Multi-channel simultaneous photostimulation

• US 9,952,418 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Issued: 04/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Imaging Innovations, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Imaging Innovations, Inc.
• Inventors: Redford, Glen Ivan
• Primary Examiner(s): Won, Bumsuk
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEBRAHTU, EPHREM ZERU
• Application Number:
  US14/212,371
• Publication Number:
  US 20140268263A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,502 Days
• Field of Search: 359368, 359376, 359383, 359385, 359389, 359 7, 359 9
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/06 Means for illuminating specimens
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/14 operating by reflection only
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/0005 Adaptation of holography to specific applications holographic optical element G02B5/32; holographic scanner G02B26/106; recognition using holographic mask G06V10/88; holographic memories G11B7/0065, G11C13/042
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/2294 Addressing the hologram to an active spatial light modulator
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/30 discrete holograms only
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2222/13 Multi-wavelengths wave with discontinuous wavelength ranges G03H2222/18 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2225/60 Multiple SLMs

Abstract

A photomanipulation device is described that includes multiple spatial light modulators (SLMs). By having more than one SLM, this device can simultaneously photomanipulate different areas with different wavelengths and/or it can rapidly switch between different areas with speeds faster than a single device is capable of. This device is particularly useful for photostimulation of neurons where simultaneity and precision timing is required.

Claims

1. A photomanipulation system for optical microscopes comprising:

a plurality of SLM (Spatial Light Modulator) photomanipulation devices, wherein the photomanipulation devices provide one or more of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, photo-uncaging, photo-stimulation, ablation, photo-wounding, and/or limiting an excitation field so that some parts of an imaged field are excluded;

more than one input beam of light, each respective input beam of light projected onto one of the SLM photomanipulation devices, wherein the input beams differ in one or more of wavelength and timing;

an optical system adapted to combine reflected beams of light from the respective SLM devices, wherein the reflected beams differ in one or more of wavelength and timing; and

a microscope adapted to deliver a multi-wavelength hologram of the combined reflected beams of light to a sample, wherein the system provides simultaneous photomanipulation of;

different spots of a sample with different wavelengths, or different regions of the sample with precise timing.

2. The system of claim 1, where separate areas of a single SLM device act as the several SLM devices.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical system that combines the reflected beams comprises color dichroics.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical system that combines the reflected beams comprises a polarizing beamsplitter.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical system that combines the reflected beams comprises a galvanometer.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the combining of the reflected beams happens in a secondary infinite space created by relay lenses.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the optical system that combines the reflected beams comprises color dichroics.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the optical system that combines the reflected beams comprises a galvanometer.

9. The system of claim 2, wherein the combining of the reflected beams happens in a secondary infinite space created by relay lenses.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the combined hologram is used to generate multi-photon events.

11. A photomanipulation system for optical microscopes comprising:

a plurality of SLM (Spatial Light Modulator) photomanipulation devices, wherein the photomanipulation devices provide one or more of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, photo-uncaging, photo-stimulation, ablation, photo-wounding, and/or limiting an excitation field so that some parts of an imaged field are excluded;

more than one input beam of light, each respective input beam of light projected onto one of the SLM photomanipulation devices, wherein the input beams differ in one or more of wavelength and timing;

an optical device adapted to combine reflected beams of light from the respective SLM devices, wherein the reflected beams differ in one or more of wavelength and timing; and

means for delivering a multi-wavelength hologram of the combined reflected beams of light to a sample, wherein the system provides simultaneous photomanipulation of;

different spots of a sample with different wavelengths, or different regions of the sample with precise timing.

12. The system of claim 11, where separate areas of a single SLM device act as the several SLM devices.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the optical device that combines the several beams comprises color dichroics.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the optical device that combines the several beams comprises a polarizing beamsplitter.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the optical device that combines the several beams comprises a galvanometer.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the combining of the reflected beams happens in a secondary infinite space created by relay lenses.

17. A photomanipulation system comprising:

a plurality of SLM (Spatial Light Modulator) photomanipulation devices, wherein the photomanipulation devices provide one or more of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, photo-uncaging, photo-stimulation, ablation, photo-wounding, and/or limiting an excitation field so that some parts of an imaged field are excluded;

a plurality of input beams of light projected onto respective ones of the SLM photomanipulation devices, wherein each input beams differ in one or more of wavelength and timing from the other input beams;

an optical device adapted to combine reflected beams of light from each of the respective SLM devices, wherein the reflected beams differ in one or more of wavelength and timing; and

a microscope adapted to deliver a single multi-wavelength hologram of the combined reflected beams of light to a sample, wherein the system provides simultaneous photomanipulation of;

different spots of a sample with different wavelengths, or different regions of the sample with precise timing.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the optical device comprises color dichroics.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the optical device comprises a polarizing beamsplitter.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the optical device comprises a galvanometer.