The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 31, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 27, 1998
Diping Che, Westmont, IL (US);
Vysis, Inc., Downers Grove, IL (US);
Abstract
A large-field fluorescence imaging apparatus couples an excitation beam produced by a high-power white light source to a sample with reflective optics to achieve high illumination intensity on the sample. The reflective optics includes a concave mirror which projects the filtered and collimated excitation beam from the white light source onto the sample surface. The concave mirror images a field stop onto the sample surface to define an illumination area which matches the field of view of the imaging optics. The fluorescent light generated in the sample is filtered and imaged on a charge coupled device. The combination of the high illumination intensity and the imaging efficiency allows the imaging apparatus to acquire fluorescent images at an improved rate. A sample-height alignment arrangement using fixed alignment stops allows the sample to be positioned quickly and repeatably in the focal plane of the imaging optics without the need for fine adjustments.