US4758727A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for the measurement of low-level laser-induced fluorescence
Assignee: OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION A INSTRUMENTALITY OF OHIO
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Filing: 1986-02-12
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Granted: 1988-07-19
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Expires: 2006-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for measuring low-level laser-induced fluorescence are disclosed. A laser is used to produce a coherent beam of light which is sequentially passed through a beam expander, iris diaphram, focusing lens and three-dimensional scanner before being focused onto a rigidly mounted target. A computer is used to predeterminately control the pattern and the rate at which the scanner passes the beam of light over the target. The light transmitted onto the target induces fluorescent light in the target. The fluorescent light is sequentially gathered by a biased cut optical fiber member and directed into a photomultiplier tube where the intensity of the fluorescent light is measured. The intensity data is then digitized and recorded by the computer as a function of the coordinates of each preprogrammed point location of the beam impinging upon the target. This data is used to produce an image of all or a portion of the target on a visual monitor. In addition, the data can be recalled and used for further analysis of the target.
Inventors
- 👤 L. David Tomei
- 👤 Fred Cornhill
- 👤 Jogikal Jagadeesh
- 👤 Michael Boninger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:34
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/62; G01N21/63; G01N21/64; G01N21/6402; G01N15/00; G01N15/10; G01N15/14; G01N15/1468; G01N21/6428; G01N21/643; G01N21/645; G01N21/6456; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/02; G01J1/04; G01J2001/0481; G01N2015/1486; G01N2021/6439; G01N2021/6484; G01N2201/00; G01N2201/08; G01N2201/0833
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for measuring the excited fluorescence of an object comprising: means for generating a coherent beam of light; a three dimensional scanner having means for securing such object in a fixed position, said scanner receiving and passing said coherent beam of light onto such fixed object in a desired pattern and at a desired rate, said scanner having X, Y coordinate scanning capability with simultaneous Z coordinate correction to cause said beam to have a topographical field of focus in the place of said object; means for controlling the pattern and rate at which said beam of light is passed onto said object; an optical fiber member for gathering and directing the fluorescent light induced from said object by said beam of light and for attenuating any direct light received by said object; means for collecting and measuring the intensity of the fluorescent light received from said object; and, means for sequentially recording data regarding the intensity of the fluorescent light received from said object as a function of the location of said scanning beam of light on said object by said scanner.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for measuring the excited fluorescence of an object comprising: means for generating a coherent beam of light; a three dimensional scanner having means for securing such object in a fixed position, said scanner receiving and passing said coherent beam of light onto such fixed object in a desired pattern and at a desired rate, said scanner having X, Y coordinate scanning capability with simultaneous Z coordinate correction to cause said beam to have a topographical field of focus in the place of said object; means for controlling the pattern and rate at which said beam of light is passed onto said object; an optical fiber member for gathering and directing the fluorescent light induced from said object by said beam of light and for attenuating any direct light received by said object; means for collecting and measuring the intensity of the fluorescent light received from said object; and, means for sequentially recording data regarding the intensity of the fluorescent light received from said object as a function of the location of said scanning beam of light on said object by said scanner.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including a means for filtering said fluorescent light emanating from said optical fiber member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including a means for diffusing said fluorescent light emanating from said optical fiber member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further including means for producing a visual image of at least a portion of said object based upon said sequentially recorded data of the intensity of said transmitted light as a function of the location of said scanning beam of light on said object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, which further includes a focusing lens interposed between said means for generating a coherent beam of light and said three dimensional scanner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 5, which further includes a beam expander interposed between said means for generating a coherent beam of light and said focusing lens.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 6, which further includes an iris diaphram interposed between said beam expander and said focusing lens.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for diffusing said transmitted light comprises an open-ended hollow elongated member having a reflective interior surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for collecting and measuring the intensity of the light transmitted through said translucent object comprises a photomultiplier tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for predeterminately controlling the pattern and rate at which said beam of light is passed over said object is a programmable computer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for sequentially recording data is a programmable computer.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
211 words
An apparatus for measuring the excited fluorescence of an object having a binding fluorescent dye application comprising: means for generating a coherent beam of light; means for expanding said coherent beam of light; means for focusing said expanded beam of light; a three dimensional scanner having means for securing such object in a fixed position, said scanner receiving and passing said focused beam of light over such fixed object in a selected pattern and at a selected rate, said scanner having X, Y coordinate scanning capability with simultaneous Z coordinate correction to cause said focused beam of light to have a topographical field of focus in the plane of said object; means for controlling the pattern and rate at which said beam of light is passed through said translucent object; a biased cut optical fiber faceplate for receiving and directing the fluorescent light transmitted from said object; means for filtering said fluorescent light emanating from said fiber faceplate; means for diffusing said filtered light; means for collecting and measuring the intensity of the fluorescent light transmitted through said object; and means for sequentially recording data regarding the intensity of the fluorescent light transmitted from said object as a function of the location of said scanning beam of light on said object.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
211 words
An apparatus for measuring the excited fluorescence of an object having a binding fluorescent dye application comprising: means for generating a coherent beam of light; means for expanding said coherent beam of light; means for focusing said expanded beam of light; a three dimensional scanner having means for securing such object in a fixed position, said scanner receiving and passing said focused beam of light over such fixed object in a selected pattern and at a selected rate, said scanner having X, Y coordinate scanning capability with simultaneous Z coordinate correction to cause said focused beam of light to have a topographical field of focus in the plane of said object; means for controlling the pattern and rate at which said beam of light is passed through said translucent object; a biased cut optical fiber faceplate for receiving and directing the fluorescent light transmitted from said object; means for filtering said fluorescent light emanating from said fiber faceplate; means for diffusing said filtered light; means for collecting and measuring the intensity of the fluorescent light transmitted through said object; and means for sequentially recording data regarding the intensity of the fluorescent light transmitted from said object as a function of the location of said scanning beam of light on said object.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 12, which further includes means for producing a visual image of at least a portion of said object based upon said sequentially recorded data as a function of the location of the fluorescent light transmitted from said object.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 12, which further includes an iris diaphram interposed between said means for expanding said beam of light and said means for focusing said expanded beam of light.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said means for generating a coherent beam of light is a laser.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said means for expanding said beam of light is a variable beam expander.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said means for controlling the pattern and rate at which said beam of light is passed over said object is a programmable computer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said means for diffusing said fluorescent light is an open-ended hollow elongated member having a reflective interior surface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said means for collecting and measuring the intensity of the fluorescent light transmitted from said translucent object is a photomultiplier tube.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the means for sequentially recording data is a programmable computer.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
238 words
An apparatus for measuring the excited fluorescence of an object having a finding fluorescent dye application comprising; a laser for generating a coherent beam of light at a specified wavelength with the range of 350 to 540 nanometers; a variable beam expander for expanding said coherent beam of light; a focusing lens to focus said expanded beam of light; a three dimensional scanner having means for securing such object in a fixed position, said scanner receiving and passing said focused beam of light over such fixed object in a selected pattern and at a selected rate, said scanner having X, Y coordinate scanning capability with simultaneous Z coordinate correction to cause said focused beam of light to have a topographical field of focus in the plane of said object; means for controlling the pattern and rate at which said focused beam of light is passed over said object; a biased cut optical fiber faceplate for receiving and directing the fluorescent light transmitted from said object; filter means for receiving said fluorescent light from said fiber optic bundle and removing unwanted light input; diffusion means for diffusing said filtered light; a photomultiplier for measuring the intensity of the fluorescent light transmitted and received from said diffusion means; and, means for sequentially recording data regarding the intensity of the fluorescent light transmitted from said object as a function of the location of said scanning beam of light on said object.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
238 words
An apparatus for measuring the excited fluorescence of an object having a finding fluorescent dye application comprising; a laser for generating a coherent beam of light at a specified wavelength with the range of 350 to 540 nanometers; a variable beam expander for expanding said coherent beam of light; a focusing lens to focus said expanded beam of light; a three dimensional scanner having means for securing such object in a fixed position, said scanner receiving and passing said focused beam of light over such fixed object in a selected pattern and at a selected rate, said scanner having X, Y coordinate scanning capability with simultaneous Z coordinate correction to cause said focused beam of light to have a topographical field of focus in the plane of said object; means for controlling the pattern and rate at which said focused beam of light is passed over said object; a biased cut optical fiber faceplate for receiving and directing the fluorescent light transmitted from said object; filter means for receiving said fluorescent light from said fiber optic bundle and removing unwanted light input; diffusion means for diffusing said filtered light; a photomultiplier for measuring the intensity of the fluorescent light transmitted and received from said diffusion means; and, means for sequentially recording data regarding the intensity of the fluorescent light transmitted from said object as a function of the location of said scanning beam of light on said object.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said means for controlling the pattern and the rate at which said focused beam of light is passed over said object is a programmable computer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said means for sequentially recording data is a programmable computer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said diffusion means is an open-ended hollow elongated member having a reflective interior surface.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 21, which further includes an iris diaphragm interposed between said beam expander and said focusing lens.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 21, which further includes means for producing a visual image of at least a portion of said object based upon said sequentially recorded data as a function of the location of the fluorescent light transmitted from said object.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-07-19 | 1992-01-18 | 1992-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-07-19 | 1996-01-18 | 1996-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-07-19 | 2000-01-18 | 2000-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |