Abstract: A method is provided for operating a microscope scanner. A first imaging scan is performed of one or more area(s) of interest, AOI, on a target including a sample. This involves moving a detector array relative to the target along an image scan path and acquiring an image of the target at each of a plurality of locations along the image scan path. Focus control data is generated during the imaging scan by calculating a focus merit value at each said location along the image scan path. The focal height of the detector array is then adjusted along the image scan path based on the focus merit values. The efficacy of the first imaging scan is analysed using the focus control data and a change to one or more scanning parameters from the first imaging scan is determined, for the performance of a second imaging scan, based on this analysis.

Abstract: A method of forming an imaging calibration device for a biological material imaging system is provided. A first set of one or more discrete regions is provided upon or within a retaining member. Each said region of the first set comprises a selected tissue stain material, wherein each of the selected tissue stain materials exhibits a predetermined optical response inside a colour-stable region of a chromaticity diagram defined by the ellipse x2/a2+y2/b2=1, where a=0.21, b=0.135, the rotation is ?0.07 rad and the translation is (0.38,0.333). A second set of one or more discrete regions is also provided upon or within the retaining member. The second set is formed of one or more coloured filters having a predetermined optical response outside the colour-stable region.