Assembly for illuminating objects with light of different wavelengths

• US 20060187542A1
• Filed: 03/09/2004
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH (Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung)
• Original Assignee: CARL Zeiss Microimaging GmbH (Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung)
• Inventors: Westphal, Peter, Bublitz, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 7,416,313 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/389
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/06 Means for illuminating specimens
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/16 adapted for ultraviolet illumination ; Fluorescence microscopes G02B21/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 21/28 with cooling device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly for illuminating objects with light of different wavelengths in microscopes, automatic microscopes and devices for fluorescent microscopy applications. Said assembly comprises LED light sources for illuminating the objects, which are positioned in the illumination beam path of the microscope or device. A receiving element (6; 13) that can be rotated about a rotational axis (5) is provided with respective fixing elements (7) for at least one LED (3; 3.1). The receiving device (6; 13) is situated in a housing (1) that can be placed on or positioned in the device housing (18). A drive unit (9) for the defined adjustment of the receiving device (6; 13) is provided in such a way that the LED (3; 3.1) can be positioned in front of a light emission opening of the housing (1) with the respective focal point wavelength that is required for measuring and/or observation purposes.

Claims

1. Arrangement for illuminating objects with light of different wavelengths in microscopes, automatic microscopes, and equipment for fluorescent microscopy applications comprising LED light sources for object illumination that are arranged in the illumination radiation path of the microscope or equipment,

further comprising

a receiving apparatus that is rotatable about an axis of rotation is provided with mounts for each of at least one LED, whereby said receiving apparatus is arranged in a housing that can be attached to an equipment housing or that is positioned in said equipment housing;

and in that a drive device for defined adjustment of said receiving apparatus is provided such that said LED can be positioned upstream of a light emission aperture of said housing with the effective wavelength that is required for measurements and/or observations.

2. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein said mounts are embodied and attached to said receiving apparatus such that the main emission direction of said at least one LED arranged thereon runs parallel to said axis of rotation.

3. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein said mounts of said receiving apparatus are embodied such that the emission direction of said at least one LED arranged thereon runs radial to said axis of rotation.

4. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein collimator optics and a radiation homogenizer is are provided in said equipment housing in the light direction downstream of said light emission aperture of said housing.

5. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of said LEDs is a white light LED emitting a white light.

6. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein a Peltier cooling element for cooling said LED is provided arranged between said mount of said receiving apparatus and said LED arranged thereon.

7. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein a halogen light source or another light source is arranged on at least one mount of said receiving apparatus.

8. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said housing is arranged on said equipment housing using a rapid change ring in the form of a dovetail.

9. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein said at least one LED is arranged exchangeably in said mount without an associated Peltier cooling element.

10. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, wherein said at least one LED is securely joined to said associated Peltier cooling element and can be arranged exchangeably in said mount together therewith.

11. Arrangement in accordance with claim 1, in combination with a microscope.

12. A light source for microscopes having an illumination ray path, the light source comprising:

a housing with a light emission aperture alignable with the illumination ray path;

an LED receiving apparatus rotatably mounted within the housing, the receiving apparatus having an axis of rotation;

a plurality of LEDs, the LEDs each having light emission of different spectral characteristics, the LEDs mounted to the receiving apparatus whereby one of the LEDs of the plurality of LEDs may be selectively rotationally positioned upstream of the light emission aperture.

13. The light source of claim 12 wherein each of the LEDs has a main emission direction and wherein said main emission direction of each of the LEDs is aligned with the axis of rotation of the receiving apparatus.

14. The light source of claim 12 further comprising at least one of collimator optics and a radiation homogenizer attached to the housing and placeable in the light emission of the LEDs.

15. The light source of claim 12 further comprising a Peltier cooling element attached to an LED.

16. The light source of claim 12 in combination with a microscope, the light source attached to the microscope.