Microscope System Photon Noise Reduction via Repeated Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microscope systems face challenges in achieving super-resolution images equal to or greater than optical resolution due to photon noise and detector saturation, particularly when observing living cells, as they require repeated scanning of the same area, which increases detection time and may lead to reduced resolution.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system with a scanning unit, light splitting, and multiple photodetector units that split and detect return light, combine image datasets, and perform computational processing to enhance high-frequency components, allowing for efficient detection of a fixed number of photons without saturation, thereby creating super-resolution images with desired resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If laser intensity is raised to increase the number of photons detected, then the number of photons detected increases, but the fluorescence intensity becomes too high and causes detector saturation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection process into multiple segments by performing repeated scans of the same specimen area. Instead of attempting to detect all required photons in a single scan with high laser intensity, the system accumulates photons across multiple lower-intensity scans, preventing detector saturation while achieving the necessary total photon count for super-resolution imaging
2Reliability
If laser intensity is suppressed to avoid detector saturation, then detector saturation is prevented, but the detection time increases due to repeated scanning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by performing repeated scans of the same specimen area without interruption. The system continuously accumulates photon signals across multiple scans, ensuring that the detection process remains ongoing and efficient. This continuous accumulation approach minimizes idle time while building up sufficient signal strength for super-resolution reconstruction
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic scanning of the same specimen area, where each scan cycle collects a portion of the required photons. By repeating this periodic action multiple times and combining the results, the system achieves the necessary total photon count while maintaining manageable signal levels that prevent detector saturation during each individual scan
3Quantity of substance
If repeated scanning is performed to detect fixed number of photons, then the required photon count is achieved, but the detection time increases and may reduce resolution due to specimen movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing multiple scans and accumulating photon data before the final image reconstruction step. The system prepares the combined image dataset in advance through repeated scanning and signal accumulation, ensuring that all necessary photon information is gathered and properly aligned before super-resolution processing begins. This preliminary data preparation reduces the impact of specimen movement by establishing a consistent spatial reference framework
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 configuration enables the detection of a fixed number of photons in a shorter time, reducing photon noise and enhancing high-frequency components, resulting in super-resolution images with resolution equal to or greater than optical resolution without the resolution being affected by detection time.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of photodetector units that respectively detect the return light in the light paths split by the light splitting part and output light intensity signals corresponding to the luminances of the return light
Implementation Method 2
a computational processing unit that subjects a final combined image dataset, obtained by combining the image datasets with the image-dataset combining unit, to image computational processing for enhancing high-frequency components
Implementation Method 3
a light splitting part that splits return light from the specimen on which the laser light is scanned by the scanning unit into a plurality of light paths with the same wavelength
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope system includes a scanner that scans laser light emitted from a continuous-wave light source on a specimen, a beam splitter that splits fluorescence from the specimen into a plurality of light paths with the same wavelength, a plurality of PMTs that respectively detect the fluorescence in the light paths and output light intensity signals, and a computer. Each time the laser light is repeatedly scanned by the scanner, the computer acquires, for each of the PMTs, an image dataset of the specimen based on the light intensity signals. The computer combines a plurality of the image datasets for the same area of the specimen and subjects a final combined image dataset to computational processing for enhancing high-frequency components.