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是一种微型可调数字显微镜阵列，能够在多种模式下工作，如明场、暗场和荧光。这个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，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，或与微流体系统集成，以同时监测多个室中的生化过程。AMP概念依赖于将关键的显微镜组件嵌入可堆叠可调层中。单个板可以包含一系列元件，如光源、透镜、滤光片和检测器。该项目的重点是开发一系列可调高性能显微镜，使用户可以轻松调整成像参数，包括放大倍率，视场，分辨率和样品的成像区域。这种能力将通过在可调光学层中控制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和重新优化，以提供最高的光学性能。单个AMP层将使用微型制造的嵌入式运动学支架进行组装，因此无需手动校准，而AMP模块的设计和堆叠将在制造公差范围内进行。该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)首先建立1x4显微镜阵列的集成阵列，用于TB载玻片和TB MODS培养试验。该系统将结合定制的静态和商用有源组件，并将允许离焦、放大倍率变化和系统性能优化。该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，对焦范围为+/-100微米（在物体空间中），放大倍数变化约为2倍（允许进一步调整FOV）。该系统将通过一系列标准评估测试（分辨率目标、倾斜边缘技术等）以及TB（涂片）载玻片成像和MODS培养分析进行评估。(2)同时，我们将研究一个多电极可调镜头，以实现高> 0.8 NA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.