Patents by Inventor Rainer Daum
Rainer Daum has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240035978Abstract: Disclosed are confocal microscope systems capable of spectral multiplexing. The systems beneficially provide multiple excitation spots on a sample plane simultaneously, and each spot can provide a different wavelength of excitation light. Scanning the excitation spots across a sample can therefore provide multispectral fluorescence imaging at a faster rate than through the sequential process of conventional laser scanning confocal microscopes. A method of generating a distribution from multiplexed spectral fluorescence data is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Rainer DAUM, Xaver VOEGELE
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Publication number: 20230408838Abstract: A perfusion system for reducing or eliminating sample drift during microscopy imaging includes a sample chamber that has an inlet opening associated therewith. The perfusion system also includes a reservoir, which is in fluid communication with the inlet opening and positioned above the inlet opening in a direction opposite the force of gravity. The perfusion system includes an outlet opening associated with the sample chamber. Furthermore, the perfusion system includes a wick. A first portion of the wick forms a fluid-tight connection with the outlet opening. A second portion of the wick is disposed within a waste tank. A capillary tension of the wick contributes to a laminar flow of fluid across an optical detection area of the sample chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2021Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Rainer DAUM, Meike PEDERSEN
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Publication number: 20230384225Abstract: An imaging system having one or more single-photon detectors is configured to enable rapid switching between different operational modes. The imaging system includes a reprogrammable controller communicatively coupled to one or more single-photon detectors and to a host computer device via a high-speed data link. In operation, the one or more single-photon detectors are operated according to a first operational mode. A reprogrammable logic device of the controller is then reconfigured to operate the one or more single-photon detectors in a second operational mode without requiring changes to the overall hardware configuration/setup of the imaging system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2021Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Rainer DAUM, Bruce PIRGER
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Publication number: 20230011590Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for imaging and ablating a sample. An imaging/ablating device includes an optical assembly, a sample stage, and a receiver. The optical assembly enables ablation of a region of interest within the sample. The laser light propagated from the optical assembly during ablation propagates substantially in the same direction as the direction of travel of the ablation plume toward the receiver. A laser focus detection unit including at least one reference laser and photodetector generates at least one real-time detection signal indicative of one or more characteristics of the sample during ablation and/or of a distance from the objective to the sample stage or a surface of the sample. A controller coupled with the laser focus detection unit dynamically controls in real-time one or more parameters of the ablation laser and/or a position of the objective and/or a position of the receiver relative to the sample to improve MS imaging quality.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2022Publication date: January 12, 2023Inventors: Alexander MAKAROV, Michael WARD, Rainer DAUM
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Publication number: 20230003964Abstract: A system for selectively adjusting an objective lens correction collar includes a gear ring sized and shaped to fit about a correction collar of an objective lens. The system also includes an adjustment mechanism that has a motor operably connected to a complementary gear configured to selectively engage and cause movement of the gear ring, thereby adjusting the correction collar.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Inventors: Rainer DAUM, Xaver VOEGELE, Gerrit PAHL
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Publication number: 20220404602Abstract: An imaging system configured for automatic application and/or removal of immersion media can include (i) a sample stage, (ii) an imaging assembly disposed on a first side of the sample stage and having an immersion objective configured to selectively align with an optical axis of the imaging system, and (iii) an applicator positioned to selectively interact with a lens surface of the immersion objective to deposit or remove immersion media.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2020Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: Xaver VOEGELE, Andreas ACHTERMANN, Thierry BOTTARO, Rainer DAUM
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Publication number: 20220399197Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for imaging and ablating a sample. An imaging/ablating device (110) includes an optical assembly (112), a sample stage (114), and a receiver (116). The optical assembly (112) is disposed in an inverted position below the sample stage (114) and the receiver (116) is positioned above the sample stage (112). The optical assembly enables imaging of a sample disposed on the sample stage (114). The optical assembly (112) also enables ablation of a region of interest within the sample. The laser light propagated from the optical assembly during ablation propagates substantially in the same direction as the direction of travel of the ablation plume (20) toward the receiver (116).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2020Publication date: December 15, 2022Applicants: Thermo Fisher Scientific (Bremen) GmbH, Life Technologies Corporation, FEI Deutschland GmbHInventors: Alexander Makarov, Michael WARD, Rainer DAUM
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Patent number: 10401291Abstract: A standing wave interferometric microscope is disclosed herein. An example microscope may include an illuminator, for illuminating a specimen with a standing wave of input radiation at an analysis location to cause the specimen to fluoresce, the specimen arranged in the analysis location, a pair of projection systems, arranged at opposite sides of the analysis location, coupled to collect at least a portion of the fluorescence and direct a corresponding pair of fluorescence light beams into a respective pair of inputs of an optical combining element, a wavefront modifier for producing astigmatism in at least one of the fluorescence light beams entering the optical combining element, and a detector for examining output light from said combining element.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: FEI COMPANYInventors: Rainer Daum, Xaver Voegele
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Publication number: 20180195962Abstract: A standing wave interferometric microscope is disclosed herein. An example microscope may include an illuminator, for illuminating a specimen with a standing wave of input radiation at an analysis location to cause the specimen to fluoresce, the specimen arranged in the analysis location, a pair of projection systems, arranged at opposite sides of the analysis location, coupled to collect at least a portion of the fluorescence and direct a corresponding pair of fluorescence light beams into a respective pair of inputs of an optical combining element, a wavefront modifier for producing astigmatism in at least one of the fluorescence light beams entering the optical combining element, and a detector for examining output light from said combining element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2018Publication date: July 12, 2018Applicant: FEI CompanyInventors: Rainer Daum, Xaver Voegele
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Patent number: 9885660Abstract: A wide-field interferometric microscope comprising: A specimen holder, for holding a specimen at an analysis location; An illuminator, for illuminating the specimen with input radiation, so as to cause it to emit fluorescence light; A pair of projection systems, arranged at opposite sides of said analysis location, to collect at least a portion of said fluorescence light and direct a corresponding pair of light beams into a respective pair of inputs of an optical combining element, where they optically interfere; A detector arrangement, for examining output light from said combining element, wherein: The illuminator is configured to produce a standing wave of input radiation at the analysis location The detector arrangement comprises exactly two interferometric detection branches.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: FEI CompanyInventors: Rainer Daum, Xaver Voegele
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Patent number: 9759901Abstract: The invention relates to a microscope arrangement provided with: a microscope (10) having at least two optical outputs (12, 14) for outputting a fluorescence signal and a switching arrangement (16) for switching the output of the fluorescence signal between the optical outputs; a beam splitter arrangement (18); optical elements (28, 30) for generating a separate partial beam path (24, 26) associated with each output in such a way that the respective fluorescence signal of each of the outputs is superimposed at the beam splitter arrangement after passing through the respective partial beam path; and also at least two optical detectors (20, 22), wherein for each of the partial beam paths, one of the detectors is located behind the beam splitter, seen from the microscope, in reflection and another of the detectors is located behind the beam splitter arrangement, seen from the microscope, in transmission.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2012Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: FEI CompanyInventors: Rainer Uhl, Rainer Daum, Xaver Voegele
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Publication number: 20170115224Abstract: A wide-field interferometric microscope comprising: A specimen holder, for holding a specimen at an analysis location; An illuminator, for illuminating the specimen with input radiation, so as to cause it to emit fluorescence light; A pair of projection systems, arranged at opposite sides of said analysis location, to collect at least a portion of said fluorescence light and direct a corresponding pair of light beams into a respective pair of inputs of an optical combining element, where they optically interfere; A detector arrangement, for examining output light from said combining element, wherein: The illuminator is configured to produce a standing wave of input radiation at the analysis location The detector arrangement comprises exactly two interferometric detection branches.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2016Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: FEI CompanyInventors: Rainer Daum, Xaver Voegele
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Patent number: 9512460Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of studying a sample using an optical microscope, comprising providing the sample in a sample holder with means to maintain the sample at a temperature below 273 K; providing a microscope objective lens, in a thermally insulating jacket, having an extremal lens element proximal to the sample holder; bringing the lens into a focus position proximal to the sample, which separates the extremal lens element and sample by an intervening space, providing a transparent window in said intervening space, with a gap between the window and the extremal lens element; providing a flow of substantially dry gas in said gap; and tailoring the geometry and velocity of said flow so that, at least in said gap, the flow is non-laminar; and does not excite substantial acoustic vibration in a structure proximal the gap.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: FEI COMPANYInventors: Tobias Mayer, Rainer Daum, Matthias Geisbauer, Rudolf Johannes Peter Gerardus Schampers, Johannes Antonius Hendricus Wilhelmus Gerardus Persoon
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Publication number: 20140248649Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of studying a sample using an optical microscope, comprising providing the sample in a sample holder with means to maintain the sample at a temperature below 273 K; providing a microscope objective lens, in a thermally insulating jacket, having an extremal lens element proximal to the sample holder; bringing the lens into a focus position proximal to the sample, which separates the extremal lens element and sample by an intervening space, providing a transparent window in said intervening space, with a gap between the window and the extremal lens element; providing a flow of substantially dry gas in said gap; and tailoring the geometry and velocity of said flow so that, at least in said gap, the flow is non-laminar; and does not excite substantial acoustic vibration in a structure proximal the gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: FEI CompanyInventors: Tobias Mayer, Rainer Daum, Matthias Geisbauer, Rudolf Johannes Peter Gerardus Schampers, Johannes Antonius Hendricus Wilhelmus Ge Persoon
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Publication number: 20140160265Abstract: The invention relates to a microscope arrangement provided with: a microscope (10) having at least two optical outputs (12, 14) for outputting a fluorescence signal and a switching arrangement (16) for switching the output of the fluorescence signal between the optical outputs; a beam splitter arrangement (18); optical elements (28, 30) for generating a separate partial beam path (24, 26) associated with each output in such a way that the respective fluorescence signal of each of the outputs is superimposed at the beam splitter arrangement after passing through the respective partial beam path; and also at least two optical detectors (20, 22), wherein for each of the partial beam paths, one of the detectors is located behind the beam splitter, seen from the microscope, in reflection and another of the detectors is located behind the beam splitter arrangement, seen from the microscope, in transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: FEI CompanyInventors: Xaver Voegele, Rainer Uhl, Rainer Daum
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Patent number: 7706043Abstract: A device for confocal observation of a specimen, having a mask, which is located in the illumination beam path and the image beam path and is rotatable around a central axis, the mask being provided with openings for generating an illumination pattern moving on the specimen, an arrangement of a plurality of focusing microoptics which is adjusted to the geometric arrangement of the openings of the mask and to the rotation of the mask in order to concentrate the illumination light by each of the microoptics into a respective one of the openings of the mask, and a beam splitter for separating light from the specimen from illumination light, wherein the beam splitter is arranged in the beam path between the mask and the arrangement of the microoptics, and wherein an optical arrangement is provided in the beam path between the mask and the arrangement of the microoptics.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2009Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Till I.D. GmbHInventors: Rainer Uhl, Christian Seebacher, Rainer Daum
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Publication number: 20090279159Abstract: A device for confocal observation of a specimen, having a mask, which is located in the illumination beam path and the image beam path and is rotatable around a central axis, the mask being provided with openings for generating an illumination pattern moving on the specimen, an arrangement of a plurality of focusing microoptics which is adjusted to the geometric arrangement of the openings of the mask and to the rotation of the mask in order to concentrate the illumination light by each of the microoptics into a respective one of the openings of the mask, and a beam splitter for separating light from the specimen from illumination light, wherein the beam splitter is arranged in the beam path between the mask and the arrangement of the microoptics, and wherein an optical arrangement is provided in the beam path between the mask and the arrangement of the microoptics.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2009Publication date: November 12, 2009Applicant: TILL I.D. GMBHInventors: Rainer UHL, Christian SEEBACHER, Rainer DAUM
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Patent number: 7580171Abstract: A device for confocal observation of a specimen, having a mask, which is located in the illumination beam path and the image beam path and is rotatable around a central axis, the mask being provided with openings for generating an illumination pattern moving on the specimen, an arrangement of a plurality of focusing microoptics which is adjusted to the geometric arrangement of the openings of the mask and to the rotation of the mask in order to concentrate the illumination light by each of the microoptics into a respective one of the openings of the mask, and a beam splitter for separating light from the specimen from illumination light, wherein the beam splitter is arranged in the beam path between the mask and the arrangement of the microoptics, and wherein an optical arrangement is provided in the beam path between the mask and the arrangement of the microoptics.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2008Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: TILL I.D. GmbHInventors: Rainer Uhl, Christian Seebacher, Rainer Daum
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Publication number: 20080218849Abstract: There is provided a device for confocal observation of a specimen, comprising an objective, a mask, which is located in the illumination beam path and the image beam path and which is rotatable around a central axis, the mask being imaged onto the specimen by means of the objective and being provided with openings for generating an illumination pattern moving on the specimen, an arrangement of a plurality of focussing microoptics which is adjusted to the geometric arrangement of the openings of the mask and to the rotation of the mask in order to concentrate the illumination light by each of the microoptics into a respective one of the openings of the mask, and a beam splitter for separating light from the specimen which has been collected by the objective and which has passed through the openings of the mask from illumination light, wherein the beam splitter is arranged in the beam path between the mask and the arrangement of the microoptics, and wherein an optical arrangement is provided in the beam path beType: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2008Publication date: September 11, 2008Applicant: TILL I.D. GMBHInventors: Rainer UHL, Christian SEEBACHER, Rainer DAUM