Spatial Filter Pattern for Multispectral Fluorescence Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multispectral fluorescence imaging systems require two light sources, leading to equipment intensity, cost, and inhomogeneous illumination issues, limiting the ability to capture multiple fluorescence signals simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
An illumination filter system with a spatial filter pattern that adjusts the filtering fraction of each illumination path, allowing for individual adjustment of white light and fluorescence excitation band intensities, enabling simultaneous capture of multiple fluorescence signals and homogeneous illumination using a single light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two light sources are used for multispectral fluorescence imaging, then multiple fluorescence signals can be captured, but equipment complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple illumination paths into a single light source system. The filter assembly integrates multiple illumination paths (first illumination path for visible light, second illumination path for fluorescence excitation) that both originate from one light source, eliminating the need for separate light sources while maintaining the capability to capture multiple fluorescence signals simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The single light source is designed to serve multiple functions by providing both visible light illumination and fluorescence excitation through different illumination paths. The filter assembly enables this universal light source to selectively illuminate different spectral regions, allowing the system to perform both reflectance imaging and fluorescence imaging with one light source
2Adaptability or versatility
If two light sources are used for multispectral fluorescence imaging, then different illumination paths can be provided, but illumination inhomogeneity occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly applies different filtering characteristics to different spatial regions of the single light source output. The first filter portion filters the first illumination path while the second filter portion filters the second illumination path, creating locally optimized illumination quality for each path while maintaining overall system homogeneity through the single light source
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional illumination filters are used, then light filtering is provided, but individual adjustment of white light and fluorescence excitation intensities is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is designed with movable or switchable filter portions that allow dynamic adjustment of illumination characteristics. The first filter portion and second filter portion can be independently adjusted or switched, enabling real-time control over the intensity of white light and fluorescence excitation bands separately, providing operational flexibility without complicating the manufacturing
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 allows for precise adjustment of light intensities, improving image quality by enabling the capture of multiple fluorescence signals and visible light reflections simultaneously with homogeneous illumination, reducing equipment complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
The illumination filter (36) comprises a spatial filter pattern (43) on a substrate (41). The spatial filter pattern (43) masks a filtering fraction of a first illumination path (47) on the filter and masks a filtering fraction of a second illumination path (48) on the filter
Implementation Method 2
The spatial filter pattern (43) may be a band-stop filter pattern or a band-pass filter pattern. The band-stop filter pattern or the band-pass filter pattern may be a filter coating (42) applied as the spatial filter pattern (43) on the substrate (41), said coating (42) defining the filtering fraction of the first and the second illumination path (47, 48) on the substrate (41)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(A)~2(C)
Figure 3(A)~3(B)
AI summary
The invention relates to an illumination filter (36, 44) for an illumination filter system (2) for medical imaging, in particular multispectral fluorescence imaging, as performed e.g. in a microscope (1) or endoscope, in particular a multispectral fluorescence microscope. The present invention provides an illumination filter for medical imaging, in particular a multispectral fluorescence imaging, that is capable of capturing simultaneously more than one fluorescence signal, and allow a homogeneous illumination for obtaining different images from the object illuminated by comprising a spatial filter pattern (43) masking a defined filtering fraction of a first illumination path (47) on the filter and masking a defined filtering fraction of a second illumination path (48, 49, 50) on the filter, wherein the filtering fraction of the first and the second illumination paths (47, 48, 49, 50) are different. The invention further relates to an illumination filter system (2) for medical imaging, in particular multispectral fluorescence imaging, as performed e.g. in a microscope (1) or endoscope, in particular a multispectral fluorescence microscope, comprising such illumination filter (36, 44)