Fluorescence Imaging Optics for Faster Spectral Unmixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image acquisition devices face inefficiencies and accuracy issues in acquiring multiple fluorescent light images due to the time-consuming process of matrix data acquisition and reduced accuracy from small amounts of information on fluorescent light dyes, hindering effective unmixing processing.
Innovation Solution
An image acquisition device with a support unit, light emitting unit, first light detection unit, and optical path switching unit, utilizing optical filters with varying transmission characteristics to efficiently and accurately separate fluorescent light images by wavelength regions, incorporating dichroic mirrors and multiband pass filters to selectively transmit and reflect excitation and fluorescent light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If nonnegative matrix factorization is used to acquire matrix data for unmixing processing, then fluorescent light images can be separated for each wavelength region, but the processing time becomes excessively long when the number of pixels is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by acquiring matrix data through optical filtering of fluorescent light before unmixing processing. The optical filter unit transmits fluorescent light through filters with different transmission characteristics to acquire matrix data that reflects the spectral distribution of fluorescent light from multiple dyes. This preliminary acquisition of spectrally-resolved matrix data enables more efficient unmixing processing compared to conventional methods that require extensive computational matrix factorization of raw pixel data, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining separation accuracy.
2Productivity
If the amount of information on a fluorescent light dye is small, then unmixing processing can be performed faster, but the accuracy of the acquired fluorescent light images decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing optical filters with varying transmission characteristics across different wavelength regions. The optical filter unit includes multiple filters that transmit fluorescent light with different spectral transmission profiles. By acquiring matrix data through these filters with distinct transmission parameters, the system obtains sufficient spectral information to accurately distinguish between multiple fluorescent dyes even when each individual dye provides limited information. This enables accurate unmixing processing to be performed efficiently.
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 device enables efficient and accurate acquisition of multiple fluorescent light images by optimizing the optical path switching and filtration, enhancing the accuracy of unmixing processing and image detection.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical path switching unit configured to switch an optical path of the excitation light and an optical path of the fluorescent light... the first optical path switching unit is configured to switch the optical path of the excitation light in a plurality of first wavelength regions different from each other from the first optical path to the second optical path, and switch the optical path of the fluorescent light in a plurality of second wavelength regions shifted from the plurality of first wavelength regions from the second optical path to the third optical path
Implementation Method 2
the optical filter has a transmission characteristic in which transmittance changes in a fluorescent light wavelength region including the plurality of second wavelength regions
Implementation Method 3
a light emitting unit configured to emit excitation light; a first light detection unit configured to detect fluorescent light emitted from the sample by irradiation with the excitation light
Data Source
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AI summary
An image acquisition device includes a support unit configured to support a sample, a light emitting unit configured to emit excitation light, a first light detection unit configured to detect fluorescent light emitted from the sample, a first optical path switching unit configured to switch an optical path of the excitation light and an optical path of the fluorescent light, and an optical filter unit including an optical filter through which the fluorescent light is transmitted. The first optical path switching unit is configured to switch the optical path of the excitation light from a first optical path to a second optical path and switch the optical path of the fluorescent light from the second optical path to a third optical path. The optical filter has a transmission characteristic in which transmittance changes in a fluorescent light wavelength region. The optical filter unit is configured to arrange the optical filter on the third optical path.