SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR THICK SPECIMEN IMAGING USING A MICROSCOPE-BASED TISSUE SECTIONING DEVICE

摘要

Systems and methods according to embodiments of the present invention facilitate imaging and sectioning of a thick specimen that allow for 3D image reconstruction. An example embodiment employs a laser scanning microscope and sectioning device, where the specimen, and optionally, the sectioning device are affixed to respective programmable stages. The stage normally used for aligning the specimen with the microscope objective is used as a component for sectioning the specimen. A specimen is imaged such that the imaging depth is less than the sectioning depth to produce overlap in contiguous sets of images; both acts are repeated until the imaging is completed. Sectioning and imaging embodiments include upright and inverted microscope configurations. A substantially or completely seamless 3D image of the specimen is reconstructed by collecting sets of 2D images and aligning imaged features of structures in overlapping images or portions thereof. Computational processing techniques may be used to enhance overall image resolution. Large 3D images may be made available to view over a network. Specimens may be from a human, animal, or plant.