Confocal Microscope Imaging Head on Boom Stand
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Solution Overview
Problem
Confocal microscopes are cumbersome when imaging both ex-vivo tissue samples mounted on a stage and in-vivo tissue, as they require different setups and lack versatility in positioning the imaging head for various samples.
Innovation Solution
A confocal microscope with a positionable imaging head mounted on a boom stand, allowing for vertical, lateral, and rotational adjustments, enabling imaging of both ex-vivo samples on a platform and in-vivo samples beside the platform, with the option to remove and reattach the imaging head to different boom stands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the imaging head is fixed on a traditional microscope stage, then ex-vivo tissue samples can be imaged, but the device cannot image in-vivo tissue samples
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging head is mounted on a boom stand with multi-axis positioning capabilities instead of a fixed microscope stage, enabling it to reach both ex-vivo samples on the platform and in-vivo samples on the patient's body. This single setup replaces what would traditionally require separate imaging systems or reconfigurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging head is made dynamically positionable through vertical, lateral, and rotational adjustments via the boom stand mechanism. This dynamic positioning allows the imaging head to adapt its orientation and location for different imaging scenarios (ex-vivo vs in-vivo) without requiring physical reconfiguration of the entire system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the imaging head is mounted on a fixed position, then the optical system is stable, but the imaging head cannot be repositioned for different samples
Solution Approach 1:
The boom stand provides controlled dynamic adjustment capabilities with vertical, lateral, and rotational degrees of freedom, allowing the imaging head to be precisely positioned and locked at various locations while maintaining stable optical alignment during imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional fixed mechanical mounting is replaced with a boom stand mechanism that uses articulated arms and joints to provide both mobility and stability, substituting a rigid fixed-position system with a controlled kinematic system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate microscopes are used for ex-vivo and in-vivo imaging, then each imaging modality is optimized, but the overall system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single confocal microscope system with a positionable imaging head mounted on a boom stand serves both ex-vivo and in-vivo imaging applications, eliminating the need for separate imaging systems and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining optimized imaging capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines previously separate imaging functions (ex-vivo and in-vivo imaging) into a single integrated system where the imaging head can be positioned to serve different imaging needs, merging multiple functions into one versatile platform.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the imaging head is permanently mounted on one boom stand, then the mounting is stable, but the imaging head cannot be used with different boom stands
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging head is designed as a separate, removable module that can be detached from one boom stand and attached to another, dividing the system into independent components that can be reconfigured as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system transitions from a permanent fixed attachment to a dynamic, reconfigurable connection that allows the imaging head to be easily mounted and dismounted on different boom stands while maintaining stable operation during use.
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
Enables flexible and efficient imaging of both ex-vivo and in-vivo samples from a common platform, improving usability and versatility by providing multiple degrees of motion and modality options like confocal microscopy, OCT, or two-photon microscopy.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging head with an optical system for capturing optically formed microscopic sectional images of a sample, where the optical system has at least an objective lens for focusing and collecting illumination from the sample
Data Source
AI summary
A confocal microscope is provided having an imaging head with an optical system for capturing optically formed microscopic sectional images of a sample, and a boom stand having a platform, a shaft which extends from the platform, and an arm which extends from the shaft, where such arm is coupled to the imaging head. The imaging head has a plurality of degrees of freedom of motion in positioning the arm relative to the shaft, and the imaging head relative to the arm, so that the imaging head in a first mode can be moved to image a first sample, such as ex-vivo tissue specimen mounted on a stage, disposed upon the platform, and in a second mode the imaging head can be moved to image a second sample, such as in-vivo issue, disposed away from or beside the platform.