Light Microscope Movable Focusing Optics Height Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-throughput light microscopes face challenges in achieving fast and cost-effective examination of multiple specimens due to time-consuming specimen positioning and high equipment costs, with existing solutions either requiring lengthy positioning or complex, costly configurations.
Innovation Solution
A light microscope design featuring a detection objective with a stationary front optical system and a movable focusing optical system arranged behind the front optical system and in front of an intermediate image plane, allowing for height adjustment of the detection plane without moving the specimen, thereby reducing the need for specimen vessel movement and minimizing optical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the specimen vessel is moved to position specimens, then specimen examination can be performed, but the positioning time is comparatively great and reduces throughput
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the specimen vessel to achieve focusing, the patent inverts the approach by moving the focusing optical system while keeping the specimen vessel stationary. This reversal eliminates the time-consuming positioning of heavy specimen vessels while achieving the same focusing effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical specimen positioning system with an optical focusing system. By using optical components to adjust the detection plane height, the system eliminates the need for mechanical movement of the specimen vessel, thereby reducing positioning time and increasing throughput.
2Productivity
If multiple microscopes are arranged one behind the other to adjust detection plane height, then focusing can be achieved, but the equipment configuration requirement and costs become undesirably high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the focusing optical system within the detection objective structure. The focusing optical system is positioned behind the front optical system and in front of the intermediate image plane, effectively integrating multiple functions into a single compact unit rather than requiring separate microscope arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of specimen detection and plane height adjustment into a single integrated detection objective. By combining the front optical system with the movable focusing optical system, the patent eliminates the need for multiple separate microscope configurations, thereby reducing equipment complexity and costs.
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 enables rapid and cost-effective examination of multiple specimens by allowing the detection plane to be adjusted quickly, reducing the need for specimen movement and maintaining stationary optical boundary areas, thus enhancing throughput and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the focusing optical system is arranged behind the front optical system and in front of an intermediate image plane, and can be adjusted to adjust the height of a detection plane
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a light microscope for examining microscopic objects with high throughput. The microscope comprises a light source for illuminating a measuring zone, a sample vessel, in which the microscopic objects can be successively moved into the measuring zone, and a detection device for measuring detection light, which originates from a microscopic object located in the measuring zone. According to the invention, the microscope is characterized in that the imaging means comprise a detection lens having a stationary front optics and movable focusing optics, wherein the focusing optics is arranged behind the front optics and in front of an intermediate image plane, and can be adjusted for the height adjustment of a detection plane. The invention further relates to a corresponding microscopy method.