Microscopy System with Automatic Oil Replenishment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-content microscopy systems using liquid immersion face challenges with the spread of immersion liquid during relative motion between the objective and sample, leading to inefficient scanning and the need for manual replenishment, which reduces throughput and increases errors.
Innovation Solution
A microscopy system with a turretless objective lens and a kinematic base that allows for precise positioning and automatic oil replenishment, using a diaphragm pump and weighing mechanism to maintain a consistent oil layer on the objective lens, enabling continuous scanning without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the objective and sample move relative to one another during scanning, then scanning coverage is improved, but the immersion liquid spreads along the sample plate requiring periodic replenishment
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads a reservoir of immersion liquid into a reservoir chamber before scanning begins. This preliminary action ensures that liquid is available for automatic replenishment during the scanning process without requiring manual intervention or causing liquid spread issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates an automatic liquid replenishment mechanism that monitors and refills the immersion liquid level on the objective lens during scanning. This self-service feature eliminates the need for manual replenishment and maintains optimal liquid levels continuously throughout the scanning process.
2Quantity of substance
If manual replenishment of immersion liquid is performed, then liquid level is maintained, but scanning throughput is reduced and errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an automatic replenishment mechanism with a pump and reservoir chamber that maintains immersion liquid levels without human intervention. This eliminates manual replenishment operations entirely, maintaining both liquid levels and scanning throughput simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic replenishment system operates continuously or periodically during scanning to maintain optimal liquid levels. This ensures uninterrupted scanning operations without the pauses and errors associated with manual replenishment, maintaining continuous productive action.
3Quantity of substance
If immersion liquid is replenished manually, then liquid coverage is restored, but system complexity and operation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors immersion liquid levels and replenishes them using an integrated pump and reservoir chamber. This eliminates the need for manual operation entirely, as the system self-regulates liquid coverage without user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir chamber and pump system serve as an intermediary mechanism between the immersion liquid source and the objective lens. This automated intermediary system handles all liquid transfer and replenishment operations, simplifying the user interface to merely loading the initial liquid reservoir.
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
The system ensures continuous scanning with reduced errors and increased throughput by maintaining a consistent oil layer on the objective lens, allowing for precise positioning and automatic replenishment, thus overcoming the limitations of manual liquid replenishment in liquid immersion microscopy.
Implementation Method 1
a pump, such as a diaphragm pump, is in fluid communication with the reservoir chamber and is adapted to move immersion liquid from the reservoir chamber onto the objective lens
Implementation Method 2
a weighing mechanism is provided to determine the weight of the objective lens
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a microscopy device capable of (i) moving a liquid immersion objective lens to a location where liquid, such as an oil or water, can be applied to the liquid immersion objective lens, and (ii) moving the liquid immersion objective lens having liquid applied thereto to a sample holder, to be used to acquire images of a sample. The liquid application process can be automated so that the liquid on the objective lens is replenished as necessary. The device can automatically focus the lens to facilitate scanning, and can be configured to change objective lenses. Other embodiments, including using such a device in high content/high throughput scanning, are also described.