Objective Lens Unit Liquid Immersion Microscope Bubble Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid immersion microscopes, the intermittent supply of immersion liquid can lead to air bubbles forming at the lens surface, hindering observation and increasing liquid consumption as excess liquid is used to flush out these bubbles, thereby reducing throughput.
Innovation Solution
An objective lens unit with separate liquid supply and discharge passages, controlled by a mechanism that simultaneously supplies and discharges immersion liquid at the start of use, ensuring minimal liquid consumption by removing air bubbles before they interfere with observation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If immersion liquid is intermittently supplied to the lens surface, then liquid consumption is reduced, but air bubbles form at the lens surface hindering observation
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid supply system is segmented into multiple independent nozzles positioned at different locations around the lens surface. Each nozzle can supply liquid independently, allowing continuous coverage of the lens surface without requiring large volumes of liquid. This segmentation enables reliable observation while minimizing liquid consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously supplying a thin film of immersion liquid to the lens surface before air bubbles can form and interfere with observation. This preventive approach ensures the lens surface remains free of air bubbles without requiring excessive liquid consumption during operation.
2Reliability
If excess immersion liquid is supplied to flush out air bubbles, then observation quality is maintained, but liquid consumption increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The immersion liquid supply system is designed to automatically maintain optimal liquid coverage at the lens surface through self-regulating flow control. The system self-adjusts to prevent air bubble formation without requiring manual intervention or excessive liquid flushing, thereby maintaining observation quality while maximizing throughput and minimizing liquid consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow parameters of immersion liquid from intermittent high-volume supply to continuous low-volume supply. By optimizing flow rate, pressure, and distribution patterns, the system maintains a stable thin film of liquid that prevents air bubble formation without requiring excessive liquid consumption or reducing throughput.
3Device complexity
If a single liquid supply nozzle is used, then device complexity is reduced, but air bubbles cannot be efficiently removed from the lens surface
Solution Approach 1:
The single nozzle is segmented into multiple nozzles positioned at different locations around the lens surface. This segmentation allows each nozzle to target specific regions, efficiently removing air bubbles from across the entire lens surface. The segmented structure remains relatively simple while dramatically improving air bubble removal efficiency and observation reliability.
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 reduces the consumption of immersion liquid by efficiently removing air bubbles, maintaining optimal lens surface immersion without wasting liquid, thus enhancing the microscope's operational efficiency and reducing the frequency of liquid replenishment.
Implementation Method 1
a first liquid passage in a pipe shape including an opening disposed at a lens surface end as a lens surface of a lens at a closest side to an observing object
Implementation Method 2
a second liquid passage in a pipe shape disposed independently from the first liquid passage, the second liquid passage including an opening disposed at a position adjacent to the opening of the first liquid passage on the lens surface end
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An objective lens unit (11) for a liquid immersion microscope (1) includes: a first liquid passage (120) in a pipe shape including an opening (121) disposed at a lens surface end (111a-1) as a lens surface (111a) of a lens (111) at a closest side to an observing object, the first liquid passage (120) being coupled to an outside of the objective lens unit (11), and a second liquid passage (130) in a pipe shape disposed independently from the first liquid passage (120), the second liquid passage (130) including an opening (131) disposed at a position adjacent to the opening (121) of the first liquid passage (120) on the lens surface end (111a-1), the second liquid passage (130) being coupled to the outside of the objective lens unit (11).