Multi-Photon Microscope Dual Light Collection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-photon microscopes are limited in light collection efficiency due to the use of a single objective lens system for both illumination and detection, resulting in only a fraction of emitted light being detected, which necessitates higher excitation power and reduces deeper tissue penetration.
Innovation Solution
A multi-photon microscope design incorporating a first light collection system and a second light collection system with a reflector to intercept and redirect missed light, enhancing overall light detection by using a second light detection system in conjunction with the objective lens unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single objective lens system is used for both illumination and detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the light collection efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light collection system is segmented into multiple independent collection paths: the objective lens collects light in one direction, while additional collection lenses and mirrors capture light from other angles. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in collecting specific portions of emitted light, thereby improving overall collection efficiency without requiring complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The objective lens serves multiple functions: it acts as both the illumination lens and a light collection lens. By making the objective lens multi-functional, the system reduces the number of dedicated components while still achieving enhanced light collection through the addition of supplementary collection paths
2Illumination intensity
If higher excitation power is used to compensate for low light collection efficiency, then the detected signal brightness is improved, but the tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the previously wasted light that missed the objective lens into useful signal by using additional collection lenses and mirrors to capture and redirect this light to the detector. This transforms what would have been harmful excessive excitation power requirements into beneficial additional signal collection pathways
Solution Approach 2:
Additional collection lenses and mirrors are introduced as intermediary components between the sample and detector. These intermediaries capture and redirect light that would otherwise be lost, effectively increasing the detected signal brightness without requiring increased excitation power
3Measurement precision
If higher excitation power is used to compensate for low light collection efficiency, then the detection sensitivity is improved, but the deeper tissue penetration capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Additional collection lenses and mirrors serve as intermediary elements that enhance detection sensitivity by capturing and redirecting emitted light to the detector. This improves measurement precision without requiring increased excitation power, thereby preserving the ability to penetrate deeper into tissue
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 significantly improves light collection efficiency, reducing the need for higher excitation power and enabling deeper tissue penetration by capturing a greater portion of emitted light, resulting in enhanced image brightness and resolution.
Implementation Method 1
the second light collection system includes a reflector around the sample and having a hole to permit the objective lens unit to pass therethrough, the reflector being arranged to intercept emitted light missed by the objective lens unit and to redirect at least a portion of the intercepted light towards the second light detection system
Implementation Method 2
multi-photon fluorescence excitation microscopy (MPFM) techniques (two-photon, three-photon, second harmonic generation, sum frequency generation, etc.) can be used to provide optical sectioning by limiting fluorescence excitation to a point source in the focal plane
Implementation Method 3
the excitation is limited to the focal plane due to the level of spatial and temporal crowding of photons into diffraction limited spot
Implementation Method 4
the excitation is limited to the focal plane due to the level of spatial and temporal crowding of photons into diffraction limited spot
Implementation Method 5
Once the multi-photon excitation condition is met emission light propagates in all directions from the excited spot
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-photon microscope (100) has an illumination source (102), an objective lens unit (104) arranged in an optical path of the illumination source (102), a first light collection system (106) arranged to collect a first portion of light emitted from a sample when the sample is illuminated by light from the illumination source (102), and a second light collection system (108) arranged to collect a second portion of light emitted from the sample when the sample is illuminated by light from the illumination source (102). The first portion of light when collected by the first light collection system (106) and the second portion of light when collected by the second light collection system (108), together provide a means of collecting as much light from as many angles as possible emanating from an emitting point source. This collection scheme has the potential to approach the total emission collection of light from an emitting point source depending on the optical properties of the sample being imaged.