Microscope Adapter Assembly for Multi-Modal Image Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microscope systems struggle to perform multi-modal imaging of internal tissues with high spatial resolution and alignment of images captured by multiple microscopes, particularly when imaging live and freely-behaving subjects, due to cross-talk between illumination and stimulation light and challenges in focal alignment.

Innovation Solution

An adapter is used to optically and mechanically couple multiple microscopes, including a first microscope interface for functional imaging and a second for structural imaging, with an optical assembly that delivers illumination and stimulation light to internal tissues without crossing biological barriers, and a processor for co-registering images using landmark features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple microscopes are used for multi-modal imaging, then imaging capabilities are improved, but image alignment becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging capabilitiesVSAvoidimage alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component that mechanically and optically couples multiple microscopes to a common optical probe. This adapter provides reference features that enable precise alignment and co-registration of images from different microscope modalities, resolving the alignment difficulty while maintaining multi-modal imaging capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of stationary object

If illumination light and stimulation light are transmitted through biological barriers, then imaging depth is improved, but cross-talk between lights increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging depthVSAvoidcross-talk between lights

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent delivers illumination light and stimulation light through separate, dedicated optical paths and optical probes positioned at different locations. This local differentiation of light delivery pathways prevents cross-talk while maintaining the ability to image at sufficient depths through targeted optical delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If an adapter is introduced to couple multiple microscopes, then alignment is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovealignmentVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple microscope systems and their optical paths into a single integrated adapter assembly that couples to a common optical probe. This merging approach consolidates alignment functions into one unit, improving precision while managing complexity through integration rather than separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12527642B2Multi-modal microscopic imaging

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 BRUKER NANO INC

AI summary

An adapter configured to be optically coupled to a plurality of microscopes and having (i) a first microscope interface configured to optically couple a first microscope system to an optical element that is in optical communication with an optical probe to provide first imaging data of a sample, and (ii) a second microscope interface configured to optically couple a second microscope system to the optical element to provide second imaging data of the sample. An optical imaging apparatus and method utilizing such adapter.