Abstract: A fluorescence focal modulation microscopy system and method is disclosed for high resolution molecular imaging of thick biological tissues with single photon excited fluorescence. Optical sectioning and diffraction limited spatial resolution are retained for imaging inside a multiple-scattering medium by the use of focal modulation, a technique for suppressing the background fluorescence signal excited by the scattered light. The focal modulation microscopy system has a spatial phase modulator inserted in the excitation light path, which varies the spatial distribution of coherent excitation light around the focal volume periodically at a preset frequency. A fluorescence focal modulation image is formed on a display with the demodulated fluorescence, while a confocal image is available simultaneously.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connector 1 comprising contact pins 3 and 3A having a contact part on a tip end thereof and a wire connection part on a rear end thereof, and a connector housing 4 having a receiving hole 5 for receiving therein the contact pins 3 and 3A and wires W. The connector 1 also includes a bridge type connection member 22 including a connection blade 23 which includes first and second contact parts 23a and 23b connected to each other via a junction piece 23c. The bridge type connection member 22 is pushed into the receiving hole 5 with the contact pins 3 and 3A and the wires W being received in the receiving hole 5, thereby connecting the connection parts of the contact pins 3 and 3A to core wires of the wires via the first and second contact parts 23a and 23b. This can provide a connector for easily connecting wires having various sizes and various types of contact pins without using a special tool.