Microscope Common Tube Lens for Congruent Dual-Spectral Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscope devices with dual emission capabilities suffer from image aberrations and distortions due to the use of separate tube lenses for different spectral ranges, leading to incongruent images and reduced contrast.
Innovation Solution
A microscope device utilizing a common tube lens and a dichroic beam splitter to separate and direct light of two spectral ranges to separate detectors, minimizing optical asymmetry by using a planar optical element at a specific angle and thickness, and combining images for enhanced contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate tube lenses are used for each spectral arm, then each spectral range can be independently optimized, but the images become incongruent due to manufacturing tolerances and optical imperfections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical paths of two different spectral ranges by using a single common tube lens instead of separate tube lenses for each spectral arm. This consolidation ensures that both spectral ranges experience identical optical transformations, eliminating image incongruence caused by manufacturing tolerances and optical imperfections in separate lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The common tube lens serves multiple functions by handling both spectral ranges simultaneously. This universal optical element processes light from different spectral sources through the same optical path, ensuring consistent magnification and image characteristics across all spectral channels while simplifying the overall device configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a dichroic beam splitter is used to separate spectral ranges, then two-color detection is enabled, but image distortions increase with larger angles and thicker substrates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the dichroic beam splitter parameters by selecting a thin substrate thickness and a small angle of incidence (12-18 degrees). These parameter changes minimize image distortions while maintaining the ability to separate and detect two different spectral ranges. The thin substrate reduces the bending effect caused by reflective coatings, and the small angle minimizes distortion increases.
3Manufacturing precision
If the substrate thickness of the dichroic beam splitter is reduced, then image distortions decrease, but the substrate may bend due to the reflective coating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent finds an optimal parameter range for substrate thickness (1-2 mm) that balances two competing requirements: thin enough to minimize image distortions from the reflective coating, but thick enough to maintain substrate planarity and prevent bending. This parameter optimization ensures both image quality and structural stability.
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
The solution produces high-contrast images by ensuring congruent images on both detectors, reducing optical distortions and allowing convenient switching between optical modes without affecting fluorescence paths.
Implementation Method 1
A dichroic beam splitter 24 is provided in the convergent image beam path 26 so as to reflect light within one of the two spectral ranges (e.g., within the first spectral range), thereby creating a reflected image beam 28, while transmitting light in the other one of the two spectral ranges (e.g., within the second spectral range), thereby creating a transmitted image beam 30.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
There is provided a microscope device comprising a microscope objective (12), a first light source (18) for transmitted light illumination of the sample (16) with light within a first spectral range and a second light source (20) for transmitted light illumination of the sample with light within a second spectral range different from the first spectral range, a tube lens (22) for forming a sample-image from the light collected by the microscope objective, a first camera detector (32) for detecting light within the first spectral range, a second camera detector (34) for detecting light within the second spectral range, a dichroic beam splitter (24) in the image beam path (26) between the tube lens and the detectors, and an analyzer unit (44), The beam splitter reflects light within the first spectral range onto the first detector and transmits light within the second spectral range onto the second detector, and wherein the analyzer unit is configured to combine a first image of the sample recorded by the first camera and a second image of the sample recorded by the second camera so as to generate a total sample image with enhanced contrast.