Patent ID: 6631029
Filing Date: 2003-10-07
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical image separation system comprising:a confocal scanner unit comprising a Nipkow disk, a dichroic mirror and an output port, said output port comprising a structure having a hole defined by a lip of a first dimension, said scanner unit scanning a sample outside of said scanner unit and receiving a light from said sample through said Nipkow disk, said dichroic mirror and said hole of said output port structure; a plurality of sensors disposed outside of said scanner unit; and at least one separable means disposed outside of said scanner unit and between said scanner unit and said plurality of sensors, said at least one separable means comprising a structure having a hole defined by a lip of a second dimension which is smaller than said first dimension so as to fit within said lip of said scanner unit output port structure in an attached condition, said at least one separable means receiving light transmitted through said hole of said scanner unit structure and through said hole of said at least one separable means, said at least one separable means further comprising: means for separating said light into a plurality of light paths each having a particular wave length, and means for transmitting said plurality of light paths respectively to each of said plurality of sensors; whereby a plurality of optical images of different specimen in said sample are concurrently produced; and whereby said at least one separable means is readily attachable and detachable from said scanner unit.