A system for performing adaptive focusing of a microscopy device comprises a microscopy device configured to acquire microscopy images depicting cells and one or more processors executing instructions for performing a method that includes extracting pixels from the microscopy images. Each set of pixels corresponds to an independent cell. The method further includes using a trained classifier to assign one of a plurality of image quality labels to each set of pixels indicating the degree to which the independent cell is in focus. If the image quality labels corresponding to the sets of pixels indicate that the cells are out of focus, a focal length adjustment for adjusting focus of the microscopy device is determined using a trained machine learning model. Then, executable instructions are sent to the microscopy device to perform the focal length adjustment.

Provided are an image acquisition device which increases a small depth of field of an objective lens to acquire a high depth of field image and an image acquisition method using the same. The image acquisition device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is an image acquisition device which acquires an image of a subject including an image collection unit; and an objective lens unit disposed below the image collection unit, and the image collection unit generates an image in which Z-axis signals are superposed within a range corresponding to a thickness of the subject, in an area to be captured of the subject.

A microscope system is provided with a microscope that acquires images at least at a first magnification and a second magnification higher than the first magnification, and a processor. The processor is configured to specify a type of a container in which a specimen is placed, and when starting observation of the specimen placed in the container at the second magnification, the processor is configured to specify an observation start position by performing object detection according to the type of container on a first image that includes the container acquired by the microscope at the first magnification, and control a relative position of the microscope with respect to the specimen such that the observation start position is contained in a field of view at the second magnification of the microscope.

An autofocus device includes a stage, a magnifying optical system, a light source device, an iris which is arranged at a position opposite to a sample of the magnifying optical system and configured to limit a light beam emitted from the light source device, and an AF camera which receives, via the magnifying optical system, a reflected light beam which is reflected from a reflection surface after the light beam reaches a glass member via the iris and the magnifying optical system. The light source device emits the light beam at a non-zero angle relative to the axis of the magnifying optical system. The control unit adjusts the position of the stage so as to match the position of a captured image of a shield with a target position. With such a configuration, it is possible to achieve the autofocus at high speed.

In a focusing position detection method, a plurality of object images are acquired by imaging an imaging object by an imager while changing a focal position in M stages along an optical axis. A saturation consecutive region is acquired. The saturation consecutive region is included in all N (where N is a natural number equal to or more than three and equal to and less M) object images acquired while successively changing the focal position in N stages along the optical axis. A focusing degree decrease as the focal position approaches focusing position in the saturation consecutive region. Based on this property, the focusing position is detected.

For analyzing a sample containing particles of at least two categories, such as a sample containing blood cells, a particle counter subject to a detection limit is coupled with an analyzer capable of discerning particle number ratios, such as a visual analyzer, and a processor. A first category of particles can be present beyond detection range limits while a second category of particles is present within respective detection range limits. The concentration of the second category of particles is determined by the particle counter. A ratio of counts of the first category to the second category is determined on the analyzer. The concentration of particles in the first category is calculated on the processor based on the ratio and the count or concentration of particles in the second category.

An automatic focus system for an optical microscope that facilitates faster focusing by using at least two offset focusing cameras. Each offset focusing camera can be positioned on a different side of an image forming conjugate plane so that their sharpness curves intersect at the image forming conjugate plane. Focus of a specimen can be adjusted by using sharpness values determined from images taken by the offset focusing cameras.

A computer implemented system and method for generating a focus corrected image of a sample disposed on a sample holder of an imaging system is disclosed. The imaging system includes an image sensor and a lens moveable relative to the image sensor between a first position and a second position. A characteristic map of the lens is developed that associates coordinates of each pixel of an image generated by the imaging sensor with one of a first plurality of locations of the lens between the first position and the second position. An image generator develops an output pixel of a focus-corrected image of a sample from a plurality of images of the sample acquired when the lens is positioned at a corresponding one of a second plurality of locations of the lens between the first position and the second position. The image generator selects a second location in accordance with the characteristic map, an image from the plurality of images of the sample associated with the second location, and determines a value of the output pixel in accordance with a value of a pixel of the selected one of the plurality of images that corresponds to the output pixel.

An auto-focusing system is disclosed. The system includes an illumination source. The system includes an aperture. The system includes a projection mask. The system includes a detector assembly. The system includes a relay system, the relay system being configured to optically couple illumination transmitted through the projection mask to an imaging system. The relay system also being configured to project one or more patterns from the projection mask onto a specimen and transmit an image of the projection mask from the specimen to the detector assembly. The system includes a controller including one or more processors configured to execute a set of program instructions. The program instructions being configured to cause the one or more processors to: receive one or more images of the projection mask from the detector assembly and determine quality of the one or more images of the projection mask.

Methods and systems are provided for synchronizing image capture at a multi-detector imaging system. In one example, a method includes coordinating cycling of each microscope assembly of the multi-detector imaging system through a selection of illumination channels, each microscope assembly configured to obtain an image of a portion of one of more than one microplate wells simultaneously, to generate complete images of the more than one microplate wells concurrently.