Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of microscopy by a multiple photon excitation technique of a target material containing molecules which are excitable by photons of a characteristic energy comprising the steps of: generating a beam of subpicosecond pulses of laser light comprising photons of an energy approximately 1/n of said characteristic energy, where n equals a number of photons to be absorbed by said material and is greater than or equal to three; and directing said beam within said material to produce molecular excitation of said target material molecules by simultaneous absorption of at least three of said incident illuminating photons.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of microscopy by a multiple photon excitation technique of a target material containing molecules which are excitable by photons of a characteristic energy comprising the steps of: generating a beam of subpicosecond pulses of laser light comprising photons of an energy approximately 1/n of said characteristic energy, where n equals a number of photons to be absorbed by said material and is greater than or equal to three; and directing said beam within said material to produce molecular excitation of said target material molecules by simultaneous absorption of at least three of said incident illuminating photons.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said material includes caged biologically active molecules, said beam having an illumination intensity that is sufficient to release caged biologically active compounds by simultaneous absorption of n incident photons, each of energy equal to approximately 1/n of said characteristic energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said material includes fluorescent molecules, said beam having an illumination intensity that is sufficient to produce fluorescence of said material by simultaneous absorption of n incident photons, each of energy equal to approximately 1/n of said characteristic energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein said step of directing said beam further comprises focusing said beam to a focal volume within said material to produce illumination intensity sufficiently high only at said focal volume to produce molecular excitation by simultaneous absorption of said n of said incident illuminating photons.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 4 , further including the steps of: scanning said beam to scan said focal volume through said material; and detecting the fluorescence produced by said material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said material is a tissue, and said molecular excitation occurs by simultaneous absorption of at least three of said incident illuminating photons by intrinsic chromophores, extrinsically provided chromophores or intrinsic fluorophores within said tissue.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for laser scanning fluorescence microscopy of a target material including a fluorescent component responsive to excitation by photons of a characteristic energy to produce fluorescence photons, said apparatus comprising: at least one source of subpicosecond coherent light pulses comprised of energy 1/n of said characteristic energy, where n is greater than or equal to three; at least a one optical element for directing said coherent light pulses onto said target material, thereby causing said target material to absorb at least three photons and produce said fluorescence photons; and a detector for detecting said fluorescence photons.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
97 words
An apparatus for laser scanning fluorescence microscopy of a target material including a fluorescent component responsive to excitation by photons of a characteristic energy to produce fluorescence photons, said apparatus comprising: at least one source of subpicosecond coherent light pulses comprised of energy 1/n of said characteristic energy, where n is greater than or equal to three; at least a one optical element for directing said coherent light pulses onto said target material, thereby causing said target material to absorb at least three photons and produce said fluorescence photons; and a detector for detecting said fluorescence photons.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , further including a scanner for scanning said light pulses through said material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said detector comprises a confocal photomultiplier tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said detector comprises a Fourier plane detector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said detector comprises an imaging detector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said at least one optical element includes at least one lens for focusing said light pulses on a focal volume within said target material.