Automated Beam Alignment in Biomedical Illumination Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Biomedical devices such as flow cytometers and gene sequencers require precise illumination for microfluidic components, but existing optical subsystems lack efficient automated beam steering and alignment, leading to instability and the need for frequent manual recalibrations.
Innovation Solution
A biomedical illumination device with an integrated beam shaping element and an automated beam steering system, featuring actuator-controlled mirrors and a control device that continuously monitors and adjusts the beam geometry, enabling automatic alignment and recalibration without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual beam alignment and recalibration are used, then the device can be operated with simpler components, but the device requires frequent manual intervention and has lower operational stability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-alignment and self-calibration through automated feedback control. The control device continuously monitors beam positions and automatically adjusts mirror actuators to maintain optimal beam alignment, enabling the system to service itself without external manual intervention and thereby improving operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback control by monitoring beam positions at the target and automatically adjusting mirror actuators based on detected deviations. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains stable beam alignment over time, resolving the contradiction between operational reliability and manual intervention requirements
2Measurement precision
If automated beam steering system is implemented, then beam alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical alignment procedures with automated electro-mechanical mirror actuators controlled by electronic feedback loops. This substitution of manual mechanical operations with automated electro-mechanical systems improves beam alignment precision while the modular architecture manages the resulting complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror actuators serve multiple functions: they perform both beam steering and beam alignment tasks, and the same control device handles both monitoring and adjustment functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving high precision
3Productivity
If frequent manual recalibration is required, then the device can have simpler automation systems, but productivity is reduced due to downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The automated beam steering system maintains continuous beam alignment without interruption to the main operation. The feedback control operates continuously in the background, ensuring that beam alignment is maintained without requiring downtime for recalibration, thereby maximizing productivity while implementing high-level automation
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 solution provides stable and precise illumination for biomedical applications by automating beam alignment and recalibration, reducing the need for manual intervention, increasing operational lifespan, and ensuring consistent performance over time.
Implementation Method 1
one or more of the beams are directed towards one or more actuator-controlled mirrors; the one or more actuator-controlled mirrors configured to steer the one or more beams
Implementation Method 2
the beam shaping component comprises a diffractive optical element, DOE
Implementation Method 3
the beam shaping component comprises a diffractive optical element, DOE or a refractive optical element, ROE
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments provide a biomedical illumination device enabling multiwavelength laser line generation with automated beam alignment. The biomedical illumination device may include a plurality of laser light sources configured to provide beams of one or more wavelengths, wherein one or more of the beams are directed towards one or more actuator-controlled mirrors; the one or more actuator-controlled mirrors configured to steer the one or more beams for passing through a beam shaping element, wherein for each of the one or more beams at least one actuator-controlled mirror is configured for steering the respective beam automatically according to instructions received from a control device; the beam shaping element configured to output a beam pattern having a certain geometry for illumination of a microscopic sample based on the steered beams; and the control device configured to monitor the beams output from the beam shaping element to determine a position of the output beam pattern in relation to a target beam pattern position at the sample; determine instructions for one or more of the actuator-controlled mirrors to tilt in at least one axis based on a difference between the monitored position of the output beam pattern and the target beam pattern position at the microscopic sample; and transmit the instructions to the one or more actuator-controlled mirrors.