Confocal Microscope with 3D Printed Housing and Fixed Mounts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional confocal microscopes are complex, expensive, large in size, and require extensive calibration, leading to issues with signal loss and misalignments due to numerous optical components and long optical paths.
Innovation Solution
A compact, simplified confocal microscope design utilizing 3D printing for the housing and fixed optical components, reducing the number of optical elements and optical path length, and incorporating a feedback arrangement for automatic calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional confocal microscopes use large optical path length and multiple optical components, then detection capability is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical components (beam splitter, dichroic mirror, objective lens, and detector) into a single integrated confocal detection module. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining the confocal detection capability, directly addressing the contradiction between detection capability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the confocal detection module is integrated within the microscope body, and further integrates relay lenses and focusing elements within external detection modules. This nested arrangement allows compact packaging of multiple functional elements without increasing overall device complexity, resolving the contradiction between maintaining detection capability and reducing system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional confocal microscopes use multiple optical elements, then detection flexibility is improved, but signal loss and misalignment issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple optical elements into an integrated confocal detection module, the patent reduces the number of optical interfaces and component boundaries. This minimizes signal loss at each interface while maintaining detection flexibility through the integrated design, directly resolving the contradiction between adaptability and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a feedback arrangement that facilitates calibration of the detection module for optimized detection of sample radiation. This feedback mechanism compensates for potential signal losses and ensures optimal performance, addressing the contradiction between detection flexibility and signal loss by providing automated correction.
3Measurement precision
If conventional confocal microscopes require extensive calibration, then detection precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calibrates the optical components during manufacturing by providing mounts positioned relative to each other to obviate the need for calibration of components. This preliminary action ensures optimal alignment before the device reaches the user, eliminating the need for extensive on-site calibration while maintaining detection precision, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated confocal detection module is designed to be self-aligning through precision mounting structures that maintain optimal component positions without requiring user intervention for calibration. This self-service design maintains detection precision while dramatically improving ease of operation by eliminating complex calibration procedures.
4Measurement precision
If conventional confocal microscopes are designed for high-resolution detection, then measurement capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and device size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple expensive optical components into a single integrated module, reducing the total number of precision components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This integration maintains high-resolution detection capability while reducing manufacturing complexity and cost, directly addressing the contradiction between measurement precision and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the optical system by using relay lenses with specific focal lengths and positioning focusing elements at optimized distances to achieve confocal detection with a compact design. This parameter optimization allows high-resolution detection without requiring large, expensive optical components, resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and manufacturing cost.
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 results in a cost-effective, easy-to-calibrate, and stable confocal microscope with reduced noise and light losses, enabling better fluorescence detection sensitivity and resolution.
Implementation Method 1
there is provided a simplified confocal microscope that can be produced and manufactured consistently and inexpensively. In an embodiment, this is assisted by employing a 3D printing technique for manufacturing the housing of the confocal microscope.
Implementation Method 2
this is assisted by employing a 3D printing technique for manufacturing the housing of the confocal microscope
Implementation Method 3
the feedback arrangement is arranged to facilitate calibration of the detection arrangement for an optimised detection of the sample radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A confocal microscope includes a housing, which may be printed, and which includes mounts for receiving optical and other components of the microscope. The positions of the mounts are pre-determined so as to obviate the need for complex calibration of the components. The components and optical path lengths are selected in order to optimise the size of the microscope.