Laser Scanning Microscope Light Path Switching for Simultaneous Stimulus and Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser scanning microscopes require separate optical systems for light stimulus and imaging, necessitating duplicate light sources and synchronized scanners, which complicates the setup and reduces the degree of freedom in observation.
Innovation Solution
A laser scanning microscope design that incorporates a light source with multiple wavelengths, paired with a spectroscopic unit and light path switching units, including dichroic mirrors and galvanometer scanners, allowing for simultaneous light stimulus and imaging using a single detecting optical system and shared light sources, enhancing observational flexibility while maintaining a simple structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate optical systems are used for light stimulus and imaging, then the functions can be performed independently, but the device complexity increases and the degree of freedom in observation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light stimulus optical system and imaging optical system into a single integrated optical path. The light source, scanning mirrors, and detection system are shared between both functions, allowing light stimulus and imaging to occur simultaneously through the same optical components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining functional independence through software control
Solution Approach 2:
The optical components are designed to serve multiple functions. The same light source can provide both imaging illumination and light stimulus, the scanning mirrors perform both imaging scanning and light stimulus positioning, and the detection system detects both imaging signals and light stimulus responses, enabling one system to perform multiple roles
2Reliability
If duplicate light sources are mounted on both optical systems, then each system can operate independently, but the quantity of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single light source is designed to serve dual purposes: providing illumination for imaging and delivering light stimulus to the sample. The system uses wavelength division or temporal multiplexing to enable the same light source to perform both imaging and light stimulus functions, eliminating the need for duplicate light sources while maintaining operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the light sources for imaging and light stimulus into a single unified light source system. This consolidated approach reduces the total number of components while maintaining the capability to perform both imaging and light stimulus functions through coordinated control of the shared light source
3Reliability
If different scanning units are used for imaging and light stimulus, then each function can be optimized, but the synchronization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single scanning mirror system for both imaging and light stimulus functions. The same galvanometer scanner or resonant scanner performs both the imaging scan and the light stimulus positioning, eliminating synchronization complexity between separate scanners while maintaining functional optimization through software-controlled scanning patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning system is designed to perform multiple functions with a single scanner. The scanner can execute imaging scan patterns for image acquisition and light stimulus scan patterns for targeted illumination, with the ability to switch between functions or perform both simultaneously through coordinated control, thereby eliminating the need for multiple synchronized scanners
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 flexible and efficient simultaneous light stimulus and imaging with reduced complexity, allowing for continuous and repeated imaging of temporal changes in samples, and supports various wavelengths and light sources without the need for duplicate optical components.
Implementation Method 1
a spectroscopic unit for guiding light from the light source part to a specimen plane and guiding the light from the specimen plane to a detector
Implementation Method 2
light path switching units for switching a light path between the spectroscopic unit and the specimen plane to one among a plurality of light paths with different routes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A proposition of the present invention is to provide a laser scanning microscope capable of enhancing the degree of freedom of observation while keeping its structure simple. Accordingly, a laser scanning microscope (100) of the present invention includes a light source part (1), a spectroscopic unit (9) guiding light from the light source part (1) to a specimen plane (16) and guiding the light from the specimen plane (16) to a detector, light path switching units (10 and 13) switching a light path between the spectroscopic unit (9) and the specimen plane (16) to one among a plurality of light paths (R1 and R2) with different routes, and a plurality of light deflecting units (11 and 12) each disposed in each of the plurality of light paths.