Light Sheet Scanner Merging Optical Component
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light sheet imaging devices face limitations in generating a light sheet that is as large as possible in the direction of the light beam and as wide as possible perpendicular to it, while maintaining minimal thickness in the direction of observation, which restricts the examination of larger sample regions over time.
Innovation Solution
A light sheet imaging device with a scanner that moves the light beam and an integrated optical component, ensuring a fixed spatial relationship between the light beam and the optical component, allowing the light beam to maintain its optical properties during movement, thereby generating a large light sheet with optimal Bessel or Gaussian beam profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a light sheet is generated by moving a light beam laterally through the sample, then the light sheet can cover a larger sample area, but the light beam may lose its optical properties (beam profile, focus) during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light beam and optical component into a single moving unit. The optical component is integrated into the scanner assembly that moves the light beam, ensuring that the optical component moves together with the light beam rather than remaining stationary. This merging ensures that the light beam maintains its optical properties (Bessel or Gaussian beam profile, focus) throughout the lateral movement across the sample, while still achieving coverage of larger sample areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic movement of the light beam and optical component together across the sample. Instead of using a stationary optical component with a fixed light beam, the system dynamically scans both the light beam and optical component laterally through the sample. This dynamic approach allows the light sheet to cover larger areas while maintaining optical properties because the optical component continuously adjusts its position relative to the light beam source.
2Productivity
If the light sheet is made larger to examine more sample regions, then imaging speed increases, but the light sheet thickness may increase reducing resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes specific beam profiles (Bessel or Gaussian) that maintain their spatial characteristics during movement. By changing the beam parameters to use these specialized profiles, the system achieves a light sheet that is both large in area for high productivity and maintains thin thickness for high resolution. The optical component is configured to preserve these beam profile parameters throughout the scanning movement.
3Device complexity
If a stationary optical component is used to shape the light beam, then the device structure is simpler, but the light beam cannot maintain its optical properties when moved laterally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical component with the scanning mechanism, integrating it into the movable scanner assembly. This combination ensures that the optical component moves together with the light beam, maintaining the fixed spatial relationship between them. The merged structure simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for separate, complex positioning mechanisms for the optical component.
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 configuration enables the creation of a light sheet that exceeds the field of view, enhancing imaging speed and allowing for faster 3D imaging by covering larger sample areas without translation in multiple directions, while maintaining high resolution and optical properties.
Implementation Method 1
The optical component is configured such that it shapes the light beam into a Bessel or Gaussian beam
Implementation Method 2
The optical component is configured such that it shapes the light beam into a Bessel or Gaussian beam
Implementation Method 3
The scanner is configured to move the light beam in such a way that a light sheet is generated
Implementation Method 4
The light sheet is generated, for example, by means of a cylindrical lens, which focuses a previously expanded light beam asymmetrically
Implementation Method 5
a sample is viewed in one direction of observation, while a so-called light sheet is guided into the sample laterally and usually perpendicular to said direction of observation for illumination
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A light sheet imaging device (2) is described, comprising a light source (4), for generating a light beam (6) to illuminate a sample (8), and a scanner (12), for moving the light beam (6) in such a way that a light sheet (14) is generated. The scanner (12) comprises an optical component (18), for shaping the light beam (6). Further, the scanner (12) is configured to move the optical component (18) together with the light beam (6) in such a way that an orientation of the light beam (6) relative to the optical component (18) remains unchanged during operation. In addition, a scanner (12) for a light sheet imaging device (2) is described as well as a method of operating a light sheet imaging device (2).