Microscope Immersion Film Aquastop Base Plate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for forming an immersion film between a microscope objective and a specimen on inverted microscopes face challenges such as liquid escape and high production costs due to complex designs and the need for separate protective devices for each lens, making automated liquid supply difficult.
Innovation Solution
A device with a statically arranged protective base plate and an elastic membrane that integrates with the auto-immersion system, allowing for simple layout of supply and discharge lines, and using an Aquastop system for liquid management, reducing the need for multiple devices and minimizing effort in maintaining the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective device is fixed to each individual lens, then liquid protection is achieved, but device complexity and production costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is segmented into a modular Aquastop system with a reusable base plate and lens-specific membranes. Each lens receives protection through an individual membrane element that can be independently replaced, while the base infrastructure remains shared across all lenses.
Solution Approach 2:
A single universal base plate with integrated drainage channels and supply lines serves all lenses in the turret. The base plate contains multiple openings that can accommodate different lens configurations, eliminating the need for separate protective devices for each lens while maintaining protection functionality.
2Ease of operation
If manual immersion is used, then liquid control is simple, but accessibility to the lens front becomes difficult with increasing lens aperture
Solution Approach 1:
An automatic immersion device is introduced as an intermediary between the operator and the lens. This device includes automated supply lines and control mechanisms that deliver immersion liquid precisely to the lens front without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining ease of operation despite increased system complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If immersion liquid is continuously supplied, then consistent liquid availability is ensured, but liquid waste and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The immersion liquid supply system is designed with localized delivery through individual channels leading to each lens opening. The Aquastop system provides precise local control of liquid flow, ensuring that liquid is supplied only where needed and only in the required amount, thereby preventing waste while maintaining consistent availability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the nosepiece moves for lens changing, then lens replacement is enabled, but control of auto-immersion and liquid supply becomes structurally complex
Solution Approach 1:
The Aquastop system is pre-configured with supply lines and drainage channels that are positioned and routed before the lens changing operation. The base plate structure is designed in advance to accommodate lens movement, with openings and connections that remain accessible throughout the lens replacement cycle, thereby enabling lens versatility without adding control complexity.
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
Prevents liquid escape during microscopy, reduces production costs by eliminating the need for separate devices for each lens, and allows for efficient liquid regulation and drainage, ensuring consistent immersion liquid availability between the objective and specimen.
Implementation Method 1
a fixed base plate (2) which has an opening (3) oriented centrally to the beam path for receiving an elastic membrane (4), the membrane (4) having an opening (5) oriented centrally to the beam path for the front lens (6) of the microscope lens (1) has
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for forming an immersion film between a front lens (6) of a microscope objective (1) and a specimen on an inverted microscope, comprising a protective device to prevent liquid from escaping the immersion film area and a means for supplying the immersion fluid (auto-immersion) into the immersion film area. According to the invention, the protective device is statically arranged in the base of the microscope stand. Furthermore, the means for supplying the immersion fluid into the immersion film area is connected to the protective device via an aquastop system.