Compact Fluorescence Microscope with Integrated CMOS Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fluorescence microscopes are large, cumbersome, expensive, and complex, limiting their accessibility and usability in research, education, and disease diagnostics, especially in resource-constrained areas where they are needed most, such as for diagnosing diseases like malaria.
Innovation Solution
A compact, high-resolution fluorescence microscope with integrated excitation, emission, and imaging optics using a CMOS sensor for image acquisition, eliminating the need for an ocular assembly and reducing light losses by minimizing reflective elements, allowing for high-throughput imaging and simplified operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional fluorescence microscope design is used, then high-resolution imaging is achieved, but the device becomes large, cumbersome, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines excitation optics, emission optics, and imaging optics into a single integrated optical train. The excitation light path and emission light path are merged through the use of a beamsplitter that directs excitation light to the sample and redirects emitted fluorescence to the detector, eliminating the need for separate optical assemblies and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high-resolution imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the ocular assembly from traditional microscope design, using a digital detector directly coupled to the imaging optics. This removal of the eyepiece component simplifies the optical path, reduces the number of reflective elements, and enables a more compact device configuration while preserving measurement precision through direct digital image capture
2Illumination intensity
If traditional microscope design with ocular assembly is used, then imaging functionality is provided, but light losses increase due to multiple reflective elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ocular assembly and its associated reflective elements from the optical path. By using a digital detector directly coupled to the imaging optics, the design eliminates multiple mirrors and lenses that would otherwise reflect and scatter light, thereby maximizing light throughput to the detector while reducing the number of reflective elements in the system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical ocular assembly with a digital detection system. This substitution eliminates the need for eyepiece lenses and associated reflective surfaces, directly coupling the imaging optics to the detector to maximize light efficiency and minimize losses from mechanical optical components
3Reliability
If conventional fluorescence microscope is used, then diagnostic capability is provided, but accessibility and usability are limited in resource-constrained areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates all essential fluorescence microscopy functions into a single compact device with unified excitation and emission optics. This consolidation maintains reliable diagnostic capability while creating a more accessible instrument that can be deployed in resource-constrained settings without requiring complex alignment or maintenance procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal fluorescence microscope that can perform both fluorescence imaging and brightfield imaging through the same integrated optical system. This multi-functionality enhances ease of operation by providing versatile diagnostic capabilities in a single instrument, making it suitable for various applications in resource-limited environments
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 compact design enables affordable, high-resolution imaging suitable for laboratory and field environments, improving accessibility and usability in research, education, and diagnostics, facilitating the use of fluorescence microscopy in resource-limited settings.
Implementation Method 1
using a CMOS sensor for image acquisition
Implementation Method 2
Compact, high-resolution fluorescence and brightfield microscope
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a compact, inexpensive fluorescence microscope capable of high-resolution imaging with high light throughput suitable for use in both laboratory and field environments, and methods of use. A simple and inexpensive fluorescence microscope allows health care workers to perform various medical assays at the point of care instead of having to collect and transport biological samples to distant labs, and subsequently return the results to the patient. The microscope of the present invention is also useful for educational use and field use, and other uses as well.