Compact Optical System for Stray Light Reduction in Sample Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical devices for measuring samples, such as fluorescence microscopes, are bulky, expensive, and suffer from stray light issues that affect signal-to-noise ratio and detection sensitivity, especially as sample size increases, requiring larger and more costly optical elements.
Innovation Solution
A compact optical system utilizing a light source, light guide, excitation filter, and detector, with total internal reflection and multiple reflections to homogenize illumination, reduce stray light, and enable efficient fluorescence or absorbance measurements, incorporating common LEDs, filters, and lenses to minimize size and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated instruments such as fluorescence microscopes are used, then measurement capability is improved, but device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary optical components from traditional fluorescence microscopy systems. By removing complex lens systems, dichroic mirrors, and multiple filters, the invention retains only the essential elements (light source, light guide, excitation filter, and detector) needed for fluorescence measurement, thereby dramatically reducing device size while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The simplified optical system is designed to perform multiple measurement functions (fluorescence detection and absorbance measurement) using a common platform of light source, light guide, and detector. This multi-functionality allows the compact device to replace multiple dedicated instruments, reducing overall device size and cost
2Measurement precision
If optical filters and dichroic mirrors are used to reduce stray light, then signal to noise ratio is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, precision optical components (dichroic mirrors, multiple bandpass filters) with simpler, more cost-effective elements. The system uses a single excitation filter and relies on the inherent optical properties of the light guide and sample chamber to achieve stray light rejection, significantly reducing component cost while maintaining adequate signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces the light guide as an intermediary element between the light source and sample, and between the sample and detector. This light guide serves multiple functions: transmitting excitation light, reducing stray light through controlled reflections, and guiding emitted light to the detector, thereby eliminating the need for multiple expensive optical filters and mirrors
3Area of stationary object
If sample size increases, then measurement coverage is improved, but beam diameter and optical element size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional wide-field illumination to a configuration where the light guide extends in the vertical dimension above the sample plane. This allows the system to cover larger sample areas by extending the light guide length rather than increasing the lateral size of optical elements, effectively using the vertical dimension to solve the area-scaling problem
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 provides efficient, cost-effective, and portable means for fluorescence and absorbance measurements, improving detection sensitivity and reducing bulkiness by using common LEDs, filters, and lenses, while effectively managing stray light through total internal reflection and multiple reflections.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a light source, light guide, excitation filter, and detector, with total internal reflection and multiple reflections to homogenize illumination
Implementation Method 2
with total internal reflection and multiple reflections to homogenize illumination
Implementation Method 3
providing an excitation filter positioned adjacent the light source in a propagation path of light rays from the light source
Implementation Method 4
said detector captures illuminated light rays from said illuminated sample
Implementation Method 5
Absorbance and fluorescence measurements are used in numerous applications
Data Source
AI summary
Optical devices and methods for measuring samples while minimizing stray light are described. Such methods and devices are applicable to multiple fluid chambers with multiple sources as an integrated optical element. Light sources can be embedded onto a chip or microarray with multiple chambers, or can be part of an instrument arrangement.