WO2016138063A1 - Ensemble microscope - Google Patents

Ensemble microscope Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016138063A1
WO2016138063A1 PCT/US2016/019227 US2016019227W WO2016138063A1 WO 2016138063 A1 WO2016138063 A1 WO 2016138063A1 US 2016019227 W US2016019227 W US 2016019227W WO 2016138063 A1 WO2016138063 A1 WO 2016138063A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
objective lens
image sensor
sample
assembly
actuator
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2016/019227
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Kenneth Edward Salsman
Original Assignee
Nanoscopia (Cayman), Inc.
Nanoscopia, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nanoscopia (Cayman), Inc., Nanoscopia, Inc. filed Critical Nanoscopia (Cayman), Inc.
Publication of WO2016138063A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016138063A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B21/00—Microscopes
    • G02B21/36—Microscopes arranged for photographic purposes or projection purposes or digital imaging or video purposes including associated control and data processing arrangements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B21/00—Microscopes
    • G02B21/0004—Microscopes specially adapted for specific applications
    • G02B21/0008—Microscopes having a simple construction, e.g. portable microscopes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B21/00—Microscopes
    • G02B21/24—Base structure
    • G02B21/241—Devices for focusing

Definitions

  • microscope systems utilize an objective lens and an eyepiece or secondary lens to generate magnification in order to visualize objects that are too small for the naked eye.
  • the total magnification factor of a conventional microscope is the magnification power of the objective (4X, 10X, 40x) multiplied by the power of the eyepiece, usually 10X.
  • the present disclosure provides various embodiments of a microscope assembly.
  • the microscope assembly comprises a sample platform and an objective lens which has an optical axis and disposed to receive light from a sample on the platform.
  • the microscope assembly can comprise a sensor disposed to receive light from the objective lens.
  • the microscope assembly can further comprise an objective lens actuator adapted to change a position of the objective lens and an image sensor actuator adapted to change a length of an optical path from the objective lens to the image sensor.
  • the assembly can further comprise a display operatively connected to the image sensor to display a magnified image of the sample.
  • the objective lens actuator can provide coarse focus adjustment of the sample, while the image sensor actuator can provide fine focus adjustment of the sample.
  • the image sensor actuator can comprise a motor, for example, a stepper motor or a ervo motor.
  • the image sensor actuator can move the image sensor toward and away from the objective lens.
  • the objective actuator can comprise a motor, for example, a stepper motor or a servo motor.
  • the objective actuator can be configured to adjust the position of the objective lens.
  • the microscope assembly can further comprise a tubular sleeve.
  • the tubular sleeve can have curved slots with different slopes or pitches such that the image sensor and the objective lens are moved at different rates forward or backward as the tube is rotated.
  • FIG. 1A is a cross-section and a fixed magnification design of a digital microscope
  • FIG. IB is a cut-away side view of the fixed magnification design for the digital
  • FIG. 2A is a side view of a magnification adjustment tube of a variable magnification design for an optical arrangement for a digital microscope assembly.
  • FIG. 2B is a cut-away side view of the variable magnification microscope assembly in
  • FIG. 2A is a diagrammatic representation of FIG. 2A.
  • FIG. 3A is a cut-away side view of a microscope assembly, shown in a low magnification position.
  • FIG. 3B is a cut-away side view of the microscope assembly in FIG. 3B, shown in a high magnification position.
  • FIG. 4 is a cut-away side view of a digital microscope assembly, showing independent movement of the image sensor and the objective lens, to provide fine focus adjustment and coarse focus adjustment, respectively.
  • the present disclosure provides various embodiments of a microscope assembly comprising an off-axis light source.
  • the microscope assembly comprises a sample platform and an objective lens which has an optical axis and disposed to receive light from a sample on the platform.
  • the microscope assembly comprises an image sensor adapted to receive an image of the sample from the objective lens.
  • the assembly further comprises an objective lens actuator adapted to change a position of the objective lens and an image sensor actuator adapted to change a position of the image sensor, thus changing an optical path from the objective lens to the image sensor.
  • FIGS. 1A and IB show a fixed magnification design for an optical arrangement for a digital microscope assembly 100.
  • An image sensor 115 is mounted on an image sensor mount 1 15b, which is held in a housing 101 with guide slots.
  • An objective lens 1 12 is mounted on an objective lens mount 1 12b, which is held in the housing 101.
  • One or more spacer rods 103 are used to maintain a fixed distance between the image sensor and the objective lens.
  • the sample to be imaged which is located on a slide, cassette, or other component located to the right of the objective lens 1 12.
  • FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a variable magnification microscope assembly 200.
  • the microscope assembly 200 can comprise a sample platform 220 and an objective lens 212 which has an optical axis 21 1 and disposed to receive light from a sample 220a on the platform 220.
  • the microscope assembly 200 comprises an image sensor 215 adapted to receive an image of the sample 220a from the objective lens 212.
  • the image sensor 215, the objective lens 212, and the sample platform 220 are physically connected in a manner that allows the distances between each of these three elements to remain at the proper ratio to maintain focus.
  • slots 228 and slots 226 have different pitches.
  • Rotation of sleeve 230 moves sensor 215 and objective lens 212 different distances from each other and from the sample 220a due to the relative pitches of slots 228 and 226.
  • the image plane will move from closer to the objective lens (and therefore resulting in a lower magnification) to further from the objective lens (a higher magnification).
  • Channels may be formed on the inside surface of housing 210 to receive the portions of flanges 215a and 212a that pass through slots 228 and 226.
  • the microscope assembly 200 can further comprise a magnification adjustment tube.
  • the magnification adjustment tube comprises a tubular sleeve 230.
  • the tubular sleeve 230 has curved slots 226 and 228 formed in it, with the slots being formed at different slopes or pitches.
  • Image sensor 215 is disposed on an image sensor mount 215b.
  • Flanges 215a of the image sensor mount 215b engage curved slots 228.
  • objective lens 212 is disposed in an objective lens mount 212b having flanges 212a engaged with curved slots 226 in sleeve 230.
  • Image sensor 215 and the objective lens 212 are moved at different rates forward or backward as the tube 230 is rotated, with the tracks in the tube exerting the motive force on the protrusions of the mounts such that the force of the rotating slot against the protrusions forces the protrusions along the linear track (not shown) in the housing.
  • the angle of the slot in the tube is different for the image sensor mount 215b, which will move over a large distance, than for the objective lens mount 212b which will move a very small amount for the same amount of rotation of the tube.
  • the distance of the sample (which remains stationary at the end of the tube 230) to the objective lens 212 and the objective lens 212 to the image sensor 215, will provide the approximately correct positions for all three of these elements over a wide magnification range.
  • the microscope assembly can further keep the sample platform at near a focus position, where the sample can have a sharp and clear image through the objective lens, over the entire magnification range. Only minor adjustments are needed to establish the focus position within the achievable range.
  • the objective lens 312 and the image sensor 315 can be moved separately and independently as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. In this fashion, the objective lens 312 can be moved to a position providing a generally focused or near focus position relative to the sample platform 320 (referred to herein as coarse focus). Since the motion of the objective lens 312 is extremely slight to move through the focal plane (from defocused on one side of the sample 320a, through the focus regions of the sample 320a and to a defocused position on the opposite side of the sample 320a), it is only necessary to be close to the focus plane of interest. The image sensor 315 can then be moved over a much larger distance to bring the desired plane of focus within the sample depth of focus (referred to herein as fine focus).
  • the dual positioning feature of the microscope assembly 300 provides both coarse and fine focus adjustment for an easy adjustment of the magnification.
  • the image sensor 315 can be mounted on an image sensor mount 315b
  • the objective lens 312 can be mounted on an objective lens mount 312b
  • the microscope assembly 300 can further comprise a pair of position control shafts 315c and 312c.
  • Image sensor control shaft 315c can be used to position the image sensor mount 315b
  • objective lens control shaft 312c can be used to position the objective lens mount 312b.
  • Guide rails 303 can be located on opposite sides of the housing wall 301 to mate with flanges 315a and 312a on the image sensor mount 315b and the objective lens mount 312b, respectively, and allow the two mounts to move thereon.
  • FIG. 3 A shows the relative positions of the image sensor 315 and objective lens 312 to the sample 320a in a low magnification position
  • FIG. 3B shows the relative positions of the image sensor 315 and the objective lens 312 to the sample 320a in a high magnification position. Note that the image sensor 315 moves a significant amount between low magnification and high magnification, while the objective lens 312 moves only a slight amount.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a microscope assembly 400 comprising a coarse and fine focus adjustment. Focus adjustment described herein is the adjustment of a position of components in order to achieve a sharp and clear image of the sample or the object.
  • Focus position described herein is a position where a sharp and clear image of the sample is obtained.
  • the image sensor 415 can be moved to a position close to the objective lens 412.
  • a low magnification image of the sample 420a can be obtained after adjusting the position of the objective lens 412.
  • the low magnification image of the sample 420a can have a large viewing area.
  • the positions can be changed such that the image sensor 415 can be placed at a significant distance from the objective lens 412.
  • the position of the objective lens 412 can be adjusted to work with the image sensor 415 to produce a highly magnified image of the sample 420a, with a corresponding smaller field of view. This provides an optical zoom function, achieved by adjusting the relative positions of the optical elements.
  • the longer range of motion of the image sensor 415 to adjust the focus position to different layers within the sample 420a make the adjustment easier, in the similar manner as the fine focus adjustment in a conventional microscope.
  • the minimal motion needed of the objective lens 412 to adjust the focus position to different layers within the thickness of the sample makes the adjustment similar to the coarse focus adjustment in a conventional microscope.
  • the microscope assembly 400 can further comprise an objective lens actuator (not shown).
  • the objective actuator can comprise a motor such as a stepper motor or a servo motor.
  • the objective actuator can be configured to change a position of the objective lens 412.
  • the microscope assembly can further comprise an image sensor actuator (not shown).
  • the image sensor actuator can comprise a motor, for example, a stepper motor or a servo motor.
  • the image sensor actuator can be configured to change a position of the image sensor 415, thus changing an optical path from the image sensor to the objective lens. Therefore, a magnification of the image of the sample 420a can be changed.
  • the objective lens actuator can provide coarse focus adjustment of the sample, while the image sensor actuator can provide fine focus adjustment of the sample.
  • the image sensor actuator can move the image sensor toward and away from the objective lens.
  • teachings herein from the various embodiments can be combined in any possible manner to achieve improvements in digital microscopy. These teachings can be used to provide multiple magnification levels, provide coarse and fine focusing, provide multiple field of view levels, and so on.
  • a phrase referring to "at least one of a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members.
  • "at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Automatic Focus Adjustment (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne divers modes de réalisation d'un ensemble microscope. L'ensemble microscope comprend une plate-forme d'échantillon et une lentille de focalisation qui a un axe optique et qui est disposée de façon à recevoir de la lumière provenant d'un échantillon sur la plate-forme. L'ensemble microscope peut comprendre un capteur disposé de façon à recevoir de la lumière provenant de la lentille de focalisation. L'ensemble microscope peut en outre comprendre un actionneur de lentille de focalisation apte à changer une position de la lentille de focalisation et un actionneur de capteur d'image apte à changer une longueur d'un chemin optique entre la lentille de focalisation et le capteur d'image. L'ensemble peut en outre comprendre un dispositif d'affichage relié de manière fonctionnelle au capteur d'image pour afficher une image agrandie de l'échantillon. Dans certains modes de réalisation, l'actionneur de lentille de focalisation peut fournir un réglage grossier de mise au point de l'échantillon, tandis que l'actionneur de capteur d'image peut fournir un réglage fin de mise au point de l'échantillon.
PCT/US2016/019227 2015-02-24 2016-02-24 Ensemble microscope WO2016138063A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201562120354P 2015-02-24 2015-02-24
US62/120,354 2015-02-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2016138063A1 true WO2016138063A1 (fr) 2016-09-01

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ID=56789126

Family Applications (1)

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PCT/US2016/019227 WO2016138063A1 (fr) 2015-02-24 2016-02-24 Ensemble microscope

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WO (1) WO2016138063A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN115086563A (zh) * 2022-07-27 2022-09-20 南方科技大学 基于SerialEM的单颗粒数据收集方法和装置
US11467389B2 (en) 2018-04-18 2022-10-11 Gentex Corporation Confined field of view illumination

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6452625B1 (en) * 1996-09-03 2002-09-17 Leica Microsystems Wetzlar Gmbh Compact video microscope
US6594075B1 (en) * 1999-11-29 2003-07-15 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Microscope with electronic image sensor
US8270071B2 (en) * 2008-10-22 2012-09-18 Microbrightfield, Inc. Movable objective lens assembly for an optical microscope and optical microscopes having such an assembly
US8584394B1 (en) * 2009-07-29 2013-11-19 Kruger Optical, Inc. Scope having focus roller

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6452625B1 (en) * 1996-09-03 2002-09-17 Leica Microsystems Wetzlar Gmbh Compact video microscope
US6594075B1 (en) * 1999-11-29 2003-07-15 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Microscope with electronic image sensor
US8270071B2 (en) * 2008-10-22 2012-09-18 Microbrightfield, Inc. Movable objective lens assembly for an optical microscope and optical microscopes having such an assembly
US8584394B1 (en) * 2009-07-29 2013-11-19 Kruger Optical, Inc. Scope having focus roller

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11467389B2 (en) 2018-04-18 2022-10-11 Gentex Corporation Confined field of view illumination
CN115086563A (zh) * 2022-07-27 2022-09-20 南方科技大学 基于SerialEM的单颗粒数据收集方法和装置
CN115086563B (zh) * 2022-07-27 2022-11-15 南方科技大学 基于SerialEM的单颗粒数据收集方法和装置

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