Scanning Microscope Unit Tilt Adjustment for Optical Axis Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional microscope connection unit experiences instability in the positional relationship between the mirror scanning excitation light and the optical axis of the lens, leading to decreased signal intensity and resolution when used with various microscopes.
Innovation Solution
A scanning microscope unit is designed with a light source, photodetector, scan mirror, scan lens, and a tilt adjustment mechanism that allows the angle of the housing to be changed, ensuring alignment of the optical axis of the scan lens with the microscope optical system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the microscope connection unit is used with various types of microscopes, then adaptability is improved, but the positional relationship between the mirror scanning excitation light and the optical axis of the lens becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tilt adjustment mechanism that allows the housing to be rotated relative to the attachment portion, enabling dynamic adjustment of the optical axis alignment. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt to different microscope types while maintaining stable optical alignment through user-adjustable positioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the positional relationship between the mirror scanning excitation light and the optical axis is unstable, then adaptability to various microscopes is improved, but signal intensity and resolution decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The tilt adjustment mechanism enables dynamic repositioning of the housing to optimize the optical path alignment for each microscope type, thereby maintaining high image resolution and signal intensity while preserving adaptability across different microscope systems.
3Device complexity
If the housing angle is fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to maintain proper optical alignment across different microscopes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a rotational degree of freedom between the housing and attachment portion, transforming a fixed structure into an adjustable one. This minimal increase in complexity enables precise optical alignment adjustment, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and alignment 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
This configuration maintains signal intensity and resolution by ensuring proper alignment of optical axes, regardless of the type of microscope attached, thereby enhancing imaging performance.
Implementation Method 1
a scan mirror configured to scan the irradiation light output from the light source on the sample and guide the observation light generated from the sample in response to the irradiation light to the photodetector
Implementation Method 2
a scan lens configured to guide the irradiation light scanned by the scan mirror to the microscope optical system and guide the observation light focused by the microscope optical system to the scan mirror
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments are for a confocal microscope unit 1 attached to a connection port PI of a microscope 50 including: light sources 10a to 10d which output irradiation light to a sample M to be observed; photodetectors 13a to 13d which detect observation light generated from a sample in response to the irradiation light; a scan mirror 4 which scans the irradiation light on the sample M and guides the observation light generated from the sample M to the photodetectors 13a to 13d; a scan lens 7 which guides the irradiation light scanned by the scan mirror 4 to the microscope optical system and guides the observation light focused by the microscope optical system to the scan mirror 4; a lens barrel 3 to which the scan lens 7 is fixed; an attachment portion 21 which attaches the lens barrel 3 to the connection port PI; and a movable portion 22 which supports the lens barrel 3 so that an angle of the lens barrel 3 with respect to the attachment portion 21 is changeable.