Abstract: A focus detection device which is applied to a fluorescent observation device for observing a fluorescent image to be emitted from an observation sample on the basis of an evanescent light, includes an image pickup unit which detects a contrast of the fluorescent image by imaging the fluorescent image, and a detector which detects a focus on the basis of the detection result.

Abstract: An observation apparatus includes a sample tray that holds a container housing a cultured cell and a culture medium and covered with a lid; an observation unit that serves for observation of the cultured cell; and a shifting unit that relatively shifts the sample tray and a light axis of the observation unit along a plane that is orthogonal to the light axis of the observation unit, wherein the sample tray includes a container holding unit that holds the container by utilizing an elastic force, and at least one of the lid and one portion of the lid is made detachable, with the container being held in the sample tray by the container holding unit.

Abstract: A microscope system has a stage on which an observation sample, including an observation object and a transparent member, is to be placed. An objective lens is placed to face the observation sample placed on the stage, and a focusing unit moves at least one of the stage and the objective lens to perform a focusing operation. An autofocus unit controls a focusing driving unit by a so-called Through-the-Lens: TTL system. After autofocus is performed for the transparent member by the autofocus unit, the focusing driving unit makes at least one of the stage and the objective lens move by a predetermined constant amount.

Abstract: A focus detection device which is applied to a fluorescent observation device for observing a fluorescent image to be emitted from an observation sample on the basis of an evanescent light, includes an image pickup unit which detects a contrast of the fluorescent image by imaging the fluorescent image, and a detector which detects a focus on the basis of the detection result.

Abstract: The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a microscope that prevents a dew condensation on an objective lens and allows obtaining a good microscopic image, and a method of preventing a dew condensation on an objective lens. A microscope includes an objective lens having a heater 22 in a cell incubator 3 having a high humidity space. The high humidity space is maintained at 90% to 100% of relative humidity and controlled to be at a predetermined gas temperature. A cultured cell 12 in the cell incubator 3 is observed via the objective lens 1, and the heater 22 is controlled to make the temperature of the objective lens 1 higher than the gas temperature of the high humidity space.

Abstract: A microscope system has a stage on which an observation sample, including an observation object and a transparent member, is to be placed. An objective lens is placed to face the observation sample placed on the stage, and a focusing unit moves at least one of the stage and the objective lens to perform a focusing operation. An autofocus unit controls a focusing driving unit by a so-called Through-the-Lens: TTL system. After autofocus is performed for the transparent member by the autofocus unit, the focusing driving unit makes at least one of the stage and the objective lens move by a predetermined constant amount.

Abstract: A microscope system has a stage on which an observation sample, including an observation object and a transparent member, is to be placed. An objective lens is placed to face the observation sample placed on the stage, and a focusing unit moves at least one of the stage and the objective lens to perform a focusing operation. An autofocus unit controls a focusing driving unit by a so-called Through-the-Lens: TTL system. After autofocus is performed for the transparent member by the autofocus unit, the focusing driving unit makes at least one of the stage and the objective lens move by a predetermined constant amount.

Abstract: A focus detection device which is applied to a fluorescent observation device for observing a fluorescent image to be emitted from an observation sample on the basis of an evanescent light, includes an image pickup unit which detects a contrast of the fluorescent image by imaging the fluorescent image, and a detector which detects a focus on the basis of the detection result.

Abstract: A microscope illumination intensity measuring device has a light-receiving unit that outputs a signal representing an intensity of received light, a moving mechanism that places the light-receiving unit on an observation optical axis of the microscope as needed, a converter that converts a signal output from the light-receiving unit into light intensity information, a wavelength selection unit that sets a wavelength for light to be measured, and a display unit that displays the light intensity information.

Abstract: An in-vivo examination apparatus in which the examination angle can be changed while keeping an examination site in focus to carry out accurate in-vivo examination is provided. The in-vivo examination apparatus includes a stage on which a living organism is mounted, a measurement head that irradiates the living organism on the stage with light emitted from a light source and detects light returning from the living organism, and a rotation mechanism that rotates the measurement head about a fixed point on the stage.

Abstract: A tissue culture microscope apparatus includes a culture unit that includes a chamber in which a specimen is put, and maintains the chamber at a predetermined temperature to culture the specimen; an observation unit that forms an observation image of the specimen put in the chamber; and a liquid supply unit that stores a liquid in a protrusion portion penetrating into a wall of the chamber and protruding to an inside of the chamber, matches a temperature of the liquid with the temperature of the chamber, and injects the liquid from the protrusion portion to the specimen.

Abstract: A magnetic actuator includes a first yoke, an armature which is provided inside the first yoke and made movable in reciprocating motion along a first direction inside the first yoke, first and second coils fitted inside the first yoke, a pair of second yokes affixed to the first yoke along a second direction, and permanent magnets affixed to the second yokes in a manner that the permanent magnets are positioned face to face with the armature. In the magnetic actuator thus constructed, fluxes generated by the first and second coils pass through first magnetic circuits whereas fluxes generated by the permanent magnets pass through second magnetic circuits differing from the first magnetic circuits.

Abstract: A focus detection device which is applied to a fluorescent observation device for observing a fluorescent image to be emitted from an observation sample on the basis of an evanescent light, includes an image pickup unit which detects a contrast of the fluorescent image by imaging the fluorescent image, and a detector which detects a focus on the basis of the detection result.

Abstract: A culture observation apparatus, which is used for observing a cultured cell while culturing the cell, includes a culture device that forms a culture space which is controlled to be an environment suitable for culturing the cultured cell; a sample tray that holds a container housing the cultured cell and a culture medium; a microscope that serves for observing the cultured cell; a tray holding mechanism that holds the sample tray in the culture space in a detachable manner with good reproducibility; and a shifting mechanism that relatively shifts the sample tray held by the tray holding mechanism and a light axis of the microscope along a plane that is orthogonal to the light axis, wherein the sample tray has a heater used for heating the sample tray, and is electrically connectable to an energy supplying unit that supplies energy to the sample tray.

Abstract: A culture observation apparatus, which is used for observing a cultured cell while culturing the cell, includes a culture device that cultures the cultured cell, and a microscope used for observing the cultured cell. The culture device includes a first space that is controlled to an environment suitable for culture of the cell, and a second space that is controlled to a lower humidity condition in comparison with the first space. The microscope includes an objective optical unit including an objective lens; the objective optical unit having at least one portion located in the second space, and another portion extending into the first space through an opening formed in a partition wall that separates the first space and the second space, with a gap between the objective optical unit and the partition wall being sealed by a sealing member, and the objective lens includes a plurality of lens groups, with mutual spaces among the lens groups vented to the second space.

Abstract: An observation apparatus includes a sample tray that holds a container housing a cultured cell and a culture medium and covered with a lid; an observation unit that serves for observation of the cultured cell; and a shifting unit that relatively shifts the sample tray and a light axis of the observation unit along a plane that is orthogonal to the light axis of the observation unit, wherein the sample tray includes a container holding unit that holds the container by utilizing an elastic force, and at least one of the lid and one portion of the lid is made detachable, with the container being held in the sample tray by the container holding unit.

Abstract: A microscope includes a high humidity space that is maintained at a predetermined gas temperature and a predetermined relative humidity for culture of a living sample; an objective lens having a tip portion with a top lens which is disposed in the high humidity space, and serving to allow for an observation of the living cell incubated inside the high humidity space; a heater that heats the objective lens; and a temperature controller that controls the heater so that a surface temperature and an internal temperature of the objective lens are higher than a dew-point temperature and lower than a thermal death point of the living sample.

Abstract: A microscope illumination intensity measuring device has a light-receiving unit that outputs a signal representing an intensity of received light, a moving mechanism that places the light-receiving unit on an observation optical axis of the microscope as needed, a converter that converts a signal output from the light-receiving unit into light intensity information, a wavelength selection unit that sets a wavelength for light to be measured, and a display unit that displays the light intensity information.

Abstract: An in-vivo examination apparatus in which the examination angle can be changed while keeping an examination site in focus to carry out accurate in-vivo examination is provided. The in-vivo examination apparatus includes a stage on which a living organism is mounted, a measurement head that irradiates the living organism on the stage with light emitted from a light source and detects light returning from the living organism, and a rotation mechanism that rotates the measurement head about a fixed point on the stage.

Abstract: Voltage compensating circuits are connected serially to a power system, including capacitors each having different charging voltages (in relationship of approximately 2k (K=0, 1, 2, . . . ) times the smallest charging voltage value). The voltage compensating circuits convert DC voltages in the capacitors into AC voltages and output the AC voltages, respectively. The voltages of the capacitors are detected as detected values V1 to V3. The detected values V1 to V3 are used as bit signals for a reference value to check a voltage dip amount of the power system with the reference value and to convert the voltage dip amount into a binary signal. A combination is selected from the voltage compensating circuits in accordance with the binary signal so that the sum of output voltages of the selected voltage compensating circuits compensates the voltage dip of the power system.