Microscope Optical Arrangement Eliminates Erecting Unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inclined plane microscopes face limitations due to the need for a second objective for illumination in light sheet microscopy, leading to issues with focusing scattered and fluorescent light, which results in blurred images and distortions, and require additional optical components that increase complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
An optical arrangement using a plurality of lenses with different focal lengths, eliminating the need for an erection unit, allows for the detection of scattered and fluorescent light without reducing transmission, and enables a single lens to be used for both illumination and detection, thereby simplifying the microscope design and increasing the depth of field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a second objective is used for illumination in light sheet microscopy, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single objective lens is designed to perform both illumination and detection functions. By using the objective lens to illuminate the sample at an inclined angle and simultaneously collect scattered and fluorescent light, the system eliminates the need for a separate illumination objective, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining illumination coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination path and detection path are merged through the use of a single objective lens. The objective lens serves dual purposes: directing illumination light onto the sample at an angle and collecting the scattered/fluorescent light for detection, combining two separate functions into one optical component
2Manufacturing precision
If an erection unit is used to image the tilted illumination plane, then the image quality is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the erection unit from the optical path by using computational methods to correct image distortions. Instead of adding optical components to physically erect the tilted illumination plane, the system extracts and corrects the tilt information through software processing, thereby eliminating the need for additional optical components
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical optical correction system (eration unit) is replaced with a computational correction system. Image distortions caused by the tilted illumination plane are corrected through software algorithms that process the captured images, substituting physical optical components with digital signal processing
3Manufacturing precision
If additional optical components are added to correct optical errors, then the image quality is improved, but the loss of light transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
Optical corrections that would require additional lenses and mirrors are replaced with computational methods. The system captures images with inherent optical distortions and uses software algorithms to correct them, avoiding the light transmission losses that would occur with additional optical components
4Use of energy by moving object
If a single objective with large numerical aperture is used for illumination, then the illumination efficiency is improved, but the depth of field decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the illumination angle parameter by using an inclined illumination plane rather than perpendicular illumination. This angular parameter change allows the use of a single objective lens with appropriate numerical aperture while maintaining adequate depth of field through the tilted geometry of the illumination and detection paths
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 sharper imaging of tilted illumination planes without additional components, reduces optical errors, and allows for easier lens exchange, resulting in a more cost-effective, space-saving microscope with improved lateral resolution and collection efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an objective system with an optical axis for capturing and transmitting the scattered and/or fluorescent light
Implementation Method 2
a tube system located on the tube side of the objective system, comprising at least one tube lens, with an optical axis for focusing the scattered and/or fluorescent light captured by the objective system in a tube detector plane
Implementation Method 3
each lens of the plurality of lenses has a smaller numerical aperture than the tube system
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of optical lenses are arranged between the tube system and the tube detector plane, wherein the plurality of lenses essentially simultaneously transmit the scattered and/or fluorescent light and focus it into a detector plane spaced from the virtual tube detector plane
Implementation Method 5
an optical illumination arrangement for illuminating a sample located in a detection volume defined by the optical illumination arrangement
Implementation Method 6
detecting scattered and/or fluorescent light from the detection volume
Implementation Method 7
detecting scattered and/or fluorescent light from the detection volume
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates an optical arrangement (1) for detecting scattered and/or fluorescence light (61) in a microscope (3), in particular an inclined plane microscope (5), comprising an objective system (7) with an optical axis (15a) for capturing and transmitting the scattered and/or fluorescence light (61) from an objective side (17) to tube side (19), a tube system (11), situated on the tube side (19) of the objective system (7), having an optical axis (15b) for focusing the scattered and/or fluorescence light (61) captured by the objective system (7) in a virtual tube-detector plane (33). Further, the present invention comprises a microscope (3), in particular an inclined plane microscope (5). Optical arrangements (1) and microscopes (3) from the prior art are disadvantageous in that an additional erecting unit is required for erecting a virtual intermediate image of a tilted illumination plane (51). Said erecting unit generally comprises a plurality of lenses and reduces the image quality of the image. The optical arrangement according to the invention and the microscope according to the invention provide a multiplicity of optical lenses (23), which focus the scattered and/or fluorescence light (61) in a detector plane (39), wherein each lens (75) of the plurality of lenses (23) has a smaller numerical aperture (NA) than the tube system (13).