Bi-Telecentric Fluorescence Imaging Angular Spectral Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluorescence imaging systems face challenges with slow scanning times, angular dependence on light origin, and variations in signal throughput and optical background suppression across the field of view, particularly in macroscopic imaging, which affect the accuracy and efficiency of wide-field fluorescence imaging.
Innovation Solution
A bi-telecentric optical imaging system is employed, creating telecentric spaces in both the object and image paths to ensure that light from different points passes through filters at the same angles, reducing angular spectral shifting and maintaining relative location accuracy, combined with a rejection filter and emission filter positioned in telecentric spaces to enhance filtering without sacrificing signal quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a lower magnification objective is used to image a wider field of view, then the scan time is reduced, but the exposure time per line image must be much longer due to lower NA
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system segments the wide field of view into multiple lines that are imaged simultaneously by the linear detector array, rather than scanning point-by-point. This allows parallel acquisition of multiple scan lines, reducing total scan time while maintaining adequate exposure time for each line.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from one-dimensional point scanning to two-dimensional line imaging by introducing a linear detector array with multiple sensing locations. This dimensional change enables simultaneous capture of multiple scan lines, dramatically reducing scan time while preserving signal quality through adequate exposure per line.
2Area of stationary object
If a lower magnification objective is used to image a wider field of view, then the area covered is larger, but the light collection efficiency decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a linear detector array with multiple sensing locations to segment the detection function across the wide field of view. Each detector element collects light from its corresponding field region, maintaining efficient light collection across the entire wide area without requiring a single large-aperture objective.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system achieves multi-functionality by combining a low magnification objective (for wide field of view) with a linear detector array (for efficient parallel light collection). This universal configuration enables both large area coverage and adequate light collection efficiency that would not be achievable with either component alone.
3Speed
If the field of view of a microscope is increased, then the scanning speed is improved, but the distortion and fall-off towards the perimeter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bi-telecentric optical system introduces intermediate telecentric spaces that act as mediators between the objective and detector. These intermediate spaces correct for angular dependence and distortion, ensuring that light from different field points passes through filters at consistent angles, thereby maintaining registration accuracy across the wide field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the angular parameters of light propagation by creating telecentric spaces. In these spaces, chief rays from all field points are made parallel to the optical axis, fundamentally altering the angle at which light interacts with filters and detectors. This parameter change eliminates angular spectral shifting and maintains consistent sensitivity across the entire field of view.
4Device complexity
If filters are positioned in a non-telecentric space, then the system is simpler, but angular spectral shifting causes variations in signal throughput across the field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The bi-telecentric optical system introduces intermediate telecentric spaces as mediators between the objective and filters, and between filters and detector. These intermediate spaces ensure that light reaches filters at consistent angles across the entire field of view, eliminating angular spectral shifting while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture.
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 approach enables fast, accurate, and robust quantitative fluorescence imaging with reduced distortion and positional shifting, improving the sensitivity and registration across the entire field of view, thus enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of wide-field fluorescence imaging.
Implementation Method 1
The bi-telecentric optical imaging system comprises imaging optics arranged and positioned such that a first telecentric space is created or exists in the first light path between the sample platform and the entry aperture stop wherein principal or chief rays from a plurality of field points on the sample platform are parallel to each other when passing through the first filter
Implementation Method 2
a first filter that passes wavelengths of light other than the excitation light, the first filter being positioned in a first light path between the sample platform and an entry aperture stop of the bi-telecentric optical imaging system
Implementation Method 3
a second filter that passes wavelengths of light in an emission band of the fluorescent material, the second filter being positioned in a second light path between the light detector and an exit aperture stop of the bi-telecentric optical imaging system
Implementation Method 4
A fluorescence imaging system includes a sample platform holding a fluorescent material, a light source for illuminating the fluorescent material with excitation light in an absorption band of the fluorescent material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~4b
Figure 5a~6b
AI summary
A wide-field fluorescence imaging system (210) comprises a sample platform (200), a light source (201) for illuminating a sample on the sample platform with excitation light (202), a light detector (205) having an array of sensing locations, a first filter (207) that passes wavelengths of light other than the excitation light, a second filter (206) that passes fluorescent light emitted from the sample, and a bi-telecentric optical imaging system comprising imaging optics (203a, 203b) arranged and positioned such that a first telecentric space is created or exists between the sample platform and an entry aperture stop of the bi-telecentric optical imaging system, wherein the chief rays from a plurality of field points on the sample platform are parallel to each other when passing through the first filter, and such that a second telecentric space is created or exists between the light detector and an exit aperture stop of the bi-telecentric optical imaging system, wherein the chief rays from the plurality of field points are parallel to each other when passing through the second filter. In this manner, light collected from different points in the field of view pass through the first filter at the same angles and also through the second filter at the same angles to thereby reduce or eliminate angular spectral shifting effects.