Lensless Imaging Device Thermal Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Lensless imaging devices face challenges in maintaining sample temperature stability due to heat transfer from the image sensor, which can alter biological samples' characteristics, especially when imaging biological samples, leading to undesirable changes or destruction.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation system with air injection and extraction nozzles and a fan is implemented to create a laminar air flow between the image sensor and the sample, minimizing heat transfer by conduction and convection, and an infrared filter can be used to reduce heat transfer by radiation, while a secondary ventilation system evacuates heat from the sensor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the image sensor is placed at a short distance from the sample to enable lensless imaging, then the device complexity is reduced and field of observation is increased, but the sample temperature stability deteriorates due to heat transfer from the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
An air gap is introduced as an intermediary thermal insulator between the image sensor and the sample. This air layer acts as a thermal barrier that reduces heat conduction from the sensor to the sample, while still allowing optical transmission for lensless imaging. The air gap serves as a mediator that decouples the thermal interaction while maintaining the optical functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A ventilation system using air flow is implemented to actively manage thermal transfer. Air is circulated through the space between the sensor and sample holder, creating convection currents that prevent heat accumulation. This pneumatic approach uses gas flow dynamics to control thermal exchange without direct mechanical contact between components.
2Productivity
If the image sensor operates continuously for high-rate image acquisition, then the productivity is improved, but the sample temperature stability deteriorates due to continuous heat generation
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system operates continuously alongside the image sensor, providing ongoing thermal management. The air circulation is maintained throughout the imaging process, ensuring continuous removal of heat as it is generated. This continuous action prevents temperature buildup even during prolonged high-rate acquisition sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The air gap and ventilation system serve as continuous thermal mediators during high-rate imaging. As the sensor generates heat continuously during high-speed acquisition, the air layer and active ventilation continuously intercept and remove this heat, preventing it from reaching the sample while allowing the imaging to proceed uninterrupted.
3Ease of manufacture
If no optical magnification device is used between the sensor and sample, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is decreased, but the heat transfer from sensor to sample increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air gap acts as a thermal intermediary that compensates for the absence of optical components. Since no lens or magnification device is used, the air layer becomes the primary thermal barrier, preventing direct thermal contact between sensor and sample while maintaining the simple, low-cost lensless optical configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation system provides active thermal management in the lensless configuration. By introducing air flow, the system achieves heat removal without requiring complex optical components, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while addressing the thermal challenge inherent in close-proximity lensless imaging.
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 setup maintains the sample temperature within a stable range, enabling continuous or high-rate image acquisition without significant temperature fluctuations, and is cost-effective and simple to produce.
Implementation Method 1
A ventilation system with air injection and extraction nozzles and a fan is implemented to create a laminar air flow between the image sensor and the sample, minimizing heat transfer by conduction and convection
Implementation Method 2
an infrared filter can be used to reduce heat transfer by radiation
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for acquiring an image of a sample (103), comprising: a sample receiving support (101) having a transparent face (105); an image sensor (107) disposed opposite said transparent face (105) and separated from said transparent face (105) by an air gap (203); and a ventilation system (205) adapted to circulate an airflow between said transparent face (105) and the sensor (107).