Rotating Circular Wafer for Portable Biological Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biological imaging systems are costly, require manual analysis, and do not scale well for high-population applications, often providing inaccurate results and requiring extensive space due to the need for translational movements and expensive optics.
Innovation Solution
A compact, portable wafer design featuring a pair of circular discs with a gap for sample containment, allowing for capillary action sample loading and imaging through rotational scanning, enabling efficient and accurate biological sample analysis in a portable device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional imaging systems use translational movements to scan samples, then imaging coverage is improved, but device portability and space requirements deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static scanning approach into a dynamic rotational system. The wafer rotates to bring different sample regions into the camera's field of view, replacing translational scanning with rotational motion. This dynamic approach maintains imaging coverage while enabling compact, portable device design with limited space.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces rotational movement (angular dimension) to replace linear translational movement. By rotating the wafer around the optical axis, the system accesses different sample areas without requiring large linear travel distances, thus achieving comprehensive imaging coverage in a compact footprint suitable for portable devices.
2Measurement precision
If conventional systems use expensive optics for accurate imaging, then measurement precision is improved, but cost and device complexity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical optical scanning systems with a simpler rotational wafer mechanism. Instead of moving expensive optics to scan the sample, the sample carrier (wafer) itself rotates, bringing different regions under a fixed, simple camera. This substitution dramatically reduces optical system complexity and cost while maintaining imaging accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a digital copy approach where a camera captures images of the sample on the rotating wafer. Multiple images taken at different rotational positions are then computationally assembled into a complete sample map. This digital imaging and processing approach replaces the need for complex continuous optical scanning systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual analysis is used for sample examination, then operational flexibility is maintained, but productivity and analysis time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated imaging system where the rotating wafer mechanism automatically positions and captures images of different sample regions without manual intervention. The system self-manages the scanning process, bringing various sample areas into view and capturing data continuously, thereby dramatically improving productivity and analysis throughput while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control.
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 wafer design facilitates cost-effective, accurate, and portable biological imaging by utilizing capillary action for sample loading and rotational scanning, addressing the limitations of conventional systems in terms of cost, accuracy, and portability.
Implementation Method 1
the gap is sized to pull a biological sample into the gap by capillary action
Data Source
AI summary
A wafer for carrying a biological sample, the wafer comprising: a pair of circular discs, wherein at least one of the discs is transparent; and a gap between the discs adapted to receive a biological sample. The compact circular shape of the wafer makes it particularly suited for use in a portable device in which the wafer is rotated to enable a camera to image different areas of the sample between the discs. The gap may be sized to pull a biological sample into the gap by capillary action.