Optical filter holder assembly
First Claim
1. An optical filter wheel module comprisingan optical filter wheel that is rotatable around a rotational axis, and a wheel case having a static portion and a removable portion, and at least one window for transmitting light through the wheel case and through a selected optical filter contained in the optical filter wheel, wherein the removable portion of the case carries the filter wheel, and is separable from the static portion of the case in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis so that the static portion of the case can remain fixed in relation to an optical axis while changing one or more filters in the filter wheel.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Devices for using optical filters in a filter holder that enable optical filters to be simply, conveniently, and flexibly interchanged.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. An optical filter wheel module comprising
an optical filter wheel that is rotatable around a rotational axis, and a wheel case having a static portion and a removable portion, and at least one window for transmitting light through the wheel case and through a selected optical filter contained in the optical filter wheel, wherein the removable portion of the case carries the filter wheel, and is separable from the static portion of the case in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis so that the static portion of the case can remain fixed in relation to an optical axis while changing one or more filters in the filter wheel.
-
11. A light detection system comprising
an optical relay structure for directing light along an optical path to or from an examination site, an optical filter wheel having plural filter holders radially positioned around a rotary axis, the rotary axis being substantially parallel to the optical path so that rotation of the filter wheel around the rotary axis permits different optical filters to be positioned in the optical path, and a filter wheel handling member that permits the filter wheel to be removed from its operable position in the light detection system in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical path, wherein the filter wheel handling member forms part of a filter wheel case, the filter wheel case having a lower portion that remains fixed relative to the optical path so that the filter wheel can be properly positioned relative to the optical path by engaging the handling member with the lower portion of the case.
-
12. A light detection system comprising an optical relay structure for directing light along an optical path to or from an examination site,
an optical filter wheel having plural filter holders radially positioned around a rotary axis, the rotary axis being substantially parallel to the optical path so that rotation of the filter wheel around the rotary axis permits different optical filters to be positioned in the optical path, and a filter wheel case having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion of the case holding an axle for rotating the filter wheel, the upper and lower portions being separable from each other in a direction perpendicular to the optical path.
-
14. A filter wheel station for a light detection instrument comprising a registration structure that remains fixed in relation to an optical path and a rotary axis, a filter wheel,
a removable carrier member attached to the filter wheel, and a mating device for engaging the carrier member and the fixed registration structure in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical path.
Specification