Non-Rectangular Optical Substrate for Fluorescence Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluorescent contaminants on the backside of optical substrates in microscopy systems cause background fluorescence, degrading signal-to-background ratios and requiring labor-intensive cleaning, while the substrates themselves also contribute to auto-fluorescence issues, limiting the performance of fluorescence microscopy.
Innovation Solution
A non-rectangular optical substrate design with carefully chosen thickness and surface angles allows illumination beams to enter at an angle, separating the illumination and collection paths, minimizing reflection, refraction, and autofluorescence within the image collection path, thereby reducing unwanted illumination of out-of-focus surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional rectangular optical substrate is used with standard epifluorescence illumination, then the illumination path is simple and direct, but the illumination beam passes through the entire thickness of the substrate illuminating out-of-focus surfaces and generating background fluorescence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using a non-rectangular optical substrate with specifically angled surfaces instead of a conventional rectangular shape. The substrate features a first surface and a second surface that are not parallel to each other, creating an asymmetric geometry that redirects the illumination beam path. This asymmetric design prevents the illumination beam from passing through the entire substrate thickness and illuminating out-of-focus surfaces, thereby reducing background fluorescence while maintaining functional effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dimensionality change by introducing angular orientation as a new dimension to the substrate design. Instead of relying solely on the conventional planar arrangement, the substrate incorporates surfaces at specific angles relative to each other. This angular dimension redirects the illumination beam path in three-dimensional space, causing the beam to exit the substrate at an angle that avoids illuminating the backside surface and reducing background fluorescence generation.
2Strength
If the substrate thickness is increased to provide structural stability, then the mechanical strength is improved, but the amount of autofluorescence increases because fluorescence intensity is proportional to the amount of material
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric angular surfaces of the substrate redirect the illumination beam path such that even when thicker substrate material is used for structural stability, the beam does not pass through the entire thickness. The angled geometry ensures the beam exits the substrate before traversing the full thickness, thereby maintaining mechanical strength while reducing the amount of material the beam interacts with and minimizing autofluorescence generation.
3Productivity
If wide-field epifluorescence illumination is used to illuminate the entire sample area, then the imaging speed is improved, but the illumination beam passes through the entire substrate thickness causing background fluorescence from out-of-focus surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces angular orientation as an additional dimension to control the illumination path. By configuring the substrate surfaces at specific angles, the wide-field illumination beam is redirected in three-dimensional space as it passes through the substrate. This angular dimension ensures the beam exits the substrate at an angle that avoids illuminating out-of-focus surfaces on the backside, thereby maintaining fast wide-field imaging speed while reducing background fluorescence.
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 enhances illumination efficiency, reduces background fluorescence, and improves signal-to-background ratios by preventing unnecessary illumination of optical surfaces, leading to better image quality and reduced processing times.
Implementation Method 1
A non-rectangular optical substrate design with carefully chosen thickness and surface angles allows illumination beams to enter at an angle, separating the illumination and collection paths, minimizing reflection, refraction, and autofluorescence within the image collection path
Implementation Method 2
a second problem lies with background fluorescence arising from the auto-fluorescence of the optical substrate material itself
Implementation Method 3
background fluorescence arising from the auto-fluorescence of the optical substrate material itself
Data Source
AI summary
A new optical substrate design allows a target to be illuminated with minimal illumination of undesired surfaces within the image collection ray path. The non rectangular substrate provide different surfaces through which a target is illuminated and imaged and thereby prevents illumination rays from crossing the substrate surface through which the target is imaged