Abstract: A catadioptric optical system includes a first imaging optical system including a catadioptric part configured to condense a light flux from an object and to form an intermediate image of the object, and a second imaging optical system including a dioptric part configured to form an image of the intermediate image on an image surface. The light flux from the object passes through the light transmission part of the first optical element, the negative lens, the backside reflection part of the second optical element, the negative lens, the backside reflection part of the first optical element, the negative lens, and the light transmission part of the second optical element, in this order, and is emitted to the second imaging optical system. An Abbe number of a material of the negative lens is larger than that of a material of the second optical element.

Abstract: A novel method and system for conducting wide-field multi-photon microscopy through plane-projection are provided. It has been discovered that the limitations of conventional temporal-focusing techniques, such as single excitation wavelength and low acquisition rates can be resolved utilizing a novel optical set-up in which an optical diffuser is used as the scatterer. The use of such an optical arrangement enables temporal focusing regardless of the central wavelength of laser pukes. In addition, the optical sectioning possible using the disclosed microscopy is comparable to confocal microscopy, and can be robustly achieved by both moderate and high NA objectives at 100-fs puke width. Moreover, the multi-photon excitation efficiency of the disclosed system can be enhanced by lowering the repetition rate of the ultrafast laser light source at constant pulse width and average power.

Abstract: Imaging and visualization systems, instruments, and methods using optical coherence tomography (OCT) are disclosed. A method for OCT image capture includes determining a location of a feature of interest within an operative field. The method also includes determining a relative positioning between the feature of interest and an OCT scan location. Further, the method includes controlling capture of an OCT image at a set position relative to the feature of interest based on the relative positioning.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates an inspection instrument adapted to increase testing throughput in a manufacturing process. In one embodiment, the inspection instrument includes a base plate and a vertical frame, where the base plate and the vertical frame are configured to provide structural support of the inspection instrument, a first mounting mechanism coupled to the base plate, where the first mounting mechanism is configured to hold a sample for inspection, and a second mounting mechanism coupled to the vertical frame, where the second mounting mechanism is configured to hold a set of sensors and an optical system for inspecting the sample. The first mounting mechanism and the second mounting mechanism are decoupled from each other to reduce impact of movements of the sample to the set of sensors and the optical system.

Abstract: There is disclosed an operation microscope in which an observing and displaying system of an operating instrument are selected, and an endoscope image for observing a dead angle of the microscope and a navigation image are selectively displayed in a microscope observation field, so that a tomographic image, three-dimensionally constructed image, and the like can be selectively displayed in a display screen in accordance with a treatment position displayed in a monitor or an observation position of the operation microscope.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically evaluating quality of a slide-mounted tissue sample includes receiving a digital image of a magnified portion of the slide-mounted tissue sample. At least one quantitative quality indicator is automatically determined for at least one of the samples, and the digital image of the magnified portion of the sample. Each of the quantitative quality indicators is automatically compared to a respective minimum acceptable quality threshold. The quantitative quality indicators and associated quality thresholds are selected for suitability with an automated quantitative immunoassay. Failure of one or more of the quantitative quality indicators to meet its respective minimum acceptable quality threshold suggests that the sample is unsuitable for subsequent automated pathological evaluation.

Abstract: A method of performing 3D photoactivation microscope imaging includes providing a sample having a plurality of probes, each of the plurality of probes including a photo-activatable material. Probes from the plurality of probes are activated to form a sparse subset of probes, the sparse subset of probes having probes that are spatially separated by at least a microscope resolution. The sample is illuminated with a readout light source, and light emitted from activated probes is detected. Based on the light emission detected from the activated probes, localized three-dimensional positions of the activated probes are obtained.

Abstract: A light source is configured to be mounted to a vision measuring instrument that includes a primary image capture unit capturing an image of an object to be measured, and an auxiliary image capture unit providing a means to aim the primary image capture unit at a determined position. The light source includes a main body defining a through hole for receiving the primary image capture unit, and a mounting hole for readily mounting an auxiliary image capture unit. A luminescent surface is formed on an inner wall bounding the through hole of the main body. A number of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is disposed on the luminescent surface.

Abstract: A microscope image processing method includes applying a computing operation to at least one part of a microscope image, having the following steps: (a) providing the image in the mass storage device, (b) breaking down the microscope image into at least two image segments that can be loaded into the working memory and that have a dimension m, where m?n, (c) for one image segment, determining all pixels that are located in the image segment and in at least one of the partial images, so that a filled image segment results, (d) providing the filled image segment in the working memory, (e) applying the computing operation to the pixels located in the filled image segment so that an image segment result is created, (f) repeating steps (c), (d), and (e) for all image segments, and (g) combining all image segment results to create an overall result.

Abstract: The invention discloses an apparatus and method for automatic detection of pathogens within a sample. The apparatus and method are especially useful for high-throughput and/or low-cost detection of parasites with minimal need for trained personnel. The invention entails automated microscopic data acquisition, and performing image processing of images captured from a sample using classification algorithms. Visual classification features of structures are extracted from the image and compared to visual classification features associated with known pathogens. A determination is reached whether a pathogen is present in the sample; and if present, the pathogen may be identified to a pathogen species. Diagnosis is rapid and does not require medically trained personnel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a digital microscope system capable of controlling two or more microscope units with a controlling unit. The digital microscope system includes (i) two or more microscope units, (ii) a camera interface, (iii) a controlling unit and (iv) a light output device. The microscope unit includes a lens tube, a digital camera, a light terminator and a stand. The camera interface includes two or more camera interface (I/F) channels and a camera interface channel selector. The controlling unit includes a memory, a display device, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a power supply.

Abstract: In order to identify scan coordinate values (?n, ?n) for operating a scanning unit (28) of a confocal scanning microscope (20), spherical scan coordinate values (?n, ?n) are identified, as a function of Cartesian image coordinates (Xn, Yn) of image points of an image (60) to be created of a sample (32), with the aid of a coordinate transformation of the Cartesian image coordinate values (Xn, Yn) into a spherical coordinate system. The scanning unit (28) is operated as a function of the spherical scan coordinate values (?n, ?n).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for obtaining a sub-resolution spatial information of a sample labeled with at least one type fluorescent label. The sub-resolution spatial information has localization information about the positions of fluorescent molecules of the at least one type fluorescent label in at least one spatial direction. The method acquires localization image data by employing fluorescence localization microscopy. The acquired localization image data is processed to obtain the localization information about the positions of fluorescent molecules of the at least one type fluorescent label in at least one spatial direction. The step of processing includes determining in each of the detected images of the series the positions of the barycenters of the detected fluorescence emission distributions from the single fluorescent molecules of the one or more fluorescent labels in at least one spatial direction.

Abstract: This is a microscope image pickup apparatus for shooting and forming the observation images of a specimen in order to observe it by a microscope. The microscope image pickup apparatus comprises an image pickup unit for shooting and forming the observation images, a display unit for dynamically displaying the observation images shot and formed by the image pickup unit in succession and an operating state detection unit for detecting an operating state of a microscope operation part in order to operate the microscope on the basis of the change of the observation images dynamically displayed on the display unit. The present invention provides a microscope image pickup apparatus, a microscope image pickup program product, a microscope image pickup program transmission medium and a microscope image pickup method which are capable of displaying an optimum moving image according to the operating state of the microscope.

Abstract: In a measuring system comprising an optical image recording system and a relative movement between the measured object and the image recording system, it is provided that the focal point (F) of the image recording system (3) be allowed to oscillate in scanning direction in order to generate—by superimposition of the oscillation movement of the focal point with the scanning movement—image recording intervals, during which the focal point (F) stops on the surface of the measured object (2) or, correspondingly, the image projected on the camera chip (7) stops on the camera chip. This preferably occurs during a steady unaccelerated relative movement between the measured object and the image recording system. Blurring of the edges of the images is avoided despite relatively long exposure times and moderate illumination intensities.

Abstract: A method for measuring a via bottom profile is disclosed for obtaining a profile of a bottom of a via in a front side of a substrate. In this method, an infrared (IR) light source is transmitted from the back of the substrate to the bottom of the via through an objective by using an IR-microscope, and lights scattered from the bottom of the via are acquired by an image capturing device to generate an image, where the image displays a diameter (2Ea) of the via bottom profile and a diameter (2Ec) of a maximum receivable base area of the via for the IR-microscope. Thereafter, by using an elliptic equation, a minor axis radius thereof (Eb) is obtained, and thus the via bottom profile is obtained from a radius (Ea) of the via bottom profile and the minor axis radius (Eb) of the elliptic equation.

Abstract: An image processor, a program and a microscope enable a TIRF image and a confocal image to be superposed simply and accurately. A reference point detection unit 111 detects, reference points, three or more images respectively from a TIRF image of a predetermined surface of a sample obtained using a total internal reflection fluorescence microscope, and a confocal image of the predetermined surface of the sample obtained using a confocal microscope. A superposing unit superposes the TIRF image and the confocal image using a coordinate transformation coefficient.

Abstract: A microscope includes a dark-field illumination system that irradiates dark-field illumination light to a preparation in which a specimen is encapsulated between slide glass and cover glass by using an encapsulant, and an imaging unit that takes a dark-field image of the preparation irradiated with the dark-field illumination light. The microscope further includes a region determiner that detects the boundary between the encapsulant and air included between the slide glass and the cover glass based on the taken dark-field image and determines a region other than a region of the air as a region of interest for the specimen.

Abstract: Currently, relatively weak light sources with low light intensities are used in wide-field microscopes. Inevitably, focusing in the pupil plane thereby results in low light intensities in the sample, since the output of the light source is distributed over a very large sample area. However, there are also wide-field technologies requiring very high intensities, for example, photo-activates localization (PAL) microscopy. It is the object of the invention to allow, with little expenditure, the flexible adjustment of the illumination light intensity in the sample. For this purpose, a laser (2) is used for a light source, and a variable lens (10) is arranged in the illumination beam path thus making a variable adjustment of a bean cross section of the illumination light in an intermediate image plane possible, wherein a divergence of the illumination light is identical for different beam cross sections. In this way, the size of the visual field of the microscope can be flexibly adjusted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sample imaging system (1) for transmitting an image of cells or tissues located in a culturing space (6) to data processing means (7), including a microscope unit (2) intended to be used in the culturing space (6), the microscope unit (2) comprising a frame, an object holder provided on the frame and allowing the cells or tissues to be held substantially immobile during a culturing period, an imaging means arranged on the frame for the optical imaging of the cells or tissues held on the object holder and an image capturing means capturing an image projected by the imaging means.

Abstract: A holographic microscope comprising a source configured to provide a diverging beam of radiation, a beam splitter configured to direct a first portion of the diverging beam towards an object and a second portion of the diverging beam towards a reflector, the beam splitter being further configured to direct an object beam from the object and a reference beam from the reflector towards a transducer, and the transducer being configured to provide a signal indicative of the interference pattern of the object beam and the reference beam incident on the transducer. A method of digital holography is also disclosed.

Abstract: An in-line holographic microscope can be used to analyze on a frame-by-frame basis a video stream to track individual colloidal particles' three-dimensional motions. The system and method can provide real time nanometer resolution, and simultaneously measure particle sizes and refractive indexes. Through a combination of applying a combination of Lorenz-Mie analysis with selected hardware and software methods, this analysis can be carried out in near real time. An efficient particle identification methodology automates initial position estimation with sufficient accuracy to enable unattended holographic tracking and characterization.

Abstract: A biological specimen observation apparatus whereby observation of a biological specimen can be performed accurately. In macro observation, a biological change region is extracted from a macro image, a micro observation point corresponding to an extracted biological change region is registered, and an object for tracking is identified. In micro observation, it is judged from the micro image whether or not biological change has continued in the biological change region at the micro observation point, and the registered micro observation point is updated on the basis of this judgment result. It is possible to carry out both macro observation for detecting a biological change region and micro observation for observing the progress of growth of a partial minute region where biological change has been exhibited, and to carry out accurate observation of a biological specimen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact, inexpensive fluorescence microscope capable of high-resolution imaging with high light throughput suitable for use in both laboratory and field environments, and methods of use. A simple and inexpensive fluorescence microscope allows health care workers to perform various medical assays at the point of care instead of having to collect and transport biological samples to distant labs, and subsequently return the results to the patient. The microscope of the present invention is also useful for educational use and field use, and other uses as well.

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: An imaging system with an imaging mechanism which includes polarization analyzers, which may be crossed polarization analyzers, positioned to provide birefringence images of particles in the fluid passing through the flow chamber. Captured images are of high resolution and may be used in comparison to known images of a library of images. The system and related method enhance the accuracy and sensitivity of particle monitoring by utilizing birefringence imaging combined with particle analysis and the detection of each particle's characteristic features, such as crystalline features. The system includes a scatter detector used to trigger backlighting of the flow chamber and capture images of particles therein.

Abstract: A controlling unit obtains microscope information about each configuration unit configuring a microscope main body, transmits the microscope information, receives control information, and controls the operation of each configuration unit based on the received control information. A controller receives the microscope information transmitted from the controlling unit, displays an operation screen on which an operation button display used to obtain an instruction for the operation of each configuration unit is arranged based on the microscope information, obtains the instruction issued by using the operation button display, and transmits to the controlling unit the control information corresponding to the obtained instruction.

Abstract: A microscope system is constructed by a light guiding optical system 20 having an objective lens 21 and beam splitters 27a and 27b for splitting an optical image of a sample S, a photodetector 31 for acquiring an image of the sample S, and two CCD cameras 33 and 34 for focus control disposed on optical paths split by the beam splitters 27a and 27b. The cameras 33 and 34 are disposed being inclined with respect to the optical path so that the optical paths thereof in the light guiding optical system 20 vary along a z-axis direction in opposite directions to each other. Images acquired by these cameras 33 and 34 are analyzed in a focus controller 37, and the image pickup focal point to the sample S is controlled on the basis of the analysis result, whereby the focus control when an image of the sample is acquired can be suitably performed.

Abstract: A microscope includes an image acquisition system, microscope components and a touch screen. The image acquisition system is configured to optically and digitally image an object so as to produce an object image The microscope components are at least one of motorized and electrically controllable. The touch screen is configured to display the object image in a display area thereof and to sense inputs in the display area within the displayed object image so as to change settings of the microscope components.

Abstract: A portable microscope includes an integrated operator control unit configured for at least one of selecting and adjusting at least one electrically controllable function of the microscope. The operator control unit includes at least one sensor configured to receive user control commands for at least one of activation, deactivation and adjustment of the at least one electrically controllable function. The at least one sensor includes a touch sensor and is disposed so as to accommodate holding and operation of the microscope with a single hand of a user.

Abstract: An operator control unit for use with a microscope is configured for at least one of selecting and adjusting at least one electrically controllable function of the microscope. The operator control unit is portable with one hand and includes a handle portion and at least one sensor configured to receive user control commands so as to at least one of activate, deactivate and adjust the at least one electrically controllable function. The at least one sensor includes a touch sensor and is disposed so as to accommodate holding and operation of the operator control unit simultaneously with one hand. The at least one sensor is disposed symmetrically with respect to the handle portion. The at least one sensor is assignable to different changeable microscope functions by actuation of at least one of the control unit and the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of an area of an object within the complete object, wherein the image of the area of the object is contained within a field of view of a microscope. The method comprises acquiring high magnification image data representing an image of the field of view of the microscope, typically from a digital camera attached to the microscope; processing the high magnification image data to reduce the resolution thereof; comparing the processed high magnification image data with portions of the low magnification image data, and determining said position based on the results of said comparison.

Abstract: A method of autofocusing includes capturing first, second and third images of a sample, at respective first, second and third sample distances and respective first, second and third lateral positions determined with respect to an objective; determining a quantitative characteristic for the first, second and third images; determining a primary sample distance based upon at least the quantitative characteristics for the first, second, and third images; and capturing a primary image of the sample at the primary sample distance and at a primary lateral position that is offset from the first, second and third lateral positions.

Abstract: The microscopic imaging apparatus includes a system controlling unit for obtaining a VD time setting value, and for obtaining the number of electric charge subtracting pulses, a synchronization signal generating unit for generating a vertical synchronization signal on the basis of the VD time setting value output from the system controlling unit and the horizontal synchronization signal, and a timing generating unit for extracting the electric charge of the imaging device by supplying the horizontal synchronization signal by the number of electric charge subtracting pulses to the imaging device as the electric charge subtracting pulses, and for generating a read pulse synchronous with the vertical synchronization signal in order to stop the accumulation of the electric charge of the imaging device after exposure is started.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for chromatic distortion reduction. Relative chromatic distortion information for an imaging system may be obtained, where the relative chromatic distortion information indicates relative displacement of a first color signal and a second color signal from a reference color signal in an image. The relative chromatic distortion information may be used to modify image data.

Abstract: An inspection system for flat objects, especially wafers and dies, comprising: a handling system for loading objects into the inspection system; a sensor assembly for receiving images or measuring values of the object surface or parts of the object surface; a driving assembly for generating a relative movement between the objects and the sensor assembly, where a movement is effected between objects relative to the sensor assembly along a first trajectory; wherein at least one further sensor assembly is provided, and the driving assembly is adapted to generate a further relative movement, where a movement of different objects relative to the sensor assembly can be generated on at least a second trajectory in order to allow at least two objects to be treated simultaneously.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing, storing, and viewing extremely large imagery data rapidly produced by a linear-array-based microscope slide scanner are provided. The system receives, processes, and stores imagery data produced by the linear scanner as a series of overlapping image stripes and combines the data into a seamless and contiguous baseline image. The baseline image is logically mapped into a plurality of regions that are individually addressed to facilitate viewing and manipulation of the baseline image. The system enables dynamic imagery data compression while scanning and capturing new image stripes that eliminates the overhead associated with storing uncompressed image stripes. The system also creates intermediate level images, thereby organizing the baseline image into a variable level pyramid structure referred to as a virtual slide.

Abstract: An image processing system comprising an image data acquisition unit for acquiring captured image data, with a first image processing unit for performing first image processing relating to color correction and gradation correction on the image data, a second image processing unit for performing second image processing relating to color correction based on a Color Appearance Model on the image data, a parameter calculation unit for calculating an image processing parameter used in the first image processing from the image data before the second image processing and the image data after the second image processing, and a control unit for setting the image processing parameter to the first image processing unit.

Abstract: A high-performance image quality improvement process, capable of improving the image quality of low-definition areas (lower layer patterns in a multilayer, bottoms of holes in a hole pattern, etc.), is performed to a captured image. Definition enhancement intensity is calculated using height information included in design data or estimate values of sample height information calculated from the captured image, and the image quality improvement process is performed to the captured image using the definition enhancement intensity.

Abstract: A STED-SPIM-microscope (Selective Plane Imaging Microscopy) having a y-direction illumination light source and a z-direction detection light camera. An x-scanner generates a sequential light sheet by scanning the illumination light beam in the x-direction. By optionally turning on a STED deactivation light beam the light sheet can optionally be made thinner and therefore the optical resolution can be increased.

Abstract: A scanning projective lensless microscope device comprises a specimen surface, a scanning illumination source with a light element, a light detector outside the specimen surface, and a processor. The scanning illumination source scans the light element to a plurality of scanning locations to provide illumination to an object on the specimen surface. The light detector samples a sequence of sub-pixel shifted projection object images corresponding to the plurality of scanning locations. The processor constructs a high resolution image of the object based on the sequence of sub-pixel shifted projection images and a motion vector of the projections at a plane of interest.

Abstract: A method for producing an output image defined by output pixels comprises capturing a focus stack of input images, each input image defined by input pixels and having a resolution higher than the output image, determining a group of input pixels in each input image corresponding to one of the output pixels, calculating a figure of merit and a summary pixel value for each group of input pixels, and computing a value for each output pixel by mathematically combining the figures of merit and the summary pixel values corresponding to each output pixel. The output image values are calculated such that the entire output image is sharply in focus.

Abstract: A device for forming a high-resolution image of an object is provided. The device comprises: an electronic camera for capturing an intermediate image of the object, an illumination system for forming a spatial modulation pattern on the object; and a spatial demodulator for performing a spatial demodulation, which is at least partially matched to the spatial modulation pattern. A method for deriving a high-spatial-resolution image from a set of images captured from a structure of an object is derived, wherein the illumination of the object is spatially-modulated, wherein the illumination of the object has a spatial modulation pattern, which is substantially periodic, wherein one of at least one prevailing orientation of the periodic illumination is arranged substantially perpendicularly to at least one prevailing orientation of the structure of the object.

Abstract: An unit for switchable arranging an arbitrary optical element on an optical path of fluorescence from among a plurality of types of the optical elements that transmit an excitation beam for exciting a sample and fluorescence emitted from the sample; an unit for picking up the observation image via the optical element arranged; and an unit for determining a type of the optical element arranged on the basis of the observation image picked up are prepared in order to provide a microscope image processing device, a program product, a program transmission medium and a method are provided, by which an optical element such as a fluorescence cube set on a fluorescence microscope can be identified on the basis of a detection result of an image pick up device that picks up an image of a sample to be observed by using the fluorescence microscope.

Abstract: Systems and methods for microscope slide scanning using multiple sensor arrays that receive imagery data from a single optical axis are provided. A single, high quality, easily obtained microscope objective lens is used to project an image onto two or more sensor arrays. The sensor arrays can be linear or two dimensional and imaging takes place along a single optical axis. Simultaneous sensor acquisition and parallel data processing reduce the image acquisition time by a factor of N, where N represents the number of sensors employed.

Abstract: A wide field microscopic image acquisition apparatus and method are disclosed. The apparatus is configured to acquire images of a specimen on a microscope slide and includes first and second illuminators each having unique illumination characteristics. The apparatus includes a microscope imaging system with an imaging device, an objective lens and a stage configured to digitally acquire a plurality of images of the specimen using the first and second illuminators. A controller is configured to automatically control the microscope imaging system and acquire the plurality of images of the specimen using the first and second illuminators. The first and second illuminators can be bright field, dark field or fluorescent illuminators.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems methods including a design of a microscope slide scanner for digital pathology applications which provides high quality images and automated batch-mode operation at low cost. The instrument architecture is advantageously based on a convergence of high performance, yet low cost, computing technologies, interfaces and software standards to enable high quality digital microscopy at very low cost. Also provided is a method based in part on a stitching method that allows for dividing an image into a number of overlapping tiles and reconstituting the image with a magnification without substantial loss of accuracy. A scanner is employed in capturing snapshot images. The method allows for overlapping images captured in consecutive snapshots.

Abstract: An incubated state evaluating device includes an image reading unit, a feature value calculating unit, a frequency distribution calculating unit, and an evaluation information generating unit. The image reading unit reads a plurality of images in which a plurality of cells incubated in an incubation container are image-captured in time series. The feature value calculating unit obtains each of feature values representing morphological features of cells from the images for each of the cells included in the images. The frequency distribution calculating unit obtains each of frequency distributions of the feature values corresponding to the respective images. The evaluation information generating unit generates evaluation information evaluating an incubated state of cells in the incubation container based on a variation of the frequency distributions between images.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a specimen placed on a known background of known bit depth values, and an image sensor having a field of view that includes at least a portion of the specimen and a portion of the known background. A sensor controller is included for recording an image of the portion of the specimen and the portion of the known background in the field of view, the apparatus further including means for effecting relative movement between the image sensor and the specimen.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for imaging a sample structure (34) with a light microscope are described. The sample structure (34) is prepared with markers and an active marker subset is generated in that a part of the markers is brought into a state in which they can be imaged. When a predetermined activation state is present, the sample structure (34) is imaged onto an arrangement (40) of sensor elements which each generate an image signal, these image signals resulting in a single frame of the sample structure (34). The presence of a predetermined activation state is checked in that at least two test single frames are generated at an interval, and the respective change of the image signal between the two test single frames is detected. The presence of the predetermined activation state is determined when the detected changes of the image signals in their entirety exceed a quantity.