Abstract: A multi-site fluorescence recording system provides simultaneous monitoring of cell activity in different brain regions of a freely moving animal. The system includes an electrical rotary joint that couples signals to and from an external data acquisition and control unit connected to a stator of the rotary joint, which releases twisting of the optical fibers connected to the animal. Electrical signals are coupled to one or more fluorescence stimulation/detection units on the rotor of the rotary joint. The fluorescence stimulation/detection units receive one or more connections from optical fibers that connect the stimulation/detection unit(s) to the different brain sites. The rotating stimulation/detection units include spectral filters to separate the excitation light from the fluorescence signal, light sensors (an image sensor or photodiodes) and excitation light sources.

Abstract: A pumped fluorescent light source includes one or more mirrors that direct pumping light from one or more pump sources on a fluorescent body having a planar top surface and a convex back surface. The top surface may be coated with an anti-reflective coating and the back convex surface may be coated with a reflective coating to improve efficiency. The body top surface may also be roughened to scatter a portion of the excitation light provided from the mirror(s) to generate a white output beam. The mirror(s) have reflective surfaces disposed outside of a collection area of an output beam of the light sources, so that the collection area is not obstructed by the mirror(s). The light source also includes a collecting lens for collecting the light emitted by the body. The mirror may be a single parabolic mirror that focuses the excitation light on the body to stimulate emission.

Abstract: A pumped fluorescent light source includes a parabolic mirror that is positioned to focus pumping light from one or more pump sources on a fluorescent body. The resulting assembly provides for heat collection from a back surface of the light source for both the fluorescent body and the pumping sources in a compact package that may be hermetically sealed. The parabolic mirror has reflective surfaces disposed outside of a collection area of an output beam of the light sources, so that the collection area is not obstructed by the parabolic mirror. The light source also includes a collecting lens for collecting the light emitted by the body. The parabolic mirror focuses the stimulus light on the fluorescent body to stimulate emission. An additional parabolic mirror may be included behind the fluorescent body to focus the fluorescent emissions that do not directly enter the collection area at a point of collection.

Abstract: A miniaturized microscope having a tunable focal length provides for fluorescence measurements at an adjustable focus, providing for autofocus and/or depth adjustment of an image measurement without altering or adjusting a probe implanted in a sample and while providing collimated illumination of an area within the sample. The microscope includes an objective lens having a fixed position with respect to a second connector for receiving light returning from the sample and focusing it on an image sensor within the microscope that generates an image output, a beamsplitter for separating light returning from the sample, and an electrically-tunable lens positioned between the objective lens and the image sensor for adjusting an optical path length from the optical interface to the image sensor. The illumination is focused at or near a back focal plane of the objective lens to the sample, providing collimated or quasi-collimated illumination on or within the sample.

Abstract: A pumped fluorescent light source includes a parabolic mirror that is positioned to focus pumping light from one or more pump sources on a fluorescent body. The resulting assembly provides for heat collection from a back surface of the light source for both the fluorescent body and the pumping sources in a compact package that may be hermetically sealed. The parabolic mirror has reflective surfaces disposed outside of a collection area of an output beam of the light sources, so that the collection area is not obstructed by the parabolic mirror. The light source also includes a collecting lens for collecting the light emitted by the body. The parabolic mirror focuses the stimulus light on the fluorescent body to stimulate emission. An additional parabolic mirror may be included behind the fluorescent body to focus the fluorescent emissions that do not directly enter the collection area at a point of collection.

Abstract: An optical cannula configured for implantation in biological tissue or other samples provides minimal invasiveness while accessing image deep structures within the sample. The cannula has a stabilizer portion that is used to affix the cannula to the sample, and an extension portion that protrudes into the sample and is either formed by, or contains, an optical probe that images a target area within the sample to an object image provided to an external optical device. The cannula has an integrated coupler portion that detachably connects to a connector of the external device, providing removable and interchangeable connection to external optical systems.

Abstract: A high-radiance broadband incoherent light source is provided by pumping a body formed from a doped material, such as a Ce:YAG crystal with one or more laser diodes. The laser diodes emit at a stimulus wavelength, which may be an absorption wavelength of the body, and the body fluoresces to emit broadband light in a wide emission band. The body is either disposed in, or forms a light-concentrating cavity, e.g., reflective surfaces, which may be dichroic surfaces, can be formed on or attached to the sides of the body to concentrate the emitted light. The light is captured by a light collector that is coupled to an output face of the body to produce a broadband illumination beam. One or more of the reflective surfaces forming the light-concentrating cavity may form a heat sink.

Abstract: A miniaturized microscope provides the combined capability for simultaneous or sequential fluorescence imaging at two different wavelengths and/or at two different object planes within a sample to which a cannula is attached. The microscope includes an illumination input connector for connecting one or more illumination sources, a connector for connecting the microscope to the cannula, a pair of optical image sensors for imaging the two different object planes and/or wavelengths and a pair of optical splitters: one for separating the illumination from light returning from the sample and the other for splitting the light returning from the sample into two images and providing the two images to their corresponding image sensor.

Abstract: A miniaturized microscope provides the combined capability for simultaneous or sequential optogenetic stimulation of light sensitive ion channels with the capability for fluorescence imaging of fluorescent proteins for applications requiring simultaneous optical stimulation and monitoring of cell activity. The microscope includes a dual illumination output coupling for providing illumination to two different regions within the sample and/or two different illumination source inputs and a dual transmission band optical filter to clean two different bands of light that are separately available for optogenetic stimulation and fluorescence imaging.

Abstract: A hybrid rotary joint provides both optical and fluid channels for applications such as optogenetic research. The rotary joint has a stationary component and a rotating component. The optical channel and fluid channel permit simultaneous and rotation-insensitive passage of light and fluid from the stationary to the rotating side of the hybrid rotary joint. The input to the optical channel is provided via an input optical fiber and the input to the fluid channel is fluid from a fluid source. The outputs are an optical fiber output and a fluid channel output. As light passes from the stationary side to the rotating side of the hybrid rotary joint, it is deflected off a beam deflector having an angular orientation that is passively aligned and made independent of the angular orientation of the rotating component via the interaction between magnets attached to each of the beam deflector and the stationary component.

Abstract: A dual optical path rotary joint provides a low friction coupling of optical fiber connections for optogenetic research and other applications. Two optical paths are provided through the rotary joint which are rotation-insensitive. The ends of the rotary joint rotate with respect to a common housing, which may be provided with ball-bearings or other suitable low-friction rotational mounts in which a first rotating component and a second rotating component are secured. The first and second rotating components are not mechanically linked in rotation, and their rotation is only synchronized by magnets disposed on the first rotating component and the second rotating component. A pair of optical fibers is coupled to the first rotating component and another pair of optical fiber is coupled to the second rotating component. A pair of isolated optical paths links the pairs of fibers, which are directed between the first and second rotating components by reflection.

Abstract: A dual optical path rotary joint provides a low friction coupling of optical fiber connections for optogenetic research and other applications. Two optical paths are provided through the rotary joint which are rotation-insensitive. The ends of the rotary joint rotate with respect to a common housing, which may be provided with ball-bearings or other suitable low-friction rotational mounts in which a first rotating component and a second rotating component are secured. The first and second rotating components are not mechanically linked in rotation, and their rotation is only synchronized by magnets disposed on the first rotating component and the second rotating component. A pair of optical fibers is coupled to the first rotating component and another pair of optical fiber is coupled to the second rotating component. A pair of isolated optical paths links the pairs of fibers, which are directed between the first and second rotating components by reflection.

Abstract: A hybrid rotary joint provides both optical and fluid channels for applications such as optogenetic research. The rotary joint has a stationary component and a rotating component. The optical channel and fluid channel permit simultaneous and rotation-insensitive passage of light and fluid from the stationary to the rotating side of the hybrid rotary joint. The input to the optical channel is provided via an input optical fiber and the input to the fluid channel is fluid from a fluid source. The outputs are an optical fiber output and a fluid channel output. As light passes from the stationary side to the rotating side of the hybrid rotary joint, it is deflected off a beam deflector having an angular orientation that is passively aligned and made independent of the angular orientation of the rotating component via the interaction between magnets attached to each of the beam deflector and the stationary component.

Abstract: A regular pentagonal arrangement of multiple selectively transmitting interfaces provides a beam-splitter and beam combiner in a compact and cost-effective package. The selectively transmitting interfaces are either provided on transparent plates, or alternatively can be external surfaces of a solid transparent prism. One or more of the sides of the regular pentagonal arrangement includes a transparent or absent surface, so that for beam-splitter operation, the input light can be introduced, and for beam combiner operation, the combined light can be emitted. In beam-splitter operation, the input optical beam is introduced through the transparent side, and is sequentially reflected between the plurality of selectively transmitting interfaces, with beams containing the wavelengths corresponding to each of the selectively transmitting interfaces being emitted from the corresponding surface to the outside of the beam-splitter.

Abstract: A cannula can have a ferrule with two interspaced optical fiber passages extending therebetween, each securely housing an optical fiber therein having a first tip exposed at a connection end, and a second tip protruding from an opposite implant end by a penetration distance, and a bore extending into the ferrule from the connection end. The cannula can be removably connected by a patch cord having a ferrule with a guide pin, with a relatively high degree of optical alignment, by inserting both ferrules into corresponding ends of a sleeve and engaging the guide pin within the bore.