Confocal scanning laser microscope having no moving parts
First Claim
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1. The method of providing a real time video image of a specimen comprising the steps of:
- (a) focusing a laser beam as an illuminated spot on a prescribed specimen plane;
(b) scanning the laser beam to move the focused illuminated spot in a predetermined scan pattern on said specimen plane;
(c) focusing an image of the moving focused illuminated spot onto a photocathode of an image dissector tube; and
(d) converting the image focused on said photocathode to a displayed video image.
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Abstract
A confocal scanning laser microscope has no moving parts and displays real time video images. The image of the scanned laser spot on the specimen is focused on the photocathode of an image dissector tube having an electron image deflection that is synchronized and aligned with the laser scan. This permits the confocal pinhole to be scanned at video rates. Acousto-optic deflectors are responsive to the frequencies of respective scan control signals to effect horizontal and vertical laser beam deflection.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. The method of providing a real time video image of a specimen comprising the steps of:
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(a) focusing a laser beam as an illuminated spot on a prescribed specimen plane; (b) scanning the laser beam to move the focused illuminated spot in a predetermined scan pattern on said specimen plane; (c) focusing an image of the moving focused illuminated spot onto a photocathode of an image dissector tube; and (d) converting the image focused on said photocathode to a displayed video image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A confocal scanning laser imaging system comprising:
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laser source means for emitting a collimated beam of light; lens means for focusing said beam to illuminate a spot in a plane of a specimen to be imaged; scanning means for scanning said beam to move said illuminated spot in a predetermined pattern in said plane; an image dissector tube having a photocathode with addressable locations and means for providing an output current proportional to the intensity of light impinging on the addressed location of the photocathode; focusing means for focusing an image of said illuminated spot onto said photocathode; and control means for addressing successive locations on said photocathode in synchronization with movement of said illuminated spot in said plane such that the addressed location is always at a portion of the focused image corresponding to the spot in said specimen plane illuminated by said laser beam. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of providing a real time video image of a specimen, comprising the steps of:
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(a) focusing a laser beam into an illuminated spot on a prescribed specimen plane; (b) scanning the focused laser beam to move the illuminated spot in a predetermined scan pattern in said specimen plane; (c) focusing an image of the moving illuminated spot onto an electo-optic imaging means having an array of plural individually addressable light sensor devices which light sensor devices may be each selectively addressed, enabled and read-out for providing an output signal corresponding to the incident light intensity impinging thereon; (d) selectively addressing, enabling and reading-out individual light sensor devices in said array of said electro-optic imaging means in synchronization with scanned movement of said illuminated spot in said specimen plane to match said predetermined scan pattern such that the light sensor device currently being addressed, enabled and read-out is at a location in said array on which is incident a portion of the focused image of the moving illuminated spot, and outputting a signal from the light sensor device currently being addressed, enabled and read-out corresponding to the light intensity impinging thereon while so enabled; and (e) converting signals output from said electro-optic imaging means into a displayed video image of said speciman plane.
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22. A confocal scanning laser imaging system, comprising:
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laser source means for emitting a collimated beam of light; lens means for focusing said beam to illuminate a spot in a plane of a specimen to be imaged; scanning means for scanning said beam to move said illuminated in a predetermined scan pattern in said specimen plane; electro-optic imaging means having an array of plural individually addressable light sensor devices which light sensor devices may be each selectively individually addressed, enabled and read-out for providing an output signal corresponding to the incident light intensity impinging thereon; focusing means for focusing an image of said moving illuminated spot onto said electro-optic imaging means; and control means for selectively addressing, enabling and reading-out individual ones of said plural light sensor devices of said electro-optic imaging means in synchronization with scanned movement of said illuminated spot in said specimen plane, to match said predetermined scan pattern such that the one of said plurality light sensor devices being currently addressed, enable and read-out is always at a location in said array on which is incidentally impinging a portion of the focused image of the moving illuminated spot in said specimen plane.
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Specification