Abstract: According to some examples, an instrument for scanning a specimen on a specimen holder. The instrument includes a scanning stage for supporting the specimen, and a detector having a plurality of pixels. The scanning stage and the detector are movable relative to each other to move the specimen in a scan direction during a scan. At least some of the pixels of the detector are operable to collect light from different depths inside the specimen during the scan and generate corresponding image data. The instrument also includes a processor operable to perform MSIA on the image data to generate a 3D image of the specimen.

Abstract: A preview station for previewing microscope slides where each slide has one or more specimens thereon, the preview station having a tray holder supporting a slide tray with a plurality of slides thereon. A digital camera and lens is located on an optical axis relative to the slide tray and a light source illuminates the slide tray. The camera is activated to image each slide in the slide tray and has a memory to store and transmit data from each slide. The preview station can be used in combination with a scanning system and can be made part of a scanning system.

Abstract: An instrument and method for scanning all or part of a large specimen mounted on a specimen holder takes a plurality of measurements of each pixel in the whole or part of the specimen being scanned at a plurality of exposure values. A computer controls the movement of the specimen holder during scanning and again of the detector to produce a digitized image of all or part of the specimen with larger dynamic range than the dynamic range of the detection system. In a further embodiment, the instrument can scan two successive, identical strips at a different exposure values and combine the images from the two scans into one digitized image having a larger dynamic range than the dynamic range of the detection system.

Abstract: An instrument and method for scanning a large microscope specimen uses a light source and at least one lens to focus light from the specimen onto a detector array. The specimen holder is located on a scanning stage and the detector array is dynamically tilted about a scan direction during the scan to maintain focus across the width of the scan strip as the scan proceeds. A degree of tilt varies during the scan as is required to maintain lateral focus relative to the detector array.

Abstract: An instrument and method for scanning large microscope specimen on a specimen holder has a scanning optical microscope that is configured to scan the specimen in one of brightfield and fluorescence. The specimen is dynamically tillable about a scan direction during a scan to maintain focus along the length of each scan line as the scan proceeds. A three dimensional image of the specimen can be obtained wherein the specimen tilt and relative focus are maintained from a first image contour to a second image contour through a thickness of a specimen.

Abstract: A preview station for previewing microscope slides where each slide has one or more specimens thereon, the preview station having a tray holder supporting a slide tray with a plurality of slides thereon. A digital camera and lens is located on an optical axis relative to the slide tray and a light source illuminates the slide tray. The camera is activated to image each slide in the slide tray and has a memory to store and transmit data from each slide. The preview station can be used in combination with a scanning system and can be made part of a scanning system.

Abstract: An instrument and method for scanning all or part of a large specimen mounted on a specimen holder takes a plurality of measurements of each pixel in the whole or part of the specimen being scanned at a plurality of exposure values. A computer controls the movement of the specimen holder during scanning and again of the detector to produce a digitized image of all or part of the specimen with larger dynamic range than the dynamic range of the detection system. In a further embodiment, the instrument can scan two successive, identical strips at a different exposure values and combine the images from the two scans into one digitized image having a larger dynamic range than the dynamic range of the detection system.

Abstract: An instrument and method for scanning large microscope specimen on a specimen holder has a scanning optical microscope that is configured to scan the specimen in one of brightfield and fluorescence. The specimen is dynamically tillable about a scan direction during a scan to maintain focus along the length of each scan line as the scan proceeds. A three dimensional image of the specimen can be obtained wherein the specimen tilt and relative focus are maintained from a first image contour to a second image contour through a thickness of a specimen.

Abstract: An instrument and method for scanning a large microscope specimen uses a light source and at least one lens to focus light from the specimen onto a detector array. The specimen holder is located on a scanning stage and the detector array is dynamically tilted about a scan direction during the scan to maintain focus across the width of the scan strip as the scan proceeds. A degree of tilt varies during the scan as is required to maintain lateral focus relative to the detector array.

Abstract: An instrument and method for scanning a large specimen comprises a specimen holder to support the specimen, an optical system to focus an image of a series of parallel object planes onto one of a two dimensional detector array, multiple linear arrays, multiple TDI arrays and multiple two-dimensional arrays. The detector array has a detector image plane that is tilted relative to the series of object planes in a scanned direction to enable a series of image frames of the specimen to be obtained in order to produce a three-dimensional image of at least part of the specimen with data from each row of the image frame representing a different plane in the three-dimensional image.

Abstract: An instrument and method for scanning a large specimen supported on a specimen holder has a plurality of illumination sources with each illumination, source being focused on a different focus spot of the specimen simultaneously. There are a plurality of spectrally resolved detectors to receive light reflected or emitted from the different focus spots simultaneously with each spectrally resolved detector receiving light from one illumination source only.

Abstract: A new high resolution confocal and non-confocal scanning laser macroscope is disclosed which achieves fine focus and control of focus position by moving a lens in the intermediate optics. This arrangement is particularly useful for imaging specimens where it is difficult to focus by changing the distance between the scan lens and the specimen, for example for in-vivo imaging, photodynamic therapy, and image-guided surgery. It is also important to keep the lens-to-specimen distance constant when a liquid-immersion scan lens is used, in order to maintain a constant thickness of liquid between the lens and the specimen. In addition to being useful for confocal slicing, motion of the intermediate lens under computer control also enables dynamic focus and the ability to move the focal spot along a general path inside the specimen. Several applications of the imaging system are described.

Abstract: A new high resolution confocal and non-confocal scanning laser macroscope is disclosed which achieves fine focus and control of focus position by moving a lens in the intermediate optics. This arrangement is particularly useful for imaging specimens where it is difficult to focus by changing the distance between the scan lens and the specimen, for example for in-vivo imaging, photodynamic therapy, and image-guided surgery. It is also important to keep the lens-to-specimen distance constant when a liquid-immersion scan lens is used, in order to maintain a constant thickness of liquid between the lens and the specimen. In addition to being useful for confocal slicing, motion of the intermediate lens under computer control also enables dynamic focus and the ability to move the focal spot along a general path inside the specimen. Several applications of the imaging system are described.

Abstract: A new high resolution confocal and non-confocal scanning laser macroscope is disclosed which images macroscopic specimens in reflected light, transmitted light, fluorescence, photoluminescence and multi-photon fluorescence. The optical arrangement of a scanning laser macroscope has been altered to include a liquid-immersion laser scan lens, providing higher numerical aperture and higher resolution; and higher intensity at the focal spot, which makes the macroscope particularly well suited for multiphoton imaging. Several applications of the imaging system are described. A liquid-immersion laser scan lens with spring-loaded bottom element and method for containing the immersion liquid are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inexpensive, simple, compact, optical relay for use primarily with scanning beam imaging systems. More specifically, it can be used as an optical interconnect between scanning mirrors and between a scanning mirror and imaging optics such as a microscope objective. The optical relay, also known as an optical telescope or coupler, consists of two eyepieces forming an afocal assembly. A beam pivoting about a stationary point in the first focal plane of the first eyepiece will be relayed through the optical system such that it pivots about a stationary point at the second focal plane of the second eyepiece. In the preferred embodiment a collimated beam pivots about the first focal point of the first eyepiece as it enters the optical relay, and exits the optical relay with the same beam diameter and scan angle (opposite sign) pivoting about the second focal point of the second eyepiece.

Abstract: A non-confocal scanning beam optical imaging or mapping system for macroscopic samples is disclosed, in which an expanded laser beam passes through a scan system and a telecentric laser scan lens focuses the beam to a moving spot in the sample. Light reflected (or emitted) from the illuminated spot is collected by the laser scan lens, descanned by the scan system, and detected by a detector. Transmitted-light and other non-confocal versions are also disclosed. This new scanning beam laser imaging system performs a rapid scan of a large sample. Applications include fluorescent imaging of large biomedical specimens, including fluorescent gels, photoluminescence mapping of semiconductor samples, etc.

Abstract: A scanning optical imaging or mapping system for macroscopic specimens is disclosed, which allows both confocal and non-confocal imaging to be performed in reflected light, photoluminescence, fluorescence and other contrast mechanisms. Several embodiments are disclosed, for use in photoluminescence mapping of semiconductor specimens, fluorescence scanning of gels used in gene sequencing, fingerprint detection, and other application areas.

Abstract: A scanning optical microscope or mapping system for spectrally-resolved measurement of light reflected, emitted or scatttered from a specimen is disclosed, in which the spectrally-resolving element is integrated into the detection arm of the microscope or mapping system to result in good photon collection efficiency as well as good spectral and spatial resolution. A confocal version of the microscope is disclosed which will be of particular interest in fluorescence microscopy, and the non-confocal mapping system will be of particular interest in photoluminescence mapping of semiconductor wafers.