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WO2014159843A1 - Systèmes de microscope compacts et leurs éléments - Google Patents

Systèmes de microscope compacts et leurs éléments Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014159843A1
WO2014159843A1 PCT/US2014/025302 US2014025302W WO2014159843A1 WO 2014159843 A1 WO2014159843 A1 WO 2014159843A1 US 2014025302 W US2014025302 W US 2014025302W WO 2014159843 A1 WO2014159843 A1 WO 2014159843A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
microscope
compact
objective lens
lens
lens group
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2014/025302
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Minzi Y. RUAN
Xu Lin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Vigenetech Inc
Original Assignee
Vigenetech 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 Vigenetech Inc filed Critical Vigenetech Inc
Publication of WO2014159843A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014159843A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B21/00—Microscopes
    • G02B21/0004—Microscopes specially adapted for specific applications
    • G02B21/002—Scanning microscopes
    • G02B21/0024—Confocal scanning microscopes (CSOMs) or confocal "macroscopes"; Accessories which are not restricted to use with CSOMs, e.g. sample holders
    • G02B21/008—Details of detection or image processing, including general computer control

Definitions

  • the invention generally relates to optical designs and configurations for microscopes. More particularly, the invention relates to novel optical designs and configurations that significantly reduce the spatial dimensions of microscopes without sacrificing functionalities and performance.
  • a microscope is an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye.
  • Earliest optical microscopes consisted of two lenses and simply produced an enlarger image of the object under inspection.
  • a simple compound microscope for example, consists of an objective lens and an eye-piece lens.
  • the designs can incorporate a number of different components: multiple lenses, filters, polarizers, beam-splitters, sensors, illumination sources, etc.
  • UV light allows the imaging of microscopic features and samples that are invisible to the human eye.
  • Near IR light can also be used to visualize otherwise transparent objects.
  • fluorescence microscopy employs fluorescent emission from samples to highlight microscopic features. In modern biological research, for example, fluorescent probes have been developed to investigate various biological specimens.
  • fluorescence microscopy involves illuminating an object with a narrow set of wavelengths of excitation light, which interacts with fluorophores in the sample and causes them to emit fluorescence light that is imaged and recorded.
  • the images from an optical microscope can be captured by cameras.
  • a digital optical microscope uses objective lens to collect light and to project the optically enlarged image onto an image sensor, such as charge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide
  • CMOS complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor
  • the invention is based, in part, on the discovery of unique designs and configurations that substantially reduce the overall size of an optical microscope.
  • the invention enables miniaturized and portable designs of microscopes that minimize space requirements and allow miniaturization, portability and other special functionalities.
  • Embodiments of this invention are directed to an optical design of compact microscope systems that can be fit into a small space by strategically rearranging the objective lens set and by folding the optical path between objective lens and image sensor.
  • the invention generally relates to a compact microscope.
  • the compact microscope includes (1) an objective lens set comprising a first lens group of two or more lens proximal to the objective end of the objective lens set, (2) a light reflecting component, and (3) a second lens group of lens proximal to the viewing or imaging end of the objective lens set.
  • the light reflecting component is disposed between and in the optical path of the first lens group and the second lens group such that the angle between the incidental beam and the reflective beam is less than about 120°.
  • the invention generally relates to a compact objective lens unit suitable for use in an optical microscopic system.
  • the compact objective lens unit includes a first lens group of two or more lens proximal to the objective end of the objective lens set, a light reflecting component, and a second lens group of lens proximal to the viewing or imaging end of the objective lens set.
  • the light reflecting component is disposed between and in the optical path of the first lens group and the second lens group such that the angle between the incidental beam and the reflective beam is less than about 120°.
  • the invention generally relates to a compact microscope.
  • the compact microscope includes: an objective lens unit that includes a front lens group, a first lens group of two or more lens proximal to the objective end of the objective lens set, a first light reflecting component, and a second lens group of lens proximal to the viewing or imaging end of the objective lens set.
  • the first light reflecting component is disposed between and in the optical path of the first lens group and the second lens group such that the angle between the incidental beam and the reflective beam is less than about 90°.
  • the compact microscope further includes: a second light reflecting component or set; a projection lens set; and an image sensor or a viewing window.
  • the second light reflecting component or set folds the optical path such that the optical path directs the light beam to the imagine sensor or viewing window disposed adjacent the objective lens unit.
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a prior art optical microscope.
  • FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a microscope according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a microscope according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a microscope according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a microscope according to the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention
  • the invention provides miniaturized and portable microscope systems that minimize space requirements thereby allowing miniaturization, portability and other special functionalities.
  • FIG. 1 shows an example of a typical digital optical microscope 100.
  • the digital optical microscope 100 includes an objective lens set 120 proximal to an object (specimen) 110, a projection lens 142, and an image sensor 150 placed at the focal point of the projection lens 142 for recording image of the object.
  • a tube lens 141 is placed between the objective lens set 120 and the projection lens 142.
  • Optical filter or filters 145 may be use to alternate the characteristics of light projected to the image sensor or eyepiece.
  • the objective lens set 120 is commonly composed of a few lens, for example
  • hemispherical front lens 121 the first lens group 122, and the second group 123, with the first and second lens groups separated by a spatial distance in between.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration an exemplary microscope 200 according to the invention
  • the spatial dimension of the objective lens set can be greatly reduced by adding a reflective mirror or prism 225 between the first lens group 222 and the second lens group 223.
  • a tube lens 241 can be installed in the optical path.
  • a projection lens 242 can be added between the focal plane and the image sensor 250.
  • Optical filter or filters 245 may be use to alternate the characteristics of light projected to the image sensor or eyepiece.
  • a compact digital microscope can be designed to fit into a compact enclosure, e.g., a cubic or cylindrical enclosure. This can be achieved by adding one, two or three reflective mirrors or prisms into the optical path, as shown in a top view in FIG. 3, which schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • this invention uses a folding objective lens set as shown in FIG. 2. A light beam from the object is first collected by front lens group 321 and passes first lens group 322, reflected and redirected by a mirror or prism 325, then exits the objective lens unit through the second lens group 323.
  • one to three reflective mirrors or prisms 331, 332 and 333 are added to the optical path, which serve to redirect the light beam in order to reduce the overall dimensions of the microscope.
  • a tube lens 341 can be added to the optical path.
  • an image projection lens can be added between the focal plane and the image sensor 350.
  • Optical filter or filters 345 may be use to alternate the characteristics of light projected to the image sensor or eyepiece.
  • FIG. 4 depicts one cross-sectional view (AA of FIG. 3), which is similar to the configuration of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 5 depicts another cross-sectional view (BB of FIG. 3), which shows that the image sensor 350 is disposed adjacent to the objective lends set 320.
  • this exemplary embodiment allows a compact microscope with excellent performance.
  • the compact digital microscopes of the invention can be manually focused or automatically focused dependent on the application.
  • Compact digital microscopes introduced in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 can be mounted on a one axis, two axes or rotating stage. With automated, scanning or remote monitoring applications, the compact digital microscope can be mounted on a controlled platform, to monitor different areas of the object. The microscope can be controlled to move in one dimension, two dimensions or on a rotating platform.
  • the invention generally relates to a compact microscope.
  • the compact microscope includes (1) an objective lens set comprising a first lens group of two or more lens proximal to the objective end of the objective lens set, (2) a light reflecting component, and (3) a second lens group of lens proximal to the viewing or imaging end of the objective lens set.
  • the light reflecting component is disposed between and in the optical path of the first lens group and the second lens group such that the angle between the incidental beam and the reflective beam is less than about 120°.
  • the microscope is a digital microscope comprising an imaging sensor converting an image of the object into digital and/or video data.
  • the microscope is a conventional viewing microscope.
  • the angle between the incidental beam and the reflective beam is less than about 100° (e.g., about or less than about 95°, about or less than about 90°, about or less than about 85°, about or less than about 80°, about or less than about 75°, about or less than about 70°).
  • the objective lens set further includes a front lens group for collecting light from an object being imagined.
  • the digital microscope includes an imaging component comprising a charge-coupled device image sensor. In certain preferred embodiments, the digital microscope includes an imaging component comprising a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor image sensor.
  • the microscope is capable of magnification on the order of at least 10X (e.g., 10X - 100X, 100X - 1000X). In certain preferred embodiments, the microscope is capable of magnification on the order of at least 100X.
  • any suitable light reflective device may be used to re-direct light beam as contemplated herein.
  • the light reflecting component is a mirror.
  • the light reflecting component is a prism. In certain preferred embodiments,
  • the digital microscope further includes an observation unit comprising an ocular lens.
  • a mirror refers to an object that reflects light in a way that preserves much of its original quality subsequent to its contact with the mirror.
  • a mirror may be a substrate such as glass, plastic or metal, with a surface coated with a reflective material.
  • the invention generally relates to a compact objective lens unit suitable for use in an optical microscopic system.
  • the compact objective lens unit includes a first lens group of two or more lens proximal to the objective end of the objective lens set, a light reflecting component, and a second lens group of lens proximal to the viewing or imaging end of the objective lens set.
  • the light reflecting component is disposed between and in the optical path of the first lens group and the second lens group such that the angle between the incidental beam and the reflective beam is less than about 120° (e.g., less than about 1 10°, less than about 100°, less than about 90°, less than about 80°, less than about 70°).
  • the angle between the incidental beam and the reflective beam is less than about 90°.
  • the objective lens set further comprises a front lens group for collecting light from an object being imagined.
  • the compact objective lens unit has a dimension of less than about 200 mm X about 200 mm X about 100 mm (e.g., less than about 150 mm X about 150 mm X about 50 mm, less than about 120 mm X about 120 mm X about 40 mm, less than about 100 mm X about 100 mm X about 40 mm, less than about 80 mm X about 80 mm X about 30 mm, less than about 60 mm X about 60 mm X about 25 mm).
  • the compact objective lens unit has a dimension of less than about 200 mm X about 50 mm X about 50 mm (e.g., less than about 150 mm X about 50 mm X about 50 mm, less than about 120 mm X about 50 mm X about 40 mm, less than about 100 mm X about 50 mm X about 40 mm, 100 mm X about 50 mm X about 30 mm, 100 mm X about 50 mm X about 25 mm).
  • the compact objective lens unit has a circular outer boundary with a diameter less than about 200 mm (e.g., less than about 150 mm, less than about 100 mm, less than about 80 mm X, less than about 60 mm, less than about 50 mm, less than about 40 mm, less than about 30 mm, less than about 25 mm, less than about 20 mm).
  • the light reflecting component is a mirror. In certain preferred embodiments, the light reflecting component is a prism.
  • the light reflecting component is a mirror. In certain preferred embodiments, the light reflecting component is a prism.
  • the invention generally relates to a compact microscope.
  • the compact microscope includes: an objective lens unit that includes a front lens group, a first lens group of two or more lens proximal to the objective end of the objective lens set, a first light reflecting component, and a second lens group of lens proximal to the viewing or imaging end of the objective lens set.
  • the first light reflecting component is disposed between and in the optical path of the first lens group and the second lens group such that the angle between the incidental beam and the reflective beam is less than about 90° (e.g., less than about 85°, less than about 80°, less than about 75°, less than about 70°).
  • the compact microscope further includes: a second light reflecting component or set; a projection lens set (or an eye piece); and an image sensor or a viewing window.
  • the second light reflecting component or set folds the optical path such that the optical path directs the light beam to the imagine sensor or viewing window disposed adjacent the objective lens unit.
  • the invention generally relates to a compact microscope comprising an objective lens unit and an imagine sensor or viewing window disposed adjacent the objective lens unit.
  • the objective lens unit comprising a front lens group, a first lens group of two or more lens proximal to the objective end of the objective lens set, a first light reflecting component, a second lens group of lens proximal to the viewing or imaging end of the objective lens set, and one or more (e.g., two, three, four, five six, seven, eight or more) light reflecting components disposed along the optical path from the object to the imaging sensor or viewing window.
  • the compact microscope may assume any suitable outer shape, for example, having a substantially polygon-shaped outer boundary or having a substantially circular outer boundary.
  • the digital microscope includes an imaging component comprising a charge-coupled device image sensor. In certain preferred embodiments, the digital microscope comprising an imaging component comprising a complementary metal- oxide semiconductor image sensor. In certain preferred embodiments, the light reflecting component is a mirror. In certain preferred embodiments, the light reflecting component is a prism.
  • the compact microscope may further include a light source for illuminating an object and may further include a fiber optic bundle for transmitting and directing a light beam (e.g., a fluorescent excitation light beam) from the light source.
  • the compact microscope further includes a digital and/or video recording and processing unit.
  • the compact microscope further includes a zooming system configured to continuously vary a magnification of the microscope over a magnification range.
  • the compact microscope may further include a beam splitter, an eyepiece for viewing and a camera comprising an image sensor for digital and/or video recording.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Microscoopes, Condenser (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur des configurations de microscopes miniaturisées et portables, lesquelles configurations minimisent les exigences d'espace de microscopes, de façon à permettre une miniaturisation, une portabilité et d'autres fonctionnalités spéciales. Des modes de réalisation de cette invention portent sur une configuration optique de systèmes de microscope compacts, laquelle configuration peut être adaptée dans un petit espace par le réagencement stratégique de la lentille d'objectif et par le pliage de sa trajectoire optique entre la lentille d'objectif et le capteur d'image.
PCT/US2014/025302 2013-03-13 2014-03-13 Systèmes de microscope compacts et leurs éléments Ceased WO2014159843A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201361778692P 2013-03-13 2013-03-13
US61/778,692 2013-03-13

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2014159843A1 true WO2014159843A1 (fr) 2014-10-02

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PCT/US2014/025302 Ceased WO2014159843A1 (fr) 2013-03-13 2014-03-13 Systèmes de microscope compacts et leurs éléments

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN114924402A (zh) * 2022-05-29 2022-08-19 深圳市合众望电子有限公司 一种带显示屏的潜望式迷你显微镜

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
WO2004049031A1 (fr) * 2002-11-28 2004-06-10 Dickinson, Richard, John Microscope portable
US20100214565A1 (en) * 2007-09-14 2010-08-26 Carl Zeiss Smt Ag Imaging microoptics for measuring the position of an aerial image
US20100284066A1 (en) * 2009-05-07 2010-11-11 Cambridge Optronics Limited Microscope

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
WO2004049031A1 (fr) * 2002-11-28 2004-06-10 Dickinson, Richard, John Microscope portable
US20100214565A1 (en) * 2007-09-14 2010-08-26 Carl Zeiss Smt Ag Imaging microoptics for measuring the position of an aerial image
US20100284066A1 (en) * 2009-05-07 2010-11-11 Cambridge Optronics Limited Microscope

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN114924402A (zh) * 2022-05-29 2022-08-19 深圳市合众望电子有限公司 一种带显示屏的潜望式迷你显微镜

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