Objective Lens Design for Nucleic Acid Sequencing Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nucleic acid sequencing technologies are costly and inefficient, requiring improvements to reduce costs and enhance the accuracy and speed of obtaining sequence information.
Innovation Solution
A microscopic detection system for nucleic acids using a flow cell, objective lens, and camera, with a specific optical train configuration including doublet lenses, an aspheric lens, and an aperture stop, designed to provide a long working distance, flat field curvature, high numerical aperture, and wide field of view, enabling precise imaging and fluorescence detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional sequencing systems are used, then sequencing can be performed, but the cost is high and efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes key optical parameters including numerical aperture (0.45-0.65), field of view (0.5-2 mm diameter), and working distance (2-5 mm) to optimize the balance between imaging speed and detection accuracy, enabling faster sequencing while maintaining quality
2Measurement precision
If high magnification is used to improve resolution, then imaging detail improves, but working distance decreases and field of view narrows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes magnification to a specific range (10x-20x) that balances resolution requirements with the need for adequate working distance and field of view, avoiding excessive magnification that would limit practical application
3Measurement precision
If high numerical aperture is used to improve light collection, then detection sensitivity improves, but depth of field decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects numerical aperture values (0.45-0.65) that provide sufficient light collection for sensitive detection while maintaining adequate depth of field to accommodate the physical thickness of flow cells and sample chambers
4Productivity
If wide field of view is used to image more area, then throughput increases, but optical aberrations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs aspheric lens elements with specifically designed surface curvatures to correct optical aberrations across the wide field of view, maintaining high optical quality throughout the entire imaging area rather than just at the center
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
The system achieves high-resolution imaging and efficient detection of nucleic acids, reducing costs and improving sequencing speed and accuracy by optimizing the optical configuration for nucleic acid sequencing.
Implementation Method 1
Light from the flow cell is imaged by the camera through the objective lens
Implementation Method 2
a dichroic mirror between the objective lens and the lens tube, the dichroic mirror configured to reflect light from the excitation source into the objective lens toward the solid support
Implementation Method 3
light from the excitation source is configured to cause material of the analytes or reagents in the array to fluoresce
Implementation Method 4
a tube lens between the objective lens and the camera, the tube lens configured to focus light from the objective lens onto a sensor of the camera
Data Source
AI summary
An objective lens is used for DNA sequencing. An example system includes a flow cell, the objective lens, and a camera. Light from the flow cell is imaged by the camera through the objective lens. The objective lens can provide a long working distance; a flat field curvature; a high numerical aperture; and/or a wide field of view.