Laser-Scanning Microscope Sampling Clock for Precise Fluorescence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser-scanning microscopes face challenges in precisely detecting fluorescence signals while maintaining cost-effectiveness and reducing data processing and storage volumes, particularly due to the high costs and heat generation associated with high-frequency A/D converters.
Innovation Solution
A light detecting apparatus is designed with a phase locked loop portion to generate a sampling clock synchronized with the laser light, an A/D converter for sampling fluorescence signals, and a received-data processing portion that sequences data to align sampling with the laser light cycle, allowing for precise detection and reduced sampling frequency to minimize heat and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-frequency A/D converters are used to precisely detect fluorescence signals, then measurement precision is improved, but device cost and heat generation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sampling frequency parameter from high-frequency to a lower frequency that is synchronized with the pulsed laser light frequency. By using a phase-locked loop to generate a sampling clock synchronized with the laser pulses, the system achieves precise fluorescence detection at reduced sampling rates, thereby enabling the use of lower-cost A/D converters while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If high-frequency A/D converters are used to precisely detect fluorescence signals, then measurement precision is improved, but heat generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces the sampling frequency parameter from high-frequency to a lower frequency synchronized with the pulsed laser light. By synchronizing the sampling clock with the laser pulse frequency using a phase-locked loop, the system maintains precise fluorescence detection capability while operating at lower sampling rates that generate less heat, enabling the use of lower-power A/D converters.
3Ease of manufacture
If sampling frequency is reduced to lower costs and heat generation, then device cost and heat generation are reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a phase-locked loop that uses feedback control to generate a sampling clock synchronized with the pulsed laser light frequency. The phase-locked loop continuously adjusts the sampling clock phase based on the synchronization signal from the laser source, ensuring that sampling occurs at the optimal moment for each laser pulse. This feedback mechanism maintains high measurement precision even at reduced sampling frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic sampling synchronized with the periodic pulsed laser light emission. By using the laser's own pulse frequency as the reference for sampling timing, the system performs sampling at regular intervals that match the excitation cycles, ensuring consistent and precise fluorescence detection at reduced sampling rates.
4Ease of manufacture
If sampling frequency is reduced to use low-cost A/D converters, then device cost is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a phase-locked loop that uses feedback control to generate a sampling clock synchronized with the pulsed laser light frequency. The phase-locked loop continuously adjusts the sampling clock phase based on the synchronization signal from the laser source, ensuring that sampling occurs at the optimal moment for each laser pulse. This feedback mechanism maintains high measurement precision even at reduced sampling frequencies enabled by low-cost A/D converters.
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 approach enables precise fluorescence detection with low time error and reduced heat generation, achieving cost reduction by using a low-cost A/D converter and maintaining high temporal precision, even with reduced sampling frequency, thus optimizing the detection process.
Implementation Method 1
a clock generating portion that generates, on the basis of a phase locked loop, a clock that has a frequency that is N (N is an integer that is equal to or greater than 1) times a pulse frequency of the laser light and that is synchronized with a phase of the laser light
Implementation Method 2
an A/D converting portion that is configured so as to perform sampling of signal light output from a sample as a result of radiating the laser light thereon in accordance with the sampling clock output from the phase locked loop portion
Implementation Method 3
a light source that emits pulsed laser light
Implementation Method 4
synchronization signals that indicate a timing and a period for sampling fluorescence
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a light detecting apparatus including: a phase locked loop portion that generates a sampling clock based on a synchronization signal output from a light source that emits pulsed laser light; an A/D convertor that performs sampling of signal light output from a sample as a result of radiating the laser light thereon in accordance with the sampling clock; and a received-data processing portion that accommodates, every time N items of the sampling data are continuously acquired, the N items of data in a single data sequence. The phase locked loop portion is provided with a clock generating portion that generates a clock that has a frequency that is N times a pulse frequency of the laser light and that is synchronized with a phase of the laser light, and a delay adjusting portion that generates the sampling clock by adjusting a delay amount of the generated clock.