Method and system for processing scan-data from a confocal microscope

US6423960B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Leica Microsystems Heidelberg GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Johann Engelhardt · Bad Schönborn, DE
• Bernd Widzgowski · Dossenheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 31, 1999
• Grant date: Jul 23, 2002
• Expiry date: Dec 31, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B21/0048
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention discloses a method and system for processing scan signals from a confocal microscope. The confocal microscope comprises an illumination source and a scanning device with a scanning mirror system. A control and processing unit is provided, which unit uses a plurality of programmable devices for the real time processing of digital signals. The control and processing unit has at least three input ports and one output port. A first detector generates analog signals corresponding to the light reflected from a specimen within the microscope and a second detector generates analog signals corresponding to the intensity of the light from the illumination source. In addition, a position signal of the scanning laser beam is provided to the control and processing unit. Analog-to-digital converters receive the analog signals, generate digital signals and provide the digital signals to the input ports of the control and processing unit.