Multi-Wavelength THG Microscopy for Bio-Molecule Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing third harmonic generation (THG) microscopic systems can only provide harmonic generation images with a single wavelength, limiting the imaging of bio-molecules to morphological information and failing to offer spatially distributed data or simultaneous multiple THG images.

Innovation Solution

A plural THG microscopic system utilizing lasers with different central wavelengths or a broad band light source to simultaneously analyze THG responses, producing multiple THG images and spectra, which are then processed to retrieve detailed microscopic images of bio-molecules using a laser device, beam splitter, photodetective device, and computer system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single wavelength laser is used in THG microscopy, then the system structure is simple, but only morphological information can be obtained without molecular imaging capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the detection of different wavelengths into separate detection channels, with each channel dedicated to a specific wavelength. This segmentation allows the system to process multiple wavelengths simultaneously without interference, enabling molecular imaging capability while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a multi-functional THG microscopy system that can perform both morphological imaging (using any wavelength) and molecular imaging (using specific wavelength combinations). The system is designed to handle multiple wavelengths and detection modes, making it universally applicable for different imaging requirements without needing separate specialized systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If directly modulating laser wavelength is used to obtain THG spectrum, then spectral information can be obtained, but spatially distributed information is lost and simultaneous multiple THG images cannot be provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatially distributed informationVSAvoidsimultaneous imaging capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a beam splitter to pre-divide the incoming light into multiple wavelength-specific paths before detection. This preliminary spatial separation ensures that spatially distributed information is preserved for each wavelength channel, allowing simultaneous capture of multiple THG images with their respective spatial distributions intact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from temporal wavelength modulation (single wavelength at a time) to spatial wavelength separation (multiple wavelengths simultaneously through different paths). By adding the spatial dimension of wavelength separation via beam splitters and multiple detectors, the system recovers both spectral information and spatially distributed information, enabling simultaneous multiple THG images

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 noninvasive, multi-wavelength THG microscopy for clinical medicine, providing distributed microscopic images and characteristics of bio-molecules, enhancing the imaging capability beyond mere morphological analysis.

Implementation Method 1

a laser device for irradiating a laser beam with a plurality of different wavelengths; a microscopic device for receiving the laser beam with a plurality of different wavelengths and projecting the same onto an observational sample, thereby producing a third harmonic generation observational beam with a plurality of different wavelengths

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThird harmonic generation:

Implementation Method 2

a beam splitter device for splitting the third harmonic generation observational beam into a first third harmonic generation portion and a second third harmonic generation portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam splitting:

Implementation Method 3

a photodetective device for respectively detecting the first third harmonic generation portion and the second third harmonic generation portion and converting into a first third harmonic generation image signal or a first third harmonic generation spectrum signal and a second third harmonic generation image signal or a second third harmonic generation spectrum signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotodetection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8941087B2Plural third harmonic generation microscopic system and method

Publication Date: 2015.01.27 NAT TAIWAN UNIV

AI summary

The present invention provides a plural third harmonic generation (THG) microscopic system and method. The system includes a laser device, a microscopic device, a beam splitter device and a photodetective device. By utilizing lasers with different central wavelengths or a broad band light source to simultaneously analyze THG response with respect to different wavelengths, a plurality of THG images and THG spectrum of the material or bio-tissue under stimulation of different wavelengths are obtained, thereby retrieving distributed microscopic images and resonant characteristics of the observational material or bio-molecules.