Immersion Front-End Lens System for Deep Biological Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microscope objectives with short working distances and limited compatibility with solvents or immersion media restrict deep imaging capabilities, especially for specimens immersed in refractive-index matching media, and are costly.
Innovation Solution
An accessory optic kit that transforms a low-power, non-immersed microscope objective into a higher-power immersion objective by adding a plano-convex lens assembly, allowing for increased resolution, magnification, and compatibility with index-matching solvents, including those incompatible with standard objectives, while maintaining sufficient working distance for millimeter-depth imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional microscope objectives are used for deep imaging, then working distance is limited, but imaging depth capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the microscope objective system into two separate components: a standard long-working-distance objective and a detachable immersion front-end lens assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the objective provides long working distance while the front-end assembly provides immersion capability for deep imaging, resolving the contradiction between working distance and imaging depth capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The immersion front-end lens assembly is designed to attach to the front of the standard objective, creating a nested configuration where the smaller front-end assembly is positioned in front of the larger objective. This nested structure enables the combination of long working distance (from the objective) and immersion capability (from the front-end assembly) without requiring a completely new objective design.
2Measurement precision
If specialty immersion objectives are used for deep imaging, then imaging quality improves, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes standard microscope objectives multi-functional by adding the detachable front-end lens assembly. The same front-end assembly can be used with multiple different objectives and can be configured for different immersion media (water, silicone oil, or other solvents). This universality allows standard objectives to perform specialty immersion functions, eliminating the need for expensive dedicated objectives for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of investing in expensive specialty objectives, the invention uses relatively inexpensive front-end lens assemblies that can be attached to standard objectives. These front-end assemblies are simpler in design and can be manufactured more cheaply than complete specialty objectives, providing cost-effective access to deep imaging capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard immersion objectives are used, then compatibility with specific media is achieved, but adaptability to different solvents deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The front-end lens assembly is designed with dynamic adaptability - the same basic assembly can be used with different immersion media by adjusting the refractive index matching. The system allows users to select appropriate lens materials (e.g., crown glass, flint glass) and adjust immersion media (water, silicone oil, other solvents) to match the refractive index requirements of different specimens and mounting media, providing both compatibility and versatility.
4Measurement precision
If high magnification is achieved, then resolution improves, but working distance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The front-end lens assembly acts as an intermediary between the standard objective and the specimen. It provides the immersion interface that enables high numerical aperture and resolution while the rear objective maintains its long working distance characteristics. The intermediary front-end assembly decouples the trade-off between magnification and working distance that normally exists in unitized objectives.
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 deep imaging with increased resolution and magnification, and allows use of solvents incompatible with standard objectives, providing longer working distances and compatibility with refractive-index matching media, thus expanding the applicability of microscope objectives in biomedical imaging.
Implementation Method 1
The accessory optic increases the resolution and magnification of the objective by adding a plano-convex lens assembly that refracts light to focus the optical path
Implementation Method 2
The accessory optic enables use of index-matching solvents that otherwise are incompatible with standard immersion objectives, including cases in which a cover glass cannot be used to separate the mounting medium of the specimen from the immersion medium of the lens
Data Source
AI summary
An accessory optic is described which enables a non-immersed, long working distance microscope objective to be used as a higher-power immersion objective. This is particularly useful for biological imaging of specimens in an index-matching clarification medium. The accessory approach is the opposite of conventional unitized immersion objective design and presents several advantages over conventional design. The front lens element of the accessory may be selected to have precisely the refractive index of the specimen immersion medium and the accessory may be designed for use with immersion media that are incompatible with conventional immersion objectives. A dual accessory enables two such modified objectives to be optimized for light-sheet microscopy.