Patent ID: 6522775
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: G01N,G06T

Abstract:
A flow optical tomography method for imaging and analysis of microscopic objects, the method comprising the steps of:(a) injecting at least one object into an injection tube; (b) controlling the flow of the at least one object through a capillary tube such that the at least one object elongates along an axis of flow and moves proximately along a central axis of the capillary tube; (c) sampling with at least one optical point source, located around a circumference of the capillary tube, in conjunction with at least one opposing optical sensor disposed opposite the at least one optical point source at a distance from the capillary tube such that there is no focal plane, and where multiple projection angles through the at least one object are sampled as it flows past the at least one optical point source and at least one opposing optical sensor; and (d) generating a series of timing signals, such that each timing signal coincides with a specific position along the axis in the z-direction of the at least one object, so as to generate a set of timed optical projections through the at least one object.