High-speed Focusing of Cells using Depth-from-diffraction Method

— This paper proposes a new autofocusing method for microbiological specimens, such as cells. The proposed focusing method used a quick focus estimation named “depth from diffraction”, based on a diffraction pattern in a defocused image of a biological specimen. Since this method can estimate the focal position of the specimen from only a single defocused image, it can easily realize high-speed autofocusing. To demonstrate the proposed method, continuous focusing was applied to focus tracking of a swimming paramecium, in combination with twodimensional tracking. This allowed three-dimensional tracking of the paramecium for 75 s to be successfully demonstrated.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2006
• Where: ICRA
• Authors: Hiromasa Oku, Koichi Hashimoto, Masatoshi Ishikawa
• Keywords: Defocused Image, ICRA 2006, Quick Focus Estimation, Robotics, Single Defocused Image