Portable Ring Fluorescence Optical System for Microfluidic Observation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluorescence optical systems are bulky and inconvenient for observing microfluidic channels due to the need for a spectroscope and dual objective lenses, making them difficult to operate and carry, especially when dealing with multiple function microfluidic systems and various biological samples.
Innovation Solution
A portable ring-type fluorescence optical system that includes a ring-type fluorescent light source, objective lens, polarizers, and fine-tuning components such as a specific fine-tuning rod and ring-type gear, allowing for compact design, easy portability, and precise adjustment for observing microfluidic chips with different sizes and functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spectroscope and dual objective lens are used in conventional fluorescence optical systems, then the system can achieve effective fluorescence observation, but the system volume becomes large and difficult to carry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spectroscope and dual objective lens from the conventional fluorescence optical system, extracting only the essential components needed for fluorescence observation. This extraction principle directly resolves the contradiction by eliminating bulky components while preserving the core fluorescence observation functionality through alternative optical paths and a single objective lens design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a single objective lens that serves multiple functions: it acts as both the condenser lens for illumination and the objective lens for image collection. This multi-functionality principle allows the system to achieve effective fluorescence observation without requiring separate dual objective lenses, thereby reducing system volume while maintaining observation capability.
2Reliability
If conventional fluorescence optical systems are designed with spectroscope and dual objective lens, then fluorescence observation can be achieved, but the system becomes inconvenient to operate and carry
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the spectroscope and dual objective lens configuration, the patent simplifies the system structure to make it more operationally convenient. The extracted design reduces the number of components that require alignment and adjustment, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining fluorescence observation capability through the simplified optical path.
Solution Approach 2:
The single objective lens performing multiple functions (condenser and objective roles) simplifies the operational complexity. Users no longer need to manage dual objective lenses and spectroscope alignment, making the system more convenient to operate while achieving the same fluorescence observation results through integrated optical functionality.
3Measurement precision
If conventional fluorescence optical systems are equipped with spectroscope, then effective fluorescence separation can be achieved, but the system becomes bulky and difficult to reduce volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the spectroscope from the system, achieving fluorescence light separation through alternative means. By using polarized light filters and specific optical path design, the system separates fluorescent light from reflected light without requiring a spectroscope, thereby maintaining measurement precision while dramatically reducing system volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical spectroscope system with an optical filtering approach using polarizers and wavelength-selective filters. This substitution achieves the same light separation function through optical properties rather than mechanical dispersion, reducing system volume while maintaining fluorescence observation precision.
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 system significantly reduces the volume of the fluorescence optical system, enabling efficient and precise observation of microfluidic chips with various biological samples, facilitating easy carrying and handling of microfluidic chips with different sizes and functions.
Implementation Method 1
a ring-type fluorescent light source (17), configured to generate a ring-type fluorescent light to the biological sample on the microfluidic chip
Implementation Method 2
an objective lens (16), configured to magnify a fluorescent image of the biological sample on the microfluidic chip to focus on the photographic chip
Implementation Method 3
The first polarizer disposed under the photographic chip and the second polarizer disposed under the biological sample form a non-zero angle to each other to block reflected lights that the biological sample reflects illumination lights
Data Source
AI summary
A portable ring-type fluorescence optical system for observing microfluidic channel and an operating method thereof are disclosed. The portable ring-type fluorescence optical system includes a photographic chip, a first polarizer, an objective lens, a ring-type fluorescent light source, a biological sample on a microfluidic chip, a second polarizer and a bottom illumination light source arranged in order from top to bottom. The ring-type fluorescent light source is used to generate a ring-type fluorescent light to the biological sample on the microfluidic chip. The objective lens is used to magnify a fluorescent image of the biological sample on the microfluidic chip to focus on the photographic chip. The first polarizer disposed under the photographic chip and the second polarizer disposed under the biological sample form a non-zero angle to each other to block reflected lights that the biological sample reflects the lights emitted by the bottom illumination light source.