Switchable near-infrared imaging module and laser confocal microscope

Abstract

The utility model discloses a switchable near infrared imaging module and laser confocal microscope, wherein, switchable near infrared imaging module includes: the mounting base is equipped with the light shield on the mounting base, the collimating lens group is borne in the first side of mounting base, the light filter module is borne in the mounting base and is located in the light shield, and with collimating lens corresponding, and the light filter module includes a plurality of corresponding different wave band's light filter and switching assembly, the focusing lens group is borne in the second side of mounting base, and with light filter module corresponding, and, near infrared detection module for realizing near infrared imaging. When using, the parallel light is formed to the collimating processing of light beam from collimating lens group and shoots in, and according to the need, the corresponding filter is selected to carry out the filtering processing through switching assembly, then by focusing lens group, the focusing processing is projected on infrared detection module and carries out the imaging, realizes the fluorescence collection and imaging of near infrared wave band.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of optical engineering technology, and in particular to a switchable near-infrared imaging module and a laser confocal microscope. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of laser confocal microscopy, the lack of a near-infrared channel limits its application in certain scenarios. Currently, some laser confocal microscopes on the market focus on visible light imaging. While these products perform well in routine fluorescent labeling observations of cells and tissues, clearly presenting information such as cell structure and specific protein distribution, they are ill-suited for research scenarios that require in-depth exploration of tissue interiors and utilization of the advantages of near-infrared light due to the absence of a near-infrared imaging module. Utility Model Content

[0003] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a switchable near-infrared imaging module and a laser confocal microscope, which has the advantage of being able to realize near-infrared imaging.

[0004] The objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution: According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a switchable near-infrared imaging module is provided, comprising: Mounting base, wherein a light shield is provided on the mounting base; A collimating lens assembly supported on the first side of the mounting base; A filter module supported on the mounting base and located inside the light shield, and corresponding to the collimating lens, the filter module includes multiple filters corresponding to different wavelength bands, and a switching component for driving each filter to correspond to the collimating lens respectively; A focusing lens assembly supported on the second side of the mounting base and corresponding to the filter module; and, A near-infrared detection module located on the light-emitting side of the focusing lens group, used to achieve near-infrared imaging.

[0005] To achieve the above technical solution, during use, the light beam enters from the collimating lens group and is collimated to form parallel light. As needed, the appropriate filter is selected by the switching component for filtering. Then, the focusing lens group focuses the light and projects it onto the infrared detection module for imaging, thereby realizing fluorescence acquisition and imaging in the near-infrared band.

[0006] In some exemplary embodiments, the collimating lens group includes: A collimating lens barrel is disposed on the mounting base, and a lens cap is provided on the collimating lens barrel. A dichroic lens disposed within the collimating lens tube; and A collimating lens disposed within the collimating lens barrel and corresponding to the dichroic lens; After the light beam enters through the dichroic lens, it is collimated by the collimating lens to form a parallel light beam.

[0007] To achieve the above technical solution, when not in use, covering the collimating lens with a lens cap can prevent dust and damage to the lens. When in use, the light beam first passes through a dichroic lens for selective reflection or transmission, and then passes through the collimating lens for collimation to form a parallel light beam, so as to perform subsequent filtering and focusing processes.

[0008] In some exemplary embodiments, the filter module further includes: A switching bracket fixed to the mounting base, the switching bracket having a light-passing port corresponding to the collimating lens group; and... The filter disc is rotatably mounted on the switching bracket, and the filters are evenly distributed in a ring array on the filter disc.

[0009] To achieve the above technical solution, by rotating the filter disk to align different filters with the light-passing aperture, different wavelengths of different light beams can be filtered.

[0010] In some exemplary embodiments, the filter disc is provided with a plurality of mounting holes corresponding one-to-one with the filter, the filter is embedded in the mounting holes and fixed to the filter disc by pressure rings.

[0011] Implementing the above technical solution facilitates the installation and fixation of the filter.

[0012] In some exemplary embodiments, the switching component includes a servo motor fixed to the switching bracket and connected to the filter disc drive.

[0013] To achieve the above technical solution, a servo motor is used to easily control the rotation of the filter disc at a fixed angle to ensure switching accuracy.

[0014] In some exemplary embodiments, the switching bracket is further provided with a Hall sensor for detecting the deflection angle of the filter disc to locate the position of the filter disc.

[0015] To achieve the above technical solution, the Hall sensor can accurately detect the rotation angle of the filter disc, ensuring that the filter can be switched precisely.

[0016] In some exemplary embodiments, a focusing bracket is further provided between the filter disc and the focusing lens group, and the focusing bracket is provided with a focusing port corresponding to the light transmission port.

[0017] To achieve the above technical solution, the focusing bracket helps to block excessive astigmatism and facilitates beam focusing.

[0018] In some exemplary embodiments, the mounting base is provided with a lens mounting port, and the focusing lens group is embedded in the lens mounting port.

[0019] The above technical solution facilitates the installation of the focusing lens group.

[0020] In some exemplary embodiments, the near-infrared detection module is a PMT module.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a laser confocal microscope is provided, including a switchable near-infrared imaging module as described in the first aspect.

[0022] In summary, compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following beneficial effects: This utility model provides a switchable near-infrared imaging module and a laser confocal microscope. The switchable near-infrared imaging module includes: a mounting base with a light shield; a collimating lens group mounted on a first side of the mounting base; a filter module mounted on the mounting base and located within the light shield, corresponding to the collimating lens, the filter module including multiple filters corresponding to different wavelengths and a switching component for driving each filter to correspond to the collimating lens; a focusing lens group mounted on a second side of the mounting base, corresponding to the filter module; and a near-infrared detection module located on the light-emitting side of the focusing lens group for near-infrared imaging. In use, a light beam enters from the collimating lens group and undergoes collimation to form parallel light. The switching component selects the appropriate filter for filtering as needed, and then the focusing lens group focuses the light onto the infrared detection module for imaging, achieving near-infrared fluorescence acquisition and imaging. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the switchable near-infrared imaging module in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the switchable near-infrared imaging module without the light shield in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0025] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the switchable near-infrared imaging module in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0026] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the filter module in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the imaging optical path according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] The numbers and letters in the diagram represent the names of the corresponding components: 10. Mounting base; 11. Lens hood; 12. Condenser bracket; 13. Condenser port; 14. Lens mounting port; 20. Collimating lens group; 21. Collimating lens barrel; 22. Lens cap; 23. Dichroic lens; 24. Collimating lens; 30. Filter module; 31. Filter; 32. Switching assembly; 33. Switching bracket; 331. Light passage port; 34. Filter disc; 341. Mounting hole; 35. Pressure ring; 36. Hall sensor; 40. Focusing lens group; 50. Near-infrared detection module. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, a first aspect of this utility model provides a switchable near-infrared imaging module, comprising: a mounting base 10, on which a light shield 11 is provided; a collimating lens group 20 supported on a first side of the mounting base 10; a filter module 30 supported on the mounting base 10 and located inside the light shield 11, and corresponding to the collimating lens 24; a focusing lens group 40 supported on a second side of the mounting base 10 and corresponding to the filter module 30; and a near-infrared detection module 50 located on the light-emitting side of the focusing lens group 40 for realizing near-infrared imaging.

[0031] Specifically, the light shield 11 is placed on the mounting base 10 and secured to the mounting base 10 with screws. The light shield 11 can block external stray light and ensure imaging accuracy.

[0032] The collimating lens group 20 includes: a collimating lens barrel 21 disposed on the mounting base 10, and a lens cap 22 covering the collimating lens barrel 21; a dichroic lens 23 disposed inside the collimating lens barrel 21; and a collimating lens 24 disposed inside the collimating lens barrel 21 and corresponding to the dichroic lens 23; after the light beam enters from the dichroic lens 23, it is collimated by the collimating lens 24 to form a parallel light beam.

[0033] Understandably, a first mounting base is provided on the first side of the mounting base 10. The collimating lens barrel 21 is fixed to the first mounting base by means of snap-fit, threaded connection, etc. The function of the dichroic lens 23 is mainly to reflect light of a specific wavelength while transmitting light of other wavelengths. When not in use, the collimating lens can be covered by the lens cap 22 to prevent dust and damage to the lens. When in use, the light beam first passes through the dichroic lens 23 for selective reflection or transmission, and then passes through the collimating lens 24 for collimation to form a parallel light beam for subsequent filtering and focusing processes.

[0034] The filter module 30 includes multiple filters 31 corresponding to different wavelengths, and a switching assembly 32 for driving each filter 31 to correspond to the collimating lens 24. The filter module 30 also includes a switching bracket 33 fixed to the mounting base 10, the switching bracket 33 having a light-passing port 331 corresponding to the collimating lens group 20; and a filter disc 34 rotatably mounted on the switching bracket 33, the filters 31 being uniformly distributed in a ring array on the filter disc 34.

[0035] The filter disc 34 has several mounting holes 341 that correspond one-to-one with the filters 31. The filters 31 are embedded in the mounting holes 341 and are fixed to the filter disc 34 by pressure rings 35. The pressure rings 35 are fixed to the filter disc 34 by snap-fit ​​or other means to facilitate the installation and fixation of the filters 31. By rotating the filter disc, different filters 31 can be aligned with the light-transmitting holes, and different wavelengths of different light beams can be filtered.

[0036] The switching assembly 32 includes a servo motor fixed to the switching bracket 33 and drivenly connected to the filter disc 34. The servo motor facilitates the control of the filter disc 34 to rotate at a fixed angle to ensure switching accuracy. The switching bracket 33 is also equipped with a Hall sensor 36 to detect the deflection angle of the filter disc 34 to locate its position. The Hall sensor 36 can accurately detect the rotation angle of the filter disc 34 to ensure that the filter 31 can be switched accurately. At the same time, the Hall sensor 36 can also be used to determine the initial position of the filter disc 34.

[0037] Furthermore, a condenser bracket 12 is provided between the filter disc 34 and the focusing lens group 40. The condenser bracket 12 is provided with a condenser port 13 corresponding to the light passage port 331. The condenser bracket 12 helps to block excessive astigmatism and facilitates beam focusing.

[0038] A lens mounting port 14 is provided on the mounting base 10, and the focusing lens group 40 is embedded in the lens mounting port 14 to facilitate the installation of the focusing lens group 40. In this embodiment, the near-infrared detection module 50 is a PMT module, specifically an NIR-PMT module, that is, a near-infrared photomultiplier tube. It is composed of precision components such as a photocathode, focusing electrode, electron multiplier, and electron collector (anode), and has extremely high sensitivity and ultra-fast time response.

[0039] This invention can meet the functional requirements of laser scanning confocal microscope systems for near-infrared fluorescence detection. It forms an excitation and emission optical path for the near-infrared channel through a collimating lens group 20, a filter module 30, a focusing lens, and a near-infrared detection module 50, which can cover the 730nm excitation and its corresponding fluorescence emission band (usually 750–850nm). Considering that the signal intensity in the near-infrared band is relatively weak and the background interference is large, this invention preferably uses a near-infrared special filter 31 with excellent spectral characteristics, steep cutoff, and high transmission efficiency to ensure a high signal-to-noise ratio and channel independence during near-infrared excitation and detection.

[0040] In use, the light beam enters from the collimating lens group 20 and is collimated to form parallel light. As needed, the corresponding filter is selected by the switching component 32 for filtering. Then, the focusing lens group 40 focuses the light and projects it onto the infrared detection module for imaging, realizing fluorescence acquisition and imaging in the near-infrared band.

[0041] The second aspect of this utility model provides a laser confocal microscope, including a switchable near-infrared imaging module as described in the first aspect. By configuring the near-infrared imaging module and increasing the excitation and emission optical paths of the infrared channel, it not only achieves a breakthrough in imaging performance of "deep, low-damage, and high-specificity", but also opens up research scenarios of "living, in vivo, and long-term". At the same time, it achieves information integration of "multi-dimensional and morphological-functional synergy" in terms of data, becoming a key technical support for the upgrade of the laser confocal microscope from a "basic observation tool" to a "cutting-edge research platform".

[0042] The above embodiments only illustrate several implementation methods of this utility model, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of this utility model. These are all equivalent modifications and improvements made to the above embodiments based on the essential technology of this utility model, and all of these fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A switchable near-infrared imaging module, characterized in that, include: Mounting base, wherein a light shield is provided on the mounting base; A collimating lens assembly supported on the first side of the mounting base; A filter module supported on the mounting base and located inside the light shield, and corresponding to the collimating lens, the filter module includes multiple filters corresponding to different wavelength bands, and a switching component for driving each filter to correspond to the collimating lens respectively; A focusing lens group supported on the second side of the mounting base and corresponding to the filter module; as well as, A near-infrared detection module located on the light-emitting side of the focusing lens group, used to achieve near-infrared imaging.

2. The switchable near-infrared imaging module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collimating lens group includes: A collimating lens barrel is disposed on the mounting base, and a lens cap is provided on the collimating lens barrel. A dichroic lens disposed within the collimating lens tube; and A collimating lens disposed within the collimating lens barrel and corresponding to the dichroic lens; After the light beam enters through the dichroic lens, it is collimated by the collimating lens to form a parallel light beam.

3. The switchable near-infrared imaging module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filter module also includes: A switching bracket fixed to the mounting base, the switching bracket having a light-passing port corresponding to the collimating lens group; and... The filter disc is rotatably mounted on the switching bracket, and the filters are evenly distributed in a ring array on the filter disc.

4. The switchable near-infrared imaging module according to claim 3, characterized in that, The filter disc has a plurality of mounting holes corresponding one-to-one with the filter, the filter is embedded in the mounting holes and fixed to the filter disc by pressure rings.

5. The switchable near-infrared imaging module according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The switching component includes a servo motor fixed to the switching bracket and connected to the filter disc drive.

6. The switchable near-infrared imaging module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The switching bracket is also equipped with a Hall sensor to detect the deflection angle of the filter disc in order to locate the position of the filter disc.

7. The switchable near-infrared imaging module according to claim 5, characterized in that, A light-gathering bracket is also provided between the filter disc and the focusing lens group, and the light-gathering bracket is provided with a light-gathering port corresponding to the light-passing port.

8. The switchable near-infrared imaging module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting base is provided with a lens mounting port, and the focusing lens group is embedded in the lens mounting port.

9. The switchable near-infrared imaging module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The near-infrared detection module is a PMT module.

10. A laser confocal microscope, characterized in that, Includes the switchable near-infrared imaging module as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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