Movable Scan Mirror for High-Speed Biochemical Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging systems for biochemical applications, such as step-and-repeat and time-delay integration imagers, face limitations in throughput and accuracy for large-scale biochemical experiments, particularly in massively parallel whole genome sequencing, where higher spatial resolution, speed, and field of view are required.
Innovation Solution
A scanning imaging system that uses a positioning stage translated continuously with a synchronously repositioned scan mirror to capture detailed data, employing a 2D camera, objective lens, and scan mirror to maintain a still image on the camera sensor while the substrate moves, allowing for high-speed and high-resolution imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If step-and-repeat or TDI imaging systems are used, then imaging capability is provided, but throughput is insufficient for large-scale biochemical experiments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous scanning motion where the substrate moves continuously through the imaging system while the scan mirror continuously scans the imaging beam across the substrate surface. This eliminates the stop-and-go nature of step-and-repeat systems and the complex synchronized motion of TDI systems, maintaining continuous useful imaging action throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the scan mirror position and scanning speed to match the substrate movement speed, creating a dynamic equilibrium that allows continuous substrate motion while maintaining stable image capture. The scan mirror's angular position is continuously varied to track the moving substrate, enabling high-speed imaging without sacrificing accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If high magnification is used to resolve individual experiments, then spatial resolution is improved, but field of view becomes too small to cover large substrate areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static single-field imaging approach to a dynamic scanning approach that adds the dimension of time and motion. By scanning the imaging beam across the substrate in one dimension while the substrate moves in another dimension, the system effectively expands the field of view through continuous spatial sampling, capturing large substrate areas with high magnification without requiring a physically larger sensor array.
3Ease of operation
If continuous stage motion is used to maintain mechanical desirability, then ease of operation is improved, but image stability deteriorates on the camera sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The scan mirror serves as an intermediary element between the moving substrate and the stationary camera sensor. It mediates the motion by converting the linear substrate movement into angular beam deflection, effectively decoupling the substrate motion from the image plane. This allows the substrate to move continuously while the image remains stable on the sensor, as the scan mirror compensates for the motion in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control where the scan mirror positioning is adjusted based on the substrate movement to maintain image stability. The continuous monitoring and adjustment of the scan mirror angle ensures that the imaging beam remains properly positioned on the substrate features being observed, compensating for any variations in substrate speed or position.
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 approach enables the acquisition of 550 megapixels of image data per second with 50 nm alignment accuracy, significantly enhancing sequencing throughput to 100 human genome equivalents per day, overcoming the limitations of existing systems by preserving continuous stage motion and using a lightweight, servo-controlled scan mirror for precise image stabilization.
Implementation Method 1
The scan mirror is configured and operative to move in coordination with the positioning stage, while the positioning stage moves the substrate in the same specified direction, in order to reflect light from the objective lens component to the camera
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging system is provided wherein a positioning stage is translated with respect to an objective lens component and a scan mirror is repositioned while a two-dimensional image is made of a biochemical site on a substrate. In an example embodiment, an imaging system comprises a camera, an objective lens component, a positioning stage, and a scan mirror controllable by a servo system that synchronizes movement of the positioning stage and the tilting of the scan mirror so that the substrate image is maintained stable during imaging of the continuously moving positioning stage.