Microscope Stage Carriage Decoupling X Y Z Motion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated microscope stages face challenges in achieving precise and decoupled movements of the object stage and objective lens, leading to reduced precision and repeat accuracy due to the use of mechanical actuators that are not robust enough for long-range travel and lack effective decoupling of degrees of freedom, resulting in unintentional position changes during sample examination.
Innovation Solution
The development of an apparatus with a carriage and sample stage that allows independent movement along the x/y-axes and z-axis, utilizing a mechanical actuator connected to the sample stage rather than the objective lens, enabling precise and durable movement with automatic focusing through computer-aided analysis of digital microscope images, and employing a toothed belt drive system for precise translation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the objective lens is moved along the z-axis for focusing, then the focusing function is achieved, but the heavy objective lens must be moved against gravity reducing precision and repeat accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the heavy objective lens along the z-axis for focusing, the invention inverts the approach by moving the lighter sample stage vertically while keeping the objective lens stationary. This eliminates the problem of moving heavy components against gravity and improves focusing precision and repeat accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical actuators are used for moving the object stage, then the structure is robust and cost-effective, but precision and repeat accuracy are insufficient for long-range travel
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the positioning system into two independent parts: a macroscopic actuator for large-range x/y-axis movement and a microscopic actuator for precise z-axis focusing. This segmentation allows each actuator to be optimized for its specific function, achieving both long-range travel capability and high positioning precision.
3Measurement precision
If a dual-stage actuator is used for focus function, then precision for short distances is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the focusing function from the x/y-axis positioning system by implementing independent z-axis movement of the sample stage. This separation allows the use of a simple linear actuator for focusing without requiring complex dual-stage actuators, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining focus precision.
4Length of moving object
If macroscopic mechanical actuators are used, then the range of travel is large, but decoupling of degrees of freedom is difficult due to manufacturing precision limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds the z-axis dimension as an independent degree of freedom for sample stage movement, separate from the x/y-axis carriage movement. This dimensional separation allows independent control of horizontal positioning and vertical focusing, effectively decoupling the degrees of freedom and eliminating cross-interference during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an automatic focusing apparatus for the microscopic examination of a plurality of spatially distributed (biological) samples, whereby an object stage that is vertically movable relative to the microscope has a carriage that is translatable along the x-axis and y-axis and a sample stage that is translatable along the z-axis and is mounted on the carriage. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for automatic focusing and microscopic examination of a plurality of spatially distributed biological samples, through a microscope having an object stage that is vertically movable relative to the microscope.