Patent ID: 9012868
Filing Date: 2015-04-21
Classification: G01N,G02B

Abstract:
1. A method of operating fluorescence microscopy apparatus to analyse a sample, the apparatus including input, processing, sample irradiating and detection arrangements, the method comprising the steps of: (a) using the input arrangement to transfer to the processing arrangement a set of parameters that relate to an experiment to be conducted using the apparatus and include at least one label parameter that identifies an inherent characteristic of a fluorescent label present in the sample and a rate parameter that identifies a rate of photobleaching of the fluorescent label desired during the experiment; (b) causing the processing arrangement to use the inputted parameters and take into account the identified characteristic of the fluorescent label while determining, prior to the initiation of irradiation, an excitation procedure to be carried out during the experiment to achieve the desired rate of photobleaching of the fluorescent label present in the sample during the experiment; (c) using the sample irradiating arrangement to irradiate at least part of the sample in accordance with the excitation procedure and substantially achieve the identified rate of photobleaching of the fluorescent label desired during the experiment; and (d) detecting with the detection arrangement fluorescent radiation emitted by the labels in the sample in response to the excitation energy.