Illumination Chip Surface Plasmon Structured Light Microscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional super-resolution microscopic imaging methods, such as structured illumination microscopy, require multiple images to be taken at different angles and phases, leading to low real-time performance, high system throughput, and introduction of artifacts due to complex frequency domain reconstruction algorithms, increasing construction difficulty and cost.
Innovation Solution
A microscopic imaging apparatus with an illumination chip featuring a substrate with periodically distributed illumination units that generate surface plasmon structured light, allowing for selective excitation of samples with a 2-fold improvement in resolution using only two images, eliminating the need for frequency domain reconstruction and reducing artifacts and construction complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional structured illumination microscopy is used to achieve super-resolution imaging, then the resolution limit is broken, but at least nine images need to be taken which affects real-time performance and reduces system throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination array structure is segmented into multiple independent illumination units (at least three) that can be independently controlled. Each illumination unit corresponds to a specific placement unit, allowing selective illumination of different sample regions. This segmentation enables parallel acquisition of multiple illumination patterns, reducing the total number of sequential image acquisitions needed while maintaining super-resolution capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination units are periodically distributed on the substrate, creating a structured illumination pattern that enables super-resolution imaging. The periodic structure allows extraction of high-frequency information through algorithmic processing, achieving resolution beyond the diffraction limit while reducing the number of required images compared to traditional methods.
2Measurement precision
If frequency domain reconstruction algorithm is used to process multiple images, then super-resolution image is reconstructed, but artifacts are inevitably introduced which affects sample observation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary high-frequency information from the illuminated samples using a simplified algorithm that processes fewer images. By taking out only the essential information needed for super-resolution and avoiding complex frequency domain reconstruction, the method reduces artifact introduction while maintaining resolution improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using the full nine-image acquisition protocol of traditional SIM, the patent uses a partial approach with fewer illumination patterns and images. This partial action is sufficient to achieve super-resolution for many applications while avoiding the artifacts introduced by complete frequency domain reconstruction.
3Measurement precision
If multiple images are collected continuously in different phases and directions to obtain finer reconstructed data, then measurement precision is improved, but high precision mechanical positioning is required which increases construction difficulty and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation system with an electrical control system. Instead of mechanically rotating the illumination pattern or sample stage to different angles, the system uses electronically controllable illumination units that can be selectively activated. This substitution eliminates the need for precision mechanical positioning while maintaining the ability to acquire images from multiple effective angles and phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination units are designed to be dynamically controllable, allowing selective activation of different units in different time frames. This dynamic control enables the system to achieve multiple illumination patterns without mechanical movement, simplifying the overall system while maintaining measurement precision.
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 enhances resolution, reduces the number of required images, minimizes artifacts, and simplifies the imaging apparatus construction, resulting in improved real-time performance and cost-effectiveness for biological sample observation.
Implementation Method 1
Illumination units of the multiple illumination units are configured to generate, in a case where the illumination units of the multiple illumination units are illuminated by a light source, surface plasmon structured light to excite fluorescent dyes of samples
Implementation Method 2
excite fluorescent dyes of samples in corresponding placement units of the multiple placement units, and generate a fluorescence signal
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination chip includes an illumination array structure and an illumination well. The illumination array structure includes a substrate and multiple illumination units periodically distributed on the substrate. The illumination well is disposed on a surface, extending along the multiple illumination units, of the illumination array structure, where the illumination well is divided into multiple placement units which are configured to place samples, and each placement unit (841) is disposed above a corresponding illumination unit. Illumination units of the multiple illumination units are configured to generate, in a case where the illumination units of the multiple illumination units are illuminated by a light source, surface plasmon structured light to excite fluorescent dyes of samples in corresponding placement units of the multiple placement units, and generate a fluorescence signal.