Microscope Illumination Control for Heat Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing observation units face challenges in reducing the adverse effects of conductive heat from heat sources, such as illumination devices, which can increase the temperature of samples during observation, leading to potential damage or degradation of the samples.

Innovation Solution

A control device and method that adjust the illuminance of the illumination device in both search and observation modes to minimize heat transfer, using a first control unit for search mode and a second control unit for observation mode, ensuring lower illuminance during sample search and adjusting based on recorded sample information to maintain optimal image quality and reduce heat exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the illumination device operates at high illuminance to ensure adequate image quality during observation, then the observation quality is improved, but the heat transmitted to the sample increases causing potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveilluminanceVSAvoidheat effect on sample

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination device operates intermittently rather than continuously. During search mode, illumination is provided only during camera exposure periods. During time lapse mode, illumination is provided only during specific observation intervals, allowing the sample to cool between exposure periods and reducing cumulative heat damage while maintaining adequate illumination when needed for image capture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts illuminance levels based on operational mode and camera settings. The control device modifies illumination intensity and duration according to shutter speed, aperture, and observation requirements, providing high illuminance only when necessary for adequate image quality while reducing illuminance during periods when images are not being captured

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the illumination device operates continuously to maintain consistent lighting for observation, then the observation consistency is improved, but the cumulative heat damage to the sample increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobservation consistencyVSAvoidcumulative heat damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device uses camera exposure information as feedback to regulate illumination timing and intensity. By synchronizing illumination with actual image capture moments and adjusting based on exposure parameters, the system maintains observation consistency only when needed while minimizing unnecessary illumination that would contribute to cumulative heat damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the search mode uses adequate illuminance to ensure proper sample identification, then the search accuracy is improved, but the heat exposure during extended search periods increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearch accuracyVSAvoidheat exposure during search

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

During search mode, the illumination device operates only during camera exposure periods rather than continuously. This allows the user to identify and locate samples with adequate lighting when images are captured, while the illumination is turned off between exposures to minimize heat exposure during extended search operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides adequate illuminance only during the partial periods when images are being captured, rather than maintaining constant illumination. This partial action approach ensures search accuracy during exposure moments while avoiding excessive heat exposure during the intervals between exposures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 approach effectively reduces the adverse effects of heat on samples by minimizing radiation and conductive heat transfer, preventing sample damage and maintaining image quality by adjusting illuminance and shutter speed, thus optimizing the observation process.

Implementation Method 1

an illumination device (6) configured to illuminate the sample when the sample is observed with the observation device (5)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

radiation from the illumination device causes heat to be transmitted to the sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation heat transfer: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

the illumination device and conductive heat from these heat sources may increase the temperature of the sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConductive heat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8773520B2Control device, control program, and control method for observation unit, and observation system

Publication Date: 2014.07.08 PHC HLDG CORP

AI summary

Provided is a control device for controlling an observation unit including an observation device for allowing a sample to be observed to acquire an observation image of the sample and an illumination device for illuminating the sample when the sample is observed with the observation device, the control device including a first control unit for controlling the illumination device to adjust an illuminance of the illumination device when a search mode is set for the observation unit, and a second control unit for controlling the illumination device to adjust the illuminance of the illumination device when a time lapse mode is set for the observation unit. Here, the illuminance set for the illumination device by the first control unit by adjusting the illuminance of the illumination device is lower than the illuminance set for the illumination device by the second control unit by adjusting the illuminance of the illumination device.