System and method for increasing the contrast of an image produced by an epifluorescence microscope
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for increasing the contrast of a fluorescently tagged biological sample comprising a sample holder for supporting a sample tagged with different fluorescent tags for epifluorescence microscopy, the sample emitting an emission light when illuminated by an excitation light, the sample holder comprising:
- a sample support comprising a sample-proximal infrared reflecting film, wherein the infrared reflecting film at least partially reflects an infrared focusung light beam at or near a sample focal point or focal plane; and
a base supporting a reflector comprising a dichroic reflector surface located beneath the sample support, wherein the dichroic reflector reflects the emission light emitted by the sample while transmitting the excitation light illuminating the sample, wherein the sample comprises different fluorescent tags selected for interacting with excitation light applied at a specific frequency to produce a specific frequency emission light, the specific frequency emission light being reflected by the dichroic surface of the reflector being suitable for reflecting said specific frequency light emitted from the fluorescent tags.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The contrast of an image produced by epifluorescence microscopy may be increased by placing a high-pass dichroic reflecting film behind the sample. The reflecting film reflects the emission light emitted by the fluorescent tags in the sample back through the objective lens while allowing the shorter wavelength excitation light to pass through the sample holder.
62 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A system for increasing the contrast of a fluorescently tagged biological sample comprising a sample holder for supporting a sample tagged with different fluorescent tags for epifluorescence microscopy, the sample emitting an emission light when illuminated by an excitation light, the sample holder comprising:
-
a sample support comprising a sample-proximal infrared reflecting film, wherein the infrared reflecting film at least partially reflects an infrared focusung light beam at or near a sample focal point or focal plane; and
a base supporting a reflector comprising a dichroic reflector surface located beneath the sample support, wherein the dichroic reflector reflects the emission light emitted by the sample while transmitting the excitation light illuminating the sample, wherein the sample comprises different fluorescent tags selected for interacting with excitation light applied at a specific frequency to produce a specific frequency emission light, the specific frequency emission light being reflected by the dichroic surface of the reflector being suitable for reflecting said specific frequency light emitted from the fluorescent tags. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification