Systems and methods for sample image capture using integrated control

Abstract

Embodiments relate to systems and methods for sample image capture using integrated control. A digital microscope or other imaging device can be associated with a sample chamber containing cell, tissue, or other sample material. The chamber can be configured to operate using a variety of environmental variables, including gas concentration, temperature, humidity, and others. The imaging device can be configured to operate using a variety of imaging variables, including magnification, focal length, illumination, and others. A central system control module can be used to configure the settings of those hardware elements, as well as others, to set up and carry out an image capture event. The system control module can be operated to control the physical, optical, chemical, and/or other parameters of the overall imaging environment from one central control point. The variables used to produce the image capture can be configured to dynamically variable during the media capture event.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 invoking a system control module operatively connected to a chamber and an imaging device;   configuring, via the system control module, a set of environmental parameters associated with the chamber;   configuring, via the system control module, an image capture event for a sample in the chamber using the set of environmental parameters; and   capturing media from the image capture event via the imaging device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , herein the chamber comprises a sealed chamber enclosing a sample plate. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the set of environmental parameters associated with the chamber comprises at least one of—
 a temperature of the chamber, 
 a humidity of the chamber, 
 a pressure of the chamber, or 
 a gas concentration value of the chamber. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the imaging device comprises a microscope. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the microscope comprises a digital imaging microscope. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein a set of imaging parameters of the microscope are configurable via the system control module. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the set of imaging parameters comprises at least one of—
 a magnification setting, 
 a focal length setting, 
 a resolution setting, 
 an illumination setting, 
 a monochrome setting, 
 a color setting, 
 a fluorescent stain setting, 
 a transparency setting, or 
 a phase setting. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the image capture event comprises a video capture of contents of the chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the video capture comprises a time-lapse video capture. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of environmental variables are dynamically configurable over an interval of the image capture event. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of environmental variables are recorded in the captured media for the image capture event. 
     
     
         12 . An imaging system, comprising:
 a first interface to a chamber;   a second interface to an imaging device; and   a processor, communicating with the chamber via the first interface and the imaging device via the second interface, the processor being configured to:
 invoke a system control module operatively connected to the chamber and the imaging device, 
 configure, using user input, a set of environmental parameters associated with the chamber, 
 configure, using the user input, an image capture event for a sample in the chamber using the set of environmental parameters, and 
 capture media from the image capture event via the imaging device. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , herein the chamber comprises a sealed chamber enclosing a sample plate. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the set of environmental parameters associated with the chamber comprises at least one of—
 a temperature of the chamber, 
 a humidity of the chamber, 
 a pressure of the chamber, or 
 a gas concentration value of the chamber. 
 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the imaging device comprises a microscope. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the microscope comprises a digital imaging microscope. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein a set of imaging parameters of the microscope are configurable via the system control module. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the set of imaging parameters comprises at least one of—
 a magnification setting, 
 a focal length setting, 
 a resolution setting, 
 an illumination setting, 
 a monochrome setting, 
 a color setting, 
 a fluorescent stain setting, 
 a transparency setting, or 
 a phase setting. 
 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the image capture event comprises a video capture of contents of the chamber. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the video capture comprises a time-lapse video capture. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the set of environmental variables are dynamically configurable over an interval of the image capture event. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the set of environmental variables are recorded in the captured media for the image capture event.