Modular Imaging System with Conjugating Fibers for Maintenance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fiber optic confocal microscopy systems face challenges in wavelength changes and component replacement due to complex optical alignment, requiring entire system realignment, which is costly and time-consuming, and difficult to maintain or upgrade without losing confocal character.
Innovation Solution
The system employs modular architecture with optically connected fibers, allowing for easy disconnection and reconnection of illumination and detection modules, using multiplexing and demultiplexing techniques to manage excitation and collected light, and utilizing dichroic filters and polarizing cubes for spectral separation, enabling flexible configuration and maintenance without realigning the entire device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If conventional optical systems with fixed components are used, then optical alignment is precise, but system maintenance and upgrades require complete realignment which is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into independent modules (illumination module, detection module, scanning module) that can be replaced individually. Each module contains its own optical components and can be disconnected and reconnected without affecting other modules, eliminating the need for complete system realignment during maintenance or upgrades.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical fibers serve as intermediaries connecting the modular components. The fibers transmit optical signals between modules and can be easily disconnected and reconnected at connector interfaces, allowing module replacement without disturbing the optical alignment within each module or requiring realignment of the entire system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wavelength changes are implemented in conventional systems, then imaging capabilities are improved, but the entire system must be replaced or completely realigned
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination module is segmented as an independent replaceable unit containing the laser source and associated optics. To change wavelength, only this module needs to be replaced rather than the entire system, reducing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular architecture with standardized optical fiber interfaces creates a universal platform where different illumination modules with various wavelengths can be interconnected with the same detection and scanning modules, allowing wavelength flexibility without requiring different system configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If optical components are added or moved in conventional systems, then functional improvements are achieved, but confocal character is lost due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into independent modules with internal optical paths contained within each module, the confocal alignment is preserved within each module. Adding or moving components only requires working within a single module rather than the entire system, maintaining confocal character through isolated module design.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical fibers act as robust intermediaries that transmit light without requiring precise alignment at connection points. The fiber connectors provide mechanical and optical coupling that maintains signal integrity and confocal properties even when modules are reconfigured or additional components are inserted within modules.
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 modular design simplifies maintenance, upgrades, and reduces costs by allowing individual module replacement and addition without affecting the confocal character, improving imaging capabilities and reducing manufacturing time.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination optical fiber (5) arranged to guide an excitation beam emitted by the illumination module (1)
Implementation Method 2
a set of dichroic filters, beam splitters, and lenses which guide the excitation beams
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to an imaging device comprising: an illumination module (1) comprising means for emitting at least one excitation beam; a scanning/injection module (2) comprising an image waveguide (3), the two ends of which, the proximal end (3a) and the distal end (3b) respectively, are connected via a plurality of optical fibres, and scanning/injection means (6) designed to inject the at least one excitation beam in turn into a fibre of the image waveguide (3) and then into the proximal side (3a) of said waveguide and a detection module (4) comprising means for detecting a light flux (14) collected at the distal end (3b) of the waveguide. At least either the illumination module (1) or the detection module (4) is optically conjugate with the scanning/injection module (2) via a conjugating optical fibre (5, 7). The use of conjugating fibres (5, 7) enables the maintenance, repair and updating of the device to be improved. It also enables modal filtering of the excitation beam to be carried out and ensures that the device is confocal.