Confocal Scanner Pinhole Array Disk Crosstalk Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional confocal scanner systems require precise adjustments to suppress fluorescence crosstalk, which is challenging due to the small deflection of illumination light and potential changes over time, making them difficult to manufacture and manage.

Innovation Solution

A confocal scanner system comprising a first and second pinhole array disk, a condensing element array disk, and a motor-driven connecting shaft, where the pinhole arrays are positioned at specific focal planes of the condensing elements, allowing for the suppression of crosstalk without precise optical adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a beam splitter device is used to deflect illumination light to suppress crosstalk, then crosstalk suppression is improved, but device complexity and adjustment precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrosstalk suppressionVSAvoidoptical system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the pinhole array into multiple independent disks (first pinhole array disk, second pinhole array disk), each associated with specific wavelength ranges. This segmentation allows different wavelength components to be spatially separated without requiring complex beam splitters, as each disk handles specific wavelengths independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional pinhole arrays to three-dimensional stacked pinhole array disks arranged at different axial positions. By utilizing the axial dimension, the system achieves wavelength-based spatial separation through focal plane differences rather than requiring lateral beam deflection, simplifying the optical path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If precise optical adjustments are made to suppress crosstalk, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture and management deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrosstalk suppressionVSAvoidassembly and adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pinhole arrays are pre-configured on multiple disks at specific axial positions during manufacturing, with each disk designed to handle specific wavelength ranges. This preliminary arrangement of optical elements eliminates the need for complex post-assembly adjustments, as the crosstalk suppression geometry is built-in rather than adjusted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the spatial arrangement parameter by stacking pinhole arrays at different axial positions rather than using lateral displacement. This parameter change transforms the crosstalk suppression mechanism from requiring precise angular/positional adjustment to relying on fixed axial spacing, simplifying manufacturing and assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If illumination light is deflected to prevent overlapping irradiation positions, then crosstalk suppression is improved, but stability over time deteriorates due to potential changes in deflection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrosstalk suppressionVSAvoidtemporal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical beam deflection system with a fixed optical structure based on focal plane separation. Instead of using movable or adjustable beam splitters that can drift over time, the system uses stationary pinhole arrays at different axial positions, eliminating mechanical instability sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the optical system with built-in tolerance to temporal changes by using fixed axial spacing between pinhole arrays. This preliminary design cushioning ensures that even if minor environmental changes occur over time, the crosstalk suppression remains effective without requiring recalibration or adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 system effectively suppresses crosstalk between different fluorescent dyes, simplifying assembly and adjustment, and enhancing the robustness and reliability of the confocal scanner system.

Implementation Method 1

one first pinhole is positioned at a first focal plane of one condensing element in the condensing element array disk, and the second pinhole array disk is attached to the connecting shaft so that one second pinhole is positioned at a second focal plane of one condensing element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFocusing: Focusing

Data Source

PatentUS12306389B2Confocal scanner, confocal scanner system, and confocal microscope system

Publication Date: 2025.05.20 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A confocal scanner (21) according to the present disclosure includes a first pinhole array disk (211a), a second pinhole array disk (211b), a condensing element array disk (212) located between the first pinhole array disk (211a) and the second pinhole array disk (211b), a connecting shaft (213) connecting the first pinhole array disk (211a), the second pinhole array disk (211b), and the condensing element array disk (212), and a motor (214) configured, together with the connecting shaft (213), to rotate the first pinhole array disk (211a), the second pinhole array disk (211b), and the condensing element array disk (212). The first pinhole array disk (211a) is located at a first focal plane, the second pinhole array disk (211b) is located at a second focal plane.