Multi-Wavelength Spot Pattern Scanning for Microscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microscopy scanning methods using multiple illumination spots are limited in speed and efficiency, particularly when observing dynamic processes, as they often require complex setups and multiple scanning units to manage different wavelengths effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that generate at least three illumination spots with different wavelengths to form a spot pattern, allowing for efficient scanning by moving the pattern along two directions to create scan lines, which increases scanning speed and enables the observation of dynamic processes by exciting different fluorescence dyes, thereby simplifying the scanning process and reducing the need for multiple scanning units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple illumination spots with different wavelengths are used to scan the sample, then the ability to excite different fluorescence dyes is improved, but the scanning speed and efficiency deteriorate due to complex setups and multiple scanning units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple illumination spots with different wavelengths into a single spot pattern that is scanned by one scanning unit. The illumination unit generates at least three illumination spots with different wavelengths simultaneously, and a single scanning unit moves the entire spot pattern across the sample, merging the functions of multiple wavelength management into one coordinated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination unit is segmented into multiple independent illumination spots within a single spot pattern, allowing each spot to have a different wavelength. This segmentation enables parallel excitation of different fluorescence dyes at different locations while maintaining a unified scanning approach through one scanning unit.
2Ease of operation
If multiple scanning units are used to manage different wavelengths, then the control of illumination spots is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions for multiple wavelengths into a single scanning unit that positions the entire multi-wavelength spot pattern. This reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple independent scanning units while maintaining precise control through coordinated movement of the spot pattern across the sample.
3Device complexity
If a single illumination spot is used to scan the sample, then the setup complexity is reduced, but the scanning speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments a single illumination beam into multiple illumination spots with different wavelengths within one spot pattern, scanned by a single scanning unit. This segmentation enables parallel scanning across multiple locations simultaneously, increasing scanning speed while maintaining relatively simple setup with one scanning unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-point sequential scanning to multi-point parallel scanning by distributing illumination across multiple spots in space. The spot pattern covers multiple locations simultaneously, adding a spatial dimension to the scanning approach and thereby increasing scanning speed without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 approach enhances scanning speed and efficiency by parallelizing the scanning process with two illumination wavelengths, allowing for high frame rates and simultaneous observation of dynamic processes, such as biological processes, while maintaining ease of implementation and reduced complexity in setup.
Implementation Method 1
illumination spots having different wavelengths in order to excite different dyes situated in the sample to fluoresce
Data Source
AI summary
A method for scanning a sample in microscopy includes generating at least three illumination spots in order to form a spot pattern that contains at least two illumination spots having a first wavelength and an illumination spot having a second wavelength that differs from the first wavelength. At least one specified region of the sample is scanned by moving the spot pattern formed by the illumination spots along a first direction for generating scan lines, which are each associated with the illumination spots of the spot pattern, and by moving the spot pattern formed by the illumination spots along a second direction for generating scan lines respectively after the scan lines.