NU 2018-182

INVENTORS

• Yevgenia Kozorovitskiy*

• Manish Kumar

SHORT DESCRIPTION

A novel oblique plane imaging system utilizing a reduced number of objectives to enable the use of low numerical aperture (NA) objectives, thus achieving a compact and cost-effective design while maintaining high-quality imaging performance.

BACKGROUND

Traditional oblique plane imaging systems employ three high NA objectives arranged sequentially, which result in a significant reduction of the system's effective NA. This configuration limits the use of these systems to high NA objectives, increasing complexity and cost. Addressing these challenges, this invention proposes alternative arrangements that simplify the system and allow for the use of low NA objectives without sacrificing imaging quality.

ABSTRACT

This innovative imaging system offers two solutions to overcome the limitations of conventional oblique plane microscopy. The first solution involves removing the third objective and positioning the image sensor directly at the intermediate image plane. The second solution uses a diffusive screen at this plane, followed by a magnifying system. Both approaches enable the use of low NA objectives, leading to a smaller, more affordable system while preserving the benefits of oblique plane imaging, such as steric access and 3D reconstruction capabilities.

APPLICATIONS

• Structural and functional imaging

  • For optically scattering fluorescent brain samples.

• In vivo fast volumetric imaging

  • Suitable for zebrafish imaging.

• Neuronal activity studies

  • Using genetically encoded calcium indicators in large 3D volumes.

• Portable imaging systems

  • Capable of high-rate 3D volumetric imaging.

ADVANTAGES

• Simplified geometry

  • Enables high-resolution imaging with low NA objectives.

• Compact design

  • Allows for system miniaturization.

• Constant tilt scanning

  • Provides distortion-free 3D reconstruction.

• Cost-effective

  • Substantially reduces system price.

• Steric access

  • Maintains steric accessibility to samples.

PUBLICATIONS

• Manish Kumar, Yevgenia Kozorovitskiy et al, "Integrated one- and two-photon scanned oblique plane illumination (SOPi) microscopy for rapid volumetric imaging", Optics Express, Vol. 26, Issue 10, pp. 13027-13041 (2018).

IP STATUS

Issued US Patent 12,105,270