Modulation Contrast Microscope Sperm Tail End Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modulation contrast microscopy techniques used in ICSI face challenges in providing sufficient contrast for the tail end of sperm, making it difficult to distinguish and select sperm of good morphology during manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A modulation contrast microscope is designed with specific aperture and modulator configurations, including a first partial aperture at the front focal plane of a condenser lens and a modulator with a predetermined transmittance range, to enhance contrast of the sperm tail end, optimizing the transmittance T(%) between 1% and 8%, and adjusting the ratio of aperture widths to improve visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional modulation contrast microscopy settings are used, then general contrast is maintained, but sperm tail end contrast is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by setting different transmittance values for different regions of the modulator. The modulator has a first region with transmittance T1 and a second region with transmittance T2, where T1 ≠ T2. This allows different parts of the sperm (head, midpiece, tail end) to be illuminated with different contrast enhancement, specifically improving the visibility of the tail end portion without compromising overall image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the transmittance parameter of the modulator regions to optimize contrast. By setting specific transmittance ranges (T1: 1-10%, T2: 10-30%), the patent adjusts the light transmission to enhance the contrast of the sperm tail end portion, directly addressing the visibility problem in conventional microscopy settings.
2Illumination intensity
If transmittance T is increased to improve contrast, then visibility improves, but excessive contrast in other regions occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the modulator into multiple regions with different transmittance values to achieve localized contrast enhancement. The first region (T1: 1-10%) provides higher contrast for specific structures like the sperm tail end, while the second region (T2: 10-30%) maintains appropriate contrast for other structures, preventing excessive contrast in any single region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using multiple modulator regions with different transmittance levels rather than a single uniform transmittance. This allows selective enhancement of contrast where needed (sperm tail end) while maintaining balanced visualization overall, avoiding the excessive contrast that would result from uniformly high transmittance across the entire modulator.
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 enhanced contrast significantly improves the visibility of sperm tails during ICSI, allowing for better selection and manipulation by increasing contrast by up to 117% without significantly altering the contrast of larger structures like eggs, thus facilitating successful fertilization procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a condenser lens, and an aperture member having a first partial aperture disposed at or near a front focal plane of the condenser lens
Implementation Method 2
a modulator disposed at a plane substantially conjugate with the aperture member, at or near a rear focal plane of an objective lens
Implementation Method 3
the transmittance T(%) of a predetermined region of the modulator corresponding to the first partial aperture satisfies 1≦T≦8
Data Source
AI summary
A modulation contrast microscope that affords good view of sperm in ICSI, in particular, good view during sperm manipulation in ICSI, by improving contrast of the end portion of the tail includes the modulation contrast microscope comprises an aperture member having a partial aperture disposed at or near the front focal plane of a condenser lens, and a modulator disposed at a plane substantially conjugate with the aperture member, at or near the rear focal plane of a first objective lens or a conjugate plane thereof. The transmittance T(%) of a region of the modulator, corresponding to the partial aperture, satisfies the condition 1 £ T £ 8. Good viewing for ICSI sperm manipulation can be obtained as a result.