Rotary Mirror Scanning for Uniform SPIM Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing SPIM microscopes face challenges in achieving high-speed movement of the condensing position of illumination light in the illumination optical axis direction without uniform illumination or sufficient scanning speed, leading to reduced resolution and increased damage to biological specimens.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system incorporating a first scanning device with a rotary mirror and a condenser lens that moves the condensing position in a direction parallel to the illumination optical axis, utilizing a galvanometer mirror for constant-speed rotational movement and a resonant scanner for high-speed movement in the orthogonal direction, ensuring uniform illumination and efficient scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the numerical aperture of the illumination optical system is increased to achieve higher resolving power, then the resolution in the observation optical axis direction is improved, but the illumination area is reduced in the illumination optical axis direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic scanning using a resonant scanner to move the condensing position of illumination light in the illumination optical axis direction. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain a small numerical aperture for large illumination area while achieving high resolution through temporal scanning and averaging, resolving the contradiction between resolution and illumination area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces scanning in the illumination optical axis direction (adding a dimensional aspect) to compensate for the reduced illumination area. By distributing illumination over time through axial scanning, the system effectively increases the total illuminated volume while maintaining high resolution at each scanned position.
2Area of moving object
If the condensing position of illumination light is moved at high speed to expand the illumination area, then the illumination area is increased, but uniform illumination is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes periodic resonant oscillation of the resonant scanner to move the condensing position back and forth in the illumination optical axis direction. This periodic motion ensures that each position within the illumination area is illuminated multiple times during a complete oscillation cycle, distributing light energy uniformly and achieving homogeneous illumination across the entire scanned volume.
3Productivity
If the scanning speed is increased to reduce image acquisition time, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs continuous resonant oscillation of the scanner during image acquisition, maintaining constant motion of the condensing position throughout the exposure period. This continuous scanning ensures that illumination is distributed uniformly across all positions being imaged simultaneously, achieving both high acquisition speed and high resolution without requiring sequential scanning.
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 high-speed, uniform illumination of a two-dimensional area, reducing image acquisition time and minimizing specimen damage through consistent illumination intensity and reduced phototoxicity.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary mirror 35 that includes a reflection surface 35a; and a condenser lens 34 that is arranged so as to irradiate the reflection surface 35a with the illumination light L and to receive the illumination light L reflected by the reflection surface 35a
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope device includes: an illumination optical system that has an illumination optical axis; and an observation optical system that has an observation optical axis. The illumination optical system includes a first scanning device that moves a condensing position in which the illumination light is condensed in a direction that is substantially parallel to the illumination optical axis. The first scanning device includes: a rotary mirror that includes a reflection surface; and a condenser lens that is arranged so as to irradiate the reflection surface with the illumination light and to receive the illumination light reflected by the reflection surface. The rotary mirror is rotationally moved or rotated in such a way that a distance between the condenser lens and the reflection surface on an optical axis of the condenser lens changes.