Multi-axis integration system and method

Abstract

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.