Fluorescence-based scanning imaging device

A scanning imaging device for scanning a surface of a sample comprising:

• optical means for determining a focal point;
• a first device for displacing the focal point in a rapid scanning movement in a direction X approximately parallel to the surface of the sample, in order to describe at least one scanning line along the X direction at the surface of the sample;
• a movable support on which the sample is fixed;
• and
• a second device for displacing said movable support in a direction Y, approximately parallel to the surface of the sample and approximately perpendicular to the rapid scanning direction X;
• wherein the movable support rests on at least one guiding column in the Y direction that leaves said movable support free to move in a Z direction approximately perpendicular to a plane defined by the X and Y directions,
• the second device comprising:
• at least one first actuator, the action of which displaces the movable support in relation to the optical means in the Z direction such that the scanning line along the X direction is shifted approximately uniformly in the Z direction;
• and
• at least one second actuator, the action of which modifies an inclination of the movable support in such a way that the scanning line along the X direction is essentially inclined in a plane defined by the X and Z directions by rotation about a rotation axis a position of which varies depending on a position of the movable support along the Y direction and/or depending on a position determined by the first actuator of the movable support in the Z direction.