Cryo-Immersion Objective Thermal Decoupling for Microscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical examination devices for specimens require complex calibration and expert knowledge for transferring between different microscopy techniques, limiting their usability and flexibility, especially in correlative microscopy where specimens need to be imaged using multiple methods.
Innovation Solution
A device with a cryo-immersion objective and stative, where insulating means interrupt heat transfer between the stative and optical front component, allowing for improved thermal decoupling and enabling the use of cooled immersion liquid to enhance resolution and flexibility across various microscopy methods without extensive calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional stative is used for optical examination, then the device structure is simple and easy to operate, but thermal coupling between the stative and optical components causes temperature fluctuations that degrade imaging stability and resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into thermally isolated segments: the stative remains at room temperature while the optical front component and immersion liquid are cooled separately to cryogenic temperatures. This segmentation allows each component to operate at its optimal temperature without thermal interference from others.
Solution Approach 2:
A heat insulating means is introduced as an intermediary between the stative and the optical front component. This intermediary blocks heat transfer from the room-temperature stative to the cooled optical components, maintaining temperature stability and preventing condensation while allowing mechanical support and alignment.
2Measurement precision
If cooling is applied to the optical front component and immersion liquid, then numerical aperture and resolution are improved, but heat transfer from the stative causes temperature fluctuations and condensation
Solution Approach 1:
The heat insulating means acts as a thermal barrier between the room-temperature stative and the cryogenically cooled optical front component. This intermediary prevents heat influx that would cause temperature fluctuations and condensation on the cold optical surfaces, while still allowing mechanical coupling and alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature parameter of the optical front component and immersion liquid is changed to cryogenic levels to increase the refractive index of the immersion liquid, thereby improving numerical aperture and resolution. The heat insulating means enables maintaining this low temperature parameter stable over time.
3Reliability
If insulating means are added to interrupt heat transition, then temperature stability and resolution are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat insulating means is integrated as an intermediary component in the mechanical structure between the stative and optical front component. It serves dual functions: providing thermal isolation while maintaining mechanical support and alignment, thereby minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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
Facilitates simple coupling with commercial microscopy systems, reduces the need for calibration, and allows for high-resolution imaging across different examination methods, including transition from live observation to cryo-fixing, with improved numerical aperture and collecting efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
insulating means are present for interrupting a heat transition between the stative and the optical front component
Implementation Method 2
cryo-immersion is thereby used in order to achieve an improved resolution with respect to devices to date
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for optical examination of a specimen with a cryo-immersion objective, having a stative, to which the cryo-immersion objective is fixed, wherein the cryo-immersion objective has a plurality of optical components, in particular lenses, and wherein the cryo-immersion objective has an optical front component which is in contact during operation with a coolable immersion liquid, having a specimen carrier for a specimen to be examined, having means for providing a cooled immersion liquid between the optical front component and the specimen to be examined on or against the specimen carrier. The device is characterized in that insulating means are present for interrupting a heat transition between the stative and the optical front component. The invention also relates to a method for examining a specimen, wherein with a device according to the invention a plurality of microscopic images are recorded, wherein for each of the individual images a different offset between a main housing and a separate housing is set. Finally the invention relates to a method for transferring a device according to the invention into an operation-ready state, wherein the components, cooled in operation, of the cryo-immersion objective, in particular the optical front component, are cooled with a coolant, in particular with liquid nitrogen, wherein the immersion liquid is cooled with a coolant, in particular with liquid nitrogen, and wherein thereafter the cooled components of the cryo-immersion objective are brought into contact with the immersion liquid.