Microscope Array for Parallel Microtiter Plate Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for videographic or photographic capture of multiple samples in sample chambers of a microtiter plate are inefficient due to the need to move the sample plate sequentially, which limits temporal resolution and introduces movement-induced distortions, and existing microscope arrays cannot be arranged closely enough to capture all sample chambers simultaneously due to electronics and lens size constraints.
Innovation Solution
A system with an array of microscopes, each with its own image capture chip and lens, arranged on a carrier board with separate data processing electronics positioned laterally or behind the chips, allowing for close proximity and synchronization of image capture from multiple sample chambers with minimal external movement influence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single microscope is used to capture multiple sample chambers sequentially, then the system complexity is low, but the acquisition time increases significantly and temporal resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sample plate into multiple regions, with each region captured by a dedicated microscope in the array. This segmentation allows parallel acquisition of multiple sample chambers simultaneously, reducing total acquisition time while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple microscopes are merged into a single integrated array system with shared control and processing electronics. This combining approach enables simultaneous capture of multiple sample chambers, dramatically improving temporal resolution while the shared infrastructure keeps overall system complexity controlled
2Device complexity
If the sample plate is moved sequentially between microscopes, then the device complexity remains low, but movement-induced distortions increase and measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the sample plate through a single microscope, the invention inverts the approach by bringing multiple microscopes to the sample plate simultaneously. This eliminates the need for plate movement during acquisition, preventing movement-induced distortions and maintaining high measurement precision for dynamic cell processes
Solution Approach 2:
The microscopes are pre-positioned in an array configuration above the sample plate before acquisition begins. This preliminary arrangement allows all sample chambers to be captured simultaneously without subsequent movement, eliminating acceleration and deceleration effects that would distort cellular measurements
3Productivity
If multiple microscopes are positioned closely to capture all sample chambers simultaneously, then the productivity increases, but the device complexity increases due to electronics and lens size constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single-point microscope configuration to a two-dimensional array of microscopes. This dimensional change allows simultaneous coverage of all sample chambers in parallel, dramatically increasing productivity while the systematic grid arrangement manages the complexity of multiple components through regular spacing and modular design
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 parallel capture of images from all sample chambers with a time interval of less than 8 seconds, reducing distortion and increasing efficiency by separating data processing electronics from the image capture chips, allowing for a larger array configuration that matches the sample chamber spacing.
Implementation Method 1
each microscope comprises its own image pickup chip
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for the parallel videographic or photographic acquisition of images, in particular of samples in multiple sample wells (16) of a multi-well test plate, preferably of a microtiter plate, comprising at least one array of microscopes (2, 8) with mutually parallel optical axes, wherein each microscope comprises its own image-capturing chip (2) and its own objective lens (8), and wherein the system comprises at least one support plate (1), on the surface of which all the image-capturing chips (2) of all microscopes (2, 8) of an array are attached next to each other, forming together a line and row arrangement, an image data processing electronic unit (3) located laterally next to the array of image-capturing chips (2) and/or behind the array of image-capturing chips (2), and an array of objective lenses (8), in particular microscope objective lenses (8) with a corresponding line and row arrangement located in front of the image-capturing chips (2), when viewed in the direction of the optical axes (A).