Patent ID: 7864380
Filing Date: 2011-01-04
Classification: G01N,G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical scanning-microscope system comprising: a scanning microscope adapted to image a sample positioned on a stage; an automated feeder for sequentially placing multiple samples on the stage; a light source for illuminating the sample placed on the stage; a detector for capturing image data of the sample produced by the light source; a sensor for identifying sample information associated with each sample being fed to the stage; a controller for operating the system according to a set of scanning modalities prescribed by said sample information identified by the sensor; and a computer for processing said image data captured by the detector; wherein said scanning microscope comprises a two-dimensional microscope array with a plurality of magnifying imaging systems disposed along a corresponding plurality of optical axes for imaging the sample onto the detector, said plurality of magnifying imaging systems being arranged in rows and configured to image respective sections of the sample, and a scanning mechanism for producing a relative movement between the microscope array and the sample along a linear direction of scan, so as to produce an image of the sample from a plurality of image-forming signals corresponding to said plurality of magnifying imaging systems; and wherein said rows of magnifying imaging systems are staggered with respect to said linear direction of scan, such that each of the imaging systems acquires image data corresponding to a respective continuous strip of the sample along said linear direction of scan of the scanning mechanism.