Real-time, automated, multi-objective, Cloud Computing Whole Slide Imaging Device

We present a novel approach to Whole slide imaging that consists of a uniquely designed, Low-cost, single-unit-portable, optically isolated-dust free, onboard mini-computer integrated, fully enclosed Whole Slide Imaging scanner device that can be wirelessly controlled through an easy-to-use, intuitive user interface-application on an iPad. A LabVIEW-based control software interfaces with multiple hardware modules within the device using the Queued Message Handler (QMH) architecture optimized to handle synchronous and parallel real-time processes. The system scans an area of 15×15 mm 2 in ~5 minutes at a resolution of ~0.25μm with a 40x Objective Lens. With a low weight of 12kg, the enclosure dimensions being 340 × 265 × 300 mm, and its low cost of building the device makes it more portable and affordable to the intended rural and low-tier medical centers. The instrument incorporates features such as automatic slide loading, slide registration, Brightness control, Slide scanning, and an Autofocus algorithm implementing a unique "convolution-histogram mean value" method to determine the Z-focus map. The work showcases a shift in pre-processing computations to the cloud server and integrating AI/ML tools for advanced database and image processing techniques on a portable device. A non-medical application of studying plasma science using the instrument has also been presented, demonstrating its wider application in medical and non-medical fields.