Small-Diameter Objective Optical System for In Vivo Observation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microscopes are invasive and unsuitable for long-term in vivo observation of small laboratory animals due to their large objective lens diameter, causing significant damage and limiting the duration of observation.
Innovation Solution
A small-diameter objective optical system comprising a first lens group with positive refractive power, a second lens group with positive refractive power, and a third lens group with negative refractive power, designed to minimize invasiveness by suppressing spherical and chromatic aberrations, allowing for extended observation of internal organs with minimal tissue disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a large-diameter objective lens is used for in vivo observation of internal organs, then observation capability is improved, but tissue damage increases and observation duration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The objective optical system is divided into multiple lens groups (first lens group with positive refractive power, second lens group with positive refractive power, and third lens group with negative refractive power). This segmentation allows each group to contribute differently to the overall optical performance, enabling the system to achieve high observation capability while maintaining a small overall diameter that minimizes tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs specific refractive power parameters for each lens group (positive for first and second groups, negative for third group) and controls the focal length relationships to achieve optimal performance. By carefully selecting and adjusting these optical parameters, the system achieves high measurement precision with a compact form factor suitable for minimally invasive in vivo observation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a small-diameter objective lens is used to reduce invasiveness, then tissue damage is reduced, but aberration correction becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system uses a composite structure with different lens groups having different refractive power characteristics (positive and negative). The third lens group with negative refractive power specifically corrects aberrations introduced by the first and second lens groups. This composite approach allows the system to maintain small diameter for minimal invasiveness while achieving excellent aberration correction through the synergistic combination of different optical elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The third lens group with negative refractive power acts as an intermediary element that corrects aberrations produced by the first and second lens groups. This intermediary group compensates for optical imperfections without requiring the individual lens elements to be perfectly manufactured, thereby achieving good aberration correction in a compact system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a small-diameter objective lens is used for deep brain observation, then invasiveness is reduced, but the size of incision or hole required remains large
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the optical system into multiple functional lens groups, the patent achieves a compact overall diameter that allows the entire objective lens to be inserted through small openings in the skull. This segmentation enables deep brain observation through minimally invasive access points, eliminating the need for large craniotomies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the refractive power parameters and focal length relationships of the lens groups to achieve high observation capability in a compact form factor. The specific parameter choices (positive-positive-negative refractive power sequence, focal length ratios) enable the system to maintain small diameter while providing sufficient optical performance for deep tissue observation through small openings.
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 prolonged, minimally invasive in vivo observation of biological tissues and organs in small laboratory animals, such as the brain, heart, and liver, by maintaining a small lens diameter and correcting aberrations, thus reducing tissue damage and allowing for time-lapse studies.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens group with positive refractive power, including at least one plano-convex lens whose convex surface faces an image plane
Implementation Method 2
a second lens group with positive refractive power, including at least one concave lens
Implementation Method 3
a third lens group including a cemented lens of which a cemented surface has negative refractive power
Implementation Method 4
The third lens group corrects aberrations such as spherical aberration and coma, as well as chromatic aberration, produced in the first and second lens groups
Data Source
AI summary
Reducing the outer diameter and effectively correcting various aberrations realizes a small-diameter objective optical system suitable for in vivo observation with a high numerical aperture. The invention provides a small-diameter objective optical system comprising, in order from an object plane a first lens group with positive refractive power, including at least one plano-convex lens whose convex surface faces an image plane; a second lens group with positive refractive power, including at least one concave lens; and a third lens group including a cemented lens of which a cemented surface has negative refractive power. The focal length of the third lens group is larger than the focal length of the first lens group.