Color translating UV microscope
AssigneeRichardson Technologies, Inc.
InventorTimothy M. Richardson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A color translating UV or IR microscope for imaging living or dynamic samples in real time. The microscope includes a UV or IR light source and a first filter for cyclically separating light from the light source into spectral components which illuminate the sample. A device such as an image intensifier converts light received from the sample to visible polychromatic light, e.g., an intensified white light. A second filter set separates the visible polychromatic light into color planes. The first and second filter sets are synchronized with each other so as to enable the color planes to be recombined into a visible multicolor image, wherein each color plane represents illumination of the sample by non-visible light of different wavelengths.
Claims27
A method of producing an observable image representing the differential absorption of light by a sample, the method comprising:
- a) illuminating the sample with non-visible light;
- b) receiving light from the sample as an image of the sample and converting said light image to a visible polychromatic light image;
- and
- c) selecting a color from said polychromatic light image to thereby generate said observable image.
A method of producing an observable image representing the differential absorption of light by a sample, the method comprising:
- a) illuminating the sample with light of a first selected wavelength or wavelength region;
- b) receiving light from the sample as an image of the sample and converting said light image to a polychromatic light image;
- and
- c) selecting a pre-determined wavelength or wavelength region from said polychromatic light image to thereby generate said observable image.
A method of producing a visible image representing the differential absorption of light by a sample, the method comprising:
- a) illuminating the sample with non-visible light, the wavelength or wavelength region of the illuminating light being cyclically selected from a pre-determined group of wavelengths or wavelength regions;
- b) receiving light from the sample as an image of the sample and converting said light image to a polychromatic light image;
- c) filtering said polychromatic light image to thereby obtain a wavelength or wavelength region therefrom for display as said visible image, the displayable light being cyclically selected from a pre-determined group of wavelengths or wavelength regions;
- and
- d) periodically and synchronously changing the wavelengths or wavelength regions of the illuminating light and the displayable light.
An apparatus for producing an observable image representing the differential absorption of light by a sample, the apparatus comprising:
- a) means for illuminating the sample with non-visible light;
- b) means for converting light received from the sample as an image thereof to a polychromatic light image;
- and
- c) means for selecting a color from said polychromatic light image to thereby generate said observable image.
A microscope for translating spectral information to a visible color image, comprising:
- a light source providing light substantially not visible to the human eye;
- a stage for holding a sample;
- a first set of at least two filters for separating light from the light source into spectral components;
- a lens system for illuminating the sample with light emanating from the first filter set;
- means for converting light received from the sample to visible polychromatic light;
- a second set of at least two filters for separating the visible polychromatic light into color planes;
- wherein the first and second filter sets are synchronized with each other so as to enable the color planes to be recombined into a visible multicolor image.
A method of producing an image representing the differential absorption of light by a sample, comprising:
- a) illuminating a sample with light of a first desired wavelength(s) by imposing a first filter between a multi-wavelength source and the sample;
- b) receiving light from the sample at a photon gain device which converts the received light to an intensified white light;
- c) filtering the intensified white light with a second filter to obtain visible light at a pre-selected wavelength(s) for said desired wavelength;
- d) forming an image from said filtered intensified white light;
- and
- e) synchronously changing the first and second filters and repeating steps (a) through (d) to illuminate the sample with light of a second desired wavelength and form an image from visible light obtained from the intensified white light at a second pre-selected wavelength for said second desired wavelength.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.