Multi-axis integration system and method
An image acquisition system and method employing multi-axis integration (MAI) may incorporate both optical axis integration (OAI) and time-delay integration (TDI) techniques. Disclosed MAI systems and methods may integrate image data in the z direction as the data are acquired, projecting the image data prior to deconvolution. Lateral translation of the image plane during the scan in the z direction may allow large areas to be imaged in a single scan sequence.
1 - 22 . (canceled)
23 . A method for imaging biological specimens using an imaging chip having rows and columns, the method comprising:
capturing a pixel image of an object on the specimens;
shifting the pixel image in the columnar direction of the imaging chip;
moving the object in synchronous motion with the pixel image; and
reading out voltage values from the bottom row of the imaging chip until a plurality of the specimens are imaged.
24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein voltage values are read out from the bottom row of the imaging chip until all of the specimens are imaged.
25 . The method of claim 0 . 23 , wherein the biological specimens are immobilized on a microarray.
26 . The method of claim 23 , wherein the biological specimen comprises a nucleic acid or a polypeptide.
27 . The method of claim 23 further comprising digitizing the voltage values to produce a digital image strip.
28 . The method of claim 27 further comprising
imaging other strips by changing an imaged area on the specimens; and joining together all the strips to form a final image.
29 . The method of claim 27 wherein the digital image strip is a final image captured by a single wide optical detector.
30 . The method of claim 23 further comprising adjusting exposure time of the image pixel by adjusting read out speed of the imaging chip.
31 . The method of claim 23 further comprising adjusting exposure time of the image pixel by adjusting scan rate of the imaging chip.
32 . The method of claim 23 wherein the object is moved at a constant speed.
33 . The method of claim 23 wherein the object is held for exposure and is moved, one row at a time, down the imaging chip at the end of the exposure.
34 . The method of claim 23 further comprising
measuring calibration data;
determining positional and rotational errors from the calibration data; and modifying the position of an image area based on the errors.
35 . The method of claim 23 further comprising
labeling the specimens with multiple indicators that respond to light of different wavelengths;
choosing a filter pair for a selected wavelength;
imaging the specimens with a single monochromatic detector through the filters to produce a component scan;
repeating the component scans for each of the wavelengths; and
combining the component scans to produce a multi-spectral image.
36 . The method of claim 35 further comprising
measuring actual velocities and positions of the specimens for each of the component scans.
37 . The method of claim 23 further comprising:
labeling the specimens with multiple indicators that respond to light of different wavelengths; and
simultaneously scanning the specimens with multiple monochromatic detectors.
38 . The method of claim 23 further comprising:
labeling the specimens with multiple indicators that respond to light of different wavelengths; and
simultaneously scanning the specimens with a single monochromatic detector masked with a color mask.
39 . A method for imaging a sample using an imaging device, the method comprising:
moving the position of an image area on the sample along one dimension of the device;
imaging a spot on the image area continuously until the imaged spot is moved out of the detection range of the device; and
adjusting the speed of the movement for adequate exposure time.
40 . The method of claim 39 wherein the sample comprises a fluorescently labeled biological sample.
41 . The method of claim 39 wherein the sample comprises a microarray.
42 . The method of claim 39 , wherein the sample comprises a plurality of nucleic acids or polypeptides immobilized to a surface.
43 . The method of claim 39 wherein the imaging device is a CCD camera with columns and rows.
44 . The method of claim 43 wherein the image area is moved along the columnar dimension of the CCD camera.
45 . The method of claim 43 wherein the spot is held for exposure and is moved, one row at a time, down the CCD camera at the end of the exposure.
46 . The method of claim 39 further comprising adjusting the exposure time of the image area by adjusting read out speed of the imaging device.
47 . The method of claim 39 further comprising adjusting the exposure time of the image area by adjusting scan rate of the imaging device.
48 . The method of claim 39 further comprising
measuring calibration data;
determining positional and rotational errors from the calibration data; and modifying the position of the image area based on the errors.
49 . The method of claim 39 further comprising
labeling the sample with multiple indicators that respond to light of different wavelengths;
choosing a filter pair for a selected wavelength;
imaging the sample with a single monochromatic detector through the filters to produce a component scan;
repeating the component scans for each of the wavelengths; and
combining the component scans to produce a multi-spectral image.
50 . The method of claim 39 further comprising
measuring actual velocities and positions of the sample for each of the component scans.
51 . The method of claim 39 further comprising:
labeling the sample with multiple indicators that respond to light of different wavelengths; and
simultaneously scanning the sample with multiple monochromatic detectors.
52 . The method of claim 39 further comprising:
labeling the sample with multiple indicators that respond to light of different wavelengths; and
simultaneously scanning the sample with a single monochromatic detector masked with a color mask.