Digital Microscope Modular Mounting Unit Depth of Field
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microscopes face challenges in capturing images with improved image quality and extended depth of field while maintaining lateral resolution over an extended depth of field.
Innovation Solution
A digital microscope equipped with a microelectromechanical optical system, such as a Micromirror Array Lens System (MALS), and a modular mounting unit allowing for removable optical and illumination units, including additional lenses, to enhance depth of field and optical magnification, along with FPGA-based or CPU-based circuitry for image processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional microscopes use traditional optical systems, then the structure is simple, but the depth of field is limited and cannot be extended
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into multiple independent modules: objective lens, microelectromechanical optical system (MALS), additional lenses, and illumination units. Each module can be independently optimized and replaced, allowing the depth of field to be extended through the MALS component without complicating the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The microelectromechanical optical system (MALS) introduces dynamic control over the optical path, enabling real-time adjustment of the depth of field. This dynamic component allows the system to adapt and extend the depth of field as needed without permanently complicating the overall optical structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If additional lenses are added to increase magnification, then optical magnification is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting unit is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of additional lenses and illumination units. This multi-functional mounting mechanism allows different optical configurations to be achieved without designing separate mounting systems for each lens type, thereby improving magnification capabilities while controlling overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system allows dynamic reconfiguration by enabling users to attach and remove different additional lenses based on the required magnification level. This dynamic adaptability provides high magnification when needed while keeping the system simple for lower magnification tasks.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the optical system is made modular and removable, then adaptability is improved, but the reliability of optical alignment may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting unit incorporates pre-designed alignment features and mechanical guides that automatically position optical components in the correct orientation during attachment. This preliminary alignment preparation ensures that even with removable modules, the optical alignment remains reliable and consistent across different configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes alignment verification mechanisms that provide feedback on the correct positioning of removable optical components. This feedback ensures that when modules are attached or removed, the optical alignment is maintained at the required precision level, preserving reliability while enabling adaptability.
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 capturing images with an extended depth of field increased by a factor of at least 5, processing 2.5 or 3-dimensional images per second, and allowing flexible optical configuration changes for various magnifications and illumination settings, ensuring high reproducibility and robustness.
Implementation Method 1
The optical unit comprises a microelectromechanical optical system on an optical path from the objective to the image sensor, which is configured for extending a depth of field on the optical path from the objective to the image sensor
Implementation Method 2
The optical unit comprises an objective for gathering light from the sample to be microscopically examined
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention concerns a digital microscope for capturing images of a sample with an extended depth of field. The microscope comprises a stand (01) with an opening (16) for receiving an optical unit (07). The microscope further comprises an optical unit (07) with an objective (08), an image sensor, and a microelectromechanical optical system on an optical path from the objective (08) to the image sensor. The microelectromechanical optical system is configured for extending a depth of field at the optical path. According to the invention, the imaging unit (07) comprises a mounting unit (13) comprising a first portion (14) for removable mounting the mounting unit (13) into the opening (16) of the stand (01), a second portion (18) for removable mounting an illumination unit (17) onto the mounting unit (13), and a third portion (21) for removable mounting an additional lens (19) onto the mounting unit (13) into an optical axis (22) of the objective (08). Furthermore, the invention concerns a microscopic set.