WO2016138063A1

WO2016138063A1 - Microscope assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2016138063A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/019227
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kenneth Edward Salsman
Original assignee: Nanoscopia (Cayman), Inc.; Nanoscopia, Inc.
Priority date: 2015-02-24
Filing date: 2016-02-24
Publication date: 2016-09-01

Abstract

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. In some embodiments, 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.

Description

MICROSCOPE ASSEMBLY

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of US Application No. No. 62/120,354, filed February 24, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0002] All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0003] In general, 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.

[0004] Conventional microscope systems can be very complicated in optical design and fabrication, thus being very expensive. There is a need to develop a simplified and affordable microscope assembly that can work with a digital image sensor and provide adjustable high magnification and high resolution images in order to observe molecular structures.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] 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.

[0006] In some embodiments, 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. In some embodiments, 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. In some embodiments, 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. In some embodiments, 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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the claims that follow. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative

embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:

[0008] FIG. 1A is a cross-section and a fixed magnification design of a digital microscope

assembly.

[0009] FIG. IB is a cut-away side view of the fixed magnification design for the digital

microscope assembly in FIG. 1A.

[0010] 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.

[0011] FIG. 2B is a cut-away side view of the variable magnification microscope assembly in

FIG. 2A.

[0012] FIG. 3A is a cut-away side view of a microscope assembly, shown in a low magnification position.

[0013] FIG. 3B is a cut-away side view of the microscope assembly in FIG. 3B, shown in a high magnification position.

[0014] 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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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. Not shown is 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.

[0017] 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. In one embodiment, 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. As shown, 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. As the objective lens moves from a farther position relative to the sample to a closer position relative to the sample, 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 (not shown) 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.

[0018] In one embodiment, the microscope assembly 200 can further comprise a magnification adjustment tube. In one embodiment, 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. Likewise, 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. As stated above, 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. By forming these slots at the correct angle 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.

[0019] In another embodiment of the microscope assembly 300, 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.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 3 A and 3B, the image sensor 315 can be mounted on an image sensor mount 315b, and 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, and 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. The sample 320a on the slide, cassette, or other can be fixed relative to the housing wall 301. 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, while 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. [0021] 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. In one embodiment, the image sensor 415 can be moved to a position close to the objective lens 412. Thus, 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. Likewise, 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.

[0022] The microscope assembly 400 can further comprise an objective lens actuator (not shown). For example, 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.

[0023] As can be appreciated, the 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.

[0024] While the present disclosure has been disclosed in example embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that many additions, deletions and modifications to the disclosed embodiments and their variations may be implemented without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0025] A wide range of variations to those implementations and embodiments described herein are possible. Components and/or features may be added, removed, rearranged, or combinations thereof. Similarly, method steps may be added, removed, and/or reordered.

[0026] Likewise various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with this disclosure, the principles and the novel features disclosed herein.

[0027] Accordingly, reference herein to a singular item includes the possibility that there are a plurality of the same items present. More specifically, as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," "said," and "the" include plural referents unless specifically stated otherwise. In other words, use of the articles allow for "at least one" of the subject item in the description above as well as the claims below.

[0028] Additionally as used herein, a phrase referring to "at least one of a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, "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.

[0029] Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments also can be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment also can be

implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0030] Similarly, while operations may be described as occurring in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order described or in sequential order, or that all described operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Further, other operations that are not disclosed can be incorporated in the processes that are described herein. For example, one or more additional operations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or between any of the disclosed operations. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the embodiments described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single product or packaged into multiple products. Additionally, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve desirable results.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A microscope assembly comprising:

a sample platform;

an objective lens disposed to receive light from a sample on the platform;

an image sensor disposed to receive light from the objective lens;

an objective lens actuator adapted to change a position of the objective lens;

an image sensor actuator adapted to change a length of an optical path from the objective lens to the image sensor; and

a display operative ly connected to the image sensor to display a magnified image of the sample.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the objective lens actuator provides coarse focus adjustment of the sample.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the image sensor actuator provides fine focus adjustment of the sample.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the image sensor actuator comprises a motor.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the image sensor actuator moves the image sensor toward and away from the objective lens.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the objective actuator comprises a motor.

7. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve having 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.