Microporous three-dimensional microscopic imaging system and method based on gradient refractive index lens

Abstract

The invention discloses a gradient refractive index lens-based micropore three-dimensional microscopic imaging system and method, light emitted by a white light source passes through a series of elements in a device and then illuminates the inner wall of a micropore, and reflected light on the surface of the inner wall sequentially passes through a reflector, a gradient refractive index lens, an optical fiber image bundle and a dichroscope and then reaches a focusing lens; and the focusing lens converges the parallel light to the surface of the CCD for imaging. The micropore three-dimensional microscopic imaging measuring device has the advantages of small size, high resolution and in-situ imaging, and the scheme adopts the combination of the lens with the gradient refractive index NA equal to 0.5 and the reflecting prism to image a sample, so that the resolution is ensured, and the imaging precision is improved. The transverse working distance of the imaging system can be controlled by adjusting the distance between the gradient refractive index lens and the reflecting prism, so that the probe can carry out imaging detection in a hole with a smaller diameter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a miniaturized three-dimensional microscopic imaging system and method, and in particular to a micropore three-dimensional microscopic imaging system and method based on a gradient refractive index lens. Currently, the miniaturized three-dimensional microscopic imaging technology has the advantages of small size and large imaging field of view. By combining the core component gradient refractive index lens with the optical fiber image transmission bundle and changing the image transmission mode, the inner wall of the micropore can be detected. Background Art

[0002] The original intention of the miniaturized microscope (Miniscope) was to better image and observe the brain of freely moving mice. Since the invention of the optical microscope, the pursuit of multifunctional in vivo microscopes has been continuous. Living cell observations such as culture dishes are already very mature, but in vivo imaging of mammals still faces great challenges. Among mammalian species, mice are an excellent and tenacious genetic model for targeted manipulation of cell characteristics, but when using an optical microscope to observe their brains, their limbs and heads still need to be fixed, and the objective lens is fixed above the head for observation. This restriction on their normal behavior and activities will greatly affect the universality of obtaining information. The improvement of manufacturing technology is the most critical progress in miniaturized integration. The gradient refractive index lens (Grinlens) replaces the traditional objective lens, and the small-sized optical element replaces the conventional optical element. All optical elements are integrated in a 3D printed shell, and a miniaturized microscope that can be worn on the head came into being. However, its unique advantages have never been developed in the field of industrial 3D microscopic imaging detection. Miniscope is not only small in size, but also has micron-level resolution and millimeter-level field of view. Through adaptive improvements, it can be applied to industrial detection under special conditions. Summary of the invention

[0003] A brief overview of the present invention is provided below in order to provide a basic understanding of certain aspects of the present invention. It should be understood that this overview is not an exhaustive overview of the present invention. It is not intended to identify key or important parts of the present invention, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Its purpose is merely to present certain concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description discussed later.

[0004] In view of this, in order to overcome the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a micro-hole three-dimensional microscopic imaging system and method based on a gradient refractive index lens. By using a gradient refractive index lens instead of a single objective lens, the optical elements can be highly integrated while ensuring the resolution and field of view, thereby reducing the volume of the three-dimensional microscopic imaging system.

[0005] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] Solution 1: The present invention provides a micro-hole three-dimensional microscopic imaging system based on a gradient refractive index lens, characterized in that it includes an illumination module and a miniaturized imaging acquisition module;

[0007] The lighting module comprises, in order of light propagation direction: a white light source, a beam splitter, an optical fiber image transmission bundle, a gradient refractive index lens and a reflecting prism;

[0008] The miniaturized imaging acquisition module is composed of the following components in order according to the light propagation direction: the inner wall of the micropore sample, a reflection prism, a gradient refractive index lens, an optical fiber image transmission bundle, a beam splitter, a focusing lens and a CCD camera;

[0009] The inner wall of the microporous sample is arranged on the side of the gradient refractive index lens.

[0010] Furthermore: the white light source is integrated into the device and placed behind the optical fiber image transmission bundle, without occupying additional volume.

[0011] Furthermore: the size of the reflecting prism is 1mm×1mm×1mm, the diameter of the gradient refractive index lens is 1mm, and the diameter of the optical fiber image transmission bundle is 2mm.

[0012] Furthermore: the gradient refractive index lens has NA=0.5, f=5mm, and the reflecting prism is installed below the gradient refractive index lens. The detection light path is rotated 90°, and the spacing between the reflecting prism and the gradient refractive index lens is adjusted to change the lateral working distance.

[0013] Furthermore: the reflecting prism, gradient refractive index lens and optical fiber image transmission bundle are integrated in a housing with a diameter of 3 mm.

[0014] Furthermore: the optical fiber image transmission bundle is a flexible optical fiber, one end of which is fixed in the probe housing, and the other end is fixed outside the probe together with a beam splitter, a focusing lens, a CCD camera and a white light source.

[0015] Solution 2: A micro-hole three-dimensional microscopic imaging method based on a gradient refractive index lens proposed in the present invention is implemented based on any micro-hole three-dimensional microscopic imaging system based on a gradient refractive index lens described in Solution 1, and comprises the following steps:

[0016] Data collection steps:

[0017] Step a: The light emitted by the white light source passes through a series of optical elements to illuminate the inner wall of the microporous sample.

[0018] Step b, the reflected light emitted from the inner wall surface of the microporous sample is transmitted to the focusing lens after passing through the reflecting prism, the gradient refractive index lens, the optical fiber image transmission bundle and the beam splitter, and the parallel light is focused to the CCD camera through the focusing lens.

[0019] Step c: rotating the probe housing to perform 360° imaging detection on the inner wall of the microporous sample.

[0020] Further: In step c, the probe is fixed on a multi-axis robotic arm, which can realize lateral movement, axial movement and coaxial rotation.

[0021] Beneficial Effects

[0022] The present invention is based on miniaturized three-dimensional microscopic imaging technology and has the advantages of small size, large imaging field of view and high resolution. A reflecting prism is used to rotate the optical path by 90 degrees to achieve imaging observation of the inner wall of the hole at the minimum mechanical size. By changing the distance between the reflecting prism and the gradient refractive index lens, the actual lateral working distance can be changed to adapt to the detection of microholes of different sizes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a micro-hole three-dimensional microscopic imaging system based on a gradient refractive index lens of the present invention.

[0024] In the figure: 1 inner wall of micropore sample, 2 reflecting prism, 3 gradient refractive index lens, 4 optical fiber image transmission bundle, 5 outer shell, 6 beam splitter, 7 focusing lens, 8 CCD camera, 9 white light source. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the sake of clarity and conciseness, not all features of the actual implementation are described in the specification. However, it should be understood that many implementation-specific decisions must be made in the process of developing any such actual implementation in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as meeting those constraints related to the system and business, and these constraints may vary from implementation to implementation. In addition, it should be understood that although the development work may be very complex and time-consuming, it is only a routine task for those skilled in the art who benefit from the disclosure of the present invention.

[0026] It is also necessary to explain here that, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention due to unnecessary details, only the device structure and / or processing steps closely related to the scheme according to the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, while other details that are not closely related to the present invention are omitted.

[0027] Embodiment 1: As attached Figure 1 The embodiment shown provides a micro-hole three-dimensional microscopic imaging system based on a gradient refractive index lens, which is used to realize micro-hole inner wall detection.

[0028] A micro-aperture three-dimensional microscopic imaging system based on a gradient refractive index lens, comprising an illumination module and a miniaturized imaging acquisition module;

[0029] The lighting module is composed of a white light source 9, a beam splitter 6, an optical fiber image transmission bundle 4, a gradient refractive index lens 3 and a reflective prism 2 in order according to the light propagation direction;

[0030] The miniaturized imaging acquisition module is composed of the following components in order according to the light propagation direction: inner wall 1 of microporous sample, reflection prism 2, gradient refractive index lens 3, optical fiber image transmission bundle 4, beam splitter 6, focusing lens 7 and CCD camera 8;

[0031] A sample 6 to be measured is arranged below the gradient refractive index lens 5 .

[0032] More specifically: the white light source 9 is integrated into the device and placed behind the 4 optical fiber image transmission bundles, and does not occupy additional volume.

[0033] More specifically: the size of the reflecting prism 2 is 1mm×1mm×1mm, the diameter of the gradient refractive index lens 3 is 1mm, and the diameter of the optical fiber image transmission bundle 4 is 2mm.

[0034] More specifically: the gradient refractive index lens 3 has NA=0.5, f=5 mm, and the reflecting prism 2 is installed below the gradient refractive index lens 3. The detection light path is rotated 90°, and the spacing between the reflecting prism 2 and the gradient refractive index lens 3 is adjusted to change the lateral working distance.

[0035] More specifically: the reflecting prism 2, the gradient refractive index lens 3 and the optical fiber imaging bundle 4 are integrated in a housing with a diameter of 3 mm.

[0036] More specifically: the optical fiber image transmission bundle 4 is a flexible optical fiber, one end of which is fixed in the probe housing 5, and the other end is fixed outside the probe together with the beam splitter 6, focusing lens 7, CCD camera 8 and white light source 9.

[0037] A micro-hole three-dimensional microscopic imaging method based on a gradient refractive index lens, the method is implemented based on any micro-hole three-dimensional microscopic imaging system based on a gradient refractive index lens described in Example 1, comprising the following steps:

[0038] Data collection steps:

[0039] Step a: The light emitted by the white light source 9 passes through a series of optical elements to illuminate the inner wall 1 of the microporous sample.

[0040] Step b, the reflected light emitted from the surface of the inner wall 1 of the microporous sample is transmitted to the focusing lens 7 after passing through the reflecting prism 2, the gradient refractive index lens 3, the optical fiber image transmission bundle 4 and the beam splitter 6, and the parallel light is focused to the CCD camera 8 through the focusing lens 7.

[0041] Step c: rotating the probe housing 5 to perform 360° imaging detection on the inner wall 1 of the microporous sample.

[0042] More specifically: in step c, the probe is fixed on a multi-axis robotic arm, which can achieve lateral movement, axial movement and coaxial rotation.

[0043] Although the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are as above, the contents are only embodiments adopted for facilitating understanding of the technical solution of the present invention, and are not used to limit the present invention. Any technician in the technical field to which the present invention belongs can make any modifications and changes in the form and details of the implementation without departing from the core technical solution disclosed in the present invention, but the protection scope defined by the present invention shall still be subject to the scope defined in the attached claims.

Claims

1. A micro-hole three-dimensional microscopic imaging system based on a gradient refractive index lens, characterized in that: It includes an illumination module and a miniaturized imaging acquisition module; The lighting module comprises, in order according to the light propagation direction: a white light source (9), a beam splitter (6), an optical fiber image transmission bundle (4), a gradient refractive index lens (3) and a reflecting prism (2); The miniaturized imaging acquisition module comprises, in order according to the light propagation direction: the inner wall of the microporous sample (1), a reflection prism (2), a gradient refractive index lens (3), an optical fiber image transmission bundle (4), a beam splitter (6), a focusing lens (7) and a CCD camera (8); The inner wall (1) of the microporous sample is arranged on the side of the gradient refractive index lens (5).

2. The micro-hole three-dimensional microscopic imaging system based on a gradient refractive index lens according to claim 1, characterized in that: The white light source (9) is integrated into the device and placed behind the optical fiber image transmission bundle (4), and does not occupy additional volume.

3. The micro-hole three-dimensional microscopic imaging system based on a gradient refractive index lens according to claim 1, characterized in that: The size of the reflection prism (2) is 1mm×1mm×1mm, the diameter of the gradient refractive index lens (3) is 1mm, and the diameter of the optical fiber image transmission bundle (4) is 2mm.

4. The micro-hole three-dimensional microscopic imaging system based on a gradient refractive index lens according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gradient refractive index lens (3) has NA=0.5 and f=5 mm. The reflecting prism (2) is installed below the gradient refractive index lens (3). The lateral working distance can be changed by rotating the detection light path by 90° and adjusting the spacing between the reflecting prism (2) and the gradient refractive index lens (3).

5. The micro-hole three-dimensional microscopic imaging system based on a gradient refractive index lens according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reflecting prism (2), the gradient refractive index lens (3) and the optical fiber image transmission bundle (4) are integrated in a housing (5) with a diameter of 3 mm.

6. The micro-hole three-dimensional microscopic imaging system based on a gradient refractive index lens according to claim 1, characterized in that: The optical fiber image transmission bundle (4) is a flexible optical fiber, one end of which is fixed in the probe housing (5), and the other end is fixed outside the probe together with a beam splitter (6), a focusing lens (7), a CCD camera (8) and a white light source (9).

7. A micro-hole three-dimensional microscopic imaging method based on a gradient refractive index lens, the method being implemented based on the micro-hole three-dimensional microscopic imaging system based on a gradient refractive index lens as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Data collection steps: Step a: light emitted by a white light source (9) passes through a series of optical elements to illuminate the inner wall (1) of the microporous sample. Step b, the reflected light emitted from the surface of the inner wall (1) of the microporous sample is transmitted to the focusing lens (7) after passing through the reflecting prism (2), the gradient refractive index lens (3), the optical fiber image transmission bundle (4) and the beam splitter (6), and the parallel light is focused to the CCD camera (8) through the focusing lens (7). Step c: rotating the probe housing (5) to perform 360° imaging detection on the inner wall (1) of the microporous sample.

8. The micro-hole three-dimensional microscopic imaging method based on a gradient refractive index lens according to claim 7, characterized in that: In the step c, the probe is fixed on a multi-axis robotic arm, which can realize lateral movement, axial movement and coaxial rotation.

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