Fluorescence imaging illumination light path and imaging system

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of fluorescence imaging detection, and provides a fluorescence imaging illumination light path and an imaging system.The fluorescence imaging illumination light path at least comprises a beam expanding lens; the collimating lens is arranged at the downstream of the beam expanding lens; the reflecting mirror is arranged at the downstream of the collimating lens, and the beam expanding lens, the collimating lens and the reflecting mirror are located on the first light path; the dichroscope is arranged at the downstream of the reflecting mirror, and the reflecting mirror and the dichroscope are located on a second light path perpendicular to the first light path; and the aspherical lens is arranged at the downstream of the dichroscope, and the dichroscope and the aspherical lens are positioned on a third light path which is vertical to the second light path and parallel to the first light path. According to the fluorescence imaging illumination light path, homogenization of light spots can be completed only through the beam expanding lens, the collimating lens and the aspherical lens, and cost reduction is facilitated; moreover, after the light in the first light path is reflected by the reflector and the dichroscope, stray light of the third light path can be inhibited, and the uniformity of light spots is further improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fluorescence imaging detection, and in particular to a fluorescence imaging illumination light path and an imaging system. Background Art

[0002] In the design and optimization of fluorescence imaging detection systems, image quality directly impacts the system's detection efficiency and data analysis reliability. High-quality fluorescence imaging not only generates image data with high spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio, but also facilitates the establishment of accurate data analysis models, providing a scientific basis for subsequent biomarker identification and dynamic detection. However, existing fluorescence imaging systems are susceptible to interference from stray light, resulting in uneven illumination of the light spot. Improving light spot uniformity requires the use of numerous lenses to modulate the optical path, resulting in high costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the present invention aims to solve the problem that the fluorescence imaging system in the prior art is easily interfered by stray light, resulting in uneven illumination of the light spot. In order to improve the uniformity of the light spot, a large number of lenses need to be used to modulate the light path, resulting in high costs, thereby providing a fluorescence imaging illumination light path and imaging system.

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solutions of the present invention are as follows:

[0005] On the one hand, the present invention provides a fluorescence imaging illumination optical path, which at least includes: a beam expander lens, suitable for being arranged downstream of a light source; a collimating lens, arranged downstream of the beam expander lens; a reflector, arranged downstream of the collimating lens, and the beam expander lens, the collimating lens and the reflector are located on a first optical path; a dichroic mirror, arranged downstream of the reflector, and the reflector and the dichroic mirror are located on a second optical path perpendicular to the first optical path; an aspheric lens, arranged downstream of the dichroic mirror, and the dichroic mirror and the aspheric lens are located on a third optical path perpendicular to the second optical path and parallel to the first optical path.

[0006] Furthermore, the thickness of the beam expander lens is the same as that of the collimating lens; the distance between the beam expander lens and the light source is smaller than the thickness of the beam expander lens; and the distance between the beam expander lens and the collimating lens is smaller than the thickness of the beam expander lens.

[0007] Furthermore, the materials of the beam expander lens and the collimator lens are both H-K9L optical glass.

[0008] Furthermore, when the thickness of the aspheric lens is 14 mm, the curvature radius of the surface of the aspheric lens facing the dichroic mirror is 9.01 mm, and the conic coefficient is -0.7; the curvature radius of the surface of the aspheric lens facing away from the dichroic mirror is -56.63 mm.

[0009] Furthermore, the material of the aspheric lens is H-K51 optical glass.

[0010] Furthermore, the mirror surfaces of the reflector and the dichroic mirror are arranged parallel to each other.

[0011] Furthermore, the angle between the reflector and the second optical path is 45°.

[0012] Furthermore, the fluorescence imaging illumination light path further includes a diaphragm located on the second light path, and the diaphragm is located between the reflector and the dichroic mirror.

[0013] On the other hand, the present invention further provides an imaging system comprising any one of the fluorescence imaging illumination light paths described above.

[0014] Furthermore, the imaging system also includes: a light source, located on the first optical path and arranged upstream of the beam expander lens; a projection surface, located on the third optical path and arranged on the side of the aspheric lens away from the dichroic mirror; and an sCOMS camera, located on the third optical path and arranged on the side of the dichroic mirror away from the aspheric lens.

[0015] The technical solution of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0016] The fluorescence imaging illumination optical path provided by the present invention can achieve homogenization of the light spot only through a beam expander lens, a collimating lens, and an aspheric lens, which is beneficial to reducing costs. Moreover, after the light in the first optical path is reflected by a reflector and a dichroic mirror, the stray light in the third optical path can be suppressed, further improving the uniformity of the light spot. Moreover, the use of a reflector and a dichroic mirror can also reduce the spatial size of the optical path, realize a miniaturized design of the structure, and reduce costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the specific embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0018] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the fluorescence imaging illumination light path in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of an aspheric lens in a fluorescence imaging illumination light path in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3is a cross-sectional view of an aspheric lens in a fluorescence imaging illumination light path in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a first light path in a fluorescence imaging illumination light path in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a third light path in the fluorescence imaging illumination light path in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of simulation data of relative illumination of a light spot in the X direction using the fluorescence imaging illumination light path according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of simulation data of relative illumination of a light spot in the Y direction in a fluorescence imaging illumination light path according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Description of reference numerals:

[0026] 1. Light source; 2. Beam expander lens; 3. Collimating lens; 4. Reflector; 5. Aperture; 6. Dichroic mirror; 7. Aspheric lens; 8. Projection surface; 9. sCMOS camera; 10. First optical path; 11. Second optical path; 12. Third optical path. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the embodiments described are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely to facilitate and simplify the description of the present invention. They are not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0029] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed, detachable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; direct or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0030] In addition, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0031] like Figure 1 、 Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 As shown, this embodiment provides a fluorescence imaging illumination optical path, which at least includes: a beam expander lens 2, which is suitable for being arranged downstream of a light source 1. For example, one side of the beam expander lens 2 can be concave and the other side can be convex. When in use, the concave side of the beam expander lens 2 is arranged toward the light source 1; a collimator lens 3, which is arranged downstream of the beam expander lens 2. For example, the collimator lens 3 can be a lens with convex surfaces on both sides. When in use, the light from the light source 1 passes through the beam expander lens 2 and the collimator lens 3 to magnify the illumination area. A reflector 4 is arranged downstream of the collimator lens 3, and the beam expander lens 2, the collimator lens 3, and the reflector 4 are located on a first optical path 10. For example, the mirror surface of the reflector 4 can be flat. When the reflector 4 is in operation, most of the light in the first optical path 10 can be reflected by the reflector 4 and then directed toward the dichroic mirror 6, while a portion of the stray light will not reach the dichroic mirror 6, thereby achieving the suppression of stray light in the first optical path 10. A dichroic mirror 6 is disposed downstream of the reflector 4, and the reflector 4 and the dichroic mirror 6 are located on a second optical path 11 perpendicular to the first optical path 10. The dichroic mirror 6 can reflect light from the reflector 4 toward the aspheric lens 7. Simultaneously, light in the third optical path 12 can also pass through the dichroic mirror 6 after traveling in the reverse direction from the aspheric lens 7. When the dichroic mirror 6 is in operation, most of the light in the second optical path 11 can be reflected by the dichroic mirror 6 and directed toward the aspheric lens 7, while a portion of stray light will not reach the aspheric lens 7, thereby suppressing stray light in the second optical path 11. The aspheric lens 7 is arranged downstream of the dichroic mirror 6, and is located on a third optical path 12 perpendicular to the second optical path 11 and parallel to the first optical path 10 together with the dichroic mirror 6 and the aspheric lens 7. For example, both surfaces of the aspheric lens 7 can be convex. On the third optical path 12, the aspheric lens 7 can perform multi-level refraction on the light reflected from the dichroic mirror 6, thereby redistributing and homogenizing the light beam intensity on the projection surface 8, thereby achieving homogenization of the light spot.

[0032] The fluorescence imaging illumination optical path provided in this embodiment can achieve uniformity of the light spot only through the beam expander lens 2, the collimating lens 3, and the aspheric lens 7, which is beneficial to reducing costs. Moreover, after the light in the first optical path 10 is reflected by the reflector 4 and the dichroic mirror 6, the stray light in the third optical path 12 can be suppressed, further improving the uniformity of the light spot. Moreover, the use of the reflector 4 and the dichroic mirror 6 can also reduce the spatial size of the optical path, realize the miniaturized design of the structure, and reduce costs.

[0033] The beam expander lens 2 and the collimator lens 3 have the same thickness; the spacing between the beam expander lens 2 and the light source 1 is smaller than the thickness of the beam expander lens 2; and the spacing between the beam expander lens 2 and the collimator lens 3 is smaller than the thickness of the beam expander lens 2. For example, the thickness of both the beam expander lens 2 and the collimator lens 3 can be 6 mm, the spacing between the beam expander lens 2 and the collimator lens 3 can be 5.5 mm, and the spacing between the beam expander lens 2 and the light source 1 can be 4.8 mm. During use, the concave surface of the beam expander lens 2 faces the light source 1, and the convex surface of the beam expander lens 2 faces the collimator lens 3. For example, the radius of curvature of the concave surface of the beam expander lens 2 can be -29.08 mm, and the radius of curvature of the convex surface of the beam expander lens 2 can be -8.79 mm. For example, if both surfaces of the collimator lens 3 are convex, the radius of curvature of the side of the collimator lens 3 closest to the beam expander lens 2 can be 41.55 mm, and the radius of curvature of the side of the collimator lens 3 away from the beam expander lens 2 can be -22.14 mm. The distance between the collimating lens 3 and the reflector 4 can be 50 mm. For example, the maximum diameters of the beam expander lens 2 and the collimating lens 3 can both be 20 mm. For example, the distance between the centers of the collimating lens 3 and the reflector 4 can be 25 mm.

[0034] The beam expander lens 2 and the collimator lens 3 are both made of H-K9L optical glass. The refractive index of the beam expander lens 2 and the collimator lens 3 made of this material is conducive to improving the homogenization effect of the light spot.

[0035] like Figure 2 、 Figure 3 As shown, when the thickness of the aspheric lens 7 is 14 mm, the curvature radius of the surface of the aspheric lens 7 facing the dichroic mirror 6 is 9.01 mm, and the conic coefficient is -0.7; the curvature radius of the surface of the aspheric lens 7 facing away from the dichroic mirror 6 is -56.63 mm. For example, the maximum diameter of the aspheric lens 7 can be 25.4 mm.

[0036] The aspheric lens 7 is made of H-K51 optical glass. The refractive index of the aspheric lens 7 made of this material is conducive to improving the homogenization effect of the light spot.

[0037] The mirror surfaces of the reflector 4 and the dichroic mirror 6 are arranged parallel to each other. For example, the angle between the reflector 4 and the second optical path 11 is 45°.

[0038] The fluorescence imaging illumination optical path further includes an aperture 5 located on the second optical path 11 and between the reflector 4 and the dichroic mirror 6. This arrangement allows the aperture 5 to change the shape of the light spot of the light in the second optical path 11 after it passes through the aperture 5 to adapt to the imaging target. For example, the aperture 5 can be square to change the shape of the light spot.

[0039] The minimum spacing between the non-curved lens and the aperture 5 can be 33 mm. For example, the spacing between the aperture 5 and the center of the dichroic mirror 6 can be 21.08 mm, and the spacing between the aperture 5 and the center of the reflector 4 can be 24.5 mm. For example, the spacing between the aspherical lens 7 and the dichroic mirror 6 can be 11.92 mm. For example, the minimum spacing between the aspherical lens 7 and the projection surface 8 can be 17.21 mm.

[0040] On the other hand, the present invention further provides an imaging system comprising any one of the fluorescence imaging illumination light paths described above.

[0041] In which, the imaging system also includes: a light source 1, located on the first optical path 10, and arranged upstream of the beam expander lens 2; a projection surface 8, located on the third optical path 12, and arranged on the side of the aspheric lens 7 away from the dichroic mirror 6; an sCOMS camera 9, located on the third optical path 12, and arranged on the side of the dichroic mirror 6 away from the aspheric lens 7.

[0042] When in use, the light from the light source 1 passes through the beam expander lens 2 and the collimator lens 3 to enlarge the irradiation area. The light is redirected by the reflector 4 and reaches the aperture 5. After the aperture 5 changes the shape of the light spot, it reaches the dichroic mirror 6. After that, it is redirected by the dichroic mirror 6 and reaches the aspheric lens 7. After that, the light is emitted from the aspheric lens 7 and reaches the projection surface 8. After being reflected by the projection surface 8, the light passes through the aspheric lens 7 and the dichroic mirror 6, and is finally captured by the sCMOS camera 9. Figure 6 、 Figure 7 As shown, the simulation results show that the relative illumination of the light spot in the X and Y directions is above 96%.

[0043] In summary, the fluorescence imaging illumination optical path and imaging system in this application utilizes an asymmetric structural design, reducing structural volume. Improved light spot uniformity across the illuminated area is achieved through the use of only three lens groups, simplifying the optical path design and enabling a miniaturized optical path structure. The optical path passes through a set of reflectors 4, significantly reducing the impact of stray light on fluorescence imaging and improving light spot uniformity.

[0044] The fluorescence imaging illumination optical path and imaging system in this application solve the problem of local contrast differences in the collected image caused by uneven illumination of the imaging spot in the fluorescence imaging detection experiment, and provide an ideal solution for ensuring the reliability of the analysis of fluorescence imaging detection results.

[0045] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely examples for clarity of explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation methods. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other variations or modifications based on the above descriptions are possible. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all implementation methods here. Obvious variations or modifications arising therefrom remain within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fluorescence imaging illumination light path, characterized in that: At least: a beam expander lens (2) adapted to be arranged downstream of the light source (1); a collimating lens (3) disposed downstream of the beam expanding lens (2); A reflector (4) is arranged downstream of the collimating lens (3), and the beam expander lens (2), the collimating lens (3) and the reflector (4) are located on a first optical path (10); a dichroic mirror (6) disposed downstream of the reflector (4), and the reflector (4) and the dichroic mirror (6) are located on a second optical path (11) perpendicular to the first optical path (10); An aspheric lens (7) is arranged downstream of the dichroic mirror (6), and is located on a third optical path (12) perpendicular to the second optical path (11) and parallel to the first optical path (10) together with the dichroic mirror (6) and the aspheric lens (7).

2. The fluorescence imaging illumination optical path according to claim 1, characterized in that: The beam expander lens (2) and the collimator lens (3) have the same thickness; The distance between the beam expanding lens (2) and the light source (1) is smaller than the thickness of the beam expanding lens (2); The distance between the beam expanding lens (2) and the collimating lens (3) is smaller than the thickness of the beam expanding lens (2).

3. The fluorescence imaging illumination optical path according to claim 1, characterized in that: The materials of the beam expanding lens (2) and the collimating lens (3) are both H-K9L optical glass.

4. The fluorescence imaging illumination optical path according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the thickness of the aspheric lens (7) is 14 mm, the curvature radius of the side of the aspheric lens (7) facing the dichroic mirror (6) is 9.01 mm, and the conic coefficient is -0.7; the curvature radius of the side of the aspheric lens (7) facing away from the dichroic mirror (6) is -56.63 mm.

5. The fluorescence imaging illumination optical path according to claim 4, characterized in that: The material of the aspheric lens (7) is H-K51 optical glass.

6. The fluorescence imaging illumination optical path according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mirror surfaces of the reflector (4) and the dichroic mirror (6) are arranged parallel to each other.

7. The fluorescence imaging illumination optical path according to claim 6, characterized in that: The angle between the reflector (4) and the second optical path (11) is 45°.

8. The fluorescence imaging illumination optical path according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a stop (5) located on the second optical path (11), and the stop (5) is located between the reflector (4) and the dichroic mirror (6).

9. An imaging system, characterized in that: The fluorescent imaging illumination light path comprises the fluorescent imaging illumination light path according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The imaging system according to claim 9, wherein: Also includes: A light source (1) is located on the first optical path (10) and is arranged upstream of the beam expander lens (2); A projection surface (8) is located on the third optical path (12) and is arranged on a side of the aspheric lens (7) away from the dichroic mirror (6); A sCMOS camera (9) is located on the third optical path (12) and is arranged on a side of the dichroic mirror (6) away from the aspheric lens (7).

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