Microscope Stage Calibration Component Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microscope calibration methods rely on specialized calibration slides that can be lost, damaged, or degraded, requiring time-consuming procedures and varying in thickness, which complicates positional and optical calibration.

Innovation Solution

Integration of a calibration component within the microscope stage that includes both positional and optical calibration elements, eliminating the need for independent calibration slides by using a single or multiple calibration elements defining fields of view for fiducial marks and optical calibration, such as intensity and uniformity of light, within the stage itself.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If independent calibration slides are used for microscope calibration, then calibration can be performed, but the calibration slides can be lost, damaged, degraded, or destroyed requiring frequent replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration reliabilityVSAvoidcalibration slide lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration component is integrated directly into the microscope stage, merging the calibration function with the stage structure. This eliminates the need for separate, replaceable calibration slides and ensures the calibration component remains permanently attached and protected, resolving the issue of calibration slides being lost, damaged, or degraded.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The microscope stage performs its own calibration function through the integrated calibration component, eliminating the need for external calibration slides. The stage serves both its primary function of holding specimens and the secondary function of providing calibration targets, reducing dependency on separate calibration materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple independent calibration slides are used for different calibration types, then both positional and optical calibration can be performed, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration capabilityVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated calibration component serves multiple calibration functions simultaneously. It includes features for both positional calibration (such as fiducial marks at known positions) and optical calibration (such as uniformity targets), allowing a single component to replace multiple specialized calibration slides and streamline the calibration process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple calibration functions are combined into a single integrated calibration component on the stage. This consolidation allows the user to perform both positional and optical calibration using one component rather than switching between multiple slides, significantly reducing calibration time and procedural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If specialized calibration slides are used, then calibration can be performed, but the slides vary in thickness and require accounting for variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidcalibration procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration component is manufactured as an integral part of the microscope stage using the same manufacturing process and materials. This ensures consistent thickness and optical properties without variation, eliminating the need to account for slide-to-slide thickness differences and simplifying the calibration procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration component maintains uniform thickness and material properties throughout, matching the stage's homogeneous construction. This homogeneity eliminates variations between different calibration slides and ensures consistent calibration results, reducing procedural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

4Reliability

If calibration components are integrated into the stage, then calibration reliability improves, but the stage structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration consistencyVSAvoidstage structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration component is merged with the stage structure during manufacturing, creating a unified component rather than adding separate parts. This integration approach maintains calibration reliability while minimizing structural complexity by combining functions into a single manufactured element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7848019B2Microscope calibration apparatus and method and stage including calibration apparatus

Publication Date: 2010.12.07 CYTYC CORP

AI summary

A stage for supporting a specimen slide and for calibrating a microscope includes a base and a calibration component integral with the base. The calibration component includes at least one calibration element for positional calibration and at least one calibration element for optical calibration. Calibration of the microscope can be performed without the need for independent calibration slides. The calibration component may be a glass calibration component or may be defined by a calibration element formed or etched through the base.