Capillary Channel Objective Cap for Immersion Medium Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for examining chemical and biological samples with optical means, such as microscopes, face challenges in reliably and automatically supplying and discharging immersion liquid due to limited space, leading to fouling risks and inefficient drop removal under high-throughput screening conditions.
Innovation Solution
A device with a capillary channel surrounding the objective lens, utilizing capillary forces for both the supply and discharge of immersion medium, featuring a protection means with a capillary channel connected to a suction system and an overflow reservoir to manage excess liquid, ensuring continuous and reliable exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a collection means is provided to receive excess immersion medium, then the objective is protected from fouling, but the collection means can only be of very small size due to shortage of space, leading to difficulties with discharge of immersion medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical suction system with a capillary-based discharge system. The capillary channel utilizes capillary forces to automatically draw off excess immersion medium without requiring complex mechanical suction mechanisms, thereby simplifying the discharge operation while maintaining effective protection of the objective.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs capillary hydraulic action through the capillary channel to manage excess immersion medium. The capillary forces create a hydraulic flow path that automatically removes excess liquid from the collection means, enabling effective discharge without mechanical intervention and solving the space constraint problem.
2Reliability
If the aperture of the objective is made as high as possible, then collection efficiency is improved, but the focus must be very small which is necessary for high-throughput screening with small volume samples
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the numerical aperture parameter of the objective to maximize collection efficiency while maintaining an appropriately small focus volume for high-throughput screening. By carefully selecting and adjusting the numerical aperture parameter, the system achieves high collection efficiency without requiring an excessively large focus volume, thus resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.
3Extent of automation
If immersion medium is automatically supplied, then the examination process is streamlined, but there is a risk that drops become increasingly larger and may flow over the edge of the collection means
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through the capillary channel that automatically responds to the accumulation of excess immersion medium in the collection means. When drops become too large, the capillary forces activate to draw off the excess liquid, preventing overflow. This automatic feedback control system maintains the immersion medium volume within safe limits without requiring manual intervention.
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
Ensures reliable and automatic supply and discharge of immersion medium, preventing fouling and maintaining a stable film volume, thus optimizing measurement efficiency and reducing the risk of liquid overflow during high-throughput screening.
Implementation Method 1
The capillary channel is connected with a suction means for discharging the immersion medium, by which the immersion medium is discharged, at least partly with the aid of capillary forces, via the capillary channel
Implementation Method 2
The gap has a width which allows a film of an immersion medium to be arranged therein such that the film is in contact with both the outer surface of the sample carrier wall and the exit lens or the exit window of the objective
Data Source
AI summary
A device for examining chemical and/or biological samples is provided that includes a sample carrier. The sample carrier includes a sample carrier wall through which a sample is examined with the aid of an objective. The objective includes an exit lens that defines a gap towards an outer surface of the sample carrier wall, in which gap a film of an immersion material can be arranged such that the film is in contact with both the outer surface and the exit lens. The exit lens is surrounded by an objective cap. To improve protection of the objective from becoming fouled by the immersion medium, the objective cap includes a capillary channel connected with a suction device for discharging the immersion medium.