Lensless Sample Imaging with Sub-5-Micron Sensor Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical microscopes require lenses to form images of samples, which can be bulky, require alignment, and are sensitive to vibrations, limiting their portability and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A lensless imaging device with light sensitive locations or light source locations having a resolution of 5 microns or smaller, allowing direct imaging of samples in contact or near contact with the sensor without lenses, using a dense array of light sensitive or light emitting elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If lenses are used to form images in optical microscopes, then image quality can be improved, but the device becomes bulky and sensitive to vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lens component entirely from the imaging system. Instead of using lenses to focus and form images, the invention employs a lensless imaging approach where light-sensitive locations directly detect light patterns formed by the sample, eliminating the problematic optical elements that cause bulkiness and vibration sensitivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical optical system (lenses, alignment mechanisms) with a direct light detection system using light-sensitive locations on a detector surface. This substitution eliminates the need for precise mechanical alignment and reduces sensitivity to vibrations while maintaining imaging capability
2Measurement precision
If lenses are used in optical microscopes, then imaging capability is achieved, but portability and ease of use are limited
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting and removing the lens component from the system, the patent dramatically reduces the device's size and complexity, enabling portable applications while maintaining core imaging functionality through direct light detection at the detector surface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters by placing light-sensitive locations extremely close to the sample (distance less than wavelength of light used), enabling direct imaging without lenses and creating a compact, portable device configuration
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 device achieves high-resolution imaging without lenses, being compact, vibration-resistant, and easy to use, enabling portable and accessible imaging in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
light sensitive locations that are separately sensitive to light received at a surface with respect to a portion of a sample
Implementation Method 2
light source locations that are separately able to deliver light with respect to a portion of a sample
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device includes light sensitive locations that are separately sensitive to light received at a surface with respect to a portion of a sample associated with the surface, the light sensitive locations having a resolution of 5 microns or smaller. There is a device to associate the portion of the sample with the surface. The imaging device and a distance of the portion of the sample to the light sensitive locations are such that usable useful image of the portion of the sample can be acquired directly by operation of the imaging device.An imaging device includes light sensitive sources that are separately able to deliver light with respect to a portion of a sample associated with the surface. The light source locations having a resolution of 5 microns or smaller. There is a device to associate the portion of the sample with the surface. The imaging device and a distance of the portion of the sample to the light source locations are such that a useful image of the portion of the sample can be acquired directly by operation of the imaging device.An imaging device can include both the light source locations and the light source locations and the light sensitive locations.