Laser micro-dissection microscope has preparation table fixed in two axes under slice-action laser beam guided by wedge-shaped glass panels

摘要

A laser micro-dissection microscope has a table (1) for a sample (3) illuminated by a laser (7) light source (5) with lens-focused (10) beam (18). The table is fixed in both the X and Y axes during dissection. The laser (7) has a scanner (9) with two thick wedge-shaped glass panels (11a,11b). A laser micro-dissection microscope has a table (1) for a sample (3) illuminated by a laser (7) light source (5) with lens-focused (10) beam (18). The table is fixed in both the X and Y axes during dissection. The laser (7) has a scanner (9) with two thick wedge-shaped glass panels (11a,11b). The panels are inclined with respect to the optical axis (8) and may be rotated independently of each other about the axis. Rotation deflects the beam about the axis by an angle alpha. The laser beam is offset laterally with respect to the optical axis (8) by the thickness and angle of the glass panels and impinges on the centre of the lens pupil (19) for all alpha angles. The laser light source is an ultra violet or VIS laser. The wedge-shaped glass panels are rotated as required by electric motors (14a,14b) with control units. The dissection unit is linked to a computer (26) with a mouse and a monitor screen (28). The computer is coupled to the motor control and laser light source. Also claimed is a process in which the preparation remains fixed while being progressively sliced in steps by the laser beam. An image of the preparation is captured by a camera (16) and presented on the monitor screen (28).