Objective lens hood for living animal imaging

Abstract

The utility model provides an objective lens light shield for living animal imaging, which comprises a first light shield and a second light shield, the first light shield is arranged on an objective lens, and the window of the first light shield is larger than the lens diameter of the objective lens; the second light shield is arranged on an animal to be imaged, and a window of the second light shield is larger than an imaging part of the animal; the shape of one end of the first light shield away from the objective lens is matched with the shape of one end of the second light shield away from the to-be-imaged animal. According to the utility model, through cooperation of the two shading structures, external screen light cannot enter the objective lens, so that imaging quality is ensured, and the problems that screen light in imaging is collected through the objective lens and enters a microscope detector, image quality is affected and even the light intensity upper limit bearable by the detector is exceeded, and imaging quality is affected are solved. And normal imaging cannot be carried out.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of imaging devices, in particular to an objective lens light shield for imaging living animals. Background Art

[0002] The brain plays a vital role in life and is the most complex organ in living organisms. Therefore, studying brain function plays a crucial role in neurobiology. Currently, neurobiological research often uses animal models, such as mice and macaques. To study brain function in experimental animals, microscopic imaging of blood vessels or neurons within the animals' brains is often performed.

[0003] In microscopic imaging, two-photon microscopy, with its advantages of deep penetration and low scattering, allowing for deep-layer imaging, has become widely used in functional imaging of living animals. Before performing functional imaging of the brain of a living animal, a craniotomy is performed while the animal is anesthetized to expose the tissue to be imaged. A glass patch is attached to the exposed tissue, and then sealed with tissue glue. Dental cement is applied around the cranial window glass, and a head clamp, which will be used to secure the mouse's head for subsequent imaging, is attached to the mouse's head, with the cranial window located in the center of the head clamp.

[0004] In vivo brain imaging often requires visual stimulation or behavioral techniques like virtual reality to stimulate neurons in awake mice. These experiments require an additional computer screen to display different stimuli or virtual reality patterns in front of the mouse's eyes. This can cause light from the screen to pass through the objective lens and enter the microscope's detector, severely impacting image quality and even exceeding the detector's tolerance limit, preventing proper imaging.

[0005] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background technology section is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of the present invention and does not constitute any limitation to the present invention. Utility Model Content

[0006] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology mentioned above, the utility model provides an objective lens light shield for imaging living animals. Through the cooperation of the two-part light shielding structure, external screen light cannot enter the objective lens, thereby ensuring the imaging quality, and solving the problem that the screen light in the imaging will be collected through the objective lens and enter the microscope detector, affecting the image quality or even exceeding the upper limit of the light intensity that the detector can withstand, resulting in the inability to perform normal imaging.

[0007] The utility model provides an objective lens light shield for imaging living animals, comprising a first light shield and a second light shield, wherein the first light shield is mounted on the objective lens, and a window of the first light shield is larger than the lens diameter of the objective lens; the second light shield is mounted on the animal to be imaged, and a window of the second light shield is larger than the imaging part of the animal; wherein the shape of an end of the first light shield away from the objective lens matches the shape of an end of the second light shield away from the animal to be imaged.

[0008] In one embodiment, the first light shield includes a cylindrical section and a table section that are connected through each other. The inner diameter of the cylindrical section matches the outer diameter of the objective lens, and the shape of the table section matches the lens shape of the objective lens.

[0009] In one embodiment, the first light shield is sleeved on the outer shell of the objective lens through a cylindrical section.

[0010] In one embodiment, the second light shield is configured to be a through-tube shape and matches the shape of the tube segment.

[0011] In one embodiment, the upper end surface of the second light shield is larger than the lower end surface, and the inner diameter of the second light shield at its upper end surface is larger than the outer diameter of the window of the first light shield.

[0012] In one embodiment, a window of the second light shield is opened on the lower end surface thereof, and the window is larger than the imaging part of the animal.

[0013] In one embodiment, the diameter of the window of the second light shield is smaller than the inner diameter of the lower end surface thereof, and a cover body is formed at the edge of the lower end surface of the second light shield.

[0014] In one embodiment, the height of the second light shield is not less than the height of the middle tube section of the first light shield.

[0015] In one embodiment, an adhesive is applied between the window of the second light shield and the mounted animal imaging part.

[0016] In one embodiment, the first light shield and the second light shield are made of elastic light shielding material.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the present invention include: by installing two light shields on the objective lens and the living animal, respectively, interference caused by the movement of the living animal during installation of the objective lens light shield is reduced, and only the second light shield needs to be separately installed on the imaging part of the living animal, which facilitates operation. This optimizes the installation process of the objective lens light shield during live animal imaging, and ensures that the light shield on the head of the living animal can cover the light shield on the objective lens during imaging, preventing external screen light from entering the objective lens, thereby ensuring imaging quality and achieving the desired light shielding effect.

[0018] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification, illustrating embodiments of the present invention and, together with the specification, explaining the principles of the present invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention, and it is possible for a person of ordinary skill in the art to derive other drawings based on these drawings without inventive effort. In the accompanying drawings:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the objective lens hood of the utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the objective lens hood of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the dimensions of the first light shield in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the dimensions of the second light shield in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the dimensions of a matching objective lens for a two-photon microscope used in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 The figure is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an objective lens light shield used in conjunction with an objective lens in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] In the figure: 1, first light shield; 11, column section; 12, platform section; 2, second light shield. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following describes the embodiments of the present invention through specific examples. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification. The present invention can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments. The details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It should be noted that the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other unless there is a conflict. It should also be understood that the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are intended to describe specific embodiments, not to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] See also Figures 1 to 6. It should be noted that the structures, proportions, sizes, etc. illustrated in the drawings of this specification are only used to match the contents disclosed in the specification for people familiar with this technology to understand and read, and are not used to limit the limiting conditions for the implementation of this utility model. Therefore, they have no substantive technical significance. Any modification of the structure, change in the proportional relationship, or adjustment of the size should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed by this utility model without affecting the efficacy and purpose that can be achieved by this utility model. At the same time, the terms such as position and quantitative relationship quoted in this specification are only for the convenience of description, and are not used to limit the scope of the implementation of this utility model. Changes or adjustments in their relative relationships should also be regarded as the scope of the implementation of this utility model without substantially changing the technical content.

[0029] See also Figure 1 and Figure 6 The utility model provides an objective lens light shield for imaging living animals, comprising a first light shield 1 and a second light shield 2. The first light shield 1 is mounted on the objective lens, and a window of the first light shield 1 is larger than the lens diameter of the objective lens; the second light shield 2 is mounted on the animal to be imaged, and a window of the second light shield 2 is larger than the imaging part of the animal; wherein the shape of the end of the first light shield 1 away from the objective lens matches the shape of the end of the second light shield 2 away from the animal to be imaged.

[0030] Specifically, in an embodiment of the present invention, the two-photon microscope used for live animal imaging is equipped with different types of objective lenses, and the corresponding animal part, such as the head, for the live animal imaging experiment is placed in the lens of the objective lens for imaging observation. Among them, the windows of the first light shield 1 and the second light shield 2 are the lower end openings of the first light shield 1 and the second light shield 2, which are not marked in the accompanying drawings. By matching the shape of the first light shield 1 installed at the end of the objective lens with the shape of the second light shield 2 installed on the imaging animal, during the experiment, the first light shield 1 is installed on the objective lens, and the second light shield 2 is installed on the imaging part of the live animal, and then the second light shield 2 is aligned and close to the first light shield 1, completing the preparation work before the objective lens observation imaging.

[0031] In this way, by installing the two light shields on the objective lens and the living animal, respectively, interference caused by the movement of the living animal during the installation of the objective lens light shield can be reduced, and only the second light shield 2 needs to be separately installed on the imaging part of the living animal, which is convenient for operation. This optimizes the installation process of the objective lens light shield during the imaging of the living animal and ensures that the light shield on the head of the living animal can cover the light shield on the objective lens during imaging, achieving the desired light shielding effect.

[0032] In one embodiment, the first light shield 1 and the second light shield 2 are made of elastic light shielding material, such as black rubber, with a thickness of 1 mm and light shielding capability.

[0033] See also Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one embodiment, the first light shield 1 includes a cylindrical section 11 and a cylindrical section 12 that are interconnected. The inner diameter of the cylindrical section 11 matches the diameter of the objective lens housing, and the shape of the cylindrical section 12 matches the lens shape of the objective lens. Furthermore, the first light shield 1 is sleeved onto the objective lens housing via the cylindrical section. Furthermore, the second light shield 2 is configured as a continuous cylindrical section that matches the shape of the cylindrical section 12.

[0034] Specifically, the first light shield 1, also known as the objective lens end light shield, is divided into a cylindrical section 11 mounted on the objective lens housing and a cylindrical section 12 mounted on the objective lens. This ensures that the objective lens end light shield and the objective lens are properly matched, ensuring that the first light shield 1 provides a light-shielding effect in the area corresponding to the objective lens. Because the cylindrical section 11 of the first light shield 1 at the objective lens end is designed to the dimensions of the objective lens and is made of a flexible material, it can move up and down along the objective lens, ensuring that the first light shield 1 at the objective lens end and the second light shield 2 at the imaging site of the living animal fit tightly together to prevent light interference.

[0035] See also Figures 1 to 4 In one embodiment, the upper end surface of the second light shield 2 is larger than the lower end surface, and the inner diameter of the second light shield 2 at its upper end surface is larger than the outer diameter of the window of the first light shield 1. Furthermore, the window of the second light shield 2 is formed at its lower end surface and is larger than the imaging part of the animal. Furthermore, the diameter of the window of the second light shield 2 is smaller than the inner diameter of its lower end surface, and a shield body is formed at the edge of the lower end surface of the second light shield 2.

[0036] Specifically, by setting the diameter size of the upper end surface and the lower end surface of the second light shield 2, on the one hand, it is convenient to adapt to the imaging part of the living animal; on the other hand, it is convenient to adapt to the first light shield 1 at the objective end, ensuring the light shielding effect during the imaging of the living animal. Furthermore, the window in the second light shield 2 has a smaller inner diameter than its lower end surface, on the one hand, which is used to reduce the height of the second light shield 2 while meeting the shape of the stage tube section 12 in the first light shield 1; on the other hand, the cover body formed on the lower end surface can be used to increase the strength of the second light shield 2 (that is, the cover body of the lower end surface is located on the cross section of the second light shield 2, which has an increased structural surface compared to the separate conical surface in the second light shield 2), so as to maintain the structural stability of the second light shield 2 when installed on the living animal, so as to maintain the shape of the second light shield 2 and fit the first light shield 1.

[0037] In one embodiment, taking the Thorlabs TL10X-2P objective lens as an example, the process of selecting the light shield parameters may include the following. Figure 5For example, the objective lens used has a diameter of 38.1 mm and an end lens diameter of 13.6 mm. Referring to the objective lens size, the lower window shape of the first light shield 1 at the objective lens end is designed to be circular, and the design size is as follows: Figure 3 As shown, the inner diameter of the window can be 25 mm.

[0038] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4 In this embodiment, the inner diameter of the upper end surface of the second light shield 2 on the head of the living animal is 30mm, and the outer diameter of the lower window of the first light shield 1 on the objective lens end is 27mm. This ensures that the second light shield 2 on the head of the living animal can wrap around the first light shield 1 on the objective lens end during imaging, achieving the effect of light shielding. In this embodiment, the cranial window of the mouse head is a circular window with a diameter of 5mm. Figure 4 The window below the second light shield 2 on the head of the living animal is designed to be circular with an inner diameter of 6 mm, which is larger than the diameter of the cranial window.

[0039] See also Figures 1 to 4 and Figure 6 In one embodiment, the height of the second light shield 2 is no less than the height of the central cylindrical section 12 of the first light shield 1. Specifically, in this embodiment of the present invention, when the second light shield 2 is fixed to the head of a living animal, it is necessary to ensure that the entire cranial window of the animal is located within the head light shield, that is, the window below the second light shield 2. Because only tissue activity within the cranial window can be observed during imaging, when the second light shield 2 is fixed to the head of a mouse, the cranial window is preferably located in the center area of the window below the second light shield 2 on the head of the living animal.

[0040] More specifically, the overall height of the second light shield 2 on the head of a living animal should not be too high. During imaging, the imaging excitation light must be adjusted to the cranial window on the animal's head through the gap between the first light shield 1 at the objective end and the second light shield 2 on the head of the living animal. Precise location of the cranial window is required during imaging, requiring the aid of human visual observation. The height of the second light shield 2 on the head of a living animal can be designed to be 9 mm.

[0041] In one embodiment, an adhesive is applied between the window of the second light shield 2 and the mounted animal imaging part.

[0042] Specifically, the second light shield 2 on the head of the living animal needs to be fixed to the animal head patch before imaging. Glue or opaque plasticine can be used as an adhesive to ensure that light is not transmitted between the patch and the second light shield 2 on the head. In this embodiment, the mouse head patch can be made of stainless steel and opaque plasticine is used as the adhesive.

[0043] In summary, the present invention provides an objective lens hood for imaging living animals. By installing two hoods on the objective lens and the living animal, respectively, interference caused by the movement of the living animal during installation of the objective lens hood can be reduced. Furthermore, only the second hood needs to be separately assembled on the imaging area of the living animal, facilitating operation. This optimizes the installation process of the objective lens hood during live animal imaging and ensures that the hood on the head of the living animal can wrap around the hood on the objective lens during imaging, achieving the desired light-shielding effect.

[0044] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art may modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and technical principles disclosed in the present invention are intended to be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An objective lens hood for imaging living animals, characterized in that: include: A first light shield (1), the first light shield (1) is mounted on the objective lens, and a window of the first light shield (1) is larger than the lens diameter of the objective lens; as well as A second light shield (2), the second light shield (2) being mounted on the animal to be imaged, and a window of the second light shield (2) being larger than the imaging part of the animal; The shape of the first light shield (1) at one end away from the objective lens matches the shape of the second light shield (2) at one end away from the animal to be imaged.

2. The objective lens hood according to claim 1, wherein: The first light shield (1) comprises a cylindrical section (11) and a stage barrel section (12) which are connected through each other; the inner diameter of the cylindrical section (11) matches the outer diameter of the objective lens; and the shape of the stage barrel section (12) matches the lens shape of the objective lens.

3. The objective lens hood according to claim 2, wherein: The first light shield (1) is sleeved on the outer shell of the objective lens through the cylindrical section (11).

4. The objective lens hood according to claim 2, wherein: The second light shield (2) is configured as a through-type cylindrical shape, and matches the shape of the cylindrical section (12) in the first light shield (1).

5. The objective lens hood according to claim 4, wherein: The upper end surface of the second light shield (2) is larger than the lower end surface, and the inner diameter of the upper end surface of the second light shield (2) is larger than the outer diameter of the window of the first light shield (1).

6. The objective lens hood according to claim 5, wherein: The window of the second light shield (2) is opened on its lower end surface, and the window is larger than the imaging part of the animal.

7. The objective lens hood according to claim 6, wherein: The window diameter of the second light shield (2) is smaller than the inner diameter of its lower end surface, and a shield body is formed at the edge of the lower end surface of the second light shield (2).

8. The objective lens hood according to claim 4, wherein: The height of the second light shield (2) is not less than the height of the table cylinder section (12) in the first light shield (1).

9. The objective lens hood according to claim 1, wherein: An adhesive is applied between the window of the second light shield (2) and the mounted animal imaging part.

10. The objective lens hood according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The first light shield (1) and the second light shield (2) are made of elastic light shielding material.

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