Compact Phase-Contrast Microscope Using Ring-Fiber Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phase-contrast microscopes are not compact due to the requirement of an optical system with a ring slit and lens between the light source and the Condenser lens for emitting annular light.
Innovation Solution
A compact phase-contrast microscope design that uses a light guide with optical fibers arranged to form a ring, which is in a conjugate position to the annular phase film in the object lens, allowing for the emission of ring-shaped light without the need for a separate optical system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional optical system with ring slit and lens is used between light source and Condenser lens, then annular light can be emitted, but the microscope structure becomes bulky and cannot be compact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ring slit and lens components from the conventional optical system and replaces them with a light guide comprising multiple optical fibers arranged in a ring configuration. This extraction eliminates the bulky conventional components while retaining the essential function of emitting annular light, thereby achieving compact microscope structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical optical system (ring slit and lens) with an optical fiber-based light guide system. The optical fibers transmit light through total internal reflection, replacing the need for mechanical aperture stops and lenses,从而实现小型化
2Volume of moving object
If multiple optical fibers are arranged to form a ring in conjugate position to the annular phase film, then compact structure is achieved, but light transmission efficiency must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes parameters including the core diameter of optical fibers, the number of fibers, and the radial distance from the optical axis to ensure efficient light transmission. By carefully selecting these parameters, the system maintains high light transmission efficiency while achieving compact ring-shaped illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the optical fiber arrangement to create uniform light intensity distribution across the annular illumination area. The conjugate positioning of the ring-shaped fiber arrangement with the annular phase film ensures even light distribution, maintaining imaging quality while achieving compact structure.
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 design enables the creation of a compact phase-contrast microscope that can be easily integrated into limited spaces, such as automatic cell culture devices, while maintaining effective phase-contrast imaging capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide including a plurality of optical fibers, the light guide transmitting the light emitted from the light source section through the plurality of optical fibers
Implementation Method 2
an object lens including a lens and an annular phase film, the annular phase film being on a side to which light passes through the lens
Data Source
AI summary
A phase-contrast microscope includes a light source section configured to emit light; a light guide including a plurality of optical fibers, the light guide transmitting the light emitted from the light source section through the plurality of optical fibers; and an object lens including a lens and an annular phase film, the annular phase film being on the side to which light passes through the lens, the object lens being configured to enlarge an image on a sample irradiated with the light transmitted by the light guide. The plurality of optical fibers include a plurality of emission faces arranged to form a ring, and the light guide is disposed in such a manner that the plurality of emission faces are in a conjugate position to the annular phase film.