Description:Complete Specification:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:
Field of the invention:
[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a control unit for capturing plurality of images of a sample loaded in a pathology device.

Background of the invention:
[0002] Low-cost Microscope slide holder flatness is always challenge where sub-micron flatness required to capture multiple focused images in array with minimum number of focus.
[0003] CN106997093 discloses a micro-scanning auto focusing compensation system and a compensation method. This technology provides a kind of micro- scanning auto-focusing compensation system and method that can shorten focusing time, improve micro- scan efficiency. The focusing compensation system, including objective table, object lens, rapid focus module and the position detecting device for detecting stage position in real time. Rapid focus module includes the z-axis compensation piezoelectric ceramics that can be elongated or shortened in the z-axis direction, the z-axis offset voltage module powered to z-axis compensation piezoelectric ceramics.
Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0004] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawing,
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a control unit in a device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0006] Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of a method for capturing plurality of images of a sample in a device, according to the present invention.
[0007] Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0008] Fig. 1 illustrates a control unit in a device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 10 in a device 12 for capturing plurality of focused images of a sample 14. The device 10 comprises a slide holder 16 to accommodate the sample 14 and an image capturing unit 18 adapted to capture at least one image of the sample 14 when the slide holder 16 is moved. The control unit 10 identifies at least one ideal region on the sample 14 and capture a main focused image by an image capturing unit 18.
[0009] Further the construction of the device and the control unit is explained in detail. According to one embodiment of the invention, the device 10 is a digital pathology device that has a sample holder 16 for loading the sample 14. The image capturing unit 18 is a camera and the material in the sample can be any body fluid comprising blood, urine, semen, bone fluid and the like. When the sample 14 is loaded in the sample holder 16, the control unit 10 identifies multiple ideal regions on the sample 14 where the content/material of the sample 14 is visible. The each of identified ideal region has the main focused image and a corresponding grid structure. The control unit 10 is chosen from a group of control units comprising a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital circuit , an integrated circuit and the like. The control unit 10 comprises a counter 20 for counting the number in the set of focused images when the sample 14 or sample holder 16 is moved in any one of the directions.
[0010] Figure 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method for capturing plurality of images of a sample in a device , according to the present invention. The method comprises the following steps. In step S1, at least one ideal region on the sample 14 is identified and a main focused image is captured by an image capturing unit 18. In step S2, the sample 14 is moved in any one of the direction to capture a set of focused images associated with the main focused image. In step S3, a number of focused images captured in each direction is counted and compared with a threshold value. In step S4, a grid structure is generated associated to any one of the direction, when the count is more than the threshold value.
[0011] The method is explained in detail. The sample 14 is loaded in the sample holder 16 of the device 10 . Upon detecting the sample 14 in the sample holder 16, the control unit 10 identifies multiple ideal regions on the sample 14. The control unit 10 then activates the image capturing unit 18 for capturing a main focused image in a first identified ideal region. The captured main focused image is taken as a reference and is positioned in the center in a grid structure. Each of the ideal region has an associated grid structure formed with the main focused image positioned in the center.
[0012]According to one embodiment of the invention, the control unit 10 moves the sample 14 along with the sample holder 16 for capturing a set of focused images associated with the main focused image. The sample 14 is moved in any of the direction comprising a first direction and a second direction. The first direction and a second direction is an axial direction and a radial direction.
[0013] The control unit 10 generates grid structure in either one of the directions when the count of the set of the focused images captured is more than a threshold value. For example, when the count is more than the threshold value in a first direction which is the axial direction or the x-axis direction, the control unit 10 generates a first type of grid structure. Ie., for instance, if the count is 5 and the threshold value is 4, then the control unit 10 forms a grid structure of 10 rows and 5 columns, wherein the set of the focused images and the main focused image are filled in the generated /formed grid structure.
[0014] If the count is more than the threshold value in the second direction ,which is a radial direction or y-axis direction, then the control unit 10 generates a second type of grid structure . For example, if the count is more than the threshold value, then the control unit 10 forms the second type of grid structure having 5 columns and 10 rows with the main focused image and the set of focused images filling in the generated grid structure. The sample 14 is moved in the first direction and in the second direction simultaneously for capturing the set of images associated with each of the identified ideal region.
[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, instead of the sample 14 moving, the control unit 10 moves the focusing unit or image capturing unit 18 for capturing the set of the focused images and the main focused image in any one of the directions. And the generating of the grid structure will occur as disclosed above. After the completion of generating the grid structure in the first ideal region, the control unit 10 moves to the next identified ideal region on the sample.
[0016] With the above disclosed method, the optical image-based flatness calibration is very easy to implement. The above approach does not require any additional components and any type of flatness can be calibrated. The above disclosed method requires less time to capture whole array/set of images. Further to this, the above method helps in calibration of changes in the slide holder flatness over a period. The above method also captures more images in grid.

[0017] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.
, Claims:We claim: -
1. A control unit (10) in a device (12) for capturing plurality of focused images of a sample (14), said device (12) comprises a slide holder (16) to accommodate said sample (14) and an image capturing unit (18) adapted to capture at least one image of said sample (14) when said slide holder (16) is moved; said control unit (10) adapted to:
- identify at least one ideal region on the sample and capture a main focused image by said image capturing unit (18);
- move the sample in any one of the direction to capture a set of focused images associated with said main focused image ;
- count number of focused images captured in each direction and compare with a threshold value;
- generate a grid structure associated to any one of said direction, when said count is more than said threshold value.
2. The control unit (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said identified ideal region has said main focused image and a corresponding grid structure.
3. The control unit (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein when said count is more than said threshold value in a first direction, said control unit(10) adapted to generate a first type of grid structure.
4. The control unit (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein when said count is more than said threshold value in a second direction, said control unit (10) adapted to generate a second type of grid structure.
5. The control unit (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main focused image is positioned in center in said generated grid structure.
6. The control unit (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first direction and said second direction are an axial direction and a radial direction respectively.
7. The control unit (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said sample (14) is moved in said first direction and in said second direction simultaneously for capturing said set of images associated with each of said identified ideal region.
8. The control unit (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device (12) is a digital pathology device and said control unit is chosen from a group of control units comprising a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a digital circuit, an integrated chip and the like.
9. A method of capturing plurality of focused images of a sample (14) in a device (12), said device (12) comprises a slide holder (16) to accommodate said sample (14) and an image capturing unit (18) adapted to capture at least one image of said sample (14) when said slide holder (16) is moved , and a control unit (10) adapted to control at least one operation of said device (12), said method comprising :
- identifying at least one ideal region on the sample (14) and capturing a main focused image by said image capturing unit (18);
- moving the sample (14) in any one of the direction for capturing a set of focused images associated with said main focused image;
- counting number of focused images captured in each direction and compare with a threshold value;
- generating a grid structure associated to any one of said direction, when said count is more than said threshold value.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9,wherein moving said sample (14) in a first direction and in a second direction simultaneously for capturing said set of images associated with each of said identified ideal region.