Abstract: An optical system for use in a microscope and other optical systems has an unlimited depth of focus. The optical system comprises at least one lens, rotating mechanisms for continuously oscillating the focal length of the lens, and opaque elements for momentarily preventing light to pass through the lens. The rapid (i.e., greater than about 16 images a second) and sequential replacement of images in a plane parallel to and a fixed distance will provide an unlimited depth of focus to elicit in the observer a sense of sharp focus of the entire observed object.

Abstract: An optical system for use in a microscope and other optical systems has an unlimited depth of focus. The optical system comprises a lens set comprising a first optical element and a second optical element; mechanisms for continuously oscillating the focal length of the lens set in stepwise increments; and mechanisms for permitting light to pass through the lens set when the focal length is momentarily fixed and for preventing light to pass through the lens set when the focal length is not momentarily fixed. The rapid (i.e., greater than about 16 images a second) and sequential replacement of images in a plane parallel to and at a fixed distance will provide an unlimited depth of focus to elicit in the observer a sense of sharp focus of the entire observed object.

Abstract: A suspension system for a surgical instrument provides balancing in the vertical plane, and comprises a generally vertical support structure, a levered assembly extending out from the support structure, an attachment mechanism for mounting the surgical instrument to an outer member of the levered assembly, and a spring connected at a first end thereof to the levered assembly adjacent the attachment mechanism, movably extending across an upper portion of an inner member of the levered assembly, and connected at a second end thereof to a vertically movable portion of the levered assembly adjacent the support structure.

Abstract: A balanced suspension system for a surgical investigative instrument, such as a surgical microscope, is configured so that the amount of force to move the microscope in any direction is approximately equal, and when the suspension system is unlocked to move the microscope no residual forces will spontaneously move the microscope. The suspension system comprises a generally vertical support structure, a levered assembly extending out therefrom, a gimbal mount assembly connected adjacent one end of the levered assembly. The gimbal mount assembly includes a bracket arm having a first joint member at one end thereof and an instrument bracket, for holding the microscope, connected to a second end thereof by a second joint member. The instrument bracket includes a third joint member, so that the center of mass of the microscope lies within the three planes of motion permitted by the first, second and third joint members.