Fluorescence illumination assembly for an imaging apparatus and method

A method of acquiring and viewing macroscopic fluorescence data from a specimen comprising:

• providing an imaging apparatus having an enclosure wall defining a view port into a light-tight imaging compartment thereof;
• placing the specimen in said imaging compartment and on a support surface, defining a selectively sized and dimensioned window portion that faces toward said view port;
• orienting the specimen over the window portion such that the specimen, when supported atop the support surface, is positioned and seated over said window portion in a manner forming a light-tight seal substantially there between;
• transmitting excitation light through window portion and into a first surface of said specimen;
• and
• capturing the diffused excitation light that exits a second surface of said specimen through said view port to view the fluorescence of said specimen.

An imaging system for a specimen comprising:

• an imaging apparatus defining a light-tight imaging compartment with an interior wall having a view port extending into said imaging compartment;
• a support surface disposed in said compartment, said support surface containing a window portion, and configured to support said specimen thereatop;
• and
• an illumination device positioned adjacent said window portion, and configured to direct excitation light into a first surface of said specimen wherein diffused light passes therethrough and emanates from a second surface thereof for receipt through said view port to acquire fluorescence data of said specimen.