Virtual Objective Microscopy for Flexible Magnification Without Lens Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscope devices require interchangeable objectives for different magnifications, which impose mechanical restrictions and are cumbersome for automated processes, affecting performance and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A microscope device with a 'virtual objective mode' that allows flexible operation using a single physical objective, achieving different magnifications through controlled sample movement and illumination patterns, enabling demagnification or super-magnification modes without sacrificing image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable objectives are used for different magnifications, then magnification flexibility is improved, but device complexity and mechanical restrictions increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single physical objective is designed to perform multiple magnification functions by combining it with a spatial light modulator that can dynamically generate different illumination patterns (single spot, multiple spots, annular patterns). This allows one objective to replace what would traditionally require multiple interchangeable objectives, achieving variable magnification without mechanical objective changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical system of interchangeable objectives is replaced with an optical control system using a spatial light modulator. Instead of physically changing objectives to alter magnification, the invention uses programmable light patterning to achieve different magnification effects, substituting mechanical complexity with optical/electronic control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable objectives are used for different magnifications, then magnification flexibility is improved, but operation convenience deteriorates due to cumbersome automated processes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical objective interchange system with a software-controlled spatial light modulator system. This eliminates the need for automated mechanical objective changing mechanisms and their associated complexity, making automated processes simpler and more reliable while maintaining magnification flexibility through digital control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static, discrete magnification settings (fixed objectives) to dynamic, continuously adjustable magnification controlled by the spatial light modulator. This allows real-time switching between magnification modes without mechanical intervention, improving operational convenience for automated processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable objectives are used for different magnifications, then magnification flexibility is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming objective changes
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing the mechanical objective interchange system with a spatial light modulator-based optical system, the invention eliminates the time required for physical objective changes. Magnification switching is achieved instantaneously through electronic control of light patterns, significantly improving protocol execution speed and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spatial light modulator enables continuous, uninterrupted operation by allowing instantaneous switching between magnification modes without the stops and delays inherent in mechanical objective changes. This maintains continuous imaging or measurement processes, improving overall productivity and protocol execution efficiency.
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 convenient and efficient image acquisition with variable magnification, reducing mechanical complexity and accelerating protocol execution by eliminating the need for objective changes, while maintaining or improving image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a light source (20), in particular a laser, for providing illumination light
Implementation Method 2
a condenser lens (28) for generating an infinity space and for collimating the illumination light beam (32)
Implementation Method 3
a camera detector (40), in particular a rolling shutter camera, for detecting light emitted from the illuminated portions of the sample (16)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention is directed to a microscope arrangement comprising a microscope objective, a sample stage (12) for holding a sample (16), a light source (20) and an illumination pattern generator (22) for illuminating the sample with an illumination pattern, wherein partial images are deconvoluted according to the known motion of the sample and the illumination pattern prior to being combined to obtain a total image of the illuminated sample surface.