Patent ID: 6066245
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A system for illuminating a fluorescently labeled sample and for collecting fluoresced light emitted by the sample, the system comprising:(a) a fiber optic bundle, including at least one illuminating fiber for emitting an illuminating beam, and including at least one collecting fiber disposed adjacent the illuminating fiber; and(b) an optical apparatus for focusing the illuminating beam, for directing the focused illuminating beam to the fluorescently labeled sample to cause the sample to fluoresce, and for directing at least some of the fluorescence from the sample through an aberrating area of the optical apparatus configured to cause aberration of the fluorescence and direct a substantial portion of the fluorescence onto the collecting fibers, and wherein the optical apparatus comprises at least one spherical lens and an optical axis, the illuminating fiber being positioned substantially along the optical axis and the collecting fibers being located off the optical axis in the aberrating area of the optical apparatus where the optical axis aberrates light rays.