Optical Switching Assembly with Rotatable Mirrors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-channel fluorescent microscopes face significant delays due to the weight of compact optical units, which slows down the switching between optical paths, affecting manipulation speed and image generation quality.
Innovation Solution
An optical switching assembly with rotatable mirroring surfaces and stationary dichroic mirrors allows for quick switching between optical paths, utilizing a system of planar mirrors and a rotating unit to direct illuminating and emitted light efficiently, reducing the need for heavy filter cubes and enabling faster channel switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If heavy filter cubes with dichroic mirrors are used for wavelength separation, then optical path switching is achieved, but manipulation speed decreases due to the weight of the optical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical path switching system into two functional parts: (1) stationary filter cubes containing dichroic mirrors for wavelength separation, and (2) separate rotatable mirrors for optical path routing. This segmentation allows the heavy filter cubes to remain fixed while only the lightweight rotatable mirrors move, resolving the contradiction between switching speed and filter cube weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the moving function from the filter cubes by separating the wavelength separation function (performed by stationary dichroic mirrors) from the path routing function (performed by rotatable mirrors). This extraction allows the filter cubes to be optimized for optical performance without moving parts, while the rotatable mirrors handle the switching function with minimal weight.
2Manufacturing precision
If heavy filter cubes are moved to switch between optical channels, then wavelength selection is achieved, but image generation quality is affected due to slow manipulation speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical system into stationary wavelength selection components (filter cubes with dichroic mirrors) and separate moving path routing components (rotatable mirrors). This allows rapid switching between channels using lightweight mirrors while maintaining precise wavelength selection, thereby improving both switching speed and image generation quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable mirrors act as intermediaries between the light source and the stationary filter cubes. By positioning these lightweight mirrors in the optical path, the system achieves rapid channel switching without moving the heavy filter cubes, thus reducing switching time and improving overall system performance.
3Productivity
If compact optical units with integrated filter cubes are used, then multi-channel fluorescence imaging is enabled, but productivity decreases due to slow switching between optical paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical path control into stationary filter cube units for wavelength selection and separate rotatable mirror assemblies for rapid path switching. This segmentation enables multi-channel fluorescence imaging while achieving fast switching between channels, thereby increasing the number of recordings per time unit and improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical approach of moving entire filter cubes with a lighter mechanical system using rotatable mirrors. This substitution reduces the mass that needs to be accelerated and decelerated during switching, significantly decreasing switching duration and increasing recording throughput.
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 solution enables rapid switching between optical paths in milliseconds, improving image quality and increasing the number of recordings per time unit, particularly beneficial for automated microscopes by maintaining low-intensity fluorescent light processing and enhancing signal-to-noise ratio.
Implementation Method 1
wherein due to interference, one of the light components is cancelled, whereas the other light component is amplified
Implementation Method 2
a first rotatable light guiding mirror for directing the illuminating light ray to a selected dichroic mirror; a second rotatable light guiding mirror for guiding a light ray reflected by the dichroic mirror to the specimen
Implementation Method 3
In response to exciting irradiation, certain parts or elements of the specimen emit light with wavelengths different from the wavelength of the excitation
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for switching optical paths, which assembly includes multiple optical channels for guiding an illuminating light to a specimen and for guiding the light coming from the specimen to an image recording unit. The assembly also includes a plurality of light guiding mirrors and at least one light modifying element in each optical channel for directing the illuminating light and the light coming from the specimen. In each of the multiple optical channels the at least one light modifying element includes a stationary dichroic mirror. Further details regarding the arrangement and rotation of the mirrors, and how the mirrors direct the illuminating light and light coming from the specimen, are defined herein.