US 6,084,991 A · CCD imager for confocal scanning microscopy

Abstract

A CCD array imager adapted for use as a spatial noise discriminator in confocal scanning microscopy comprises a parallel (vertical) register with a horizontal unmasked imaging row of pixels in tandem with a masked storage array, a serial (horizontal) register for readout, and a means for synchronizing image acquisition in the unmasked row with vertical charge shifting in the storage array such that images are mapped to on-diagonal pixels of the storage array whereas noise is mapped to off-diagonal pixels. A method for using the present invention as a spatial noise discriminator for fluorescence microscopy includes acquiring a fluorescence image in a pixel of the unmasked row of the parallel register, vertically shifting the charges accumulated in the row into the storage array, moving the next fluorescent image horizontally to the next position in the unmasked row, repeating the process to map image information to the on-diagonal pixels of the storage array while segregating noise in the off-diagonal pixels and selectively retrieving image information.

Claims7

Dependent claims

An array imaging system for use in a confocal optical scanning system, comprising:

a parallel register including:
an unmasked imaging row of pixels for receiving and recording a scan image as an electronic pattern of charges;
and
a serial register for receiving successive rows from the imaging row for readout;
a controller for shifting the charges within said array;
and
a means for spatially filtering background noise from the image during the process of recording and storing the image on the array, which means comprises a means for mapping an image to an on-diagonal pattern of pixels from the array while rejecting off-diagonal pixels.

4 more elements

A CCD array imaging system for use in a confocal optical scanning system, comprising:

a parallel register including:
(a) an unmasked imaging row of pixels for receiving and recording a scan image as an electronic pattern of charges;
and
(b) a masked storage array comprising rows and columns of pixels for receiving and storing the charges from said imaging row;
wherein said imaging row and said storage array are arranged in tandem;
a serial register for receiving successive rows of said storage array for readout;
a CCD controller for shifting the charges within said CCD array;
and
a means for spatially filtering background noise from the image during the process of recording and storing the image on the CCD array;
wherein said spatial-filtering means comprises:
a first operative state of said array, wherein an image of a beam spot on a sample scan axis is received and recorded on a pixel of said imaging row;
a second operative state of said array, wherein said image is transferred to a tandem row of said storage array, said transfer occurring in synchrony with a translational repositioning of said beam spot on said sample scan axis, and a translational movement of the corresponding image of ;aid repositioned beam spot to a next pixel in said imaging row;
a third operative state of said array, wherein said image is entered into said serial register for movement to a read well;
and
a fourth operative state of said array, wherein said image is moved to said read well and is read out from said well;
wherein said array imaging system further includes means for implementing said operative states.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

CCD imager for confocal scanning microscopy

Life of this patent

CCD imager for confocal scanning microscopy

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7