US4877966A
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
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Filing: 1988-01-29
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Granted: 1989-10-31
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Expires: 2008-01-29
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 16:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/62; G01N21/63; G01N21/64; G01N21/645; G01N21/6456; G01N15/00; G01N15/10; G01N15/14; G01N15/1468; G01N21/6402; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/02; G01J1/04; G01J2001/0481; G01N2015/1021; G01N15/1434; G01N2015/144; G01N2015/1445; G01N2015/1486; G01N21/6428; G01N2021/6439; G01N2021/6484; G01N2201/00; G01N2201/08; G01N2201/0833
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An improved method for measuring the excited fluorescence of an object comprising: binding a specific dye to such object; securing such object in a fixed position; generating a coherent beam of light; scanning such fixed object with said coherent beam of light in a preprogrammed three dimensional pattern and at a preselected rate to induce such fluorescence; gathering such fluorescent light with an optical fiber member, such optical fiber member attenuating said coherent beam of light used to induce such fluorescence; measuring the intensity of said fluorescent light in a light intensity measuring device; and sequentially recording data regarding the intensity of said fluorescent light as a function of the location of said scanning beam of light on said object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
An improved method for measuring the excited fluorescence of an object comprising: binding a specific dye to such object; securing such object in a fixed position; generating a coherent beam of light; scanning such fixed object with said coherent beam of light in a preprogrammed three dimensional pattern and at a preselected rate to induce such fluorescence; gathering such fluorescent light with an optical fiber member, such optical fiber member attenuating said coherent beam of light used to induce such fluorescence; measuring the intensity of said fluorescent light in a light intensity measuring device; and sequentially recording data regarding the intensity of said fluorescent light as a function of the location of said scanning beam of light on said object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of filtering said fluorescent light upon receipt from said optical fiber member and prior to measuring the intensity of said light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 further including the step of diffusing said filtered light upon receipt from said filter and prior to measuring the intensity of said light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 1 which further includes the step of producing a visual image of at least a portion of said object based upon said sequentially recorded data of the intensity of said fluorescent light as a function of the location of said scanning beam of light on said object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said visual image is realtime produced on a visual monitor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1, which further includes the step of focusing said beam of light through a focusing lens after the step of generating a coherent beam of light and before the step of directing said beam of light into said three dimensional scanner.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6, which further includes the step of expanding said beam of light between the steps of generating and focusing said beam of light.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, which further includes the step of storing said sequentially recorded data in a retrievable digital form.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein a laser is used to generate said coherent beam of light.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein a programmable computer is used to control the movement of said scanner and record said data regarding the intensity of said fluorescent light.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3, wherein an open-ended hollow elongated member having a reflective interior surface is used to diffuse said fluorescent light.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said light measuring device is a photomultiplier tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7, wherein a beam expander is used to expand said beam of light.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
151 words
A method measuring the excited fluorescence of an object comprising; binding a specific dye to said object; securing such object in a fixed position; generating a coherent beam of light; expanding said beam of light; focusing said expanded beam of light; scanning such fixed object with said focused beam of light in a preprogrammed three dimensional pattern and at a preselected rate to induce such fluorescence; collecting such induced fluorescent light from said object by means of a biased cut optical fiber faceplate such bias cut of such optical fiber faceplate acting to eliminate any light directed perpendicular to the suface of such object; filtering said fluorescent light; diffusing said filtered light; measuring the intensity of said diffused light in a light intensity measuring device; and sequentially recording data regarding the intensity of said fluorescent light as a function of the location of said scanning beam of light on said object.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
151 words
A method measuring the excited fluorescence of an object comprising; binding a specific dye to said object; securing such object in a fixed position; generating a coherent beam of light; expanding said beam of light; focusing said expanded beam of light; scanning such fixed object with said focused beam of light in a preprogrammed three dimensional pattern and at a preselected rate to induce such fluorescence; collecting such induced fluorescent light from said object by means of a biased cut optical fiber faceplate such bias cut of such optical fiber faceplate acting to eliminate any light directed perpendicular to the suface of such object; filtering said fluorescent light; diffusing said filtered light; measuring the intensity of said diffused light in a light intensity measuring device; and sequentially recording data regarding the intensity of said fluorescent light as a function of the location of said scanning beam of light on said object.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 14 which further includes the step of storing said sequentially recorded data in a retrievable digital form.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 14 which further includes the step of producing a visual image of at least a portion of said object based upon said sequentially recorded data of the intensity of said fluorescent light as a function of the location of said scanning beam of light on said object.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said visual image is produced on a visual monitor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 14, wherein a laser is used to generate said coherent beam of light.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 14, wherein a programmable computer is used to control the movement of said scanner and record said data regarding the intensity of said fluorescent light.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 14, wherein an open-ended hollow elongated member having a reflective interior surface is used to diffuse said filtered light.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said light measuring device is a photomultiplier tube.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 14, wherein a beam expander is used to expand said beam of light.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
214 words
A method for measuring the excited fluorescence of an object comprising; binding a specific dye to said object; securing such object in a fixed position; generating a coherent beam of light of specified wavelength within the range of 350 to 540 nanometers; expanding said beam of light; focusing said expanded beam of light; scanning such fixed object with said focused beam of light in a preprogrammed three dimensional pattern and at a raster rate of 20 Hz while maintaining the diameter of the light beam impinging upon said object at between 1 to 20 microns; collecting the fluorescent light emitted from said object and attenuating all other light by means of a biased cut optical fiber faceplate; filtering said fluorescent light by means of a neutral density filter; diffusing said filtered light in an open-ended hollow elongated member having a reflective interior surface; measuring said diffused light in a photomultiplier tube; sequentially recording data regarding the intensity of said fluorescent light as a function of the location of said scanning beam of light on said object; and producing a visual image of at least a portion of said object based upon said sequentially recorded data of the intensity of said fluorescent light as a function of the location of said scanning beam of light.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
214 words
A method for measuring the excited fluorescence of an object comprising; binding a specific dye to said object; securing such object in a fixed position; generating a coherent beam of light of specified wavelength within the range of 350 to 540 nanometers; expanding said beam of light; focusing said expanded beam of light; scanning such fixed object with said focused beam of light in a preprogrammed three dimensional pattern and at a raster rate of 20 Hz while maintaining the diameter of the light beam impinging upon said object at between 1 to 20 microns; collecting the fluorescent light emitted from said object and attenuating all other light by means of a biased cut optical fiber faceplate; filtering said fluorescent light by means of a neutral density filter; diffusing said filtered light in an open-ended hollow elongated member having a reflective interior surface; measuring said diffused light in a photomultiplier tube; sequentially recording data regarding the intensity of said fluorescent light as a function of the location of said scanning beam of light on said object; and producing a visual image of at least a portion of said object based upon said sequentially recorded data of the intensity of said fluorescent light as a function of the location of said scanning beam of light.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 23, wherein a laser is used to generate said coherent beam of light.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 23, wherein a programmable computer is used to control the movement of said scanner and record said data regarding the intensity of said fluorescent light.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 23, wherein a beam expander is used to expand said beam of light.
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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) | 1992-10-30 | 1993-05-01 | 1993-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-30 | 1997-05-01 | 1997-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-30 | 2001-05-01 | 2001-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |