US5101295A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Rotating slit aperture for scanning microscopy
Assignee: Washington University in St. Louis
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Filing: 1989-10-26
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Granted: 1992-03-31
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Expires: 2009-10-26
Abstract
Abstract An improved aperture for a scanning microscope as is used to mask either or both of the incident light and reflected light includes a plurality of continuous curvilinear slits spaced evenly about a common origin, each of which approximates an Archimedes' spiral emanating from the origin centered on the aperture. There are two embodiments of the invention disclosed, both of which have a true Archimedes' spiral to define the inner edge of the continuous slit. In a first embodiment, the outer edge is defined as having a constant proportional circumferential aperture distance from the inner spiral. In the second embodiment, the outer edge is defined as another Archimedes' spiral having a constant offset of minimum distance from the inner spiral. However, the outer edges of the two embodiments essentially merge in a physical sense after only several of the inner revolutions of the continuous slit so that the continuous slit of either embodiment provides an image having uniform masking and uniform resolution. An alternate to these embodiments has a slit with an imaginary centerline wherein each edge is a constant minimum distance from the centerline.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey W. Lichtman
- 👤 Lew Thomas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:47
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/0004; G02B21/002; G02B21/0024; G02B21/0032; G02B21/0028; G02B21/0036; G02B21/0044; G02B21/06; G02B21/08; G02B21/082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
In a scanning microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path for creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, the improvement comprising an improved aperture for masking the light in at least one of said light paths, said aperture including at least one continuous slit substantially in the shape of an Archimedes' spiral centered about an origin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
In a scanning microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path for creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, the improvement comprising an improved aperture for masking the light in at least one of said light paths, said aperture including at least one continuous slit substantially in the shape of an Archimedes' spiral centered about an origin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The microscope of claim 1 wherein the minimum slit width of said slit is substantially constant for that portion of the slit greater than about two revolutions of the spiral about the origin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The microscope of claim 2 wherein the minimum slit width of the slit asymptotically approaches a constant as the spiral advances from the origin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The microscope of claim 2 wherein the minimum slit width of the slit is substantially constant for substantially the entire slit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The microscope of claim 1 wherein the proportional circumferential aperture distance of the slit is substantially constant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The microscope of claim 1 wherein a first edge of the slit is substantially defined by an Archimedes' spiral centered about the origin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The microscope of claim 6 wherein the second edge of the slit is substantially defined by an Archimedes' spiral plus a constant offset of minimum distance from said first edge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
The microscope of claim 7 wherein the first edge is defined by the equation: ##EQU12## and the second edge is defined by the equation: ##EQU13## where a=the distance along a radius centered at the origin between the two edges, φ=the angle subtended by the arc delineated by the intersection of any circular circumference (centered at the origin) with the two edges, r=the radial distance from the origin, and θ=the angle in radians about the origin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The microscope of claim 8 wherein a is substantially equal to 10 microns and φ is substantially equal to ##EQU14##
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The microscope of claim 1 wherein said aperture includes a plurality of said continuous slits.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The microscope of claim 10 wherein said aperture includes between four and nine of said continuous slits, said slits having a common center at the origin and spaced substantially evenly about the origin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The microscope of claim 1 wherein the slit has an imaginary centerline defined by an Archimedes' spiral, and each edge is defined as a locus of points substantially the minimum distance "a" from the centerline, "a" being a constant.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
111 words
In a scanning microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path for creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, the improvement comprising an improved aperture for masking the light in at least one of said light paths as it is rotated, said aperture including at least one continuous curvilinear slit having a radially inner edge and a radially outer edge centered about an origin, the inner edge being a curvilinear function other than a portion of a circular circumference about said origin, said outer edge being defined as a locus of points substantially the same proportional circumferential aperture distance from the inner edge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
111 words
In a scanning microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path for creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, the improvement comprising an improved aperture for masking the light in at least one of said light paths as it is rotated, said aperture including at least one continuous curvilinear slit having a radially inner edge and a radially outer edge centered about an origin, the inner edge being a curvilinear function other than a portion of a circular circumference about said origin, said outer edge being defined as a locus of points substantially the same proportional circumferential aperture distance from the inner edge.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The microscope of claim 13 wherein said aperture includes plurality of slits.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The microscope of claim 14 wherein said aperture includes between about four and nine of said slits.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The microscope of claim 14 wherein at least one edge of each slit may be approximated by at least a portion of an Archimedes' spiral.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The microscope of claim 16 wherein said at least one edge is the radially inner edge.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a scanning microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path for creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, the improvement comprising an improved aperture for masking the light in at least one of said light paths as it is rotated, said aperture including at least one continuous curvilinear slit having a radially inner edge and a radially outer edge centered about an origin, the inner edge being a curvilinear function other than a portion of a circular circumference about said origin, said outer edge being defined as a locus of points substantially the minimum distance "a" from the inner edge, "a" being a constant.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a scanning microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path for creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, the improvement comprising an improved aperture for masking the light in at least one of said light paths as it is rotated, said aperture including at least one continuous curvilinear slit having a radially inner edge and a radially outer edge centered about an origin, the inner edge being a curvilinear function other than a portion of a circular circumference about said origin, said outer edge being defined as a locus of points substantially the minimum distance "a" from the inner edge, "a" being a constant.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The microscope of claim 18 wherein said aperture includes a plurality of slits.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The microscope of claim 19 wherein said aperture includes between about four and nine of said slits.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The microscope of claim 19 wherein at least one edge of each slit may be approximated by at least a portion of an Archimedes' spiral.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The aperture of claim 21 wherein said at least one edge is the radially inner edge.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a scanning microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path for creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, the improvement comprising an improved aperture for masking the light in at least one of said light paths, said aperture including at least one continuous substantially spiral slit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
55 words
In a scanning microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path for creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, the improvement comprising an improved aperture for masking the light in at least one of said light paths, said aperture including at least one continuous substantially spiral slit.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The microscope of claim 23 wherein said aperture includes a plurality of said slits.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The microscope of claim 24 wherein each of said slits is centered about a common origin, said origin defining a center of rotation of said aperture.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
The microscope of claim 24 wherein each of said slits is continuous for that portion thereof which is aligned for masking of light for creating said image of said portion of said specimen.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The microscope of claim 26 wherein each of said slits is continuous throughout its length.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
The microscope of claim 23 wherein said slit is continuous for that portion thereof which is aligned for masking of light for creating said image of said portion of said specimen.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
The microscope of claim 28 wherein said slit is continuous throughout its length.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
148 words
In a scanning microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path for creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, the improvement comprising an improved aperture for masking light in at least one of said light paths as it is rotated, said aperture including a plurality of slits having means for substantially uniformly masking all parts of said portion with a substantially constant opening for a substantially equivalent percentage of time to thereby produce an image of substantially uniform masking and substantially uniform resolution, each of said slits being substantially in the shape of an Archimedes spiral, said slits having means for scanning said portion without producing scan lines in the resultant image, and each of said slits being continuous for that portion thereof which is aligned for masking of light for creating said image of said portion of said specimen.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
148 words
In a scanning microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path for creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, the improvement comprising an improved aperture for masking light in at least one of said light paths as it is rotated, said aperture including a plurality of slits having means for substantially uniformly masking all parts of said portion with a substantially constant opening for a substantially equivalent percentage of time to thereby produce an image of substantially uniform masking and substantially uniform resolution, each of said slits being substantially in the shape of an Archimedes spiral, said slits having means for scanning said portion without producing scan lines in the resultant image, and each of said slits being continuous for that portion thereof which is aligned for masking of light for creating said image of said portion of said specimen.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a scanning microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path for creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, the improvement comprising an improved aperture for masking light in at least one of said light paths as it is rotated, said aperture including a plurality of slits having means for substantially uniformly masking all parts of said portion with a substantially constant opening for a substantially equivalent percentage of time to thereby produce an image of substantially uniform masking and substantially uniform resolution, said slits being sized to mask the specimen approximately 10% of the time.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
104 words
In a scanning microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path for creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, the improvement comprising an improved aperture for masking light in at least one of said light paths as it is rotated, said aperture including a plurality of slits having means for substantially uniformly masking all parts of said portion with a substantially constant opening for a substantially equivalent percentage of time to thereby produce an image of substantially uniform masking and substantially uniform resolution, said slits being sized to mask the specimen approximately 10% of the time.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
52 words
An aperture for a confocal scanning microscope, said microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path for creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, said aperture including at least one continuous slit substantially in the shape of an Archimedes spiral centered about an origin.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
52 words
An aperture for a confocal scanning microscope, said microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path for creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, said aperture including at least one continuous slit substantially in the shape of an Archimedes spiral centered about an origin.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
94 words
An aperture for a confocal scanning microscope, said microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path for creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, said aperture including at least one continuous curvilinear slit having a radially inner edge and a radially outer edge centered about an origin, the inner edge being a curvilinear function other than a portion of a circular circumference about said origin, said outer edge being defined as a locus of points substantially the same proportional circumferential aperture distance from the inner edge.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
94 words
An aperture for a confocal scanning microscope, said microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path for creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, said aperture including at least one continuous curvilinear slit having a radially inner edge and a radially outer edge centered about an origin, the inner edge being a curvilinear function other than a portion of a circular circumference about said origin, said outer edge being defined as a locus of points substantially the same proportional circumferential aperture distance from the inner edge.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
95 words
An aperture for a confocal scanning microscope, said microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, the aperture including at least one continuous curvilinear slit having a radially inner edge and a radially outer edge centered about an origin, the inner edge being a curvilinear function other than a portion of a circular circumference about said origin, said outer edge being defined as a locus of points substantially the minimum distance "a" from the inner edge, "a" being a constant.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
95 words
An aperture for a confocal scanning microscope, said microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, the aperture including at least one continuous curvilinear slit having a radially inner edge and a radially outer edge centered about an origin, the inner edge being a curvilinear function other than a portion of a circular circumference about said origin, said outer edge being defined as a locus of points substantially the minimum distance "a" from the inner edge, "a" being a constant.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
41 words
An aperture for a scanning microscope, said microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path for creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, said aperture including at least one continuous substantially spiral slit.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
41 words
An aperture for a scanning microscope, said microscope having an incident light path and a returning light path for creating an image representative of at least a portion of a specimen, said aperture including at least one continuous substantially spiral slit.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
The aperture of claim 35 wherein said aperture includes a plurality of said slits.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
33 words
The aperture of claim 36 wherein each of said slits is continuous for that portion thereof which is aligned for masking of light for creating said image of said portion of said specimen.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
The aperture of claim 37 wherein each of said slits is continuous throughout its length.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
31 words
The aperture of claim 35 wherein said slit is continuous for that portion thereof which is aligned for masking of light for creating said image of said portion of said specimen.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
13 words
The aperture of claim 39 wherein said slit is continuous throughout its length.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3517980A
Cited
US4040095A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-31 | 1995-09-30 | 1996-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-31 | 1999-09-30 | 2000-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-31 | 2003-09-30 | 2004-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |