Variable-Size Sector-Shaped Aperture mask and method of using same to create focal plane-specific images
OwnerGary Greenberginventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A variable size sector-shaped aperture mask used in an optical imaging system, such as a microscope, increases contrast and depth of field without loss of resolution and permits different angled views of an object to be captured and compared to create focal plane-specific images.
Claims20
In an optical imaging system having at least one objective aperture through which a light beam passes the improvement comprising:
- means variably shaping the beam such that only a selected size sector of the aperture passes light.
A variable-size mask for an objective aperture of the kind having an optical axis and a periphery comprising:
- an opaque body having a variable-size, sector-shaped aperture having a vertex wherein, when said opaque body is located at the objective aperture and said vertex is located at the optical axis, the objective aperture is occluded, except for at least a portion of the sector-shaped aperture.
In an optical imaging system having at least one objective aperture through which a light beam passes, the improvement comprising:
- a mask slider slidably disposed at the objective aperture
- a plurality of sector-shaped light-transmitting apertures in said slider having different angular orientations relative to the objective aperture whereby said sector-shaped apertures are selectively aligned with the objective aperture by/positioning said slider.
A method for increasing the contrast, definition and depth of field of an mage in a light microscope having an objective aperture with an optical axis and a periphery without reducing resolution, the steps comprising:
- occluding the objective aperture so that part of the aperture can pass light and part cannot pass light wherein the part that can pass light extends from the optical axis to the periphery of the objective aperture.
A method of creating an image of a thin optical section of a three15 dimensional object comprised of a plurality of elements viewed through a microscope having a focal plane and an objective aperture, the steps comprising:
- locating the focal plane within the object;
- occluding a portion of an objective aperture to create a first angled view of the object;
- occluding a portion of the objective aperture to create a second angled view of the object which is different than the first angled view;
- identifying those elements of the object that are at the same location in differently angled views.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.