Microscope Light Shielding Member for Autofluorescence Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In microscopes using a white LED as a light source for transmitted-light illumination, excitation light from the epi-illumination system can cause phosphor in the transmitted-light illumination system to emit fluorescence, leading to noise during fluorescence observation, and existing solutions require expensive optical members or complex arrangements to prevent autofluorescence.
Innovation Solution
A microscope design that includes a light shielding member movable orthogonal to the illumination path, synchronized with a condenser lens, to block excitation light from the epi-illumination system when the condenser lens is inserted or removed from the optical path, preventing phosphor excitation and autofluorescence without needing expensive low-autofluorescence optical members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a shutter or correction filter is arranged immediately before the phosphor to prevent excitation light from reaching it, then autofluorescence is prevented, but expensive optical members such as low-autofluorescence condenser lenses are required
Solution Approach 1:
The light shielding member is extracted from the position immediately before the phosphor and placed at a different location in the optical path. This allows the shielding function to be separated from the expensive condenser lens, enabling the use of ordinary optical members while still preventing autofluorescence.
Solution Approach 2:
A light shielding member is introduced as an intermediary element between the epi-illumination optical system and the phosphor. This mediator blocks excitation light from reaching the phosphor without requiring expensive modifications to the condenser lens or other optical members.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a condenser lens is changed to an expensive low-autofluorescence member to prevent autofluorescence, then fluorescence observation quality improves, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autofluorescence prevention function is extracted from the condenser lens itself and implemented by a separate light shielding member. This allows the condenser lens to remain an ordinary, cost-effective component while still achieving the goal of preventing autofluorescence.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of investing in expensive, specialized low-autofluorescence optical members, the patent uses a simple, inexpensive light shielding member that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, significantly reducing system cost.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a light shielding member is arranged immediately before the specimen to block excitation light, then autofluorescence is prevented, but the optical path for transmitted-light illumination is blocked when condenser lens is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The light shielding member is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be dynamically positioned according to the operational mode. It can be moved out of the optical path when transmitted-light illumination is needed and positioned to block excitation light when fluorescence observation is performed, providing adaptability to different observation methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The light shielding member is arranged in a position and orientation that allows it to block excitation light from the epi-illumination system without interfering with the transmitted-light illumination path. By changing the spatial dimension of its placement, it selectively shields against harmful light while maintaining optical path versatility.
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
Effectively prevents excitation light from reaching the transmitted-light illumination system, reducing noise in fluorescence observations without requiring costly optical modifications, allowing for accurate fluorescent imaging without altering existing optical components.
Implementation Method 1
a condenser having a condenser lens configured to collect light emitted from the transmitted-light illumination light source onto the specimen
Implementation Method 2
The light shielding member is configured to move in the direction orthogonal to the illumination optical path along with the condenser lens to block incidence of the excitation light from the epi-illumination optical system to the transmitted-light illumination optical system
Implementation Method 3
a phosphor emitting fluorescence by excitation light irradiated by the LED element
Implementation Method 4
a white LED having an LED element of blue or the like
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope includes a stage on which a specimen is configured to be placed, an epi-illumination optical system having a fluorescence illumination light source configured to irradiate the specimen with excitation light of a predetermined wavelength, a transmitted-light illumination optical system, and a light shielding member. The transmitted-light illumination optical system includes a transmitted-light illumination light source having a white LED, and a condenser having a condenser lens configured to collect light emitted from the transmitted-light illumination light source onto the specimen and configured to move in a direction orthogonal to an illumination optical path so as to be insertable onto and removable from the illumination optical path. The light shielding member is configured to move in the direction orthogonal to the illumination optical path along with the condenser lens to block incidence of the excitation light from the epi-illumination optical system to the transmitted-light illumination optical system.