Abstract: An improved aperture for a scanning microscope as is used to mask either or both of the incident light and reflected light includes a plurality of continuous curvilinear slits spaced evenly about a common origin, each of which approximates an Archimedes' spiral emanating from the origin centered on the aperture. There are two embodiments of the invention disclosed, both of which have a true Archimedes' spiral to define the inner edge of the continuous slit. In a first embodiment, the outer edge is defined as having a constant proportional circumferential aperture distance from the inner spiral. In the second embodiment, the outer edge is defined as another Archimedes' spiral having a constant offset of minimum distance from the inner spiral. However, the outer edges of the two embodiments essentially merge in a physical sense after only several of the inner revolutions of the continuous slit so that the continuous slit of either embodiment provides an image having uniform masking and uniform resolution.

Abstract: A kit to convert a standard epi-illumination microscope into a single aperture confocal scanning epi-illumination microscope comprises an assembly including, in one embodiment, a pair of intermediate lenses to create a second field plane conjugate to the specimen plane in both the incident and reflected light paths, with a single aperture positioned at this second conjugate field plane and controllably scanned through the plane to create the incident light beam as well as to mask the returning light before viewing. In a second embodiment, only a single lens is included in the assembly and the objective lens may be positioned at its correct tube length, or a non-standard objective lens may be used to prevent undesired degradation of the image. This assembly conveniently mounts to the nosepiece of the standard microscope in place of the objective lens, and the objective lens mounts to the assembly.

Abstract: An improved aperture for a scanning microscope as is used to mask either or both of the incident light and reflected light includes a plurality of continuous curvilinear slits spaced evenly about a common origin, each of which approximates an Archimedes' spiral emanating from the origin centered on the aperture. There are two embodiments of the invention disclosed, both of which have a true Archimedes' spiral to define the inner edge of the continuous slit. In a first embodiment, the outer edge is defined as having a constant proportional circumferential aperture distance from the inner spiral. In the second embodiment, the outer edge is defined as another Archimedes' spiral having a constant offset of minimum distance from the inner spiral. However, the outer edges of the two embodiments essentially merge in a physical sense after only several of the inner revolutions of the continuous slit so that the continuous slit of either embodiment provides an image having uniform masking and uniform resolution.

Abstract: A single aperture confocal scanning biomicroscope is disclosed with an illumination system having a pair of lenses surrounding an aperture for collimating a field of light, a pivotally mounted flap for blocking a central portion of the light in order to create peripheral illumination, and an aperture assembly comprised of a cylindrical lens, aperture, and beam splitter which is oscillated within the light field in order to create an aperture size optical beam for scanning a patient's eye and ocular adnexae. With the illumination system of the present invention, techniques involving both direct illumination and indirect illumination may be utilized in examining the eye to produce a true confocal image thereof. Single aperture confocal scanning techniques may be brought to existing slit lamp biomicroscopes with a kit comprised simply of a pair of lenses and an aperture in one embodiment which utilizes the existing illumination system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scanning a specimen with an aperture of a confocal scanning microscope at speeds slower than "flicker fusion" includes an aperture disc with an optical timing sync track around its periphery with an infrared LED and photodetector for sensing the position of the sync track and, hence, the aperture disk for controlling the position and scanning speed thereof. By scanning at speeds slower than those typically used, improvement of the quality of the image is attained. An optimum scanning speed given the limits of the video camera is to scan at a speed which exposes each portion of the specimen for the full image acquisition time of the video camera. Further enhancement of the image can be attained by using an image processor with a frame buffer for storing the image as it is acquired along with adjusting the gain and black level controls of the video camera to block out backscatter off the aperture which greatly enhances the signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A single aperture confocal scanning biomicroscope is disclosed with an illumination system having a pair of lenses surrounding an aperture for collimating a field of light, a pivotally mounted flap for blocking a central portion of the light in order to create peripheral illumination, and an aperture assembly comprised of a cylindrical lens, aperture, and beam splitter which is oscillated within the light field in order to create an aperture size optical beam for scanning a patient's eye and ocular adnexae. With the illumination system of the present invention, techniques involving both direct illumination and indirect illumination may be utilized in examining the eye to produce a true confocal image thereof. Single aperture confocal scanning techniques may be brought to existing slit lamp biomicroscopes with a kit comprised simply of a pair of lenses and an aperture in one embodiment which utilizes the existing illumination system.

Abstract: A kit to convert a standard epi-illumination microscope into a single aperture confocal scanning epi-illumination microscope comprises an assembly including, in one embodiment, a pair of intermediate lenses to create a second field plane conjugate to the specimen plane in both the incident and reflected light paths, with a single aperture positioned at this second conjugate field plane and controllably scanned through the plane to create the incident light beam as well as to mask the returning light before viewing. In a second embodiment, only a single lens is included in the assembly and the objective lens may be positioned at its correct tube lengt, or a non-standard objective lens may be used to prevent undesired degradition of the image. This assembly conveniently mounts to the nosepiece of the standard microscope in place of the objective lens, and the objective lens mounts to the assembly.

Abstract: A single aperture confocal scanning epi-illumination microscope comprises an assembly including, in one embodiment, a pair of intermediate lenses to create a second field plane conjugate to the specimen plane in both the incident and reflected light paths, with a single aperture positioned at this second conjugate field plane and controllably scanned through the plane to create the incident light beam as well as to mask the returning light before viewing. In a second embodiment, only a single lens is included in the assembly and the objective lens may be positioned at its correct tube length, a distance substantially shorter, or a non-standard objective lens may be used.