Microscope Optical Component Aberration Correction via Remote Control Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for correcting imaging aberrations in microscopes, particularly with interchangeable lenses, face challenges due to manufacturing tolerance variations and the need for proprietary interfaces, making it complex to provide specific control data for precise aberration correction.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a remote storage module, such as a server or cloud-based system, to transmit component-specific control variables via a data network for adjusting corrective means in the optical component, eliminating the need for proprietary interfaces and allowing precise aberration correction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If memory chips are integrated into optical components to store control data, then manufacturing precision of correction is improved, but device complexity and interface compatibility worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaberration correction precisionVSAvoidoptical component structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control data storage function is extracted from the optical component itself and placed in an external database system. The optical component only needs to communicate its identification through the existing mechanical interface, while the corrective control data are retrieved from the database based on this identification, eliminating the need for integrated memory chips.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing mechanical interface between microscope and optical component is made multi-functional by enabling it to transmit both mechanical mounting functions and identification data communication functions. This universal interface approach allows the same physical connection to serve multiple purposes without adding complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If proprietary interfaces are used for data transmission between microscope and optical component, then manufacturing precision of correction is improved, but ease of manufacture and compatibility worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaberration correction precisionVSAvoidinterface implementation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The existing mechanical interface is designed to serve dual purposes: physical mounting and data communication. By making the interface universal and multi-functional, the system achieves precise aberration correction without requiring separate proprietary connections, thereby simplifying manufacturing and improving compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The data transmission network uses standard communication protocols that can be implemented through existing interfaces. This universal communication approach allows different manufacturers' components to work together while still providing component-specific correction data through the database system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If individual control data are stored for each interchangeable lens, then imaging quality is improved, but device complexity and data management complexity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging qualityVSAvoiddata management system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex data management function is extracted from the local microscope system and placed in a separate, centralized database. This externalizes the complexity of storing and managing individual control data for each lens, while the microscope system itself remains relatively simple in structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a feedback mechanism where the optical component communicates its identification to the microscope, which then queries the database for the corresponding control data. This automated feedback loop ensures the correct individualized correction data are retrieved without manual intervention, managing complexity through systematic data retrieval.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3867685B1Method for correcting an imaging error in a microscope system, and microscope system
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 LEICA MICROSYSTEMS CMS GMBH
  • EP3867685B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3867685B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for correcting an imaging error in a microscope system (10), comprising a microscope (12) and an optical component (18). A correction means (22) contained in the optical component (18) is adjusted in order to correct the imaging error. In the method, at least one individual control variable which is assigned to the imaging error and is individualized to the optical component (18), said control variable being used to adjust the correction means (22), is received by a remote storage module (16) via a long-distance data transmission network (14).