Compact Multicolor Optical Measurement Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical measurement apparatuses for multicolor analysis become large due to the need for multiple excitation light sources, which complicates the optical system and increases size.
Innovation Solution
An optical measurement apparatus with a waveguide optical system that includes a separation optical system, such as a dichroic mirror, to separate fluorescence and scattered light, allowing for multicolor analysis while maintaining a compact size by guiding excitation light, detecting fluorescence, and detecting scattered light separately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple excitation light sources are provided to enable multicolor analysis, then the analysis capability is improved, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple excitation light sources (first and second excitation light sources with different wavelengths) into a single integrated optical system. The light guides and separation optical system merge the optical paths, allowing multicolor analysis capability while maintaining a compact apparatus structure that does not simply scale with the number of light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spectral dimension by using a separation optical system that separates light based on wavelength. This allows the system to handle multiple wavelengths (multicolor analysis) by adding spectral separation capability rather than simply adding more physical light sources in spatial dimensions, thereby improving versatility without proportionally increasing apparatus size.
2Measurement precision
If a separation optical system is added to separate fluorescence and scattered light, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separation optical system segments the combined light signal into distinct wavelength components using wavelength-dependent separation. This segmentation allows the detection system to accurately distinguish between fluorescence and scattered light based on their different spectral characteristics, improving detection accuracy while keeping the separation mechanism integrated into the existing optical path.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation optical system acts as an intermediary between the light sources and the detection system. It mediates the separation of mixed light signals by wavelength, enabling accurate detection of fluorescence and scattered light without requiring complex additional hardware beyond the separation optical elements already incorporated into the waveguide system.
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 multicolor analysis without increasing the apparatus size, improving detection efficiency and accuracy by separating fluorescence and scattered light effectively, thus enhancing the sensitivity and detection capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide optical system that guides the excitation light to a predetermined position along a predetermined light path
Implementation Method 2
the waveguide optical system includes a separation optical system that separates the fluorescence and the first scattered light among the light emitted in a predetermined direction from the predetermined position
Implementation Method 3
fluorescence radiated from a particle by excitation of the particle present at the predetermined position by the excitation light
Implementation Method 4
first scattered light generated by scattering of the excitation light by the particle present at the predetermined position
Data Source
AI summary
Multicolor analysis is enabled while suppressing increase in size. An optical measurement apparatus according to an embodiment is provided with: an excitation light source (101 to 103) that emits excitation light; a waveguide optical system (111, 112, 113, 114, 115) that guides the excitation light to a predetermined position along a predetermined light path; a fluorescence detection system (140) that detects fluorescence radiated from a particle by excitation of the particle present at the predetermined position by the excitation light; and a first scattered-light detection system (130) that detects first scattered light generated by scattering of the excitation light by the particle present at the predetermined position; wherein the waveguide optical system includes a separation optical system (115) that separates the fluorescence and the first scattered light among the light emitted in a predetermined direction from the predetermined position on the flow channel, the fluorescence detection system detects the fluorescence separated by the separation optical system, and the first scattered-light detection system detects the first scattered light separated by the separation optical system.