Light-Emitting Droplet Imaging with Sensor Field-of-View Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscopic imaging systems are inefficient for concurrent or sequential imaging of light-emitting droplets within a sample vessel when the volume of the sample is larger than the space that can be monitored, particularly for fluorescent droplets generated by digital PCR, due to limitations in resolution and depth of field.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method using an image sensor with an associated structure and a lens system to project a real image of light-emitting droplets, allowing for identification and counting of droplets without requiring movement of the specimen, and incorporating a thermal cycler and light sources for excitation and detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional lens-based microscopes are used to image light-emitting droplets, then high resolution can be achieved, but the depth of field is limited requiring objects to be placed inside the depth of field and the system becomes large and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lens system entirely from the imaging apparatus, extracting the focusing function and replacing it with a lensless approach using a light field camera. This eliminates the complex optical path, reduces system size, and lowers cost while maintaining the ability to image droplets at multiple depths simultaneously through computational methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical lens-based focusing system with a computational imaging approach. Instead of using physical lenses to focus light, the system captures light field information and uses algorithms to reconstruct images at different depths, substituting mechanical optics with computational processing.
2Device complexity
If lensless microscopy with large pixel pitch chips is used, then device complexity is reduced, but resolution becomes low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional image capture to three-dimensional light field capture by recording not only the intensity but also the direction of light rays. This additional dimensional information allows the system to achieve high resolution through computational reconstruction even with larger pixel pitch sensors, overcoming the resolution limitation of lensless approaches.
3Measurement precision
If a grid of apertures is used to increase resolution in lensless microscopy, then measurement precision improves, but the specimen must be moved during image acquisition increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by capturing the complete light field information in a single static shot, including directional information from which depth and position can be derived. This eliminates the need for subsequent specimen movement or multiple imaging steps, as all necessary information is recorded upfront in the light field data.
4Quantity of substance
If traditional microscopy systems are used for large volume samples, then imaging can be performed, but the volume of the sample exceeds the monitorable space requiring sequential imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the monitorable space by utilizing the third dimension (depth) through light field capture. By recording directional information, the system can reconstruct images at multiple focal planes simultaneously, effectively increasing the observable volume without requiring sequential imaging of different sections, thus improving productivity for large volume samples.
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
Enables efficient monitoring and counting of light-emitting droplets with high resolution and precision, reducing photobleaching and mechanical complexity, and allowing for rapid imaging of large sample volumes.
Implementation Method 1
a lens system positioned in front of the image sensor that defines an object space and an image space for the image sensor such that light from a light emitting droplet located in the object space is in the field of view of a plurality of pixels within the array of pixels
Implementation Method 2
a structure associated with a surface of the image sensor that extends a height away from the surface of the image sensor and defines a field of view for pixels within the array of pixels
Implementation Method 3
allowing for identification and counting of droplets without requiring movement of the specimen, and incorporating a thermal cycler and light sources for excitation and detection
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for identifying a plurality of light emitting droplets includes a detector system having an image sensor comprising an array of pixels and a structure a structure associated with a surface of the image sensor that extends a height away from the surface of the image sensor and defines a field of view for pixels within the array of pixels. The apparatus can additionally include a lens system positioned in front of the image sensor that defines an object space and an image space for the image sensor such that light from a light emitting droplet located in the object space is recorded by a plurality of pixels within the array of pixels.