Device and method for acquiring a particle present in a sample
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Publication Number
US-10831156-B2
Publication Date
2020-11-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
A device for acquisition of particles present in a sample includes a spatially coherent light source, an optical system, and an image sensor placed in the focal plane of the optical system. The image sensor is configured to capture an intensity image. A computational unit of the device is configured to construct a series of electromagnetic propagation matrices obtained for a plurality of defocusing offsets relative to a plane of focus of the optics. The computational unit is also configured to determine a first average focused electromagnetic matrix for the particles from the series of electromagnetic matrices, identifying at least one of the particles in the first electromagnetic matrix and storing the coordinates of said particle, and determining a second electromagnetic matrix at a distance of focus on a particle identified from the components of the series of electromagnetic matrices having the stored coordinates.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an acquisition device for a plurality of particles present in a sample. The device uses a spatially coherent or pseudo-coherent light source directed towards a first surface of the sample, and an optical system with an optical axis that achieves conjugation between a plane of focus and a focal plane. The optical system is placed relative to the sample so that the particles are not in the plane of focus, and an image sensor in the focal plane acquires an intensity image (Ih) formed by interference between the light source and the sample.
A computational processing unit digitally constructs a series of electromagnetic matrices (I1–IN) modeling, from the acquired intensity image (Ih), an electromagnetic wave in planes parallel to the plane of focus and comprised in the sample for a plurality of offsets relative to the plane. The processing unit determines a first electromagnetic matrix (Ifmoy) at an average distance of focus on the particles from the series of electromagnetic matrices (I1–IN). Using the first matrix (Ifmoy), the processing unit identifies at least one particle and stores the coordinates of the identified particle.
The processing unit then determines a second electromagnetic matrix (Ifp) at a distance of focus on a particle, using the components of the series of electromagnetic matrices (I1–IN) corresponding to the stored coordinates. A related method of analysis emits a spatially coherent or pseudo-coherent light source through the sample, acquires an intensity image (Ih) by interference, digitally constructs the series of electromagnetic matrices (I1–IN), obtains an electromagnetic matrix (Ifp) at the distance of focus on the particle, and determines a state of the particle according to the electromagnetic matrix (Ifp) at the distance of focus on the particle.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are directed to 2 inventive features: a particle acquisition device and a particle analysis method. Both rely on interference-based intensity imaging, digital construction of a series of electromagnetic matrices at multiple offsets, and selection of a particle-focused electromagnetic matrix for identifying or determining a particle state.
Interference intensity imaging with conjugation and particle off-focus placement
A spatially coherent or pseudo-coherent light source directed towards a first surface of the sample; an optical system having an optical axis achieving conjugation between a plane of focus and a focal plane, directed towards a second surface of the sample opposite to the first surface, placed so that the particles are not in the plane of focus; and an image sensor placed in the focal plane configured to acquire an intensity image (Ih) formed by the interference between said light source and said sample.
Digital construction of electromagnetic propagation matrices from an intensity image for multiple offsets
A computational processing unit that digitally constructs a series of electromagnetic matrices (I1–IN) modeling, from the acquired image (Ih), an electromagnetic wave in planes parallel to the plane of focus and comprised in the sample for a plurality of offsets relative to said plane.
Average-distance focus matrix for particle identification and coordinate storage
Determining a first electromagnetic matrix (Ifmoy) at an average distance of focus on the particles from the series of electromagnetic matrices (I1–IN), and identifying at least one of the particles in the first electromagnetic matrix (Ifmoy) and storing the coordinates of said particle.
Particle-coordinate focused matrix selection at a distance of focus
Determining a second electromagnetic matrix (Ifp) at a distance of focus on a particle identified from the components of the series of electromagnetic matrices (I1–IN) having the stored coordinates.
Particle state determination from a focus-distance electromagnetic matrix
Digitally constructing a series of electromagnetic matrices (I1–IN) modeling, from the acquired image (Ih), an electromagnetic wave in planes parallel to the plane of focus and comprised in the sample for a plurality of offsets with respect to said plane; obtaining an electromagnetic matrix (Ifp) at a distance of focus on the particle from the series of electromagnetic matrices (I1–IN); and determining a state of said particle according to the electromagnetic matrix (Ifp) at the distance of focus on the particle.
Across the independent claims, the central coverage is the use of an interference-based intensity image acquired with a conjugating optical system, followed by digital construction of a series of electromagnetic propagation matrices parallel to the focus plane at multiple offsets, selecting a particle-relevant electromagnetic matrix at a distance of focus, and determining particle identity and state based on that selected electromagnetic matrix (Ifp).
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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