Strip-like Light Shield for Biological Sample Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging technologies face challenges in obtaining high image contrast for thin biological samples, such as cells cultured on the inner bottom surface of containers, due to insufficient light transmission and brightness issues, especially when using dark field imaging techniques.
Innovation Solution
An imaging apparatus and method that incorporates a strip-like light shield between the light source and the sample container, allowing partial shielding of illumination light to combine transmitted and scattered light components, enhancing image contrast and brightness by adjusting the illumination conditions to optimize the ratio of these light components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dark field imaging technology is used to improve image contrast for thin biological samples, then image contrast is improved, but image brightness becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The light shield is positioned locally between the light source and sample to block only specific light paths while allowing other light to pass through. This creates a localized modification of the illumination field that enhances contrast without completely eliminating transmitted light, thus maintaining brightness while improving contrast for thin samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the illumination parameters by introducing a light shield that modifies the angular distribution and intensity of light reaching the sample. This parameter adjustment allows optimization of both contrast and brightness by controlling which light paths are blocked and which are permitted to reach the detector.
2Illumination intensity
If illumination light quantity is increased to improve image brightness, then image brightness is improved, but image contrast decreases for thin samples
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than uniformly increasing or decreasing illumination, the light shield creates a non-uniform illumination pattern where specific regions are blocked. This local modification allows the overall light quantity to remain high for brightness while specific angular paths are blocked to enhance contrast through scattering effects.
3Measurement precision
If a light shield is introduced to improve image contrast, then image contrast is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light shield appears to be a simple, potentially disposable or easily replaceable component that can be inserted into the illumination path. This simple structure minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired contrast improvement, treating the light shield as a basic optical element rather than a complex mechanism.
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 solution achieves improved image quality with both high contrast and brightness for thin biological samples by integrating a strip-like light shield and adjusting illumination angles, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional imaging methods.
Implementation Method 1
a strip-like light shield which extends in a direction parallel to the first direction between the light emitting part and the carrying surface and shields a part of light emitted from the light emitting part toward the strip-like region
Implementation Method 2
The transmitted light components are bright but have a low image contrast due to transmitted light transmitted from the light emitting part and received through the imaging object. The scattered light components are incident on the light receiving part by the illumination light from such a direction as not to be directly incident on the light receiving part being scattered in the imaging object
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus for imaging a two-dimensional image of an imaging object comprises a holder which holds a sample container carrying a biological sample as the imaging object on a carrying surface, a light emitting part which emits light toward the carrying surface, an imager which includes a strip-like light receiving part, receives the light incident on the light receiving part and thereby images an image of a strip-like region of the carrying surface, a strip-like light shield which shields a part of light emitted from the illuminator toward the strip-like region, and a mover which integrally and relatively moves the light emitting part, the light receiving part and the light shield with respect to the sample container.