the sample with the optical assembly at the second focal setting, thereby obtaining a second image; (e) analyzing the second image to obtain a second focus score;
the second focus score representing a degree to which the optical assembly was in focus when detecting the second image;(f) determining a desired focal setting for the optical assembly based on a function of at least the first focus score and the second focus score; and (g) repeating steps (a) through (e) under conditions wherein the first focal setting is adjusted based on the desired focal setting. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for controlling focus dynamically of a sample imager, comprising:
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(a) detecting a plurality of images of a sample, the plurality of images including information relating to detected light signals from the sample, the plurality of images including first and second images; (b) analyzing the first and second images to obtain respective focus scores, the focus scores representing a degree to which the optical assembly was in focus when detecting the first and second images, wherein the focus scores of the first and second images are different; (c) comparing the focus scores of the first and second images; and (d) relatively shifting the sample with respect to the optical assembly based upon said comparison of the focus scores. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A method for controlling focus dynamically of a sample imager, comprising:
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(a) obtaining first and second images of a scan region of a sample, the sample being positioned relative to an optical assembly, the first and second images including information relating to detected light signals from first and second labels in the sample, respectively; (b) analyzing the first and second images to obtain first and second focus scores;
the focus scores representing a degree to which the optical assembly was in focus when detecting the first and second images;(c) comparing the first and second focus scores; and (d) relatively shifting the sample with respect to the optical assembly based upon said comparison of the first and second focus scores, the sample having a modified position relative to the optical assembly.
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Specification