Optical Scanning Mirror Synchronization for Blur-Free Super-Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-throughput imaging systems face challenges in maintaining constant sample stage velocity, leading to blurry images due to velocity fluctuations, which are typically addressed by expensive and bulky stages, making them impractical for benchtop use, and low-cost stages with irregularities exacerbate the issue of image blur.
Innovation Solution
An optical scanning system utilizing a scanning mirror coupled with an encoder and position processing module to synchronize image capture with stage movement, compensating for velocity fluctuations, enabling super-resolution imaging with reduced pixel smear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If expensive and heavy stages are used to maintain near-constant velocity, then image stability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical solution (heavy, expensive stages with precise velocity control) with an optical solution (scanning mirrors that compensate for stage velocity fluctuations). The scanning optics system uses galvanometer-controlled mirrors to dynamically adjust the imaging path and compensate for velocity variations, eliminating the need for costly heavy-duty mechanical stages while maintaining image stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the scanning parameters (mirror angles, scan speeds) in real-time to compensate for stage velocity fluctuations. By adjusting these optical parameters based on feedback about stage position and velocity, the system maintains stable imaging without requiring the stage itself to maintain perfectly constant velocity, thus avoiding the need for expensive heavy stages.
2Device complexity
If low-cost lightweight stages are used, then device complexity is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to velocity fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback control mechanism where the actual stage position and velocity are continuously monitored, and this information is used to adjust the scanning mirror parameters in real-time. The feedback loop compensates for velocity fluctuations caused by surface irregularities in low-cost stages, maintaining image quality without requiring expensive precision stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning mirror system acts as an intermediary between the low-cost stage and the imaging system. It translates the irregular motion of the inexpensive stage into stable optical paths, effectively decoupling the quality requirements of the stage from the quality requirements of the final image.
3Productivity
If step and repeat staging is used to achieve high throughput, then productivity is improved, but image stability deteriorates due to acceleration and deceleration
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static step-and-repeat imaging to dynamic continuous scanning. The scanning mirrors dynamically adjust during continuous stage motion, allowing the system to maintain image stability even during stage acceleration and deceleration phases, thereby enabling high throughput without sacrificing image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical step-and-repeat staging system with a dynamic optical scanning system. Instead of requiring the mechanical stage to stop and settle at each position, the optical scanning system continuously tracks and compensates for stage motion, eliminating the need for mechanical settling and enabling continuous high-speed imaging.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a high throughput optical scanning system to generate super resolution images and methods of use. The optical scanning device and methods of use provided herein can allow high throughput scanning of a continuously moving object with a high resolution despite fluctuations in stage velocity. This can aid in high throughput scanning of a substrate, such as a biological chip comprising fluorophores. Also provided herein are improved optical relay systems and scanning optics.