Single-Lens Optical Head Using Mirror and Beam Splitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing small form factor optical heads for fluorometers use inefficient optical geometries with separate pathways for excitation and emission beams, requiring tedious alignment operations and complex arrangements of lenses and mirrors, increasing bulk and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A compact optical head design featuring a single lens pathway using a mirror and beam splitter to direct excitation and emission light through the same optical path, with a customizable lens block assembly for precise alignment and simplified component integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If separate pathways for excitation and emission beams are used, then the optical head can be compact in form factor, but the optical geometry becomes inefficient requiring tedious alignment operations and complex arrangements of lenses and mirrors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the excitation and emission optical pathways into a single shared pathway. The excitation beam and emission beam both travel through the same objective lens and optical path, eliminating the need for separate lens assemblies and reducing the number of optical components. This merging approach maintains compact size while simplifying the optical geometry and reducing alignment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single objective lens serves dual functions: focusing the excitation beam onto the sample and collecting the emitted fluorescence. This multi-functional use of a single optical component reduces the total number of lenses and mirrors needed, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining a compact form factor.
2Volume of moving object
If separate pathways for excitation and emission beams are used, then the optical head can be compact in form factor, but tedious alignment operations are required during assembly and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the excitation and emission pathways into a single optical path shared by both beams, the patent eliminates the need for separate alignment procedures for multiple lenses and mirrors. The single objective lens requires only one alignment operation, significantly simplifying assembly and maintenance while maintaining compact dimensions.
3Volume of moving object
If separate pathways for excitation and emission beams are used, then the optical head can be compact in form factor, but complex arrangements of lenses and mirrors add bulk and complexity to the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the excitation and emission optical paths so that both beams share the same objective lens and optical components. This eliminates the need for duplicate lenses and mirrors that would otherwise be required for separate pathways, reducing the quantity of optical components while maintaining a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The single objective lens performs multiple functions: focusing excitation light onto the sample and collecting emitted fluorescence. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of optical components needed in the system, thereby reducing bulk and complexity while maintaining compact size.
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 design reduces complexity and size, enables quick component swaps, and ensures precise alignment, minimizing optical interference and manufacturing costs while allowing for versatile applications across different wavelengths and analysis needs.
Implementation Method 1
a mirror positioned in the housing to reflect the excitation light to the lens and to receive emission light back through the lens
Implementation Method 2
a beamsplitter positioned in the housing to direct the excitation light to the lens and to direct the emission light to a detector
Implementation Method 3
The lens is configured to focus the excitation light which is generated by an LED or laser
Data Source
AI summary
A small form factor optical head defines a single light pathway. The optical head includes a housing, a lens positioned on or in the housing, and a light source positioned in the housing to emit an excitation light. A mirror is positioned in the housing to reflect the excitation light to the lens and to receive emission light back through the lens, and a beamsplitter positioned in the housing directs the excitation light to the lens and directs the emission light to a detector that receives emission light after passing back through the lens and the beam splitter. The lens, the mirror, and the beam splitter define a single light pathway for the excitation light and emission light. A method for optical analysis is also disclosed.