Microscope Laser Path Switching for Stable Low-Phototoxic Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscopes face issues with unexpected changes in image luminance and loss of sequentiality in observations due to laser light source output stability, leading to phototoxicity and damage to samples when switching between ON and OFF states.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system with a control unit that manages the laser light source and optical path change member to stabilize output by pre-setting the light to a standby position before turning ON, ensuring stable output values and reducing phototoxicity by brief OFF periods during scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the laser light source is switched between ON and OFF states during scanning, then phototoxicity and sample damage are reduced, but image luminance becomes unstable and sequentiality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the optical path change member (galvanometer mirror) at the standby position before turning ON the laser light source. This ensures that when the laser is activated, the light is immediately directed to the correct scanning position rather than being randomly directed, thereby maintaining image luminance stability while still allowing the laser to be turned OFF during non-scanning periods to reduce phototoxicity.
2Reliability
If the laser light source remains ON during scanning, then image luminance is stable, but phototoxicity and sample damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by controlling the laser light source to alternate between ON and OFF states during the scanning process. The laser is turned ON only during active scanning periods when the optical path change member is positioned correctly, and turned OFF during standby or transition periods. This periodic switching maintains image luminance stability during scanning while significantly reducing cumulative phototoxicity and sample damage compared to continuous illumination.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the optical path is changed during laser operation, then scanning flexibility is improved, but output stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the optical path change member at the standby position before activating the laser light source. This sequence ensures that when the laser is turned ON, the optical path is already configured correctly for scanning, thereby maintaining output stability. The system can then flexibly change the optical path during scanning by moving the galvanometer mirror to different positions, achieving both scanning flexibility and output stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional sequence by positioning the optical path change member first and then activating the laser, rather than the traditional approach of activating the laser first and then changing the optical path. This inversion ensures that the optical path is ready before light emission begins, preventing instability during transitions while maintaining the flexibility to reposition the optical path during active scanning.
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 output stability and sequential scanning, allowing for accurate quantitative analysis.
Implementation Method 1
the optical path change member is a galvanometer mirror
Implementation Method 2
a light source which is able to be directly controlled between an ON state in which coherent light is emitted
Implementation Method 3
The illumination optical system may further have a condensing lens, and in the first state, the light may pass through the condensing lens
Implementation Method 4
a reflective member which is provided at the standby position, and which reflects the light
Implementation Method 5
an absorbing member which absorbs at least a part of the light that is reflected from the reflective member
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a microscope including: a light source which is able to be directly controlled between an ON state in which coherent light is emitted and an OFF state in which the light is not emitted; 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, in which the control unit controls the optical path change member, and performs a control to switch between a first state and a second state and sets the light source to be in the ON state in the second state, the first state being a state in which the light forms the illumination region on the sample when the light source is in the ON state, and does not form the illumination region when the light source is in the OFF state, and the second state being a state in which the light does not form the illumination region on the sample when the light source is either in the ON state or in the OFF state.