초록 ▼

The confocal imaging system and method involve the imaging of a specimen under observation by projecting a light pattern of illumination spots simultaneously on the specimen. This is accomplished by a pattern array unit which transforms light from a light source into a desired pattern of illuminatio

The confocal imaging system and method involve the imaging of a specimen under observation by projecting a light pattern of illumination spots simultaneously on the specimen. This is accomplished by a pattern array unit which transforms light from a light source into a desired pattern of illumination spots. Light detected from the specimen is confined to a pattern conforming to the pattern of the illumination spots by a detector masking unit which rejects light beyond the pattern. Image signals are created from the received light and stored, and the stored image signals are combined to form a complete image frame.

대표청구항 ▼

A confocal optical imaging system for imaging a specimen comprising: a light source for providing light to the specimen, first optical means to direct light from said light source along an illumination path to said specimen, pattern array means positioned in said illumination path between said light

A confocal optical imaging system for imaging a specimen comprising: a light source for providing light to the specimen, first optical means to direct light from said light source along an illumination path to said specimen, pattern array means positioned in said illumination path between said light source and said specimen which operates to transform light from said light source into a plurality of simultaneously formed illumination spots arranged in a pattern, said pattern array means including an electronically addressed and gated electrostatic microshutter array operative in response to control signals to provide sequential patterns of illumination spots, and a control means connected to said pattern array means, said control means operating to provide control signals to said pattern array means to cause said pattern array means to provide sequential complimentary patterns of illumination spots, said first optical means operating to separately image each said pattern of illumination spots simultaneously on said specimen.