Two-Photon Synthetic Aperture Imaging via Diffraction Limit Holes
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional two-photon microscopes face data flux limitations and transverse resolution issues when enlarging the depth-of-field range using small aperture excitation, leading to compromised imaging quality and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A two-photon synthetic aperture imaging method and apparatus utilizing diffraction limit holes to collect three-dimensional sample projection information from multiple angles, employing a predetermined diffraction limit hole size determined by the magnification factor, wavelength, and numerical aperture to enhance spatial resolution and imaging speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If small aperture excitation is used to enlarge depth-of-field range, then imaging speed is improved, but transverse resolution is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging process is segmented into multiple projection views captured from different angles. Each view is acquired using small aperture excitation for high speed, then synthesized through computational algorithms to achieve both speed and resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from single-view transverse imaging to multi-view three-dimensional imaging. By capturing projections from multiple angular dimensions and synthesizing them computationally, the system achieves high transverse resolution while maintaining fast imaging speed through small aperture excitation.
2Productivity
If small aperture excitation is used to enlarge depth-of-field range, then imaging speed is improved, but imaging quality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A computational synthesis algorithm acts as an intermediary between the small aperture projections and the final image. This intermediary process reconstructs high-quality three-dimensional sample information from multiple low-resolution projections, thereby improving imaging quality while preserving the speed benefits of small aperture excitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system moves from two-dimensional single-view imaging to three-dimensional multi-view imaging. By adding the temporal and angular dimensions through multi-view capture and computational synthesis, the system achieves both high speed and high quality imaging.
3Productivity
If conventional two-photon microscope is used, then imaging is achieved, but data flux limitation restricts imaging speed
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging task is segmented into multiple independent projection captures from different angles. Each projection is acquired independently using small aperture excitation, which reduces data flux requirements per frame and enables faster imaging compared to conventional single-view approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical limitation of conventional microscopes with a computational approach. Instead of relying on large aperture optics to achieve both speed and resolution, the system uses computational synthesis of multiple small aperture projections to overcome data flux limitations.
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 method and apparatus improve the transverse resolution and imaging speed of two-photon microscopes by employing diffraction limit holes, enabling rapid and efficient high-quality three-dimensional imaging.
Implementation Method 1
a size of the predetermined diffraction limit hole is: d=1.22×λ/NAsub×M, where M is a magnification factor between an imaging plane and a position of the diffraction limit hole, λ is a wavelength of the excitation light beam, and NAsub is a numerical aperture (NA) of a small aperture excitation
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to the technical field of microscopy, and particularly, to a two-photon synthetic aperture imaging method and apparatus based on a diffraction limit hole. The method includes: collecting, based on a two-photon synthetic aperture microscope, three-dimensional sample projection information from different view angles by using a small-aperture excitation light beam constrained through a predetermined diffraction limit hole; obtaining, based on a predetermined three-dimensional reconstruction algorithm, three-dimensional sample information in accordance with the three-dimensional sample projection information; and generating, based on the three-dimensional sample information, a two-photon synthetic aperture imaging result. According to the embodiments of the present application, the projection information from different view angles can be obtained by using the diffraction limit hole, to obtain a three-dimensional imaging result of the two-photon synthetic aperture microscope, thereby expanding high-frequency component of excitation light and improving a body imaging speed of the two-photon synthetic aperture microscope and space resolution of the imaging result. Thus, the rapid and efficient high-quality sample imaging can be achieved, and the method and apparatus are more practical and reliable.