Method and apparatus to illuminate sample and containing vessel in a light scattering detector
First Claim
1. A method for recording an image of a liquid-borne sample previously prepared for light scattering measurement, said light scattering measurement made by transmitting a light beam of wavelength λ
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1 through said liquid-borne sample, where said light beam, after traversing said sample, intersects an absorbing/transmitting optical structure selected to absorb light selectively in a wavelength range spanning λ
1, and some fraction of light scattered by said sample is allowed to fall upon a detector, where said image is recorded by the method comprising the steps ofA) providing illumination from one or more imaging illumination sources operating at a wavelength different from λ
1 or at range of wavelengths, said imaging illumination passing through said absorbing/transmitting optical structure, said absorbing/transmitting optical structure is selected to permit the transmission of at least a portion of said imaging illumination, thereby illuminating said liquid-borne sample; and
B) recording an image produced of said liquid-borne sample.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for the illumination of a sample are disclosed. An imaging illumination light source is directed to pass through an absorbing/transmitting structure in order to illuminate the sample and any containing vessel. A diffuser may aid in properly dispersing the light from the imaging illumination source. A light sensitive detector such as a camera records an image therefrom. The beam from a light scattering source is directed through the sample and any containing vessel, and upon exiting the sample/vessel, impinges upon the absorbing/transmitting structure selected to absorb at the wavelength of the light scattering source. Scattered light from the sample is collected by a photo detector. Methods of use for the novel lighting system are also disclosed.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A method for recording an image of a liquid-borne sample previously prepared for light scattering measurement, said light scattering measurement made by transmitting a light beam of wavelength λ
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1 through said liquid-borne sample, where said light beam, after traversing said sample, intersects an absorbing/transmitting optical structure selected to absorb light selectively in a wavelength range spanning λ
1, and some fraction of light scattered by said sample is allowed to fall upon a detector, where said image is recorded by the method comprising the steps ofA) providing illumination from one or more imaging illumination sources operating at a wavelength different from λ
1 or at range of wavelengths, said imaging illumination passing through said absorbing/transmitting optical structure, said absorbing/transmitting optical structure is selected to permit the transmission of at least a portion of said imaging illumination, thereby illuminating said liquid-borne sample; andB) recording an image produced of said liquid-borne sample. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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1 through said liquid-borne sample, where said light beam, after traversing said sample, intersects an absorbing/transmitting optical structure selected to absorb light selectively in a wavelength range spanning λ
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17. An apparatus for measuring light scattered from a liquid-borne sample and recording an image of said sample comprising
A) light scattering illumination source which transmits a beam of light of wavelength λ -
1 through said sample;
B) a detector oriented to detect light from said light scattering illumination source which is scattered by said sample; C) an absorbing/transmitting optical structure positioned such that it intersects the path of said beam from said light scattering illumination source after traversing said sample, D) imaging illumination means which generates light at a wavelength different from λ
1 or at a range of wavelengths, positioned such that at least a portion of the light generated therefrom is transmitted through said absorbing/transmitting optical structure; andE) imaging means positioned to record an image of said sample, where said absorbing/transmitting optical structure is selected so as to both absorb light selectively in a wavelength range spanning λ
1, and to permit the transmission of at least a portion of said light generated by said imaging illumination means.- View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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1 through said sample;
Specification