Optical Image Scanning Microscope

The invention describes a simple way of performing Image Scanning Microscopy (ISM) purely optically. It is not necessary to reconstruct the final image from a multitude of individual acquisitions. Instead, the final image is projected directly onto the camera chip. The method is suitable for confocal microscopy as well as for  two photon microscopy.

Challenge

Image Scanning Microscopy was developed during the last years and improves the lateral resolution by a factor of two in comparison with confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM). The principle of the method is similar to how the improved resolution in structured illumination microscopy is obtained.

Previously, the disadvantage of ISM was that for each scan position of the excitation laser an individual image on the camera chip had to be acquired. Subsequently, the final image was calculated by combining all sub-images. Although with this approach ISM was already capable of reaching a significantly higher resolution than CLSM setups, it was also much slower.

New developments have shown that optical ISM without computer aided reconstruction is possible (Optical Photon Reassignment – OPRA). Unfortunately, OPRA demands quite complex optics and it is difficult to upgrade existing CLSM setups. In addition, excitation and emission light pass through the same optics which makes it difficult to apply the method in  two photon microscopy.

Our Solution

The newly developped, optical ISM method overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages by producing the final image directly on the camera chip. Neither the computer aided reconstruction nor the readout of the camera chip for each scan position are necessary. Consequently, the new method is significantly faster while providing the same benefits in terms of resolution.

The new method is a purely optical realization of the ISM idea. However, in contrast to previous realizations, ISM is performed through increasing the distance between two scan positions on the camera chip by a factor of 2. To obtain the desired result, a second scan mirror can be used. But it is even possible to avoid using this additional scan mirror. The first scan mirror, which is already available anyway can be used instead if the emission light is passed through a 2f-arrangement. The method can thus be applied with a small amount of additional optical components. It is ideally suited to upgrade existing CLSM systems.

Furthermore, it is possible to have separated light pathways for excitation and emission light. Therefore, the optical components in the emission pathway can be adjusted completely to the emission wavelength. The newly developed ISM realization is thus also suitable for two photon microscopy.

Advantages

The resolution improvement by a factor of 1.6 typically gained with ISM is obtained without limiting the versatility of the setup for example in terms of usable fluorophores. In addition, the new ISM realization offers the following advantages:

  • Purely optical implementation, the integration already takes place completely on the camera chip, thus high frame rates are possible.
  • Only a few additional optical components required. Existing CLSM systems can be easily retrofitted without restricting their normal mode of operation.
  • No second scan mirror necessary, so there are no synchronization problems of the scanners.
  • Excitation and emission can be decoupled. The adjustment is simplified, the system is also suitable for two-photon microscopy.

Applications

  • High-resolution fluorescence microscopy
  • Both as a supplement for confocal laser scanning microscopes and for two-photon microscopy
  • Existing systems can be easily retrofitted with a deflection module

Development Status

Both a 1-photon as well as a 2-photon realization have been constructed and tested and both showed the expected resolution enhancement and were capable of recording images with high frame rates.

Patent Status

DE patent granted: DE102013017468B4
DE divisional patent granted: DE102013022538B3
US patent application granted: US10514533B2

Patent holder/applicant: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen Stiftung Öffentlichen Rechts

References

ISM basics:
Image Scanning Microscopy
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.198101
Claus B. Müller und Jörg Enderlein
Physical review letters 104.19 (2010): 198101.

Contact

Dr. Martin Andresen
Patent Manager Physics & Technology
E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel.: +49 (0) 551 30 724 150
Reference: CPA-1678-SUG
www.sciencebridge.de

Tags: Laser physics and optics, Physics and Technology & Software

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