Autofocus system for scanning microscopy
US5790710A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 17, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 17, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B21/002
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Reliable autofocus is required to obtain accurate measurements of fluorescent stained cellular components from a system capable of scanning multiple microscope fields. Autofocus could be performed directly with fluorescence images, but due to photobleaching and destructive fluorescence by-products, it is best to minimize fluorescence exposure for photosensitive specimens and live cells. This exposure problem could be completely avoided by using phase-contrast microscopy, implemented through the same optics as fluorescence microscopy. Functions for both phase-contrast and fluorescence autofocus were evaluated using the present invention and the suitability of phase-contrast autofocus for fluorescence microscopy was determined. The present autofocus system for scanning microscopy can be performed at least as fast as 0.25 s/field without loss of precision.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.