Telecentric Image Acquisition for Ring-Slit-Free Phase Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing phase contrast microscopes require a ring slit and phase plate for accurate superposition of phase and fluorescence observations, limiting lens options and complicating the optical system.
Innovation Solution
An image acquisition apparatus using a first and second light irradiation unit with a telecentric optical system and optical path length adjustment, enabling phase and fluorescence imaging without a ring slit or phase plate, by capturing defocused and in-focus images separately and combining them for evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a ring slit and phase plate are arranged in the phase contrast microscope, then accurate superposition of phase and fluorescence images can be realized, but the device complexity increases and lens selection is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the ring slit and phase plate from the optical system, extracting these components that caused complexity while maintaining image superposition accuracy through an alternative approach using a telecentric lens and specific illumination geometry
Solution Approach 2:
The telecentric lens serves multiple functions: it provides phase contrast imaging capability, ensures accurate image superposition, and allows use with various objective lenses without requiring specialized phase contrast lenses, thus increasing system universality
2Adaptability or versatility
If a ring slit and phase plate are arranged in the phase contrast microscope, then phase difference observation can be realized, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the ring slit and phase plate components, eliminating the need for complex phase contrast optics while maintaining phase difference observation capability through telecentric illumination and imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical/optical phase contrast system (ring slit and phase plate) is replaced with a telecentric illumination and imaging system that achieves the same phase difference visualization through different optical principles
3Measurement precision
If phase contrast observation and fluorescence observation are performed with the same objective lens, then image superposition accuracy is improved, but restrictions on lens selection occur
Solution Approach 1:
The telecentric lens configuration enables the system to work with various objective lenses for both phase contrast and fluorescence imaging, increasing lens selection freedom while maintaining accurate image superposition through the telecentric optical path
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 accurate characterization of transparent phase objects like cells by simplifying the optical system and allowing simultaneous phase and fluorescence imaging without size changes, improving evaluation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
phase-contrast microscopy is widely used to execute a characteristic evaluation of the cell
Implementation Method 2
an imaging lens comprising a telecentric optical system
Implementation Method 3
a second light irradiation unit configured to irradiate the subject with a second light at an incident angle different from that of the first light irradiation unit
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus acquiring an image of a subject of a phase object includes: a first light irradiation unit irradiating the subject with a parallel light as a first light; a second light irradiation unit irradiating the subject with a second light at an incidence angle different from that of the first light irradiation unit; an imaging lens having a telecentric optical system; and an imaging unit which images the subject irradiated with at least one of the first light and the second light through the imaging lens, wherein the optical axis of the imaging lens is parallel to an optical path of the first light irradiation unit, the imaging unit is arranged on the optical axis opposite to the first light irradiation unit to the subject, and an optical path length adjusting unit controlling the distance between the telecentric optical system and the subject on the optical axis is arranged.