Abstract: Image quality is assessed for a digital image that is a composite of tiles or other image segments, especially focus accuracy for a microscopic pathology sample. An algorithm or combination of algorithms correlated to image quality is applied to pixel data at margins where adjacent image segments overlap and thus contain the same content in separately acquired images. The margins may be edges merged to join the image segments smoothly into a composite image, and typically occur on four sides of the image segments. The two versions of the same image content at each margin are processed by the quality algorithm, producing two assessment values. A sign and difference value are compared with other image segments, including by subsets selected for the orientation of the margins on sides on the image segments. The differences are mapped to displays. Selection criteria determine segments to be re-acquired.

Abstract: Digital image quality is assessed, especially focus accuracy for a microscopic pathology sample image, using quality assessment criteria that differ among zones distinguished by a structural classification process. An image or area is divided into sub-regions such as adjacent pixel blocks. At least one metric or algorithm is applied, such as a Brenner gradient correlated with focus quality or a Laplacian transform correlated with structural difference. Spatial zones are distinguished by associating blocks of pixels that produced comparable values from the metric. The quality results of an objective metric such as the Brenner gradient are graded separately using statistical or pass/fail grading criteria in each spatial zone, independent of other zones. Focus quality across the image is mapped for display and/or used to queue a re-imaging step.

Abstract: Pathology specimen slides are positively located on trays, and picked and placed by an auto-loader. The trays are received in a rack in tiers accessed by an auto-loader that moves the slides between the trays and a digital imaging microscope. The trays can have rows of receptacles for slides with standoff structures spacing the slides above a tray bottom. Lateral and endwise partitions defining the receptacles are inclined oppositely inwardly for guiding a slide into the predetermined position on the tray. The autoloader has a manipulator that grasps the ends of slides presented in a front row, and can reach over the front row to grasp slides in one or more rows beyond the front. The manipulator lifts the slide between the inclined surfaces of the partitions, loads and later retrieves the slide from the microscope and replaces the slide in the holder.

Abstract: Image quality is assessed for a digital image that is a composite of tiles or other image segments, especially focus accuracy for a microscopic pathology sample. An algorithm or combination of algorithms correlated to image quality is applied to pixel data at margins where adjacent image segments overlap and thus contain the same content in separately acquired images. The margins may be edges merged to join the image segments smoothly into a composite image, and typically occur on four sides of the image segments. The two versions of the same image content at each margin are processed by the quality algorithm, producing two assessment values. A sign and difference value are compared with other image segments, including by subsets selected for the orientation of the margins on sides on the image segments. The differences are mapped to displays. Selection criteria determine segments to be re-acquired.