Microscope Spherical Aberration Lens Control

Solution Overview

Problem

In microscope systems, spherical aberration caused by transparent sample holders like cover slips and biological samples' semi-transparency leads to difficulties in acquiring precise images, requiring manual correction of the objective lens's collar, which is cumbersome and time-consuming, especially when multiple high-magnification images need to be combined.

Innovation Solution

A microscope system with an optical system that includes a lens for spherical aberration correction, moved automatically by a movement mechanism controlled by a unit that calculates and adjusts the lens position based on the specimen's thickness and focus position, allowing for precise and high-speed correction of spherical aberration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If an objective lens with a correction collar is used to correct spherical aberration, then spherical aberration can be corrected, but manual adjustment is required for each specimen which is troublesome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage precisionVSAvoidoperation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment of the correction collar with an automated motor-driven system. The correction collar is driven by a motor (e.g., stepper motor or servo motor) that receives control signals from a control unit, automatically positioning the collar to correct spherical aberration without requiring manual rotation by the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service operation where the microscope automatically determines and applies the appropriate correction collar position based on specimen information (such as cover slip thickness or specimen type). The control unit processes input data and autonomously adjusts the correction collar, eliminating the need for user intervention in the correction process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If manual correction of spherical aberration is performed for multiple high-magnification images, then spherical aberration can be corrected, but the process becomes extremely troublesome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage precisionVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with automated motor-driven control, enabling rapid and consistent correction across multiple images. The motor system can quickly reposition the correction collar between image acquisitions, maintaining precision while dramatically improving processing throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary correction by pre-positioning the correction collar based on specimen information before image acquisition begins. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for repeated manual adjustments during the imaging process, significantly improving productivity when capturing multiple high-magnification images.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If the correction collar is manually adjusted for each specimen, then spherical aberration can be corrected, but the process is troublesome especially when 100 or more images need to be acquired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage precisionVSAvoidadjustment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with automated motor-driven control, enabling rapid and consistent correction across multiple images. The motor system can quickly reposition the correction collar between image acquisitions, maintaining precision while dramatically improving processing throughput.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service operation where the microscope automatically determines and applies the appropriate correction collar position based on specimen information (such as cover slip thickness or specimen type). The control unit processes input data and autonomously adjusts the correction collar, eliminating the need for user intervention in the correction process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8786693B2Microscope system and method of controlling a microscope system

Publication Date: 2014.07.22 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A microscope system includes an accommodation unit, a stage, an optical system, an image pickup unit, a movement mechanism, a control unit, an image processing unit, and a display unit. The accommodation unit is capable of accommodating a plurality of specimens. On the stage, each of the specimens loaded from the accommodation unit is placed. The optical system includes a lens for spherical aberration correction. The image pickup unit is capable of capturing a partial image of each of the specimens placed on the stage, via the optical system. The movement mechanism moves the lens for spherical aberration correction along an optical axis. The control unit controls movement of the lens for spherical aberration correction by the movement mechanism and correct spherical aberration. The image processing unit combines the partial images captured by the image pickup unit and generate a composite image. The display unit displays the generated composite image.