Modular microscope construction
AssigneeBio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.
InventorsMichael Griffin, Daniel Yue Man Chu, Tom McCollum
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system, apparatus and method for using modular microscopes is disclosed. Connecting the housings of the individual microscope modules provide the structural framework of the modular microscope. Furthermore, the modular microscope can include specialized software, the distribution and use of which can be controlled using security keys or identifiers stored on one or more of the microscope modules. The security keys and identifiers can be based on calibration data associated with the physical, electrical, or optical properties of one of more of the modules. The illumination modules disclosed provide for selectable wavelengths and controllable levels of output illumination for both bright field and dark field illumination.
Claims8
A system for operating a modular microscope comprising:
- a computer system;
- and
- a modular microscope comprising:
- a control module;
- an imager module;
- a lens module;
- and
- an illumination module,
- wherein the computer system is communicatively removably coupled to the modular microscope, and wherein at least one of the control module, the imager module, the lens module, and the illumination module comprises a security module that allows the computer system to run computer programs contained in the control module and view images captured with the modular microscope only when the computer system is communicatively coupled to the modular microscope.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.