Electronic Microscope Filter

• US 20120275019A1
• Filed: 04/27/2011
• Published: 11/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Letovsky, Howard
• Original Assignee: Letovsky, Howard
• Inventors: Letovsky, Howard
• Granted Patent: US 8,619,359 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/385
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/10 Arrangements of light sources specially adapted for spectrometry or colorimetry
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/06 Means for illuminating specimens
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/365 Control or image processing arrangements for digital or video microscopes G02B21/361, G02B21/362 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/008 in the form of devices for effecting sequential colour changes, e.g. colour wheels

Abstract

The present invention discloses a unique and novel combination light source and active light filtering system for microscopes that eliminates the need for individual color filters, fluorescence filters, and many other filter types. The present invention provides variable light wavelength generating capabilities, and all of the benefits of most commercially available light sources in a compact package that can be mounted on a microscope or used at a distance from a microscope, but be coupled to it through a fiber optic cable or other light transmission means. Additionally, the present invention eliminates the need for a filter wheel turret in a microscope'"'"'s optical path, as well as eliminates the need for multiple fluorescent filter blocks in a fluorescent microscope optical path. The present invention can improve microscope filter systems to enable effective imaging of live cells without staining.

Claims

1. An active microscope light filtering system that incorporates in combination:

at least one light source capable of generating a range of colors or wavelengths of light;

at least one microprocessor;

said at least one microprocessor including at least one software component coded to output wavelengths of light and colors available within the limits of said at least one light source;

at least one user interface coupled to said at least one microprocessor which includes at least one software component configured to allow a user to scroll through any or all of said wavelengths of light or colors and select a wavelength or color for output by said light source.

2. An active light filtering system according to claim 1 that incorporates at least one color mixing lens.

3. An active light filtering system according to claim 1 that incorporates at least one video display.

4. An active microscope light filtering system that incorporates in combination:

at least one first light source, capable of generating a range of wavelengths of light, or visible or invisible colors, and said at least one first light source configured to act as an excitation filter which produces only a wavelength of light necessary for the excitation of a fluorophore;

at least one dichroic mirror;

at least one second light source, capable of generating a range of wavelengths of light, or visible or invisible colors, and said at least one second light source configured to act as a barrier filter to separate said fluorescence emanating from said fluorophore from other background light.

at least one carrier configured to contain said at least one first light source, said at least one second light source, and said at least one dichroic mirror;

at least one microprocessor;

said at least one microprocessor including at least one software component coded to output wavelengths of light and colors available within the limits of said at least one first light source and said at least one second light source;

at least one user interface coupled to said at least one microprocessor which allows a user to select any available wavelengths of light for output by said at least one first light source and said at least one second light source.

5. An active microscope light filtering system according to claim 4 that incorporates at least one color mixing lens.

6. An active microscope light filtering system according to claim 4 that incorporates at least one lookup table to enable said software to automatically configure said at least one second light source as a barrier filter with respect to an excitation filter wavelength or color applied to said at least one first light source.

7. An active light filtering system according to claim 4 that incorporates at least one video display.