Removable Microscope Light Shielding for Fluorescence Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light shielding devices for fluorescence microscopes are inconvenient to use and install, and they fail to effectively block ambient light during fluorescence observation, leading to reduced image contrast.
Innovation Solution
A manually removable light shielding device mounted to the condenser of a microscope, featuring a light shield with a mounting mechanism and optionally a through hole, and an illumination light path filter to block ambient light without hindering other observation modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a light shielding device is equipped to block ambient light during fluorescence observation, then image contrast is improved, but device complexity and installation convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The light shielding device is divided into a light shield portion and a mounting mechanism portion, allowing independent optimization of each component. The mounting mechanism uses a simple clamp structure that can be independently attached to the condenser without modifying the light shield design, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective light blocking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The light shielding device is designed as a separate, removable component that can be detached from the microscope system when not in use. This extraction approach eliminates the need for permanent installation or complex integration into the microscope structure, simplifying both installation and device architecture while preserving image contrast improvement during fluorescence observation.
2Measurement precision
If a light shielding device is equipped to block ambient light, then fluorescence image quality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting mechanism incorporates a movable clamp structure that can be easily opened and closed to attach or remove the light shield. This dynamic design allows users to quickly install or remove the light shielding device without complex tools or procedures, maintaining ease of operation while effectively improving fluorescence image quality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp-based mounting mechanism is designed to be self-adjusting and self-locking, allowing users to simply position the device and secure it without requiring precise alignment or additional fastening steps. This self-service approach maintains operational simplicity while achieving effective light blocking for enhanced fluorescence image quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the objective is arranged below the stage to enable fluorescence observation, then fluorescence detection is enabled, but susceptibility to ambient light interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light shield acts as an intermediary component positioned between the condenser and the specimen, blocking ambient light paths that would otherwise reach the objective lens from below the stage. This intermediary structure enables the inverted microscope configuration to maintain fluorescence observation capability while eliminating the primary source of ambient light interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The light shielding device is specifically positioned to block only the ambient light paths relevant to the inverted configuration, rather than requiring complete environmental darkening. This localized light blocking approach maintains the versatility of fluorescence observation while针对性地 addressing the ambient light interference problem specific to below-stage objective arrangements.
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
The device effectively blocks ambient light during fluorescence observation, maintaining image contrast and enabling easy switching between fluorescence and bright-field modes without structural changes.
Implementation Method 1
the light shielding device is mounted to a lower end portion of the condenser to at least partially block ambient light entering an objective of the microscope
Implementation Method 2
a condenser configured so that transmitting illumination light from a transmitting illumination light source is irradiated from above a stage to a specimen on the stage via the condenser
Implementation Method 3
The fluorescent substance contained in the specimen is excited by the excitation light to emit fluorescence having a longer wavelength than that of the excitation light
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a light shielding device for a microscope and a microscope including the same. In the microscope, transmitting illumination light from a transmitting illumination light source is irradiated from above a stage to a specimen on the stage and fluorescent illumination light from a fluorescent illumination light source is irradiated from below the stage to the specimen on the stage. The light shielding device may be mounted to a lower end portion of a condenser of the microscope to at least partially block ambient light entering an objective of the microscope. The light shielding device may include a light shield and a mounting mechanism configured to mount the light shield below the lower end portion of the condenser in a manually removable manner, and/or the light shield includes a through hole and a light shielding portion surrounding the through hole.