US5880880A — Three-dimensional scanning confocal laser microsc…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 200 words

A confocal microscope including an image plane rotation assembly, said image plane rotation assembly comprising: a first scanning element for scanning a light beam at a first predetermined amplitude along a first axis, a second scanning element for scanning the light beam at a second predetermined amplitude along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, said second predetermined amplitude being a percentage of a maximum second amplitude, thereby generating a two-dimensional imaging field in a plane defined by said first and second axes, a third scanning element for scanning the light beam at a third predetermined amplitude along a third axis perpendicular to said plane, said third predetermined amplitude being a percentage of a maximum third amplitude, said second scanning element scanning along the second axis at a selected frequency and said third scanning element being synchronized with said second scanning element to scan along the third axis at said selected frequency, and a selector for determining said second predetermined amplitude and said third predetermined amplitude, said second and third predetermined amplitudes being related such that a sum of the percentage of said maximum second amplitude and the percentage of said maximum third amplitude is equal to one-hundred percent.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 200 words

A confocal microscope including an image plane rotation assembly, said image plane rotation assembly comprising: a first scanning element for scanning a light beam at a first predetermined amplitude along a first axis, a second scanning element for scanning the light beam at a second predetermined amplitude along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, said second predetermined amplitude being a percentage of a maximum second amplitude, thereby generating a two-dimensional imaging field in a plane defined by said first and second axes, a third scanning element for scanning the light beam at a third predetermined amplitude along a third axis perpendicular to said plane, said third predetermined amplitude being a percentage of a maximum third amplitude, said second scanning element scanning along the second axis at a selected frequency and said third scanning element being synchronized with said second scanning element to scan along the third axis at said selected frequency, and a selector for determining said second predetermined amplitude and said third predetermined amplitude, said second and third predetermined amplitudes being related such that a sum of the percentage of said maximum second amplitude and the percentage of said maximum third amplitude is equal to one-hundred percent.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 39 words

The confocal microscope of claim 1 wherein said third axis comprises an optical pathway of the microscope, said third scanning element being mounted on an oscillating device configured to translate with an adjustable longitudinal displacement along the optical pathway.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 25 words

The confocal microscope of claim 1 wherein said selector comprises a controller including a frequency source for selectively varying said second and third predetermined amplitudes.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 23 words

The confocal microscope of claim 1 wherein said second scanning element and said third scanning element are driven by a common frequency source.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 28 words

The confocal microscope of claim 1 wherein said second scanning element and said third scanning element are driven at a frequency of between about 1 and 100 Hz.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 17 words

The confocal microscope of claim 1 further comprising a pivoting articulated arm housing the second scanning element.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 44 words

The confocal microscope of claim 6 further comprising an imaging lens housed within said arm, said imaging lens being configured to receive the two-dimensional imaging field from said second scanning element and focus the two-dimensional imaging field to a focal plane in a sample.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 72 words

The confocal microscope of claim 7 wherein said third axis comprises an optical pathway of the microscope, said articulated arm further comprising a focussing lens positioned along the optical pathway between the second scanning element and the imaging lens, said focussing lens configured to make an entrance aperture of said imaging lens an optical conjugate to said second scanning element so that spatial displacements of the field are minimized at said aperture.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 21 words

The confocal microscope of claim 6 wherein said second scanning element is positioned at a pivot point of said articulated arm.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 25 words

The confocal microscope of claim 9 further comprising an aiming device for aiming said light beam as said light beam exits said second scanning element.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 72 words

The confocal microscope of claim 10 further comprising an imaging lens housed within said arm, said imaging lens being configured to receive the two-dimensional imaging field from said second scanning element and focus the two-dimensional imaging field to a focal plane in a sample, wherein said aiming device is configured to position said second scanning element such that said light beam remains substantially centered on an entrance aperture of said imaging lens.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 27 words

The confocal microscope of claim 6 wherein said arm further comprises a reflective elbow joint configured to receive the two-dimensional imaging field from the second scanning element.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 30 words

The confocal microscope of claim 1 further including a light source for producing said light beam, said light source emitting light at a wavelength between about 1550 and 1800 nm.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 59 words

The confocal microscope of claim 1 wherein said microscope includes a microscope objective and further comprising a coupler for coupling the microscope objective to living tissue, comprising a template defining a tissue contacting surface for adhesive mounting to the tissue, said contacting surface defining a tissue imaging aperture, and a housing defining a chamber for receiving the objective lens.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 34 words

The confocal microscope of claim 14 wherein an index matching fluid having an index between about 1.39 and 1.41 is disposed in said template's tissue imaging aperture, interfacing said objective lens and said tissue.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 34 words

The confocal microscope of claim 14 further comprising a first mount rigidly coupling the objective lens to the housing, and said housing including a second mount for rigidly coupling said template to said housing.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 230 words

A method for generating an image of a sample, comprising: a) illuminating said sample with a confocal microscope comprising a first scanning element for scanning a light beam at a first predetermined amplitude along a first axis, a second scanning element for scanning the light beam at a second predetermined amplitude along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, said second predetermined amplitude being a percentage of a maximum second amplitude, thereby generating a two-dimensional imaging field in a plane defined by said first and second axes, a third scanning element for scanning the light beam at a third predetermined amplitude along a third axis perpendicular to said plane, said third predetermined amplitude being a percentage of a maximum third amplitude, said second scanning element scanning along the second axis at a selected frequency and said third scanning element being synchronized with said second scanning element to scan along the third axis at said selected frequency, and a selector for determining said second predetermined amplitude and said third predetermined amplitude, said second and third predetermined amplitudes being related such that a sum of the percentage of said maximum second amplitude and the percentage of said maximum third amplitude is equal to one-hundred percent, b) scanning said optical field through said sample, and c) receiving remitted light from said sample with a photodetector to form an image of the sample.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 230 words

A method for generating an image of a sample, comprising: a) illuminating said sample with a confocal microscope comprising a first scanning element for scanning a light beam at a first predetermined amplitude along a first axis, a second scanning element for scanning the light beam at a second predetermined amplitude along a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, said second predetermined amplitude being a percentage of a maximum second amplitude, thereby generating a two-dimensional imaging field in a plane defined by said first and second axes, a third scanning element for scanning the light beam at a third predetermined amplitude along a third axis perpendicular to said plane, said third predetermined amplitude being a percentage of a maximum third amplitude, said second scanning element scanning along the second axis at a selected frequency and said third scanning element being synchronized with said second scanning element to scan along the third axis at said selected frequency, and a selector for determining said second predetermined amplitude and said third predetermined amplitude, said second and third predetermined amplitudes being related such that a sum of the percentage of said maximum second amplitude and the percentage of said maximum third amplitude is equal to one-hundred percent, b) scanning said optical field through said sample, and c) receiving remitted light from said sample with a photodetector to form an image of the sample.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 1 further including scanning said optical field through a sample including melanin as a naturally occurring contrasting agent.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-03-08	2002-09-07	2003-03-09	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-03-08	2006-09-07	2007-03-09	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-03-08	2010-09-07	2011-03-09	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Three-dimensional scanning confocal laser microscope

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag