Segmented LED Lighting for Microscope Contrast Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for analyzing particulate contamination, such as in the automotive industry, face challenges with mechanical rotation of polarizers leading to increased analysis time, reduced reproducibility, and image quality issues due to vibrations, as well as inadequate illumination techniques that cause measurement uncertainties.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device with segmented illumination that allows for rapid and vibration-free switching between contrasting techniques like bright-field, polarization, and fluorescence, using independently controlled light sources to ensure homogeneous illumination and maintain consistent shadow and brightness levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a motor-driven rotatable polarizer is used to switch between contrasting techniques, then polarization contrast can be achieved, but analysis time increases and mechanical wear occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereproducibility of contrasting technique switchingVSAvoidanalysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the motor-driven mechanical polarizer rotation system with an LED-based illumination system that uses different colored LEDs (red, green, blue) to achieve contrasting techniques. This eliminates mechanical moving parts, reducing analysis time and improving reliability by eliminating mechanical wear and vibration issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the illumination parameters by using LEDs with different dominant wavelengths (colors) to achieve different contrasting techniques. By varying the wavelength parameter of the light source, the system can switch between bright-field, dark-field, and fluorescence modes without mechanical movement, thus reducing analysis time while maintaining reproducibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a motor-driven polarizer rotation system is used, then contrasting techniques can be implemented, but vibrations occur reducing image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrasting technique implementationVSAvoidimage acquisition quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical polarizer rotation system with an LED illumination system that achieves contrasting techniques through wavelength selection rather than mechanical movement. This eliminates vibrations caused by motor-driven rotation, thereby improving image acquisition quality while maintaining the ability to implement multiple contrasting techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If concentric LED rings are used for illumination, then bright-field and polarization images can be generated, but illumination angles differ causing measurement uncertainties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage generation capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a single LED ring divided into segments that can be independently controlled. Each segment emits light at a specific wavelength corresponding to a particular contrasting technique. This localized control of illumination properties ensures consistent illumination angles for all contrasting techniques, eliminating measurement uncertainties while maintaining the ability to generate multiple image types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If mechanical rotation of polarizer is used, then metallic particles can be identified, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetallic particle detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical polarizer rotation system with a simpler LED-based illumination system. The metallic particle detection capability is maintained by using different LED wavelengths to achieve the necessary contrasting techniques, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving detection functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 efficient and accurate detection of metallic particles by allowing quick and reproducible switching between contrasting techniques, reducing analysis time and improving image quality, while maintaining consistent illumination and reducing operator fatigue.

Implementation Method 1

a lighting assembly with a total number of at least two light sources which, in the operating state, are capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation of at least one wavelength

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

at least one contrasting technique with illumination under fluorescence

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 3

a polarizing element which is adapted to polarize the light from the light sources of the one switched unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentUS11561382B2Lighting device for an imaging optical device, and detection method

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 SCHOTT AG

AI summary

A lighting device for an imaging optical device such as a microscope is provided. The lighting device illuminates an object to be analyzed in an imaging optical device for microscopic analysis in at least two different contrasting techniques. The lighting device has light sources for the illumination, where the light sources are associated with a contrasting technique are controllable independently from each other.