Cardioid Annular Condenser Illumination for Live Cell Microscopy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical microscopes, such as electron and ultraviolet microscopes, are unable to observe living biological specimens in real time due to damage from high-vacuum dehydration, intense heat, and ultraviolet light, which limits the study of cellular processes like cellular transport, streaming, and mitosis, and require costly and complex equipment.

Innovation Solution

An improved illumination system for direct-view light optical microscopes using a metal-halide light source, pre-condenser optics train, annular diaphragm, cardioid annular condenser, and adjustable light-filtering iris, which enhances spatial resolution and contrast, reduces stray light, and allows for three-dimensional sectioning without sample preparation or specialized orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electron microscopes are used to achieve high resolution, then spatial resolution is improved, but living specimens are damaged by high-vacuum dehydration and intense heat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial resolutionVSAvoidspecimen damage from vacuum and heat

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electron beam-based imaging system with a visible light optical system. This substitution eliminates the need for high vacuum and intense heat conditions while maintaining high spatial resolution through the use of a condenser with high numerical aperture and optimized illumination geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the imaging parameters by using visible light instead of electrons, operating at atmospheric pressure instead of vacuum, and using ambient temperature instead of heated conditions. These parameter changes enable observation of living specimens while achieving high resolution through optimized optical parameters including numerical aperture and illumination angle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If ultraviolet microscopes are used to achieve finer resolution, then spatial resolution is improved, but living specimens are damaged or killed by ultraviolet light

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial resolutionVSAvoidspecimen damage from ultraviolet light

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes ultraviolet radiation with visible light for illumination. This replacement eliminates the harmful effects of UV light on living specimens while maintaining high resolution through the use of a condenser optimized for visible light wavelengths with high numerical aperture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If conventional optical microscopes are used to observe living specimens, then specimens remain alive, but spatial resolution is insufficient to view small cellular features

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecimen viabilityVSAvoidspatial resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the illumination parameters by using visible light with optimized intensity and geometry, and by employing a condenser with high numerical aperture. These parameter changes enable high spatial resolution observation while maintaining specimen viability through ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a condenser with a specific curved geometry (cardioid shape) to optimize the illumination cone angle and numerical aperture. This curved design focuses light more effectively onto the specimen, improving spatial resolution while maintaining gentle illumination conditions suitable for living specimens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Measurement precision

If electron microscopes are used to achieve high resolution, then spatial resolution is improved, but equipment cost and operational complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial resolutionVSAvoidequipment complexity and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex electron microscope system with a simpler visible light optical system. This substitution eliminates the need for vacuum systems, electron sources, and complex detection equipment, significantly reducing both equipment cost and operational complexity while maintaining high spatial resolution through optimized optical design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 higher resolution and contrast than existing methods, enabling the observation of live cells and their processes without damage, using a low-power light source and reducing costs, while allowing for three-dimensional imaging and simultaneous fluorescence viewing.

Implementation Method 1

condenser optics train including a cardioid annular condenser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

condenser optics train including a cardioid annular condenser

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

metal-halide light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIncandescence: Incandescence

Implementation Method 4

metal-halide light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas discharge: Electric Arc

Implementation Method 5

adjustable light-filtering iris

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (optical): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 6

annular diaphragm, adjustable light-filtering iris

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGeometric filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentUS7551349B2High resolution optical microscope with cardioid condenser for brightfield and darkfield illumination

Publication Date: 2009.06.23 AUBURN UNIVERSITY

AI summary

The present invention is an improved illumination system which achieves enhanced spatial resolution and contrast in the observation of small objects. The enhanced performance is achieved by using a metal-halide light source, a power conservative pre-condenser optics train, an annular diaphragm, a cardioid annular condenser, and an adjustable light-filtering iris. These features are also intended to be used with a direct-view light optical microscope. A method of manufacturing and using the improved illumination system is also disclosed.