Compact Fluorescent Microscope with Radial Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluorescent microscopes are bulky, inefficient in operation due to overlapping components, and require a large, deep desk for placement, which complicates handling and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
The design integrates the zoom optical system and objective lens as a single observing optical unit, with the illuminating optical system disposed within the focusing unit, allowing for near coaxial epi-illumination without a dead space between the zoom mirror and objective lens, and enables easy attachment and detachment of components, reducing the microscope's size and depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the illuminating optical system is disposed in the space between the focusing unit and the observing optical unit, then near coaxial epi-illumination is achieved, but a dead space is formed between the zoom mirror and objective lens, increasing the microscope size
Solution Approach 1:
The illuminating optical system is repositioned from the axial space between the focusing unit and observing optical unit to a radial position on the side of the objective lens. This dimensional change eliminates the dead space between the zoom mirror and objective lens while achieving near coaxial epi-illumination through the side-illuminated path.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the zoom mirror and objective lens are separately attached to the light-projecting tube, then flexibility is improved, but the attaching and detaching operations become time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The zoom mirror and objective lens are merged into a single integrated assembly that is attached to the light-projecting tube as one unit. This combination maintains the flexibility to attach and detach the entire assembly together, significantly reducing the time required compared to separate attachment operations while preserving adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If the observing unit, space, and focusing unit are disposed to overlap as viewed from the observer, then the microscope depth is increased, but a large, deep desk is required for placement
Solution Approach 1:
The illuminating optical system is relocated from the axial dimension (between focusing unit and observing unit) to a radial dimension (on the side of the objective lens). This repositioning reduces the microscope's depth along the optical axis while maintaining ease of operation by keeping the focusing handle within reachable distance.
4Illumination intensity
If the lower tube projects between the zoom mirror and objective lens to accommodate the reflecting mirror, then illumination is achieved, but a dead space is formed, resulting in a larger microscope
Solution Approach 1:
The reflecting mirror and lower tube structure that created the dead space are extracted from the axial path between the zoom mirror and objective lens. The illuminating optical system is instead positioned on the side of the objective lens, eliminating the need for the lower tube to project into the optical path and removing the dead space that increased microscope size.
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 results in a more compact, user-friendly microscope with improved operability and reduced mechanical complexity, allowing for efficient observation and easier handling, and eliminates the need for a specialized desk.
Implementation Method 1
an illuminating unit that has a reflecting optical element disposed in the observation optical unit
Implementation Method 2
a zoom optical system having variable zoom power
Implementation Method 3
an objective lens optically connected to the zoom optical system, the observation optical unit receiving observation light emitted from an observation sample
Implementation Method 4
The present invention relates to microscopes designed to observe a specimen via a zoom optical system having variable zoom power, and more particularly, relates to fluorescent microscopes designed to observe fluorescence emitted from a specimen mounted on a stage
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope includes an observation optical unit that has a zoom optical system having variable zoom power and an objective lens optically connected to the zoom optical system, the observation optical unit receiving observation light emitted from an observation sample, a focusing unit that has a focusing mechanism to focus the observation optical unit on the observation sample, a light source unit that emits illuminating light to illuminate the observation sample, and an illuminating unit that has a reflecting optical element disposed in the observation optical unit but out of an optical path of the zoom optical system, the illuminating unit being partially disposed in the focusing unit, the illuminating unit illuminating the observation sample with the illuminating light via the reflecting optical element and the objective lens.