Remountable Alignment Marker Unit for Microscope Object Holder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing object holders with permanently attached alignment marks for microscopic imaging are prone to dirt accumulation and damage, making them difficult to clean and potentially unusable, limiting their reusability and flexibility across different microscope modalities.

Innovation Solution

A remountable alignment marker unit designed for precise distance and azimuth adjustment, allowing for easy replacement and reuse, featuring a two-piece design with contact elements and a headpiece, enabling correct alignment and height adjustability, and compatible with various object holders and microscopy types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the alignment marker is permanently attached to the object holder, then the structure is stable and simple, but the alignment marker accumulates dirt and is prone to damage, making the entire object holder unusable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of alignment marker attachmentVSAvoidreusability of object holder

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment marker is separated from the object holder into independent components. The alignment marker can be detached and replaced independently, allowing the object holder to be reused even when the alignment marker becomes damaged or contaminated. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by making the alignment marker replaceable while maintaining the stability of the object holder structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the alignment marker is permanently attached to the object holder, then the device structure is simple, but cleaning the alignment marker is difficult even in ultrasonic baths

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of object holder structureVSAvoidease of cleaning alignment marker

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the alignment marker from the object holder, the alignment marker can be independently removed and cleaned. This segmentation allows for easier maintenance and cleaning of the alignment marker without affecting the object holder structure, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and ease of cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If the alignment marker is permanently attached to the object holder, then the alignment is precise, but the object holder cannot be adapted to different microscope modalities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidadaptability to different microscope modalities

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The separable design allows the alignment marker to be optimized for specific microscope modalities while the object holder remains adaptable. Different alignment markers can be attached to the same object holder for different microscopy techniques (e.g., light microscopy, electron microscopy), resolving the contradiction between alignment precision and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The object holder is designed with universal compatibility to work with different types of microscopes and alignment markers. This universality allows the same object holder to be used across multiple microscope modalities by simply changing the alignment marker, thereby achieving both precision and versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the alignment marker is permanently attached to the object holder, then the structure is rigid and stable, but the risk of accidentally damaging the sensitive marker structure is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidrisk of damage to alignment marker

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By making the alignment marker detachable, the system allows for careful handling and protection of the alignment marker when not in use. The alignment marker can be removed and stored in a protective environment, reducing the risk of accidental damage while maintaining structural stability during imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design anticipates potential damage by allowing the alignment marker to be removed and protected before hazardous operations (such as material removal treatments) are performed. This prior protective measure prevents damage to the sensitive alignment marker while maintaining structural integrity during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS9063341B2Exchangeable alignment marker unit

Publication Date: 2015.06.23 CARL ZEISS MICROSCOPY GMBH

AI summary

An alignment marker unit for an object holder for microscopic imaging of an object with a microscope, wherein the alignment marker unit can be removed from and remounted on the object holder, wherein the alignment marker unit has at least one alignment marker for microscope-supported detection, and wherein the alignment marker is designed to determine a coordinate system for the object holder which allows for the microscope-supported calibration of the object or an area of the object relative to its position to the object holder and the position of the object holder relative to the microscope. Furthermore, an object holder system including an object holder and an alignment marker unit as described above is provided.