Method and system for generating a three-dimensional object

The present invention concerns a method for generating a three-dimensional object from a three-dimensional object model, the object model being scanned with a light beam of a light source and the light returning from the object model being detected. The object model is to be scannable with increased resolution and accuracy so that an object can be generated from the object model in a manner largely faithful to the model. The method according to the present invention is characterized in that the scanning optical system operates confocally.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The Figure shows a confocal fluorescent scanning microscope for carrying out the method for generating a three-dimensional object 1 from a three-dimensional object model 2 . Object model 2 is scanned with a light beam 3 of a light source 4 . Fluorescent light 5 returning from object model 2 is detected with detector 6 . According to the present invention, scanning optical system 7 , 8 , and 9 operates confocally. For this purpose, an illumination pinhole 8 is arranged in the illumination beam path of light source 4 , optically conjugated with the object model-side focal plane of microscope objective 7 of the scanning optical system. Detection pinhole 9 is also arranged in optically conjugated fashion with respect to the object model-side focal plane of microscope objective 7 . Illuminating light 3 reflected from object model 2 is separated, by means of a dichroic beam splitter 10 , from fluorescent light 5 returning from object model 2 , in such a way that only fluorescent light 5 can pass through dichroic beam splitter 10 and is detected by detector 6 . The scanning operation is controlled by a control device 11 . Light beam 3 , 5 is deflected by a beam deflection device 12 . The beam deflection device is a gimbal-mounted mirror that deflects light beam 3 , 5 sinusoidally in one direction and in a sawtooth shape in a direction orthogonal thereto, thus resulting in a meander-shaped object model scan in the focal plane of microscope objective 7 . The present status of beam deflection device 12 , i.e. the instantaneous spatial position of the mirror, is transmitted to control device 11 . Control device 11 thus knows the profile over time of the actual beam position during the scanning operation. Beam position data 13 , as well as signal 14 detected by detector 6 , are transmitted to control device 11 in analog form and digitized by control device 11 . Object model 2 is a biological specimen specifically labeled with two different fluorescent dyes. Light 5 returning from object model 2 is consequently fluorescent light. The detected object model data 14 are processed by control device 11 using image processing algorithms. First the detected three-dimensional object model data set is segmented. This yields two classes of objects: on the one hand the objects specifically labeled on the one hand with the one fluorescent dye, and on the other hand those specifically labeled with the other fluorescent dye. The surfaces of the segmented objects are then determined with a further image processing algorithm (surface rendering). The processed object model data 15 are transmitted to apparatus 16 for object generation. Apparatus 16 for object generation generates object 1 in faithfully scaled fashion from the scanned object model 2 . It embodies a 200-times magnification of the object model, although this is not depicted at actual scale in the Figure. Object generation is accomplished using laser beam lithography methods. In conclusion, be it noted very particularly that the exemplary embodiments discussed above serve merely to describe the teaching claimed, but do not limit it to the exemplary embodiments. 
 Parts List 1 1 Generated object 2 Object model 3 Light beam 4 Light source 5 Light returning from (2) 6 Detector 7 Scanning optical system 8 Illumination pinhole 9 Detection pinhole 10 Dichroic beam splitter 11 Control device 12 Beam deflection device 13 Beam position data 14 Detected light intensity 15 Processed object model data 16 Apparatus for object generation