Non-Scanning, Multi-Aperture Confocal Microscope

This invention relates to the design of a low cost, multi-aperture confocal microscope that can provide cellular images of human tissue in vivo. The main purpose is to use non-scanning all-passive confocal optics to conduct two-dimensional confocal imaging. The invention uses multiple apertures for each of the illumination and detection masks to increase the imaging speed and improve image resolution compared to a single aperture. This can be used for diagnosis of skin diseases, corneal diseases, and other human diseases, as well as industrial inspection applications, such as inspection of defects on flat panel display devices.

Background: 
Microscopes have been an integral part of the medical field since their first use in 1563, and currently remain one of the most important diagnostic devices. Current microscopes utilize a single aperture to obtain images; however, advancements in the optical field have radically improved microscopes through the use of multi-apertures and approaches that improve image resolution and increased imaging speeds.

Applications: 

• Medical imaging
• Non-invasive diagnostic tool
• Industrial inspection applications

Advantages: 

• Higher resolution images
• Increased imaging speeds
• Can provide cellular images of in vivo human tissue
• Lower cost