Immersion Objective Cap Delivery for Liquid Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing immersion objectives face challenges in efficiently delivering and managing immersion liquids for high-resolution microscopy, particularly in automated systems, due to manual application difficulties, liquid evaporation, and the need for rapid objective changes, which hinder image quality and resolution.
Innovation Solution
An immersion objective with a cap-based delivery device that continuously supplies immersion liquid between the objective lens and the specimen slide, using a connector to maintain a consistent overpressure and minimize space, allowing for automatic and reliable immersion film formation, suitable for inverted microscopy and multiple objective use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual application of immersion liquid is used, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to laborious application process and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The immersion liquid delivery system is designed to automatically supply immersion liquid to the gap between the objective lens and specimen slide without manual intervention. The cap-based delivery device with connector provides self-service by continuously maintaining the immersion film through automated liquid supply, eliminating the need for manual pipetting and objective movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery device ensures continuous supply of immersion liquid to the optical gap, maintaining the immersion film throughout the imaging process. The connector provides continuous liquid flow, preventing evaporation and maintaining optimal optical conditions without interruption, unlike manual application which is discontinuous and laborious.
2Reliability
If continuous supply of immersion liquid is implemented, then reliability is improved by preventing evaporation, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap-based delivery device provides localized immersion liquid supply specifically to the gap between the objective lens and specimen slide. The connector is positioned to deliver liquid precisely where needed, creating a focused immersion film without requiring a complex system-wide liquid distribution network. This local approach maintains reliability while minimizing overall system complexity.
3Device complexity
If manual application of immersion liquid is used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases due to repeated manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The cap-based delivery device is pre-configured with the connector positioned to automatically supply immersion liquid when needed. The system performs preliminary setup by positioning the connector and establishing the liquid supply path before imaging begins, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual intervention during the imaging process. The continuous supply mechanism is established in advance and operates automatically throughout.
4Manufacturing precision
If immersion liquid is supplied continuously, then manufacturing precision is improved by maintaining consistent optical conditions, but loss of substance increases due to continuous liquid consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system monitors the immersion film condition and adjusts liquid supply accordingly. The continuous supply mechanism with connector allows for real-time maintenance of optimal optical conditions, preventing evaporation and encrustation through feedback-controlled liquid replenishment. This ensures consistent optical quality while minimizing excessive liquid consumption by supplying only what is needed to maintain the immersion film.
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
Ensures a stable and continuous supply of immersion liquid, reducing evaporation and encrustation, enabling high-quality imaging and rapid objective changes without manual intervention, and is compatible with automated systems.
Implementation Method 1
configured to provide a continuous supply of the immersion liquid to the space so as to emerge through the gap
Implementation Method 2
The immersion liquid increases the total refractive index of the objective lens and thus its numerical aperture
Implementation Method 3
The cap is disposed over the objective body so as to form a space adapted to receive an immersion liquid and is open in a region of the outer lens so as to form a gap with the outer lens
Data Source
AI summary
An immersion objective for microscopic investigation of a specimen is provided wherein an outer lens is disposed in an objective body. A delivery device including a cap that is disposed over the objective body so as to form a space adapted to receive an immersion liquid is also provided. The cap is open in a region of the outer lens so as to form a gap with the outer lens. The cap includes at least one connector configured to provide a continuous supply of the immersion liquid to the space so that the immersion liquid emerges through the gap to a region between the outer lens and at least one of the specimen and a specimen slide.