Fluorescence Imaging Module Using Truncated Pyramid for Cost Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fluorescence microscopy systems are costly due to the use of dichroic mirrors and have a lengthy design, making them inefficient for achieving high magnification and reducing the overall length of the microscope setup.
Innovation Solution
A fluorescence imaging module that utilizes a truncated pyramid or cone to refract and redirect light from LEDs, eliminating the need for dichroic mirrors and shortening the optical path, allowing for direct illumination of the sample with ultraviolet and blue LEDs, and optionally using prisms to bend light, thereby reducing costs and length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dichroic mirrors are used in fluorescence microscopy systems, then light filtering and separation is achieved, but the cost increases and the system length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes dichroic mirrors from the fluorescence microscopy system, extracting the light filtering and separation function from these expensive optical components. Instead, the system uses separate illumination paths with UV and blue LEDs that directly excite fluorophores, eliminating the need for dichroic mirror-based beam combining and separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive dichroic mirrors with inexpensive LED light sources and simple optical filters. The illumination system uses affordable UV and blue LEDs with corresponding excitation filters, providing a cost-effective alternative to complex dichroic mirror assemblies while maintaining fluorescence imaging functionality.
2Measurement precision
If traditional optical microscopy design is used, then image acquisition is achieved, but the magnification capability is limited and the system length is lengthy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a tilted camera sensor arrangement relative to the optical axis, changing the dimensional orientation of image capture. This tilted configuration allows the camera to capture magnified images at an angle, effectively increasing magnification capability without proportionally increasing the system length along the optical axis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the camera sensor orientation parameter by tilting it at an angle to the optical axis. This parameter change enables the system to achieve higher magnification with a more compact design, as the tilted sensor captures the magnified image plane in a different spatial orientation, reducing the required optical path length.
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 solution enables a reduced-cost, shorter fluorescence imaging module that achieves the desired magnification while maintaining image quality, without the need for expensive dichroic mirrors, and allows for efficient excitation and emission light filtering.
Implementation Method 1
A fluorescence imaging module that utilizes a truncated pyramid or cone to refract and redirect light from LEDs
Implementation Method 2
optionally using prisms to bend light
Implementation Method 3
A fluorescence object emits fluorescence emission light after the absorption of excitation light
Data Source
AI summary
A fluorescence imaging module includes an image sensor and a lens disposed between a fluorescence sample and the image sensor to focus a fluorescence image of the fluorescence sample onto the image sensor. The fluorescence sample is to be positioned an object distance away from the lens. The lens is positioned an image distance away from the image sensor. The image distance is greater than the object distance. An illuminating device is disposed between the fluorescence sample and the lens. The illuminating device includes a light source and an optical element. The light source is adapted to emit light in a first direction towards the optical element. The optical element is optically coupled to receive the light and redirect the light in a second direction towards the fluorescence sample to illuminate the fluorescence sample.