Adaptive Miniature Microscopy Platform for High Throughput Biological Imaging

描述(由申请人提供)：我们建议开发一种新的生物成像自适应显微镜平台(AMP)。AMP是一种可调谐数字显微镜的微型阵列，能够在多种模式下工作，如明场、暗场和荧光。这一新平台将彻底改变高通量和高分辨率成像技术的应用方式，提高筛选/检测速度并降低实验成本。例如，微型平台可用于廉价的疾病诊断、图像细胞术，或与微流控系统集成，以同时监控多个腔室的生化过程。AMP的概念依赖于在可堆叠的可调谐层中嵌入关键的显微镜组件。各个板可以包含一组元件，例如光源、透镜、滤光片和探测器。该项目的重点将是开发一系列可调谐的高性能显微镜，使用户能够轻松地调整成像参数，包括放大倍率、视野、分辨率和样品的成像区域。这一能力将通过控制可调谐光学层中的透镜功率和表面形状来实现。这些变化可以单独应用于不同的显微镜，并重新优化以提供最高的光学性能。单独的AMP层将使用微型制造的嵌入式运动支架进行组装，因此不需要手动对准，同时AMP模块的设计和堆叠将在制造公差内进行。系统的可调性将基于构建多电极电润湿透镜阵列。研究将集中在两个方向。(1)首先，将构建1×4显微镜阵列的集成阵列，以用于结核病载玻片和结核MODS培养试验。该系统将结合定制的静态和商用有源元件，并将允许离焦、放大改变和优化系统性能。这种自适应阵列的组件将提供0.5 NA(数值孔径)，平均FOV(视场)为0.5 mm，聚焦范围为+/-100微米(在物体空间)和大约2倍的放大倍数变化(允许进一步调整FOV)。该系统将通过一些标准评估测试(分辨率目标、倾斜边缘技术等)以及通过结核病(涂片)载玻片成像和MODS培养分析进行评估。(2)同时，我们将研制一种多电极可调谐透镜，以实现高&gt；0.8NA的演示物镜。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We propose the development of a new Adaptive Microscopy Platform (AMP) for Bio-Imaging. The AMP is a miniature array of tunable digital microscopes capable of working in multiple modes such as bright field, dark field, and fluorescence. This new platform will revolutionize the way high throughput and high-resolution imaging techniques are being applied, increasing screening/detection speed and lowering experimental costs. For example, the miniature platform can be used for inexpensive disease diagnostics, image cytometry, or be integrated with microfluidic systems to simultaneously monitor biochemical processes in multiple chambers. The AMP concept relies on embedding crucial microscope components in stackable tunable layers. Individual plates can contain an array of elements such as light sources, lenses, filters, and detectors. The focus of this project will be on the development of an array of tunable high-performance microscopes which will allow the user to easily adjust imaging parameters including magnification, field of view, resolution, and imaged region at the sample. This capability will be accomplished by controlling lens power and surface shape in layers of tunable optics. These changes can be applied individually for different microscopes and re-optimized to provide the highest optical performance. The individual AMP layers will be assembled using micro-fabricated, embedded kinematic mounts so no manual alignment will be necessary, while the design and stacking of AMP modules will be accommodated within fabrication tolerances. The system tunability will be based on building arrays of multi-electrode electrowetted lenses. The research will focus on two directions. (1) First the integrated array of a 1x4 microscope array will be built to use with TB slides and with a TB MODS culture assay. The system will combine custom static and commercial active components and will allow defocus, magnification change and optimization of system performance. Components of this adaptive array will provide 0.5 NA (Numerical Aperture) with an average FOV (Field of View) of 0.5 mm, focusing range of +/-100 microns (in object space) and approximately 2 fold magnification change (allowing adjusting further FOV). The system will be evaluated with a number of standard evaluation tests (resolution targets, slanted edge technique etc.), as well as through imaging of TB (smear) slides and MODS culture assays. (2) In parallel we will work on a multi-electrode tunable lens to enable a demonstrator objective with high > 0.8 NA.