Imaging across multiple spatial scales with the multi-camera array microscope

TL;DR

This paper introduces a multi-camera array microscope (MCAM) that captures high-resolution, large field-of-view images by combining data from multiple micro-cameras, enabling detailed 3D imaging and rapid large-area specimen analysis.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel MCAM system with multiple configurations for high-resolution, large-area imaging, demonstrating its versatility and superior imaging capabilities over traditional microscopes.

Findings

Achieved 0.15 gigapixels per snapshot for 3D imaging across 100 x 135 mm^2

Recorded video at 0.48 gigapixels per frame over 83 x 123 mm^2

Produced 9.8 gigapixel composites of large histopathology specimens rapidly

Abstract

This article experimentally examines different configurations of a novel multi-camera array microscope (MCAM) imaging technology. The MCAM is based upon a densely packed array of "micro-cameras" to jointly image across a large field-of-view at high resolution. Each micro-camera within the array images a unique area of a sample of interest, and then all acquired data with 54 micro-cameras are digitally combined into composite frames, whose total pixel counts significantly exceed the pixel counts of standard microscope systems. We present results from three unique MCAM configurations for different use cases. First, we demonstrate a configuration that simultaneously images and estimates the 3D object depth across a 100 x 135 mm^2 field-of-view (FOV) at approximately 20 um resolution, which results in 0.15 gigapixels (GP) per snapshot. Second, we demonstrate an MCAM configuration that records video across a continuous 83 x 123 mm^2 FOV with two-fold increased resolution (0.48 GP per frame). Finally, we report a third high-resolution configuration (2 um resolution) that can rapidly produce 9.8 GP composites of large histopathology specimens.