Microscope Lens Integrating Wide-Field Camera and Beam Scanner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing skin cancer using wide-field imaging and reflectance confocal microscopy require separate devices and lack accurate registration of microscopic and wide-field images, leading to variability and uncertainty in biopsy decisions.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a miniature color camera within a high NA objective lens to provide concurrent wide-field and subsurface confocal imaging, allowing precise co-registration of images and improved accuracy in lesion evaluation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate handheld devices are used for wide-field imaging and reflectance confocal microscopy, then each imaging function can be performed with optimized performance, but the devices cannot be accurately registered and require multiple separate procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage registration accuracyVSAvoidnumber of separate devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines wide-field imaging and reflectance confocal microscopy into a single integrated device with a unified optical path. The wide-field camera and confocal detection system share the same objective lens and optical components, enabling automatic spatial registration and eliminating the need for separate handheld devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated device performs multiple imaging functions (wide-field imaging and confocal microscopy) through a single multi-functional platform. The system can switch between different imaging modes using the same optical path and detector, providing universal capability for both gross morphology and microscopic histology-level imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If a high NA objective lens is used for confocal microscopy, then subsurface cellular detail can be resolved, but the field of view is limited and cannot accommodate wide-field imaging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubsurface imaging resolutionVSAvoidfield of view

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detection function into two parallel pathways: one for wide-field imaging capturing gross morphology and another for confocal detection capturing subsurface cellular detail. Both pathways use the same high NA objective lens but process different spatial frequencies and depth information, allowing simultaneous acquisition of both wide field and high resolution data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If separate procedures are used for wide-field and confocal imaging, then each imaging type can be optimized independently, but the overall diagnostic workflow becomes time-consuming and variable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic workflow efficiencyVSAvoiddetection rate consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated device enables continuous imaging workflow where wide-field and confocal imaging are performed simultaneously or in rapid succession without repositioning or re-registration. The unified optical path and automated scanning ensure continuous data acquisition from the same tissue region, eliminating gaps and variability between separate procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful 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

Enables simultaneous capture of wide-field skin surface images and subsurface cellular structure images, reducing the need for separate devices and improving the specificity of skin cancer diagnosis by enhancing image registration and interpretation.

Implementation Method 1

wide-field imaging, which shows gross morphology of a lesion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

confocal optical sectioning is preserved at sharper than 2.5 μm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical sectioning:

Implementation Method 3

diffraction-limited spot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 4

beam scanning device configured to provide scanning of a position of a focus of a beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam scanning:

Data Source

PatentUS20250020903A1Microscope lens with integrated wide-field camera and beam scanning device

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENT

AI summary

A device for viewing a target, the device including a housing, an objective lens positioned within the housing, where the objective lens has a first lens group including at least a first lens and a second lens group including at least a second lens, the first lens positioned closer to the target than the second lens, and a camera positioned within the objective lens between the first lens and the second lens, where the camera is configured to provide images of the target located near a focal point of the objective lens, and wherein the arrangement of the first lens, the second lens, and the camera provides for simultaneous capture of a first image of a surface of the target and a second image of a sub-surface cellular structure of the target.