Automated Optical Micropipette Guidance System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical micropipettes lack simultaneous emission and collection of light, and in vivo procedures often require incremental steps for target cell identification, resulting in low success rates.
Innovation Solution
An automated optical micropipette electrode guidance system comprising a mirror cage, a light source, fiber optic cables, a collimator, an avalanche photodiode, and a dichroic mirror, configured for simultaneous emission and collection of light, with the dichroic mirror positioned at an angle to reflect light in the 400 to 600 nm range, enabling precise guidance of micropipette electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current optical micropipettes are used, then the structure is simple, but simultaneous emission and collection of light is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines light emission and collection functions into a single optical system by integrating a light source, dichroic mirror, and detector in close proximity around the micropipette tip. This merging allows simultaneous emission and collection of light through different optical paths, resolving the contradiction between functional capability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dichroic mirror serves as an intermediary optical element that separates the emission and collection light paths. It reflects excitation light from the light source toward the micropipette while allowing emitted light to pass through to the detector, enabling simultaneous emission and collection without direct interference between the two functions.
2Measurement precision
If incremental steps are used for target cell identification, then the procedure is systematic, but the success rate is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements real-time optical feedback by detecting light emitted from the micropipette tip and immediately using this information to guide positioning adjustments. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to identify target cells more efficiently without requiring numerous incremental trial-and-error steps, thereby improving success rate while reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary optical alignment and target identification using the emitted light signal before attempting micropipette insertion or manipulation. This preliminary action ensures that the micropipette is correctly positioned and targeted before critical operations, reducing the need for repeated measurements and movements.
3Productivity
If automated guidance is implemented, then the success rate improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is designed with multi-functionality, where the same optical components (light source, dichroic mirror, detector) serve multiple purposes: providing illumination, collecting emitted light, and providing positional feedback. This universal use of components achieves automated guidance functionality without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 enables precise and efficient simultaneous emission and collection of light, improving the accuracy and success rate of micropipette electrode guidance in in vivo procedures by providing real-time optical feedback.
Implementation Method 1
the dichroic mirror is configured to reflect light in the range of 400 to 600 nm
Implementation Method 2
the dichroic mirror is positioned within the housing at an angle relative to the first side
Implementation Method 3
an avalanche photodiode (APD) optically connected to a fourth side of the mirror cage opposite the third side
Implementation Method 4
a light source optically connected to a first side of the mirror cage via a first fiberoptic cable
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system, comprises a mirror cage, a light source optically connected to a first side of the mirror cage via a first fiberoptic cable and a first collimator, an energy sensor optically connected to a second side of the mirror cage opposite the first side, a second fiber optic cable optically connected to a third side of the mirror cage via a second collimator, an avalanche photodiode (APD) optically connected to a fourth side of the mirror cage opposite the third side, and a dichroic mirror positioned within the housing at an angle relative to the first side. An automated micropipette electrode guidance system comprises the optical system as above, and a micropipette electrode connected to the optical system via the second fiber optic cable. Related methods are also disclosed.