| 摘要 |
The present invention provides a light engine having four light sources. A combination of collimators, bandpass filters, dichroic mirrors, and other elements is operative to direct light from the light sources onto a main optical axis from where it may be focused into a light guide for transport to an instrument or device. Particular embodiments of the invention provide for computer control, intensity control, color control, and light source modulation. Additional embodiments include particular light sources including light pipes and lasers. The light engine provides white light having a high color rendering index and suitable for applications in microscopy, endoscopy, and/or bioanalytical instrumentation. |
| 主权项 |
1. A light engine for generating light for fluorescence microscopy, the light engine comprising:
a first light source, wherein the first light source includes a first Light Emitting Diode (LED), a first bandpass filter, and a first collimator, wherein the first light source is configured to emit a first collimated light beam of a first color suitable for exciting a first fluorescent label; a second light source, wherein the second light source includes a second Light Emitting Diode (LED), a second bandpass filter, and a second collimator, wherein the second light source is configured to emit a second collimated light beam of a second color different than the first color, the second color being suitable for exciting a second fluorescent label; a third light source, wherein the third light source includes a third Light Emitting Diode (LED), a third bandpass filter, and a third collimator, wherein the third light source is configured to emit a third collimated light beam of a third color different than the first color and second color, the third color being suitable for exciting a third fluorescent label; a fourth light source, wherein the fourth light source includes a fourth Light Emitting Diode (LED), a fourth bandpass filter, and a fourth collimator, wherein the fourth light source is configured to emit a fourth collimated light beam of a fourth color different than the first color, second color, and third color, the fourth color being suitable for exciting a fourth fluorescent label; a plurality of optical components positioned so as to direct each of the first collimated light beam, the second collimated light beam, the third collimated light beam, and the fourth collimated light beam onto a main optical axis of the light engine; and a lens positioned to receive light directed by the plurality of optical components onto the main optical axis of the light engine and direct a beam of output light into one of a liquid light guide, fiber bundle light guide, and a Kohler Illuminator. |
