Microscope Housing Access Doors for Stable Sample Incubation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscopes face challenges in providing efficient and minimally disruptive access to the sample chamber while maintaining an incubation atmosphere for living samples, especially when exchanging samples or adjusting optical components.
Innovation Solution
The microscope design incorporates multiple access doors, including a first and second access door that provide different access paths to the microscope stage, with the second door being designed to minimize disturbance to the incubation atmosphere, and optionally a third door that can serve as a work surface or additional access point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single access door is used for sample chamber access, then the structure is simple, but access flexibility and ability to minimize disturbance are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The access door system is segmented into multiple independent doors (first access door, second access door, and optionally a third door) that can be opened independently of each other. This segmentation allows selective access to the sample chamber through different doors, providing flexibility in choosing the optimal access path for different operations while maintaining overall structural organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple access doors serve universal functions for different operational needs: the first access door provides general access, the second access door minimizes disturbance during sample exchange, and the third door can serve as an additional access point or work surface. This multi-functionality allows a single door system to handle various operations without requiring separate specialized structures.
2Ease of operation
If the access door is opened for sample exchange, then sample access is facilitated, but disturbance to incubation atmosphere increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access system is divided into separate doors with different access characteristics. The second access door is specifically designed for sample exchange operations, allowing minimal opening duration and controlled access, while the first access door can be used for other operations. This segmentation enables optimization of each door for its specific function, reducing overall disturbance to the incubation atmosphere.
Solution Approach 2:
The second access door acts as an intermediary element that facilitates sample exchange while minimizing direct exposure to the external environment. By providing a dedicated access path specifically for sample manipulation, it mediates between the need for sample access and the need to maintain stable incubation conditions, reducing the impact on the incubation atmosphere compared to opening the main access door.
3Ease of operation
If a larger access door is used, then access to microscope stage is easier, but light contamination and atmosphere escape increase
Solution Approach 1:
The access door system is segmented into multiple doors of different sizes and configurations. The second access door is designed as a smaller door that provides sufficient access for sample manipulation while minimizing the opening area, thereby reducing light contamination and incubation atmosphere escape. The first access door can be larger for general access needs, but can be kept closed during operations requiring minimal disturbance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the door system have different local qualities optimized for specific functions. The second access door has localized properties suited for minimal disturbance operations (smaller size, positioned for sample access), while the first access door has properties suited for general access. This local quality differentiation allows each door to optimize its performance for its specific operational context without compromising overall system performance.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to the microscope (100) for examining a sample (112), the microscope (100) comprising a microscope stage (110) for receiving the sample (112) to be examined and further comprising a microscope housing (120) enclosing the microscope stage (110), wherein the microscope housing (120) comprises a first access door (130) and a second access door (240), whereby both, the first access door (130) and the second access door (240), upon opening, provide different ways of access to the microscope stage (110).