Imaging Assembly Series Filter Lens Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging systems for biological and chemical tests face challenges in reducing light pollution from ambient background light and excitation light, which degrades the quality and accuracy of images captured from fluorescent or phosphorescent markers, especially in applications like Western blots where light scattering is high.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an imaging assembly that includes a lens module with two or more lenses arranged in series within a barrel to refract off-normal light toward the interior walls, combined with a series filter assembly comprising an absorbance glass and a thin film interference filter, positioned along the optical path to block excitation light and minimize light pollution, while allowing desired emission light to reach the sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a single lens or simple optical path is used, then device complexity is reduced, but light pollution from excitation light and ambient background light cannot be effectively blocked, degrading image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The optical path is segmented into multiple stages with separate filtering components. The lens module contains multiple lenses (first lens, second lens) arranged in series, each contributing to light management. Filter assemblies are positioned at different locations (front and/or rear of lens module) to progressively remove harmful light at different stages of the optical path, rather than attempting to block all light pollution with a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
Filter assemblies act as intermediary elements between the excitation light source and the image sensor. These filters (including dichroic mirrors, absorptive filters, or interference filters) are positioned in the optical path to selectively block excitation light and ambient background light while allowing emission light to pass through to the sensor, thereby mediating the interaction between harmful light and the sensor.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If filters are positioned to block excitation light, then light pollution is reduced, but some desired emission light may be blocked, affecting signal intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The filtering components are designed with specific optical parameters to selectively transmit emission light while blocking excitation light. Dichroic mirrors are configured with specific reflection and transmission wavelength ranges; absorptive filters are selected with appropriate optical density and transmission characteristics for the emission wavelength. These parameter optimizations ensure maximum emission light transmission while achieving effective excitation light blocking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the potentially harmful excitation light into a useful filtering mechanism. By positioning filters that are highly reflective or absorptive at excitation wavelengths, the excitation light that would otherwise pollute the image is redirected or absorbed, and this same filtering action inadvertently protects the emission light path. The harmful excitation light becomes the target for selective filtering that benefits the overall imaging process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple lenses are arranged in series to refract off-normal light, then light pollution reduction is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple lenses are merged into a single lens module assembly that functions as an integrated optical unit. The first lens and second lens are positioned in series within the same optical path, with their combined refraction effects working together to redirect off-normal light toward interior walls. This merging approach maintains the light pollution reduction benefits while presenting the complex optical system as a single manufacturable module.
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 configuration significantly improves the signal-to-background ratio, reducing light pollution and enhancing the accuracy and resolution of images by effectively blocking undesired light while preserving the desired emission light, thereby improving the overall quality of the captured images.
Implementation Method 1
the lenses in the lens module decrease in diameter along the optical path of the emission light and are configured to refract off-normal light toward interior walls of the lens barrel
Implementation Method 2
an absorbance glass having at least one side coated with a thin film interference filter layer
Implementation Method 3
a first series filter assembly, positioned along an optical path in line with the lens module, and positioned in front of or behind the lens module along the optical path, the first series filter assembly being comprised of an absorbance glass having at least one side coated with a thin film interference filter layer
Implementation Method 4
the target region is configured to receive excitation light from the excitation light module and to emit emission light
Implementation Method 5
using fluorescent or phosphorescent markers
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A
AI summary
An imaging assembly and processing system that includes a sample platform having a target region which can hold a sample, where the sample can be marked with fluorescent or phosphorescent markers. The imaging assembly can have an excitation light module proximate to the sample platform that emits light to excite the markers, and a lens module positioned to receive emission light from excited markers in target region. At least one series filter assembly or interference filter can be arranged in front of, behind, or both in front of and behind the lens module. The assembly includes a light sensor and a processor and imaging module configured to process data captured by the light sensor. Images of the sample are generated based on the emission light from the sample that transmit through and are filtered by the lens assembly and series filter assembly or interference filter.