Confocal Microscope Unit Multi-Wavelength Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In conventional confocal microscopes, optically adjusting the conjugate position of light sources and apertures with respect to dichroic mirrors is challenging, making it difficult to perform confocal imaging at multiple wavelengths efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A confocal microscope unit is designed with separate subunits for each wavelength, each including a light source, aperture, and photodetector, all positioned at a conjugate relationship with respect to a dichroic mirror, allowing for easy adjustment and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a light source and aperture are provided at a conjugate position with respect to a dichroic mirror to enable confocal imaging at multiple wavelengths, then imaging accuracy is improved, but the complexity of optical adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into multiple independent subunits (first subunit, second subunit, etc.), where each subunit contains a light source, aperture, and photodetector configured for a specific wavelength range. This segmentation allows each subunit to be independently adjusted and optimized, reducing the overall complexity of optical alignment while maintaining high imaging accuracy across multiple wavelengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary configuration of the conjugate position relationship between light sources and apertures during the manufacturing or assembly stage. By pre-establishing the correct optical alignment within each subunit before integration into the full system, the need for complex post-assembly optical adjustments is minimized, thus improving imaging accuracy without proportionally increasing adjustment complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate subunits are provided for each wavelength with light sources, apertures, and photodetectors, then confocal imaging at multiple wavelengths is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs each subunit with a universal structure containing a light source, aperture, and photodetector that can handle a specific wavelength range. This modular universal design allows the system to achieve multi-wavelength imaging capability by simply activating different subunits, rather than requiring entirely separate optical paths for each wavelength, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functional components (light source, aperture, photodetector) into integrated subunits that share common structural elements and mounting mechanisms. By merging these components into unified modules rather than treating them as separate entities, the patent reduces the effective device complexity while enabling multi-wavelength confocal imaging through the coordinated operation of the subunits.
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 configuration enables accurate and efficient confocal imaging across multiple wavelengths, improving imaging accuracy and simplifying the setup process.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to output first excitation light, a first aperture configured to limit a luminous flux of first fluorescence generated from a sample to be observed in response to the first excitation light
Implementation Method 2
a first beam splitter configured to reflect the first excitation light and the first fluorescence and transmit the second excitation light and the second fluorescence
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A confocal microscope unit 1 according to an embodiment includes: a first subunit 6a which includes a light source 10a, a pinhole plate 12a, and a photodetector 13a; a second subunit 6b which includes a light source 10b, a pinhole plate 12b, and a photodetector 13b; a scan mirror 4 which scans excitation light on a sample M and guides fluorescence generated from the sample M to the first and second subunits 6a and 6b; a scan lens 7 which guides the excitation light and guides the fluorescence to the scan mirror 4; and a main housing 2 which is attachable to a connection port PI and to which the scan mirror 4, the scan lens 7, and the subunits 6a and 6b are fixed, wherein the first subunit 6a includes a dichroic mirror 9a that separates the excitation light and fluorescence handled by the own unit from those handled by the second subunit 6b.