Cytometer having telecentric optics
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorBernard Fritz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mechanism for moving and positioning a light source so that its light impinges a target as it moves on or off axis of an optical system. A detector may receive scattered light at a same position whether the light impinging the target is on or off axis due to, for example, a telecentric optical system. Further, the light may be positioned so that the detector is maximally impinged with scattered light. An output may go to a processor that sends a signal to the light source to move the emitted light so as to continually impinge the target as it moves on or off axis. An array of light sources may used in lieu of the moving light source. To move the light beam, another light at another position in the array may be selected to replace a previously selected light source.
Claims43
An illumination apparatus comprising:
- a light source;
- an optical system, having an axis, at least partially situated between the light source and a target;
- and
- a detector situated on the axis and proximate to the target;
- and
- wherein:
- the target may move on axis or off axis;
- the light source may provide a light beam that is moveable to illuminate the target on axis or off axis;
- light from the light beam may be mapped to a first position on the detector when the light source is on axis;
- light from the light beam may be mapped to a second position on the detector when the light source is off axis;
- and
- the second position is equivalent to the first position.
A telecentric light source position aligner system, comprising:
- a light source, moveable for various positions, situated proximate to a channel;
- a detector having the channel situated between the detector and the light source;
- and
- a processor connected to the light source and the detector.
A light beam alignment system comprising:
- a detector proximate to a channel;
- and
- a light source having an alignment adjuster relative to the channel;
- and
- wherein the alignment adjuster provides a projection of the light source on a moveable target in the channel without affecting a projection of the light source relative to the detector.
A means for alignment comprising:
- means for providing a light beam having a direction;
- means for adjusting the direction of the light beam;
- means for providing a target;
- means for measuring the amount of light scattered by the target;
- and
- wherein the direction of the light beam is adjusted to increase the amount of light scattered by the target.
A method for alignment of a light beam with a core stream in a flow channel of a cytometer, comprising:
- directing a light beam towards the flow channel;
- measuring an amount of light scattered by the core stream in the flow channel;
- and
- adjusting the direction of the light beam towards the core stream to change the amount of light scattered by the flow stream.
A telecentricity apparatus comprising:
- a light source having various positions;
- a detector having a target situated between the light source and the detector;
- and
- an optical arrangement situated between the light source and the detector;
- and
- wherein the optical arrangement maintains the same impact position of a light beam from the light source on the detector for the various positions the light source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.