Perpendicular Objective Mount for Selective Plane Illumination Microscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microscopes cannot be easily converted to provide selective plane illumination microscopy, which requires novel sample preparation and suffers from low numerical aperture issues in oblique plane microscopy, limiting their ability to accommodate advanced imaging techniques.
Innovation Solution
A module with a mount that engages a pair of objective lenses in a perpendicular geometric relation, allowing for the conversion of conventional microscopes to perform selective plane illumination microscopy, including a base and translation stage for sample movement and a SPIM arrangement for generating alternating light sheets for excitation and detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If oblique plane microscopy is used to illuminate and detect the specimen with the same objective, then the system can accommodate novel sample preparation, but the numerical aperture is low and extensive optics are required to correct aberrations
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the single objective function into two separate objectives: one dedicated to excitation illumination and another dedicated to detection. This segmentation allows each objective to be optimized for its specific function, with the detection objective maintaining high numerical aperture while the excitation objective handles the illumination geometry requirements, thereby resolving the contradiction between sample preparation adaptability and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mount assembly as an intermediary structure that holds both objectives in specific geometric relationships. This intermediary component enables the system to achieve selective plane illumination microscopy by positioning the excitation and detection objectives at appropriate angles and distances, eliminating the need for extensive aberration correction optics while maintaining high numerical aperture for detection.
2Productivity
If selective plane illumination microscopy is implemented with parallelized excitation and perpendicular detection geometry, then optically sectioned volumetric interrogation is enabled, but the system requires novel sample preparation that precludes conventional sample mounts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal mount assembly that can accommodate both conventional sample mounts (like glass cover slips) and the requirements for selective plane illumination microscopy. The dual-objective system with adjustable mounting allows the same physical setup to work with standard sample preparation methods while enabling optically sectioned volumetric interrogation, thus achieving multi-functionality and resolving the contradiction between productivity and adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a conversion module mounts a pair of objective lenses in perpendicular geometric relation, then conventional microscopes can be converted to provide selective plane illumination microscopy, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mount structure for holding two objectives into a single integrated assembly that can be attached to existing microscope platforms. By combining the mounting functions into one unit with built-in geometric positioning capabilities, the system achieves conversion to selective plane illumination microscopy without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the mount integrates multiple functions (positioning, alignment, and structural support) into a single component.
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
Enables high-frame-rate, optically sectioned volumetric interrogation of living samples, maintaining flexibility and sample geometry, while enhancing axial resolution through image registration and fusion processing.
Implementation Method 1
the excitation objective and the detection objective are engaged to the mount such that the first longitudinal axis intersects the second longitudinal axis in a perpendicular geometric relation
Implementation Method 2
a SPIM arrangement in communication with the first objective and the second objective with the SPIM arrangement including a light source for generating a first plurality of light sheets and a second plurality of light sheets in alternating fashion
Implementation Method 3
producing sequence of excitation in a sample that generates an alternating sequence of a first fluorescent emission and then a second fluorescent emission
Data Source
AI summary
A module for engagement with a conventional microscope to provide selective plane illumination microscopy is disclosed. The module is coupled to the translational base of the microscope and defines a mounting having a mount body in which an excitation objective having a first longitudinal axis is engaged to one portion of the mount body and a detection objective having a second longitudinal axis is engaged to another portion of the mount body such that the first longitudinal axis is in perpendicular geometric relation with the second longitudinal axis.