Abstract: A confocal microscope is provided including a confocal imaging system having an objective lens, and a device which can be an attachment to the confocal imaging system, or a part thereof. The device has a housing with an interior cavity and two opposite ends, where one end of the housing receives the objective lens, and at the other end of the housing which is attached to, or is a part of, the housing which forms that other end. The chamber has first and second plates presenting two opposing sides of the chamber, where the first plate lies adjacent the tissue to be treated, and the second plate is attached to the housing. The interior cavity of the housing has a window defining a first volume between the window and the objective lens, and a second volume between the window and the chamber. The first volume has an immersion liquid optically matched to the objective lens, and the second volume is approximately evacuated.

Abstract: A cassette for retaining a specimen of surgically exposed tissue from a patient in an orientation that facilitates optical sectioning of the tissue by a confocal microscopic or other optical imaging microscope. The cassette includes a base member having a rigid optically transparent window upon which a tissue specimen is situated, a pliable membrane locatable over a substantial portion of the base member including the window, and an upper member, having an aperture therethrough, which can cover the base member to provide an enclosed cavity between the membrane and the window sealing the tissue specimen therein. With the tissue specimen in the enclosed cavity of the cassette, the edges of the tissue specimen may be positioned planar against the window and retained in that position by bonds formed between the membrane and window at multiple points or locations around the tissue specimen.

Abstract: In order to facilitate pathological examination of a lesion in in-vivo tissue, a system and method are provided having a computer system in which both a camera for producing a digital macroscopic picture of the lesion and an imager are coupled to the computer system. The imager is responsive to the computer system and has optics for scanning the lesion to generate images representing microscopic sections of the lesion which provide sufficient information for pathological examination of the lesion. The computer system generates location information, referencing the location in the macroscopic picture of the lesion where the lesion was scanned to the images, and stores data in an electronic file structure which contains at least a representation of the images, a representation of the macroscopic picture, and the location information.

Abstract: The quality of image produced by confocal microscopy, and especially scanning laser confocal microscopy, is enhanced especially for images obtained in turbid mediums such as many biological tissues specimens, by reducing speckle from scatterers that exist outside (above and below) the section which is being imaged by utilizing reduced coherence illumination, such as provided by a multi-mode laser. The laser beam is focused to provide its intensity in lobes forming offset spots in opposite (180°) amplitude phase relationship. The lobes are combined in the return light from the section and detected after passing through the confocal aperture of the confocal microscope. Images can be formed from the detected return light. Light from scatterers outside the section of interest, which are illuminated by both of the lobes beams overlap outside the section and interfere, thereby reducing speckle due to such scatterers, and particularly scatters which are adjacent to the section being imaged.

Abstract: A tray or holder for tissue specimens, especially of excised tissue, such as biopsied specimens, is used with a confocal imaging system, especially a laser scanning confocal microscope system. The tray may be disposable after imaging of the specimen carried therein or may archive the specimen. A window supports the specimen. Clamps mounted inside the tray restrain the tissue. A compliant bag is mounted outside the tray on one side of a window of the tray on which the specimen is disposed. During imaging the specimen is immersed in a liquid contained in the tray having an index of refraction which closely matches the index of refraction of the tissue. The bag also contains an index matching liquid preferably having the same index as the liquid in the tray. A stabilizing plate is attached to a surface of the bag which faces the window.

Abstract: The quality of image produced by confocal microscopy, and especially scanning laser confocal microscopy, is enhanced especially for images obtained in turbid mediums such as many biological tissues specimens, by reducing speckle from scatterers that exist outside (above and below) the section which is being imaged by utilizing reduced coherence illumination, such as provided by a multi-mode laser. The laser beam is focused to provide its intensity in lobes forming offset spots in opposite (180°) amplitude phase relationship. The lobes are combined in the return light from the section and detected after passing through the confocal aperture of the confocal microscope. Images can be formed from the detected return light. Light from scatterers outside the section of interest, which are illuminated by both of the lobes beams overlap outside the section and interfere, thereby reducing speckle due to such scatterers, and particularly scatters which are adjacent to the section being imaged.

Abstract: A handheld imaging microscope for imaging tissue samples substantially beneath the surface of the tissue sample. The microscope includes an objective lens and a window defining a tissue contacting surface in pressure contacting relationship with the surface of the tissue sample when the tissue sample is imaged by the objective lens to view tissue structures for pathological applications. The objective lens focuses an illumination beam through the window to the tissue sample and receives returned reflected light of the beam representative of one or more sections of the tissue sample.

Abstract: An electro-optical sensor senses marks on a sheet which travels longitudinally with respect to a printed circuit board, carrying linear arrays of light sources (LEDs) and photodetectors and optics which define zones displaced laterally across the width of a sheet of paper, longitudinal columns of which can contain marks, the presence and absence of which marks is detected by the sensor. The sensor is especially adapted for use in detecting marks which indicate votes on paper ballots in electronic, computerized vote counting apparatus.

Abstract: The quality of images produced by confocal microscopy, and especially scanning laser confocal microscopy, is enhanced especially for images obtained in turbid mediums such as many biological tissue specimens, by reducing speckle from scatterers that exist outside (above and below) the focal plane region which is being imaged by utilizing sheared beams, both of which are focused to spots in the focal or image plane (region of interest) and polarizing the beams to have opposite senses of circular polarization (right and left handed circular polarization). The return light from the image plane of certain polarization is detected after passing through the confocal aperture of the confocal microscope. Light from scatterers outside the region of interest, which are illuminated by both of the sheared beams, interfere thereby reducing speckle due to such scatterers, and particularly scatters which are adjacent to the image plane.

Abstract: The quality of images produced by confocal microscopy, and especially scanning laser confocal microscopy, is enhanced especially for images obtained in turbid mediums such as many biological tissue specimens, by reducing speckle from scatterers that exist outside (above and below) the section which is being imaged by utilizing sheared beams, both of which are focused to laterally or vertically offset spots and polarizing the beams to have opposite senses of circular polarization (right and left handed circular polarization). The return light from the section of certain polarization is detected after passing through the confocal aperture of the confocal microscope. Images can be formed using optical coherence detection of the return light. Light from scatterers outside the section of interest, which are illuminated by both of the sheared beams, interfere thereby reducing speckle due to such scatterers, and particularly scatters which are adjacent to the section being imaged.

Abstract: An improved system for cellular surgery which includes a laser for producing a laser beam, and confocal optics for scanning and focusing the laser beam in tissue and generating confocal images of the tissue in accordance with returned light from the tissue. The confocal images are visualized on a display. The system includes a controller for enabling the operator to select one or more cells of the tissue in the displayed confocal images for surgical treatment. The controller operates the laser and confocal optics in a first mode to treat the tissue when the confocal optics focus the laser beam at at least one region associated with the selected cells in the tissue, but at all other times operates the laser and confocal optics in a second mode which does not damage the tissue.

Abstract: A scanning reflection profilometry system utilizes an objective lens which focuses a beam at the surface under test and measures the profile of the surface (its height variations) in accordance with the amount of defocus of the reflected beam. Surface profile distortion which is focus dependent is reduced through the use of a transparent mask over the aperture of the lens in the path of the beam which is incident on and reflected from the surface under test and which covers a portion but not all of the aperture. A photodetector upon which the reflected beam is incident provides output signals representing the change in profile. The system has height sensitivity characteristic of a small spot size on the surface without signal distortion attributable to the diffraction anomalies associated with small spot sizes. A microprofilometer head having the objective lens and other optics is mounted on flexures and driven to execute reciprocal movement so as to scan the surface under test.

Abstract: A robust spectrophotometer (also known as a color spectrometer or colorimeter) is self contained in a housing which is adapted to be held-held and has all of the electrical, optical and electro optic elements mounted on a board captured within the housing at one end of which light from a sample is restricted to an object area and projected after being dispersed spectrally, as with a reflection grating, to an image area at a photodetector via a lens which has an optical axis and converges the dispersed light at the image area. The dispersive element is mounted on an arm having a pivot laterally offset from the dispersive element's surface where a diverging beam of light from the object area is incident and is deflected to the image area. The geometry is such that the dispersive element may be rotated to a position where the beam is specularly deflected (zeroth order diffraction), and the spectrometer calibrated when the dispersive element is in the specular reflection/deflection position.

Abstract: A hand held microsurgical instrument for applying laser energy to selected locations (sites) in an area under the skin (or other exposed translucent tissue) to provide localized photothermolysis of underlying tissue at these sites, is described. The laser energy is focused into a spot within the tissue. This spot is of sufficiently small size so that the energy density is sufficient to provide surgical or treatment effects within the tissue without damaging the surface tissue. In dermatology, for example, the technique can be used to destroy endothelial cells in blood vessels which are desired to be removed, such spider veins (nevi) in the skin, hair follicles to prevent hair growth therefrom, or other microsurgical procedures. The area is visualized while the laser beam is steered, using a deflection system, in X and Y coordinates.

Abstract: In order to facilitate pathological examination of a lesion in in-vivo tissue, a system and method are provided having a computer system in which both a camera for producing a digital macroscopic picture of the lesion and an imager are coupled to the computer system. The imager is responsive to the computer system and has optics for scanning the lesion to generate images representing microscopic sections of the lesion which provide sufficient information for pathological examination of the lesion. The computer system generates location information, referencing the location in the macroscopic picture of the lesion where the lesion was scanned to the images, and stores data in an electronic file structure which contains at least a representation of the images, a representation of the macroscopic picture, and the location information.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer which is highly manufacturable at minimum cost nevertheless provides precision of measurement of spectra components of light which is projected therein by maintaining precise optical alignment of optical and electrical components thereof. These components are mounted in a module which is contained in a housing having an entrance aperture which defines an object area for light the spectrum of which is measured by a photodetector in the module at an image area. The module has a base plate provided by a printed circuit board on which a closed wall encompasses an area (a corral) on one side of the circuit board. The wall is a one piece structure which extends to the vicinity of the edge of the board. It is assembled with the board as a unitary structure so that the assembly is made torsionally rigid and resists bending in the plane of the board. The module may be of sufficiently small size so as to be located in a housing which is hand held, thereby providing a hand-held spectrophotometer.

Abstract: A handheld confocal imaging system for in vivo observation of dermal and subdermal tissue allows diagnosis of conditions substantially beneath the surface of the skin. A confocal head has optics which scan the tissue so as to provide images of vertical sections of the tissue. Both two and three dimensional imaging may be provided for diagnosis and location of basal cell carcinomas and melanomas, and so as to enable visualization of tumor borders prior to excision.

Abstract: A miniature scan engine module for bar code reading and data collection systems utilizes a light source 44 and a light collector 42, which in one embodiment, are flexurally supported on a platform 62 which reciprocates 88 on pivots defined by flexures 46, 48 or 96. The optical collector faces the bar code and pivots with the scanning beam source (a laser diode). A diffraction grating or Fresnel lens on the surface of the optical collector which faces the code directs the incoming light so that it propagates internally in a substrate within the body of the collector, i.e. in the optic itself and without air paths which require additional volume in the module, to a photodetector. The scan engine can be configured so that it occupies a volume of less than 1 cubic inch. A data collection system, in the form of a portable terminal 10, has a housing which provides the handle 12 of a scanning accessory.

Abstract: A spectrophotometer which is highly manufacturable at minimum cost nevertheless provides precision of measurement of spectra components of light which is projected therein by maintaining precise optical alignment of optical and electrical components thereof. These components are mounted in a module which is contained in a housing having an entrance aperture which defines an object area for light the spectrum of which is measured by a photodetector in the module at an image area. The module has a base plate provided by a printed circuit board on which a closed wall encompasses an area (a corral) on one side of the circuit board. The wall is a one piece structure which extends to the vicinity of the edge of the board. It is assembled with the board as a unitary structure so that the assembly is made torsionally rigid and resists bending in the plane of the board. The module may be of sufficiently small size so as to be located in a housing which is hand held, thereby providing a hand-held spectrophotometer.

Abstract: A miniature scan engine for scanning a beam of monochromatic (laser) light across a bar code and receiving return light at a detector that provides electrical signals representing the code, utilizes an integral assembly of a laser (laser diode), the detector and a light collector mounted on flexures and rotated so as to scan the beam and receive the return light from the code. The collector is a body of material transmissive at the laser wavelength. The body presents an orientable surface so that the return light is incident at or close to perpendicular to the surface. In the body, parallel to the surface, is a volume hologram grating having Bragg planes arranged in rings around a center region in alignment with the detector. The angles of the Bragg planes vary progressively and decreases in a direction toward the center region so that light incident on the collector at angles of incidence, which vary from perpendicular to the surface by about + or -5.degree.