Sensovation Ag

Sakura Finetek U.s.a., Inc.

Paul Anthony Hing

Sven Hensler

Christian Romer

The invention is based on an autofocus method in which light from a light source is focused at a measurement light focus in a sample and is reflected from there and the reflected light is guided through an optical system in two light paths onto at least two detector elements. In order to achieve fast and accurate automatic focusing on the sample, it is proposed that the measurement light focus is moved in layers of the sample which reflect light to different extents, and the detector elements are arranged in such a way that, in this case, profiles of a radiation property registered by the detector elements are different and a focus position is set in a manner dependent on the profiles.

Autofocus method and autofocus device

A method including sensing an image without magnification of a portion of a tissue sample; displaying the sensed image on a display; and performing at least one of the following: refreshing a sensed image at a predetermined rate, storing the sensed image, modifying the sensor to display pixel ratio, and sensing a magnified view of an area of the portion of the tissue sample. A digital microscope comprising: at least one image sensor; a first optic configured to project an image with a magnification of one or less; a second optic disposed between the at least one sensor and the stage, the second optic configured to project an image with a magnification greater than one; and a computer operable to direct an image capture by the at least one image sensor of a portion of a microslide on the stage projected through the first optic or the second optic.

Digital microscope and method of sensing an image of a tissue sample

The invention is based on an autofocus method in which light from a light source () is focused at a measurement light focus () in a sample () and is reflected from there and the reflected light is guided through an optical system () in two light paths () onto at least two detector elements (). In order to achieve fast and accurate automatic focusing on the sample, it is proposed that the measurement light focus () is moved in layers of the sample () which reflect light to different extents, and the detector elements () are arranged in such a way that, in this case, profiles of a radiation property registered by the detector elements () are different and a focus position is set in a manner dependent on the profiles.

The invention relates to a microscopy method for identifying target objects () having a predetermined optical property in material () to be analyzed. According to the invention, in a first step an overview field of view () of a microscope optical system () is directed to an overview region of a sample carrier () containing the material () to be analyzed, the material () to be analyzed is illuminated by an illumination unit (), which irradiates the sample carrier () from outside a field of view tube (), and is recorded by a camera (), the material () to be analyzed is optically analyzed for the optical property such that even a single target object () having the predetermined optical property is identified as such in the material () to be analyzed, in a subsequent second step a target field of view () of the microscope optical system () is aligned with a target region around the target object () using the known position of the target object (), and the identified target object () is analyzed in a differentiated manner for various additional optical properties.

Microscopy method for identifying biological target objects

An autofocus apparatus and a method achieve a higher level of speed and robustness, and are particularly suited for fluorescence microscopy of biological samples, automated microscopy and scanning microscopy. A high speed is achieved via a light pattern in the sample, detected spatially resolved by a detector generating at least two signals corresponding to a reflex pattern of the light pattern. The two signals are subtracted generating a positioning signal and the focus of the objective in the sample is adjusted depending on the positioning signal.

Method and apparatus for autofocus using a light source pattern and means for masking the light source pattern

The invention relates to an apparatus and processes for optical measurement and detection with real-time closed-loop controls, which enable higher levels of performance. The invention is especially suitable for applications such as spectroscopy; microscopy; biochemical assays; processes and reactions on miniaturized formats (such as those involving micro-/nano-plates, micro-formats & micro-arrays, chemistry-on-chip, lab-on-chip, micro-channels and micro-fluidics, where dimensions are on micron scale and columns are in the sub-nanoliter range). Such 'intelligent sensing' allows higher data quality and reliability, higher measurement and analysis throughput and lower cost. The invention uses fast real-time adaptive digital signal processing and controls directly at the point where data is sensed. Through real-time adaptive control of sensors, chemical/opto-mechanical/opto-electronic processes and other components during the measurement process, consistently higher quality results and higher reliability are achieved. This invention furthermore includes an improved image sensor architecture that enables very intra-array dynamic range at fast frame rates and low noise performance.

Image sensor device, apparatus and method for optical measurements

An apparatus and a method for photo-electric measurement is included; the apparatus comprises photo-electric conversion devices and an optical system which is modularly expandable in order to acquire electromagnetic radiation from a line or area of any desired size on an object. The optical system preferably separates the electromagnetic radiation modularly into a plurality of smaller segments and projects electromagnetic radiation corresponding to the smaller segments onto individual photo-electric conversion devices and sensor electronics related to said photo-electric conversion device(s). This enables the operating mode and functionality of said photo-electric conversion device(s) to be defined and changed in real-time, whereby functions such as the readout sequence of pixels and unlimited flexibility of pixel binning in two dimensions are fully programmable, and the photo-electric conversion device(s) can operate and/or be controlled independently and/or simultaneously.

Growing community of inventors

Owingen, Germany

Paul Anthony Hing