Microscope Objective Correction Collar for Automatic Aberration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical apparatuses, such as microscopes, face challenges in automatically correcting aberrations caused by varying thicknesses of sample holding media like cover glass, leading to blurry images and increased operational complexity for users.
Innovation Solution
An optical apparatus equipped with an objective correction collar, an optical thickness detecting unit, an operating unit for calculating aberration correction, a driver unit for adjusting the correction collar, and a focusing mechanism to automatically correct aberrations by determining the optical thickness of the sample holding medium and adjusting the distance between the objective and sample.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a correction collar is used to correct aberration by moving lenses along the optic axis, then aberration correction capability is improved, but focus position changes simultaneously causing image blurring and requiring repeated manual adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic feedback control by detecting the actual focus position after correction collar movement and comparing it with the target focus position. The system automatically adjusts the correction collar position based on this feedback to eliminate blurring without requiring manual intervention, thus resolving the contradiction between aberration correction capability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting focus position changes and adjusting the correction collar without user intervention. The microprocessor-based control system autonomously manages the correction process, eliminating the need for repeated manual focusing and making the system user-friendly despite the complexity of aberration correction.
2Reliability
If manual aberration correction is performed by moving correction collar, then aberration can be corrected, but time-consuming repeated focusing is required and skilled observer expertise is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects optical thickness variations and adjusts the correction collar without requiring skilled observer intervention. The microprocessor control system autonomously performs the correction process, eliminating time-consuming manual adjustment and making the system accessible to unskilled users while maintaining correction accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated control system that uses sensors to detect optical thickness and electronically controls the correction collar movement. This substitution eliminates the need for skilled observation and repeated manual focusing, significantly reducing the time required for aberration correction.
3Ease of operation
If prolonged light exposure is used to detect and correct aberration, then correction can be performed, but sample damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of optical thickness variations before actual imaging to determine the required correction. By pre-measuring the cover glass thickness and calculating the necessary correction amount, the system can adjust the correction collar in advance, eliminating the need for prolonged light exposure during correction and reducing sample damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces light-based detection methods with optical thickness sensors that measure cover glass thickness directly without requiring prolonged light exposure. This substitution allows aberration correction to be determined beforehand, minimizing light exposure to the sample and reducing potential damage while maintaining ease of operation.
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
This solution enables rapid and accurate correction of aberrations, reducing user labor and ensuring consistent high-quality images, even for unskilled operators, while minimizing sample damage from prolonged light exposure.
Implementation Method 1
an optical thickness detecting unit for detecting the optical thickness of the sample holding member
Implementation Method 2
an objective with a correction collar for correcting aberration due to an error in the optical thickness of a sample holding member
Implementation Method 3
a focusing mechanism for changing a distance between the objective and the sample
Data Source
AI summary
This is an optical apparatus provided with an objective with a correction collar for correcting aberration due to an error in the optical thickness of a piece of cover glass comprising a focusing mechanism for changing a distance between the objective and the sample, an optical thickness detecting unit for detecting the optical thickness of the cover glass, an operating unit for calculating the amount of aberration correction, based on the optical thickness of the cover glass detected by the optical thickness detecting unit, a driver unit for driving a correction collar, based on the amount of aberration correction calculated by the operating unit and an imaging sensor for forming the image of the sample that passes through the objective.