Single-Disk Microlens Microscope for High-NA Super-Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinning disk confocal microscopes face limitations in achieving high numerical aperture for both excitation and emission beams, leading to reduced field of view and resolution due to the need for additional relay optics and multiple disks, which compromise the effective magnification and NA of the excitation beam.
Innovation Solution
A single disk system with microoptical elements, such as microlenses, is used to generate and condense excitation and emission spots independently, utilizing a dichroic element and reflective elements to adjust path lengths, allowing for increased numerical aperture and resolution enhancement without compromising the field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional relay optics and multiple disks are used to achieve high NA for emission spots, then emission resolution is improved, but excitation NA and field of view are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (excitation spot generation, emission spot condensation, and spatial filtering) into a single integrated disk system. The microlens array on the disk simultaneously creates excitation spots and condenses emission spots, eliminating the need for separate relay optics and multiple disks, thereby maintaining both high NA and large field of view
Solution Approach 2:
The microlens array on the rotating disk performs multiple functions: it focuses excitation light into spots, collects emission light from the sample, and condenses emission spots with enhanced NA. This multi-functional design allows the system to achieve super-resolution without compromising field of view or requiring additional relay optics
2Measurement precision
If additional relay optics are introduced to fill the pupil of high NA objective, then emission NA is improved, but effective magnification is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of excitation focusing and emission condensation into a single microlens array on the rotating disk. This integrated approach eliminates the need for additional relay optics between the disk and microscope, maintaining effective magnification while achieving high emission NA through the condensed emission spots
3Ease of operation
If multiple disks are used for excitation and emission beam control, then beam path control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines excitation spot generation and emission spot condensation functions into a single rotating disk with a microlens array. The disk simultaneously controls both excitation and emission beams through its microlenses, eliminating the need for multiple separate disks and reducing system complexity while maintaining precise beam path control
Solution Approach 2:
The single rotating disk with microlens array performs multiple functions: it generates excitation spots, collects emission light, and condenses emission spots. This universal design simplifies the system architecture by replacing multiple specialized disks with one multi-functional component
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
The system achieves super-resolution imaging with enhanced NA for emission spots, maintaining a larger field of view and avoiding the limitations of multiple disk configurations by optimizing beam paths and using a single disk for both excitation and emission patterns.
Implementation Method 1
a first plurality of microoptical elements, having a first focal-length (f36) and being located at first radial distance (r2) from the centre of the disk-shaped body
Implementation Method 2
a dichroic beamsplitter positioned between the disk-shape body and an objective of the microscope
Implementation Method 3
a reflective element positioned between the disk-shape body and an objective of the microscope
Implementation Method 4
which can be concentrated into smaller ones with enhanced numerical aperture
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for enabling observation of a fluorescent sample with a microscope, the device comprising a disk-shape body rotatable around a central axis of the disk-shaped body, comprising microoptical elements or microlenses for spot-generation, and, optionally, microoptical elements or microlenses for condensing emission-spots and as such enabling super resolution imaging of the sample, and, also optionally, additional pinholes for spatial filtering of the emission light, but not affecting the excitation light.