Oil-Immersion Flow Cytometer Imaging Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical flow imaging systems in flow cytometry suffer from low to medium numerical aperture optics, resulting in mediocre resolution, inefficient collection of image illumination energy, and suboptimal fluorescence excitation and emission collection, limiting the ability to image smaller particles and detect weaker fluorescent particles.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a high numerical aperture oil-immersion objective and condenser lens with a flow chamber, utilizing high refractive index immersion oil to enhance optical resolution and coupling, allowing for sharper and more detailed imaging of particles in a fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high numerical aperture oil-immersion objectives are used, then imaging resolution and fluorescence collection efficiency are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the thick flow chamber walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces immersion oil as an intermediary substance between the objective lens and the flow chamber wall. This oil layer acts as an optical mediator that reduces refraction at interfaces, enabling high NA objectives to function effectively despite the presence of thick glass walls, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving high resolution and maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the system by introducing immersion oil with specific refractive index properties. This parameter change allows the optical system to overcome the limitations imposed by the flow chamber wall thickness, enabling high resolution imaging without requiring physical modification of the chamber design
2Measurement precision
If high numerical aperture oil-immersion objectives are used, then imaging resolution and fluorescence collection efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional optical components and setup requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the flow chamber multi-functional by designing it to serve both as a fluid containment device and as an optical interface for high NA objectives. The chamber is configured with specific wall thickness and optical properties that allow it to function as both a biological sample holder and an optical element, eliminating the need for separate immersion ports or complex adapter systems
Solution Approach 2:
The immersion oil serves as a universal intermediary that simplifies the optical path between the objective lens and the sample. Rather than requiring complex optical adapters or modified chamber designs for different NA objectives, the oil provides a universal interface that works with high NA objectives across the platform
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 configuration significantly improves imaging resolution, enabling the detection of smaller and weaker fluorescent particles, and produces sharper, more detailed images compared to existing systems, suitable for analyzing nanotechnology, bacteria, and submicron particles.
Implementation Method 1
The objectives and flow chambers in the prior art have been of medium numerical aperture (NA)... typically an air objective... inefficiencies of optically imaging with air microscope objectives... introduction of the combination of an oil-immersion interface and a high NA objective... high index of refraction immersion oil so as to enhance the optical resolution and optical coupling therethrough
Implementation Method 2
a laser beam may excite the sample that is present in the bore of the capillary, with the emitted fluorescence energy representing the signal information... less than optimum collection of fluorescence emissions from the sample... fluorescence excitation passes through the objective to the flow chamber where the oil immersion configuration enhances the focus and collection of the light back through the objective
Implementation Method 3
an imaging light source, as well as an oil-immersion objective and a high NA condenser matched to the flow chamber... The imaging light source generates light which passes through the condenser, the flow chamber and then the objective before being focused onto an imaging camera
Data Source
AI summary
A flow chamber, imaging objective, condenser and imaging light source as part of an optical system includes an oil-immersion objective and high numerical aperture condenser matched to a rectangular flow chamber. The oil-immersion objective and flow chamber include a high index of refraction immersion oil so as to enhance the optical resolution and optical coupling therethrough. The imaging light source generates light which passes through the condenser, the flow chamber and then the objective before being focused onto an imaging camera. Fluorescence excitation passes through the objective to the flow chamber where the oil immersion configuration enhances the focus and collection of the light back through the objective.