{
  "patent_number": "US 12222345",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Automated Microscopes Use Tags to Focus on Biological Samples",
  "original_title": "System for imaging captured cells",
  "summary": "A system for automatically focusing and imaging biological samples on a substrate by using special reference marks called tags to guide the microscope's lens.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent describes an automated imaging system designed to capture high-quality images of cells or particles trapped on a substrate. The system uses a specific 'tag'—a physical feature or mark on the substrate—as a reference point for the microscope's autofocus mechanism. By detecting this tag, the system automatically adjusts the lens position to ensure the target biological sample is in sharp focus. It also features a platform that can move and tilt to align the sample with multiple light sources and filters, allowing for complex imaging tasks like fluorescence microscopy.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover general-purpose optical microscopes that lack the specific tag-based autofocus mechanism.",
    "Does not cover imaging systems that rely solely on software-based image analysis to find focus without physical tags on the substrate.",
    "Does not cover the chemical process of capturing cells themselves, only the imaging and focusing hardware/method."
  ],
  "filed": "2020-05-14",
  "granted": "2025-02-11",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Bio Rad Laboratories Inc",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/bio-rad-laboratories-inc",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Aaron Kehrer",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/aaron-kehrer"
    },
    {
      "name": "Saedeh Sepehri Javdani",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/saedeh-sepehri-javdani"
    },
    {
      "name": "Priyadarshini Gogoi",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/priyadarshini-gogoi"
    },
    {
      "name": "Christopher Siemer",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/christopher-siemer"
    },
    {
      "name": "Kyle Gleason",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/kyle-gleason"
    },
    {
      "name": "Kalyan Handique",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/kalyan-handique"
    },
    {
      "name": "Jon Meines",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/jon-meines"
    },
    {
      "name": "Gene Parunak",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/gene-parunak"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 0,
  "tags": [
    "biotech",
    "consumer_electronics",
    "mechanical"
  ],
  "abstract": "A system for imaging captured cells comprising: an illumination module configured to illuminate a target object; a platform configured to position the target object in relation to the illumination module; a filter module configured to filter light transmitted to the target object and/or to filter light received from the target object, an optical sensor configured to receive light from the target object and to generate image data; and a focusing and optics module configured to manipulate light transmitted to the optical sensor. The system can further comprise one or more of: a control system configured to control at least one of the illumination module, the platform, the focusing and optics module, the filter module, and the optical sensor; a tag identifying system configured to identify and communicate tag information from system elements; a thermal control module configured to adjust temperature parameters of the system; and an image stabilization module.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12222345/vertical-integration-at-starbase",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12222345/vertical-integration-at-starbase/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US12222345",
  "relatedPatents": []
}