IMAGE ACQUISITION DEVICE AND IMAGE ACQUISITION METHOD FOR IMAGE ACQUISITION DEVICE

• US 20160252717A1
• Filed: 01/28/2014
• Published: 09/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics KK
• Original Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics KK
• Inventors: IWASE, Fumio
• Granted Patent: US 10,422,987 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/06 Means for illuminating specimens
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/086 for transillumination only
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/241 Devices for focusing focusing in general G02B7/28
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/367 providing an output produced by processing a plurality of individual source images, e.g. image tiling, montage, composite images, depth sectioning, image comparison
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/70 Denoising; Smoothing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/67 Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/689 Motion occurring during a rolling shutter mode

Abstract

In an image acquisition device, imaging is performed using an imaging element capable of rolling reading an optical image of a sample irradiated with instantaneous light. Therefore, the image can be captured with a sufficient S/N ratio even when the optical image is weak. Further, the image acquisition device includes a light source control unit that causes the instantaneous light to be emitted from a light source from the start of exposure of a pixel row of which reading last starts to the start of reading of a pixel row of which the reading first starts. That is, in the image acquisition device, the light source control unit causes the sample to be irradiated with the instantaneous light from the light emitting means during a period of time in which all pixel rows of the imaging element are exposed.

Claims

1. An image acquisition device, comprising:

a stage on which a sample is placed;

a light source configured to emit instantaneous light;

a light guiding optical system including an objective lens arranged to face the sample on the stage;

a driver configured to move a focal position of the objective lens relative to the sample in an optical axis direction of the objective lens;

an imaging sensor configured to capture an optical image of the sample guided by the light guiding optical system;

an image processor configured to process an image data output from the imaging sensor; and

a controller configured to control the light source,

wherein the imaging sensor is a two-dimensional imaging sensor including a plurality of pixel rows and is capable of rolling reading,

the controller causes the instantaneous light to be emitted from the light source during a period of time from a start of exposure of the pixel row of which the reading last starts in the rolling reading to a start of the reading of the pixel row of which the reading first starts, and

the image processor sequentially acquires image data from the imaging sensor, and combines the acquired image data to form combined image data.

2. The image acquisition device according to claim 1,

wherein the imaging sensor outputs a trigger signal indicating the start of exposure of the pixel row of which the reading last starts in the rolling reading to the controller, and

the controller starts irradiation of the instantaneous light based on the trigger signal output from the imaging sensor.

3. The image acquisition device according to claim 1,

wherein the controller controls the light source so that there is a predetermined period of time from the end of the irradiation of the instantaneous light to the start of the reading of the pixel row of which the reading first starts in the rolling reading.

4. The image acquisition device according to claim 1,

wherein the controller controls the light source so that there is a predetermined period of time from the start of exposure of the pixel row of which the reading last starts in the rolling reading to the start of the irradiation of the instantaneous light.

5. The image acquisition device according to claim 1,

wherein the driving unit moves a focal position of the objective lens to a focusing position during a period of time from the start of reading of the pixel row of which the reading first starts in the rolling reading to the start of exposure of the pixel row of which the reading last starts.

6. The image acquisition device according to claim 5,

wherein the driver moves the focal position of the objective lens so that there is a predetermined period of time from an end of the movement of the focal position of the objective lens to the start of exposure of the pixel row of which the reading last starts in the rolling reading.

7. An image acquisition method, comprising:

emitting instantaneous light by a light source,

moving a focal position of an objective lens relative to a sample in an optical axis direction of the objective lens,

capturing, by a two-dimensional imaging sensor including a plurality of pixel rows and is capable of rolling reading, an optical image of the sample guided by a light guiding optical system including the objective lens arranged to face the sample on a stage,

causing the instantaneous light to be emitted from the light source during a period of time from a start of exposure of the pixel row of which the reading last starts in the rolling reading to a start of the reading of the pixel row of which the reading first starts,

sequentially acquiring image data output from the two-dimensional imaging sensor; and

combining the acquired image data to form combined image data.