Patent ID: 7116475
Filing Date: 2006-10-03
Classification: G01Q

Abstract:
1. A near field intra-cellular apertureless microscope apparatus comprising a light scattering nano-particle for positioning non-invasively in a cell, an illuminating device for illuminating the nano-particle, and a processor communicating with the nano-particle for measuring modulation of near-field light from the nano-particle, collecting data in the cell, and for non-invasively determining full 3-D volumetric imaging of the cell, wherein the nano-particle is a sub-wavelength particle responding to localized interactions with surrounding molecules, wherein the nano-particle is a fluorescent particle providing fluorescence for illuminating and imaging areas surrounding the particle in the cell, wherein the fluorescent particle is insertable in the cell, further comprising a positioning device for positioning the fluorescent particle in the cell, wherein the positioning device is an optical fiber having a distal end, wherein the fluorescent particle is coupled to the distal end of the fiber, and further comprising a housing for housing the optical fiber and the fluorescent particle.