Multiband Fluorescence Splitter Cube for Simultaneous Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microscope systems face challenges in fast and efficient color-selective detection for fluorescence microscopy, particularly in living cell experiments, due to slow switching times between excitation and detection modalities, and existing color beam splitter devices suffer from light losses, structural complexity, and polarization-dependent deflections.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system with a color beam splitter arrangement using three beam splitter prisms, each with dichroic layers, oriented at specific angles to minimize light losses and optimize spectral splitting, allowing for simultaneous, multispectral detection of fluorophores without significant losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sequential detection with monochrome cameras and single-band fluorescence splitter cubes is used, then color-selective detection is achieved, but switching time between excitation and detection modalities is slow (300-400 ms)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection process by using multiple monochrome cameras operating in parallel, each dedicated to a specific wavelength range. This eliminates the need for sequential switching between different detection modalities, as all wavelength ranges are detected simultaneously by their respective cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spectral dimension by using a multiband fluorescence splitter cube that divides the light path into multiple wavelength-specific channels. Each channel is directed to a dedicated monochrome camera, transforming a temporal sequencing problem into a spatial-spectral parallel processing solution.
2Speed
If multiband fluorescence splitter cube with rapidly switchable emission and excitation filter wheels is used, then faster detection is enabled, but switching time is still not fast enough for living cell experiments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical switching components (filter wheels) by implementing a static multiband fluorescence splitter cube configuration. The system dynamically adapts to different experimental needs by assigning specific wavelength ranges to specific cameras, without requiring physical reconfiguration during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical filter wheel switching system with a fixed optical path configuration using a multiband fluorescence splitter cube. This substitution eliminates mechanical moving parts and switching time, achieving instantaneous wavelength-specific detection routing.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If color cameras with Bayer or Foveon sensors are used for simultaneous detection, then all emission wavelength ranges can reach the camera, but detection efficiency is low due to color mask blocking part of the light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spectral detection task across multiple monochrome cameras, each optimized for a specific wavelength range. This segmentation allows each camera to operate at full detection efficiency for its designated range, avoiding the light loss inherent in color camera color masks while maintaining simultaneous multispectral detection capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If optical intermediate module with dichroic splitter plates is used for spectral splitting, then multiple copies of intermediate image in different spectral ranges are imaged onto camera sensor, but light losses and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a multiband fluorescence splitter cube that performs multiple spectral splitting functions in a single optical component. This universal splitter handles all wavelength range separations simultaneously, reducing the number of optical interfaces and dichroic plates required, thereby minimizing cumulative light losses while maintaining spectral splitting capability.
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
Enables simultaneous, multispectral detection of multiple fluorophores with reduced light losses and improved precision, suitable for high-resolution imaging in both wide-field and confocal microscopy, with the ability to split light into multiple wavelength ranges using a minimal number of optical elements.
Implementation Method 1
a color beam splitter arrangement having three beam splitter prisms, each having a first, a second and a third prism surface, and a dichroic layer disposed on or parallel to each of the second prism surfaces of the beam splitter prisms
Implementation Method 2
The first and second prism surfaces of the beam splitter prisms are oriented in each case at acute first angles to one another
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope system includes a detection unit having a color beam splitter arrangement with three beam splitter prisms, each having first, second and third prism surfaces. The first prism surfaces face in the same direction and are oriented parallel to one another at a right angle to an optical axis. The first and second prism surfaces are oriented in each case at acute angles to one another. The second and third prism surfaces are oriented in each case at right or obtuse angles to one another. The third and first prism surfaces are oriented in each case at acute angles to one another. A prismatic compensation element having first and second prism surfaces is assigned to each prism. The second prism surface of each of the compensation elements is arranged in a common plane with or parallel to the second prism surface of the respectively assigned prism.