Patent Application
20060208200
The present invention relates to a microscope having a light source and a detector device, an illumination beam path extending between the light source and a sample, and a detection beam path extending between the sample and the detector device. The present invention also relates to a detector module, in particular for use in a microscope.
Microscopes that have a light source and a detector device exist in a variety of forms well-known in the field. If it is desired to detect at least two spectral regions of the detection beam separately and preferably simultaneously, a selection of the spectral regions is required. To this end, the detection light beam must be spectrally dispersed, and the respective spectral regions need to be separated out toward the individual detectors. In this context, the term “separate out” is understood to mean that a component beam including the first spectral region is able to pass through the means that are used, on the one hand, to separate out the first spectral region and, on the other hand, to reflect at least part of the spectral region that is not separated out, while at least one component beam including a second spectral region is reflected, etc. With regard to the published prior art, reference is made to German Patent DE 43 30 347 C2, in which a so-called multi-band detector for simultaneous detection of a plurality of spectral regions of a detection light beam is described along with its practical application.
However, the microscopes described in the prior art and the multi-band detectors used therein are problematic in practice because the independent arrangement of the individual components requires considerable adjustment effort. Moreover, the multi-band detectors known heretofore are not very flexible in their application, since these multi-band detectors have a fixed configuration in terms of the individual detectors and other components thereof.
It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a microscope having a light source and a detector device which operates in accordance with the multi-band principle, in a way that will make possible a flexible use and simple handling while entailing a relatively low adjustment effort.
The present invention provides a microscope having a light source and a detector device, an illumination beam path extending between the light source and a sample, and a detection beam path extending between the sample and the detector device. The detection device is designed as a detector module which is insertable into the detection beam path and able to be replaced in whole, i.e., as a unit.
The present invention is based on the realization that the adjustment effort should be limited to a module that is pre-adjusted within itself, namely by designing the detector device as a detector module which is insertable into the detection beam path and able to be replaced in whole. This detector module can be handled as such, so that it is only necessary to ensure that the detector module as a whole is correctly positioned in the detection beam path and appropriately adjusted. There is no need to adjust individual optical components or individual subassemblies. The detector module can be handled as such and itself already includes all optical components of a multi-band detector known from the prior art in an adjusted configuration.
With regard to the flexibility of the detector module, it is advantageous if said detector module includes at least two independent detectors, and if these two detectors can be replaced together or separately. This means that the detector module can be replaced by itself, i.e. as a whole together with the detectors, while the individual detectors can also be replaced by themselves. The detector module may include a plurality of individual detectors, for example, 3 to 5 independent detectors, said detectors being able to be replaced together or separately.
For purposes of easy attachment of the individual detectors, a detector location is provided in the detector module for each detector. Thus, each detector location of the detector module can be occupied by a detector or by a dummy element, but in case a detector location is not occupied by a detector, it is mandatory to occlude the otherwise clear optical path with the aid of the dummy element and, possibly, a suitable integral mirror system, or the like.
In order to provide functionality similar to that of the multi-band detector known in the prior art, the detector module can includes detectors of the same type. In order to provide a variable design, it is possible to equip the detector module with different detector types, for example, with photomultiplier tubes, photon counters, etc. Any combinations of detector types may be conceived of, according to the requirements; the housings of the respective detectors being designed to be compatible, namely in order to provide uniform attachment to the detector module.
With regard to the coupling-in of the detection light, it is advantageous if the detection light is split into color components before it enters the detection module. To this end, an optical means for dispersing or splitting the detection light may be provided upstream of the point at which the detection light is coupled into the detector module. The dispersed detection light beam or the split detection light beams then enter the detector module together, where they are relayed—in a further split form—to the respective detectors according to the specific design of said detectors. The optical means for dispersing or splitting the detection light may be a prism.
As mentioned earlier, the whole detector module is inserted into the detection beam path of the microscope and fixedly disposed therein. To this end, special coupling means are provided; these coupling means being associated, on the one hand, with the detector module itself and, on the other hand, with a housing of the microscope and/or one or more subassemblies of the microscope. The detector module is arranged such that is accessible and replaceable from outside the housing of the microscope, which eliminates the need to further interfere with the insides of the microscope.
The coupling means may specifically be a push-fit connection or a bayonet connection; the joining techniques used being combined joining techniques, with or without latching action and, in particular, also with an integral adjustment capability.
In addition to the mechanical coupling, electronic connections are advantageously provided which are preferably connected concurrently with the mechanical coupling, i.e., when the detector module is inserted. The electrical connections include electrical conductors for power supply and for data transmission.
From a design standpoint, and in particular to allow the detector module to be easily handled and accommodated, it is advantageous for the detector module to include a receiving block in the form of a drum for the individual detectors. The individual detectors are arranged along the circumference of the drum, so that the resulting geometry allows splitting of the light beam from the center of the drum to the radially outwardly disposed detectors. The receiving block forming the drum may preferably be made of aluminum.
The receiving block is kind of a housing which forms an interior space. This interior space is at least largely closed off from the outside, except for the connection openings for the optical path of the detection light, which are needed for the coupling to the detection beam path, on the one hand, and for the attachment of the individual detectors, on the other hand.
In accordance with the above explanations, the housing forming the drum, i.e. the receiving block, is provided with bays along its circumference, said bays being used for attachment of the individual detectors. Each of these bays has an opening for the detection light that is diverted from the interior space of the housing to the respective detector, the opening being used for insertion of a mounting flange of the respective detector. Accordingly, the individual detector is adapted, in terms of its housing, to the receiving block bay used for attachment and to the opening provided therein for feeding in the detection light. In accordance with this embodiment, the housings of all detectors are identical in design, independently of the detector type provided therein.
The individual detectors can be push-fitted to the receiving block (in the respective bays), and, in addition, are capable of being locked in position. Thus, it is possible, for example, to screw the individual detectors, in their positions, to the housing of the receiving block, namely in order to ensure reliable positioning of the individual detectors, so that misalignment of the detectors is difficult or impossible in this respect.
As has been mentioned earlier, the detection light beam is split before it enters the receiving block. The already split detection light passes through an input port in the receiving block and into the interior space of the receiving block, where it hits a beam splitter device for further splitting the detection light to the individual detectors. The beam splitter device may include a system of cascaded mirror slides. It is also conceivable for the beam splitter device, in particular for the optical components thereof, to be associated in whole or in part with the detectors to be inserted, or with the dummy elements to be inserted in place of one or more detectors. Thus, the individual detectors and/or the dummy elements replacing the detectors may form part of the beam splitter device.
Also advantageously, the detector module includes electronic functional elements or functional units. The same may apply to the detectors to be attached. The electronic functional elements or functional units are used for signal processing and may take the form of, for example, an A/D converter. Any miniaturizable functional units may be integrated into the detector module or the individual detectors.
The detector module and/or the individual detectors usually contain heat-generating components, such as detector tubes. The operating temperature reached by such components during operation is so high that proper operation is no longer guaranteed, especially in the case of an encapsulated design. Thus, it is advantageous if the detector module and/or the individual detectors has/have a cooling device for cooling the heat-generating components. To this end, a Peltier element may be used which thermally connects the detector module and/or the detectors to the microscope housing or to the microscope stand.
Specifically, the cooling device could include an inner heat exchanger associated with the heat-generating component and an outer heat exchanger associated with the housing of the detector module or with the housing or stand of the microscope; the heat exchangers being in fluid communication with each other. For example, the cooling device could be designed as a water cooling system, or, quite generally, as a refrigerant cooling system having a refrigerant line. The refrigerant line, in turn, may be a conventional line for refrigerants, or else a heat pipe.
The present invention also provides a detector module, in particular for use in a microscope as described above according to the present invention. The microscope has a light source, an illumination beam path extending between the light source and a sample, and a detection beam path extending between the sample and the detector module. The detector module is insertable into the detection beam path and able to be replaced in whole. To avoid repetitions, reference is made to the explanations regarding the microscope of the present invention.
The teaching of the present invention can be embodied and refined in different ways. The present invention is elaborated upon below based on an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:
In accordance with the present invention, detector module 1 is a replaceable component which can be handled by itself, i.e. as such. The individual components parts of detector module 1 are adjusted such that the detector module needs only to be inserted into the detection beam path 2 and to be adjusted therein as a whole.
Detector module 1 has provided therein a separate detector location 4 for each detector 3, it being possible for each detector location 4 of detector module 1 to be occupied by a detector 3 or by a dummy element (not shown in the Figures). As has been explained in detail above, detectors 3 may be detectors of different types. In this regard, reference is made to the explanations given in the general description.
Detector module 1 is capable of being inserted into detection beam path 2 or, more specifically, into a corresponding housing part of the microscope, using mechanical and electrical coupling means 5. Mechanical and electrical coupling means 5 are indicated in
Ultimately, said coupling means include a push-fit connection or a bayonet connection, as well as electrical connections for power supply and for data transmission.
In
For purposes of attachment of detectors 3, bays 9 are formed in receiving block 6 along the circumference thereof, said bays 9 having outwardly directed openings 10 for the detection light 11 that is diverted from interior space 7 of housing 6 to the respective detector 3. Openings 10 are formed and sized such that they allow insertion of a mounting flange 12 of the respective detector 3. In this manner, an optical connection is provided.
As can be seen in
As mentioned earlier, the individual detectors 3 can be push-fitted to the receiving block 6 and locked in position. This is accomplished using screws.
Receiving block 6 includes an input port 14 for the already split detection light beam 15, and further includes a beam splitter device 16 which is associated with interior space 7 of receiving block 6 and which, in turn, includes cascaded mirror slides.
In
In addition to detector housing 18 and cooling fins 17,
With regard to other features which cannot be seen in the Figures, and to avoid repetitions, reference is made to the general part of the description. Besides, it should be noted that the exemplary embodiment discussed above serves merely for illustrative discussion of the claimed teaching without limiting it to the exemplary embodiment.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE 102005008619.5 | Feb 2005 | DE | national |
Priority is claimed to the provisional application entitled “Microscope and Detector Module,” filed by applicant on Jan. 13, 2006, and to German patent application DE 10 2005 008 619.5, filed on Feb. 23, 2005, the entire subject matters of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60758765 | Jan 2006 | US |
