Light-Scanning System for Confocal Microscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional confocal microscopy systems face inefficiencies in scanning confocal illumination due to mechanical stage translation and lens-based systems that introduce aberrations and increase complexity, leading to slow scanning and reduced irradiance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a light-scanning system using flat mirrors to create a pivot axis within the objective lens aperture, allowing for rapid line-by-line illumination of a focal plane with reduced aberrations and alignment complexity, utilizing a scanning mirror and stationary mirrors to direct the excitation beam through a pivot point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If mechanical stage translation is used to scan the excitation beam, then the scanning can be accomplished, but the process is time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical stage translation with a mirror-based optical scanning system. The excitation beam is reflected off a rotating mirror to scan across the focal plane, eliminating the need for mechanical stage movement and significantly increasing scanning speed.
2Speed
If a rotatable mirror is used to scan the excitation beam, then scanning can be achieved without mechanical stage translation, but the pivot axis creates clipping of the excitation beam reducing irradiance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a beam expander system with two mirrors (first and second mirrors) as intermediaries between the light source and the scanning mirror. This beam expander increases the beam diameter before it reaches the scanning mirror, preventing clipping at the pivot axis and maintaining high irradiance at the focal plane.
3Ease of operation
If lenses are used to control the path of the excitation beam, then beam path control is achieved, but unacceptable aberrations are introduced for large scan angles and path length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces lens-based beam path control with a mirror-based reflective system. Multiple mirrors are used to redirect the excitation beam through the desired paths, eliminating optical aberrations associated with lenses while maintaining precise beam path control for large scan angles.
4Ease of operation
If lenses are used to control the path of the excitation beam, then beam path control is achieved, but additional alignment degrees of freedom are required increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes lens-based alignment systems with a mirror-based configuration. The mirrors are positioned and oriented to define the beam path geometrically, reducing the number of alignment degrees of freedom required and simplifying the overall system complexity while maintaining effective beam path control.
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 approach enables faster scanning with minimized aberrations and alignment degrees, improving the efficiency and accuracy of confocal microscopy by maintaining high irradiance and reducing system complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The light-scanning systems can be used to perform rapid line-by-line illumination of a focal plane within a specimen by creating an excitation beam pivot axis that lies within an aperture at the back plate of an objective lens. The light-scanning systems receive a beam of excitation light from a light source and direct the excitation beam to pass through the pivot point in the aperture of the back plate of the objective lens while continuously scanning the focused excitation beam across a focal plane.
Implementation Method 2
The light-scanning systems are implemented with flat mirrors, which limits aberrations and attenuation of the excitation beam. The mirrors can be mounted in a compact arrangement to limit path length.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various light-scanning systems that can be used to perform rapid point-by-point illumination of a focal plane within a specimen are disclosed. The light-scanning systems can be incorporated in confocal microscopy instruments to create an excitation beam pivot axis that lies within an aperture at the back plate of an objective lens. The light-scanning systems receive a beam of excitation light from a light source and direct the excitation beam to pass through the pivot point in the aperture of the back plate of the objective lens while continuously scanning the focused excitation beam across a focal plane.