Microscope Calibration System for Standardized Quantitative Measurements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microscopy systems lack a standardized method to compare quantitative analytical results across different instruments, as existing methods do not account for variations in microscope construction and light source intensity, leading to inconsistent measurements.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a process and system that uses normalization factors and calibration instruments to standardize measurements by obtaining light source correction and intrinsic optical factors, allowing for comparison of results across different microscopy systems and compensating for variations in light intensity and optical path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If quantitative measurements are obtained from different microscope systems, then measurement capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to instrument-specific variations
Solution Approach 1:
A calibration instrument with a calibration surface is introduced as an intermediary standard between different microscope systems. This calibration surface provides a known reference that mediates the measurement process, allowing quantitative results from different instruments to be standardized and compared by serving as a common reference point that accounts for instrument-specific variations
Solution Approach 2:
The system determines correction factors by measuring the calibration surface with each microscope system and comparing against a reference value. These correction factors are then applied to change the measurement parameters of subsequent samples, standardizing the quantitative results across different instruments by adjusting for their individual variations
2Adaptability or versatility
If light source intensity variations are present, then measurement flexibility is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the calibration surface to provide feedback about the actual light source intensity for each microscope system. By measuring the known calibration surface and comparing the result to the expected value, the system determines how much the light source deviates from ideal conditions and applies appropriate correction factors to compensate for these variations
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
This approach enables reliable comparison and standardization of quantitative results by accounting for instrument-specific variations, improving the precision and consistency of measurements across various microscopy systems.
Implementation Method 1
The calibration surface substantially uniformly scatters illumination from the excitation light source toward a detection portion of the microscopy system
Implementation Method 2
The microscope system includes a dichromatic mirror positioned to reflect illumination from the excitation light source along an optical path through an objective toward a target sample
Implementation Method 3
to transmit at least a portion of illumination from the target sample toward a detection portion of the microscopy system
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus for standardizing quantitative measurements from a microscope system. The process includes a calibration procedure whereby an image of a calibration slide is obtained through the optics of the microscope system. The calibration slide produces a standard response, which can be used to determine a machine intrinsic factor for the particular system. The machine intrinsic factor can be stored for later reference. In use, images are acquired of a target sample and of the excitation light source. The excitation light source sample is obtained using a calibration instrument configured to sample intensity. The calibration instrument has an associated correction factor to compensate its performance to a universally standardized calibration instrument. The machine intrinsic factor, sampled intensity, and calibration instrument correction factor are usable to compensate a quantitative measurement of the target sample in order to normalize the results for comparison with other microscope systems.