Microscopy Unit Cantilever Alignment for Absorption Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical measurement methods for determining the concentration of analytes in a sample chamber face uncertainty due to the unknown height of the chamber, leading to indeterminable equations when using absorption measurements at two wavelengths.
Innovation Solution
Perform absorption measurements at two or more wavelengths, including one at an isosbestic point for hemoglobin variants and another in the mid-IR range, to determine analyte concentrations without directly measuring the chamber height, using a stage with forked design and spring-screw components for calibration, and a cantilever for objective lens alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If absorption measurements are performed at two wavelengths to determine analyte concentration, then measurement capability is improved, but the system becomes indeterminable due to unknown chamber height
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary relationship between the medium concentration and analyte concentration through the ideal mixture assumption (ca=ρa(1−cs/ρs)). This intermediary equation allows the system to solve for analyte concentration using only two wavelengths by eliminating the need to independently determine chamber height, thus resolving the indeterminability issue while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by selecting specific wavelengths including one at an isosbestic point for hemoglobin variants and another in the mid-IR range. This parameter selection, combined with the ideal mixture assumption, transforms the system of equations to be solvable with two measurements despite the unknown chamber height
2Device complexity
If the height of the sample chamber is not measured with high accuracy, then device complexity is reduced, but absorption measurement reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the ideal mixture assumption as an intermediary relationship that connects the concentrations of analyte and medium. This relationship allows the system to determine analyte concentration without requiring accurate knowledge of chamber height, thus maintaining measurement reliability while avoiding the need for complex height measurement systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the chamber height parameter from the measurement system by using the ideal mixture assumption to eliminate its influence. The system determines analyte concentration based on the relationship between analyte and medium concentrations rather than relying on absolute concentration values that would require accurate height measurement
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
Accurately determines analyte concentrations, such as hemoglobin variants, in blood samples by accounting for scatter and chamber height, enhancing measurement precision and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the absorption of the analyte (e.g., hemoglobin), the absorption of the medium in which the analyte is disposed is measured... wavelengths at which the absorption measurements are performed are selected, based upon the absorption profiles of, respectively, the analyte and the medium
Implementation Method 2
Assuming the analyte and the medium mass concentrations are ca and cs respectively, and their absorption coefficients as a function of wavelength (λ) are αa(λ) and αs(λ), respectively, then according to the Beer-Lambert law the transmitted light intensity at a given wavelength is provided as: I=I0×exp[−l×(αa(λ)×ca+αs(λ)×cs)]
Implementation Method 3
using a stage with forked design and spring-screw components for calibration
Implementation Method 4
a cantilever for objective lens alignment
Implementation Method 5
Accurately determines analyte concentrations, such as hemoglobin variants, in blood samples by accounting for scatter and chamber height
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are described for use with a microscopy unit that comprises an objective lens and a microscope camera. A cantilever includes an objective lens housing. A motor moves the cantilever along a direction of the optical axis of the objective lens. The cantilever is configured, during the movement of the cantilever, to support the objective lens within the objective lens housing such that an optical axis of the objective lens is aligned with the camera, without the objective lens being directly connected to the camera. Other applications are also described.