Aspheric Objective Scanning for Wide-Area Non-Linear Microscopy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional non-linear optical scanning microscopes are complex, expensive, and have limited scan areas due to the use of angular-scanned laser beams and compound objectives, leading to high mass and limited frame rates, with issues such as aberrations and high laser output requirements.

Innovation Solution

A non-linear optical scanning microscope using a pulsed laser illumination system with an aspheric objective and a kinematic flexure mechanism for objective scanning, eliminating the need for angular-scanned laser beams and reducing spherical aberrations, allowing large scan areas and lower-cost operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If angular-scanned laser beams and compound objectives are used, then non-linear optical emission can be induced, but the system becomes complex and expensive with limited scan areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidscan area

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of scanning the laser beam angularly through a compound objective, the patent inverts the approach by directly translating the aspheric objective lens in the X and Y directions to scan the focal volume across the sample, thereby simplifying the optical system while expanding the scan area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the compound objective system from the optical path, replacing it with a single aspheric objective lens that is directly scanned, eliminating the complexity and cost associated with multiple lens elements while maintaining non-linear optical emission capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If compound objectives are used for scanning, then focal volume can be scanned, but the mass is high leading to limited frame rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe rateVSAvoidobjective mass

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the scanning function from the objective lens by using independent X and Y translators to move a lightweight aspheric lens, rather than moving a heavy compound objective, thereby increasing the frame rate by reducing the mass being accelerated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a simple, lightweight aspheric objective lens that can be rapidly accelerated and decelerated by the translators, replacing the expensive and heavy compound objective, enabling high frame rate scanning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Use of energy by moving object

If angular-scanned laser beams are used, then non-linear emission can be induced, but high laser output is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaser outputVSAvoidenergy efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using angular scanning which requires high laser output to compensate for losses, the patent inverts the approach by using direct translation of the objective to maintain a stationary, optimally positioned focal volume, thereby reducing energy loss and allowing lower laser output while maintaining non-linear emission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

The system achieves a lower-cost, high-frame-rate scanning with a wide scan area and reduced aberrations, providing deep penetration and less photobleaching while maintaining high contrast and resolution.

Implementation Method 1

focus the excitation radiation in a focal volume at an intensity sufficient to cause non-linear emission of emission radiation from the sample in the focal volume

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNon-linear optical emission:

Implementation Method 2

two-photon excitation (TPE) microscopy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMultiphoton excitation:

Implementation Method 3

the objective scanner comprises a kinematic flexure mechanism and an x-y transducer connected to the kinematic flexure mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlexure mechanism:

Data Source

PatentEP3776053B1Non-linear optical scanning microscope

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 PHOMEDICS LTD

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AI summary

An optical scanning microscope includes an illumination system (160) and an objective lens (134) operable together to provide the excitation radiation (152), (154) in a focal volume (124) at sufficient intensity to cause non-linear emission of emission radiation from a sample in the focal volume. The objective is an aspheric objective configured to focus the excitation radiation without, or with minimal, spherical aberration. The objective lens (134) is scanned by an objective scanner (130), (132). In this example an x-y transducer (xyXD) (130) is connected to a kinematic flexure mechanism (132) which acts as a scanning lens mount. The objective scanner (130), (132) is operable to scan the objective (134) in two dimensions transverse with respect to the objective's optical axis so as to scan the emitting focal volume (124) in corresponding dimensions.