Patent ID: 6512576
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: G01N,G02B

Abstract:
A laser micro-capture instrument comprising:an optical system comprising: a partially transmissive and partially reflective surface; a focusing lens optically coupled to the partially transmissive and partially reflective surface; and an objective lens optically coupled to the focusing lens; a laser optically coupled to the partially transmissive and partially reflective surface; the laser being selectively activable to emit a laser beam; an illuminator optically coupled to the optical system; the illuminator being selectively activable to emit light; an acquisition system optically coupled to the optical system; and a translation stage optically coupled to the optical system; wherein the optical system, laser, illuminator, acquisition system and translation stage are configured such that the laser beam passes from the laser to the partially transmissive and partially reflective surface and then to the focusing lens, and from the focusing lens towards the translation stage; and the light from the illuminator passes from the illuminator to the partially transmissive and partially reflective surface and then through the focusing lens, and from the focusing lens through the translation stage, from the translation stage through the objective lens and then to the acquisition system; and wherein the light and laser beam are superimposed at the partially transmissive and partially reflective surface; and wherein the focusing lens is used to focus the laser beam and the objective lens is used to focus light passing from the illuminator to the acquisition system.