Confocal microscopy apparatus and method
First Claim
1. Confocal microscopy apparatus comprising means for directing light to a specimen;
- a mask for encoding light incident on the specimen and for decoding light from the specimen, the mask having an opaque patterning on a first surface; and
one or more image detectors for detecting images of the specimen characterised in that the mask has a reflective patterning on a second surface, the reflective patterning being substantially identical to the opaque patterning on the first surface of the mask whereby one of the first and second surfaces of the mask generates a first image of the specimen consisting of a confocal image superimposed on a non-confocal image and the other of the first and second surfaces of the mask generates a second image of the specimen consisting of a non-confocal image from which a confocal image has been removed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The confocal microscope has two matched light sources: a first light source (1) and a second light source (8). The light sources (1,8) are arranged to illuminate opposite sides of a modulating mask (6). The light either reflecting from or passing through the modulating mask (6) is then used to illuminate an object O supported on a mount (5). The microscope is arranged so that the object O is mounted on the opposite side of the mask (6) to a camera (7) such that light reflected from the object O passes through the modulating mask (6) before being captured by the camera (7). Subtraction of the image produced using the second light source (8) from the image produced using the first light source (1) generates a confocal image that contains substantially less noise than is possible with available confocal microscopy apparatus.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. Confocal microscopy apparatus comprising means for directing light to a specimen;
- a mask for encoding light incident on the specimen and for decoding light from the specimen, the mask having an opaque patterning on a first surface; and
one or more image detectors for detecting images of the specimen characterised in that the mask has a reflective patterning on a second surface, the reflective patterning being substantially identical to the opaque patterning on the first surface of the mask whereby one of the first and second surfaces of the mask generates a first image of the specimen consisting of a confocal image superimposed on a non-confocal image and the other of the first and second surfaces of the mask generates a second image of the specimen consisting of a non-confocal image from which a confocal image has been removed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- a mask for encoding light incident on the specimen and for decoding light from the specimen, the mask having an opaque patterning on a first surface; and
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11. A confocal microscopy method comprising providing illumination from a first light source;
- encoding light incident on a specimen and decoding light from the specimen by means of a mask having an opaque patterning on a first surface; and
detecting Images of the specimen characterised by the mask has a reflective patterning on a second surface that is substantially identical to the opaque patterning on the first surface of the mask and generating a first image of the specimen consisting of a confocal image superimposed on a non-confocal image by means of one of the first or second surfaces of the mask and generating a second image of the specimen consisting of a non-confocal image from which a confocal Image has been removed by means of the other of the first or second surfaces of the mask. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
- encoding light incident on a specimen and decoding light from the specimen by means of a mask having an opaque patterning on a first surface; and
Specification