Abstract: An image with a wide visual field can be captured without causing deterioration in measurement accuracy. There are provided: a stage on which an object is placed; a display unit for displaying a height image or an observation image; a measurement unit for performing measurement on the height image; an image connecting unit configured to, by moving the stage and capturing a different region, acquire a plurality of height images, and connect the obtained plurality of height images and observation images to generate a connected image; a measurement error region display unit configured to superimpose and display a measurement error region, on an image of the object; and a measurement-image imaging condition setting unit for adjusting an imaging condition for a striped image required for generation of the height image to reduce the measurement error region.

Abstract: An auto focus control apparatus is provided to perform an auto focus adjustment using astigmatism without being affected by a pattern on a surface. A light receiving optical system includes an unpolarized beam splitter 420 separating a reflection light from an object into a first reflection light and a second reflection light, a first astigmatism producing means 430 arranged on an optical path of the first reflection light, a second astigmatism producing means 450 arranged on an optical path of the second reflection light, a first light detector 440 receiving a light passing through the first astigmatism producing means, and a second light detector 460 receiving a light passing through the second astigmatism producing means. The light source optical system 310 is arranged such that an image forming point of a focus error detecting light is defocused from an observation plane by a predetermined distance.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes: laser; objective that irradiates a sample with laser light; phase-modulation spatial light modulator that is located at a pupil conjugate position of the objective and modulates a phase of the laser light; scan unit that scans the sample with the laser light; detector that detects observation light from the sample; image generating unit that generates a sample image according to a signal from the detector and control information of the scan unit; and controlling unit that sets for the modulator a modulation amount of the phase of laser light in accordance with a pattern to be formed on the sample using the laser light. According to the pattern to be formed on the sample and a pattern of irradiation with the laser light obtained from the image generated by the image generating unit, the controlling unit corrects the modulation amount that is set for the modulator.

Abstract: Microscopy system for biological imaging, comprising an image quality optimizer for optimizing image quality of an image of a biological sample, allowing a user to select an optimization mode from a list of functionally defined optimization modes, and wherein the system is arranged to automatically set one or more image acquisition parameters to achieve optimal imaging for the selected optimization mode based on at least one image quality parameter derived from one or more Biological Reference Objects (BRO) in the image of the biological sample selected by the user or automatically by the system.

Abstract: The confocal optical inspection apparatus that acquires a confocal image of an object and inspects the object includes a light source that emits illumination light; a first opening member that divides the illumination light emitted from the light source into illumination light beams, the first opening member having openings; an imaging device that acquires an image according to the respective illumination light beams reflected by the object; and an information processor that acquires a corrected confocal image in which distortion of an optical transmission path of the confocal optical inspection apparatus is removed from a time delayed integration (TDI) image obtained by a TDI operation of the imaging device, using a pre-measured point spread function (PSF) indicating optical characteristics of the confocal optical inspection apparatus.

Abstract: An imaging device includes light sensitive locations that are separately sensitive to light received at a surface with respect to a portion of a sample associated with the surface, the light sensitive locations having a resolution of 5 microns or smaller. There is a device to associate the portion of the sample with the surface. The imaging device and a distance of the portion of the sample to the light sensitive locations are such that usable useful image of the portion of the sample can be acquired directly by operation of the imaging device. An imaging device includes light sensitive sources that are separately able to deliver light with respect to a portion of a sample associated with the surface. The light source locations having a resolution of 5 microns or smaller. There is a device to associate the portion of the sample with the surface.

Abstract: Imaging systems are provided for high speed, high resolution imaging of biochemical materials. In an example embodiment, an imaging system comprises an objective lens component, a line generator, a digital camera, a positioning stage, and a scan mirror. The line generator generates a line of light that is scanned across a portion of a substrate that is mounted on the positioning stage. The positioning stage moves the substrate in a particular direction that is substantially normal to an optical axis of the objective lens component. The camera collects an image of the portion of the substrate through the objective lens component. The scan mirror moves in coordination with the positioning stage, while the line of light is being scanned across the portion of the substrate and the substrate is being moved in the particular direction, in order to keep the image still with respect to the camera while the image is being collected by the camera.

Abstract: The light measurement device is provided with a moving-image acquisition part and an analysis processing part. The analysis processing part includes: a luminance-value-data acquisition part for acquiring the luminance value data; a luminance-value extraction part for extracting a peak value and a bottom value of the luminance value, from the luminance value data; a pixel extraction part for extracting a target pixel configuring an image of a predetermined cell from a plurality of pixels, on the basis of the evaluation value. The pixel extraction part extracts, as the evaluation value, the target pixel on the basis of at least one of an amplitude of the luminance value obtained from a difference between the peak value and the bottom value and a change ratio of the luminance value obtained from a ratio of the peak value relative to the bottom value.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically observing and counting cells without using a stain or a fluorescent material. The system includes an optical microscope having a sensor that provides an electrical signal representative of a field of view. The microscope is motorized so as to allow automatic change of focus. A sample containing cells to be analyzed is provided. No stain or fluorescent substance is used. When the microscope is operated in a deliberately out-of-focus condition, cells appear to have either a bright or a dark spot that can be used to report the number of cells in the sample. The intensity variation detected in images acquired in different focal planes is used to identify cell shapes using image analysis software such as CellProfiler. A result is reported in any convenient format, such as a false color image.

Abstract: An imaging system consisting of a cell-phone with camera as the detection part of an optical train which includes other components. Optionally, an illumination system to create controlled contrast in the sample. Uses include but are not limited to disease diagnosis, symptom analysis, and post-procedure monitoring, and other applications to humans, animals, and plants.

Abstract: A whole slide fluorescence digital pathology system is provided that uses a monochrome TDI line scan camera, which is particularly useful in fluorescence scanning where the signal is typically much weaker than in brightfield microscopy. The system uses oblique brightfield illumination for fast and accurate tissue finding and employs a unique double sweep focus scoring and objective lens height averaging technique to identify focus points and create a focus map that can be followed during subsequent scanning to provide autofocusing capability. The system also scans and analyzes image data to determine the optimal line rate for the TDI line scan camera to use during subsequent scanning of the digital slide image and it also creates a light profile to compensate for loss of illumination light due to roll off.

Abstract: A device for microscopic examination includes an image output unit, at least two image input units, which are arranged in a spatially distributed manner and which have different sample receiving regions, at least one object carrier unit which supports at least one sample, in particular at least one biological sample, and includes a coupling unit, which couples the image output unit and one of the at least two image input units optically to form a microscope unit.

Abstract: A system for diluting a sample fluid sufficiently to enable the capture images of particles contained in the sample fluid. The system includes a fluid dilution system and a particle imaging system. The fluid dilution system includes a mixing conduit for combining a diluent and the sample solution. The mixing conduit is coupled to a flow chamber associated with imaging capturing devices including a camera. When the sample fluid is too opaque or viscous to enable capture of particle images of sufficient clarity, the fluid dilution system is activated to introduce diluent into the mixing conduit in sufficient volume to dilute the sample fluid. The diluted sample fluid is passed through the flow chamber and particle images captured. Information regarding captured images may be stored, analyzed and transferred from a remote location.

Abstract: We present a method for parallel axial imaging, or z-microscopy, utilizing an array of tilted micro mirrors arranged along the axial direction. Image signals emitted from different axial positions can be orthogonally reflected by the corresponding micro mirrors and spatially separated for parallel detection, essentially converting the more challenging axial imaging to a lateral imaging problem. Each micro mirror also provides optical sectioning capability due to its finite dimension.

Abstract: The number of seams between magnified images in a created virtual slide is reduced to make the virtual slide clear and sharp. Provided is a microscope apparatus including an objective lens that collects light from a sample on a slide; a focus position detecting section that detects a focus position of the objective lens with respect to the sample; a focus state adjustment section that adjusts a focus state with respect to the sample based on a detection result from the focus position detecting section; and a magnified-image acquisition section that acquires a magnified image of each part of the sample, in which, if the focus position detected by the focus position detecting section is changed by more than a predetermined threshold with respect to a focus state in which an adjacent magnified image was obtained, the focus state adjustment section limits the adjustment in the focus state to the predetermined threshold or less.

Abstract: A photomicroscopy system includes a microscope unit which outputs an enlarged image of a subject as a light flux, an image capturing unit which forms an image of the light flux output by the microscope unit and converts the formed image into digital data, a sensitivity changing unit which changes a sensitivity of the image capturing unit, and a computing unit which obtains an exposure time by using the digital data captured by the image capturing unit in a state where the sensitivity is increased to the high sensitivity after instructing the sensitivity changing unit to increase the sensitivity of the image capturing unit to the high sensitivity while calculating the exposure time for obtaining a suitable brightness by the image capturing unit, and sets the sensitivity of the image capturing unit to a low sensitivity after the exposure time is set in the image capturing unit.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for generating a three dimensional image of a volume of biological material. A plurality of layers of biological material are sequentially removed therefrom. Images of each layer of the biological sample are captured prior to removal. Each image includes information from a layer and from a portion of the biological material below the layer. The information from the layer is isolated from the portion of material below the layer for each image. The three dimensional image is generated from the isolated information of each layer.

Abstract: A setting unit for sequencing automatic recording of images with a recording device. The setting unit provides a first input interface via which a recording program can be set, provides a second input interface via which at least one parameter, which is to be monitored during the execution of the sequence, is proposed and can be selected in dependence on the recording program, provides a third input interface via which at least one condition, and at least one action upon fulfilment of the condition, can be set for the parameter, and generates control data for the control module.

Abstract: A method for object preparation for imaging with an array microscope system without scanning. Artifact-free image is formed based on scanning-free imaging of an object array formed from spatially-separated portions of the initially spatially-continuous object that are arranged, in the object plane of the array microscope, in a pattern associated with an array of individual objectives of the array microscope. The size of an individual portion of the object does not exceed the size of a FOV of the individual objective defined in the object plane.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a Curvilinear Sensor System are disclosed. The present invention includes a wide variety of generally curved, aspheric or non-planar arrangement of sensors and their equivalents. The curvilinear surfaces, edges or boundaries that define the geometry of the present invention may be continuous, or may be collections or aggregations of many small linear, planar or other segments which are able to approximate a curved line or surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the imaging of a labeled biological sample. The method comprises illuminating the labeled biological sample, generating members of a time series of images if the labeled biological sample, generating a plurality of difference images between later members of the time series of images of earlier members of the time series of images and combining the plurality of difference images to generate a final image of the labeled biological sample.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for identifying, classifying, differentiating, etc., objects. For example a hyperspectral imaging system can include a dark-field module operably coupled to at least one of an optical assembly, a dark-field illuminator, and a hyperspectral imaging module. The dark-field module can include circuitry having one or more sensors operable to acquire one or more dark-field micrographs associated with scattered electromagnetic energy from an object interrogated by the dark-field interrogation stimulus. The hyperspectral imaging module can be operably coupled to the dark-field module, and can include circuitry configured to generate an angular-resolved and spectrally resolved scattering matrix based on the one or more dark-field micrographs of the object.

Abstract: A method of generating a digital representation of a portion of an object from sets of digital data defining the color content of individually stored, overlapping swathes of pixels of an image of the object portion. The method comprises: (a) selecting a portion of the object; (b) determining the swathes which contain pixels within the selected portion; (c) correlating adjacent ones of said swathes; (d) if necessary, adjusting the relative positions of the adjacent swathes in accordance with the results of the correlating step (c); and, (e) generating a digital representation of pixels of the selected portion from the correlated swathes.

Abstract: A microscope has a light source for generating a light beam having a wavelength, ?, and beam-forming optics configured for receiving the light beam and generating a Bessel-like beam that is directed into a sample. The beam-forming optics include an excitation objective having an axis oriented in a first direction. Imaging optics are configured for receiving light from a position within the sample that is illuminated by the Bessel-like beam and for imaging the received light on a detector. The imaging optics include a detection objective having an axis oriented in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction. A detector is configured for detecting signal light received by the imaging optics, and an aperture mask is positioned.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-speed screening apparatus for a Raman analysis-based high-speed multiple drug. The screening apparatus according to the present invention may easily detect a Raman signal using a core-cap-shell nanoparticle which amplifies the Raman signal by 1012 times and has high reproducibility through Raman spectroscopy in which materials do not interfere with each other and a spectrum has a sharp peak to detect the Raman signal multiple times. Also, since a CCD camera, not a scanner, may be used as the detector, the screening apparatus may multiply screen the drug at a high speed without movement between molecules within a sample. In addition, since multicolors of 5 colors or more may be coated, the screening apparatus may be usefully used for screening various drugs.

Abstract: A method for high-resolution PAL microscopy, wherein a sample field is imaged on a detector surface of a detector, the sample field is imaged into an image field which is smaller than the detector surface, and the image field on the detector surface is shifted, so that the same sample field is imaged in different positions located adjacent to one another on the image field in order to determine information about changes in the sample field.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to form a wavelet representation of a pathology slide having glass and tissue regions are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes capturing a digital image of a pathology slide, identifying a portion of the digital image that represents a glass portion of the slide, and storing a value representing that the wavelet coefficients for the identified glass portion of the slide are unused without computing a wavelet transform for the identified glass portion.

Abstract: An illumination optical system includes: a beam splitter located near a conjugate position of a specimen and configured to split beams from a light source into a plurality of groups of beams having different splitting directions around an optical axis; a beam selector configured to select and transmit one group of beams from the plurality of groups of beams and that is rotatable with respect to the optical axis; and a ½ wavelength plate located near the beam selector and rotatable about the optical axis. The rotation angles of the ½ wavelength plate and of the beam selector about the optical axis are respectively set so that the polarization direction of the beam which has passed through the ½ wavelength plate is perpendicular to the splitting direction of the one group of beams that has been selected by the beam selector and split by the beam splitter.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an imaging method including: (a) acquiring a first fluorescent image of an object of interest impregnated with fluorescent nanodiamonds; (b) applying a magnetic field to the fluorescent nanodiamonds in order to decrease fluorescence of the fluorescent nanodiamonds; (c) acquiring a second fluorescent image of the object of interest; and (d) subtracting the second fluorescent image from the first fluorescent image to produce a resulting image. Another aspect of the invention provides an imaging method including: (a) applying a time-varying magnetic field to an object of interest impregnated with fluorescent nanodiamonds to modulate the fluorescence of the fluorescent nanodiamonds; (b) acquiring a plurality of fluorescent images of the object of interest; and (c) for each corresponding pixel in the plurality of fluorescent images, calculating a fluorescence intensity using a lock-in technique.

Abstract: An imaging system according to the present invention comprises: an imaging unit configured to acquire a plurality of images by imaging an object a plurality of times while changing a focusing position in an optical axis direction of an imaging optical system; and a generation unit configured to generate, on the basis of the plurality of images acquired by the imaging unit, an image at arbitrary depth of field or an image of the object viewed from an arbitrary viewing direction. The image acquired by the imaging unit sometimes includes fixed pattern noises that appear in fixed positions. The imaging unit images the object a plurality of times while changing a position or an orientation of an imaging region such that relative positions of the fixed pattern noises to the object vary among the plurality of images.

Abstract: An image capturing device and an image capturing system are provided. The image capturing device includes an optical system that focuses lights from an object to generate optical information, a filter provided near a diaphragm position of the optical system, the filter having a plurality of types of spectral characteristics, a sensor that converts the optical information of the object to electronic data, the sensor providing a plurality of spectral transmittance values that sequentially and spatially change, and a lens array having a plurality of lenses being arranged in substantially parallel in a direction of a two-dimensional surface of the sensor.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable medium, a system and a method. The method may include obtaining, by an image obtaining module, an image of a measurement site, the measurement site comprise the feature, the image of the measurement site comprises an image of the feature; processing, by an image processor, the image of the measurement site to provide an artificial image, the artificial image comprise a artificial image of an artificial feature, the artificial feature differs from the feature; measuring a parameter of the artificial feature to provide a measurement result, wherein the measuring comprises applying a measurement algorithm that is inadequate for measuring the parameter of the feature; and determining a value of the parameter of the feature in response to the measurement result.

Abstract: A method for laser microdissection of a laser microdissection region of a prepared specimen includes driving a holder for the specimen into a holding position using a control device. First and second digital images are captured that depict a same portion of the prepared specimen, with the first image depicting the portion under at least one first microscopic examination method and the second image depicting the portion under at least a second microscopic examination method. A live overlay image is generated of the portion of the prepared image in a live mode. The live overlay is presented on a display area with the images overlaid onto one another. A marking is generated and captured on the live overlay image so as to define the laser microdissection region.

Abstract: A method for imaging features on a substrate, comprising scanning the substrate and producing an image thereof, overlaying a grid model on the image, fitting the grid model to the locations of at least some of the features on the image, and extracting images of the features.

Abstract: An image processing device sets a determination target area based on a pixel to a taken image for each of a plurality of pixels included in a pixel group obtained as a candidate of a nucleus of a target cell, and determines whether or not the target cell is included in the determination target area, which is set by the setting section for each of the plurality of pixels included in the pixel group, based on whether or not an image feature amount obtained from the determination target area satisfies a condition of the image feature amount of the target cell.

Abstract: Arrangements for small-sized, inexpensive, and innovative lensless and other micro-optic microscopy imaging and tomography are presented. An imaging region comprising flat or curved surfaces is provided with an illumination source proximate to the imaging region or arranged for collimated illumination. Light travels through the imaging region and produces a resulting light field affected by objects, materials, fluids, organisms, etc. in the light path and is presented to an image sensing surface proximate to the imaging region, responsively creating electrical image signals. The illumination surface can be light emitting elements such as LEDs, OLEDs, or OLET whose illumination can be sequenced in an image formation or tomography process. Light-emission and light detection elements can be printed, permitting extremely low-cost manufacturing and readily accommodating imaging regions having curved shapes.

Abstract: A method and a device for producing thin sections of a sample by means of a microtome is described, in which a camera acquires at least one image of a surface generated by sectioning of the sample. With the aid of an evaluation device, the image of the surface is evaluated in terms of predefined characteristic values of a section quality. As a function of the characteristic values that are identified, a decision is then made as to whether the section of the sample is accepted or not.

Abstract: There is provided an image display device including a display control unit having a display combining unit that displays one or a plurality of pathological index cursors based on information relating to a pathological slide image.

Abstract: Disclosed is an imaging apparatus including: a spectroscopic measurement section configured to measure a spectral characteristic of a subject; a spectral image capture section configured to capture a subject image separated into a plurality of colors through color separation to create a plurality of spectral images; and a color separation characteristic determining section configured to determine a color separation characteristic to be used for image capturing of the spectral image capture section, based on the spectral characteristic of the subject measured by the spectroscopic measurement section. The color separation characteristic determining section determines a count of color separations in the image capturing of the spectral image capture section and spectral bands corresponding to each of the color separations.

Abstract: A method and system for spectral demultiplexing of fluorescent species, such as quantum dots, conjugated with a biological tissue. The process of demultiplexing involves a non-liner regression based on curve-fitting of estimated spectra of the quantum dots and confidence intervals describing the parameters of such fitting curve for typical quantum dots.

Abstract: A mask inspection apparatus includes irradiation means for irradiating a sample with an electron beam, electron detection means for detecting a quantity of electrons generated from the sample having a pattern formed thereon by the irradiation with the electron beam, image processing means for generating image data of the pattern on the basis of the quantity of the electrons, and control means for creating a line profile and a differential profile of the pattern formed on the sample on the basis of the quantity of the electrons detected by the electron detection means. The control means detects a rising edge and a falling edge of the pattern on the basis of the differential profile, and then generates mask data of a multi-level structure on the basis of data of the edges and the image data created by the image processing means.

Abstract: An image acquisition apparatus includes: an imaging optical system configured to capture an image of an object; a plurality of re-imaging optical systems configured to re-image the object imaged by the imaging optical system; a reflecting optical system arranged on an optical path between the imaging optical system and the plurality of re-imaging optical systems; and a plurality of image-pickup elements configured to capture an image of the object re-imaged by the plurality of re-imaging optical systems. At least one of the plurality of image pickup elements is arranged in a plane different from a plane in which other image pickup elements are arranged; and the plurality of image-pickup elements are respectively capable of changing at least one of the positions in the direction of an optical axes of the corresponding re-imaging optical systems and the inclinations with respect to the optical axes on the basis of shape information of the object.

Abstract: A slit m is projected onto an object surface in which reference point X1 is in a horizontal axis x closest to best in focus position P. One image of a field of view area F is acquired after reflection of light comprising said reference point X1. Position Z1 of the object in a vertical axis z is determined. Images of respective field of view areas F are acquired after reflection of light having reference points X2, X3 . . . Xn by simultaneously moving the object along axis z to maintain reference points X2, X3 . . . Xn closest to best in focus position P. Positions Z2, Z3 . . . Zn in which images were acquired are determined. The best in focus position P along horizontal axis x is determined for each image. A correction differential ?1, ?2 . . . ?n between best in focus position P and reference points X1, X2 . . . Xn is calculated.

Abstract: Various embodiments of microscopy systems, devices, and associated methods of analysis are described herein. In one embodiment, a method of operating a microscope includes acquiring a profile of a light signal from a sample with a photo detector without passing the light signal through a physical pinhole. The method also includes determining a parameter of the sample based on generally the entire acquired profile of the light signal.

Abstract: An aberration estimating method using a steepest descent method is configured to estimate, as an aberration of a test optical system, an aberration when a predetermined evaluation function becomes less than or equal to a permissible value. The aberration estimating method comprising the step of updating the aberration with a sum of a current aberration and a first derivative of the evaluation function by the aberration when the evaluation function is larger than the permissible value. The aberration is an aberration of an entire pupil plane of the test optical system. The updating step includes calculating the first derivative by Fourier-transforming the difference instead of an integration at coordinates of respective points on an image plane of the test optical system.

Abstract: An image-pickup optical system includes a primary imaging optical system configured to form an image of an object, a secondary imaging optical system configured to re-form an image of the object, and a driver configured to drive an optical element included in the secondary imaging optical system and to change an aberration.

Abstract: A microscope system and method empirically determines the boundaries of the depth of field of an objective lens. The system and method are largely automated, with the manipulation of a specimen to be imaged being carried out by processors and associated equipment. Calculations of the empirical depth of field are also likewise automated. Upon empirically determining the boundaries of the depth of field, the specimen, particularly when transparent or translucent, can be accurately imaged at user-defined depths smaller than the depth of field.

Abstract: A motion-compensated confocal microscope includes a laser scanning system, a fiber-optic component having a proximal end and a distal end such that the fiber-optic component is optically coupled to the laser scanning system to receive illumination light at the proximal end and to emit at least a portion of the illumination light at the distal end, and a detection system configured to receive and detect light returned from a specimen being observed and to output an image signal. The light returned from the specimen is received by the distal end of the fiber-optic component and transmitted back and out the proximal end of the fiber-optic component.

Abstract: An apparatus for placement on or in a body of water for hyperspectral imaging of material in the water comprises an artificial light source and a hyperspectral imager. These are arranged so that in use light exits the apparatus beneath the surface of the water and is reflected by said material before re-entering the apparatus beneath the surface of the water and entering the hyperspectral imager. The hyperspectral imager is adapted to produce hyperspectral image data having at least two spatial dimensions.

Abstract: A test sample device for an optical microscope which images a sample in different light states with a local resolution in the subwavelength range of the visible spectral range, wherein the test sample device comprises: a test piece, which is designed to be microexamined with the microscope and has a surface on which nanostructures are arranged, wherein each nanostructure, viewed along the surface, has a dimension in the subwavelength range, wherein the nanostructures are spaced apart from one another by an amount which lies above the wavelength of the visible spectral range, and wherein the nanostructures are switchable collectively between a bright state, in which they illuminate, and a dark state, in which they do not illuminate, and a drive, which is designed to move the test piece in the subwavelength range, whereby the different light states can be realized by different movement states of the test piece.