Microscopy Tilting Device Maintaining Optical Axis Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscopy techniques face challenges in maintaining optical alignment during tilting of sample carriers with channel systems, leading to imaging errors and the need for additional devices to achieve fluid flow, which complicates simultaneous microscopy and fluid exchange.
Innovation Solution
A tilting device for microscopy that maintains optical axis alignment with the sample carrier holder, allowing for tilting without requiring adjustments to the optical component, thereby preventing imaging errors and enabling fluid flow within the sample carrier without external devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the sample carrier holder is tilted to generate fluid flow, then fluid exchange is achieved, but the optical alignment between the microscope objective and the sample holder changes requiring refocusing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sample carrier holder and optical component into a single tilting unit that moves together. This ensures that when the sample carrier holder is tilted to generate fluid flow, the optical component maintains its alignment with the sample holder, eliminating the need for refocusing and allowing simultaneous fluid exchange and microscopy
Solution Approach 2:
The tilting device serves multiple functions: it generates fluid flow by tilting the sample carrier holder and simultaneously maintains optical alignment for microscopy. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making a single device capable of both fluid exchange and maintaining measurement precision
2Productivity
If external pump systems or reservoirs are used to exchange medium, then fluid flow is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sample carrier holder itself is used to generate fluid flow through tilting, rather than requiring external pump systems or reservoirs. This self-service approach eliminates additional devices and simplifies the overall system while maintaining the capability for medium exchange
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the fluid flow generation function from external devices (pumps, reservoirs) and integrates it into the sample carrier holder itself through the tilting mechanism, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining productivity
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 solution allows for precise and efficient microscopy during tilting, maintaining image quality and fluid flow within the sample carrier, eliminating the need for additional devices and reducing imaging errors caused by tilting.
Implementation Method 1
Alternatively, the sample carrier itself can be tilted to generate flow within the channel system using gravity
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a tilting device for microscopy comprising a sample holder and an optical component with an optical axis, wherein the optical axis is aligned to a base side of the sample holder, wherein the sample holder and the optical component are mounted to tilt, and wherein the alignment of the optical axis with respect to the base side of the sample holder is maintained when the sample holder and the optical component are tilted.