Disposable Opto-Electronic Microscope Modules for Portable Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current microscopes are not portable and are expensive, making it difficult to perform microscopic procedures in the field in a cost-effective and timely manner, and they pose challenges in maintaining sterility and preventing cross-contamination during sample transport.
Innovation Solution
Development of removable, pluggable, and disposable opto-electronic illumination and vision modules that can be housed in a single-use body and connected to portable devices like UMPCs, MID, PDA, or smartphones, enabling portable and hands-free microscopic procedures with minimal setup and reducing the risk of cross-contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional microscopes are used, then imaging quality is maintained, but portability and cost-effectiveness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The microscope system is divided into separate functional modules: a reusable base unit containing control electronics and a disposable imaging module containing the objective lens, eyepiece, and sample stage. This segmentation allows the expensive, complex imaging module to be discarded after use while retaining the reusable base unit, thereby improving portability and cost-effectiveness without sacrificing imaging quality during the disposable module's service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable imaging modules that are discarded after a single use, replacing the need to clean and maintain expensive microscope components. This disposable approach eliminates maintenance requirements for the imaging module, reduces cross-contamination risks, and improves portability by eliminating the need to transport and store complex microscope equipment between uses.
2Measurement precision
If traditional microscopes are used, then imaging capabilities are maintained, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging module is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after single use, eliminating all maintenance requirements including cleaning of optical components, adjustment of illumination systems, and maintenance of computerized control units. The reusable base unit requires minimal maintenance compared to traditional microscopes.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex imaging components including objective lenses, eyepieces, illumination systems, and computerized control units are extracted from the reusable base unit and placed in the disposable imaging module. This extraction ensures that all maintenance-intensive components are discarded after use, significantly reducing maintenance requirements for the overall system.
3Productivity
If traditional microscopes are used, then diagnostic procedures are performed, but cross-contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging module is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after single use, eliminating the risk of cross-contamination between samples. Each disposable module is sterile and single-use, ensuring that no biological or chemical elements from previous samples can be transferred to new samples, thereby reducing cross-contamination risk while maintaining diagnostic productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The microscope system is segmented into a reusable sterile base unit and a disposable imaging module. The disposable module contains all components that could potentially cause cross-contamination, including optical elements and sample stages. This segmentation ensures that the reusable base unit remains sterile and can be used across multiple patients without risk of contamination.
4Productivity
If traditional microscopes are used, then microscopic evaluations are performed, but equipment availability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable imaging modules can be easily replaced and distributed to multiple locations and users, significantly improving equipment availability. Since the modules are disposable rather than requiring maintenance, they can be rapidly deployed to various field locations without the time constraints imposed by cleaning and maintenance requirements, thereby enhancing the availability of microscopic evaluations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, fixed microscope setup to a dynamic, portable system where disposable imaging modules can be rapidly deployed and replaced. This dynamic approach allows the microscope system to be easily moved between locations and users, significantly improving equipment availability and adaptability for field-based diagnostic procedures.
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 solution allows for on-the-go microscopic procedures with minimal setup, reduces the need for extensive equipment maintenance, and ensures sterility by allowing for the disposal of the entire module after use, thereby enhancing the availability and efficiency of microscopic evaluations in various settings.
Implementation Method 1
one or more solid state light sources
Implementation Method 2
illumination optics, imaging optics
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments for providing removable, pluggable and disposable opto-electronic modules for illumination and microscopic imaging are provided, for use with portable display devices. Generally, various medical or industrial miniature microscopes can include one or more solid state or other compact electro-optic illuminating elements, electronic vision systems and means of scanning located thereon. Additionally, such opto-electronic modules may include illuminating optics, imaging optics, and/or image manipulation and processing elements. The illuminating elements may have different wavelengths and can be time-synchronized with an image sensor to illuminate an object for imaging or detecting purpose or other conditioning purpose. All control and power functions of such disposable microscope units can be made in the control unit that the disposable microscopes are plugged into.