Fluorescence Microscope Wavelength Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluorescence microscopes lack the ability to visually determine whether a fluorescence image of a desired wavelength range can be obtained, as wavelength characteristics of optical elements and fluorescence are only provided in catalogs, making it difficult for users to anticipate the detectable wavelength range of the fluorescence image.
Innovation Solution
A fluorescence microscope system that includes an illumination optical system, a fluorescence detection optical system with optical members having different wavelength characteristics, a memory to store these characteristics, and a display to show the wavelength characteristics of both optical elements and fluorescent dyes, allowing users to visually confirm the detectable fluorescence image range before sampling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If wavelength characteristics of optical elements are provided separately in catalogs, then device complexity is reduced, but user ability to visually determine detectable wavelength range deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate wavelength characteristic data (excitation filter, emission filter, dichroic mirror, and fluorescent dye) into a single integrated display showing the overall detectable wavelength range. This merging allows users to visually assess the complete system's wavelength characteristics without consulting multiple separate catalogs, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and information completeness.
2Ease of operation
If optical elements are selected without visual wavelength range confirmation, then ease of operation is improved, but detection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary visualization of the detectable wavelength range before actual fluorescence detection. By displaying the combined wavelength characteristics of all optical elements and fluorescent dyes in advance, users can confirm whether the selected optical elements are appropriate for the desired wavelength range, ensuring detection reliability while maintaining ease of operation.
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
Enables users to visually confirm whether a fluorescence image of the desired wavelength range can be obtained, preventing fluorescence detection failures by displaying the combined spectral transmittance of optical elements and fluorescent dye characteristics, thus allowing for precise selection and setting of optical members for optimal fluorescence detection.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination optical system that illuminates a sample with excitation light; a fluorescence detection optical system that detects fluorescence from the sample
Implementation Method 2
optical members that are disposed on an optical path of the illumination optical system and on an optical path of the fluorescence detection optical system, have different wavelength characteristics with each other
Data Source
AI summary
A fluorescence microscope 100 includes an illumination optical system 120 that illuminates a sample with excitation light, fluorescence detection optical systems 130, 140 and 150 that detect fluorescence from the sample, optical members 8, 12, 13, 16, 17 and 20 that are disposed on an optical path of the illumination optical system and on an optical path of the fluorescence detection optical system, have different wavelength characteristics with each other, and are included in the illumination optical system and in the fluorescence detection optical system, a memory 23 that stores the wavelength characteristic of each of the optical members, and a display 23a that displays each of the wavelength characteristic read out from the memory on the same frame, and displays fluorescence detection wavelength range of a detectable fluorescent dye added to the sample.