Microscopic Scanner with Mobile Lens and Flat Light Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microscopic scanning technologies face low efficiency and inability to scan fluids effectively due to traditional microscope structures and automatic slide-feeding mechanisms, which are prone to failure and restrict scanning speed and image quality.
Innovation Solution
A fully automatic microscopic scanner with a fixed scanning platform and a mobile lens that can move in multiple directions, equipped with a line array camera, a high-brightness flat light source, and a laser pre-focus system for advanced image acquisition and focusing, allowing for efficient scanning of multiple slides simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional microscope plus electric stage structure is used, then the system can achieve pathological slide scanning, but scanning efficiency is low and only one slide can be scanned at a time
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the stage and slide under a stationary objective lens as in traditional microscopes, this invention inverts the approach by keeping the stage fixed and moving the objective lens (through a moving lens barrel) to scan different areas of the slide. This inversion enables multiple slides to be scanned simultaneously while maintaining image quality and resolving the contradiction between scanning efficiency and system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dynamic lens barrel that can move in multiple directions (up, down, left, right) to dynamically adjust the scanning position and coverage. This dynamic mechanism allows the system to efficiently scan multiple slides without increasing overall system complexity, as the moving lens barrel can be precisely controlled to cover required areas
2Extent of automation
If automatic slide-feeding mechanism is added, then unattended large-scale scanning can be achieved, but the mechanism is prone to failure due to lack of industry standard thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the problematic automatic slide-feeding mechanism from the system, replacing it with a fixed stage design. This eliminates the reliability issues associated with automatic feeding mechanisms while maintaining unattended scanning capability through the moving lens barrel that can scan multiple slides on the fixed stage without requiring automatic feeding
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves unattended scanning through self-service by using the moving lens barrel to automatically scan multiple slides that are placed on the fixed stage. The lens barrel's multi-directional movement capability allows it to autonomously scan across multiple slides without requiring automatic slide feeding mechanisms, thereby eliminating their reliability problems
3Speed
If phased array camera with mobile scanning process is used, then image acquisition can be achieved, but scanning speed is restricted due to repeated pausing and picture taking
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements continuous scanning by moving the lens barrel smoothly across the slide without repeated pausing. The line array camera continuously captures images during the lens barrel's movement, eliminating the stop-and-go operation of traditional phased array cameras. This continuous action significantly improves both scanning speed and image acquisition efficiency
4Measurement precision
If traditional mobile scanning process is used, then scanning can be performed, but liquid samples shake due to base motion causing poor image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional scanning approach by keeping the stage (and thus liquid samples) stationary while moving the lens barrel for scanning. This inversion prevents liquid samples from shaking during scanning, as the base remains fixed and only the lens moves. Consequently, high image quality is achieved while maintaining full scanning capability through the moving lens mechanism
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 solution significantly enhances scanning efficiency and image quality, enabling rapid and accurate scanning of multiple slides, including fluids, by using a power control mechanism for flexible lens movement and a high-brightness light source with effective heat dissipation, while avoiding the limitations of traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a light source mechanism 15, comprising a flat light source 18 with a condenser
Implementation Method 2
a flat light source 18 with a condenser
Implementation Method 3
The light source mechanism 15 comprises a light source body, a light source housing and a light source controller. The bottom of the light source housing are provided with multiple cooling fans 19
Data Source
AI summary
A fully automatic microscopic scanner, comprising an image acquisition mechanism (IAM) with a line array camera. The IAM and the microscopic scanning mechanism move along X/Y/Z axis under the action of a power control mechanism. The light source mechanism illuminates an area greater than or equal to the total area of the tray and has a flat light source with a condenser, a cooling fan, a water cooling unit. A general control mechanism and a laser pre-focus system connects to the light source mechanism. The fully automatic microscopic scanner links the microscopic scanning mechanism and the IAM with the light source mechanism. Flexible adjustment of lens is achieved by making the lens move forwards and backwards, leftwards and rightwards and up and down. The light source mechanism and laser pre-focus system, the stage and the light source are fixed during the scanning process to achieve real-time accurate and fast focusing.