Phase Contrast Microscope Meniscus Refraction Correction

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional phase-contrast microscopes face challenges in obtaining clear images due to the lens effect caused by the meniscus in culture liquids, leading to shifted optical axes and reduced contrast, with existing methods requiring time-consuming arithmetic operations or manual adjustments that do not effectively address the refraction influence of the meniscus.

Innovation Solution

A phase-contrast microscope system that includes a pattern-light irradiation unit, a transmitted-light detection unit, and an adjusting optical system with adjustable optical characteristics, which uses detection signals from pattern light to automatically adjust the optical characteristics and reduce the refraction effect caused by the meniscus, allowing for quick and precise image capture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional phase-contrast microscope is used with culture liquid, then cells can be cultured and observed, but the meniscus causes lens effect that shifts optical axis and reduces image contrast

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to culture and observe cellsVSAvoidimage contrast and optical axis alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects the actual position of the ring-shaped illumination light using a pupil image detector, compares it with the reference position, and automatically adjusts the condenser lens or phase plate position to correct the deviation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual adjustment and maintains optimal image contrast despite meniscus effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The microscope system performs automatic self-adjustment of the optical alignment by detecting its own illumination light position and correcting deviations through automated control of optical components, eliminating the need for external manual intervention during observation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If manual adjustment of slit plate or phase plate is performed to reduce meniscus influence, then image contrast improves, but operation time increases and automation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage contrastVSAvoidadjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The microscope system performs automatic self-adjustment of the optical alignment by detecting its own illumination light position and correcting deviations through automated control of optical components, eliminating the need for external manual intervention during observation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects the actual position of the ring-shaped illumination light using a pupil image detector, compares it with the reference position, and automatically adjusts the condenser lens or phase plate position to correct the deviation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual adjustment and maintains optimal image contrast despite meniscus effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of manufacture

If ring-shaped illumination light is used for phase-contrast measurement, then phase-contrast imaging is achieved, but the meniscus causes optical axis shift that degrades image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase-contrast imaging capabilityVSAvoidoptical axis alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects the actual position of the ring-shaped illumination light using a pupil image detector, compares it with the reference position, and automatically adjusts the condenser lens or phase plate position to correct the deviation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual adjustment and maintains optimal image contrast despite meniscus effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

The system enables automatic and rapid adjustment of illumination light refraction caused by the meniscus, resulting in high-contrast phase-contrast images with reduced artifacts, improving imaging quality and efficiency compared to existing methods.

Implementation Method 1

an adjusting optical system 20 with adjustable optical characteristics, which adjusts refraction of light caused by a shape of a liquid surface of the liquid in the vessel in accordance with an optical characteristic

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3318913B1Phase difference microscope and imaging method

Publication Date: 2019.11.06 FUJIFILM CORP

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AI summary

A phase-contrast microscope and an imaging method that each can automatically and quickly adjust the influence of refraction of illumination light caused by a meniscus are provided. A culture vessel that houses a culture liquid and a specimen is irradiated with pattern light having a pattern that is previously set for the culture vessel. Transmitted light transmitted through the culture liquid in the culture vessel because of the irradiation with the pattern light is detected. Optical characteristics of an adjusting optical system that adjusts refraction of light caused by the shape of the liquid surface of the culture liquid in the culture vessel are adjusted, on the basis of a detection signal based on the detected transmitted light. After the adjustment, the culture vessel is irradiated with illumination light for phase-contrast measurement, and the specimen irradiated with the illumination light is imaged.