Patent ID: 7583380
Filing Date: 2009-09-01
Classification: A61B,G01J,G01N,G02B

Abstract:
1. An analysis apparatus, in particular a spectroscopic analysis apparatus, for analyzing an object comprising: an excitation system comprising a first source for emitting an excitation beam to excite a target region; a monitoring system comprising a second different source for emitting a monitoring beam and an imaging system to image the target region; a detection system for detecting scattered radiation from the target region generated by the excitation beam; focusing means for focusing the imaging system on at least two substantially parallel imaging planes within the object at a predetermined distance and for focusing the excitation system and the detection system on a detection plane within the object substantially parallel and in-between the imaging planes at predetermined distances; defocus detection means for determining an amount of defocus of the imaging system flour the detection plane for the at least two imaging planes; and auto-focusing means for controlling the focusing means to commonly change the focusing of the imaging system, the excitation system and the detection system based on the determined amount of defocus and the predetermined distances between the imaging planes and the detection plane such that a difference between the determined amount of defocus for the at least two imaging planes equals a predetermined amount.