Low NA Oblique Plane Imaging System with Sensor at Intermediate Plane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oblique plane imaging systems rely on sequential high numerical aperture (NA) microscope objectives, leading to a dramatic loss in effective NA and restricting the use of low NA objectives, which limits their application to high NA objectives alone.
Innovation Solution
The proposed system uses low NA objectives and eliminates the third objective from the oblique plane imaging system, placing the image sensor directly at the intermediate image plane or using a diffusive screen to re-image the illuminated sample plane, allowing for oblique plane imaging with low NA objectives and reducing system size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If three high NA objectives are used sequentially in conventional oblique plane imaging systems, then oblique plane imaging capability is achieved, but effective NA is dramatically reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the third objective from the conventional three-objective system, extracting the unnecessary component that caused NA loss. By placing the image sensor directly at the intermediate image plane formed by the first two objectives, the system eliminates the third objective while maintaining oblique plane imaging capability and preserving the effective NA of the individual objectives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a diffusive screen to create a virtual image of the illuminated sample plane, which copies the optical information without requiring the third objective. This virtual image formation allows the image sensor to capture the oblique plane while avoiding the NA loss that would occur with a third objective in the optical path.
2Measurement precision
If high NA objectives are used in conventional oblique plane imaging systems, then imaging resolution is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive high NA objectives with lower NA objectives that are more economical. Since the third objective is eliminated and the image sensor is placed directly at the intermediate plane, the system can use affordable low NA objectives while maintaining sufficient imaging resolution through the diffusive screen virtual image formation.
3Ease of manufacture
If low NA objectives are used with conventional three-objective systems, then system cost is reduced, but effective NA is dramatically lost
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the third objective from the system, the patent allows low NA objectives to be used without suffering from the dramatic NA loss that occurs in conventional three-objective configurations. The intermediate image plane approach preserves the effective NA of the low NA objectives while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
4Volume of moving object
If the image sensor is placed directly at the intermediate image plane, then system size is reduced, but alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a diffusive screen as an intermediary element between the optical path and the image sensor. This screen creates a virtual image that relaxes the alignment requirements by providing a tolerant intermediate representation of the sample, allowing the image sensor to be positioned at the intermediate plane without demanding extreme alignment precision.
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 oblique plane imaging with low NA objectives, achieving effective NA similar to individual objectives and improving system resolution, while maintaining steric access and three-dimensional reconstruction capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitting or merging element positioned between the first finite conjugate objective and the second finite conjugate objective
Implementation Method 2
The excitation unit emits the excitation beam at an inclined angle such that resultant illumination is an oblique plane, tilted with respect to a principal axis of the first finite conjugate objective
Implementation Method 3
an image sensor positioned facing the second finite conjugate objective. The image sensor lies in a conjugate plane of an excitation beam illumination plane
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system includes a first finite conjugate objective at a frontal end of the system and a second finite conjugate objective at a distal end of the system. The system also includes a beam splitting or merging element positioned between the first finite conjugate objective and the second finite conjugate objective. The system also includes an excitation unit configured to direct an excitation beam into a sample positioned in front of the first finite conjugate objective. The excitation beam is in the form of an excitation plane. The system also includes an image sensor positioned facing the second finite conjugate objective. The image sensor lies in a conjugate plane of an excitation beam illumination plane at the frontal end of the system.