Microscope Control Device for Automated Laser Pulse Sequences
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current luminescence microscopy techniques face challenges in automating the examination of different samples with various luminophores over time, as they struggle to prevent crosstalk between luminescence responses and require manual adjustment of laser pulse sequences, which limits their flexibility and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system with a control device that allows user interaction to adjust pulse parameters, including the assignment of trigger signals and time intervals for laser pulses, enabling flexible and automated illumination of samples using multiple laser systems, which can be externally triggered, and a trigger generator for generating temporally successive trigger signals based on these parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of laser pulse sequences is used, then flexibility in examining different samples is improved, but productivity and automation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the laser pulse sequence parameters based on the specific sample and luminophore being examined. The control device automatically adjusts pulse intervals, trigger signals, and laser activation timing according to the detected luminescence characteristics, enabling both high flexibility for different samples and automated operation without manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes multiple parameters of the laser pulse sequence simultaneously including pulse intervals, trigger signal timing, and laser activation sequences based on the sample type and luminophore properties. This parameter optimization is performed automatically by the control device, providing both adaptability to different samples and automated operation.
2Ease of operation
If constant time interval between laser pulses is used, then simplicity of operation is improved, but measurement precision is worsened due to crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic laser pulse sequences with specifically optimized intervals that correspond to the luminescence decay characteristics of different luminophores. The control device automatically determines and applies these periodic patterns, maintaining operational simplicity while achieving high measurement precision by preventing crosstalk through scientifically optimized pulse timing.
3Productivity
If multiple laser systems are used simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but crosstalk between luminophores increases
Solution Approach 1:
The examination process is segmented into distinct temporal phases, with each laser system activated in a specific sequence rather than simultaneously. The control device divides the multi-laser operation into separate pulse trains with appropriate intervals, allowing each luminophore to be excited and measured without interference from others, thus eliminating crosstalk while maintaining high productivity through parallel capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device acts as an intermediary that coordinates the operation of multiple laser systems. It introduces controlled time intervals and trigger signal sequences between laser activations, mediating the interaction between multiple luminophores to prevent crosstalk while enabling the productivity benefits of using multiple laser systems.
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 solution allows for precise control over laser pulse sequences and intervals, optimizing the excitation of luminophores and reducing crosstalk, enabling flexible and automated examination of different samples with varying luminophores, improving the accuracy and efficiency of luminescence microscopy.
Implementation Method 1
PIE uses two or more lasers that generate laser pulses with different spectral excitation frequencies
Implementation Method 2
The luminescence of the dyes is usually only excited in a specific spectral band and includes fluorescence, i.e. a short afterglow in the range of less than one millisecond
Implementation Method 3
and phosphorescence, i.e. a longer afterglow of at least one millisecond
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a microscope (30), more particularly a confocal or light sheet microscope, having an illumination system (32) for illuminating a sample region (34) containing a sample (36). The invention further relates to a method for illuminating the sample region in the field of luminescence microscopy. The problem addressed by the invention is that of providing a microscope and a method which simplify the adaptability and automation of luminescence microscopy. To achieve this, according to the invention the illumination system (32) has a control device (60) with illumination parameters (112) that can be modified by user interaction. The control device also has trigger outputs (70), to each of which an externally triggerable laser system (72) can be connected. A trigger generator (81) generates temporally successive trigger signals (10) which trigger the laser systems (72) that are connected to the trigger outputs (70). The assignment of the trigger signals (10) to the trigger outputs (70) and/or a temporal interval (∆T) between successive trigger signals (10) is dependent on the illumination parameters (112). The variable generation and assignment of the trigger signals allow the laser systems to be freely controlled and to be adapted to a wide range of measuring tasks. The use of the illumination parameters stored in the control device allows the measuring tasks to be automated.