Optical Train Correction for Multi-Label Spectral Edge Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current microscopy systems suffer from optical aberrations such as astigmatism and image quality issues, limiting the number of labels that can be used simultaneously and affecting imaging efficiency and accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates a fixed correction optic and a dynamic correction optic, configured to mitigate astigmatism by tilting at specific angles, with optical filters and tiltable filter assemblies, allowing for multiple detection moieties to be imaged simultaneously while stabilizing lateral image shifts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If optical filters are used at high angles of incidence to enable multiple detection moieties imaging, then the number of detectable labels increases, but astigmatism and image quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of detectable labelsVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-configuring the tilt angles of correction optics before imaging begins. The system determines the optimal tilt angles for correction optics based on the selected filter angle, and adjusts the correction optics accordingly before capturing images of multiple detection moieties. This ensures that astigmatism is compensated in advance for each wavelength channel, maintaining image quality while enabling multi-label detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the tilt angle parameter of correction optics based on the angle of incidence of optical filters. When filters are tilted to different angles to enable multiple detection moieties imaging, the correction optics are simultaneously tilted to corresponding angles that compensate for the induced astigmatism. This coordinated parameter adjustment maintains optimal image quality across different wavelength channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If correction optics are added to mitigate astigmatism, then image quality improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidoptical train complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing correction optics that serve multiple functions: they simultaneously compensate for astigmatism across different wavelength channels and enable the imaging of multiple detection moieties. The same correction optic assembly is used for all detection channels, rather than having separate correction mechanisms for each wavelength, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the correction optics tiltable and adjustable, allowing them to adapt to different imaging conditions. The correction optics can be dynamically tilted to specific angles corresponding to different filter configurations, enabling the system to maintain optimal performance across multiple detection channels without requiring fixed, complex optical paths for each channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If filters are tilted to expand spectral range, then detection capability increases, but lateral image shift increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral detection rangeVSAvoidlateral image position

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by ensuring that the correction optics are positioned and configured to provide localized astigmatism compensation at specific points in the optical path corresponding to each detection channel. The tilt angle of correction optics is locally optimized for each filter configuration, allowing the system to maintain accurate lateral image positioning while expanding spectral detection range through filter tilting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 substantially reduces residual astigmatism and stabilizes image shifts, enabling efficient and accurate imaging of multiple detection moieties with improved image quality.

Implementation Method 1

the fixed correction optic is configured to substantially mitigate an astigmatism caused by the combination of the optical filter and the dynamic correction optic

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAstigmatism compensation:

Implementation Method 2

The dynamic correction optic can be configured to substantially stabilize a lateral image shift caused by a tilting of the optical filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLateral image shift stabilization:

Implementation Method 3

The optical filter can be an interference filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical filtering: Filter (optical)

Data Source

PatentEP4133324B1Optical trains for imaging systems and spectral edge detection

Publication Date: 2025.10.08 RARECYTE INC

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AI summary

This disclosure relates generally to optical trains for imaging systems. More particularly, this disclosure relates to imaging systems configured to limit optical aberrations. Furthermore, this disclosure relates to methods of limiting optical aberrations in imaging systems configured for imaging a sample, though more specifically, for detecting individual detection moieties within a plurality of detection moieties.