Data management in a linear-array-based microscope slide scanner
First Claim
1. A system for capturing imagery data using a line scan camera, comprising:
- at least one memory for imagery data;
a motorized stage configured to support a microscope sample and move the microscope sample in an X axis direction and a Y axis direction;
an objective lens positioned for viewing a portion of the microscope sample;
a line scan camera optically coupled to the objective lens and configured to capture imagery data of the microscope sample as a plurality of image stripes where each image stripe comprises a plurality of scan lines;
a positioning element configured to adjust a position of the objective lens in a Z axis direction; and
a processor configured to instruct the positioning element to adjust the position of the objective lens in the Z axis during capture of a first stripe of imagery data and a second stripe of imagery data, the processor further configured to store a first plurality of image portions from the first stripe and a second plurality of image portions from the second stripe as a contiguous digital image in said at least one memory.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for processing, storing, and viewing extremely large imagery data rapidly produced by a linear-array-based microscope slide scanner are provided. The system receives, processes, and stores imagery data produced by the linear scanner as a series of overlapping image stripes and combines the data into a seamless and contiguous baseline image. The baseline image is logically mapped into a plurality of regions that are individually addressed to facilitate viewing and manipulation of the baseline image. The system enables dynamic imagery data compression while scanning and capturing new image stripes that eliminates the overhead associated with storing uncompressed image stripes. The system also creates intermediate level images, thereby organizing the baseline image into a variable level pyramid structure referred to as a virtual slide. The system facilitates the use of virtual slides in applications such as telemedicine, telepathology, microscopy education, and analysis of high value specimens like tissue arrays.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A system for capturing imagery data using a line scan camera, comprising:
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at least one memory for imagery data; a motorized stage configured to support a microscope sample and move the microscope sample in an X axis direction and a Y axis direction; an objective lens positioned for viewing a portion of the microscope sample; a line scan camera optically coupled to the objective lens and configured to capture imagery data of the microscope sample as a plurality of image stripes where each image stripe comprises a plurality of scan lines; a positioning element configured to adjust a position of the objective lens in a Z axis direction; and a processor configured to instruct the positioning element to adjust the position of the objective lens in the Z axis during capture of a first stripe of imagery data and a second stripe of imagery data, the processor further configured to store a first plurality of image portions from the first stripe and a second plurality of image portions from the second stripe as a contiguous digital image in said at least one memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon one or more sequences of instructions for causing one or more processors to perform the steps for capturing imagery data using a line scan camera, the steps comprising:
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determining a ramp-up period required to accelerate a microscope stage to a substantially constant velocity; accelerating the microscope stage through the ramp-up period, wherein said ramp-up period is less than 1 mm of travel; capturing imagery data using a line scan camera and an objective lens while the stage is traveling at substantially constant velocity; and adjusting the objective lens in a Z axis direction during the capture of the imagery data. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for capturing imagery data, comprising:
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means for storing imagery data; means for moving a microscope sample in an X axis direction and a Y axis direction; objective lens means for viewing a portion of the microscope sample; line scan camera means optically coupled to the objective lens means for capturing imagery data of the microscope sample as a plurality of image stripes where each image stripe comprises a plurality of scan lines; means for adjusting a position of the objective lens in a Z axis direction; and means for instructing the positioning element to adjust the position of the objective lens in the Z axis during capture of a first stripe of imagery data and a second stripe of imagery data; and means for storing a first plurality of image portions from the first stripe and a second plurality of image portions from the second stripe as a contiguous digital image in said means for storing imagery data. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification