Fiscal Year:
2001
Title:
Sub-Diffraction and Sub-Pixel Microscopic Deconvolution
Agency:
HHS
Contract:
N/A
Award Amount:
$102,294.00
Abstract:
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The resolving power of the computer- and
video-based light microscope is limited by two main factors. (1) It is limited
by the optical resolving power of the microscope, which is -0.25 micro meter
(2) It is limited by the pixel size. Resolving power of less than 0.2 micro
meter usually requires an electron microscope. Three dimensional imaging to
resolving powers of less than 0.2 micro meter requires either an intermediate
voltage electron microscope or a high voltage electron microscope (HVEM), both
of which are not readily available at most institutions. Live imaging is not
possible with any electron microscope. We propose a novel blind deconvolution
software algorithm that will commercially provide subpixel resolving power of
well under 0.2 micro meter for live fluorescence microscope imaging. The
software will be affordable to most biology laboratories and will run on the
Windows NT/98 platform. It will require no add-on equipment for the PC or the
microscope, which is a critical factor for acceptance by customers and
original-equipment-manufacturers through whom the software will be sold.
Algorithm research and test bed experimentation of the Phase 1 feasibility will
involve verification of subdiffraction 3D structure of the centrosome, a
fabricated test target and a computer simulation.
PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION:
Applications include 2D and 3D fluorescence microscopy (FM) and transmitted light
brightfield microscopy. Live FM will have a large scientific impact, since presently there
is no commercial means for resolving power under 0.2 micrometers. Market inquiries by
us indicate that on the order of 400 units per year should be sold by us and an aggregate
of at least 3 times this number should be sold by inevitable enduring competitors who will
develop competitive products after our product is introduced.
Principal Investigator:
Timothy J. Holmes
Small Business Information at Submission:
AUTOQUANT IMAGING, INC.
877 25TH ST WATERVLIET, NY 12189
EIN/Tax ID:
141772880
DUNS:
N/A
Number of Employees:
N/A
Woman-Owned:
No
Minority-Owned:
No
HUBZone-Owned:
No