Abstract: A stereo vision optical instrument having eyepieces which are rotatably mounted to the instrument by way of pivot plates includes apparatus coupled between the pivot plates to prevent binding of the eyepieces as they are rotated.

Abstract: A microscope comprising a base portion (13), a cross member (15) and a vertical portion (14) connecting the base portion and cross member, at least one lamp (LA) for microscope illumination being arranged within the vertical portion, a slide adapted to be shifted in and out of the vertical portion from above in a substantially vertical direction holding at least one lamp. The slide is made of a material exhibiting good heat conducting properties and is formed with longitudinal ribs. The slide is arranged in a cavity extending in a substantially vertical direction and thermally insulated from the walls defining the cavity.

Abstract: A microscope with continuously or discontinuously variable objective magnification is provided with an autofocus system, the beam path of which passes through the objective and is directed out of the imaging beam path of the microscope between objective and eyepiece to at least one photo-electric detector means. At least one optical system is located or locatable in the beam path of the autofocus system which allows or causes the at least one image formed on the detector means to be altered in scale when a change in the objective magnification occurs. The at least one optical system may be a zoom system or a series of lenses or fixed lens systems arranged to be moved into the beam path of the focusing system. By a coupling mechanism, it is achieved that, upon an exchange of the objective or a change in the objective magnification, the focal length of the at least one optical system located or locatable in the beam path of the autofocus system is varied accordingly.

Abstract: A cassette for holding a tissue specimen comprises a body portion (10) and a separable portion (12) which snap together to enclose a specimen (42) in a mould space (54) of the cassette. The specimen (42) is located and oriented in the mould space (54) between a compliant base portion (14) and the separable portion (12). The specimen is processed by the successive application of processing fluids before being embedded in paraffin wax. The specimen is held in its oriented position on the cassette during processing and embedding, there being no handling or re-positioning of the specimen between processing and embedding. During embedding, molten wax is supplied to a container (56) in which the cassette is placed. Wax surrounds and embeds the specimen, the container base is then cooled to solidify a base layer of wax, allowing the remaining wax to be drained from the container, leaving the wax within the cassette to solidify and cool.

Abstract: A mechanical indicator for indicating the intensity of an illuminator is described for use in an optical instrument. The indicator includes a cover plate having a plurality of apertures and an opaque slide plate mounted behind the cover. The opaque slide plate is connected to the apparatus controlling the lamp intensity and moves across the apertures as the lamp intensity is changed. A source of illumination is positioned with respect to the opaque slide plate so as to emit light through the apertures not covered by the plate.

Abstract: A cover member is set forth which protects the rotatable turret and objectives of an inverted microscope from exposure to corrosive or otherwise potentially harmful substances.

Abstract: A method for metal-mirror cryofixation of bio-medical or similar technical specimens in which a specimen is brought into contact with a highly polished, cooled metal mirror in order to cool at least a marginal zone of the specimen suddenly to a low temperature. In order to avoid deformation of the specimen caused by freezing, provision is made, immediately after the first contact between the specimen and the metal mirror, to press the latter against one another by an additional independent force until the specimen is completely frozen. A cryofixation device for this purpose comprises a force generating device, for example, a separate power storage device (135) which, under control, functions after contact between the specimen (106) and metal mirror (102), in other words exerts the additional force between the specimen and the metal mirror (FIG. 7).

Abstract: Apparatus for treating biological specimens at low temperatures for subsequent microscopic examination comprises a container having a specimen treatment chamber disposed in a vessel adapted to contain liquid coolant. The specimen treatment chamber is adapted to receive a specimen to be treated and a specimen treatment medium. Precooling means is provided for precooling the specimen treatment medium before it is introduced to the specimen treatment chamber. The precooling means comprises a reservoir communicating with the specimen treatment chamber, and delivery means for delivering the specimen treatment medium to the reservoir. The reservoir and delivery means are arranged so that specimen treatment medium flowing through the reservoir and delivery means is cooled by the liquid coolant, and so that the specimen treatment medium can flow through the delivery means in countercurrent heat exchange with specimen treatment medium flowing from the reservoir to the specimen treatment chamber.

Abstract: A microscope body is adapted to compensate for the deliberately introduced 0.6 percent lateral color of an infinity corrected microscope objective. This compensation of the lateral color by the microscope body is done without introducing objectionable axial color aberration. The microscope body is typically a trinocular body which provides an image to binocular eyepieces for observation by a user or alternatively to both the eyepieces and to a focal plane of a camera.

Abstract: A photometer for use with a microscope having an object plane an image plane and an optical axis between said planes. The photometer includes an optical dividing means adapted to be disposed in the optical axis between the microscope object and image planes, and a reflective element having a reflecting surface. A pin hole occluder is adapted to be arranged on the opposite side of the optical dividing means to the reflective element. An optical imaging device provides an image of the pin hole occluder on the reflecting surface. A semi-reflective element is provided for reflecting light from the light source to the optical dividing means. A detector is arranged in an optical axis including the semi-reflective element, the pin hole occluder, the optical dividing means, the optical imaging device and reflective element.

Abstract: A stage for a microscope comprises a stage carrier, an object stage, an intermediate carrier disposed between the stage carrier and the object stage, and first and second displacement means. The first displacement means serves to displace the intermediate carrier together with the object stage in a first direction relative to the stage carrier, and the second displacement means serves to displace the object stage in a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction. The first and second displacement means are fixed relative to the stage carrier so that they do not move when the intermediate carrier and the object stage moves.

Abstract: A guide device for guiding a movable part of an apparatus relative to a fixed part of the apparatus, includes a first guide rail adapted to be provided on the movable part and a second guide rail adapted to be provided on the fixed part. Bearing means comprising a plurality of roller elements disposed in a roller support is disposed in a longitudinal groove between the first and second guides and movable relative thereto. Biasing means is provided which biases the bearing means toward a predetermined position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-invasive in vivo inspection of ocular tissue wherein a laser provides a low power, coherent and uniform output beam of light which is guided through the optical system of a modified slit lamp biomicroscope to the eye of a patient for scattering by protein molecules in the ocular tissue of the patient, and scattered laser light in the ocular tissue is viewed through the slit lamp to visually align a pick up associated with the slit lamp optical system to a desired location in the ocular tissue. A measurement is performed by receiving laser light scattered from the ocular tissue and converting the scattered light into an electrical signal, and the electrical signal is analyzed by sorting it into components each characterized by an intensity and a fluctuation rate and each component associated with a protein group in the ocular tissue.

Abstract: A specimen holder clamp for a microtome comprising a fixed jaw which is fixed relative to a guide member and a movable jaw which is movable along a path defined by the guide member. The clamp is provided with a first infinitely adjustable rack, and the movable jaw carries a second complementary incrementally adjustable rack for coupling engagement so that when the second complementary incrementally adjustable rack engages with the first infinitely adjustable rack, fine adjustment of the clamp can be effected, and when the second complementary incrementally adjustable rack is disengaged, coarse adjustment can be effected. The second complementary incrementally adjustable rack is normally biased into engagement with the first infinitely adjustable rack.

Abstract: A microtome has a specimen holder which executes a vertical up and down movement relative to a cutting knife and which has a guide mechanism in which a sleeve is arranged so as to be horizontally displaceable. The sleeve is provided at its front end with a specimen clamping mechanism and in its interior with a micrometer nut which is secured against axial displacement and through which extends a micrometer spindle mounted on the guide mechanism. The micrometer nut has on its outer face a toothed ring which is connected operatively to a pinion connected to an electric motor. When the electric motor is activated the sleeve is displaced in the guide mechanism. The micrometer spindle extends, on the side opposite the specimen clamping mechanism, through the guide mechanism as a stub end on which is located a mechanical cutting-thickness advance mechanism.

Abstract: In a clamping mechanism for a blade of a microtome, in which the blade is clampable in a cutting blade mounting, the blade is supported on its front side and on its rear side in proximity with the cutting edge in the cutting region of the blade.

Abstract: An autofocus mechanism for a microscope comprises an arrangement of optical elements aligned along a single optical path. The arrangement includes a single illumination source which provides both a viewing component and a positioning component. Included in the autofocus arrangement are optical elements to eccentrically reference the positioning component for determining the focus condition of the instrument. The autofocus arrangement also includes a detector for determining the degree of eccentricity of the measuring ray and to make adjustments in the microscope according to this eccentricity to bring the viewed object into focus.