Abstract:
The present invention discloses a unique and novel combination light source and active light filtering system for microscopes that eliminates the need for individual color filters, fluorescence filters, phase contrast filters, and many other filter types. The present invention provides almost unlimited light wavelength generation and filtering capabilities, as well as providing virtually unlimited dark field and phase contrast filter shapes, unique specimen lighting combinations, and all of the benefits of most commercially available light sources in a compact package that can be mounted on a microscope or used at a distance from a microscope, but be coupled to it through a fiber optic cable or other light transmission means. Additionally, the present invention eliminates the need for a filter wheel turret in a microscope&#39;s optical path, as well as eliminates the need for multiple fluorescent filter blocks in a fluorescent microscope optical path. The present invention can duplicate the functions of an almost infinite array of microscope filter systems to enable effective imaging of live cells without staining.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to filters used to modify the wavelengths of light applied to specimens on transmitted, reflected, fluorescent, and all other types of microscopes. The present invention also relates to LCD, DLP, LED, Plasma, and other types of video projectors, as well as microprocessors. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    Most high quality research grade microscopes use one or more separate filters to modify the light emitted from a light source directed at a specimen placed in the optical path of said microscope. These filters may be phase contrast, fluorescent, prism, band pass, dichroic, or simple colored gels used to block or allow the transmission of certain wavelengths of light. In all cases of prior art, the filters are passive devices. Further, said light sources aimed at said filters may be mercury vapor, halogen, LED, laser, or any other type of visible and invisible light sources. 
         [0003]    Prior art discloses myriad types and styles of the aforementioned filters and light sources. However, in all cases of prior art, each filter is manufactured as a separate component intended to be inserted in a carrier in a microscope system and is designed to effect only one very specific wavelength—or a very narrow area of specific wavelengths—of light. Because of this limitation, a microscope can typically hold just a few filters in its optical path system. Often, these filters are provided in a rotating turret configuration. Also, each light source type has very specific and limited wavelength characteristics. 
         [0004]    There is extensive prior art disclosing video projectors that use various types of translucent display panels driven by video generator hardware, a light source, and a lens to provide enlarged video images. 
         [0005]    For many years, in a projector with a single DLP chip, colors were produced either by placing a color wheel between a white lamp and the DLP chip or by using individual light sources to produce the primary colors. In state of the art DLP and LED projectors, multi-color (RGB) LED and laser illuminated single-chip projectors are able to eliminate the spinning wheel. 
         [0006]    A three-chip DLP projector has typically used a prism to split light from a single light source, and each primary color of light is then routed to its own DLP chip, then recombined and routed out through the combiner optical block. According to DLP.com, the three-chip projectors used in movie theaters can produce 35 trillion colors. 
         [0007]    The main light source that has been used on DLP-based projectors is based on a replaceable high-pressure mercury-vapor metal halide arc lamp unit (containing a quartz arc tube, reflector, electrical connections, and sometimes a quartz/glass shield), while in some newer DLP projectors high-power RGB LEDs or lasers are used as a source of illumination. 
         [0008]    Ordinary LED technology does not produce the intensity and high lumen output characteristics required to replace arc lamps. The patented LEDs used in all of the Samsung&#39;s DLP TVs, for example, are PhlatLight LEDs, designed and manufactured by US based Luminus Devices. A single RGB PhlatLight LED chipset illuminates these projection TVs. The PhlatLight LEDs are also used in a new class of ultra-compact DLP front projector commonly referred to as a “pocket projector” and have been introduced in new models from LG Electronics (HS101), Samsung electronics (SP-P400) and Casio (XJ-A series). Luminus Devices PhlatLight LEDs have also been used by Christie Digital in their DLP-based MicroTiles display system. 
         [0009]    No DLP or LED projection system was ever intended to be interfaced to microscopes. However, the present invention takes advantage of the current state of the art in DLP and LED technology in a unique and novel system design to provide variable intensity, variable wavelength light source and active light filtering functions for microscopes. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention discloses a unique and novel combination light source and light filtering system for microscopes that provides an active filter set of almost unlimited light wavelength generation and modification capabilities, as well as providing all of the benefits of most commercially available microscope light sources in a compact package that can be mounted on a microscope or used at a distance from a microscope yet be coupled to it through a fiber optic cable or other light transmission means. Additionally, the present invention can eliminate the need for a filter wheel turret in a microscope&#39;s optical path, as well as eliminate the need for multiple fluorescent filter blocks in a fluorescent microscope system. 
         [0011]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention components are combined from unrelated industries to improve the state of the art in microscopic specimen analysis. In the preferred embodiment, the video display element of a video projector, which may be a single translucent LCD, DLP, LED, Plasma, or equivalent translucent panel, capable of generating visible or invisible colors, shapes, or shades, and illuminated by one or more light sources is driven by a microprocessor. Using light sources that may include, halogen, mercury vapor, ultra bright RGB LED, and/or multi color laser systems, the video driver/microprocessor package incorporates a software component coded to output all colors, shapes, and shades available within the limits of said microprocessor and the display capabilities of said light sources and said translucent panel. A user interface and video display is provided to scroll through any or all of said available colors, shapes, or shades and “lock in” the color, shape, or shaded image of choice—thereby creating a customized filter. A condensing lens may also be used to collimate the light output from the invention in the optical path of a microscope. 
         [0012]    Another embodiment of the present invention uses multiple translucent image generating panels, each panel illuminated by one or more available light sources. An optical block made up of multiple prisms and/or passive filters may be used to combine the output of said panels into a single image. This optical block/panel combination is driven by a substantially similar microprocessor controlling multiple video generator/driver packages described in the prior embodiment. Additionally, said panels may also be stacked without using said optical block to create other variations in filtration effects. 
         [0013]    Another embodiment of the present invention, specifically intended for use in fluorescence microscopy, combines two sets of either of the aforementioned panel/video generator/light source embodiments, but configured in a typical fluorescent dichroic mirror housing, wherein one panel/video generator/light source set acts as the excitation filter which passes only the wavelength of light necessary for excitation from the excitation light source to a fluorophore. The dichroic mirror is the optical element that separates the excitation light from the fluorescence. A second panel/video generator/light source set acts as the barrier filter to separate fluorescence emanating from the fluorophore from other background light. 
         [0014]    The foregoing embodiments, as well as other advantageous features of the embodiments, are explained in more detail with reference to drawings. Therefore, the same or similar reference numbers and components are used, as far as possible, to refer to the same or similar elements in all drawing figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a system flow chart of the present invention using one active panel. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a system flow chart of the present invention using multiple active panels. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a system flow chart of the present invention as a fluorescent filter block. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a system flow chart of the present invention in an alternate fluorescent filter block configuration. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a system flow chart of the present invention in a second alternate fluorescent filter block configuration. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a system flow chart of the present invention showing shape insertion. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention as displayed in the system design flow chart in  FIG. 1  incorporates an LCD, DLP, LED, Plasma, or any other translucent video image display panel  20  that may be capable of displaying a full range of shapes, visible or invisible colors and/or shades of grey, said panel  20  being electrically interfaced to a video driver circuit  22 . Said circuit  22  is electrically connected to a microprocessor module  24 . Software program  26  is incorporated into module  24 , either as firmware, or as updateable software code through an external USB or equivalent buss  28 . Program  26  is configured to provide a full range of shapes, visible or invisible colors, wavelengths of light, and shades of grey to said module  24  to control said circuit  22  to operate said panel  20  to output a display. Video monitor  30  may be a typical compact LCD or equivalent black and white or color display of the type that may be used in computer monitors, laptop computers, or cellular phones. 
         [0022]    Monitor  30  is electrically interfaced to a video driver circuit  19 , which is in turn controlled by module  24 . Light source  32  may provide illumination for panel  20 . Light source  32  may be Laser, multi-color laser, RGB LED, halogen, mercury vapor, front lighting, side lighting, or any other light source with output intensity and color functionality sufficient to satisfy the needs of a user of the system. User interface  34  can be a mouse, joystick, or any other x/y axis device which is interfaced to module  24  through buss  28  to enable selection of a shape, shade or color in circuit  22  with a software generated pointer, the code for which is integrated into program  26 , said shape, shade or color being presented to a user on said display  30 . User interface  34  incorporates at least one simple switch or button  36  to “lock in” said shade, shade or color selection in said program  26  for purposes of display on said panel  20  and said monitor  30 . Circuits  19  and  22  may provide video signals that are different, or substantially identical on display  30  and panel  20 . 
         [0023]    Translucent video image display panels of the type used in laptop computers, computer monitors, and video projectors, as well as associated video driver circuits, microprocessors, color picker software programs, USB or equivalent busses, light sources, and user interfaces are all well known in prior art, so additional detail is not required herein. However, the present invention is a unique and novel integration of all of said discreet components, along with other unique features, the capability of integrating customizable software, and a unique system design, which improves the microscope state of the art. 
         [0024]    Light path guide  38  can be an air space, mirrors, a simple hollow coupler, a fiber optic cable, or any other means capable of conducting the light output of source  32  toward an objective lens  64  in a viewing device  40 . Light guide  38  may or may not incorporate a collimating lens  39 . Device  40  in most cases will be a microscope, but can also be any other device which can benefit from the use of filtered light. 
         [0025]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention as displayed in the system design flow chart in  FIG. 2  incorporates a panel  20 , but also incorporates additional equivalent video display panels  44  and  46  which are also capable of providing the same or different ranges of shapes, shades, colors, or wavelengths of light as panel  20 . Said panels  20 ,  44 , and  46  are mechanically interfaced to an optical combining prism block  48 —well known in prior art—which is made up four prisms, and used to combine the output of multiple said panel  20 ,  44 , and  46  into a single image. Panels  44  and  46  are driven by video driver circuits  54  and  56  respectively, said circuits being substantially identical to circuit  22 . In this embodiment panel  20  is driven by circuit  22 . Video driver circuits  22 ,  54 , and  56  are all electrically interfaced to, and controlled by module  24  at the direction of software  26 . Light sources  31  and  33  provide illumination for panels  44  and  46 . The remainder of the  FIG. 2  system may be substantially similar to that disclosed in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0026]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention as displayed in  FIG. 3 , panel  20  is mounted on panel carrier  58 . Another video display panel  21 , substantially equivalent in function to panel  20 , is also mounted to carrier  58  at an angle to said panel  20 . Panel  21  may or may not need its own light source  47 , but in many cases, the light transmitted by the excitation light sources  32 , and in other embodiments,  31 , and  33 , will be enough. Dichroic mirror  60  is also mounted to carrier  58  at an angle such that light emitted by panel  20  can pass through dichroic mirror  60  and panel  21  to exit carrier  58  toward light guide  38 , which can be a simple hollow coupler, mirrors, or a fiber optic cable, or any other means to direct the light output of source  32  toward a viewing device  40 —which may be any kind of microscope or other device which can benefit from the present invention. 
         [0027]    For ease of understanding and illustration, schematic microscopes are used in all Figures provided herein where a viewing device  40  is designated by number. Light guide  38  may or may not also incorporate a collimating lens  39 . 
         [0028]    In this  FIG. 3  embodiment, an intended primary usage is in fluorescence microscopy, wherein excitation light signal  67  passing through carrier  58  may be directed by dichroic mirror  60  to pass through an objective lens  64  and strike a fluorophore  65  in a specimen  66 , causing said fluorophore  65  to fluoresce and provide a return light signal  68  that travels back through objective lens  64  and on to ocular eyepiece  65  so as to be viewed by a user. 
         [0029]    In this  FIG. 3  embodiment, panel  20 , controlled by circuit  22  at the direction of module  24 , acts as an excitation filter which passes only the wavelength of light necessary for excitation light signal  67  from a light source  32  to a specific fluorophore  65 . The dichroic mirror  60  is the optical element that separates the excitation light from the fluorescence return light signal  68 . Panel  21  is electrically interfaced to a video driver circuit  23 —essentially equivalent to circuit  22 , which is also controlled by module  24 . Panel  21  acts as the barrier filter to separate fluorescence emanating from the fluorophore  65  from other background light. 
         [0030]    In this  FIG. 3  embodiment, software program  27  incorporates all the capabilities of software program  26 , but with the added functionality of using fluorescence filter lookup table  70  to automatically choose the shape, color or shade display of said panel  21  in response to user selection of the shape, color or shade display applied to said panel  20 . Excitation and barrier filter combination lookup table  70  will incorporate substantially all known existing art data regarding excitation and barrier filter combinations so as to optimize this embodiment. Because of the flexibility of module  24  through buss  28 , software program  27  may be updated at any time to incorporate and take advantage of new understandings of fluorescent light filter wavelength interactions. 
         [0031]    The dichroic mirror  60  is the optical element that separates the excitation light  67  from light source  32  from the fluorescence return light  68 . Dichroic mirrors are special mirrors that reflect only a specific wavelength of light and are well known in prior art. They allow all other wavelengths to pass through. Dichroic mirrors used in fluorescence microscope filter blocks are typically placed in a 45° incidence angle to light, creating a “stop band” of reflected light and a “pass band” of transmitted light. Light passing through said excitation filter may be reflected 90° toward an objective lens  64  and a specimen containing a fluorophore  65 . Light emanating from a fluorophore  65  is then passed through and directed toward the optical output of a microscope  40 . The lookup table software  70  may incorporate a virtually unlimited range of excitation/barrier filter combinations. 
         [0032]    Barrier filters are optical elements that separate fluorescence emanating from a fluorophore  65  from other background light. A barrier filter panel  21  may transmit light of the fluorescence wavelength which passes through the dichroic mirror  60  while blocking all other light leaking from the excitation lamp light source  32 —reflected from the specimen or optical elements. This is necessary because the strength of the fluorescent light from a fluorophore is weaker than the excitation light by a factor that can exceed 100,000:1. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the software program  27  includes fluorescent filter optimizing look-up tables  70  which may incorporate all variables currently known, and those that may be later discovered, that apply to excitation and barrier filter combinations. 
         [0033]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention as displayed in  FIG. 4  incorporates translucent video image display panel  20 , but also incorporates additional equivalent translucent LCD, DLP, or equivalent video display panels  44  and  46 . Said panels  20 ,  44 , and  46  are mechanically interfaced to an optical combining prism block  48 . Panels  44  and  46  are driven by video driver circuits  54  and  56  respectively, said circuits being substantially identical to circuit  22 . Panel  20  is driven by circuit  22 . Video driver circuits  22 ,  54 , and  56  are all electrically interfaced to, and controlled by module  24 . Light sources  31  and  33  may provide illumination for panels  44  and  46 . The remainder of the  FIG. 2  system may be substantially similar to that disclosed in  FIG. 1 . Prism block  48  is mounted on carrier  58  in substantially the same manner as the single panel  20  is mounted to said carrier  58  in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0034]    In the embodiment disclosed in  FIG. 4 , a translucent LCD, DLP, or equivalent video display panel  21  is also mounted to carrier  58  at an angle to said prism block  48  as in  FIG. 3 . Dichroic mirror  60  is also mounted to carrier  58  at an angle such that light emitted by panels  20 ,  44 , and  46  can pass through said prism block  48  and on through dichroic mirror  60  and panel  21  to exit carrier  58  toward light guide  38 , which can be a simple hollow coupler or a fiber optic cable, or any other means to direct the light output of light sources  32 ,  31 , and  33  toward a viewing device  40 . Light guide  38  may or may not incorporate a collimating lens  39 . Device  40  may be a microscope or any other device which can use filtered light. Another tight source  47 , substantially equivalent to light sources  31 ,  32 , and  33  may also be incorporated to further illuminate panel  21 . 
         [0035]    In this  FIG. 4  embodiment, an intended primary usage is in fluorescence microscopy, wherein light passing through light guide  38  may be directed to pass through an objective lens  64  and strike a fluorophore  65  in a specimen  66 , causing said fluorophore  65  to fluoresce and provide a return light signal  68  that travels back through objective lens  64  and on to ocular eyepiece  65  so as to be viewed by a user. 
         [0036]    In this  FIG. 4  embodiment, panels  20 ,  44 , and  46 , controlled by circuits  22 ,  54 , and  56  at the direction of module  24 , act in concert as an excitation filter which passes only the wavelength of light necessary for excitation from light sources  32 ,  31 , and  33  to the fluorophore  65 . The dichroic mirror  60  is the optical element that separates the excitation light from the fluorescence return light  68 . Panel  21  is electrically interfaced to a video driver circuit  23 , which is in turn controlled by module  24 . Panel  21  acts as the barrier filter to separate fluorescence emanating from the fluorophore  65  from other background light. In this embodiment, software program  27  incorporates all the capabilities of software program  26 , but with the added functionality of using filter lookup table  70  to automatically choose the color or shade of said panel  21  in response to user selection of the color or shade applied to panels  20 ,  44 , and  46 . Excitation and barrier filter combination lookup table  70  will incorporate substantially all known existing art data regarding excitation and barrier filter combinations so as to optimize this embodiment. Because of the flexibility of module  24  through buss  28 , software program  27  may be updated at any time to take advantage of new understandings of fluorescent light filter wavelength interactions. 
         [0037]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention as displayed in  FIG. 5  incorporates a translucent video image display panel  20 , but also incorporates additional panels  44  and  46 . Said panels  20 ,  44 , and  46  are mechanically interfaced, in a stack, to carrier  58 . 
         [0038]    Panels  44  and  46  are driven by video driver circuits  54  and  56  respectively, said circuits being substantially identical to circuit  22 . Panel  20  is driven by circuit  22 . 
         [0039]    Video driver circuits  22 ,  54 , and  56  are all electrically interfaced to, and controlled by module  24 . Light source  32  may provide illumination for panels  22 ,  44  and  46 . The remainder of the  FIG. 2  system may be substantially similar to that disclosed in  FIG. 3 . Another translucent LCD, DLP panel  21 , as well as additional translucent equivalent video image display panels  25  and  29 , which are also substantially equal in function to panel  20 , and are all mechanically interfaced, in a stack, to carrier  58  at an angle to panels  20 ,  44 , and  46 . Said panels  21 ,  25 , and  29  may have their own independent light source  47 , and their own driver circuits  23 ,  74 , and  76 , which are all electrically interfaced to, and controlled by module  24 . 
         [0040]    Dichroic mirror  60  is also mounted to carrier  58  at an angle such that light emitted by panels  20 ,  44 , and  46  can pass through dichroic mirror  60  and panels  21 ,  25 , and  29  to exit carrier  58  toward light guide  38 , which can be a simple hollow coupler or a fiber optic cable, or any other means to direct the light output of source  32  toward a viewing device  40 . Light guide  38  may or may not incorporate a collimating lens  39 . Device  40  may be a microscope or any other device which can use filtered light. 
         [0041]    In this  FIG. 5  embodiment, panels  20 ,  44 , and  46  act in concert as excitation filters, and panels  21 ,  25 , and  29  act in concert as barrier filters. The remainder of the system is substantially similar to that disclosed in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0042]    Software programs  26  and  27  incorporate “color picker” and shape generation software to output all light wavelengths, colors, shapes, and shades available within the limits of said module  24 . Color picker and shape generation software is readily available. User interface  34  is provided to scroll through any or all of said available colors and use button  36  to “lock in” the color filter of choice. 
         [0043]    It is important to include the capability of variable light output to the light sources  32 ,  31 ,  33 , and  47 . This is accomplished simply by controlling the voltage applied to the panels, and this capability is inherent both internally and remotely in virtually all currently available light sources. Said variable light output and can be effected by module  24  in all embodiments of the present invention through buss  28  if desired. It is important to note that it is also possible to use a single light source to illuminate all of the panels  20 ,  44 ,  46 ,  21 ,  25 , and  29  using prior art mirrors, passive filters, and beam splitters. Therefore, this approach is not detailed in the present invention. However, it is hereby disclosed herein as a possible component of the present invention. 
         [0044]    Since all panels  20 ,  44 ,  46 ,  21 ,  25 , and  29 , and their respective light sources, in the embodiments of the present invention as disclosed in  FIGS. 1 through 6  are fully controllable by their respective video driver circuits  22 ,  54 ,  56 ,  72 ,  74 , and  76 , which are all electrically interfaced to, and controlled by module  24 , and software packages  26  and  27 , any portion of said panels  20 ,  44 ,  46 ,  21 ,  25 , and  29  can also generate darkened shapes of any size in any zone of their full area. This capability can duplicate or simulate the functions of an almost infinite array of phase contrast filters, DIC filters, Zeiss Varel filters, and many other specific microscope filters to enable effective imaging of live cells without staining, and more effective imaging of microscopic specimens in general. 
         [0045]    An aspect of this shape generation and shape insertion capability of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as disclosed in all  FIGS. 1 through 5  is displayed in the system block diagram in  FIG. 6 . A translucent video image display panel  20  is electrically interfaced to a video driver circuit  22 . Said circuit  22  is electrically connected to a microprocessor module  24 . Software program  26  is incorporated into module  24 , either as firmware, or as updateable software code through a USB or equivalent buss  28 . Program  26  is configured to provide a full range of visible or invisible colors, wavelengths of light, shades of grey, and variations of shapes, to said module  24  to control said circuit  22  to operate said panel  20 . 
         [0046]    Video monitor  30  is electrically interfaced to a video driver circuit  19 , which is in turn controlled by module  24 . Light source  32  may provide illumination for panel  20 . User interface  34  is interfaced to module  24  through buss  28  to enable selection of a shade, shape, or color in circuit  22  with a software generated pointer, the code for which is integrated into program  26 , said shade, shape, and/or color being presented to a user on said display  30 . User interface  34  incorporates at least one simple switch or button  36  to “lock in” a shade or color selection in said program  26 . Circuits  19  and  22  may provide video signals that are different, or substantially identical on display  30  and panel  20 . 
         [0047]    In  FIG. 6 , a circular darkened shape  80  is displayed on panel  20  in substantially the center of the panel. This shape could be any geometric or amorphous shape generated as a function of the software  26  and  27 . A second user interface  82  such as a keyboard, tablet, mouse, or any other device that can be interfaced to microprocessor  24  through buss  28  may be also used to create and/or assign said shape  80  to any panels  20 ,  44 ,  46 ,  21 ,  25 , and  29  in any of the embodiments of the present invention as disclosed in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . Shape  81  may be substantially identical to shape  80  and is displayed on video monitor  30 . 
         [0048]    It is hereby noted that the disclosed embodiments of the present invention herein do not necessarily exhibit all of the advantages of the present invention.