Patent ID: 6025601
Filing Date: 2000-02-15
Classification: B01J,G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for imaging a sample located on a support, said apparatus comprising:a body for immobilizing said support, said support comprising at least a first surface having said sample thereon;an electromagnetic radiation source for generating excitation radiation having a first wavelength;excitation optics for transforming the geometry of said excitation radiation to a line and directing said line at said sample for exciting a plurality of regions thereon, said line causing a labeled material on said sample to emit response radiation, said response radiation having a second wavelength, said first wavelength different from said second wavelength;collection optics for collecting said response radiation from said plurality of regions;a detector for sensing said response radiation received by said collection optics, said detector generating a signal proportional to the amount of radiation sensed thereon, said signal representing an image associated with said plurality of regions from said sample;a translator coupled to said body for allowing a subsequent plurality of regions on said sample to be excited;a processor for processing and storing said signal so as to generate a 2-dimensional image of said sample; anda focuser for automatically focusing said sample in a focal plane of said excitation radiation.