Method and apparatus for producing a mosaic image

Abstract

The disclosure relates to method and apparatus for providing a mosaic image based on two or more sub-images. A method according to the disclosure includes irradiating a sample with light to thereby produce photons from the sample and forming two or more sub-images from the photons; the sub-images formed from photons of substantially the same wavelength. The plurality of sub-images of the sample can be combined in a mosaic-type formation to define an image of the sample. Similar images of the sample at different wavelengths can be combined to form a comprehensive mosaic image of the sample at all wavelengths.

1 . A method for producing an image of an object from overlapping sub-images where each sub-image includes plural pixels each having an initial intensity value, comprising: 
 (a) irradiating the object with light to thereby produce from the object light for each of a plurality of wavelengths;    (b) producing a plurality of overlapping sub-images of the object for each of the plurality of wavelengths; and    (c) for a first and a second of said overlapping sub-images produced at one of said wavelengths: 
 (i) determining an overlap region;  
 (ii) determining a line of fusion within said overlap region; and  
 (iii) stitching together said first and second sub-images to thereby produce a stitched image.  
   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the steps of: 
 (iv) determining if the line of fusion in the stitched image meets a predetermined criteria for requiring correction; and    (v) correcting the stitched image if the predetermined criteria is met.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the step of correcting the stitched image comprises the steps of: 
 (A) defining a window in the stitched image which contains the line of fusion;    (B) obtaining, for one of the pixels in said window, the intensity value of a corresponding pixel in each of the first and second sub-images;    (C) determining a weighted sum intensity value for the corresponding pixels; and    (D) replacing the intensity value of said one pixel in said window with the weighted sum intensity value.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of stitching together said first and second sub-images comprises steps of: 
 (A) copying the intensity value of pixels located in said first sub-image between an edge opposite the line of fusion and the line of fusion;    (B) copying the intensity value of pixels located in said second sub-image between the line of fusion and an edge opposite the line of fusion; and    (C) creating a stitched image by combing the copied intensity values from said first and second sub-images.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  including the step of locating the object so that the image of the object will appear registered properly in the stitched image.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the width of the stitched image is less than the combined width of the first and second sub-images.  
   
   
       7 . A method for producing a chemical image of an object from overlapping sub-images where each sub-image includes plural pixels each having an initial intensity value, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) irradiating the object with light to thereby produce from the object light for each of a plurality of wavelengths;    (b) producing a plurality of overlapping sub-images of the object for each of the plurality of wavelengths; and    (c) for a first and second of said overlapping sub-images produced at one of said wavelengths: 
 (i) determining an overlap region;  
 (ii) determining a line of fusion within said overlap region; and  
 (iii) stitching together said first and second sub-images to thereby produce a stitched chemical image.  
   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the steps of: 
 (iv) determining if the line of fusion in the stitched chemical image meets a predetermined criteria for requiring correction; and    (v) correcting the stitched chemical image if the predetermined criteria is met.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the step of correcting the stitched chemical image comprises the steps of: 
 (A) defining a window in the stitched chemical image which contains the line of fusion;    (B) obtaining, for one of the pixels in said window, the intensity value of a corresponding pixel in each of the first and second sub-images;    (C) determining a weighted sum intensity value for the corresponding pixels;    (D) replacing the intensity value of said one pixel in said window with the weighted sum intensity value; and    (E) replacing all the pixel intensity values of the said window with the weighted sum intensity values.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the step of stitching together said first and second sub-images comprises the steps of: 
 (A) copying the intensity value of pixels located in said first sub-image between an edge opposite the line of fusion and the line of fusion;    (B) copying the intensity value of pixels located in said second sub-image between the line of fusion and an edge opposite the line of fusion; and    (C) creating a stitched chemical image by combining the copied intensity values from said first and second sub-images.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7  including the step of locating the object so that the chemical image of the object will appear registered in the stitched chemical image.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the width of the stitched chemical image is less than the combined width of the first and second sub-images.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the chemical image is a Raman image.  
   
   
       14 . A method for producing a Raman image of an object from overlapping sub-images where each sub-image includes plural pixels each having an initial intensity value, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) irradiating the object with light to thereby produce from the object Raman scattered light for each of a plurality of wavelengths;    (b) producing a plurality of overlapping sub-images of the object for each of the plurality of wavelengths; and    (c) for a first and a second of said overlapping sub-images produced at one of said wavelengths: 
 (i) determining an overlap region;  
 (ii) determining a line of fusion within said overlap region;  
 (iii) stitching together said first and second sub-images to thereby produce a stitched Raman image by performing the steps of:  
   (A) copying the intensity value of pixels located in said first sub-image between an edge opposite the line of fusion and the line of fusion;    (B) copying the intensity value of pixels located in said second sub-image between the line of fusion and an edge opposite the line of fusion; and    (C) creating a stitched chemical image by combining the copied intensity values from said first and second sub-images; 
 (iv) determining if the line of fusion in the stitched Raman image meets a predetermined criteria for requiring correction; and  
 (v) correcting the stitched Raman image if the predetermined criteria is met, by performing the steps of:  
   (A) defining a window in the stitched Raman image which contains the line of fusion;    (B) obtaining, for one of the pixels in said window, the intensity value of a corresponding pixel in each of the first and second sub-images;    (C) determining a weighted sum intensity value for the corresponding pixels; and    (D) replacing the intensity value of said one pixel in said window with the weighted sum intensity value.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  including the step of locating the object so that the Raman image of the object will appear substantially in the center of the stitched Raman image.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the width of the stitched Raman image is less than the combined width of the first and second sub-images.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of: (E) replacing all the pixel intensity value of the said window with the weighted sum intensity values.  
   
   
       18 . An imaging spectroscope for producing an image of an object from overlapping sub-images where each sub-image includes plural pixels each having an initial intensity value, the spectroscope comprising: 
 (a) a photon source for irradiating the object with light to thereby produce from the object light for each of a plurality of wavelengths;    (b) a photon detector for producing a plurality of overlapping sub-images of the object for each of the plurality of wavelengths; and    (c) a processor programmed to perform a plurality of executable instructions, the instructions comprising: 
 (i) determining an overlap region for a first and a second of said overlapping sub-images produced at one of said wavelengths;  
 (ii) determining a line of fusion within said overlap region; and  
 (iii) stitching together said first and second sub-images to thereby produce a stitched image.  
   
   
   
       19 . The spectroscope of  claim 18  wherein said processor is further programmed to execute the instructions of: 
 (iv) determining if the line of fusion in the stitched image meets a predetermined criteria for requiring correction; and    (v) correcting the stitched image if the predetermined criteria is met.    
   
   
       20 . The imaging spectroscope of  claim 19  wherein said processor is further programmed so that the instruction of correcting the stitched image comprises the instructions of: 
 (A) defining a window in the stitched image which contains the line of fusion;    (B) obtaining, for one of the pixels in said window, the intensity value of a corresponding pixel in each of the first and second sub-images;    (C) determining a weighted sum intensity value for the corresponding pixels;    (D) replacing the intensity value of said one pixel in said window with the weighted sum intensity value.    (E) Replacing the pixel intensity value of the said window with the weighted sum intensity values.    
   
   
       21 . The imaging spectroscope of  claim 20  wherein the window is approximately 30 pixels wide.  
   
   
       22 . The imaging spectroscope of  claim 18  wherein said processor is further programmed so that the instruction of stitching together said first and second sub-images comprises the instructions of: 
 (A) copying the intensity value of pixels located in said first sub-image between an edge opposite the line of fusion and the line of fusion;    (B) copying the intensity value of pixels located in said second sub-image between the line of fusion and an edge opposite the line of fusion; and    (C) creating a stitched image by combining the copied intensity values from said first and second sub-images.    
   
   
       23 . The imaging spectroscope of  claim 18  wherein said light produced from the object includes one or more of fluorescence light, reflected light, refracted light, transmitted light, and scattered light.  
   
   
       24 . The imaging spectroscope of  claim 18  wherein said image is a chemical image and said stitched image is a stitched chemical image.  
   
   
       25 . The imaging spectroscope of  claim 18  wherein said image is a Raman image and said stitched image is a stitched Raman image.  
   
   
       26 . A imaging spectroscope for producing a Raman image of an object from overlapping sub-images where each sub-image includes plural pixels each having an initial intensity value, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) a photon source for irradiating the object with light to thereby produce from the object Raman scattered light for each of a plurality of wavelengths;    (b) a photon detector for producing a plurality of overlapping sub-images of the object for each of the plurality of wavelengths; and    (c) a processor programmed to perform a plurality of executable instructions, the instructions comprising: 
 (i) determining an overlap region for a first and a second of said overlapping sub-images produced at one of said wavelengths;  
 (ii) determining a line of fusion within said overlap region;  
 (iii) stitching together said first and second sub-images to thereby produce a stitched Raman image by performing the steps of:  
   (A) copying the intensity value of pixels located in said first sub-image between an edge opposite the line of fusion and the line of fusion;    (B) copying the intensity value of pixels located in said second sub-image between the line of fusion and an edge opposite the line of fusion; and    (C) creating a stitched chemical image by combining the copied intensity values from said first and second sub-images; 
 (iv) determining if the line of fusion in the stitched Raman image meets a predetermined criteria for requiring correction; and  
 (v) correcting the stitched Raman image if the predetermined criteria is met, by performing steps of:  
   (A) defining a window in the stitched Raman image which contains the line of fusion;    (B) obtaining, for one of the pixels in said window, the intensity value of a corresponding pixel in each of the first and second sub-images;    (C) determining a weighted sum intensity value for the corresponding pixels; and    (D) replacing the intensity value of said one pixel in said window with the weighted sum intensity value.    
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  including the step of locating the object so that the Raman image of the object will appear substantially properly registered the stitched Raman image.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the width of the stitched Raman image is less than the combined width of the first and second sub-images.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising the step of: (E) replacing all the pixel intensity value of said window with the weighted sum intensity values.