Scanning confocal microscope providing a continuous display
First Claim
1. A confocal microscope for scanning a sample doped with a predetermined fluorescent indicator, comprising:
- a scanner for repeatedly scanning a laser beam in two dimensions across the sample, whereupon the sample fluoresces in first and second predetermined wavelengths;
first and second detectors for detecting light emitted by the sample in the first and second wavelengths and for generating a succession of frames of image data representing a sequence of related pairs of simultaneous two-dimensional images of the sample, in the first and second wavelengths;
first and second frame memories for temporarily storing individual frames of image data for the respective first and second wavelengths;
a permanent data storage device;
transfer means for transferring image data derived from the data generated by the first and second detectors to the permanent data storage device in an alternating fashion;
ratio means for repeatedly computing and temporarily storing the ratio of image data for the respective first and second wavelengths, to produce a sequence of image data ratios; and
video means for receiving the sequence of image data ratios produced by the ratio means and providing a signal suitable for coupling to a video display, to provide a repeatedly updated display of the scanned sample that is substantially unaffected by any variations in the intensity of the scanning laser beam or in the local concentration in the sample of the fluorescent indicator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A scanning confocal microscope scans a sample with an incident beam of radiation, in a raster scan pattern, causing the sample to fluoresce and emit visible radiation in at least two wavelengths. A portion of the fluorescent light retraces a portion of the path optical of incident beam, to a dichroic mirror that separates it from the incident beam for detection by a pair of photomultiplier tubes. A data processor accumulates digital data from the photomultiplier tubes to form a succession of image data frames of the sample being scanned, in the two wavelengths. Image data for a selected number of frames in each wavelength is averaged and then recorded on a single track of a recording system, in an alternating fashion with averaged data for the other wavelength. In addition, a ratio of the averaged data for the two wavelengths is delivered to a video display.
101 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A confocal microscope for scanning a sample doped with a predetermined fluorescent indicator, comprising:
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a scanner for repeatedly scanning a laser beam in two dimensions across the sample, whereupon the sample fluoresces in first and second predetermined wavelengths; first and second detectors for detecting light emitted by the sample in the first and second wavelengths and for generating a succession of frames of image data representing a sequence of related pairs of simultaneous two-dimensional images of the sample, in the first and second wavelengths; first and second frame memories for temporarily storing individual frames of image data for the respective first and second wavelengths; a permanent data storage device; transfer means for transferring image data derived from the data generated by the first and second detectors to the permanent data storage device in an alternating fashion; ratio means for repeatedly computing and temporarily storing the ratio of image data for the respective first and second wavelengths, to produce a sequence of image data ratios; and video means for receiving the sequence of image data ratios produced by the ratio means and providing a signal suitable for coupling to a video display, to provide a repeatedly updated display of the scanned sample that is substantially unaffected by any variations in the intensity of the scanning laser beam or in the local concentration in the sample of the fluorescent indicator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for scanning a sample doped with a predetermined fluorescent indicator and providing a video display of the sample, comprising the steps of:
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repeatedly scanning a laser beam in two dimensions across the sample, whereupon the sample fluoresces in first and second predetermined wavelengths; detecting light emitted by the sample in the first and second wavelengths and generating a succession of frames of image data representing a sequence of related pairs of simultaneous two-dimensional images of the sample, in the first and second wavelengths; temporarily storing in first and second frame memories individual frames of image data for the respective first and second wavelengths; transferring image data derived from the data for the first and second wavelengths, generated in the step of detecting, to a permanent data storage device in an alternating fashion; repeatedly computing and temporarily storing the ratio of image data for the respective first and second wavelengths, to produce a sequence of image data ratios; and receiving the sequence of image data ratios produced in step of repeatedly computing and providing a video signal suitable for coupling to a video display, to provide repeatedly updated display of the scanned sample that is substantially unaffected by any variations in the intensity of the scanning laser beam or in the local concentration in the sample of the fluorescent indicator. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A confocal microscope for scanning a sample doped with a predetermined fluorescent indicator, comprising:
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a scanner for repeatedly scanning a laser beam in a raster-scan pattern across the sample, whereupon the sample fluoresces in first and second predetermined wavelengths; first and second photodetectors for detecting light emitted by the sample in the first and second wavelengths and for generating video signals constituting a succession of frames of image data representing a sequence of related pairs of simultaneous two-dimensional images of the sample, in the first and second wavelengths; first and second frame memories for temporarily storing individual frames of image data for the respective first and second wavelengths; first and second averaging means for averaging a selected number of successive frames of image data representing the respective first wavelength and the second wavelength, to produce a sequence of related pairs of average image data, wherein the first and second averaging means each include an adder for adding the current image data frame to a previous sum of image data frames to produce a current sum of image data frames, means for delivering the current sum of image data frames for storage in the associated first or second frame memory, means for selectively supplying the image data frame currently stored in the associated frame memory to the adder, and means, operable during the time of the last frame in each sequence of image frames being averaged, for dividing by a predetermined integer the current sum of image data frames produced by the adder, to produce the average image data; a permanent data storage device;
transfer means for transferring the average image data to the permanent data storage device alternately from the first and second averaging means;ratio means for repeatedly computing and temporarily storing in a third frame memory the ratio of average image data received from the first and second averaging means, to produce a sequence of image data ratios; and video means for receiving the sequence of image data ratios produced by the ratio means and providing a signal suitable for coupling to a video display, to provide a continuous, repeatedly-updated display of the scanned sample that is substantially unaffected by any variations in the intensity of the scanning laser beam or in the local concentration in the sample of the fluorescent indicator. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification