Shaped Core Optical Fiber Uniform Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In imaging cytometry, the use of Gaussian laser beams leads to non-uniform illumination, reducing fluorophore dynamic range and increasing photobleaching, which compromises measurement accuracy and requires costly and cumbersome solutions.
Innovation Solution
The use of a light conduit with a shaped core, such as an optical fiber with a non-circular cross-section, to deliver excitation energy and match the illuminated area to the region of interest, providing efficient and uniform illumination at the biological sample plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a Gaussian laser beam is used to illuminate the biological sample, then the illumination is simple and direct, but the illumination intensity is non-uniform, reducing fluorophore dynamic range and increasing photobleaching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light conduit (optical fiber) as an intermediary between the laser source and the biological sample. This mediator transforms the Gaussian beam profile into a uniform illumination pattern, resolving the contradiction by adding a component that modifies the light distribution without requiring complex illumination optics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of light transmission by using an optical fiber with specific numerical aperture and core diameter characteristics. This parameter transformation converts the high-intensity Gaussian distribution into a uniform intensity distribution across the sample field, improving measurement precision while keeping the system relatively simple.
2Illumination intensity
If the center area of the Gaussian beam is used to achieve uniform illumination, then illumination uniformity is improved, but a significant amount of light is wasted, reducing illumination efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber's numerical aperture and core diameter parameters are specifically selected to capture and transmit the central portion of the Gaussian beam while transforming it into uniform illumination. This parameter optimization ensures that sufficient light is utilized without the excessive wastage that would occur with simple aperture masking.
Solution Approach 2:
The light conduit acts as an intermediary that efficiently couples the laser light into a uniform distribution pattern, maximizing the use of available light energy while achieving the desired uniformity. The fiber optic medium transforms the energy distribution without significant loss.
3Illumination intensity
If longer exposure time is used to compensate for under-illuminated areas, then fluorescence signal is improved, but data processing speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the illumination intensity distribution parameter from Gaussian to uniform, the patent ensures that all areas of the sample receive adequate light simultaneously. This eliminates the need for extended exposure times to compensate for under-illuminated regions, thereby maintaining high data processing speed while improving fluorescence signal quality.
4Power
If higher power lasers are used to provide sufficient total light power for large field of view, then illumination power is increased, but photobleaching is worsened in high intensity areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial distribution parameter of light intensity from concentrated Gaussian to uniform distribution. This allows the total light power to be spread evenly across the sample field, providing sufficient illumination for large fields of view while preventing localized photobleaching that would occur with high-power Gaussian beams.
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 enhances measurement accuracy by ensuring uniform illumination, reducing light wastage, and allowing for the use of lower power lasers, thereby improving fluorophore brightness and reducing photobleaching while maintaining high illumination efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light conduit with a shaped core... an optical fiber... deliver excitation energy
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices are provided for use with a biological sample, wherein in one example, the device comprising a sample holder and an excitation source for providing excitation energy into the light conduit towards the sample holder. In one embodiment, the device comprises an imaging cytometer. Optionally, the device comprises a flow cytometer. Optionally, a light conduit comprises an optical fiber. Optionally, the optical fiber has an outer cross-sectional shape different from an inner optical core cross-sectional shape.