Laser Scanning Microscope Switching Mirrors Mode Adaptability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Laser scanning microscopes face challenges in efficiently switching between operating modes to meet varying experimental requirements, particularly in live cell research, where fast data acquisition and minimal light loss are crucial, often due to complex beam paths and limited flexibility in deflection angles and speeds of scanner axes.
Innovation Solution
A laser scanning microscope design featuring switching mirrors with two positions for each beam path, allowing decoupling of deflection angles and speeds, with optional concave and refractive lens components for imaging scanners onto pupil planes, enabling flexible operation modes and fast switching between them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operating modes are implemented with separate beam paths, then adaptability to different experimental requirements is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by providing a single scanning device with multiple scanners that can operate in different beam paths (first and second beam paths) depending on the selected operating mode. The switching mirrors enable the same scanning device to serve multiple functions across different operating modes, reducing the need for separate dedicated components for each mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by incorporating switching mirrors that can dynamically redirect the illumination and detection beams between different beam paths. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to adapt to different experimental requirements (e.g., single-spot vs. multiconfocal imaging) without physical reassembly, enabling fast switching between operating modes.
2Productivity
If fast switching between operating modes is enabled, then data acquisition speed is improved, but light losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses switching mirrors as intermediary elements that facilitate smooth transitions between beam paths. These mirrors are positioned to minimize beam path length changes and optical component interruptions during switching, thereby reducing light losses while enabling fast mode changes for high-speed data acquisition.
3Device complexity
If deflection angles and speeds of scanner axes are coupled, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different scanning requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by providing separate control mechanisms for deflection angles and deflection speeds of individual scanner axes. Each scanner can be independently controlled, allowing flexible adjustment of scanning parameters adapted to different experimental requirements (e.g., FRAP experiments requiring specific deflection patterns), while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular scanner design.
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 design allows for optimal configuration of the microscope to meet experimental demands by enabling quick switching between operating modes, reducing light losses, and improving data acquisition speed, particularly beneficial for fluorescence microscopy applications like FRAP.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the beam paths being provided with a concave mirror for imaging a first scanner into at least one other scanner and vice versa
Implementation Method 2
a first beam path being provided with a collecting refractive lens optical component for imaging the first scanner via the second switching mirror onto a pupil plane
Implementation Method 3
each switching position being assigned to one of several different, optically separate beam paths
Data Source
AI summary
A laser scanning microscope for the acquisition of object images according to varied observation criteria. The microscope includes an illumination and detection unit, an illumination and a detection beam, a microscope objective, a scanning device with a scanning optical component and several scanners, with switching mirrors, each mirror with two switching positions, provided in the illumination and detection beams. Each switching position is assigned to one of several different, optically separate beam paths and each beam path defines a separate operating mode. A concave mirror for imaging a first scanner into at least one more scanner and vice versa is arranged in at least one of the beam paths.