Competencies
- Optomechanics: designing the optical path, illumination path and autofocus of the integrated optical module
- Mechanics: design of a vibration damped system
- Flow cell design
- Fluidics: handling and control of multiple reagents
- System engineering: requirement management, risk analysis, verfication of systems
- Electrical engineering: control modules for all sub-systems, EMC safe design
- Usability: ease of use and user-friendly interfaces
- Regulatory affairs: risk assessments, applicable standard analysis
imaging microscope.
Developing a system that can visualize highly multiplexed images of mRNA requires a high throughput and resolution. To realize this highly demanding optical system, Demcon focal integrated a high NA microscope imaging system, which includes a robust auto-focus sub-system and in-house designed illumination system. To achieve the extreme high throughput, a laser is integrated as a source for the illumination sub-system. At the end a detailed image needed to be produced, which made this imaging microscope an excellent example of the vision and optics capabilities of Demcon focal.
challenges and issues.
The optical sub-system had its own challenges. For instance, the high throughput imaging system required quite a bit of light to collect enough fluorescence photons each exposure. We quickly ended up implementing a laser system, delivering multiple wavelengths for the different types of fluid types we
needed to work with. Of course, this caused a laser speckle issue during imaging, which we had foreseen. The implementation of a de-speckling technique gave us the result that we were looking for. Another issue that we solved was the illumination efficiency in combination with the required image homogeneity. By carefully choosing and optimizing for the right balance and smart optical system design, the system preformed well within specification.
responsibilities of Demcon focal.
Within the larger Demcon life sciences & health assignment, Demcon focal has been responsible for the optical system design, i.e. the imaging, illumination, image capturing and light and laser safety. Close collaboration with the customer Veranome Biosystems and Demcon life sciences & health made sure we remain aligned and eventually lead to a system that fits the needs of the customer.
