Abstract: A microscope scanner is provided comprising a detector array for obtaining an image from a sample and a sample holder configured to move relative to the detector array. The sample holder can be configured to move to a plurality of target positions relative to the detector array in accordance with position control signals issued by a controller and the detector array is configured to capture images during an imaging scan based on the position control signals.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a microscope scanner 1 comprising a line scanner 3. Pre-scan data is generated for a target 6 comprising a sample, wherein generating the pre-scan data comprises: obtaining a pre-scan image of the target 6 from a pre-scan; and identifying one or more sample-containing regions 24 and one or more sample-free regions 26 of the target 6 from the pre-scan image. An imaging scan is then performed of a scanning region of the target 6 including the one or more sample-containing regions 24 and the one or more sample-free regions 26. The scanning speed of the line scanner 3 is adjusted along the image scan path based on the pre-scan data so that the target 6 is imaged at a higher scanning speed within the one or more sample-free regions 26 than in the one or more sample-containing regions 24.

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 microscope scanner is provided comprising a detector array for obtaining an image from a sample and a sample holder configured to move relative to the detector array. The sample holder can be configured to move to a plurality of target positions relative to the detector array in accordance with position control signals issued by a controller and the detector array is configured to capture images during an imaging scan based on the position control signals.

Abstract: A microscope scanner is provided comprising a detector array for obtaining an image from a sample and a sample holder configured to move relative to the detector array. The sample holder can be configured to move to a plurality of target positions relative to the detector array in accordance with position control signals issued by a controller and the detector array is configured to capture images during an imaging scan based on the position control signals.

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.

Abstract: A method of preparing a stage for use in a slide imaging apparatus including positioning a stage in relation to a flat surface so that the flat surface is positioned in front of the top surfaces of slide support pin bases on the top surface of the stage. The method also includes injecting a fluid pin surfacing material configured to solidify into the hole of each slide support pin base so that at least some of the fluid pin surfacing material exits the hole at the top surface of the slide support pin bases and pushes up against the flat surface. The method also includes removing the flat surface so that a tip of solid pin surfacing material is formed on the top surface of each slide support pin base, thereby providing the stage with a plurality of slide support pins.

Abstract: A method of preparing a stage for use in a slide imaging apparatus including positioning a stage in relation to a flat surface so that the flat surface is positioned in front of the top surfaces of slide support pin bases on the top surface of the stage. The method also includes injecting a fluid pin surfacing material configured to solidify into the hole of each slide support pin base so that at least some of the fluid pin surfacing material exits the hole at the top surface of the slide support pin bases and pushes up against the flat surface. The method also includes removing the flat surface so that a tip of solid pin surfacing material is formed on the top surface of each slide support pin base, thereby providing the stage with a plurality of slide support pins.

Abstract: A method of printing using a print head comprising first and second print arrays, each comprising a plurality of nozzles. Each of the first print array nozzles emits a droplet of a first volume and each of the second print array nozzles emits a droplet of a second volume, wherein the first volume is less than the second volume. The method comprises: a. receiving image data comprising a received tone value for a pixel; b. selecting one of the print arrays corresponding to the pixel location; c. mapping the received tone value to a mapped tone value using a tone mapping for the selected print array; d. comparing the mapped tone value with a threshold value for the location of the pixel; and e. generating a control signal for the selected print array if the mapped tone value corresponds to the threshold value in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: A microscope scanning apparatus is provided comprising a detector array for obtaining an image from a sample and a sample holder adapted to hold the sample when in use and to move relative to the detector array along a scan path. A controller is further provided to monitor the position of the sample holder relative to the detector array and to trigger image capture by the detector array in accordance with said monitored position.

Abstract: A microscope scanner is provided comprising a detector array for obtaining an image from a sample and a sample holder configured to move relative to the detector array. The sample holder can be configured to move to a plurality of target positions relative to the detector array in accordance with position control signals issued by a controller and the detector array is configured to capture images during an imaging scan based on the position control signals.

Abstract: A microscope scanner is provided comprising a detector array for obtaining an image from a sample and a sample holder configured to move relative to the detector array. The sample holder can be configured to move to a plurality of target positions relative to the detector array in accordance with position control signals issued by a controller and the detector array is configured to capture images during an imaging scan based on the position control signals.

Abstract: A microscope scanning apparatus is provided comprising a detector array for obtaining an image from a sample and a sample holder adapted to hold the sample when in use and to move relative to the detector array along a scan path. A controller is further provided to monitor the position of the sample holder relative to the detector array and to trigger image capture by the detector array in accordance with said monitored position.

Abstract: A method of preparing a stage for use in a slide imaging apparatus including positioning a stage in relation to a flat surface so that the flat surface is positioned in front of the top surfaces of slide support pin bases on the top surface of the stage. The method also includes injecting a fluid pin surfacing material configured to solidify into the hole of each slide support pin base so that at least some of the fluid pin surfacing material exits the hole at the top surface of the slide support pin bases and pushes up against the flat surface. The method also includes removing the flat surface so that a tip of solid pin surfacing material is formed on the top surface of each slide support pin base, thereby providing the stage with a plurality of slide support pins.

Abstract: A method of printing using a print head comprising first and second print arrays, each comprising a plurality of nozzles. Each of the first print array nozzles emits a droplet of a first volume and each of the second print array nozzles emits a droplet of a second volume, wherein the first volume is less than the second volume. The method comprises: a. receiving image data comprising a received tone value for a pixel; b. selecting one of the print arrays corresponding to the pixel location; c. mapping the received tone value to a mapped tone value using a tone mapping for the selected print array; d. comparing the mapped tone value with a threshold value for the location of the pixel; and e. generating a control signal for the selected print array if the mapped tone value corresponds to the threshold value in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: Image scanning apparatus and method of operating an image scanning apparatus, the image scanning apparatus including a line scan detector and being configured to image a surface of an object mounted in the image scanning apparatus in a plurality of swathes, wherein each swathe is formed by a group of scan lines, each scan line being acquired using the scan line detector from a respective elongate region of the surface of the object extending in a scan width direction, wherein each group of scan lines is acquired whilst the object is moved relative to the scan line detector in a scan length direction.

Abstract: A microscope scanner is provided comprising a detector array for obtaining an image from a sample and a sample holder configured to move relative to the detector array. The sample holder can be configured to move to a plurality of target positions relative to the detector array in accordance with position control signals issued by a controller and the detector array is configured to capture images during an imaging scan based on the position control signals.

Abstract: A microscope scanning apparatus is provided comprising a detector array for obtaining an image from a sample and a sample holder adapted to hold the sample when in use and to move relative to the detector array along a scan path. A controller is further provided to monitor the position of the sample holder relative to the detector array and to trigger image capture by the detector array in accordance with said monitored position.

Abstract: A microscope scanning apparatus is provided comprising a detector array for obtaining an image from a sample and a sample holder adapted to hold the sample when in use and to move relative to the detector array along a scan path. A controller is further provided to monitor the position of the sample holder relative to the detector array and to trigger image capture by the detector array in accordance with said monitored position.

Abstract: A microscope scanner is provided comprising a detector array for obtaining an image from a sample and a sample holder configured to move relative to the detector array. The sample holder can be configured to move to a plurality of target positions relative to the detector array in accordance with position control signals issued by a controller and the detector array is configured to capture images during an imaging scan based on the position control signals.