Abstract: A confocal microscope having a scanning head in the form of a hand piece (102) which may be placed at selected locations on the body of a patient. A laser beam is scanned in orthogonal (horizontal and vertical) directions by scanners (128, 130) which drive scan mirrors (128a, 130a), which are closely adjacent to each other. The optics include an objective lens (138) and a single telescope lens (132, 134). The telescope provides sufficient magnification to overfill the entrance pupil of the objective lens (138) over the entire scan angle produced by the scan mirrors (128a, 130a). The telescope images the entrance pupil of the objective in the beam path between the mirrors of the scanners. Scanner (128) represents a pulse driven resonant scanner (7). The pulse duration is controlled to vary the scan angle and obtain dynamic, electronic image zooming without changing the positional relationship of the telescope lenses.

Abstract: A confocal microscope for imaging tissue having an imaging head for capturing optically formed microscopic sectional images of tissue samples, a platform upon which is disposed a linear stage for moving the imaging head along a vertical dimension, and a rotary stage to rotate the linear stage and imaging head about the vertical dimension. A mounting arm couples the imaging head to the linear stage to adjust tilt of the imaging head and to rotate the imaging head about a normal axis perpendicular to an optical axis of an objective lens of the imaging head. In a first mode of operation, the imaging head is positioned to image an ex-vivo or in-vivo tissue sample upon the platform, such as ex-vivo tissue sample mounted upon a movable specimen stage, and in a second mode of operation the imaging head is positioned to image an in-vivo tissue sample beside the platform.

Abstract: A system having a macroscopic imager, a microscopic imager, and a stage for moving a substrate supporting ex-vivo tissue with respect to each of the imagers to enable the macroscopic imager to capture macroscopic images, and the microscopic imager to capture optically formed sectional microscopic images on or within the tissue, when presented to the tissue, via the optically transparent material of the substrate. A computer system controls movement of the stage, and receives the macroscopic and microscopic images. A display is provided for displaying the macroscopic and microscopic images when received by the computer system. The tissue is verified as being in an orientation at least substantially flush against the upper surface of the substrate by being in focus in displayed macroscopic images prior to imaging by the microscopic imager, and if needed, any portion of the tissue unfocused is manually positioned until desired tissue orientation is achieved.

Abstract: A system having a macroscopic imager, a microscopic imager, and a stage for moving a substrate supporting ex-vivo tissue with respect to each of the imagers to enable the macroscopic imager to capture macroscopic images, and the microscopic imager to capture optically formed sectional microscopic images on or within the tissue, when presented to the tissue, via the optically transparent material of the substrate. A computer system controls movement of the stage, and receives the macroscopic and microscopic images. A display is provided for displaying the macroscopic and microscopic images when received by the computer system. The tissue is verified as being in an orientation at least substantially flush against the upper surface of the substrate by being in focus in displayed macroscopic images prior to imaging by the microscopic imager, and if needed, any portion of the tissue unfocused is manually positioned until desired tissue orientation is achieved.

Abstract: A confocal microscope for imaging tissue having an imaging head for capturing optically formed microscopic sectional images of tissue samples, a platform upon which is disposed a linear stage for moving the imaging head along a vertical dimension, and a rotary stage to rotate the linear stage and imaging head about the vertical dimension. A mounting arm couples the imaging head to the linear stage to adjust tilt of the imaging head and to rotate the imaging head about a normal axis perpendicular to an optical axis of an objective lens of the imaging head. In a first mode of operation, the imaging head is positioned to image an ex-vivo or in-vivo tissue sample upon the platform, such as ex-vivo tissue sample mounted upon a movable specimen stage, and in a second mode of operation the imaging head is positioned to image an in-vivo tissue sample beside the platform.

Abstract: A confocal microscope having a scanning head in the form of a hand piece (102) which may be placed at selected locations on the body of a patient. A laser beam is scanned in orthogonal (horizontal and vertical) directions by scanners (128, 130) which drive scan mirrors (128a, 130a), which are closely adjacent to each other. The optics include an objective lens (138) and a single telescope lens (132, 134). The telescope provides sufficient magnification to overfill the entrance pupil of the objective lens (138) over the entire scan angle produced by the scan mirrors (128a, 130a). The telescope images the entrance pupil of the objective in the beam path between the mirrors of the scanners. Scanner (128) represents a pulse driven resonant scanner (7). The pulse duration is controlled to vary the scan angle and obtain dynamic, electronic image zooming without changing the positional relationship of the telescope lenses.

Abstract: A confocal microscope is provided having an imaging head with an optical system for capturing optically formed microscopic sectional images of a sample, and a boom stand having a platform, a shaft which extends from the platform, and an arm which extends from the shaft, where such arm is coupled to the imaging head. The imaging head has a plurality of degrees of freedom of motion in positioning the arm relative to the shaft, and the imaging head relative to the arm, so that the imaging head in a first mode can be moved to image a first sample, such as ex-vivo tissue specimen mounted on a stage, disposed upon the platform, and in a second mode the imaging head can be moved to image a second sample, such as in-vivo issue, disposed away from or beside the platform.

Abstract: A tissue specimen stage is provided having a window with surface curvature upon which an excised tissue specimen is locatable, a carriage having a tissue specimen receptacle to which the window is mounted, and a platform supporting the carriage and presenting the window to the objective lens of an optical sectioning microscope. The carriage is mounted to the platform for movement along two rotational axes so that the carriage's movement follows the curvature of all or part of the window while maintaining the same optical geometry of the window with respect to the objective lens. The window has surface curvature adapted to at least approximate the shape or curvature of the non-histologically prepared tissue specimen to be placed thereupon.

Abstract: A confocal microscope having a scanning head in the form of a hand piece which may be placed at selected locations on the body of a patient. A laser beam is scanned in orthogonal (horizontal and vertical) directions by scanners which drive scan mirrors, which are closely adjacent to each other. The optics include an objective lens and a telescope lenses that image the objective lens entrance pupil between the scan mirrors. Scanner is a pulse driven resonant scanner which is feed back controlled to maintain scanning rate and can change the scan angle and obtain dynamic, electronic image zooming without changing the positional relationship of the telescope.

Abstract: A tissue specimen stage is provided having a window with surface curvature upon which an excised tissue specimen is locatable, a carriage having a tissue specimen receptacle to which the window is mounted, and a platform supporting the carriage and presenting the window to the objective lens of an optical sectioning microscope. The carriage is mounted to the platform for movement along two rotational axes so that the carriage's movement follows the curvature of all or part of the window while maintaining the same optical geometry of the window with respect to the objective lens. The window has surface curvature adapted to at least approximate the shape or curvature of the non-histologically prepared tissue specimen to be placed thereupon.

Abstract: A confocal imaging microscope, especially for the cellular imaging of the skin at selected locations, is ergonomic in use, compact, and positionable at the locations thereby providing for patient comfort during imaging. The head (28) contains an integrated assembly of the optical and mechanical components of the microscope. The assembly includes a main chassis plate (82). The optical components are mounted principally on one side of the plate while a PC board (130) is mounted on the opposite side of the plate. The board (130) mounts the electronic components, including interfaces, a microprocessor (222), and drivers (206, 208, 210) for motors (105, 106, 108) which control scanning and may also control fine positioning of the locations being imaged. The head (28) is detachable from the arm for manual disposition which is useful when imaging, not only the skin but other tissues, especially for research in investigating living processes at the cellular level.

Abstract: A confocal microscope having a scanning head in the form of a hand piece (102) which may be placed at selected locations on the body of a patient. A laser beam is scanned in orthogonal (horizontal and vertical) directions by scanners (128, 130) which drive scan mirrors (128a, 130a), which are closely adjacent to each other The optics include an objective lens (138) and a single telescope lens (132, 134). The telescope provides sufficient magnification to overfill the entrance pupil of the objective lens (138) over the entire scan angle produced by the scan mirrors (128a, 130a). The telescope images (has a focus) in the beam path between the mirrors of the scanners, thereby limiting the distance over the entrance pupil of the objective as the beam executes the scan angle. Scanner (128) represents pulse driven resonant scanner (7) which is pulse driven.

Abstract: A confocal imaging microscope, especially for the cellular imaging of the skin at selected locations, is ergonomic in use, compact, and positionable at the locations thereby providing for patient comfort during imaging. An imaging head (28) is gimble mounted on a multi-axis compound arm (34) to allow for precise placement of a confocal objective (116) extending from the head at selected locations against the skin of the patient while providing for patient comfort. The arm (34) attaches the head to an upright station (10) which may be movable along the floor on which the station is disposed. The station (10) has a platform (16) on which a keyboard (24) and a display (22) for monitoring the images is supported. The station (10) also supports a personal computer (PC) (26) for processing signals providing the images on the display and controlling the microscope. The head (28) contains an integrated assembly of the optical and mechanical components of the microscope.

Abstract: A confocal imaging microscope, especially for the cellular imaging of the skin at selected locations. An imaging head (28) is gimble mounted on a multi-axis compound arm (34) to allow for precise placement of a confocal objective (116) extending from the head at selected locations against the skin of the patient. The arm (34) attaches the head to an upright station (10) which may be movable along the floor on which the station is disposed. The station (10) has a platform (16) on which a keyboard (24) and a display (22) for monitoring the images is supported. The head (28) contains an integrated assembly of the optical and mechanical components of the microscope, which control scanning and may also control fine positioning of the locations being imaged. The head (28) is detachable from the arm for manual disposition.

Abstract: An imaging reference system is provided for increasing the placement accuracy of an industrial robot system. The system can employ an air bearing assembly for allowing a workpiece holder to move therealong. The imaging reference system can be coupled to the air bearing assembly or integrated into the manipulator.

Abstract: An imaging reference system is provided for increasing the placement accuracy of an industrial robot system. The system can employ an air bearing assembly for allowing a workpiece holder to move therealong. The imaging reference system can be coupled to the air bearing assembly or integrated into the manipulator.