Abstract: The present invention concerns a system and method for calibration and adjustment of the pixel color values represented within a digital image of a sample by a transmission microscope. Furthermore the present invention is directed to providing sufficient color information in order to generate a color mapping matrix that allows for the creation of a synthetic image to depict the sample under a desired illumination. The system and method provides a solution that generates a destination-device independent image that is configurable to any calibrated display device.

Abstract: In order to realize a high-speed switching of structured pattern, a structured illuminating microscopy includes a driving unit generating a sonic standing wave in a sonic wave propagation path by giving a driving signal for vibrating a medium of the sonic wave propagation path to a light modulator, an illuminating optical system making at least three diffracted components of the exit light flux passed through the sonic wave propagation path to be interfered with one another, and forming interference fringes on an observational object, an image-forming optical system forming an image by an observational light flux from the observational object on a detector, and a controlling unit controlling a contrast of an image by modulating at least one of an intensity of the exit light flux, an intensity of the observational light flux, and the detector with a modulating signal of 1/N frequency of the driving signal.

Abstract: A surgical microscope for observing an infrared fluorescence includes a camera system 25 having three chips, wherein infrared light emanating from an object is supplied to only one of the three camera chips via a dichroic beam splitter.

Abstract: An optical image splitter disposed in the path of image-bearing light along an optical axis has a coated dichroic surface disposed at an angle of 15 degrees or less relative to incident light along the optical axis. The coated dichroic surface has a number of layers of material, the of layers including layers having a first refractive index, nL, and layers having a second refractive index, nH, greater than the first refractive index. The coated surface transmits light of at least a first wavelength range to form a first image at an image plane and reflects light of a second wavelength range to form a second image at the image plane.

Abstract: Method and system for imaging tissue, including (i) causing a macroscopic image of a tissue surface to be displayed on a visual display; (ii) receiving a selection of at least one portion of the macroscopic image; (iii) causing a plurality of confocal images captured by a confocal imager at different depths in a portion of the tissue to be displayed; (iv) receiving a selection of at least one target depth image; and (v) for each selected target depth image, instructing the confocal imager to capture a plurality of additional images at different locations and at a common depth with the target depth image. A system for imaging tissue having a macroscopic display module; a first selection module; a confocal display module; a second selection module; and an instruction module for instructing a confocal imager to capture a plurality of images at different locations over a selected region of the tissue.

Abstract: A system and method for remote control of an automated microscope via a widely distributed network.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a microscopy imaging structure with phase conjugated mirror and the method thereof. The afore-mentioned imaging structure produces a reverse focusing conjugated probe beam together with an original probe beam. These two probe beams meet at the focal point in the object body to be probed, and an interference pattern is produced. The interval between any two consecutive wave fronts in the interference pattern is then half of the wavelength of the original probe beam, and hence the vertical resolution of the image is improved. The present invention also applies a light modulator module on the probe beam to easily adjust the depth of the focal point of the probe beam and the phase conjugated reverse focusing probe beam in the object body. With the adoption of this invention, the size or position limitation of the target object is eliminated and the imaging resolution is also improved.

Abstract: An imaging system with an imaging lens system for imaging an object into an image plane is disclosed. The imaging lens system contains an optical component for a higher depth of field, of which the refractive power is alterable and the optical effect remains rotation-symmetrical.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an interface connected to a microscope having a stage having a placement surface on which a sample including a target is placed, an objective lens that zooms in an image of the sample, and an image pickup element that forms the image of the sample, a controller, and a memory. The controller causes a focus of the objective lens to shift in a vertical direction to the placement surface, and causes the image pickup element to be exposed, thereby obtaining a first image. The controller performs a uniform shift of the focus in the vertical direction and a uniform linear shift thereof in a parallel direction to the placement surface, and causes the image pickup element to be exposed, thereby obtaining a second image. The controller calculates a position of the target in the vertical direction based on the first and second images.

Abstract: The image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor unit including an optical system forming an optical image of an object placed on a stage part and plural image sensors each of which captures part of the optical image, a drive mechanism relatively moving the stage part and the image sensor unit, and a processing part causing the image sensor unit to perform plural image capturing operations with causing the drive mechanism to relatively move the stage part and the image sensor unit after each image capturing operation, and combining the plural captured images to produce a whole image covering the whole image capturing area. The plural image sensors are arranged such that an effective diameter of the optical system necessary to introduce light from the stage part to all the plural image sensors is smaller than a diameter of a circle circumscribed to the whole image capturing area.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an improved optical arrangement for an optical imaging system or the like, comprising: an optical device; a digital micromirror device having a plurality of individually addressable micromirrors; a convex mirror; and a concave mirror concentric to the convex mirror. The convex mirror and the concave mirror define an optical triplet which is located in an optical path with the digital micromirror device and the optical device. The concave mirror comprises two concave mirror sections, one or both concave mirror sections being moveable relative to the convex mirror so as to control an image mapping between the digital micromirror device and the optical device.

Abstract: An image processing device for processing a stained sample image including hematoxylin stain is provided with a dye spectrum storage unit that stores a dye spectrum of dye used in staining, a change characteristic calculation unit that calculates a change characteristic in a wavelength direction of the dye spectrum based on the dye spectrum, a dye amount/wavelength shift amount estimation unit that estimates at least a dye amount of the hematoxylin stain and a shift amount in the wavelength direction for each pixel in the stained sample image based on the dye spectrum and the change characteristic; and a cell nucleus extraction unit that extracts a cell nucleus region of the stained sample image based on the shift amount estimated in the wavelength direction.

Abstract: A sample observation device includes: an excitation light generation unit; an intermediate image forming unit projecting excitation light to a sample and forming an intermediate image of the sample at an intermediate image position with observing light; a confocal modulation unit modulating spatial intensity distributions of the excitation light and the intermediate image at the position; a modulation drive unit moving a pattern of the modulation unit; an image relay unit relaying on a image forming surface the intermediate image; an image pickup unit converting the distribution of relayed intermediate image into digital image data; and an image processing unit processing on the digital image data. Cutoff frequency of the relay unit and Nyquist frequency of the pickup unit exceed cutoff frequency of the forming unit, and the processing unit performs a high frequency enhancing process for enhancing the high frequency component exceeding the cutoff frequency of the forming unit.

Abstract: A microscope comprising a camera connection in a image beam path is suggested. A camera adapter and a camera can be adapted to the camera connection, and the microscope can be used to reproduce the image of a sample on a sensor of the camera. Imaging of the beam path in the camera adapter comprises an intermediate imaging with a pupil plane having reduced beam diameter next to the pupil plane, and at least one optical means can be inserted into the reproduction beam path in the region of the reduced beam cross-section. An optical means or an interchangeable device comprising a plurality of optical means, such as filters, plane-parallel plates or wedge plate, is integrated into the pupil plane in the camera adapter.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an ion beam sample preparation apparatus and methods. The methods operate on a sample disposed in a vacuum chamber and include steps of directing an intensity-controllable, tilt-angle controllable ion beam at a sample holder coupled to a rotation stage. The methods further include illuminating and capturing one or more images of the sample, extracting useful features from one or more images and thereafter adjusting the sample preparation steps. Further methods are disclosed for capturing sequences of images, programmatically rotating images, and displaying sequences of images with similar rotation angles. Further methods include extracting useful features from sequences of images that may change with respect to time as ion beam preparation continues.

Abstract: A correlative drift correction system can include a sample stage for supporting a sample and a cover slip. The system can include an infrared light source for emitting infrared light to be reflected at the cover slip and an optical sensor for detecting the reflected infrared light. The system can detect drift of the sample using reflected infrared light data from the optical sensor and can determine a drift correction to apply to image data of the sample.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing apparatus, including: an obtaining section configured to obtain a pathological image; a display unit configured to display at least a portion of the obtained pathological image as partial display area; an input unit configured to receive an instruction to move the partial display area from a user; a recording section configured to periodically record at least position information of the partial display area in the pathological image as display history, the position information being in relation with display time; and a reproduction section configured to reproduce movement of the partial display area in the pathological image based on the pathological image and the display history.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatuses for ensuring the integrity of probe card assemblies, verifying that probe cards are ready for testing, and allowing analysis of probe card performance characteristics. In one embodiment, an apparatus allows rework of a probe card at an angle from a front position of the apparatus.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which processes virtual slide image data to be displayed in an image display apparatus includes an image data obtaining unit which obtains image data obtained by capturing an image of a target object, and an image data generation unit which generates display image data corresponding to the image of the target object to be displayed in the image display apparatus in a display magnification corresponding to a predetermined field number of a microscope.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for magnifying and capturing images of one or more samples, as well as an apparatus for changing objective lenses. Methods of using the apparatuses, and other embodiments, are also disclosed.

Abstract: High-definition images are acquired at low cost while achieving a reduction in apparatus size and a reduction in the incident light level. Provided is an image acquisition apparatus that includes a light-path setting member for making incident light enter two or more light paths; two or more different-characteristics imaging devices that acquire images of light entering the light paths set by the light-path setting member; and a moving part to which at least one of the two or more imaging devices is attached and that minutely moves the imaging device in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis.

Abstract: An automated microscope apparatus, comprises an outer housing having an external wall; optionally but preferably an internal wall in said housing, and configured to form a first compartment and a separate second compartment in said outer housing; a microscope assembly in said housing, preferably in said first compartment; and a microprocessor in said housing, preferably in said second compartment; and optionally but preferably a heat sink mounted on said housing external wall, preferably adjacent said second compartment, with said microprocessor thermally coupled to said heat sink and operatively associated with said microscope assembly.

Abstract: An image acquisition apparatus includes a slide stage to hold a prepared slide, an imaging optical system configured to form an image of the prepared slide, an imaging unit configured to perform imaging of the prepared slide, a stage measurement unit configured to obtain orientation information of the slide stage, and a calculation unit configured to calculate an order of imaging the prepared slide. An orientation of the slide stage is changeable based on the orientation information, and the calculation unit obtains, based on a surface shape of the prepared slide and optical characteristics of the imaging optical system, a relation between an orientation of the slide stage and an area of the prepared slide which can be imaged with respect to the orientation, and calculates an order of imaging the prepared slide in each orientation of the slide stage based on the obtained relation.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide microscope devices and methods for forming and using the microscope devices. The microscope device can include a light emitter array with each light emitter individually addressable to either emit or detect light signals. Magnified images of a sample object can be generated by a reflection mechanism and/or a transmission mechanism using one or more microscope devices in an imaging system. Real-time computer control of which microscope pixels are viewed can allow the user to digitally replicate the “fovea” function of human vision. Viewing an object from both sides in the double-sided microscope system and from multiple pixel positions can allow the microscope to reconstruct pseudo-3D images of the object.

Abstract: A hand-held microscope includes a rigid tripod stand with adjustable legs, a visual display component, an imaging detector and an optical assembly comprising an imaging lens and an objective lens housed within an imaging tube. Multiple illumination sources can be used in the microscope, including LED or laser diode sources. The microscope can also include interchangeable imaging tubes that enable bright field, dark field, fluorescence and other imaging modalities.

Abstract: An instrument for scanning a specimen has a two-dimensional sensor array, the sensor array containing a mosaic colour filter array or a scanning colour filter array. The instrument can be operated in fluorescence or in brightfield. The scanning colour filter array has the same colour throughout each row with adjacent rows having different colours.

Abstract: A method for automatic focusing of a microscope with a microscope objective on a selected area of a specimen, in which a digital hologram of the selected area of the specimen is generated in an off-axis mode and a microscope with which the method is implemented. The digital hologram is used to determine, on the optical axis of the microscope objective, a focus position to be set in which the selected area of the specimen is optimally in focus. Subsequently, a control system is used to set the microscope to the focus position determined and thus is focused on the area selected.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit and an output unit. The storage unit is capable of storing an image of a slide including both images of a sample and a label, which are obtained by shooting the slide. The slide holds the sample and has a front surface on which the label indicating label information relating to the sample is provided. The output unit is capable of outputting the image of the slide as a thumbnail image.

Abstract: Some systems described herein include a frequency dependent phase plate for generating multiple phase-contrast images of a sample, each from a different frequency range of light, each phase-contrast image for frequency range of light formed from light diffracted by the sample interfered with undiffracted light that has a frequency-dependent baseline relative phase shift from the phase plate. In some embodiments, the multiple phase-contrast images may be used to generate a quantitative phase image of a sample. The phase-contrast images or the produced quantitative phase image may have sufficient contrast for label-free auto-segmentation of cell bodies and nuclei.

Abstract: A defocus amount estimation method for an imaging apparatus that captures, using an image sensor, an image of a specimen formed by an imaging optical system includes a captured image evaluation step of fixing the specimen using a transparent member including a mark that applies at least one of a phase variation and an amplitude change to transmitted light, to acquire a captured image containing an image of the specimen and an image of the mark, and an estimation step of estimating a defocus amount based on the captured image.

Abstract: A microscope system comprises: a stage carrying a sample; an optical system forming an sample image; a driver driving at least the optical system or stage to relatively moves the sample and optical system; an imaging section capturing a reference viewing field image as an image of a predetermined viewing field range of the sample and peripheral viewing field images each being an image of a peripheral viewing field range containing a predetermined region in the predetermined viewing field range and different from the predetermined viewing field range, by the driver moving the relative position of the sample; a correction gain calculator calculating a correction gain of each pixel of the reference viewing field image based on the reference viewing field image and peripheral viewing field image; and a corrector performing shading correction on the reference viewing field image based on the calculated correction gain.

Abstract: A digital camera has two imaging units. In a single photography mode, upon a half press of the shutter release button, imaging units carry out preliminary photography at magnifications different from each other. A face detecting section detects persons' faces from a preliminary image captured by each imaging unit. A face comparing section compares the faces between the two preliminary images. A face evaluating section calculates a face evaluation value of each face, and determines ranking of the faces in each preliminary image based on the face evaluation values. Moreover, in consideration of the ranking of the faces determined in the telephoto preliminary image out of the two preliminary images, the face evaluating section corrects the face evaluation values and ranking of the faces in the wide-angle preliminary image. In each imaging unit, photographic conditions for actual photography are determined with giving high priority to the higher-ranked image.

Abstract: A plurality of image sensors are arranged so that each of odd rows is constituted by image sensors lined up in the X direction, and each of even rows is constituted by image sensors, more than that of the odd row by 1, lined up in the X direction at the same pitch as the odd row with a 1/2 phase shift with respect to the odd row. Light receiving areas of image sensors on both ends of the even row include both ends in the X direction of an imaging target area image respectively, and a length in the Y direction of an area covering the light receiving areas of the image sensors on the first row to the light receiving areas of the image sensors on the last row is longer than a length in the Y direction of the imaging target area image.

Abstract: A microscope includes an illumination unit for illuminating a mask at a predetermined non-axial illumination angle, an imaging unit for imaging an aerial image of the mask within a predetermined defocus region, and an imaging field stop, in which as a result of the lateral displacement of the aerial image depending on the position within the defocus region and on the non-axial illumination angle, the opening of the imaging field stop is dimensioned such that the aerial image is either completely encompassed or circumferentially cut within the defocus region. A method for characterizing a mask having a structure includes illuminating the mask at at least one illumination angle using monochromatic illumination radiation such that a diffraction image of the structure is created, recording the diffraction image, establishing the intensities of the maxima of the adjacent orders of diffraction, and establishing an intensity ratio of the intensities.

Abstract: An image pickup method includes dividing a surface shape of an object into a plurality of areas, approximating a surface of each of the plurality of areas to a plane, and calculating a slope of the plane, grouping the plurality of areas into m groups so that slopes of planes corresponding to the areas belonging to the same group fall within a permissible range, tilting a stage configured to hold the object so that all slopes of planes belonging to a group k of the m groups can fall within a depth of focus where k is an integer selected from 1 to m, making image sensors corresponding to the areas belonging to the group k among the plurality of image sensors, capture images of the object, and repeating tilting and caputing from k=1 to k=m.

Abstract: Provided is a cell concentration/purification device having a function of successively locating cells in a specific area of a microchannel, and a function of sequentially capturing cell images by use of light from a plurality of monochromatic light sources on an image basis, and performing comparative analysis of the cell images to recognize individual cells based on information on the shape of the cells and an absorption spectral distribution of the cells or inside of the cells, thereby selectively separating/purifying the cells.

Abstract: The invention substantially relates to an imaging system for the chemical, biological or biochemical analysis of a sample (10), comprising a device (40) for holding the sample (10), a device (20) for optical detection, a lighting device (30), liable to emit a monochromatic light beam, and a wide aperture objective (f1), It is substantially characterized in that the objective (f1) is configured for, downstream of the sample (10): focusing the excitation light beam reflected at a point (C) located in the focal plane (FF) of said objective (f1), and transforming the retransmitted or scattered light beam into a quasi-parallel beam, and in that the system further comprises a device (70) for selectively blocking the collected light beam by said objective (f1).

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a trash receptacle holder for use on an outdoor grill that includes an upper retaining member capable of circumferentially receiving a trash receptacle; a lower retaining including a platform adapted to support a trash receptacle when said trash receptacle holder is in an erect position; an extension arm operatively connected to said upper and lower retaining members and allowing said upper and lower retaining members to be rotated into said collapsed position where said upper and lower retaining members are in a position that is generally perpendicular to the ground and an erect position where said upper lower retaining members are in a position that is generally parallel to the ground and a trash receptacle may be placed on said lower retaining member and circumferentially received by said upper retaining member.

Abstract: Laser scanning microscope and its operating method in which at least two first and second light distributions activated independently of each other and that can move in at least one direction illuminate a sample with the help of a beam-combining element, and the light is detected by the sample as it comes in, characterized by the fact that the scanning fields created by the light distributions on the sample are made to overlap mutually such that a reference pattern is created on the sample with one of the light distributions, which is then captured and used to create the overlap with the help of the second light distribution (correction values are determined) and/or a reference pattern arranged in the sample plane or in an intermediate image plane is captured by both scanning fields and used to create the overlap (correction values are determined) and/or structural characteristics of the sample are captured by the two scanning fields as reference pattern and used to create the overlap in which correction valu

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a microscope using a controller includes a slow memory configured to store control information. The controller is configured to control microscope parameters based on the control information. The circuit includes a data loader and at least two fast memories. The data loader is configured such that control information is written from the slow memory alternately into one of the at least two fast memories. The circuit also includes a multiplexer configured to permit access by the controller to one of the at least two fast memories in alternating fashion so as to read control information. The data loader is configured to control the multiplexer in such a way that a write operation by the data loader and a read operation by the controller will not occur simultaneously on the same fast memory.

Abstract: A method of using a scanning microscope to rapidly form a digital image of an area. The method includes performing an initial set of scans to form a guide pixel set for the area and using the guide pixel set to identify regions representing structures of interest in the area. Then, performing additional scans of the regions representing structures of interest, to gather further data to further evaluate pixels in the regions, and not scanning elsewhere in the area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for executing super-resolution microscopy of a specimen with most of the image processing performed in a camera of a fluorescence microscopy instrument are described. In one aspect, the camera includes one or more processors to execute machine-readable instructions that control excitation light output from a multi-channel light source, control capture of intermediate images of the specimen, and perform image processing of the intermediate images to produce a final super-resolution image of the specimen.

Abstract: This invention provide an imaging device includes: a still image obtaining unit which obtains a plurality of still images; an omnifocal image generation unit which combines the still images, and generates the omnifocal image; a focal position control unit which obtains a focusing position of at least a part of the omnifocal image from height shape data, and controls the focal position so that the focal position of the frame image substantially coincides with the focusing position; a feature quantity extraction unit which extracts feature quantity from the frame image and the omnifocal image or a reference image; a relative position determination unit which determines a relative position between the frame image and the reference image; and a live image display unit which updates a display position of the frame image, and displays a moving picture image on the omnifocal image.

Abstract: The present microscope system has: a microscope, which has a light source, an aperture stop, a condenser lens, and an objective lens; a camera, which has a microlens array and an image pickup element; and an image processing unit, which constitutes a computer. The image processing unit divides a plurality of pixels allocated to each of the microlenses into bright-field image detection regions to be used for detecting bright-field images, and dark-field image detection regions to be used for detecting darkfield images, in accordance with the size of an aperture of the aperture stop. The image processing unit generates bright-field image data of a sample and darkfield image data of the sample.

Abstract: Computer-implemented arrangements for adjusting the focus in original electron microscope image data are described. In an implementation, an origin-centered fractional Fourier transform operation and an origin-centered phase restoration operation, both responsive to a provided fractional power value, are collectively applied to original electron microscope image data to produce computationally-focused image data. A parameter adjuster is used to provide a range of variation of the power value, and can be adjusted by a user or under the direction of a control system. The fractional Fourier transform operation and the phase restoration operation can be realized by at least one numerical algorithm and can comprise an approximation.

Abstract: An image control system is provided in this application. The image control system includes an object imaging device, a control module, a viewing module and a hosting service of image sharing and management module. The present application further provides a method for image control which includes an image/audio sharing step, an image controlling step, an image/audio capturing step, an image/audio storing step, and an image analyzing and management step. Multiple users may view or control the images captured by the control module concurrently and remotely through the present application and may set different image processing modes according to the user needs.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of an optical element applied to a miniature microscope comprises the steps of: emitting a signal light and a reference light to an optical material; and forming a plurality of gratings on the optical material by interfering the signal light and the reference light. A miniature microscope is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a light source configured for generating a coherent light beam having a wavelength, ?, a light detector, and beam-forming optics configured for receiving the generated light beam and for generating a plurality of substantially parallel Bessel-like beams directed into a sample in a first direction. Each of the Bessel-like beams has a fixed phase relative to the other Bessel-like beams. Imaging optics are configured for receiving light from a position within the sample that is illuminated by the Bessel-like beams and for imaging the received light onto the detector. The imaging optics include a detection objective having an axis oriented in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction, where the detector is configured for detecting light received by the imaging optics. A processor configured to generate an image of the sample based on the detected light.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for measuring the crystallization of crystalline-amorphous mixtures. The system includes a sample holder. and a heating apparatus to melt a ink composition and to keep the melted ink composition at a first specified temperature for a first period of time. The system includes a cooling apparatus to receive the melted ink composition, to cool the melted ink composition and to maintain the cooled ink composition at a second specified temperature. The system includes a microscope and a video recording device to capture images of the cooled ink composition for a second period of time A video processing computer includes a memory, a processor and software instructions and the software instructions causes the computer to extract crystallization parameters about the cooled ink composition from the captured images. The crystallization parameters identify fast solidifying crystalline inks that have a short time duration from onset of crystallization until crystallization.

Abstract: A focus position maintaining apparatus and a microscope are provided. The focus position maintaining apparatus can three-dimensionally correct a shift of a specimen in real time to maintain the focal point of an objective lens in a desired position in the specimen, and the microscope includes the focus position maintaining apparatus. The focus position maintaining apparatus includes a microlens array having a plurality of unit lenses and disposed in a position where the microlens array receives light from a specimen via an objective lens, a focus imaging device disposed in a position where the focus imaging device receives light from the unit lenses of the microlens array, and a control unit that outputs a signal for controlling operation of a focus actuator based on image formation positions of a plurality of images of the specimen detected by the focus imaging device via the microlens array.