Microscope Sample Presence Detection for Safe Auto-Immersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern microscopes face issues with accurately detecting the presence of a sample in the sample space, which can lead to damage from automatic immersion liquid application when no sample is present, and potential damage from laser illumination without a sample.
Innovation Solution
A control device for a microscope that uses a light source to generate a measurement light beam, an optical system to direct and receive reflection light, and a detector to determine the presence of a sample based on reflection light intensity, controlling the microscope to perform actions only when a sample is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If automatic immersion system is implemented to apply immersion liquid without manual interaction, then image quality and resolution are improved, but immersion liquid may spill into the microscope when no sample is present
Solution Approach 1:
The control device performs a preliminary detection action before the automatic immersion action. It sends a measurement light beam through the objective lens to detect whether a sample is present in the sample space. Only when a sample is detected does the system proceed to apply the immersion liquid. This preliminary detection prevents the harmful effect of liquid spillage while maintaining the beneficial automatic immersion functionality.
2Productivity
If automated tasks are performed without human intervention, then productivity is improved, but damage to microscope and sample may occur when sample is not correctly arranged
Solution Approach 1:
The control device establishes a feedback loop where the detection result from the measurement light beam is fed back to the control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit decides whether to execute the automated immersion task. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable sample presence verification while maintaining high productivity through automated operation.
3Measurement precision
If light reflection detection method is used to determine sample presence, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device reuses the existing objective lens of the microscope for dual purposes: both for the primary imaging function and for the sample presence detection function. By making the objective lens multi-functional, the system achieves accurate light reflection detection without adding separate dedicated detection optics, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
4Reliability
If detection system is added to verify sample presence, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting sample presence and making decisions about whether to execute immersion tasks without requiring user intervention. The control device autonomously sends measurement light beams, analyzes reflections, and controls the immersion system based on its own detection results, maintaining ease of operation while improving reliability.
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 robust and accurate detection of the sample, preventing damage from automatic immersion liquid spillage and laser illumination, enhancing user safety and microscope operation.
Implementation Method 1
an optical system configured to direct the measurement light beam into a sample space of the microscope, and to receive reflection light, which comprises light of the measurement light beam reflected in the sample space
Data Source
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AI summary
A control device (100) for a microscope (102, 200) comprises a light source (112) configured to generate a measurement light beam (114), and an optical system (110) configured to direct the measurement light beam (114) into a sample space (106) of the microscope (102, 200), and to receive reflection light (116), which comprises light of the measurement light beam (114) reflected in the sample space (106). The control device (100) further comprises a detector (118) configured to detect the intensity of the reflection light (116) received by the optical system (110), and a processor (120) configured to determine whether or not a sample (104, 202) is present in the sample space (106) based on the intensity of the reflection light (116) detected by the detector (118). The processor (120) is further configured to control the microscope (102, 200) to perform or not perform an action based on whether the processor (120) has determined that a sample (104, 202) is present in the sample space (106).