Microscope optical system with a stationary sample stage and stationary viewing ports suited for viewing various fields of view of a sample

• US 20030030896A1
• Filed: 07/26/2002
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Atto BioScience, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Atto BioScience, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Brooker, Jeff
• Granted Patent: US 6,850,362 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/368
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/18 Arrangements with more than one light path, e.g. for comparing two specimens
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/24 Base structure
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/26 Stages; Adjusting means therefor

Abstract

A microscope optical system structure in which both a sample and the viewing optics can be maintained stationary, while at the same time different points or fields of view of the sample can be examined. In the microscope optical system structure a sample is provided, e.g. on a stage, to be maintained in a stationary position when the sample is viewed. Further, viewing optics of the microscope optical system can be maintained in a stationary position when the sample is viewed. Intermediate optics between the stage and the viewing optics are movable so that different portions of the sample can be examined without having to move the sample and without having to move the viewing optics.

Claims

1. A microscope optical system for viewing a stationary sample comprising:

(a) microscope optics, including a viewing point, configured to view an image of the stationary sample; and

(b) first intermediate optics positioned between the stationary sample and said microscope optics and configured to be repositioned to view multiple fields of view on the sample while the stationary sample and said microscope optics are stationary.

2. A microscope optical system according to claim 1, wherein the stationary sample is mounted on a stage.

3. A microscope optical system according to claim 1, wherein said first intermediate optics include:

(b1) an objective movable in x, y, and z directions;

(b2) a first mirror movable in the x and y directions and coupled to said objective with movement in the x and y directions; and

(b3) a second mirror moveable in the y direction and coupled to said first mirror with movement in the y direction.

4. A microscope optical system according to claim 1, wherein said microscope optics include an epi-fluorescence light source.

5. A microscope optical system according to claim 3, wherein said microscope optics include an epi-fluorescence light source.

6. A microscope optical system according to claim 3, further comprising (c) a light source configured to pass light through the sample, and wherein said light source is moveable in the x and y directions and is coupled to said objective with movement in the x and y directions.

7. A microscope optical system according to claim 1, further comprising:

(c) second or more intermediate optics cascaded with said first intermediate optics and positioned between said stage and said microscope optics and configured to view multiple further fields of view on the sample while the stationary sample and said microscope optics are stationary.

8. A microscope optical system according to claim 7, wherein first and said second intermediate optics each include:

(bc1) an objective movable in x, y, and z directions;

(bc2) a first mirror movable in the x and y directions and coupled to said objective with movement in the x and y directions; and

(bc3) a second mirror moveable in said y direction and coupled to the first mirror with movement in the y direction.

9. A microscope optical system according to claim 7, wherein said microscope optics include an epi-fluorescence light source.

10. A microscope optical system according to claim 8, wherein said microscope optics include an epi-fluorescence light source.

11. A microscope optical system according to claim 8, further comprising (d) a light source configured to pass light through the sample, and wherein said light source is moveable in the x and y directions and is coupled to said objective with movement in the x and y directions.

12. A microscope optical system for viewing a stationary sample comprising:

(a) viewing means for viewing an image of the stationary sample; and

(b) first optics means positioned between the stationary sample and said viewing means for viewing multiple fields of view on the stationary sample while the stationary sample and said viewing means are stationary.

13. A microscope optical system according to claim 12, wherein the stationary sample is mounted on a stage.

14. A microscope optical system according to claim 12, wherein said first optics means include:

(b1) objective means for focusing on the stationary sample and being movable in x, y, and z directions;

(b2) first imaging means, moveable in the x and y directions and coupled to said objective means with movement in the x and y directions, for propagating an image from said objective means; and

(b3) second imaging means, moveable in the y direction and coupled to said first imaging means with movement in the y direction, for propagating an image from said objective means and from said first imaging means.

15. A microscope optical system according to claim 12, wherein said viewing means includes an epi-fluorescence light source.

16. A microscope optical system according to claim 14, wherein said viewing means includes an epi-fluorescence light source.

17. A microscope optical system according to claim 14, further comprising (c) light source means for passing light through the sample, and where said light source means is moveable in the x and y directions, and is coupled to said objective means with the movement in the x and y directions.

18. A microscope optical system according to claim 12, further comprising:

(c) second or more optics means cascaded with said first optics means and positioned between the stationary sample and said viewing means and for viewing multiple further fields of view on the stationary sample while the stationary sample and said viewing means are stationary.

19. A microscope optical system according to claim 18, wherein each of said first and second optics means include:

(bc1) objective means for focusing on the stationary sample and being movable in x, y, and z directions;

(bc2) first imaging means, moveable in the x and y directions and coupled to said objective means with movement in the x and y directions, for propagating an image from said objective means; and

(bc3) second imaging means, moveable in the y direction and coupled to said first imaging means with movement in the y direction, for propagating an image from said objective means and from said first imaging means.

20. A microscope optical system according to claim 18, wherein said viewing means includes an epi-fluorescence light source.

21. A microscope optical system according to claim 19, wherein said viewing means includes an epi-fluorescence light source.

22. A microscope optical system according to claim 19, further comprising (d) light source means for passing light through the sample, and where said light source means is moveable in the x and y directions, and is coupled to said objective means with the movement in the x and y directions.