Microscope Laser Control for Stable Luminance and Low Phototoxicity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscopes using laser light sources face issues with unexpected changes in image luminance and loss of sequentiality during observation due to the time required for laser output stabilization, leading to phototoxicity and damage to samples.
Innovation Solution
A microscope design that includes a standby position for excitation light before activation, with the laser light source turning ON only after stabilization, and alternating ON/OFF states during scanning to minimize phototoxicity and maintain stable luminance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the laser light source is turned on continuously to maintain stable output, then the laser output stability is improved, but the phototoxicity and sample damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The laser light source is operated in periodic ON/OFF cycles during scanning. The laser is turned on only during the forward scanning direction when valid signal acquisition occurs, and turned off during the reverse scanning direction where no signal is acquired. This periodic operation maintains stable laser output characteristics while reducing cumulative phototoxicity and sample damage by eliminating unnecessary irradiation periods.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the laser light source is turned on and off frequently during scanning, then the phototoxicity and sample damage are reduced, but the image luminance becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors the scanning position and signal acquisition status in real-time, and adjusts the laser light source operation accordingly. The laser is turned on when the scanner is in the forward direction where valid signals are acquired, and turned off during the reverse direction. This feedback-based control ensures stable image luminance by maintaining consistent laser activation patterns while reducing phototoxicity through selective OFF periods during non-acquisition phases.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the laser output stabilization time is extended, then the laser output stability is improved, but the observation sequentiality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The laser light source is pre-stabilized before the start of signal acquisition, ensuring stable output characteristics are achieved in advance. Once stabilized, the laser remains active only during the forward scanning direction where valid signals are acquired, and is turned off during the reverse direction. This preliminary stabilization approach ensures both stable laser output and continuous sequential observation without unnecessary delays.
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
Stabilizes image luminance and reduces phototoxicity and sample damage by ensuring consistent laser output, allowing for accurate and quantitative analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a laser light source 101 configured to be able to switch between an ON state in which excitation light is emitted to an outside, and an OFF state in which the excitation light is not emitted to the outside
Implementation Method 2
a scan head 100 that scans, with the excitation light from the laser light source 101, a sample 106 in orthogonal two directions
Data Source
AI summary
The microscope includes: a light source which can be directly controlled between ON and OFF; an illumination optical system which radiates the light to form an illumination region on a sample; an optical path change member which changes an optical path of the light; and a control unit which controls the light source and the optical path change member, wherein the control unit controls the optical path change member, and performs a control to switch between first and second states and to set the light source to be ON in the second state, the first state being one in which the illumination region is formed when the light source is ON, and the illumination region is not formed when the light source is OFF, and the second state being one in which the illumination region is not formed when the light source is either ON or OFF.