Sample Carrier Refractive Index Matching for Microscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sample carriers for biological samples often suffer from imaging aberrations due to refractive index mismatches between the window material and the optical medium, especially when imaging at oblique angles, which limits the use of high numerical aperture objectives and spatial resolution.
Innovation Solution
A sample carrier with an optical medium and a window portion made of optically transparent materials with refractive indices that deviate by no more than 2.5%, allowing for reduced aberrations and enabling imaging at oblique angles with high spatial resolution using inverted microscopes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sample carriers with glass or plastic window portions are used, then the sample can be contained and imaged, but imaging aberrations occur due to refractive index mismatches between the window material and optical medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the refractive index parameter of the window portion material to match the optical medium. By selecting a material with a refractive index within 2.5% of the optical medium (e.g., water-based media with n≈1.33), the patent eliminates refraction at the interface, thereby removing imaging aberrations and improving spatial resolution without requiring complex optical corrections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optical homogeneity by making the refractive index of the window portion substantially equal to that of the optical medium. This eliminates the optical discontinuity between materials, allowing light to pass through the window without refraction or reflection, thus achieving uniform optical properties across the entire imaging path.
2Measurement precision
If high numerical aperture objectives are used for high spatial resolution imaging, then imaging quality improves, but the use of conventional sample carriers with flat bottoms creates steric problems and reflections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a curved (spherical or meniscus) window portion instead of a flat bottom. This curvature allows high numerical aperture objectives to be positioned closer to the sample without steric interference, enabling the use of objectives with NA>1.0 while maintaining adequate working distance and avoiding reflections from flat surfaces.
3Measurement precision
If samples are imaged from below through the bottom window, then high numerical aperture objectives can be used, but upright imaging from above is precluded due to steric problems and reflections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a sample carrier with a curved window portion that enables both inverted imaging from below and upright imaging from above. The curved geometry optimizes inverted imaging by allowing high NA objectives to approach the sample closely, while also permitting upright imaging configurations, thus making the system versatile for different microscopy setups and experimental requirements.
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 configuration allows for high-speed, high-throughput, three-dimensional imaging of biological samples with high spatial resolution, overcoming previous limitations in refractive index mismatches and enabling the use of high numerical aperture objectives.
Implementation Method 1
A sample carrier for receiving a sample comprises an optical medium in which the sample is received, the optical medium having a first refractive index. A window portion defining two parallel surfaces comprises an optically transparent material having a second refractive index, and is arranged at a bottom side of the sample carrier. The first and second refractive indices do not deviate by more than 2.5%.
Data Source
AI summary
A sample carrier for receiving a sample includes an optical medium in which the sample is received, the optical medium having a first refractive index. A window portion defining two parallel surfaces includes an optically transparent material having a second refractive index, and is arranged at a bottom side of the sample carrier. The first and second refractive indices do not deviate by more than 2.5%.