Patent ID: 6271963
Filing Date: 2001-08-07
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An illumination device for use with an optical imaging apparatus, said optical imaging apparatus having focusing optics, said focusing optics having an optical axis, light emitted from an object under observation traveling generally in the direction of said optical axis from said object under observation through said focusing optics to be focused into an image, said object being placed within the field of view of said optical imaging apparatus, said illumination device comprising:(a) a diffuse light source;(b) an optical element having a width and a length, said optical element being positioned to receive light from said light source and having the characteristic of reflecting a portion of the light emitted from said light source toward said object under observation, whereby said object is illuminated and reflects light toward said focusing optics and having the further characteristic of transmitting a portion of the light reflected from said object toward said focusing optics, the length of said optical element being oriented along a second axis and said optical element being positioned at an acute angle with respect to said optical axis; and(c) a pair of reflecting elements, said reflecting elements being angled to collect and redirect light toward said object under observation, said reflecting elements each having a longer side, each said longer side extending transverse to said optical axis and said second axis.