Acoustic Optical Path Switching for Fluorescence Microscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current filter wheel systems in fluorescence microscopes are limited by slow switching times, energy consumption, and inefficiencies in spectral band changes, making them unsuitable for rapid multi-channel imaging applications.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a directing mirror and multiple input and output mirrors with light modifying elements allows for rapid light path switching, enabling wavelength selection without physical movement of optics, thus improving switching times and reducing energy requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a filter wheel is used to separate colors in multi-channel imaging, then spectral band selection is achieved, but switching time increases and becomes the rate limiting step
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical filter wheel system with an acoustic modulator system that uses sound waves to selectively transmit different spectral bands. This substitution eliminates the mechanical movement and switching delays inherent in filter wheels, achieving rapid spectral band selection without the rate-limiting switching time problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from mechanical rotation speeds to acoustic frequency modulations. By using acoustic waves with different frequencies to modulate the transmission of different spectral bands, the system achieves rapid switching comparable to the speed of electrical signal modulation rather than mechanical rotation limits.
2Speed
If filter wheel rotation speed is increased to improve switching frequency, then exchange frequency reaches 30 Hz or above, but vibration increases requiring careful balancing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical rotating wheel entirely and replaces it with an acoustic modulation system. This substitution removes the source of vibration completely, as acoustic modulators have no moving parts that generate mechanical vibration, thereby achieving high switching frequencies without the harmful vibration effects.
3Stability of the object's composition
If filter wheel is run at fixed speed to maintain stability, then rotational stability is achieved, but exposure time control for each filter becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static fixed-speed rotation system to a dynamic acoustic modulation system. The acoustic modulator can rapidly adjust its modulation depth and frequency in real-time, allowing independent control of exposure time for each spectral band while maintaining system stability through electronic control rather than mechanical inertia.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If filter wheel angular momentum is used for rotation, then continuous operation is achieved, but instantaneous stopping or shuttering becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating system with angular momentum that cannot be instantly stopped with an acoustic field-based system. Acoustic modulators can be turned on or off instantaneously by simply stopping the electrical signal driving the acoustic transducer, achieving both continuous operation capability and instantaneous response without the inertia problem.
5Measurement precision
If filter wheel rotates to change spectral bands, then wavelength selection is achieved, but transitions are not abrupt causing reduced duty cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical sweeping motion of a rotating filter wheel with an acoustic modulation system that can instantaneously switch between different spectral bands. This eliminates the gradual transition period where no light passes through, achieving abrupt on-off transitions between wavelengths and maximizing the duty cycle for efficient energy delivery.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables rapid light processing and efficient optical path switching, allowing for faster spectral content extraction in microscopy applications, with switching times an order of magnitude faster than traditional filter wheels, and reduced energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a directing mirror for redirecting light from an incoming path to one of a plurality of input paths and redirecting the light from one of a plurality of output paths to an outgoing path
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of input mirrors, each one of the plurality of input mirrors operable for redirecting the light from a corresponding one of the plurality of input paths to a corresponding one of a plurality of transition paths
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of output mirrors, each one of the plurality of output mirrors operable for redirecting the light from a corresponding one of the plurality of transition paths to one of the plurality of output paths
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of light modifying elements operable for modifying the light, each one of the plurality of light modifying elements located optically intermediate a corresponding one of the plurality of input mirrors and one of the plurality of output mirrors
Data Source
AI summary
Presented is a method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for selectively switching optical paths. The apparatus includes a directing mirror for redirecting light from an incoming path to one of a plurality of input paths and redirecting the light from one of a plurality of output paths to an outgoing path, and a plurality of input mirrors, each one of the plurality of input mirrors operable for redirecting the light from one of the plurality of input paths to one of a plurality of transition paths. The apparatus includes a plurality of light modifying elements, each one of the light modifying elements in a corresponding transition path and a plurality of output mirrors, each one of the plurality of output mirrors operable for redirecting the light from one of the plurality of transition paths to one of a plurality of output paths.