Fluorescence module with a plurality of filters and light sources and an optical guide

Abstract

Aspects of the subject technology provide a fluorescence module that is configured to provide a selectable light source for fluorescence microscopy, e.g., through independent paired selection of a light source (emitter) and a corresponding light filter. An optical guide having one or more mechanically actuatable reflective surfaces is used for directing light emitted from the light source along a light path to the corresponding light filter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluorescence module configured for providing illumination to a microscope specimen, the fluorescence module comprising:
 a plurality of light sources configured to emit light along a light path; and   a plurality of light filters configured to receive the light in the light path, wherein the plurality of light filters are configured to be actuated independently from the plurality of light sources.   
     
     
         2 . The fluorescence module of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light filters are mounted on a filter turret, and
 wherein rotatable actuation of the filter turret facilitates placement of at least one of the light filters into the light path.   
     
     
         3 . The fluorescence module of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an optical sensor configured to verify proper rotation of the filter turret for selection of at least one of the light filters.   
     
     
         4 . The fluorescence module of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an optical guide comprising one or more mechanically actuatable mirrors, the optical guide configured for reflecting, using the one or more mechanically actuatable mirrors, the light emitted from at least one of the plurality of light sources and directing the light along the light path.   
     
     
         5 . The fluorescence module of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a mirror cube for receiving an emission light path originating from the specimen, and   wherein the mirror cube is configured for directing the emission light path toward one or more of: a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor, or a photodetector, a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera, a color camera, or a bayer mosaic camera.   
     
     
         6 . The fluorescence module of  claim 1 , wherein each of the light filters comprises one or more of: an excitation filter, an emission filter, or a dichoric mirror. 
     
     
         7 . The fluorescence module of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of light sources comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). 
     
     
         8 . A method of illuminating a specimen, comprising:
 selecting a light source from among a plurality of light sources, wherein the light source is configured for providing light along a light path via an optical guide; and   selecting a light filter, from among a plurality of light filters, wherein selection of the light filter comprises actuating the light filter into the light path.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein selecting the light source further comprises:
 actuating one or more mirrors in the optical guide to reflect light emitted by the light source into the light path.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein selecting the light filter further comprises:
 rotatably actuating a filter turret using a drive motor; and   verifying a proper rotation of the filter turret using an optical sensor.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 receiving, at a mirror cube, an emission light path originating from the specimen; and   directing, using the mirror cube, the emission light path toward one or more of: a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor, or a photodetector, a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera, a color camera, or a bayer mosaic camera.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the optical guide comprises one or more mechanically actuatable reflective surfaces for directing light emitted from at least one of the plurality of light sources along the light path. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein each of the filters comprises one or more of: an excitation filter, an emission filter, or a dichoric mirror. 
     
     
         14 . A method for assembling a fluorescence module, comprising:
 mounting a plurality of light sources adjacent to an optical guide, wherein the optical guide is configured for receiving light emitted from at least one of the plurality of light sources and directing the light along a light path; and   mounting a plurality of light filters on a filter turret, wherein rotatable actuation of the filter turret places at least one of the light filters into a position for receiving the light from the optical guide.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the directing the light along a light path comprises actuating one or more mirrors in the optical guide to reflect light emitted by the light source into the light path. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising coupling a motor to the filter turret, the motor configured to rotatably actuate the filter turret. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising using an optical sensor to verify a proper position of the filter turret. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the optical guide comprises one or more mechanically actuatable reflective surfaces for directing light emitted from at least one of the plurality of light sources along the light path. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein each of the filters comprises one or more of: an excitation filter, an emission filter, or a dichoric mirror. 
     
     
         20 . A fluorescence module comprising:
 a plurality of light sources adjacently disposed to an optical guide, wherein the optical guide is configured for receiving light emitted from at least one of the plurality of light sources and directing the light along a light path; and   a filter carriage comprising a plurality of light filters, wherein linear actuation of the filter carriage on a linear track places at least one of the light filters into a position for receiving the light from the optical guide.