Light Sheet Microscopy
AssigneeUniversity of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc.
InventorsPeter A. Kner, Yang Liu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provided herein are microscopes providing multi-directional illumination of a sample volume by alternately reflecting a light sheet exiting a single objective lens off of multiple reflectors positioned about the sample volume. The provided microscopes exhibit high lateral and axial resolution and are particularly useful for imaging thick samples. Also provided are methods and computer instructions and systems for using the provided microscopes.
Claims20
A microscope for imaging a sample within a sample volume, wherein the microscope comprises:
- a laser configured to emit an illumination light;
- a beam shaper configured to generate a light sheet from the illumination light;
- an objective lens having an optical axis, wherein the objective lens is configured to transmit the light sheet to and transmit detection light exiting from the sample volume;
- two or more reflectors each located in a different position in a sample plane that transects the sample volume orthogonal to the optical axis;
- a beam steering mirror;
- a steering motor configured to move the beam steering mirror to each of two or more positions, wherein at each of the two or more positions the beam steering mirror is configured to steer the light sheet through the objective lens to a different selected reflector of the two or more reflectors, the light sheet reflected from the selected reflector through the sample volume;
- and
- an imager configured to image the detection light transmitted by the objective lens.
A method for imaging a sample within a sample volume with a microscope, wherein the method comprises:
- emitting, using a laser, an illumination light;
- generating, using a beam shaper, a light sheet from the illumination light;
- transmitting the light sheet through an objective lens to a first reflector of two or more reflectors, wherein the objective lens has an optical axis, and wherein each of the two or more reflectors is located in a different position in a sample plane that transects the sample volume orthogonal to the optical axis;
- directing, using the first reflector, the light sheet through the sample volume and substantially in the sample plane;
- detecting, using an imager, a first detection light, wherein the first detection light exits the sample volume as the light sheet is directed with the first reflector, and wherein the first detection light is transmitted through the objective lens to the imager;
- moving a beam steering mirror such that the moved beam steering mirror steers the light sheet such that upon exiting the objective lens the light sheet is directed to a second reflector of the two or more reflectors;
- and
- detecting, using the imager, a second detection light, wherein the second detection light exits the sample volume as the light sheet is directed with the second reflector, and wherein the second detection light is transmitted through the objective lens to the imager.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.