Infinity-Corrected Dry Objective for High-Speed Virtual Slide Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microscope systems for pathology require complex operations and are inefficient in capturing and analyzing multiple sites on a specimen, leading to delays in diagnosis, especially in resource-scarce settings where specialists are limited.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system for virtual-slide creating that includes a transmitted-light illumination optical system, an infinity-corrected dry objective with a numerical aperture of 0.8 or greater, a tube lens with a focal length between 160 mm to 280 mm, and an image capture unit with a long image capture surface, enabling high-speed scanning and high-definition image capture of specimens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional optical microscope with stage movement and objective changing is used, then specimen observation is possible, but operation complexity increases and diagnostic efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The specimen observation process is segmented into multiple magnification levels (low-magnification objectives of 5×, 10×, 20× for overview and high-magnification objectives of 40×, 60×, 100× for detailed examination). The stage is divided into multiple regions that can be independently scanned and imaged, allowing systematic examination without manual repositioning for each area.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates digital copies of the specimen at multiple magnification levels and positions. A camera captures optical images which are then processed into digital data, replacing the need for physical stage movement and objective changes. The digital images can be viewed, stored, and analyzed without manipulating the physical specimen or microscope components.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sites on specimen are examined by manual stage shifting and objective changing, then comprehensive analysis is possible, but time consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The stage performs continuous scanning motion across the specimen while the camera continuously captures images. Multiple sites are examined in a single continuous operation rather than through discrete manual movements. The system maintains continuous useful action by automatically transitioning between different regions and magnification levels without interrupting the imaging process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system preliminarily scans the entire specimen at low magnification to identify regions of interest before performing detailed high-magnification imaging. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-plan the examination sequence, capturing all necessary sites in an optimized order rather than requiring time-consuming manual navigation and decision-making during the examination.
3Loss of information
If specimen is divided into minute segments for comprehensive imaging, then relative position information is obtained, but operational burden and time requirement become enormous
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the stage position sensors and camera data to automatically adjust imaging parameters and navigate to subsequent regions. The control system receives real-time information about current position and captured images, then automatically determines the next imaging target and adjusts the stage and objectives accordingly, eliminating manual intervention for position tracking and information correlation.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging system is designed to perform multiple functions with a single integrated setup: low-magnification scanning, high-magnification detailed imaging, and automatic position tracking all occur within the same optical path and control system. The camera and stage work together universally across different magnification levels without requiring separate systems or complex manual coordination between different imaging modes.
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 allows for rapid and efficient image capture of specimens with high definition, reducing the complexity of pathological analysis and enabling early diagnostic results, even in remote areas, by simplifying the handling and scanning process.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitted-light illumination optical system for illuminating the specimen with transmitted light
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope for virtual-slide creating system has a stage for holding the specimen, a transmitted-light illumination optical system for illuminating the specimen with transmitted light, an objective, a tube lens and an image capture unit. The objective is configured as a dry system of infinity-corrected type with an object-side numerical aperture of 0.8 or greater and a focal length for d-line rays in a range from 8 to 20 mm. The tube lens has a focal length in a range from 160 to 280 mm. The image capture surface of the image capture unit has a long side of 12 mm or longer and a pixel size (μm) satisfying the following condition:a (μm)≦(0.61×0.59 (μ/m))/NA′where a is the pixel size, and NA′ is an image-side numerical aperture.