Confocal Microscope Light Source Array Clocking Sequence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing confocal microscopes face challenges in achieving high resolution without mechanical movement, as they require complex rearrangement of signal assignments and lengthy calculation times, which hinder recording speed and simplify the imaging process.
Innovation Solution
A microscope with a 2D array of light sources and detection pixels, where each pixel is assigned to a specific light source, allowing for confocal imaging without mechanical movement by switching light sources in a clocked sequence and reading detection pixels in a reversed sequence, thereby simplifying the imaging process and increasing recording speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If signal rearrangement is performed for each illumination spot position to increase resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and calculation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores the mapping relationships between detector elements and sample positions for all possible illumination spot positions before actual imaging. During imaging, the system simply retrieves pre-computed signal assignments rather than performing complex real-time rearrangements, thus maintaining high resolution while reducing calculation complexity and processing time
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of dynamically rearranging signals from detector elements to sample positions based on current illumination spot location, the patent inverts the approach by pre-establishing fixed signal assignment maps that directly correlate detector readings to sample positions for each illumination position, eliminating the need for complex real-time signal shuffling
2Ease of operation
If mechanical parts are used for scanning movement to illuminate the object, then ease of operation is improved, but recording speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scanning systems with an array of stationary light sources that can be electronically switched on and off in different sequences. This substitution eliminates mechanical inertia and movement limitations, enabling much faster illumination switching and thereby significantly increasing recording speed while maintaining the ability to scan and illuminate different regions of the object
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control of light source activation sequences, where different groups of light sources are switched on in specific temporal patterns to achieve scanning effects without physical movement. This dynamic switching allows the system to adapt illumination patterns rapidly, maintaining scanning capability while achieving high recording speeds
3Measurement precision
If multiple light sources are switched on simultaneously to improve signal-to-noise ratio, then measurement precision is improved, but crosstalk between illumination spots increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the array of light sources into multiple independent groups, where each group can be activated separately. This segmentation allows the system to switch on only one group at a time, ensuring that illumination spots remain spatially separated and crosstalk is minimized, while still achieving good signal-to-noise ratio through coordinated activation of multiple groups in sequence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic switching of different light source groups in a time-multiplexed manner. Each group is activated for a specific time interval, creating periodic illumination patterns. This periodic action ensures that while multiple groups are used to improve signal strength, they do not overlap spatially at the same time, thereby preventing crosstalk between illumination spots
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
This approach enables high-resolution confocal imaging with reduced calculation complexity and increased recording speed, avoiding the need for mechanical movement and minimizing crosstalk between illumination spots, thus improving signal-to-noise ratio and reducing the risk of photobleaching.
Implementation Method 1
The object 12 contains fluorescent dyes which are excited by the radiation produced by the light sources 24. The fluorescent dyes in the object 12 emit fluorescent light
Implementation Method 2
The imaging beam path 16 images the object 12 with a resolution defining a minimum diameter in the object plane
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope having an imaging beam path, an illumination beam path, a detection device, and a control device for controlling the detection device and the illumination device. The control device divides the light sources of the detection device in an array into at least a first and a second group, wherein each group is composed of light sources adjacent to each other in the array and covers part of the array. The control device switches on only one light source of the first group at a point in time and connects the light sources of the first group in a sequence with a clocking in such a way that two light sources switched on one after the other are adjacent to each other in the array and switches the light sources of the second group with the same clocking as the light sources of the first group. The control device reads out the detection device with the same clocking as the connecting of the light sources.