Coupling module and confocal microscope-optical tweezers integrated system

Abstract

The utility model relates to a coupling module and a confocal microscope-optical tweezers integrated system, and relates to the technical field of optical instruments, and the coupling module comprises a housing which is provided with an installation space which longitudinally penetrates through the housing; a light through hole is formed in the side wall of the mounting space; the dichroscope frame is horizontally and linearly connected in the mounting space in a sliding manner and is aligned with the light through hole; the optical filter frame is located in the installation space and installed on the dichroscope frame. A dichroscope frame and an optical filter frame in the coupling module can slide, so that the optical tweezers module optical path and the confocal microscope optical path can be quickly coupled and separated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of optical instrument technology, and in particular to a coupling module and a confocal microscope-optical tweezers integrated system. Background Technology

[0002] Single-cell analysis can reveal the diversity and differences in the material composition and physiological behavior of cells, the basic unit of life, and is a mainstream cutting-edge technology in life analysis today. The biggest challenge in single-cell analysis lies in the fact that cell sizes are mostly at the micrometer or even submicrometer scale. Manipulating and analyzing individual cells at this scale undoubtedly places extremely high demands on the precision and sensitivity of the instruments.

[0003] Chinese patent CN113136324A provides a coupling device including a top interface, a filter holder and a dichroic lens holder, a bottom interface, a first support plate and a second support plate. The top interface and the bottom interface are placed parallel to each other and connected by the first support plate and the second support plate. The first support plate is provided with a light-transmitting hole. The dichroic lens holder is installed on the second support plate. The filter holder is installed on the first support plate. The top interface, the filter holder, the dichroic lens holder and the bottom structure are all provided with concentric circular holes.

[0004] The aforementioned coupling device allows for the simple and rapid introduction of optical tweezers into commercial microscopes. Combined with a sorting system, this creates a microscopic-optical tweezers sorting system, breaking the limitation of commercial microscopes being used solely for observation. This system integrates multiple functions: single-cell observation, capture and manipulation, and separation and extraction. However, the coupling and separation of the optical tweezers' optical path and the confocal microscope's optical path can only be achieved by disassembling and reassembling the coupling device, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the current problem that coupling and separating the optical paths of optical tweezers and confocal microscopes can only be achieved by disassembling and assembling a coupling module, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, this invention provides a coupling module and a confocal microscope-optical tweezers integrated system. By sliding the dichroic mirror frame and filter frame, the optical paths of the optical tweezers module and the confocal microscope can be quickly coupled and separated.

[0006] This utility model provides a coupling module, including:

[0007] The housing has a longitudinally penetrating mounting space. Light-transmitting holes are provided on the side walls of the mounting space.

[0008] Dichroic frames are horizontally and linearly slidably connected within the mounting space, aligning with the light-transmitting aperture.

[0009] The filter holder is located within the installation space and is mounted on the dichroic mirror frame.

[0010] In some embodiments, the filter holder is horizontally linearly slidably connected to the dichroic lens holder.

[0011] In some embodiments, the sliding power source for the dichroic lens holder is a linear drive device. The sliding power source for the filter holder is also a linear drive device.

[0012] In some embodiments, the coupling module further includes:

[0013] The first pull rod passes through the housing and slides into the housing, with one end connected to the dichroic frame.

[0014] The first handle is located on the outside of the housing and is connected to the other end of the first pull rod.

[0015] The second pull rod passes through the housing and is slidably connected to the housing, with one end fixedly connected to the filter holder.

[0016] The second handle is located on the outside of the housing and is connected to the other end of the second lever.

[0017] In some embodiments, the housing is provided with an upward- or downward-opening slot that horizontally penetrates the sidewall of the housing. The coupling module also includes a limiting block, detachably connected within the slot. A first pull rod and a second pull rod pass through the limiting block.

[0018] In some embodiments, two limiting grooves are formed on the side of the limiting block, and the first pull rod and the second pull rod are respectively located in the two limiting grooves.

[0019] In some embodiments, the coupling module further includes:

[0020] The first slide rail is detachably connected within the installation space and slides with the dichroic frame.

[0021] The second slide rail is detachably connected to the dichroic lens frame and slidably connected to the filter frame.

[0022] In some embodiments, the coupling module further includes a connecting frame fixed to the housing. The first slide rail and the limiting block are detachably connected to the same side of the connecting frame.

[0023] This invention also provides a confocal microscope-optical tweezers integrated system, comprising: the aforementioned coupling module, and further comprising a confocal microscope and an optical tweezers module. The laser from the confocal microscope enters the mounting space from the top of the mounting space, and the laser from the optical tweezers module enters the mounting space through a light-transmitting aperture.

[0024] In some embodiments, the confocal microscope and the coupling module housing are detachably connected. The optical tweezers module and the coupling module housing are detachably connected.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0026] 1. The dichroic mirror holder and filter holder in the coupling module are slidable, which allows the optical path of the optical tweezers module and the optical path of the confocal microscope to be quickly coupled and separated.

[0027] 2. The filter holder in the coupling module can slide relative to the dichroic mirror holder, allowing the filter to quickly enter or exit the confocal microscope optical path. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description thereof, serve to explain the present invention and do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the basic structure of the coupling module in this utility model;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the coupling module in other embodiments of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 To reflect Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the connector in the coupling module;

[0032] Figure 4 To reflect Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the filter holder in the coupling module;

[0033] Figure 5 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the connection between the coupling module and the optical tweezers module;

[0034] Figure 6 for Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the optical tweezers module.

[0035] In the picture:

[0036] 1. Coupling module; 11. Housing; 1101. Light passage hole; 1102. Mounting space; 12. Dichroic mirror frame; 13. Filter frame; 131. Assembly slot; 141. First pull rod; 142. Second pull rod; 143. First handle; 144. Second handle; 15. Limiting block; 16. First slide rail; 17. Second slide rail; 171. Through hole; 18. Clamp; 19. Connecting frame; 110. Baffle; 111. Guide structure; 112. Connecting seat; 2. Optical tweezers module; 21. Laser generation module; 22. Beam expander and collimator module; 23. Shutter module; 24. Control module; 25. Reflector; 26. Housing; 3. Dichroic mirror; 4. Filter. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this utility model, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0038] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "lateral", "longitudinal", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", and "outer" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0039] The terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first," "second," or "third" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature.

[0040] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0041] like Figure 1-6 As shown, this utility model provides a coupling module, which includes at least:

[0042] The housing 11 has a longitudinally penetrating mounting space 1102. The side wall of the mounting space 1102 is provided with a light-transmitting hole 1101.

[0043] The dichroic mirror frame 12 is horizontally and linearly slidably connected within the installation space 1102, aligned with the light-transmitting hole 1101, and has a dichroic mirror 3 installed at an angle.

[0044] The filter holder 13 is located in the installation space 1102, is installed on the dichroic mirror holder 12, slides with the dichroic mirror holder 12, and has a horizontally set filter 4 installed on it.

[0045] When in use, the coupling module 1 allows the laser from the confocal microscope to enter the mounting space 1102 from the top, while the laser from the optical tweezers module 2 enters through the light-transmitting aperture 1101. Sliding the dichroic mirror holder 12 and filter holder 13 into the laser path of the confocal microscope couples the laser from the optical tweezers module 2 into the laser path, giving the confocal microscope optical tweezers functionality. Sliding the dichroic mirror holder 12 and filter holder 13 out of the laser path separates the laser from the laser, restoring the confocal microscope to its original function. This coupling module 1 can quickly couple and separate the optical paths of the optical tweezers module 2 and the confocal microscope.

[0046] Furthermore, the filter holder 13 is provided with a plurality of mounting slots 131 for mounting the filter 4. All mounting slots 131 are distributed along the sliding direction of the filter 4, and at least one mounting slot 131 is used to mount the filter 4.

[0047] Furthermore, the dichroic frame 12 and the dichroic mirror 3 are detachably connected, and the connection methods include, but are not limited to, plug-in and snap-fit.

[0048] Furthermore, the filter holder 13 and the filter 4 are detachably connected, and the connection methods include, but are not limited to, plug-in and snap-fit.

[0049] In some embodiments, the filter holder 13 is horizontally linearly slidably connected to the dichroic mirror holder 12, so that the filter 4 can quickly slide into or out of the optical path where the dichroic mirror 3 is located, according to actual needs.

[0050] In some embodiments, the sliding power source for the dichroic lens holder 12 is a linear drive device or manual operation. The sliding power source for the filter holder 13 is a linear drive device or manual operation. Linear drive devices include, but are not limited to, electric actuators, hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic cylinders, gear racks, worm gears, and lead screw slides. Linear drive devices are not shown in the figures.

[0051] Furthermore, the sliding power source for the dichroic lens holder 12 and the sliding power source for the filter holder 13 are human-powered, and the coupling module 1 also includes:

[0052] The first pull rod 141 passes through the housing 11 and is slidably connected to the housing 11, with one end connected to the dichroic frame 12.

[0053] The first handle 143 is located on the outside of the housing 11 and is connected to the other end of the first pull rod 141.

[0054] The second pull rod 142 passes through the housing 11 and is slidably connected to the housing 11, with one end fixedly connected to the filter holder 13.

[0055] The second handle 144 is located on the outside of the housing 11 and is connected to the other end of the second pull rod 142.

[0056] The dichroic lens frame 12 is pushed and pulled by the first handle 143 and the first pull rod 141 to achieve horizontal linear sliding. The filter frame 13 is pushed and pulled by the second handle 144 and the second pull rod 142 to achieve horizontal linear sliding.

[0057] Furthermore, the first pull rod 141 and the second pull rod 142 are parallel to each other, and the first handle 143 and the second handle 144 are located on the same side of the housing 11.

[0058] Furthermore, a dichroic mirror 3 mark is set on the first handle 143, and a filter 4 mark is set on the second handle 144 to reduce the possibility of misoperation.

[0059] Furthermore, the first pull rod 141 is detachably connected to the dichroic lens frame 12 for replacement or assembly. The second pull rod 142 is detachably connected to the filter frame 13 for replacement or assembly. The connection methods between the first pull rod 141 and the dichroic lens frame 12 include, but are not limited to, bolt connection, snap-fit, and plug-in connection, and the connection methods between the second pull rod 142 and the filter frame 13 include, but are not limited to, bolt connection, snap-fit, and plug-in connection.

[0060] In some embodiments, the housing 11 is provided with an upward-facing or downward-facing slot, which horizontally penetrates the sidewall of the housing 11. The coupling module 1 further includes a limiting block 15, which is detachably connected to the slot. A first pull rod 141 and a second pull rod 142 pass through the limiting block 15, and the first pull rod 141 and the second pull rod 142 are connected to the housing 11 through the limiting block 15.

[0061] When assembling the coupling module 1, the first pull rod 141 and the second pull rod 142 can be assembled on the limiting block 15 first, and then the limiting block 15 can be inserted and fixed on the housing 11 so that the first pull rod 141 and the second pull rod 142 can be quickly slidably connected to the housing 11.

[0062] Furthermore, two limiting grooves are formed on the side of the limiting block 15, and the first pull rod 141 and the second pull rod 142 are respectively located in the two limiting grooves. When the limiting block 15 is installed on the housing 11, the openings of the two limiting grooves are blocked by the housing 11, so that the first pull rod 141 and the second pull rod 142 are limited in the two limiting grooves. The setting of the limiting grooves helps to improve the speed of the first pull rod 141 and the second pull rod 142 being assembled on the limiting body.

[0063] Furthermore, the connection methods between the limiting block 15 and the housing 11 include, but are not limited to, snap-fit ​​and bolt connection.

[0064] In some embodiments, coupling module 1 further includes:

[0065] The first slide rail 16 is detachably connected within the installation space 1102 and is slidably connected to the dichroic frame 12.

[0066] The second slide rail 17 is detachably connected to the dichroic lens frame 12 and slidably connected to the filter frame 13.

[0067] The dichroic lens frame 12 is slidably connected to the housing 11 via the first slide rail 16, and the filter frame 13 is slidably connected to the housing 11 via the second slide rail 17. The installation space 1102 is relatively small, making it difficult to assemble the first slide rail 16, the dichroic lens frame 12, the second slide rail 17, and the filter frame 4 within the installation space 1102. Therefore, when assembling the coupling module 1, the first slide rail 16, the dichroic lens frame 12, the second slide rail 17, and the filter frame 4 can be assembled together first, and then the first slide rail 16 can be connected to the housing 11 to improve the assembly efficiency of the coupling module 1.

[0068] In some embodiments, one first slide rail 16 is provided on each side of the dichroic mirror frame 12, and both first slide rails 16 are slidably connected to the dichroic mirror frame 12.

[0069] Furthermore, both first slide rails 16 pass through the dichroic frame 12.

[0070] In some embodiments, the second slide rail 17 is provided with a groove, the shape of which includes, but is not limited to, a dovetail groove and a T-groove. The portion of the filter holder 13 near the dichroic lens holder 12 matches the shape of the groove and is slidably connected within the groove.

[0071] Furthermore, the coupling module 1 also includes a connecting seat 112, through which the second pull rod 142 is connected to the filter holder 13. Both the second pull rod 142 and the filter holder 13 are detachably connected to the connecting seat 112.

[0072] Furthermore, the second slide rail 17 is provided with a through hole 171 for the filter 4 to protrude on the side near the second pull rod 142. The connecting seat 112 passes through the through hole 171 and is connected to the filter holder 13. The connecting seat 112 can slide in the through hole 171.

[0073] In some embodiments, the coupling module 1 further includes a connecting frame 19, fixed to the inner wall of the housing 11. The first slide rail 16 and the limiting block 15 are detachably connected to the same side of the connecting frame 19.

[0074] When assembling the coupling module 1, the first pull rod 141, the second pull rod 142, the first handle 143, the second handle 144, the limiting block 15, the first slide rail 16, the dichroic lens frame 12, the second slide rail 17 and the filter 4 lens frame can be assembled together first, and then the limiting block 15 can be connected to the housing 11, and the first slide rail 16 can be connected to the connecting frame 19, which further improves the assembly efficiency of the coupling module 1.

[0075] Furthermore, the connecting frame 19 and the housing 11 are integrally formed to improve the connection strength between them.

[0076] Furthermore, a clamp 18 is provided at each end of the first slide rail 16. The first slide rail 16 is located inside the clamp 18, and the two ends of the clamp 18 are respectively connected to the connecting frame 19 by two bolts.

[0077] This invention also provides a confocal microscope-optical tweezers integrated system, including: the aforementioned coupling module 1, and further including a confocal microscope and an optical tweezers module 2. The laser from the confocal microscope enters the mounting space 1102 from the top, and the laser from the optical tweezers module 2 enters the mounting space 1102 from the light-transmitting aperture 1101. The confocal microscope is a common device in the art, and its structure will not be described in detail here.

[0078] In some embodiments, the optical tweezers module 2 includes:

[0079] Laser generating module 21, used to generate laser light;

[0080] The beam expander and collimator module 22 is used to receive the laser from the laser generator module 21, expand the diameter of the laser beam, and convert the laser into parallel light; the laser received by the light-transmitting aperture 1101 is the output laser of the beam expander and collimator module 22.

[0081] Shutter module 23 is used to control the optical path connection between laser generation module 21 and beam expansion and collimation module 22;

[0082] The control module 24 is used to control the opening and closing of the shutter module 23.

[0083] The laser generation module 21, the beam expansion and collimation module 22, the shutter module 23, and the control module 24 are all common basic structures in the field of optical tweezers, and will not be described in detail here.

[0084] Furthermore, the optical tweezers module 2 also includes a housing 26, in which the laser generation module 21, the beam expansion and collimation module 22, the shutter module 23 and the control module 24 are all fixed. The housing 26 is provided with an output hole for outputting laser to the coupling module 1.

[0085] Furthermore, the optical tweezers module 2 also includes at least one reflector 25, which is fixed inside the housing 26. The reflector 25 is used to change the optical path in the optical tweezers module 2 to reduce the size of the housing 26. For example Figure 5 The optical tweezers module 2 is equipped with three mirrors 25. The first mirror 25 deflects the optical path between the shutter module 23 and the beam expander and collimator module 22 by 90°. The second mirror 25 deflects the output optical path of the beam expander and collimator module 22 to be parallel to the output optical path of the laser generator module 21. The last mirror 25 deflects the optical path emitted from the second mirror 25 to the output aperture, so that the optical path in the optical tweezers module 2 semi-encloses the control module 24, thereby reducing the size of the optical tweezers module 2.

[0086] In some embodiments, the confocal microscope and the housing 11 of the coupling module 1 are detachably connected to ensure that the sliding path of the dichroic mirror 3 intersects with the laser path of the confocal microscope. The connection methods between the confocal microscope and the housing 11 of the coupling module 1 include, but are not limited to, threaded connection, snap-fit, and plug-in connection.

[0087] In some embodiments, the confocal microscope has a frame that is horizontally plugged into the housing 11 of the coupling module 1.

[0088] Furthermore, the coupling module 1 also includes a guide structure 111 and a baffle 110 that are fixedly connected to the housing 11.

[0089] The frame is provided with a slot on the side of the frame, and the housing 11 is horizontally inserted into the slot. The two guide structures 111 are slidably engaged with the frame. When the baffle 110 abuts against the frame, the housing 11 is fully inserted into the slot.

[0090] Furthermore, there are two guide structures 111, which are located on both sides of the housing 11 respectively.

[0091] Furthermore, the guide structure 111, the housing 11, and the baffle 110 are integrally formed to improve the connection strength between the three.

[0092] In some embodiments, the housing 26 of the optical tweezers module 2 is detachably connected to the housing 11 of the coupling module 1 to ensure alignment between the optical tweezers module 2 and the dichroic lens frame 12. The connection methods between the housing 26 of the optical tweezers module 2 and the housing 11 of the coupling module 1 include, but are not limited to, threaded connections and snap-fit ​​connections.

[0093] Through the description of several embodiments of the coupling module 1 and the confocal microscope-optical tweezers integrated system provided by this utility model, it can be seen that the embodiments of the coupling module 1 and the confocal microscope-optical tweezers integrated system provided by this utility model have at least one or more of the following advantages:

[0094] 1. The dichroic mirror holder 12 and filter holder 13 in coupling module 1 are slidable, which allows the optical path of optical tweezers module 2 and the optical path of confocal microscope to be quickly coupled and separated.

[0095] 2. The filter holder 13 in the coupling module 1 can slide relative to the dichroic mirror holder 12, so that the filter 4 can quickly enter or exit the confocal microscope optical path.

[0096] Finally, it should be noted that the various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0097] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of this utility model and not to limit it; although the utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the specific implementation of this utility model or equivalent substitutions can be made to some technical features without departing from the spirit of the technical solution of this utility model, and all such modifications and substitutions should be covered within the scope of the technical solution claimed by this utility model.

Claims

1. A coupling module, characterized in that, include: The casing has a longitudinally penetrating installation space; Light-transmitting holes are provided on the side walls of the installation space; Dichroic frames are horizontally and linearly slidably connected within the mounting space, aligning with the light-transmitting aperture; The filter holder is located within the installation space and is mounted on the dichroic mirror frame.

2. The coupling module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filter holder and the dichroic lens holder are horizontally and linearly connected.

3. The coupling module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sliding power source for the dichroic eyeglass frame is a linear drive device; the sliding power source for the filter frame is a linear drive device.

4. The coupling module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The coupling module also includes: The first pull rod passes through the housing and is slidably connected to the housing, with one end connected to the dichroic eyeglass frame; The first handle is located on the outside of the housing and is connected to the other end of the first pull rod; The second pull rod passes through the housing and is slidably connected to the housing, with one end fixedly connected to the filter holder; The second handle is located on the outside of the housing and is connected to the other end of the second lever.

5. The coupling module according to claim 4, characterized in that, The housing is provided with a slot that opens upwards or downwards, and the slot extends horizontally through the side wall of the housing; the coupling module also includes: a limiting block, which is detachably connected in the slot; a first pull rod and a second pull rod pass through the limiting block.

6. The coupling module according to claim 5, characterized in that, Two limiting grooves are opened on the side of the limiting block, and the first pull rod and the second pull rod are respectively located in the two limiting grooves.

7. The coupling module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The coupling module also includes: The first slide rail is detachably connected within the installation space and slides with the dichroic eyeglass frame; The second slide rail is detachably connected to the dichroic lens frame and slidably connected to the filter frame.

8. The coupling module according to claim 7, characterized in that, The coupling module also includes: a connecting frame, fixed to the housing; the first slide rail and the limiting block are detachably connected to the same side of the connecting frame.

9. A confocal microscope-optical tweezers integrated system, characterized in that, include: The coupling module according to any one of claims 1-8 further includes a confocal microscope and an optical tweezers module; the laser of the confocal microscope enters the mounting space from the top of the mounting space, and the laser of the optical tweezers module enters the mounting space from the light-transmitting hole.

10. The confocal microscope-optical tweezers integrated system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The confocal microscope and the coupling module housing are detachably connected; the optical tweezers module and the coupling module housing are detachably connected.

Images