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Rex A Hoover

Robert G Hoover

Thomas A Hoover

A parallel gripper for handling multiwell plates in an automated analysis system, moves individual multiwell plates between a plate storage array unit (i.e., plate hotel) and an imaging station. More particularly, the gripper has two parallel plate-gripping arms that move in equal, but opposite linear directions and are controlled using a stepper motor. Each of the arms has a shelf that provides support for the corresponding side edge of a multiwell plate.

Parallel gripper for handling multiwell plate

A light diffuser for use in illumination systems of optical microscopes which utilize a light source to illuminate a specimen staged on the microscope for observation. The light diffuser includes a light diffusing plate made of opal glass positioned closely adjacent the specimen. The light diffusing plate randomly breaks up light transmitted from a light source which passes therethrough into spatially isotopic light. The isotropic light illuminates the specimen for observation of a specimen image through the microscope with substantially reduced diffraction shadows which obscure the specimen. The light diffuser is utilized as part of an illumination lens system for microscopes and a method of use thereof which includes a plurality of lenses, an aperture diaphragm, and a field diaphragm which allow adjustment of the contrast and field of illumination of the image.

Light diffuser for optical microscopes replacing condenser with opal glass to produce near-koehler illumination

A system for aligning a mask and a product with high precision, featuring a means for supporting a product in a fixed position and a mask adjacent to the product so that the mask is movable relative to the product. A plurality of computer controlled plungers push the surrounding mask frame into alignment. A computer is used to determine the relative position of the mask and the product prior to alignment; and that, to achieve proper alignment of the mask and the product, and determines the distance that the mask must be moved.

Method for aligning two objects

A novel computer-controlled video microscopy system, features a rotatable objective lens turret. The lens turret is a rotatable cylindrical drum having an open end and closed end. A plurality of light-transmitting objective lenses are evenly spaced about the side wall of the cylindrical drum. The objective lenses are each directed perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the cylindrical drum. A computer is used to select a desired objective lens and signal a motor to rotate the cylindrical drum about its axis of rotation, so as to move the selected objective lens into the path of an approaching light beam. When the light beam enters the drum through the objective lens, a prism or mirror inside the cylindrical drum bends the light beam at a right angle and directs it out of the drum through its open end. An image carried by the light beam is then focused onto the imaging plane of a video camera. The microscope also features a computer-controlled stage which moves a sample in any direction in the x-y plane and an illumination system using either transmitted light or incident light.

Computerized video microscopy system

Computer controlled video microscopy system

A system for aligning a mask and a product with high precision, featuring a means for supporting a product in a fixed position and a mask adjacent to the product so that the mask is movable relative to the product. The mask is surrounded by a rectangular mask frame. At least one movable first plunger presses against a first edge of the mask frame, while two movable second plungers press against a second edge of the mask frame, where the first and second edges are perpendicular. A first computer-controlled movable push plate is designed to push the mask frame against said at least one movable first plunger; pushing the mask frame in a first direction. Two second movable computer-controlled plates are designed to move the mask frame in a second direction by pushing the mask frame against the two movable second plungers. The two second movable computer-controlled push plates may also be used to rotate the mask frame by moving one of the second movable push plates toward one of the movable second plungers, while controlled simultaneously moving the other of the second movable push plates away from the other of the movable second plungers. A computer is used to determine the relative position of the mask and the product prior to alignment; and that, to achieve proper alignment of the mask and the product, the mask must be moved in the first direction by a first distance, moved in the second direction by a second distance, and rotated by a defined amount. The computer then signals the first computer controlled movable push plate to push the mask frame in the first direction by the first distance; and also signals the two second computer-controlled movable push plates to push the mask frame in the second direction by said second distance. If rotation of the mask is required, the two second computer-controlled movable push plates are signaled to rotate the mask frame by said defined amount.

Apparatus for aligning two objects

A computerized control and display system for a stereo microscope is disclosed. The objective lens is selected for a minimum and maximum magnification range and then two sets of movable lenses within the stereo module are positioned through computer control to achieve a precisely desired magnification. In the preferred embodiment, a lookup table is used to smoothly select the proper position of the two movable lenses in relationship to one another as the magnification is either increased or decreased. A stereoscopic image is transmitted by cameras to a computer screen with the use of a wireless eyewear/shutter system cycling at 120 cycles per second for viewing.

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Sumerduck, VA, United States of America

Rex A Hoover