Patent ID: 7570359
Filing Date: 2009-08-04
Classification: A61B,G01N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for illuminating a macroscopically-sized specimen for, upon at least one time, observation along a single viewing axis, the apparatus comprising: a stage for supporting a specimen to be observed; one or more first illumination sources radiatively illuminating the specimen upon the stage so that at least some radiation returned from the specimen will be returned along the viewing axis; at least one dichroic mirror positioned so that at least a portion of the specimen not directly observable along the viewing axis will be reflected in the mirror so as to become observable along the viewing axis; and one or more second illumination sources radiatively illuminating the specimen on the stage through the at least one dichroic mirror so that at least some radiation reflected from that region of the specimen not directly observable along the viewing axis will become reflected by the dichroic mirror and will become observable along the viewing axis.