Microscope with Common Detection Objective for Parallel Camera and Point Detectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microscopes with camera detection units lack the time and spectral resolution necessary for applications like fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS), while confocal microscopes generate more high-resolution data than required, often serially and inefficiently.
Innovation Solution
A microscope design combining a wide-field illuminator with a beam splitter to create separate detection paths for a camera detector and a point detector, allowing for parallel image recording and high-resolution subregion acquisition, respectively, using a common detection objective and control unit for synchronized illumination and measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a camera detection unit is used to record images of the selected region, then parallel detection is achieved, but time resolution and spectral resolution are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The detection beam path is divided into two separate paths using a beam splitter: one path leads to a camera detector for parallel wide-field detection, and the other path leads to a point detector for high-resolution spectral and time-resolved measurements. This segmentation allows each detector to specialize in its optimal detection mode.
Solution Approach 2:
A single detection objective serves both the camera detector and the point detector, making it a multi-functional component. This universal objective enables the system to achieve both parallel imaging capability and high-resolution spectral measurement without requiring separate optical paths from the sample.
2Measurement precision
If a confocal microscope with point detector is used to achieve high spectral resolution, then time and spectral resolution are improved, but data acquisition becomes serial and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into two parallel channels: a camera detection channel for rapid wide-field imaging and a point detection channel for high-resolution spectral analysis. This allows the system to simultaneously capture both types of data without serial scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the advantages of wide-field camera detection (parallel acquisition) with confocal point detection (high spectral resolution) by combining their detection paths after a common objective, achieving both speed and precision simultaneously.
3Measurement precision
If separate detection objectives are used for camera detector and point detector, then detection performance is optimized, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single detection objective is designed to serve dual purposes: it focuses light from the sample onto the camera detector for wide-field imaging and simultaneously directs light to the point detector for spectral analysis. This multi-functional design reduces the number of optical components while maintaining detection performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of what would traditionally require separate objectives into a single objective, reducing system complexity and cost while achieving both wide-field imaging and high-resolution spectral measurement through beam splitting.
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 design enables efficient high-resolution spectral measurements, targeted observation of dynamic processes, and flexible, cost-effective optical units, with the point detector achieving faster acquisition rates and improved time and spectral resolution compared to camera detection units.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter configured to generate a first detection beam path and a second detection beam path
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope includes a wide-field illuminator configured to illuminate at least one selected region of a sample, and a beam splitter configured to generate a first detection beam path and a second detection beam path. A camera detector is arranged within the first detection beam path and is configured to record images of the selected region of the sample. A point detector is arranged within the second detection beam path and is configured to acquire a predetermined subregion of the sample lying within the selected region. A detection objective, which is arranged within the first and second detection beam paths on an object side of the beam splitter. The detection objective is a common detection objective for the camera detector and the point detector.