Window plate and microscopic imaging system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a window sheet and a microscopic imaging system. The window sheet comprises a transparent slide and an immersion medium, the immersion medium is arranged on one side, far away from a sample to be observed, of the transparent slide, and the immersion medium is made of silica gel. The window sheet is arranged in the microscopic imaging system provided by the utility model, and the silica gel which is matched with the refractive index of the biological tissue and is in a non-fluid state is adopted as an immersion medium in the window sheet, so that the window sheet can be suitable for living body examination, and a very good in-vivo imaging effect and product use experience are obtained.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to optical imaging technical field, especially a kind of window sheet, and a kind of microimaging system provided with the window sheet. BACKGROUND

[0002] Microscope objective (hereinafter referred to as objective) is one of the core components of microimaging system. Among them, Numerical Aperture (NA) is one of the key indicators of objective, describes the ability of objective converging light and collecting light, and its mathematical expression is as follows:

[0003] NA=n×sinα

[0004] Wherein, n is the refractive index of object-side immersion medium, and α is object-side aperture angle.

[0005] Common immersion medium has air (n=1.00), water (n=1.33~1.34), oil (n=1.5~1.6) and other fluid-like medium. The higher the refractive index of immersion medium, the larger the numerical aperture, and accordingly, the higher the theoretical resolution of objective, and the stronger the ability of collecting light. However, there are various aberrations in actual imaging system, especially for the objective with high NA and in-vivo imaging demand, refractive index mismatch will bring significant spherical aberration, so simply increasing the refractive index of immersion medium does not always bring the improvement of imaging effect, and it is crucial to maintain refractive index matching in focusing process to maintain imaging quality. Therefore, in order to achieve the best imaging effect, the immersion medium of objective needs to be selected according to the actual refractive index of the sample to be observed.

[0006] For biological imaging, the sample to be observed is biological tissue. The main components of biological tissue are water, protein, lipid and other complex compounds with anisotropic microstructure, and its refractive index is usually described by a statistical average value. The larger the proportion of a certain component, the closer the refractive index to the component. The average refractive index of biological tissue composed of a large number of living cells is usually around 1.40, for example, when the wavelength is in the visible light to near infrared band, the refractive index of skin epidermis is 1.39~1.43, therefore, water lens (objective with water as immersion medium) or oil lens (objective with ordinary mineral oil as immersion medium) is not the best imaging medium scheme.

[0007] On the other hand, in-vivo microimaging technology mainly images various parts of living body. Since the objective is not always vertical downward when imaging living body, but can be in any posture, if liquid substance is used as immersion medium, the fluidity of liquid may limit the application scene, and even affect the imaging quality. UTILITY MODEL CONTENT

[0008] Therefore, the utility model discloses a window piece and a microscopic imaging system provided with the window piece, the window piece uses the silicon gel in non-fluid state as the immersion medium, matches the refractive index of biological tissue, can be applicable to live body inspection, obtains very good imaging effect and product use experience.

[0009] To achieve the above object, the utility model provides the following technical scheme.

[0010] A window piece, comprising a transparent slide and an immersion medium, wherein:

[0011] The transparent slide is provided with the immersion medium on the side far from the sample to be observed.

[0012] The material of the immersion medium comprises silicon gel.

[0013] Optionally, in the above window piece, the immersion medium is bonded with the transparent slide.

[0014] Optionally, in the above window piece, the thickness of the immersion medium gradually decreases from the center area to the periphery.

[0015] Optionally, in the above window piece, the outer contour of the immersion medium in the cross section perpendicular to the transparent slide is a curve.

[0016] Optionally, in the above window piece, the material of the transparent slide comprises any one of glass, quartz, sapphire and organic glass.

[0017] Optionally, in the above window piece, further comprising a support for mounting the transparent slide.

[0018] Optionally, in the above window piece, the support is provided with a light transmission hole.

[0019] The transparent slide is located in the light transmission hole and fixedly connected with the support, and the outer side surface of the transparent slide can contact the sample to be observed.

[0020] The immersion medium is located on the inner side surface of the transparent slide.

[0021] Optionally, in the above window piece, the support can be sleeved on the outer side of the bottom end of the objective lens, and has a gap distance greater than zero between the bottom end side wall of the objective lens.

[0022] A microscopic imaging system provided with the above window piece.

[0023] Optionally, in the above microscopic imaging system, further comprising:

[0024] A housing, the transparent slide is connected with the housing; the housing is a closed housing, or the housing is an open housing.

[0025] An objective lens is movably arranged in the housing, or the objective lens is fixedly arranged in the housing.

[0026] From the above technical solution can be seen, the utility model provides a micro imaging system and its window piece, adopt non fluid state's silica gel as the immersed medium. Compared with the scheme of using gaseous immersed medium (air), liquid immersed medium (water, oil, silicon oil), the utility model adopts silica gel as the immersed medium, has the advantages such as not volatile, not flow, chemical inertness, wide temperature range of use, long life. Moreover, since silica gel is a kind of in near ultraviolet to near infrared waveband colorless, transparent, high elasticity, high viscosity, has the self-recovery characteristic solid silicon glue, its refractive index is 1.407 at 780nm waveband, therefore, the utility model provides the window piece and micro imaging system of adopting silica gel as the immersed medium, the advantage still lies in, not only the form of its immersed medium is non fluid, and its immersed medium refractive index (1.39~1.4) and the refractive index of biological tissue (for example, the refractive index of skin epidermis is 1.39~1.43) match, can be applicable to live body examination, obtains very good imaging effect and product use experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical scheme in the embodiments of the utility model or prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiment or prior art description, obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the utility model, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can also be obtained according to these drawings without creative labor.

[0028] Figure 1 The half sectional view of the window piece provided by the embodiments of the utility model is shown in the figure.

[0029] Figure 2 The structure schematic view when the objective lens body of the embodiments of the utility model gradually approaches the window piece is shown in the figure.

[0030] Figure 3 The structure schematic view when the objective lens body of the embodiments of the utility model just contacts silica gel is shown in the figure.

[0031] Figure 4 And Figure 5 The structure schematic view when the objective lens body of the embodiments of the utility model extrudes silica gel is shown in the figure.

[0032] Figure 6 The structure schematic view of the micro imaging device provided by the embodiments of the utility model is shown in the figure.

[0033] Among them:

[0034] 1 - support, 2 - transparent slide, 3 - immersion medium, 4 - sample to be observed, 5 - objective, 6 - housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The utility model discloses a window piece and a microscopic imaging system provided with the window piece, the window piece uses the silicon gel of non -fluid state as the immersion medium, and the refractive index is matched with biological tissue (for example human skin tissue), can be applicable to live examination, obtains very good imaging effect and product use experience.

[0036] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the utility model and not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the utility model, all other embodiments obtained by the person skilled in the art without creative labor belong to the protection scope of the utility model.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 1 The window piece provided by the embodiments of the utility model comprises a transparent slide 2 and an immersion medium 3, wherein: the immersion medium 3 is arranged on the side, away from a sample to be observed 4, of the transparent slide 2; the material of the immersion medium 3 comprises silicon gel; the silicon gel is fixed on the surface of the transparent slide 2 and is a solid transparent state with elasticity, non-fluidity and maintenance-free; and the silicon gel has a specific volume and shape in a natural state. Specifically, the silicon gel as the immersion medium 3 is a solid with good elasticity and similar to rubber, without fluidity, and with self-recovery characteristics.

[0038] Compared with the scheme using gaseous immersion medium (air), liquid immersion medium (water, oil, silicone oil) and other fluid media, the window piece provided by the embodiments of the utility model has the advantages of non-volatility, non-flowing, chemical inertness, wide use temperature range, long service life and the like. Moreover, the silicon gel is a colorless, transparent, high-elasticity, high-viscosity, self-recovery solid silicone gel in the near-ultraviolet to near-infrared band, and its refractive index is 1.407 at the 780nm band. Therefore, the window piece provided by the embodiments of the utility model has the advantages that not only the form of the immersion medium 3 is non-fluid, but also the refractive index (1.39-1.4) of the immersion medium matches the refractive index of biological tissue (for example, the refractive index of the skin epidermis is 1.39-1.43), and the window piece can be applied to the microscopic imaging system with live examination requirements, to obtain very good imaging effect and product use experience.

[0039] In specific implementation, for example, Figures 2 to 5As shown, the window sheet is located between the objective lens 5 of the microscopic imaging system and the sample 4 to be observed, and the sample 4 is close to the lower surface of the transparent slide 2. When the sample is observed by using the microscopic imaging system and the above-mentioned window sheet, first, the objective lens 5 is gradually close to the window sheet (see Figure 2 ); the bottom end of the objective lens 5 is in contact with the immersion medium 3, at this time, the imaging focal plane is located inside the immersion medium 3 or the transparent slide 2 (see Figure 3 ); the objective lens 5 continues to move to the position of the sample 4, the imaging focal plane reaches the interface between the transparent slide 2 and the sample 4, and in this process, the immersion medium 3 is deformed due to extrusion (see Figure 4 ); as the objective lens 5 continues to move, the immersion medium 3 cannot be extruded when it reaches the maximum designed deformation, and the imaging focal plane reaches the maximum designed imaging depth (see Figure 5 ).

[0040] In the above process, the immersion medium 3 gradually deforms under the compression of the objective lens 5, so as to change the relative position between the focal plane and the window sheet and the sample. In the process of gradually being compressed, the thickness of the immersion medium 3 is reduced, the cross-sectional diameter is increased, and the total volume is basically unchanged. When the objective lens 5 is relatively small range of three-axis translation relative to the window sheet during the observation, the immersion medium 3 can keep the gap between the transparent slide 2 and the objective lens 5 filled by virtue of its inherent viscosity and elasticity.

[0041] Specifically, the transparent slide 2 is a cover glass for biological imaging made of glass, quartz, sapphire, organic glass or any other material. The immersion medium 3 is adhered to one side of the transparent slide 2 by its own viscosity, or in other specific embodiments, the immersion medium 3 can be fixed on the transparent slide 2 by other adhesives or other ways.

[0042] In the preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , in the natural state, the immersion medium 3 is fixed on the surface of the transparent slide 2 to form a smooth convex shape, and the thickness gradually decreases from the center to the periphery (i.e. h1>h2>h3 in Figure 1 ). Moreover, the outer contour of the immersion medium 3 in the cross section perpendicular to the transparent slide 2 is generally a curve, similar to a Gaussian line type. However, it is not limited thereto, and in other embodiments, the shape of the immersion medium 3 can also be set as a regular frustum structure, a trapezoidal block structure, a hemispherical structure or other structures. The present application does not make specific limitations thereon.

[0043] Further, the above-mentioned window sheet is also provided with a support 1, and the function of the support 1 is mainly to install the transparent slide 2 to fix the transparent slide 2 at the observation position below the objective lens 5 of the imaging system, and to play a role of positioning and fixed connection. For example, as shown in Figure 6As shown in the figure, the transparent slide 2 is fixed to the bottom of the housing 6 by the bracket 1; the imaging system and its bottom objective 5 are located in the housing 6 and can be axially translated or three-axially translated in the housing 6 to adjust the imaging position. It should be noted that the transparent slide 2 is fixed to the bottom of the housing 6 by the bracket 1, which means that the transparent slide 2 can be fixed to the bottom of the housing 6 by the bracket 1 and cannot be moved, and if it is necessary to adjust or maintain or replace the window piece, the transparent slide 2 can be detached from the bracket 1, or the bracket 1 can be detached from the housing 6, or the distance between the transparent slide 2 and the housing 6 can be adjusted by the bracket 1.

[0044] Specifically, the bracket 1 is provided with a light transmission hole, and the immersion medium 3 and the transparent slide 2 are located on the axis of the light transmission hole, and the transparent slide 2 is fixedly connected with the bracket 1. For example, as shown in the figure, Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the bracket 1 is provided with a light transmission hole, and the immersion medium 3 and the transparent slide 2 are located on the axis of the light transmission hole, and the transparent slide 2 is fixedly connected with the bracket 1. For example, as shown in the figure,

[0045] Specifically, as shown in the figure, Figures 2 to 6 As shown in the figure, the transparent slide 2 is installed in the center area of the bottom plate of the bracket 1, and the annular side wall of the bracket 1 is sleeved outside the bottom end of the objective 5, and the objective 5 can be lifted, translated or operated in the bracket 1 according to the observation requirement to adjust the observation position.

[0046] In specific implementation, the bracket 1 and the bottom end side wall of the objective 5 have a gap distance greater than zero, that is, the inner diameter of the connecting end of the bracket 1 is greater than the outer diameter of the bottom end of the objective 5. The objective 5 and the rest of the microscopic imaging system are connected to the housing 6 by a displacement table, or are directly connected to the housing 6 after the observation position is adjusted, or in other specific embodiments, the bracket 1 and the housing 6 can be connected by other ways, such as sliding connection, riveting, buckle connection or other detachable connection, so as to facilitate the bracket 1 to be taken off from the housing 6 for replacement, and facilitate the immersion medium 3 and the transparent slide 2 to be replaced in time.

[0047] In addition, the utility model discloses a kind of microscopic imaging systems, and the system includes objective 5 and other conventional parts, and also includes the window piece described above.

[0048] The microscopic imaging system can be used for in vivo examination. Since the immersion medium is non-fluid silicon gel, and the refractive index of the immersion medium (1.39-1.4) matches the refractive index of the sample to be observed (for example, the refractive index of the skin epidermis in biological tissue is 1.39-1.43), a very good imaging effect and product use experience can be obtained.

[0049] In particular, the microscopic imaging system can be various types of microscopes, such as wide-field microscopes, fluorescence microscopes, laser scanning microscopes (including but not limited to multi-photon microscopes, confocal microscopes, etc.), structured light microscopes, light sheet microscopes, super-resolution microscopes, etc.

[0050] In particular implementation, the microscopic imaging system is further provided with a housing 6, and the transparent slide 2 is fixedly connected with the housing 6. For example, as shown in Figure 1 The transparent slide 2 is fixedly connected with the housing 6 through the support 1.

[0051] In particular, referring to Figure 6 The housing 6 can be a frame structure; the transparent slide 2 is fixedly installed on the outer side of the housing 6 through the support 1; and the objective lens 5 is movably arranged in the housing 6 through the displacement table. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the objective lens 5 can also be fixedly installed in the housing 6. For example, in a possible embodiment, after being adjusted to a suitable relative position, the objective lens 5 and the transparent slide 2 of the window sheet can no longer change the relative position, but change the focal plane by changing the focal power of the light beam incident on the objective lens 5.

[0052] In particular implementation, the microscopic imaging system provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a handheld probe or a benchtop microscope. When the microscopic imaging system is applied to a handheld probe, the housing 6 thereof is generally a closed housing; and when the microscopic imaging system is applied to a benchtop microscope, the housing 6 thereof can be an open housing.

[0053] Finally, it should be noted that in this document, the terms “comprising”, “including”, or any other variant thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that processes, methods, articles, or devices including a series of elements not only include those elements, but also include other elements not explicitly listed, or further include elements inherent to such processes, methods, articles, or devices.

[0054] The above description of disclosed embodiments enables a person skilled in the art to implement or use the present application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Therefore, the present application will not be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but will conform to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A window pane, characterized in that, The window sheet (2) and the immersion medium (3) are provided, wherein: The transparent window sheet (2) is provided with the immersion medium (3) on the side away from the sample (4) to be observed; The immersion medium (3) is made of silica gel.

2. The window pane of claim 1, wherein, The immersion medium (3) is bonded to the transparent window sheet (2).

3. The window pane of claim 1, wherein, The thickness of the immersion medium (3) gradually decreases from the center to the periphery.

4. The window pane of claim 3, wherein, The outer contour of the immersion medium (3) in the cross section perpendicular to the transparent window sheet (2) is a curve.

5. The window pane of claim 1, wherein, The transparent window sheet (2) is made of any one of glass, quartz, sapphire and organic glass.

6. The window pane according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The bracket (1) is further provided for mounting the transparent window sheet (2).

7. The window pane of claim 6, wherein, The bracket (1) is provided with a light transmission hole: The transparent window sheet (2) is located in the light transmission hole and is fixedly connected to the bracket (1), and the outer side of the transparent window sheet (2) can be in contact with the sample (4) to be observed; The immersion medium (3) is located on the inner side of the transparent window sheet (2).

8. The window pane of claim 6, wherein, The bracket (1) can be sleeved on the bottom end of the objective lens (5) and has a gap distance greater than zero between the bottom end of the objective lens (5) and the side wall.

9. A microscopy system, characterized in that The window sheet as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 is provided.

10. The microscopic imaging system of claim 9, wherein, Further comprising: The housing (6) is connected to the transparent window sheet (2); the housing (6) is a closed housing, or the housing is an open housing; The objective lens (5) is movably arranged in the housing (6), or the objective lens (5) is fixedly installed in the housing (6).

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