Movable Fluorescence Unit for Microscope Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microscopes require complex and time-consuming manual operations to switch between incident-light fluorescence contrast and bright-field transmitted light contrast, with multiple hand movements needed and limited ability to select different fluorescence wavelengths due to mechanical constraints.
Innovation Solution
A movable fluorescence unit is integrated into the microscope, combining a fluorescence excitation light source, illumination optical system, excitation filter, emission filter, and beamsplitter, allowing for simplified switching between contrast modes by sliding the unit between two positions, with separate switches to control the light sources, and optionally an electrical motor drive for automation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical filter changing means and separate light sources are used for switching between fluorescence and bright-field modes, then the microscope can perform both imaging modes, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming requiring multiple hand movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fluorescence excitation light source, illumination optical system, filter set, and beamsplitter into a single integrated fluorescence unit. This unit can be moved between a first position (for fluorescence imaging) and a second position (for bright-field imaging), eliminating the need for separate mechanical filter changers and multiple hand operations. The integration reduces operational complexity while maintaining dual imaging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluorescence unit is designed to be movable between two positions along the optical axis. By dynamically repositioning the entire fluorescence unit rather than separately adjusting filters and light sources, the system achieves mode switching with a single operational movement, significantly improving ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for fluorescence illumination, then the system can provide comprehensive fluorescence functionality, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fluorescence excitation light source, illumination optical system, excitation filter, emission filter, and beamsplitter into a single integrated fluorescence unit. This consolidation reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate mechanical filter changers and multiple independent components, while preserving complete fluorescence imaging functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the fluorescence unit is added as an add-on system, then existing microscopes can be upgraded, but the overall system complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated fluorescence unit design allows it to function as a self-contained add-on module that can be mounted on existing microscopes. The unit combines all necessary fluorescence components internally, so users only need to move the single integrated unit rather than managing multiple separate components, thus maintaining upgradeability while improving ease of operation.
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 design improves ergonomics, reduces operational errors, increases throughput, and allows for easier addition of the fluorescence unit to microscopes, enabling quicker and more efficient switching between contrast modes while allowing selection of different fluorescence wavelengths.
Implementation Method 1
a fluorescence excitation light source (5), an illumination optical system (7), a filter set (6, 9) and a beamsplitter (8) are combined into a fluorescence unit (4)
Implementation Method 2
a filter set (6, 9) comprising at least one excitation filter (6) and at least one emission filter (9)
Implementation Method 3
emission filters to select the color for imaging of the object
Implementation Method 4
a beamsplitter (8) are combined into a fluorescence unit (4)
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope for observing an object selectably using the bright-field transmitted light contrast procedure or the incident-light fluorescence contrast procedure. During the bright-field transmitted light contrast procedure, an illumination beam path is directed from a bright-field light source to the object and an imaging beam path is directed from the object through the microscope objective into the microscope tube, which includes a fluorescence unit that includes a fluorescence excitation light source, an illumination optical system, a filter set having at least one excitation filter and at least one emission filter, as well as a beamsplitter. The fluorescence unit is mounted movably, so that in a first end position of movement the beamsplitter and the emission filter are out of the imaging beam path of the microscope and in a second end position of movement they are in the imaging beam path between the microscope objective and the microscope tube.