Patent ID: 6201639
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: B01J,B01L,B82Y,C40B,G01N,G02B

Abstract:
A wide field of view, scanning microscope for examination of a surface of a biological object along orthogonal X and Y axes at a desired resolution, comprising:a scanning assemly comprising an oscillating, rigid rotary support structure associated with a driver and constructed to rotate in oscillatory scanning motion about an axis of rotation, over the object to be viewed, in a predetermined limited scan path arc extending at least 1 mm, over a major portion of which arc data collection can occur, the scan path arc extending substantially along the X axis, the axis of rotation being substantially normal to the surfacea micro objective lens that has an axis, the lens mounted on the rigid, rotary oscillating support structure at a location spaced from the axis of rotation of the support structure,the micro objective lens characterized in having mass of less than 2 grams and having a restricted field of view of the order of but larger than a pixel of the desired resolution, the lens being mounted on the support structure with its axis normal to the surface of the object for esentially on-axis scanning throughout the arcuate scan range, the lens being arranged to scan a spot on the surface of the object, the lens being in optical communication with a stationary optical system via a light path which, in part, extends along the axis of rotation of the support structure providing a first optical path from a light source to the examined biological object and a second optical path from the examined biological object to a light detector,driver for the support structure adapted to oscillate the support structure to cause essentially on-axis scanning of the object, anda translation system for producing linear movement of an object to be scanned along the Y axis to translate the object under the micro objective lens being carried in said rotational oscillatory scanning motion.