Laser Scanning Microscope Focus-Detecting Unit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laser scanning microscopes face challenges with long and varying optical distances between the objective and detector, leading to light intensity fluctuations and complications in imaging biological specimens, especially in fluorescence microscopy, where scattered light is not efficiently captured due to the use of optical fibers that only allow confocal detection.

Innovation Solution

A focusing-detecting unit is introduced where the objective and image detector are mounted on a common drive, allowing simultaneous displacement and maintaining a constant optical distance, enabling detection of scattered and fluorescence light across a 3D volume with minimized optical path length, and auxiliary drives are used to adjust the focal plane, compensating for deviations in sinusoidal drive signals at higher frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the objective and detector are separated by a long optical path using optical fibers, then confocal detection is achieved, but scattered and fluorescence light are not efficiently captured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfocal detection precisionVSAvoidlight intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the objective and detector into a single integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate optical fiber pathways. This integration allows the detector to be positioned close to the objective, enabling efficient collection of scattered and fluorescence light while maintaining confocal detection capabilities through the unified optical design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the optical distance between objective and detector is long and varying, then the system can accommodate different sample positions, but light intensity fluctuations occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample position accommodationVSAvoidlight intensity stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the detector with the objective in a fixed relative position, the system maintains a constant optical distance regardless of sample position variations. This integration ensures stable light intensity detection while the entire unit can still be positioned to accommodate different samples

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms that would vary optical distances with a fixed integrated design. The integration eliminates mechanical variability in the optical path, providing stable light intensity detection without requiring active mechanical compensation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Weight of moving object

If the detector is held in a fixed position while the objective is displaced, then the detector mass is minimized, but the optical distance varies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetector massVSAvoidoptical distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the objective and detector into a single integrated unit with a fixed internal optical path. This integration allows the detector to be positioned optimally close to the objective, maintaining a constant short optical distance while the entire integrated unit can be moved or positioned as needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If optical fibers are used for light transmission, then the optical path is flexible, but scattered light detection is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical path flexibilityVSAvoidscattered light capture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the detector directly with the objective, eliminating the need for optical fibers to transmit light between separate components. This integration allows the detector to be positioned to efficiently capture scattered light emerging from the sample while maintaining optical path flexibility through the unified design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration enhances light intensity detection, maintains constant optical distances, and allows for faster 3D scanning by compensating for mechanical deviations, reducing overall scanning time while maintaining high XY resolution.

Implementation Method 1

an objective for focusing a laser beam from a laser source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFocusing: Focusing

Implementation Method 2

detecting the fluorescence light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 3

detecting the scanning beam reflected back from the specimen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9229207B2Laser scanning microscope with focus-detecting unit

Publication Date: 2016.01.05 FEMTONICS

AI summary

A laser scanning reflection or fluorescent microscope is provided with focusing-detecting unit having a laser beam focusing objective, an image detector that detects light reflected from the sample or back fluoresced light emitted by the sample, and a drive that simultaneously displaces the objective and the image detector.