Cytological autofocusing imaging systems and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An automatic focusing method for an optical system, comprising:
- performing an initial coarse focus action along a focal axis at a scan position corresponding to a point on a surface of a slide; and
respectively performing a plurality of subsequent fine focus actions along a plurality of focal axes at a plurality of scan positions corresponding to different points on the slide surface, wherein the performance of at least one of the fine focus actions comprises obtaining images of the slide, each of which has a two-dimensional array of pixels, at a plurality of coordinates within a predetermined range along the respective focal axis, and selecting one of the plurality of coordinates as a fine in-focus coordinate based on an examination of the pixel arrays of the images, wherein the slide comprises at least three fiducial points, and the method further comprises determining positions of the at least three fiducial points, and determining a scan axis slope, index axis slope, and focus intersect of a global focal plane based on the positions of the at least three fiducial points, wherein the Performance of the at least one of the fine focus actions comprises estimating an initial coordinate along the respective focal axis as a function of the global focal plane.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the analysis of specimens. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for reviewing specimen slides, including apparatus for holding the slides. The invention also relates to an automatic focusing method for an imaging system and methods for accommodating vibration in the imaging system. In particular, the methods and apparatus may be applied to the automated analysis of cytological specimen slides.
114 Citations
38 Claims
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1. An automatic focusing method for an optical system, comprising:
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performing an initial coarse focus action along a focal axis at a scan position corresponding to a point on a surface of a slide; and respectively performing a plurality of subsequent fine focus actions along a plurality of focal axes at a plurality of scan positions corresponding to different points on the slide surface, wherein the performance of at least one of the fine focus actions comprises obtaining images of the slide, each of which has a two-dimensional array of pixels, at a plurality of coordinates within a predetermined range along the respective focal axis, and selecting one of the plurality of coordinates as a fine in-focus coordinate based on an examination of the pixel arrays of the images, wherein the slide comprises at least three fiducial points, and the method further comprises determining positions of the at least three fiducial points, and determining a scan axis slope, index axis slope, and focus intersect of a global focal plane based on the positions of the at least three fiducial points, wherein the Performance of the at least one of the fine focus actions comprises estimating an initial coordinate along the respective focal axis as a function of the global focal plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A review station, comprising:
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a motorized stage coupled to the optical instrument for receiving a specimen; an optical instrument having an optical path, the motorized stage configured for moving the specimen within the optical path, the optical instrument configured for performing an initial coarse focus action along a focal axis at the scan position corresponding to a point on the specimen, and respectively performing a plurality of subsequent fine focus actions along a plurality of focal axes at a plurality of scan positions corresponding to different points on the specimen; a camera configured for obtaining images of the specimen along the optical path at a plurality of coordinates within a predetermined range along the respective focal axis during the performance of at least one of the fine focus actions, each of the images having a two-dimensional array of pixels; and a processor configured for selecting one of the plurality of coordinates as a fine in-focus coordinate for at least one of the fine focus action based on an examination of the pixel arrays of the images, wherein the specimen comprises at least three fiducial points, and the processor is further configured for determining positions of the at least three fiducial points, and determining a scan axis slope, index axis slope, and focus intersect of a global focal plane based on the positions of the at least three fiducial points, wherein processor is further configured for estimating an initial coordinate along the respective focal axis as a function of the global focal plane for the at least one fine focus action. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification