LED POINT SCANNING SYSTEM

Abstract: An LED point imaging scanner for stimulating and reading fluorescent and reflective signal radiation from a target sample (10) is disclosed. LED light source (12) is mounted on scan head (20) and focused into pinhole aperture (15) of spatial filter (30), then collimated and focused to a spot (17) on sample (10). The spatial filter, or an optical fiber equivalent, effectively restricts the incoherent LED light and creates a point light source. Signal radiation from sample (10) is collected through scan head (20) and the returning light beam is collimated and focused onto detection means (40). A spatial filter (22) in the path of the returning beam may also be utilized. Detection means (40) is either a small detector directly mounted onto the scan head, or an end of an optical fiber which transmits the point image to a remotely-positioned stationary detector. The scan head is moved along one or two axes relative to the sample.

Description: Description LED Point Scanning System Technical Field This invention relates to moving head optical scanners for stimulating a target and for reading the fluorescent and reflective signal radiation that is returned from the target. Background Art Moving head optical scanners for stimulation of target samples and for reading of the fluorescent and reflective signal radiation that emerges from the samples are used in many experimental formats. However, many existing scanners are limited with respect to scan speed, resolution, and field size because of their numerous components and the high mass of their optical assemblies. It is desirable to increase scan speed without compromis- ing resolution in order to scan many samples in a short period of time. The movement of a light beam to effect scanning in most optical scanners is generally accomplished via galvanometer scanning mechanisms or rotating polygonal mirrors. These devices are best suited for small fields when the same objective is utilized for both excitation and collection or large fields when a separate light collector is used, usually a nonimaging optic. When it is beneficial to have coaxial excitation and detection, scanning of large fields is best accomplished by moving the scan head or by moving the sample. The lens is used only for single point illumination and collection along the center of the optical axis. Existing moving head systems use either a stationary light source, such as a xenon lamp or a gas laser, in conjunction with an optical fiber to deliver the excitation light to the scan head, or a compact laser diode, if the appropriate wavelength is available. Laser diodes are generally available at wavelengths of 635 nm and greater. Both alternatives can be complex and expensive. A wide variety of scan formats is necessary for many research and diagnostic applications. In particu¬ lar, the scanning of large gels using fluorescent labels is an emerging format. It is therefore an object of the present inven¬ tion to provide a versatile optical scanner of simple, lightweight, low-cost design for rapid scanning of a sample using a moving scan head design. Disclosure of the Invention The above object has been achieved with an optical scanner having a Light Emitting Diode (LED) light source for point imaging of target samples. The LED provides a compact, inexpensive, and lightweight light source and thus can be housed directly within a movable scan head. The LED provides an illumination beam that is focused into a pinhole aperture of a spatial filter, then collimated and focused onto a spot on the sample. The pinhole defines the necessary resolution of the illumination beam and functions as an apparent point light source for forming the spot to be used to scan the sample. Alternatively, an optical fiber may be substi¬ tuted for the spatial filter in the illumination beam path to restrict the beam to a point light source. Further, an optical fiber in the illumination beam path allows the LED to be removed from the scan head, if desired. The scan head is moved across the sample along one or two axes. Fluorescence and reflective signal radiation returned from the illuminated spot on the sample may be gathered through the scan head and detected by a small detector placed directly on the scan head. A focusing lens and a spatial filter with a pinhole aperture may be provided in the return path leading to the detector, in order to enhance the detection of the returned signal radiation. Alternatively, an optical fiber may be used in the returning beam path to receive the fluorescence and reflection signals and to transmit them to the detector on the scan head or to a remote stationary detector. The returning light beam from the target sample is directed to the detection means via a wavelength discrimination filter, in the case of fluorescence detection, or by a partial reflection filter, for detection of reflection signals. The information regarding the returning light path is digitized and displayed or saved in a memory for future analysis. The present invention has the advantage of allowing a light source for an optical scanner to be placed directly on the movable scan head. Since the light source is itself lightweight, compact, inexpensive, and powerful, it is well-suited to a rapid scanning system design. The point imaging of the present inven¬ tion provides precise, location-specific information regarding the target sample. Additionally, it provides a collimated beam in the returning beam path which allows for the use of high performance interference filters for optimum illumination beam rejection. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the LED point scanning system of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the LED point scanning system of the present invention. Fig. 3 depicts the use of a wavelength discrim¬ ination filter in the optical path of the present inven¬ tion. Fig. 4 depicts the use of a partial reflection filter in the optical path of the present invention. Fig. 5 depicts a variation of the embodiment of Fig. 2, having a spatial filter in the returning light beam path. Fig. 6 depicts a third embodiment of the LED point scanning system of the present invention. Fig. 7 depicts a variation of the embodiment of Fig. 6, wherein the LED light source is removed from the scan head. Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention With reference to Fig. 1, an LED light source 12 of scan head 20 provides an illumination beam 11 which is gathered by a first focusing lens 14 and then focused onto a spatial filter 30. The spatial filter 30 is pro¬ vided with a pinhole 15. Illumination beam 11 is focused into pinhole 15 by first focusing lens 14 which is opti¬ mized to focus the illumination beam 11 with greatest possible energy density. Pinhole 15 is positioned at this point and effectively creates a point light source for the illumination optical path. After the illumina¬ tion beam 11 passes through spatial filter 30, it is received and collimated by collimating lens 16. The collimated illumination beam then passes through a first filter 18 which defines the illumination wavelength band and then impinges upon beam splitter 24 which reflects at least a portion of the collimated illumination beam and directs it toward objective lens 32. Objective lens 32 then focuses the received portion of the collimated illumination beam onto sample 10 at a spot 17. Prefer¬ ably, the numerical aperture of collimating lens 16 is equal to the numerical aperture of objective lens 32. This helps to provide the optimum energy density at the scan spot 17. Sample 10 is shown supported by a stage 38. The incident beam 11 may cause reflective or fluorescent signal radiation to be returned from the illuminated spot 17 of sample 10. The signal radiation is collected by objective lens 32 and collimated into a returning light beam 13. At least a portion of returning light beam 13 passes through beam splitter 24 and then through second filter 22. After passing through second filter 22, the portion of the returning light beam 13 is then received by second focusing lens 34 and focused to a point 19 on the receiving section of a detection means. The scan head 20 contains the LED 12 and the receiving section of the detection means. Scanning of the sample may be effected by moving the scan head 20 along a first axis to illuminate a plurality of spots along a scan line on the sample, e.g. the X-axis in Fig. 1, and then moving the stage 38, upon which the sample is supported, in a perpendicular axis. Alternatively, two-dimensional scan head movement may be desired and thus scanning may occur first along one axis and then along a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis, e.g. along the X- and Y-axes of Fig. 1. Thus, the Y-axis scan would cause illumination of spots on a plurality of parallel scan lines. The scan head 20 may be moved by a belt and pulley system, or other mechanical means. As the scan head 20 moves, the LED point scan¬ ning system of the present invention causes sequential point-by-point illumination of the target area of the sample. Collection and detection of the illuminated spots causes a point-by-point imaging of that target area. The radiation collected from the sample is fluorescent, scattered, or reflected light from the illuminated spot on the sample. The signals received from each illuminated spot may be digitized, stored and mapped to a specific address corresponding to each spot. This mapping occurs in a computer memory or processor and is carried out for display purposes or for other analysis, such as data logging and statistical analysis. The proximity of the spots that are scanned in the point imaging system may be adjusted to correspond to the desired resolution of the analysis, e.g. contiguous or overlapping spots generally improve the clarity of the display. Fig. 1 depicts a first embodiment of the optical system of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the returning light beam 13 is focused onto a spot 19, indicative of the point image of illuminated spot 17, by second focusing lens 34. The spot 19 is positioned at a first end of an optical fiber 36. The first end of optical fiber 36 is situated on the scan head 20. The second end of optical fiber 36 is connected to a stationary detector 40, which is positioned off the scan head 20. The point image of the illuminated spot on the sample is received by the optical fiber 36 and then is transmitted to the detector 40 for future analysis, e.g. by display of digitized data, as described above. In Fig. 2, illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention, the illumination beam path for the light incident upon the sample is the same as that shown in Fig. 1. The collection and detection along the returning beam path is also the same as in Fig. 1, with the exception that the returning light beam 13 is focused by second focusing lens 34 to a spot 19 which is directly received on the window of detector 42. Second focusing lens 34 may be omitted if the window of detector 42 is sufficiently large, however. Spot 19 is indicative of the point image of illuminated spot 17. Detector 42 is a small detector, such as a small photomultiplier tube or a solid state detector, and is lightweight and compact so that it may be placed directly on scan head 20, as seen in Fig. 2. As with the embodiment of Fig. 1, the scan head 20 may move along one or two axes. Figs. 3 and 4 depict different types of beam splitters, and are examples of beam splitter 24 of the first and second embodiments. In Fig. 3, a wavelength discrimination filter 26, such as a dichroic beam splitter, is placed in the path of the incident and returning light beams. Wavelength discrimination filter 26 is well-suited to fluorescence applications. Incoming illumination beam 11 of Fig. 3 is at an excitation wavelength λ,. Illumination beam 11 is redirected by wavelength discrimination filter 26 and is made to impinge upon sample 10. Returning beam 13 is of a different wavelength, λ 2 , than the wavelength of illumination beam 11, as is the case in fluorescence applications. Returning beam 13 is transmitted through wavelength discrimination filter 26 and then on toward the detector as in Figs. 1 and 2. Thus, wavelength discrimination filter 26 is designed to reflect light of λ, and to transmit light of λ 2 . Fig. 4 shows the use of a different beam split¬ ter than in Fig. 3. Partial reflection filter 28 is placed within the optical paths of the illumination and returning beams, 11 and 13 respectively. Partial reflec¬ tion filter 28 is best-suited for applications requiring analysis of light reflected from samples. Illumination beam 11, having wavelength λ,, impinges upon partial reflection filter 28, which typically has 50% reflection capabilities. A first portion 11a of illumination beam 11 is reflected by partial reflection filter 28 and redirected toward sample 10. A second portion lib of illumination beam 11 is transmitted through partial reflection filter 28 and is unused in the optical system of the present invention. Reflective signal photons from sample 10, which form returning beam 13, have the same wavelength λ, as does illumination beam 11. Returning beam 13 impinges upon partial reflection filter 28 and a first portion 13a is transmitted through filter 28 and directed on toward a detector. A second portion 13b is reflected by partial reflection filter 28 and redirected back toward LED 12 along the path taken by the incoming illumination beam 11. This second portion 13b of return¬ ing beam 13 is unused for detection purposes in the optical system of the present invention. It is best to substitute the particular beam splitter needed in the place of general beam splitter 24 shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 embodiments. For example, either wavelength discrimination filter 26 or partial reflection filter 28 may be used depending upon the desired application. Because the returning beam 13 is of the same wavelength as the illumination beam 11 in reflection scanning, a wavelength discrimination filter is not the preferred method of splitting the optical paths for reflection applications. Similarly, when the illumination beam 11 and the returning beam 13 are of different wavelengths, as in fluorescence scanning, a partial reflection filter is not the preferred method of directing the beam as the use of such a filter results in unused portions of the beams. As stated above, focusing lens 34 need not be in the returning light beam path, but rather its use is dependent upon the type of detection means utilized. Another element that may be helpful in the return path is a second spatial filter 45 having pinhole aperture 21, as seen in Fig. 5. The returning light beam 13 is focused by focusing lens 34 into pinhole aperture 21, thus limiting the amount of scattered light collected. In this case, the restriction of returning beam 13 within pinhole 21 is equivalent to spot 19 of Fig. 2. Detector 42 may then be positioned behind the detection spatial filter 45 in a spaced-apart format, as shown, or it may adjoin spatial filter 45. The addition of spatial filter 45 to the returning light beam path effectively creates a classic confocal system which may be desired for some applications. For some purposes, removal of illumination spatial filter 30 from the optical configuration illus- trated in Fig. 5 may be useful. Also, an optical fiber may be used in place of spatial filter 45 to restrict the returning light beam in a manner analogous to fiber 44 of Fig. 6, discussed below, and to transmit the returning light beam toward the detector. Fig. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention. The excitation spatial filter 30, which serves to narrow the illumination beam 11 to a point source, has been replaced by an optical fiber 44. The placement of first focusing lens 14 and collimating lens 16 has also been altered, so that the focal points of these two lenses do not coincide, as in Fig. 1, but instead are spaced apart, with fiber 44 between them. The focal point of lens 14 coincides with an entrance end of fiber 44 and the focal point of lens 16 coincides with an exit end of fiber 44. Thus, the illumination beam 11 passes through lens 14, is focused into fiber 44 and transmitted through fiber 44, and is then received and collimated by lens 16. Optical fiber 44 effectively acts as a spatial filter in the illumination path because it restricts the beam and creates a point source, which is advantageous in the LED point scanning system of the present invention. Although this embodiment has been illustrated in Fig. 6 as a variation of the embodiment in Fig. 1, with respect to the returning beam path, it may also be described as a variation of the Fig. 2 or Fig. 5 embodiments. For example, optical fiber 44 may be utilized in the illumination path where the specifics of the returning light beam detection optics do not include an optical fiber, as in fiber 36, leading to a remote stationary detector, as in detector 40, but rather include a small detector mounted on the scan head. Where there is an optical fiber in the illumination beam path as in Fig. 6, the LED 12 and lens 14 need not be mounted on scan head 20. Optical fiber 44 then serves to transmit the illumination beam to the optics within the scan head. Fig. 7 illustrates this variation, wherein LED 12 and lens 14 are in a remote stationary location, and optical fiber 44 receives and transmits the illumination beam from this source to the optics of movable scan head 20. As before, the specifics of the returning light beam optics may vary from those shown in Fig. 7. The collimation of segments of both the illumi¬ nation beam 11 and the returning beam 13 is effected in order to best use the beam splitter and the filters in the optical paths, which work best at given angles of incidence. Spatial filter 30 having pinhole 15 is used in the present invention because LED 12, an incoherent light source, serves as the illumination source of the point scanning system. The focal spot size of an incoherent light source is limited by the filament or chip size of the LED. The pinhole is typically smaller than the limited spot size and therefore provides higher scan resolution. A laser diode light source, which would not require a limiting pinhole, is another small and light¬ weight light source. However, laser diodes are more expensive than LEDs, and are generally limited to very few wavelengths. The LED point scanning system of the present invention may be used in a wide variety of situations, such as fluorescent imaging of electrophoretic gels, blots, and membranes, tissue sections and other biologi¬ cal samples, reading of storage phosphor screens, and reflective imaging. Depending upon the desired applica- tion, the scan head may be outfitted with the most effective type of beam splitter and the appropriate detection means. In all embodiments, the present invention provides an inexpensive, versatile point scanner for rapid imaging of samples.

Claims: AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 28 August 1996 (28.08.96); original claims 1, 3, 10, 14 and 16 amended; remaining claims unchanged ( 5 pages )] 1. An LED optical system for point scanning of a sample, the sample being supported upon a stage, the improvement being: a movable scan head; and means for moving the scan head along a first axis relative to the stage to illuminate a plurality of spots along a scan line; the movable scan head having: (i) an LED light source providing an illumination beam along a single path, (ii) an illumination filter spaced apart from the light source, the filter having a first and a second side, and a pinhole therethrough, (iii) means for focusing the illumination beam onto the first side of the filter and upon the pinhole, whereby the pinhole viewed from the second side of the filter appears as a point light source; (iv) means for directing a beam of light emanating from the point light source onto a spot of the sample to cause signal radiation to be returned from the sample, and (v) means for collecting and detecting the signal radiation. 2. The system of claim 1 further comprising: means for moving the scan head along a second axis relative to the stage to cause illumination of spots on a plurality of parallel scan lines on the sample, the second axis being perpendicular to the first axis. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE IS) 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for directing comprises: a collimating lens for receiving and collimat¬ ing the beam of light, and an objective lens for focusing the collimated beam of light onto a spot of the sample. 4. The system of claim 3 wherein the collimating lens has a numerical aperture and the objective lens has a numerical aperture, the numerical apertures of the collimating lens and the objective lens being equal. 5. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for collect¬ ing and detecting the signal radiation returned from the sample comprises: an objective lens for directing the signal radiation to form a collimated returning light beam, and a focusing lens for receiving at least a por¬ tion of the collimated returning light beam and focusing the portion into an optical fiber, the fiber transmitting the returning light beam to a stationary detector removed from the movable scan head. 6. The system of claim 5 further comprising a beam splitter disposed in the path of the returning light beam, wherein the beam splitter comprises a wavelength discrimination filter. 7. The system of claim 5 further comprising a beam splitter disposed in the path of the returning light beam, wherein the beam splitter comprises a partial reflection filter. 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for collect¬ ing and detecting the signal radiation returned from the sample comprises: an objective lens for directing the signal radiation to form a collimated returning light beam, and a detector for receiving at least a portion of the returning light beam, the detector being mounted on the movable scan head. 9. The system of claim 8 further comprising: a focusing lens, disposed between the objective lens and the detector, for receiving at least a portion of the collimated returning light beam and focusing the portion onto the detector. 10. The system of claim 8 further comprising: a detection spatial filter having a pinhole, disposed between the objective lens and the detector, and a focusing lens, disposed between the objective lens and the detection spatial filter, for receiving at least a portion of the collimated returning light beam and focusing the portion into the pinhole of the detection spatial filter. 11. The system of claim 8 further comprising a focusing lens, disposed between the objective lens and the detec- tor, for receiving at least a portion of the collimated returning light beam and focusing the portion into an optical fiber, the fiber transmitting the returning light beam toward the detector. 12. The system of claim 8 further comprising a beam splitter disposed in the path of the returning light beam, wherein the beam splitter comprises a wavelength discrimination filter. 13. The system of claim 8 further comprising a beam splitter disposed in the path of the returning light beam, wherein the beam splitter comprises a partial reflection filter. 14. An LED optical system for point scanning of a sample, the sample being supported upon a stage, the improvement being: (a) an LED light source providing an illumination beam along a single path; (b) an optical fiber having a first and a second end; (c) means for directing the illumination beam onto the first end of the fiber, the fiber transmitting the illumination beam toward its second end; (d) a movable scan head having (i) a point source means for receiving light emitted from the second end of the fiber and for transmitting the received light, (ii) means for directing light transmitted by the point source means onto a spot of the sample to cause signal radiation to be returned from the sample, and (iϋ) means for collecting and detecting the signal radiation; and (e) means for moving the scan head along a first axis relative to the stage to illuminate a plurality of spots along a scan line. -20- 15. The system of claim 14 further comprising: means for moving the scan head along a second axis relative to the stage to cause illumination of spots on a plurality of parallel scan lines on the sample, the second axis being perpendicular to the first axis. 16. The system of claim 14 wherein the LED light source and the means for directing the illumination beam are mounted on the movable scan head. 17. The system of claim 14 wherein the means for collecting and detecting the signal radiation returned from the sample comprises: an objective lens for directing the signal radiation to form a collimated returning light beam, and a focusing lens for receiving at least a por¬ tion of the collimated returning light beam and focusing the portion into an optical fiber, the fiber transmitting the returning light beam to a stationary detector removed from the movable scan head. 18. The system of claim 14 wherein the means for collecting and detecting the signal radiation returned from the sample comprises: an objective lens for directing the signal radiation to form a collimated returning light beam, and a detector for receiving at least a portion of the returning light beam, the detector being mounted on the movable scan head. Statement Under Article 19 The claims have been amended to conform to the requirements under Section 46 of the PCT. The invention claimed is a moving scan head for an optical point scanning system. The scan head includes an LED light source which illuminates one side of a filter having a pinhole aperture. The aperture appears as a point source of light from the other side of the filter, though most of the original light from the LED is blocked. The scan head further includes optics for directing light from the point source to the sample to be scanned. Since the LED light source, filter, and optics move in unison as the scan head is directed along a scan path, the point source of light is caused to scan the sample. Optics for collecting return light from the illuminated areas of the sample are incorporated into the scan head. A signal detection means for sensing the return light is also included in the scan head. In an alternate embodiment, the LED light source is external to the scan head. The first end of a fiber optic cable receives light from the LED, while the second end is coupled to the scan head. Light exiting the second end appears as a point light source. Since the cable is attached to the scan head, the point light source moves in unison with the scan head. In another embodiment, a fiber optic cable replaces the illumination filter. One end of the cable receives light from the LED, so that light exiting the other end appears as a point light source. The Mathies et al. reference describes an optical scanning system which utilizes a laser as its point source of light. A spatial filter is used to reject any stray and scattered light components that might be added to laser beam, preserving the coherent light produced by the laser. Mathies et al. point out that nucleic acid mapping systems require the ability to focus a light beam to a very small spot, and then to gather light from the spot while at the same time rejecting background emissions and scatter. Mathies et al. teach that conventional light sources are inadequate for such systems, advocating instead the use of a polarized laser beam. Although a laser is not shown in the drawings, there is a brief mention of the use of a laser as the light source in the Mathies et al. device. Mathies et al. describe two methods by which the sample can be scanned. First, the sample can be scanned by translating an objective lens which serves both as a focusing lens and as a collecting lens. Secondly, the sample can be scanned simply by translating the sample holder on which the sample is supported.

Inventors: KAIN ROBERT C, MAJLOF LARS, MILLER MICHAEL F, KAIN, ROBERT, C., MAJLOF, LARS, MILLER, MICHAEL, F.
Applicants: MOLECULAR DYNAMICS INC, MOLECULAR DYNAMICS, INC.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: H01J3
IPC codes: G01J1, G01N21, G02B26