Apparatus and method to convert a regular bright-field microscope into a ps-qpi system
OwnerAna Doblas, Rohan Isaacinventors
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Abstract
An apparatus, system, and related methods for the conversion of a regular bright-field microscope into a PS-QPI (Polarization-Sensitivity and Quantitative Phase Imaging) microscope system. A regular bright-field microscope is converted by insertion of a polarizing element in the illumination path and a Fresnel biprism in the image space of the system. The converted system is suitable for real-time quantitative PS phase imaging in a broad number of biological applications aimed at understanding cell growth and dynamic changes occurring during physiological processes, as well as identification of cell/tissue screening and diagnosis.
Claims18
A polarization-sensitive quantitative phase imaging system, comprising:
- a microscope comprising an illumination source, a microscope objective lens and a tube lens, configured to magnify an image of a sample;
- a polarizing element configured to orient the polarization state of the illumination source;
- a Fresnel biprism;
- and
- a sensor or detector.
A process for converting a bright-field microscope into a polarization-sensitive quantitative phase imaging (PS-QPI) system, comprising the steps of:
- providing a bright-field microscope with a light source configured to generate an illuminating light wave or beam, a stage for holding a sample, a microscope objective lens, a tube lens, and a sensor;
- inserting a polarizing element in the illuminating light wave or beam prior to the illuminating light wave or beam passing through the sample;
- and
- inserting a Fresnel biprism between the tube lens and the sensor;
- whereby insertion of the polarizing element and the Fresnel biprism provide real-time polarization sensitivity and quantitative phase imaging for the system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.