Microscope with tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction lens enabling multiple focal plan imaging
OwnerCraig B. Arnoldinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus, system and method for microscopy. The apparatus, system and method includes a stage configured to receive an item; a tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction (TAG) lens having a first aspect positioned to image the received item, wherein the first aspect of the TAG lens is configured to have an optical power profile in accordance with an operational frequency of the TAG lens; one or more lenses configured to magnify an image of the received item at a viewing point; and at least one pulsed light source configured to illuminate the received item and to pulse at one or more points within the optical power profile of the TAG lens.
Claims18
A microscope, comprising:
- a stage configured to receive an item;
- a tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction lens having a first aspect positioned to image the received item, wherein the first aspect of the lens is configured to have an optical power profile in accordance with an operational frequency of the tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction lens;
- one or more lenses configured to magnify an image of the received item at a viewing point;
- at least one pulsed light source configured to illuminate the received item and to pulse at one or more points within the optical power profile of the tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction lens;
- and
- an eyepiece configured to provide the viewing point of the magnified, illuminated item image.
A microscope, comprising:
- a stage configured to receive an item;
- a tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction lens positioned to image the received item, wherein the tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction lens is configured to have an optical power profile in accordance with an operational frequency of the tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction lens;
- one or more lenses configured to magnify an image of the received item at a viewing point;
- a first pulsed light source having a first color and configured to illuminate the received item and to pulse at a first point within the optical power profile of the tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction lens;
- and
- a second pulsed light source having a second color and configured to illuminate the received item and to pulse at a second point within the optical power profile of the tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction lens, wherein the first point is different from the second point.
A method of microscopy, comprising:
- configuring a stage to receive an item;
- positioning a tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction lens to image the received item, and to have an optical power profile in accordance with an operational frequency of the tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction lens;
- configuring one or more lenses to magnify an image of the received item at a viewing point;
- pulsing a first light source having a first color to illuminate the received item and to pulse at a first point within the optical power profile of the tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction lens;
- and
- pulsing a second light source having a second color to illuminate the received item and to pulse at a second point within the optical power profile of the tunable acoustic gradient index of refraction lens, wherein the first point is different from the second point.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.