Infinity-Corrected Optical System for Feeble Light Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluorescence microscopy techniques face challenges in detecting feeble light from living cells without damaging the cells, as high-intensity exciting light is required, leading to cell damage and poor signal-to-noise ratios, and existing optical systems are not capable of efficiently detecting faint radiation or providing interchangeable and flexible observation methods.
Innovation Solution
An infinity-corrected optical system with a variable parfocal distance and numerical aperture range (4.56≦D·NA′≦30 mm) incorporating interchangeable lenses and a transmission illumination system for bright-field, fluorescence, and phase-contrast observations, allowing for efficient detection of feeble light and improved signal-to-noise ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high-intensity exciting light is used for fluorescence observation, then fluorescence signal intensity is improved, but living cell damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical excitation system (fluorescence microscopy requiring high-intensity light) with a biochemical detection system (bioluminescence imaging using luciferase enzyme). This substitution eliminates the need for external light excitation, thereby avoiding cell damage while maintaining detection capability through the enzyme-catalyzed light emission reaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a bioluminescent substrate (luciferin) as an intermediary that, when metabolized by the luciferase enzyme, produces light signals. This intermediary mechanism allows detection of cellular activity without direct light exposure to cells, resolving the contradiction between signal detection and cell protection.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If high-intensity exciting light is used for fluorescence observation, then fluorescence detection capability is improved, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates due to increased background
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fluorescence excitation with bioluminescence emission, eliminating the need for external light sources that create background noise. The enzymatic light production occurs only at the target location, providing intrinsic signal without background interference and achieving high signal-to-noise ratio.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If fluorescence observation system is used, then light emission detection capability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses genetic copying to produce luciferase enzyme within cells, eliminating the need for expensive external light sources and complex fluorescence optics. The endogenous enzyme production serves as a self-contained detection system, reducing equipment costs while maintaining detection capability.
4Duration of action of moving object
If fluorescence observation is performed for long periods, then functional clarification capability is improved, but cell stabilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces continuous light excitation with a metabolic-based detection system where cells produce light signals through enzyme activity. This substitution allows long-term observation without repeated light exposure, maintaining cell stability and physiological function throughout extended imaging periods.
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 system enables stable, long-term observation of living cells with high sensitivity and flexibility, allowing for wide-field imaging and efficient detection of feeble light signals while minimizing cell damage and optimizing signal quality.
Implementation Method 1
an infinity-corrected objective lens and an imaging lens... feeble light from the object can be detected
Implementation Method 2
a transmission illumination system for bright-field, fluorescence, and phase-contrast observations
Data Source
AI summary
An observation or measurement device has, at least, an infinity-corrected objective lens and an imaging lens, and satisfies a condition, 4.56≦D·NA′≦30 (mm), where D is the parfocal distance of the objective lens and NA′ is the numerical aperture of the imaging lens. It is desirable to make a distance from the mount position of the objective lens to the most object-side surface of the imaging lens variable and to satisfy a condition, 0.5 FL<W<1.2 FL (mm), where W is the variable amount of the distance from the mount position of the objective lens to the most object-side surface of the imaging lens, and FL is the focal length of the imaging lens. It is more desirable to satisfy conditions, 0.4<D/FL<5 and 1≦D/φd<3, where φd is the outside diameter of a connection at the mount of the objective lens.