Integrated virtual slide and live microscope system

Abstract

A method for creating a virtual slide is provided. A virtual slide is a digital representation of an area of interest of a microscopic slide. One method is to use a motorized microscope that can move a specimen with respect to a microscopic objective. With such a system, one can capture one or more images through a microscopic objective, such that a region of interest is imaged. Each image is then joined together to form a composite or “virtual image.” In one embodiment, after a virtual slide is created, a user may fully utilize the full capabilities of the remote microscope. Among these capabilities is a set of “optical objectives” and :virtual objectives.” Optical objectives are images created by digitizing an image through a microscopic objective in real time. Virtual objectives are digitally created magnifications created by utilizing the existing virtual slide data to digitally create a field of view.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for simultaneously viewing remote microscope images comprising virtual and live images and producing a seamless view of live and virtual images comprising: 
 providing a virtual slide    providing a live microscope slide    automatically and sequentially shifting regions overlapping regions of images from the slides to obtain the optimal image