Integrated Filter Block Assembly for Fluorescent-Brightfield Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluorescent and bright-field optical systems face challenges in miniaturization due to separate components and complex structures, leading to image shifting and difficulty in replacing beam splitters, which complicates image alignment and clarity.
Innovation Solution
A filter block assembly integrates multiple fluorescent and bright-field channels with a single housing, incorporating light sources and automatic alignment, allowing for precise image overlap and easy replacement of components like dichroic beam splitters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate light source is provided outside the fluorescent optical system, then the fluorescent channel can be used to observe various wavelengths, but the volume of the light source is large and the size of the filter block is large due to a turret-type multi-channel, which increases the entire volume of the equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light source with the filter block assembly, integrating multiple fluorescent channels and the light source into a single compact unit. This eliminates the need for a separate external light source and turret mechanism, significantly reducing the overall system volume while maintaining multi-channel observation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated filter block assembly serves multiple functions: it houses the light source, contains multiple fluorescent channels with different filters, and provides beam splitting functionality. This multi-functional design allows the compact assembly to replace what would traditionally require separate components, achieving volume reduction without sacrificing versatility.
2Volume of moving object
If the filter block is reduced in size, then miniaturization is achieved, but the filter block assembly needs to be disassembled to replace the dichroic beam splitter or the like with a new one, which makes the replacement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the filter block assembly into modular components, including detachable filter units and a replaceable dichroic beam splitter. This segmentation allows individual components to be replaced without disassembling the entire compact assembly, maintaining ease of repair despite the reduced overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates dynamic, adjustable elements within the compact filter block assembly. The dichroic beam splitter and filters are designed to be movable and reconfigurable, allowing for easy replacement and adjustment of components without requiring full disassembly of the miniaturized structure.
3Device complexity
If multiple fluorescent channels are integrated into one block, then the structure is simplified, but image shifting occurs between bright-field and fluorescent images, which requires complex alignment procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary correction mechanism within the integrated filter block assembly. Optical correction elements and alignment features are built into the assembly to compensate for refractive shifts between bright-field and fluorescent channels, automatically ensuring precise image overlap without complex external alignment procedures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a turret-type rotatable structure is used to hold multiple blocks, then multi-channel functionality is achieved, but a joint for connection with a circuit board inside a receptacle is needed to supply power to the light source, which complicates the structure of the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fluorescent channels and the light source into a single integrated filter block assembly, eliminating the need for a turret-type rotatable structure with multiple separate blocks. This merger removes the complex connection joints and circuit board receptacles required for power supply to multiple rotating blocks, while still providing multi-channel functionality through the integrated design.
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 integration reduces system size, simplifies structure, ensures clear image overlap, and facilitates quick component replacement, enhancing accuracy and efficiency in capturing and aligning fluorescent and bright-field images.
Implementation Method 1
a dichroic beam splitter configured to split a beam to irradiate the light passing through the excitation filter onto a sample
Implementation Method 2
an emission filter. The emission filter blocks unwanted traces (noises) out of excitation light refracted in response to the fluorescent of the sample and allows only the excitation light in a narrow wavelength band around a maximum fluorophore emission wavelength to pass therethrough
Implementation Method 3
an objective lens. The bright-field channel includes a first window and a second window
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a filter block assembly including a housing, a plurality of fluorescent channels and one or more bright-field channels which are incorporated in the housing, and a light source assembled to the housing to provide lighting. In the filter block assembly, a first light source is assembled to at least one of the fluorescent channels and a second light of a second light source passes through the bright-field channels. A first light of the first light source, which is irradiated onto a sample and emitted therefrom, is refracted while passing through at least one of the fluorescent channels to produce a fluorescent image of the sample. The second light of the second light source, which passes through the sample, is refracted while passing through at least one of the bright-field channels to produce a bright-field image of the sample. The fluorescent and bright-field images overlap with each other by 70% or more.