US 12,422,659 B2
Method for controlling microscopic imaging and corresponding microscope control arrangement and microscope
Markus Schechter, Wetzlar (DE); and Tobias Hessler, Wetzlar (DE)
Assigned to LEICA MICROSYSTEMS CMS GMBH, Wetzlar (DE)
Filed by LEICA MICROSYSTEMS CMS GMBH, Wetzlar (DE)
Filed on Dec. 5, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/074,553.
Claims priority of application No. 21213830 (EP), filed on Dec. 10, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0185071 A1, Jun. 15, 2023
Int. Cl. G02B 21/24 (2006.01); G01N 21/64 (2006.01); G02B 7/36 (2021.01); H04N 23/50 (2023.01); H04N 23/667 (2023.01); H04N 23/67 (2023.01)
CPC G02B 21/244 (2013.01) [G01N 21/6458 (2013.01); G02B 7/36 (2013.01); H04N 23/50 (2023.01); H04N 23/67 (2023.01); H04N 23/667 (2023.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for controlling microscopic imaging of a microscope, the method comprising:
providing a microscope control arrangement configured for receiving a focusing request and for receiving sample information on a sample to be imaged, wherein the sample information comprises a respective sample specification selected from a plurality of predefined sample specifications, wherein the plurality of predefined sample specifications comprises:
the sample being adherent to a sample carrier for carrying the sample;
the sample being detached from the sample carrier for carrying the sample;
the sample having a varying extension in a focal direction;
the sample being able to move; and/or
the sample having a surface topology varying over time;
upon receipt of the focusing request and receiving the sample information, activating, via the microscope control arrangement, a predefined focusing setting depending on the sample information for controlling focusing of the microscope for microscopic imaging of the sample, wherein the activating the predefined focusing setting automatically initiates a focus strategy associated with the respective sample specification, wherein the initiating the focus strategy comprises:
when the respective sample specification specifies the sample as being adherent to a sample carrier for carrying the sample, using a triangulating autofocusing method for determining and/or maintaining a focus point, the focus point being used for sample imaging,
when the respective sample specification specifies the sample as being detached from the sample carrier for carrying the sample or having a varying extension in a focal direction, defining a focus map of one or more focus points, or
when the respective sample specification specifies the sample as being able to move, using an image based autofocusing method by evaluating a stack of images of the sample, each image being captured at a different focal position.