Microchip Optical Positioning via Laser Intensity Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microparticle measuring apparatuses, particularly microchip-type flow cytometers, face challenges in accurately and reliably adjusting the position of microparticles within the flow passage and the optical axis of the laser, requiring manual proficiency and resulting in cumbersome and unstable position adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A microchip-type optical measuring apparatus with an irradiation detection unit, position adjustment unit, and control unit that automatically optimizes the microchip's position relative to the laser by detecting light intensity patterns and outputting movement signals to maximize integrated or average values, minimizing variation coefficients, and adjusting positions for optimal area averages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual position adjustment is performed by a user with calibration beads, then the position adjustment can be performed with some flexibility, but the adjustment requires proficiency and has low reliability and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic position adjustment using the microchip itself as the calibration object. The control unit automatically captures images, calculates positions, and adjusts the microchip position without requiring manual intervention with calibration beads, making the system self-calibrating and eliminating the need for user proficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical adjustment process is replaced with an automated optical-mechanical system. The image capture unit detects light signals from the microchip, and the control unit processes this optical information to automatically control the position adjustment mechanism, substituting human manual operation with an automated sensing-control system
2Productivity
If manual position adjustment is performed, then the user can perform adjustments when needed, but the process is cumbersome and complicated, especially when the microchip is exchanged or analyzed
Solution Approach 1:
The microchip automatically serves as its own calibration reference. The image capture unit captures images of the microchip's positioning marks, and the control unit automatically processes these images to determine the microchip's position and generate adjustment commands, eliminating the need for separate calibration beads and manual adjustment procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The microchip is pre-designed with positioning marks that enable automatic position detection. This preliminary preparation of the microchip structure allows the system to perform rapid automatic positioning without requiring complex adjustment procedures when the microchip is exchanged or analyzed
3Measurement precision
If the microchip position is not accurately adjusted relative to the laser optical axis, then the measurement process remains simple, but the measurement accuracy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The automated position adjustment system uses optical detection (image capture unit) to detect the microchip's position relative to the laser optical axis. The control unit processes this optical information and automatically controls the position adjustment mechanism, achieving high measurement precision through automated optical-mechanical integration
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the image capture unit continuously monitors the microchip position, the control unit compares the detected position with the target position, and automatically generates adjustment commands to correct any deviations, ensuring the microchip remains accurately positioned relative to the laser optical axis during measurement
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 high-accuracy automatic position adjustment of the microchip relative to the laser optical axis, simplifying the measurement process and improving reliability by automating the optimization of optical positions.
Implementation Method 1
an irradiation detection unit which detects light generated by irradiating a microchip with laser
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a microchip-type optical measuring apparatus which is able to automatically perform position adjustment of a microchip with respect to an optical axis of laser with high accuracy.A microchip-type optical measuring apparatus includes an irradiation detection unit which detects light generated by irradiating a microchip with laser, a position adjustment unit which changes a relative position of the microchip with respect to the irradiation detection unit, and a control unit which outputs a movement signal for a position in which an integrated value or an average value of a detected intensity of the light in a preset region becomes high to the position adjustment unit.