KR102042740B1 - Optical microscope with DLP module - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiment of the present invention relates to an optical microscope having a DLP module, the technical problem to be solved by using a DLP module that is a multi-wavelength image processing light source (DLP module itself is not a multi-wavelength image processing light source) The present invention provides an optical microscope having a DLP module that can produce light in a desired shape at a desired position, and change wavelengths at various positions in sequence or at the same time without having to move a sample within.
To this end, the present invention provides a digital light processing (DLP) module for adjusting the pattern and wavelength of light and for irradiating the light to a desired position of a sample; An optical system connected to the DLP module to transmit the light without image distortion of the light; A dichroic filter cube coupled to the optics such that light through the DLP module is reflected to be incident on the sample and the image of the sample is transmitted; An objective lens unit coupled to a lower portion of the dichroic filter cube to enlarge an image of the sample; And an eyepiece portion coupled to an upper portion of the dichroic filter cube to enlarge an image of the sample.

Description

Optical microscope with DLP module

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an optical microscope having a DLP module.

In general, the light source is irradiated only at the center of the field of view (FOV) that the user can see in the microscope, or only the entire view area is illuminated. In particular, in order to inject light into a specific position of a sample desired by a user using a general light source, the experiment was performed by using a mask that moves a sample or exposes only a specific position. However, it is impossible to prepare a mask for all samples because the shape and the area to be observed for each sample are different. If the sample cannot be moved, it is necessary to construct a system that can move the entire microscope. There was no choice but to be a burden.

If any part of the sample can be irradiated with light in the desired position at the user's desired position without moving the sample, many advantages and sophisticated experiments can be performed.

The above-described information disclosed in the background technology of the present invention is only for improving the understanding of the background of the present invention, and thus may include information that does not constitute the prior art.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 5872862 (2016.03.01) Publication No. 10-2010-0063324 (June 11, 2010)

The problem to be solved according to an embodiment of the present invention is to use a multi-wavelength image processing light source DLP (wherein the DLP itself is not a multi-wavelength image processing light source and uses the DLP to create a pattern (shape) of light). It is to provide an optical microscope having a DLP module that allows users to make light of a desired shape at a desired position and to change wavelengths in order or simultaneously without having to move a sample within a microscope viewing area. .

An optical microscope having a DLP module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a digital light processing (DLP) module including a WVGA chipset for adjusting a pattern and a wavelength of light, irradiating the light to a desired position of a sample, and An optical system coupled to the DLP module to transfer the light without image distortion of the light, coupled to the optical system, so that light through the DLP module is reflected and incident on the sample, and the image of the sample is transmitted through a dichroic A filter cube, an objective lens unit coupled to a lower portion of the dichroic filter cube to enlarge an image of the sample, and an eyepiece unit coupled to an upper portion of the dichroic filter cube to enlarge an image of the sample, the eyepiece Digitally coupled to the top of the unit and connected to a computer allowing the user to view the sample on a computer monitor Including a camera,
The DLP module is installed at an angle of 8 ° to 9 ° with respect to the optical axis formed by the optical system, and the optical system is installed between the DLP module and the cube of the dichroic filter and is provided in a cylindrical shape. And a tube lens unit, wherein a distance between lenses of the relay lens unit is 5 mm to 25 mm, and a focal length of the tube lens unit is 200 mm,
The DLP module,
The relay lens unit and the tube lens unit are coupled to each other, the housing provided in the form of a cube, a plurality of LED elements, a plurality of dikes installed in each light path of the plurality of LED elements to reflect each light of the plurality of LED elements A DLP that is provided inside the module housing and a reflection mirror reflecting light from the plurality of dichroic filters and the module housing, and digitally processes the light from the reflection mirror and transmits the light to the dichroic filter cube. (Digital Light Processing) element,
The plurality of LED elements include a red LED element, a blue LED element and a green LED element, the dichroic filter includes a red filter, a blue filter, and a green filter,
Further comprising a LED control unit for controlling the plurality of LED elements, wherein the LED control unit determines whether to turn on / off the red LED device, the blue LED device and the green LED device, and adjusts the amount of light,
The DLP device has an optical tilt change amount of 10 ° to 12 °, and includes a plurality of digital mirrors for adjusting brightness of a corresponding pixel through a pulse width control dimming method.
And a DLP control unit for controlling the DLP device, wherein the DLP control unit controls the plurality of digital mirrors to adjust the pattern and the wavelength of the light and to irradiate the light to a desired position of the sample.

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An embodiment of the present invention uses DLP, a multi-wavelength image processing light source, to create a light of a desired shape at a desired position, without having to move a sample within a viewing area of a microscope, and to set wavelengths at various positions in sequence or simultaneously. An optical microscope having a DLP module that can be modified and inspected is provided.

1A and 1B are combined perspective and exploded perspective views showing an optical microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A and 2B are perspective and perspective views illustrating a DLP module in an optical microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the DLP module of the optical microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4A and 4B are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of an optical system coupled to a DLP module in an optical microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are diagrams illustrating a DLP of an optical microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention. A photograph showing images of different wavelengths by the module.
FIG. 6A shows a sample by a general laser light source, FIG. 6B shows a sample by a general lamp light source, and FIG. 6C shows a sample by a DLP module.
7A is an optical microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7B is an image forming state by a DLP control unit (computer), and FIG. 7C is various sample photographs by the DLP control unit.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, and the following examples can be modified in various other forms, and the scope of the present invention is It is not limited to an Example. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the inventive concept to those skilled in the art.

In addition, in the following drawings, the thickness or size of each layer is exaggerated for convenience and clarity of description, the same reference numerals in the drawings refer to the same elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed items. In addition, the term "connected" in this specification means not only the case where the A member and the B member are directly connected, but also the case where the A member and the B member are indirectly connected by interposing the C member between the A member and the B member. do.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" may include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Also, as used herein, "comprise, include" and / or "comprising, including" means that the features, numbers, steps, actions, members, elements, and / or groups thereof mentioned. It is intended to specify the existence and not to exclude the presence or addition of one or more other shapes, numbers, operations, members, elements and / or groups.

Although the terms first, second, etc. are used herein to describe various members, parts, regions, layers, and / or parts, these members, parts, regions, layers, and / or parts are defined by these terms. It is obvious that not. These terms are only used to distinguish one member, part, region, layer or portion from another region, layer or portion. Accordingly, the first member, part, region, layer or portion, which will be described below, may refer to the second member, component, region, layer or portion without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

Terms relating to spaces such as "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", and "upper" are associated with one element or feature shown in the figures. It can be used for easy understanding of other elements or features. Terms related to this space are for easy understanding of the present invention according to various process conditions or use conditions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. For example, if an element or feature in the figures is inverted, the element or feature described as "bottom" or "bottom" will be "top" or "top". Thus, "below" is a concept encompassing "top" or "bottom".

In addition, the controller (controller) and / or other related devices or components according to the present invention may be implemented using any suitable hardware, firmware (e.g., on-demand semiconductor), software, or a suitable combination of software, firmware and hardware. Can be. For example, various components of a controller (controller) and / or other related device or component according to the present invention may be formed on one integrated circuit chip or on a separate integrated circuit chip. In addition, various components of the controller (controller) may be implemented on a flexible printed circuit film, and may be formed on the same substrate as the tape carrier package, printed circuit board, or the controller (controller). In addition, the various components of the controller (controller) may be, in one or more computing devices, a process or thread running on one or more processors, which execute computer program instructions to perform the various functions described below. And interact with other components. Computer program instructions are stored in memory that can be executed in a computing device using a standard memory device, such as, for example, random access memory. Computer program instructions may also be stored in other non-transitory computer readable media, such as, for example, a CD-ROM, flash drive, or the like. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the functions of various computing devices may be combined with one another, integrated into one computing device, or that the functionality of a particular computing device is not limited to one or more other computing devices without departing from the exemplary embodiments of the invention. It should be recognized that they can be distributed among the fields.

In one example, a controller (controller) according to the present invention typically comprises a central processing unit, a mass storage device such as a hard disk or a solid state disk, a volatile memory device, an input device such as a keyboard or mouse, an output device such as a monitor or a printer. Can be run on a commercial computer.

1A and 1B are combined perspective and exploded perspective views showing an optical microscope 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1A and 1B, an optical microscope 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a DLP module (Digital Light Processing module) 110, a dichroic filter cube 120, The objective lens unit 130 and the eyepiece unit 140 may be included. Of course, the optical microscope 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a digital camera 150 coupled to the eyepiece 140.

The DLP module 110 not only adjusts the pattern, wavelength and / or amount of light, but also serves to irradiate light to a desired position of the sample even when the sample is not moving.

The dichroic filter cube 120 is coupled to the side of the DLP module 110, and the light through the DLP module 110 is reflected and incident on the sample, and also allows the image of the sample to be transmitted. To this end, the dichroic filter cube 120 may be provided with a reflection / transmission mirror (not shown) to allow the light of the DLP module 110 to be reflected and incident on the sample and to transmit an image from the sample. .

The objective lens unit 130 is coupled to the lower portion of the dichroic filter cube 120 to enlarge an image of the sample. The objective lens unit 130 may be provided in plural and rotated at a predetermined angle, so that the user may select and use a specific objective lens unit 130.

The eyepiece 140 is coupled to the upper portion of the dichroic filter cube 120 to enlarge the image of the sample. That is, the eyepiece unit 140 allows the user to directly observe the enlarged sample image by eyepiece.

In addition, the digital camera 150 is coupled to the upper portion of the eyepiece 140, which is connected to the computer, allowing the user to observe the sample through a computer monitor.

Here, since the objective lens unit 130, the eyepiece unit 140 and the digital camera 150 is the same or similar to the configuration of a general microscope, description thereof will be omitted.

2A and 2B are perspective and perspective views illustrating the DLP module 110 of the optical microscope 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

2A and 2B, the DLP module 110 is coupled to the module housing 110h, the relay lens unit 115 coupled to one side of the module housing 110h, and the other side of the module housing 110h. The tube lens unit 116 may be further included. That is, the module housing 110h is provided in a substantially hexahedral shape, and the relay lens unit 115 coupled to one side thereof is provided in a cylindrical form, and the tube lens unit 116 coupled to the other side thereof is also provided in a cylindrical form. . Of course, the tube lens unit 116 is coupled to one side of the dichroic filter cube 120 described above.

Here, the relay lens unit 115 and the tube lens unit 116 may be defined as an optical system. In particular, the relay lens unit 115 includes a plurality of linearly aligned lenses (eg, Achromatic lens relays), which primarily serve to form an optical image. In addition, the tube lens unit 116 literally includes a tube lens, which serves to transfer the primary optical image from the infinite optical system to the objective lens. The structure and operation of the optical system will be described again below.

A DLP element 114 is provided inside the module housing 110h, and the DLP element 114 includes a plurality of digital mirrors or a plurality of micro mirrors 114a manufactured by Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology. can do. In addition, as described above, a plurality of relay lenses are provided inside the relay lens unit 115, and one or a plurality of tube lenses are provided inside the tube lens unit 116.

On the other hand, the plurality of digital mirrors 114a, for example, but not limited to, adjusts two hinge axes coupled to the digital mirrors 114a to reflect the incident light at various angles.

In general, the DLP module 110 is a technology used in projectors and video projectors, which was developed by Texas Instruments in 1987. In addition, since it literally processes light digitally, digital light processing (DLP), it supports clear images.

In particular, the DLP module 110 includes a plurality of digital mirrors 114a as described above, which are moved by minute electric repulsive force and can be arranged by the required number of pixels. The digital mirror 114a represents one pixel, and millions of such digital mirrors 114a are provided and embedded in one DLP element 114 (chip).

Each digital mirror 114a has an optical gradient change amount of approximately 10 ° to 12 °, and thus the brightness (light quantity) of the corresponding pixel can be adjusted. Since the control signal is divided into 0 and 1, it is difficult to express the intermediate brightness. However, since the response time of each digital mirror 114a is at least 1/1000 to 1/4000 second from the last signal input, the intermediate brightness is controlled by the pulse width control dimming method. Can be implemented.

The DLP module 110 may have various driving schemes. For example, in the RGB division type, an optical circuit may be separately designed for each digital mirror 114a by using a separate light source for each of the R channel, the G channel, and the B channel. Accordingly, the size of the DLP module 110 is reduced because there is no need for a separate light splitting system.

In addition, metal halide lamps have been produced for R, G, and B colors, and three lamps have been mounted for each RGB channel. However, three power RGB LED elements (111, described below) for each RGB channel are now described. Mount it. Thus, the size of the DLP module 110 can be significantly smaller.

As an example, but not by way of limitation, the "DLP LightCrafter" manufactured and sold by Texas Instruments may be used as the DLP module 110. The DLP module 110 may include a WVGA chipset to provide various embedded functions such as structured light source pattern projection, intelligent light sources, wavelength selection, and portable displays.

In particular, a user may easily generate, store, and display a high-speed pattern sequence through a USB-based application programming interface (API) of the DLP module 110 and an easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI).

Moreover, this DLP module 110 includes an RGB LED element 111, thereby allowing to generate light patterns with bright and wide aspect ratios. For applications requiring higher brightness, active cooling and thermal management systems can be added to operate with light sources in excess of 50 lumens.

3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the DLP module 110 of the optical microscope 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the DLP module 110 may include a plurality of LED elements 111, a plurality of dichroic filters 112, a reflection mirror 113, and a DLP element 114. In addition, the DLP module 110 may further include an LED controller 117 and a DLP controller 118. Such a control unit may actually be implemented as a program in one computer.

The plurality of LED elements 111 may include, for example, but not limited to, a red LED element 111R, a green LED element 111G, and a blue LED element 111B arranged in a row.

The plurality of dichroic filters 112 are, for example, but not limited to, red dichroic filters 112R, green dichroic filters 112G, and blue dichroic filters 112B arranged in a row. It may include.

Here, the red dichroic filter 112R is positioned to transmit red light from the red LED element 111R to the reflection mirror 113, and the green dichroic filter 112G is green light from the green LED element 111G. Is transmitted to the reflective mirror 113, the blue dichroic filter 112B is positioned to transmit blue light from the blue LED element 111B to the reflective mirror 113.

In addition, the red dichroic filter 112R, the green dichroic filter 112G, and the blue dichroic filter 112B have reflection and / or transmission functions as necessary.

The reflection mirror 113 is installed in the light paths of the plurality of dichroic filters 112, and serves to reflect the light from the dichroic filter 112 to the DLP element 114.

The DLP element 114 serves to digitally process the light from the reflection mirror 113 and transmit it to the dichroic filter cube 120. That is, the DLP element 114 allows the digitally processed light to be transmitted to the dichroic filter cube 120 through the relay lens unit 115 and the tube lens unit 116.

On the other hand, the LED control unit 117 controls the plurality of LED elements 111 described above, which in particular turn on / turn off the red LED element 111R, the green LED element 111G and the blue LED element 111B described above. Determine whether or not, and also adjust the amount of light.

In addition, the DLP control unit 118 controls the above-described DLP element 114, which in particular controls each of the above-described plurality of digital mirrors 114a so that the pattern, wavelength and / or amount of light is adjusted, Allow the sample to be irradiated at the desired location.

4A and 4B are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of an optical system coupled to a DLP module in an optical microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the optical system coupled to the DLP module may include a relay lens unit and a tube lens unit spaced apart from each other. Here, the DLP module is not limited to the optical axis formed by the optical system, but is installed at an angle of about 7 ° to 10 °, preferably about 8 ° to 9 °, more preferably 8.8 °, thereby providing an optical image of the DLP module. To match the optical axis.

By such a configuration, the relay lens portion serves to determine the optical image size, and the tube lens portion serves to determine the optical image focus. For example, the relay lens unit may determine the optical image size according to the distance between the lenses. In one example, the distance between the lenses may be approximately 5 mm to 25 mm, preferably 5 mm to 15 mm, more preferably 5 mm. In addition, the tube lens portion determines the image focus, for example the focal length F may be 200 mm.

Practically, a primary light image is produced in the DLP module, which cannot be incident directly on the microscope. In other words, the more the light from the flash, the larger the optical image. Therefore, the primary optical image is formed through the relay lens unit or the lens pair to form a secondary optical image. The function of the relay lens unit is an origin of the primary optical image, or, in other words, the optical image formed by the DLP module. It is relaying in its size. In addition, the tube lens portion serves to transfer the secondary light image to the objective lens of the microscope.

In general, the tube lens portion is essentially used in the microscope of the Infinity-corrected structure. Even in a real microscope, the tube lens unit is mounted on the eyepiece module. The distance between this tube lens portion and the secondary optical image is determined by the specifications of the tube lens, preferably approximately 180 mm to 200 mm.

Here, if an expensive lens such as a scan lens or an f-theta lens is used instead of the relay lens unit, better performance may be expected in terms of image quality. However, when the expensive lens is used, since the unit cost increases, the lens system is combined as in the present invention to replace it, and thus, the unit price is reduced by approximately 1/5 or more. However, in the present invention, a combination of a scan lens and a tube lens may be used. However, as a result of the experiment, there was no significant difference in optical image quality in the scan lens or the relay lens. Here, the relay lens, for example, can be used in combination of two achromatic lenses (25.4mm, f = 60mm) at 5.0mm intervals, if you adjust the distance between the lenses, or use a different focal length of the lens Image sizes can also be varied, making all lenses much more useful than fixed scan lenses.

5A, 5B and 5C are photographs showing images of different wavelengths by the DLP module 110 of the optical microscope 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

5A, 5B and 5C, the DLP module 110 of the optical microscope 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention allows the user to properly adjust the LED control unit 117 and / or the DLP control unit 118. By adjusting, for example, but not limited to, the light pattern can be freely adjusted to a hollow rectangle, a hollow oval, a hollow star shape, a solid heart shape, or a solid oval, or the like, and the wavelength (color) can also be adjusted. For example, the present invention is not limited thereto, but can be freely adjusted to 632 nm, 530 nm or 470 nm.

That is, the optical microscope 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, using the DLP module 110, first) the user can freely create a pattern (shape) of the light, second) the observation region of the microscope without moving the sample The light can be irradiated to a desired position in the inside, and third) the wavelength of the light source can be changed.

In addition, the optical microscope 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, by using the DLP module 110, by making a number of patterns can be irradiated several places at the same time, it is also possible to determine the order New and diverse experiments that could not be done in the past are possible, enabling more sophisticated analysis. As a result, researchers can obtain more reliable data.

FIG. 6A is a sample by a general laser light source, FIG. 6B is a sample by a general lamp light source, and FIG. 6C is a photograph showing a sample by the DLP module 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The photograph shown in FIG. 6A is a sample photograph by a general laser light source, and it can be seen that due to the straightness of the laser light source, light is irradiated only to a part of the observation area, and thus it is difficult to be substantially adopted in the microscope.

In addition, the photograph shown in FIG. 6B is a sample photograph by a general lamp light source, and light has been irradiated to the entire region of the observation area, thereby making it impossible to irradiate a specific pattern at a desired position.

However, the photograph shown in FIG. 6C is a sample photograph by the DLP module 110 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and the wavelength (color) can be selected and the image can be processed so that a pattern specific to a desired position of the viewing area can be obtained. It can be seen that it can be made and investigated, and it is also possible to change various wavelengths in one device.

That is, the microscope 100 having the DLP module 110 according to the embodiment of the present invention irradiates light by making a pattern of a desired shape in a desired position at any position of the sample, not just the center, without moving the sample. In this way, many advantages and sophisticated experiments are possible compared to the conventional microscope 100.

7A is an optical microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7B is an optical image forming state by a DLP control unit (computer), and FIG. 7C is various sample photographs by the DLP control unit.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, various DLP optical images may be formed through a DLP control unit (computer) of the optical microscope. In practice, various optical images are formed through a computer connected to an optical microscope. In addition, as shown in FIG. 7C, various sample images may be obtained by injecting the formed optical image and various colors into the sample.

What has been described above is just one embodiment for carrying out the optical microscope having the DLP module according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, as claimed in the following claims Without departing from the gist of the present invention, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains to the technical spirit of the present invention to the extent that various modifications can be made.

100; Optical microscope with DLP
110; DLP module 110h; Module housing
111; LED element 111R; Red LED Element
111G; Green LED device 111B; Blue LED Element
112; Dichroic filter 112R; Red dichroic filter
112G; Green dichroic filter 112B; Blue dichroic filter
113; Reflective mirror 114; DLP element
114a; Digital mirror 115; Relay lens part
116; Tube lens portion 117; LED control unit
118; A DLP controller 120; Dichroic filter cube
130; Objective lens unit 140; Eyepiece section
150; digital camera

Claims (7)

A digital light processing (DLP) module which allows the pattern and wavelength of the light to be adjusted, the light to be irradiated at the desired location of the sample, and comprises a WVGA chipset,
An optical system connected to the DLP module to transfer the light without image distortion of the light;
A dichroic filter cube coupled to the optical system, such that light through the DLP module is reflected to be incident on the sample, and an image of the sample is transmitted;
An objective lens unit coupled to a lower portion of the dichroic filter cube to enlarge an image of the sample;
An eyepiece unit coupled to an upper portion of the dichroic filter cube to enlarge an image of the sample;
A digital camera coupled to an upper portion of the eyepiece unit and connected to a computer to allow a user to observe a sample through a computer monitor,
The DLP module is installed at an angle of 8 ° to 9 ° with respect to the optical axis formed by the optical system, and the optical system is installed between the DLP module and the cube of the dichroic filter and is provided in a cylindrical shape. And a tube lens unit, wherein a distance between lenses of the relay lens unit is 5 mm to 25 mm, and a focal length of the tube lens unit is 200 mm,
The DLP module,
A module housing having the relay lens unit and the tube lens unit coupled thereto and provided in a hexahedral form;
Multiple LED devices,
A plurality of dichroic filters installed in each light path of the plurality of LED elements to reflect each light of the plurality of LED elements;
A reflection mirror reflecting light from the plurality of dichroic filters and
It is provided inside the module housing, and includes a digital light processing (DLP) device for digitally processing the light from the reflection mirror to transmit to the dichroic filter cube,
The plurality of LED elements include a red LED element, a blue LED element and a green LED element, the dichroic filter includes a red filter, a blue filter, and a green filter,
Further comprising a LED control unit for controlling the plurality of LED elements, wherein the LED control unit determines whether to turn on / off the red LED device, the blue LED device and the green LED device, and adjusts the amount of light,
The DLP device has an optical tilt change amount of 10 ° to 12 °, and includes a plurality of digital mirrors for adjusting brightness of a corresponding pixel through a pulse width control dimming method.
And a DLP control unit for controlling the DLP element, wherein the DLP control unit controls the plurality of digital mirrors to adjust the pattern and the wavelength of the light and to irradiate the light to a desired position of the sample. Optical microscope. delete delete delete delete delete delete

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