Microscope System Shared Detection Objective Correlative Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microscope systems with separate illumination and detection objectives for light sheet microscopy and confocal microscopy face difficulties in integration and image data correlation, leading to complex handling and limited ability to switch between microscopy processes without sample transfer.

Innovation Solution

A microscope system with a light sheet microscopy functional unit and a further light microscopy unit, where both share a common detection objective, allowing for simultaneous imaging and correlated image evaluation without sample transfer, enabling simpler and more precise handling of image data from both modalities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate illumination and detection objectives are used for light sheet microscopy, then imaging resolution and light exposure control are improved, but integration complexity and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging resolutionVSAvoidintegration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the detection objective from confocal microscopy with the light sheet microscopy system, merging two separate microscopy functionalities into a single integrated system. The second objective serves dual purposes: as a detection objective for light sheet microscopy and as a detection objective for confocal microscopy, thereby reducing the number of separate components needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The second objective is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as the detection objective for light sheet microscopy imaging and simultaneously serves as the detection objective for confocal microscopy. This multi-functionality allows the system to switch between different microscopy modes without requiring separate detection objectives for each modality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If separate detection objectives are used for light sheet and confocal microscopy, then each modality can be optimized independently, but image data correlation and handling complexity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodality optimizationVSAvoidimage data correlation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the detection function for both light sheet and confocal microscopy into a single second objective. This ensures that the same optical path and detector are used for both modalities, automatically providing correlated image data from identical sample regions without requiring complex registration or correlation algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the same detection objective (second objective) for both light sheet and confocal microscopy, creating an optical copy of the detection path. This ensures that image data from both modalities are directly comparable and correlated, as they originate from the same optical perspective and detection plane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If perpendicular arrangement of illumination and detection objectives is used, then light sheet imaging can be achieved, but integration with existing microscope systems becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight sheet imaging capabilityVSAvoidintegration ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of arranging the illumination objective perpendicular to the detection objective as in traditional light sheet microscopy, the patent inverts the approach by using the same detection objective for both modalities. The illumination objective (first objective) and detection objective (second objective) are arranged in the conventional confocal configuration, with the light sheet illumination being introduced through the detection path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Measurement precision

If sample transfer is required between microscopy modalities, then each modality can be independently optimized, but productivity and time efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodality-specific optimizationVSAvoidimaging efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the detection capability for both light sheet and confocal microscopy into a single integrated system with a common detection objective. This allows seamless switching between modalities without requiring physical sample transfer or repositioning, as both imaging modes use the same detection path and focus on the same sample region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11314072B2Microscope system with light sheet microscopy functional unit

Publication Date: 2022.04.26 LEICA MICROSYSTEMS CMS GMBH

AI summary

A microscope system includes a light sheet microscopy functional unit and at least one further light microscopy functional unit. The light sheet microscopy functional unit has an illumination objective which is formed by a first objective and a detection objective which is formed by a separate second objective. The at least one further light microscopy functional unit has a detection objective that is formed by the second objective.